July at Home Edition by M.L. Ellen Percival

SUMMER 2020

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AT HOME EDITION

KEEP YOUR

Summer IN THE CITY!

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KIDS ENGAGED

& Prevent the SUMMER SLIDE

fun ideas in & around Calgary!

Staycation Ideas on

THE CHEAP ARE WE THERE YET?

Backseat Boredom Busters

Stroller-Friendly Hiking Trails

Help is Just a Phone Call Away!

' Child Calgarys AT HOME EDITION

211 Community Connection (24 hours) Dial 211 to get connected to the community services you need ��211 AADAC Help Line (24 hours) Phone �� 1-866-33AADAC (2-2322) Adult Counselling and Prevention Services �� 403-297-3071 Youth Services ��403-297-4664 Alberta Children’s Hospital Child Abuse and Mental Health Program Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-955-5959 Alberta Health Services – HEALTHLink Alberta 24-hour line providing health information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 811

Happy July, Everyone! While I know we're all still being cautious and keeping our distance, July feels like a breath of fresh air. It's so nice to be able to throw open the doors and windows, plan road trips and enjoy nature! We hope you'll enjoy this last in our series of At Home editions. It's been a unique and exciting challenge for us

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse 24-Hour Crisis Line and support for people who have been sexually abused/assaulted and their families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-237-5888

to find great local editorial, contests and activity ideas for you every month - I know that we all feel that we've gotten

CCIS Parent Link Family Resource Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-6686

and receiving your photos over the past few months!

Children’s Cottage Crisis Nursery 24-hour child care for parents in crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-233-2273 Child Abuse Hotline Report child abuse-24 hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-387-KIDS

to know our readers better since March. We've loved interacting with you on social media, hearing your thoughts We'll be back to a regular bimonthly schedule in the middle of August with our Back-to-School issue! We hope to return to print editions by October as our distribution locations re-open.

Community Resource Team 24-hour mobile crisis team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-299-9699

Thank you so much for supporting us over the past few months - have a wonderful summer! You deserve it!

Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary Offers a number of respite options for families with a child with a disability 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, voice message after hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-240-3111

The Calgary’s Child Magazine Team

Distress Centre Calgary 24-hour crisis line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-HELP (4357) ConnecTeen – 24-hour youth support line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-264-TEEN (8336) Early Start Support for Families with New Babies Seven days a week, 24-hours a day support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-244-8351 Families Matter Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-205-5178 Hospice Calgary Grief Counselling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-263-4525 Kids Help Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-668-6868 La Leche League Breastfeeding Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-242-0277 Mental Health Help Line 24 Hour Help Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-303-2642 Mental Health Crisis Line (Mobile Response Team) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-1605 Canadian Mental Health Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-297-1700 Suicide Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-297-1744 Missing Children Society of Canada Organization dedicated to the search for abducted and runaway children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-661-6160 Parent Support Association 24-hour self help for parents of children nine and up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-270-1819 Poison Centre Calgary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-944-1414 Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-332-1414 Ronald McDonald House® Southern Alberta A home away from home for out of town families with seriously ill children in the Calgary Hospitals – 9 am to 9 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-240-3000 Shelters (all 24 hour access) Calgary Drop-In Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-3600 Children’s Cottage Crisis Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-233-2273 Women’s Emergency Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-234-SAFE (7233) Sheriff King Family Support Centre Crisis Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-0707 Awo-taan Native Women’s Shelter Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-531-1972 Wheatland Communities Crisis Society Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-934-6634 SIDS Calgary Offers support to families who have lost a child to crib death . . . . . 403-265-7437 West Central Communities Resource Centre One-stop approach for family services in the SW communities in regards to early intervention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-543-0555

Kids Up Front: The Pancake Project Provided by Kids Up Front

very year, the Kids Up Front team has been fortunate enough to send tons of kids to the Calgary Stampede. Since this year will look a bit different, they’re partnering with ATB Financial to host the first ever “Pancake Project,” a virtual Stampede breakfast! Kids Up Front surveyed their partner agencies and the No. 1 need for kids and families during the COVID19 crisis is food. Kids Up Front is hoping to deliver as many packages as possible containing pancake mix, syrup, markers, and activity packages for kids in their families! Not only that - they’re going to have a virtual component full of activities and community-building on July 10. Kids Up Front needs your help to make this a success! Every $20 donation will buy one pancake package for a family - donate $20 or more through this link to support today: canadahelps.org/en/dn/49967. Kids Up Front Calgary provides experiences to deserving children and youth in the Calgary area. They believe that all kids should have access to enriching experiences like arts, culture, and sporting events. Attendance at events like these helps to foster feelings of inclusion and belonging in the children they help. Kids Up Front reaches children in need through their

innovative program by distributing tickets, classes, and passes to more than 300 partner agencies in the Calgary area. For more information about Kids Up Front, visit kidsupfrontcalgary.com. To donate $20 or more for the Pancake Project, a virtual Stampede breakfast, visit canadahelps. org/en/dn/49967. CCM

Women’s Health Resources Women’s Health Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-944-2270 YWCA Sheriff King Family Support Centre Non-crisis information - 8 am to 4 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-4111

Hospitals Alberta Children’s Hospital 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-955-7211 Foothills Medical Centre 1403, 29 Street NW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-944-1110 Peter Lougheed Centre 3500, 26 Avenue NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-943-4555 Rockyview General Hospital 7007, 14 Street SW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-943-3000 Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre - Urgent Care 1213, 4 Street SW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-955-6200 South Calgary Health Centre - Urgent Care 31 Sunpark Plaza SE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-943-9300 South Health Campus - Emergency Department 4448 Front Street SE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-956-1111

NEXT ISSUE Calgary's Child Magazine's Back-to-School Issue AD BOOKING DEADLINE: August 7th RELEASE DATE: August 15th The transition from summer break to the new school year can be challenging, especially with so many questions about what fall is going to look like this year! Our Back-to-School issue will be full of everything families need to hit the ground running in September - the latest updates and safety guidelines from Alberta Health, tons of fun ideas to enjoy the last days of summer, events around town and (of course) our super popular Back-to-School/Fall Education Directory, Class & Program Guide and Fall Fun Feature!

Cover Photo: Courtesy of Eilidh Tait Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

Photo: Courtesy of Karen Ung

Calgary hot spots for family summer fun By Karen Ung

ake the most of summer by discovering the best of Calgary! With this curated collection of parks, playgrounds, picnic spots, and nature walks, summer in the city has never looked so good! Don’t forget the water, snacks, and sunscreen so you can stay a while. Best family photo spots For family photos, natural settings are ideal, so kids can run around between shots. Some of my family’s favorite places to take photos are: •

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Baker Park’s tree-lined pathways, archways, and riverside location make it a popular photo venue. Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds and bring discs to play disc golf after your photo shoot! Bow Valley Ranche, in the heart of Fish Creek Provincial Park, combines natural beauty with photogenic historic buildings. For a special treat, have tea at the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant or get ice cream at Annie’s Café. Confederation Park has towering balsam poplars, a small pond, and cute footbridges that invite you to take your picture on them. Lougheed House and Beaulieu Gardens is a National Historic Site featuring a Victorian mansion built in 1891 and manicured gardens. There is no fee to visit the gardens. Reader Rock Garden is a hidden gem just south of the Calgary Stampede Grounds. Highlights include stone pathways and beautiful rock gardens, bridges, a gazebo, and the restored Reader House, which now operates as a café. McHugh Bluff (Crescent Road and 2 Street NW) offers a spectacular view of downtown Calgary. There isn’t any shade here, so plan accordingly. Rundle Ruins (12 Avenue and 5 Street SE) mark the location of the old General Hospital. Crumbling sandstone walls make for an interesting backdrop.

Shouldice Park

On rainy days, try indoor venues like the Devonian Gardens at the CORE Shopping Centre, the Calgary Zoo’s Conservatory (admission fee in effect), or the Central Library. Calgary’s best playgrounds There’s nothing like an awesome playground to keep kids active for hours! • Belmont Mounds of Fun Playground has fun bumps to run up and down and lots of structures for all ages. • Carrington has a cool playground with lots of climbers, a zipline, and adjacent skatepark. • Currie Barracks Airport Playground is a unique airplane-themed playground with an airplane bouncer, airplane climber, super tall slide, saucer swings, and more. • East Village and St Patrick’s Island playgrounds are close enough together (within walking distance) that you can visit both on the same day. East Village has a roller slide and musical elements, while St. Patrick’s Island playground is more nature-themed. • Prairie Winds North (nature) and South (accessible) playgrounds have hill slides, saucer swings, and ziplines. • Ralph Klein Park has a nature playground with a zipline, sand pit, mountain-themed climber, and stick forest. • Shouldice Park has a huge, 15,000 square-foot multi-feature accessible playground. My family likes that it has recycled rubber flooring, so the kids don’t get rocks in their shoes, and there are umbrellas for shade! Wild nature walks Wetlands offer excellent birding and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Visit Dale Hodges Park, Griffith Woods, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Pearce Estate Park, Prince’s Island Park’s Chevron Learning Pathway, Ralph Klein

Park, or Weaselhead Flats in the morning or evening to watch birds and beavers. Download a birding app like Merlin Bird ID from Cornell University (free!) before you go, so you can identify birds you see - and bring binoculars! Note: Be bear aware. Bears have been spotted in Griffith Woods and Weaselhead Flats. Calgary’s best bike paths For kid-friendly bike rides around town, check out my article in the June 2020 At Home e-Edition of Calgary’s Child (under “Current Issue” on the home page; calgaryschild.com). Top picnic sites After exploring Calgary’s parks and gardens, enjoy dinner al fresco at one of the city’s many picnic areas. If you’d like a picnic site with a fire pit (bring your own firewood) or barbecue stand, reservations are recommended on weekends to ensure you get a spot. In the northwest, Bowness Park and Edworthy Park have spacious picnic areas with fire pits and picnic shelters. In the northeast, Prairie Winds Park has barbecue areas and a tandoori oven. In south Calgary, North Glenmore Park has picnic areas with barbecue stands and great views of the Glenmore Reservoir. Sandy Beach has fire pits and barbeque stands near the Elbow River. Several day-use areas in Fish Creek Provincial Park (Shannon Terrace, Votiers Flats, Glennfield, Hull’s Wood, also have fire pits. (Bebo Grove is currently closed for construction.) Have a wonderful time exploring Calgary this summer! Karen is a mother and a lover of maps, mountains, and mochas. With her geography degree and experience leading hikes and backpacking trips in the Rockies, she is full of ideas on where to go and what to do. The mission of her blog, Play Outside Guide, playoutsideguide.com, is to provide everything families need to know to get outside and have fun. CCM

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day trips less than two hours from Calgary By Dana Wheatley HEADING WEST n CANMORE Canmore is just over an hour away from Calgary. Canmore parks and playgrounds. Canmore has some cool playgrounds including the Canmore Train Playground and West Canmore Park Playground. If you love to bike, Legacy Trail is highly recommended. There are lots of great parks and hikes nearby, such as Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park, Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, Grassi Lakes, Jura Creek, and Quarry Lake. Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk and walking along the river are also popular spots. n BANFF Banff is about 90 minutes from Calgary. Banff parks and playgrounds. Banff has several good playgrounds, including the natural playground in Banff’s Central Park. Banff has some great family-friendly trails including Fenland Trail, Cave & Basin Marsh Trail, Johnston Canyon, Tunnel Mountain Trail, and the Bow River Loop. Banff attractions. Spot the Hoodoos, walk down Banff Avenue, take a trip on the Banff Gondola, watch for trains at the railway station, walk through the Banff Springs Hotel (you can even go bowling there), and more. n LAKE LOUISE Just under two hours from Calgary. Lake Louise parks. Check out some beautiful views at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Go for a 4-kilometre round trip loop on the Lake Louise Lakeshore path. Lake Louise attractions. Travel to the top of the Lake Louise Gondola. In the summer months, you can also visit the Wildlife Interpretation Centre at the top of the Gondola. n SUNDRE Sundre is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Calgary. Sundre parks and playgrounds. The two schools in Sundre both have highly recommended playgrounds. Snake Hill Recreation Area is a conservation area full of groomed nature trails great for hiking and biking. In the winter, you can also go cross-country skiing. If you are lucky, you may even spot wild horses in the area to the west of Sundre. Sundre attractions. Learn about the culture and history of the area at the Sundre & District Pioneer Village Museum. While there, check out the World of Wildlife exhibit featuring taxidermy animals from around the world. EAST n DRUMHELLER Drumheller is 90 minutes from Calgary. Drumheller parks and playgrounds. Drumheller has two great canyons to explore, Horsethief Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon; both offer great views and hikes! There is a great playground that is free to access outside of the Royal Tyrrell Museum and another good one at Greentree School. Drumheller attractions. Drumheller is filled with tons of family-friendly tourist attractions. Most notably is, of course, the world famous dinosaur museum, the Royal Tyrrell Museum.

Banff

You can also walk across the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, see the little church, walk up the World’s Largest Dinosaur, go dino spotting downtown, drive across the 11 bridges to Wayne, visit the Atlas Coal Mine, go go-karting at Cactus Coulee Fun Park, walk the Hoodoo Trail, or drive the Dinosaur Trail and ride on the Bleriot Ferry.

n SYLVAN LAKE Sylvan Lake is about 1 hour and 40 minutes north of Calgary. Sylvan Lake attractions. Sylvan Lake Provincial Park Beach is a popular place for families to play in the lake.

n BROOKS Brooks is 2 hours from Calgary. Brooks parks and playgrounds. The Duke of Sutherland Park has a fantastic spray park and great playground located right next to each other. Brooks attractions. Do a self-guided tour of the impressive Brooks Aqueduct National and Provincial Historic Site. There is also a cute boat-themed playground.

n VULCAN Vulcan is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Calgary. Vulcan parks and playgrounds. Vulcan has all of your summer fun in one location at their park on Centre Street and 5 Avenue. There you will find a playground, beach pit, and more. Vulcan attractions. If you are passing through, look for the Starship Enterprise near the highway!

NORTH

n FORT MACLEOD Fort Macleod is an hour and 45 minutes from Calgary. Fort Macleod parks and playgrounds. Fort Macleod has a great park just off the main drive with a playground. Fort Macleod attractions. The Fort - Museum of the NWMP and First Nations Interpretive Centre is located right in the centre of town. In July and August, you can catch their world renown Musical Ride.

n INNISFAIL Innisfail is about 1 hour and 10 minutes north of Calgary. Innisfail parks and playgrounds. Innisfail spray park is located next to the Innisfail Aquatic Centre. Innisfail attractions. Discovery Wildlife Park provides permanent homes for wildlife orphans that cannot be released into the wild, exotic pets that were being kept illegally, and unwanted pets. Experience presentations and close-up animal experiences. n RED DEER Red Deer is about 90 minutes north of Calgary. Red Deer parks and playgrounds. Red Deer has many great parks and playgrounds including the natural playground, Imagination Grove at Kerry Woods Nature Centre, and the gorgeous Bower Ponds Park, full of attractions! Red Deer attractions. Red Deer has a lot of fun family attractions including the Red Deer District Museum + Art Gallery, Kerry Wood Nature Centre, and Heritage Ranch: “The Jewel of Red Deer.”

SOUTH

Editor’s note: Know before you go. Due to COVID-19, visit each tourist attraction’s website before heading out for your family day trip to check for updates on reduced hours of operation or upcoming potential closures, and any required safety precautions and procedures.

Dana spends her free time seeking out the best indoor and outdoor places to play in Calgary with her two young kids and blogging about them. For more information, visit calgaryplaygroundreview.com. CCM

Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

staycation ideas on the cheap Summer fun without breaking the bank. By Kimberly Blaker

vacation is a great way to escape the monotony and responsibilities of everyday life and to have fun, explore new places, and try new things. Unfortunately, traveling for vacation isn’t always realistic if money’s tight, you have time restrictions, or in unusual circumstances, such as stay-at-home orders during the pandemic. Despite such obstacles, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a refreshing break and memorable staycation.

world of pirates or go to Hogwarts with Harry Potter. You could also experience growing up in Kabul in The Kite Runner. Have you ever wanted to live in Denmark? Pick up a copy of We, The Drowned. How about living with chimps? Try Next of Kin by Roger Fouts. Want to visit Africa? Read Dark Star Safari. For a family vacation, decorate and dress up, cook special foods, and plan activities to match the theme of the book. Read part, or all, of it together, or watch the movie based on the book.

Camp out or make a fort Who says you have to head to the mountains to camp out? You can easily recreate the camping experience in your own backyard (or living room, if you prefer). Pitch a tent or make a blanket fort using a clothesline and stakes. Grab lots of pillows and blankets to make it cozy! Build a campfire in a fire pit or fireplace. If that isn’t an option, light a few big candles for ambiance. Also, plan and cook a special camping meal, and don’t forget to roast marshmallows for yummy s’mores. While you’re camping out, tell spooky stories and play games. And don’t forget about stargazing. Download a phone app that tells you which stars or planets you’re looking at. If you’re camping indoors, use a stargazing machine that projects on the ceiling.

Enjoy the magic of Disney or other theme parks Visit your favorite theme park without ever leaving home. Draw or print pictures from your computer and hang them indoors and outdoors to create the theme park atmosphere. Make some of your favorite themed foods like Disneyland’s churros, beignets, or Dole Whip. Disney offers many of its official recipes online. You can also find recreated recipes with a quick online search. Make up a few fun carnival games, and don’t forget to pick up some prizes. Have everyone dress like they’re going to the park, then watch Youtube videos of your theme park’s favorite rides, shows, and fireworks for a more authentic experience.

Travel into a book Is there a particular time or place you’d love to travel to? In books, the universe is the limit. You can visit imaginary places such as Treasure Island and enter its

Dream

Take a trip ‘round the world If you’d like to travel to a different country or a particular place, have a theme day or week. You could travel the world and tour a different area each night; don’t forget your (homemade) passports. To prepare for this staycation, learn about the place and the culture,

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and research what unique things there are to do, see, or eat. Print out pictures of the location you choose and the landmarks you’d like to see. Research the type of regional or international eats you’d find there. Then prepare one or a day’s worth of meals, snacks, and beverages to bring the experience to life or order takeout from a local restaurant that serves the fare. Don’t forget to play the music that’s traditional to your area of travel. Also, learn a new game that’s popular there, flip through tour books, and watch travel videos or movies that were filmed there. Lap in luxury with a spa day A home-spa day is a perfect way to enjoy the benefits of a vacation while staying at home. If you have kids, involve them or have another adult be in charge so you can have some time to yourself. Put on a soft robe and slippers, then draw a bath with all the works for a mani, pedi, facial, and hair treatment. Add to the ambiance by creating a steam room with the shower. Then light candles, play relaxing music, do massages, or try aromatherapy. Incorporate whatever helps you relax and feel refreshed. A day at the water park Recreating a water park experience is a fun and easy way to enjoy a staycation in the heat. If you have a pool, add some water toys and games. If you don’t have a pool, fill up the baby or splash pools. Some come with fun features like a blow-up slide or an attached bounce house, depending on your budget and space. Slip-nslides and sprinklers are another fun way to spend hours running around getting wet. You can attach a hose to a plastic bottle with holes in it for some quick, cheap fun. Add some extra excitement with a water balloon or water gun fight! Explore your local area Often, we’re so busy and caught up in our daily routines at home that we forget to take advantage of the special things to do in our local area. Exploring your hometown can be a fun adventure, too! Treat your hometown like a tourist would. Research it online as if you’re planning to visit. Ask locals or your neighbors for ideas, chamber of commerce, and your City’s parks and recreation departments for suggestions. This is an excellent opportunity to visit any particular landmarks or other places unique to your area. A vacation isn’t complete without enjoyable eating experiences. Try local restaurants you’ve never tried before, as well as coffee shops, ice cream places, or anyplace else that you love or haven’t tried yet. Order takeout and head to a nearby park and practice social distancing; you’ll enjoy a delicious meal while supporting local businesses. Outdoor activities are often part of a fun-filled vacation. Look up nearby parks, preserves, rivers, lakes, hiking, or other outdoor sites. Things to do include bicycling, hiking, picnicking, flying kites, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more. Another great way to explore your local area is Geocaching. This popular treasure hunting game utilizes a GPS device to find a hidden container with trinkets inside. It’s fun to bring your own small items to leave in the container, too, when you find it. Regardless of your budget, situation, or time constraints, there are plenty of fun, memorable staycation ideas to enjoy at home. Kimberly is a freelance lifestyle writer. She’s also Founder and Director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, kbcreativedigital.com. CCM

how to discuss your COVID-19 comfort level with friends and family By Julie Freedman-Smith & Gail Bell, Parenting Power

he world is reopening and there are changing levels of freedom moving forward. Some people are excited for this to happen, others feel overwhelmed as boundaries are loosened and connection with other families seems more likely. How do you tell your child’s best friend’s parents you are not ready for an in-house playdate? How do you explain to your sister-in-law that you think the weekly family dinners should start again? Will they be mad? Will they feel judged? Would it be easier to just go with the flow? What is right for you? In all likelihood, people around you will have different ideas about how to proceed. We have all seen photos of people who have jumped right back into close contact. We have also heard warnings about the second wave. Ultimately, this is about what is right for your family. Perhaps you have health concerns that you don’t want to share with others or you are worried about your older relatives. Whatever the reason for your feelings, they are your feelings and deserve as much respect as those of your friends and family. Take some time to get clear about what feels right for now. Once you know your boundaries, it is much easier to communicate them clearly to others. How do you communicate that you are not comfortable? Starting from a place of compassion for people who feel differently than ourselves feels better than starting

from a place of judgement. There are two components here: the tone of the message and the language you use. Rather than asking, “How can you possibly be ready to ignore the safety risks?” or “What do you mean you don’t want to get together? Are you crazy?!”, start from a statement of your comfort level (using “I” or “In our family…”) and state an alternative. For example, “In our family, we don’t feel comfortable being in each other’s

"Take some time to get clear about what feels right for now. Once you know your boundaries, it is much easier to communicate them clearly to others." houses. How about we all head to the playground where it is easier to physically distance?” “We are happy to make dinner for you but if that is not your level of comfort, could we all eat in the backyard and you bring food for your family?”

Things will likely continue to change What feels uncomfortable to you today may seem acceptable in a couple of weeks. That’s okay. Check in with yourself to see your level of acceptance. If you have older children, revisit the concept at your regular family meetings so that everyone can contribute to the discussion and clearly understand your family’s expectations. Kids cannot follow your expectations until you explain them clearly and give your kids the language they may need to communicate what they are allowed to do with their friends. Here is the bottom line It may feel like this is a unique situation. In some ways it is; we’ve never gone through this pandemic before. But it is a great learning tool for families because there will be many times when someone close to you feels differently about a situation. Perhaps going to the movies or video games that their child is allowed to watch or play. Maybe it is about bedtimes or underage drinking. It is going to happen in your parenting lifetime, if it hasn’t already. When you make your own decisions as a family and stick to them, you are modelling for your kids how they can resist peer pressure and make decisions based on their values and what is right for them, even if it feels different than what is happening with their peers. Julie and Gail are the Founders of Parenting Power. For more information, including an overview of their parenting resources, visit parentingpower.ca. CCM

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hit the trails!

Three family-friendly bike trails for any skill level. By Stacie Gaetz

ccording to The City of Calgary’s website, Calgary has the most extensive urban pathway network in North America, with 984 kilometres of regional pathways and 96 kilometres of trails that connect communities, parks, and natural areas across the city. Whether you want to take your toddler for their first tricycle ride, cruise a safe pathway with your six- to 10-year-old, or rack up the kilometres with your experienced teen, there’s a path out there for you. 1. Beginner (for ages three to seven) Prince’s Island Park - 3 kilometres This downtown urban oasis is a wonderful choice for cycling with small children. On sunny weekdays, the paths are generally easy to navigate and there are not many hills. The added attraction of watching the ducks and geese on the river make it a great place to bring small children for an afternoon of fun with bikes in tow. Feel free to ride the paved circular paths around the almost 50-acre park or cut into the island’s middle. If you would like to add a little history and education into your trip, cycle the Chevron Learning Pathway, an environmental educational pathway on the east end of Prince’s Island Park. The pathway winds around a constructed wetland designed to treat stormwater before entering back into the Bow River. Interesting interpretive signage explains how a wetland works and presents meaningful information about wildlife, habitat, and water quality. It is an environmental, educational, and recreational resource that connects people with nature in an interactive way. 2. Intermediate (for ages eight to 12) Eau Claire to Edworthy Park - 14 kilometres Eau Claire Park is a great place to start another

somewhat more challenging ride, perfect for families with older children. This ride is busier, longer, and contains more hills but the payoff is huge! If you cycle west and continue until you reach Edworthy Park, you will enjoy one of the most gorgeous rides in the city. Edworthy Park covers 418 acres, and the ride along its lengthy and wooded river edge is truly breathtaking. The path gets busy on weekdays and weekends, so it is important that your children know the bike path safety rules (see sidebar), are able to stay in their own lane, and use appropriate hand signals. Another attraction on this ride is the Harry Boothman Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in the city. If you are up for it after your break, continue heading east along the north side of the Bow River. You’ll soon reach Poppy Plaza, an impactful war memorial inscribed with quotes from people of all walks of life. As you near downtown, you’ll cross the pedestrian and cyclists’ Peace Bridge back into Eau Claire Park where you started. 3. Expert (for ages 12 and older) Nose Hill Park Up to 40 kilometres At 2,800 acres, Nose Hill is one of the largest urban parks in North America. There are 32 trails of pathways to explore. This is a difficult pathway with many steep hills and twists and turns and is better suited for older children. Most of it is paved, but there are some gravel and dirt sections, too. If you are up for a challenge, make the climb to Plateau Trail where you’ll get views of the Rocky Mountains, Bow River Valley, and plains to the east. Although the park’s 11 square kilometres is surrounded by 12 communities, you will feel like you

BICYCLE SAFETY TIPS: • Bicycle helmets must be worn by all bicycle riders and passengers under the age of 18. • Bicycles must be equipped with a forward-facing white light and rear red reflector when riding between sunset and sunrise. • Bicycles must have at least one working brake and be equipped with a bell or horn. • Riders must use an audible signal (such as a bell) when overtaking another pathway user. • Ring your bell/horn or use your voice to alert others when passing or approaching a blind spot such as a corner or hill. PATHWAY BYLAWS: • Keep speed to a maximum of 20 kilometres per hour unless otherwise posted. • Keep to pathways and well-established trails to protect habitat. • Cycling with a leashed dog is not permitted on pathways. • Where twinned sections of pathway exist, use the designated cycle path. • Move off the path to the right when stopping. • Ride single file. • Avoid using your cell phone or other hand-held technology while you’re in motion. • Keep the volume low on headsets so you can hear others around you. • Watch for slippery sections covered by ice, loose gravel, or silt. • Keep to the right side of the pathway except when passing. • Yield the right-of-way to users on the right where two pathways intersect. (Source: calgary.ca) arefar outside the city, deep in the wilderness. Nose Hill Park is home to many creatures, so don’t be surprised if you and the kids run into a number of animals ranging from mice to gophers to deer to coyotes. If you look up, you might even see a Swainson’s hawk, a bird species that frequents the area. For up-to-date pathway notices and trail closures, visit calgary.ca. The website includes a detailed network map in three formats: mobile app, online, and paper copy. THE BENEFITS Wherever you choose to cycle with your family, the benefits will be the same and include: • keeping your bodies strong • improving balance • spending quality time together • exploring new parts of the city • burning calories • improving moods • reducing stress What better way to get your children their recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day (which one-third of children don’t currently achieve)? In addition to longer rides like the ones listed in this article, cycling with your kids in your own neighborhood can help them explore their surroundings, get to know their neighbors, identify important landmarks (including fire and police stations), and learn about their community to prevent them from getting lost. Cycling offers a certain kind of freedom to kids (something they don’t often get a lot of these days). Cycling builds kids’ confidence, independence, they learn new skills, interact with their surroundings, and depend less on you for rides to school, friends’ houses, and other local attractions (post-pandemic). As with all positive behaviors you want your kids to pick up, they will be more likely to do it if they see you doing it, so hop on your bike and be a model for them. Cycling is a free activity that anyone with access to a bike and helmet can do. Cycling is a healthy life skill that your kids will have forever, so take advantage of Calgary’s impressive pathway system and create some memories! Stacie is a writer, editor, and mother of a delightful daughter, five, and silly son, three. CCM

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road trip!17 ways to keep the kids happy Ways to entertain your young ones as you travel.

By Jan Pierce, M.Ed.

oad trips are fun. Road trips are exciting. But how to entertain the kids? It takes a bit of planning and some ingenuity to solve the problem of what to do during those long hours of driving. It helps to prepare some games and activities ahead of time because you know best what your kids love to do (and we all know it’s hard to sit still for long hours). Here are 17 ways to entertain your young ones as you travel: 1. A gift a day. One tried-and-true method is to purchase small gifts and toys ahead of time. Wrap them and number them - one for each day of driving time. They can either be distributed at the beginning of each driving day or at the end of one day to be used the next; it gives the children something to look forward to. 2. Car ride bingo. Make some bingo cards ahead of your trip. Make a five-by-five or six-by six grid with a free space here and there. Write in objects kids can find while looking out the car window. Be creative and include things like animals, vehicles, certain shapes or colors, etc. Add at least one funny object. 3. 21 questions. The person who is ‘it’ thinks of an object. It can be anything in the world. The rest of the players take turns asking questions to narrow down the categories but be careful, 21 questions can go by quickly. 4. Small tins. Find small tin cans with tops, such as breath mint cans. Use them to store small toys for the road trip. You might include in a tin: • Crayons and sticky notes for hours of driving fun • Tiny Legos to build small structures • Tic-Tac-Toe handwritten board with colored buttons to use as x’s and o’s

5. “I went to town and I bought…” Use the name of the city that will be your final destination of the day. The first player begins by saying, “I went to town and I bought an apple.“ The next player has to say the same sentence but finish it with an object beginning with the letter B. Can you make it to Z? 6. “And then…” Players tell a story. The first person begins with “Once upon a time” and tells as much of the story as they like. When it’s time to pass the story on to the next person, finish by saying, “And then…” The next player continues the story until time to pass it on. 7. Metal tray with magnetic letters and shapes. Find an old cookie sheet or other small metal tray and pack some magnetic letters and shapes. Encourage writing words that rhyme, words that are five letters, color words, names, etc. Ask if the children can make a picture that looks like an animal, a building, or a toy. 8. Wikki Stix travel pak. Wikki Stix are fun to use and easy to take along on your road trip. They come in a handy plastic box along with an activity book, offering many ideas to spark creativity as kids bend the stix. 9. Tangrams. The travel version of tangram puzzles is called Tangoes and is perfect for hours of puzzle-making in the car! 10. Wooden toy magnetic puzzle pieces. This toy is a combination of a white board that is also magnetized to take puzzle pieces. It will entertain young children for hours. The wooden box makes it easy to take along on your road trip. 11. Ed Emberley drawing books. Ed Emberley drawing books are a treasure trove for little ones. Take your pick of animals, trucks and trains, or things you can make from your own thumbprint. His step-by-step pictures make success just one line away.

12. Take 'n play hangman. This favorite word game is easy to pack and fun to play. 13. Scavenger hunt. Play individually or in teams to find the designated objects as you travel. 14. Yellow/pink game. In this I Spy game, everyone looks for either yellow or pink vehicles. Yellow are worth one point and pink are worth two. The first to spy the vehicles wins the points and you go to a decided number. The winner gets to pick the restaurant for the evening meal, or perhaps gets a special dessert. 15. Read aloud chapter books. Bring along several really good family-friendly chapter books and read one chapter or more a day. Your kids will look forward to hearing what happens next. 16. “Would you rather?” This super-silly game can be a life-saver when the kids get restless, but be prepared for a lot of giggles. Ask, “Would you rather kiss a pig or lick a snake? Or some other improbable activity. Give each person several chances to come up with their own “would you rather?” question. 17. Sticker book fun. Time for a bit of quiet? Bring along several sticker/activity books. Kids love them, especially if they are on the current topic of choice. Dinosaurs, superheroes, favorite movie themes - all of them have sticker books available and they’ll bring some quiet travel time when you need it. Here’s hoping your summer road trip is a smashing success and you have wonderful hours of travel time filled with fun. Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find her at janpierce.net. CCM

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10 stroller-friendly hiking trails around Calgary By Tanya Koob

iking with a young family can be a challenge, and we’ve all found ourselves in that place where one of the children refuses to walk another step and a parent has to carry them a kilometre back to the car. Here are some of my family’s first hikes that we tried way back in the day using our trusty Chariot. Some of the paths are paved, but the others are all wide gravel or dirt trails. Expect roots, rocks, and the occasional steep hill, depending on the hike. You’ll need a big-wheel stroller for anything that is not paved (think jogging stroller or Chariot). All the trails that I’ve included can be done with either a single or a double stroller and some can be done with a bike. 10 STROLLER-FRIENDLY HIKING TRAILS AROUND CALGARY 1. Fullerton Loop, Elbow Valley. This trail starts from the Allen Bill Day-Use Area on Highway 66. It is a 7-kilometre loop with 240 metres of height gain. Most people do the loop counter-clockwise, but if you’re pushing a stroller, I recommend hiking clockwise so that you climb the steep hill to the viewpoint first. It is very steep to push a stroller down safely. If you choose to go down the steep hill, make sure you have a partner to help you or push the stroller down empty and carry your child down. Even pushing the stroller up could be challenging enough that you’ll want to push it up

empty. Aside from that one steep hill, the rest of the trail is quite enjoyable if you want a good workout. (If you want a flat hike, this is not the one for you.) Big Elbow Trail Alternative - For a flatter option in the Elbow Valley, continue to the end of Highway 66 and park beside the Forgetmenot Pond Day-Use Area. Cross the suspension bridge and get on to the Big Elbow Trail. This is a wide gravel road with a few rocky hills and one small stream crossing. My family always stopped at a big meadow area beside the river where you can have a nice picnic. Note: The Big Elbow Trail is remote, and you should carry bear spray. This trail can also be biked if you have an attachment for your Chariot or trailer. 2. Bow Valley Provincial Park Loop. This beautiful network of trails starts from the Bow Valley Campground off the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 1X. Park at one of the three day-use areas (Middle Lake, Many Springs, or Whitefish) where you’ll find a small parking lot and bathrooms. Create a loop with the Elk Flats Trail, the Bow River Trail, and the Moraine Trail for a total of 5 kilometres. This loop connects the three different parking areas. Optional loops include the Many Springs Trail (1.6 kilometres) and the Middle Lake Trail (2.2 kilometres). These trails are all relatively wide with only a few short hills on the Elk Flats and Moraine Trails.

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For a paved option, start at the Bow Valley Visitor Centre at the entrance to the park. Climb up to the campground on the paved bike trail (8-kilometre return) and then use paved campground roads if you want to reach the Whitefish Day-Use Area by the river for a picnic. The full trip is approximately a 12-kilometre return to the river and back (all on paved trails or roads). Note: The only trail that allows bikes in this campground is the official bike trail. You can push a stroller on the others but must do so on foot. 3. Kananaskis Village and Ribbon Creek Trails. There are several options for a good stroller hike: Ribbon Creek - Follow this scenic trail, which crosses several bridges and stays close to the creek most of the time. Make sure you do not climb up onto the winter ski trail with the same name. You want to be at creek level. The trail has little height gain and you can walk as far as you want before turning back when tired. Troll Falls - This trail is currently closed at time of writing, but I’m hoping it opens again for the remainder of summer. From the Stoney Parking lot, it is a 4-kilometre loop with gradual hills on a wide ski trail. You’ll only climb 30 metres, so this is a good option for an easy hike with a fun reward. You can also do a loop with the Hay Meadows Trail for a picnic beside the Kananaskis River.

Photos: Courtesy of Tanya Koob

Bill Milne Bike Path - This paved trail is great for an easy walk or bike ride. It starts at Kananaskis Village, descends to the river, connects to the Kananaskis Country Golf Course and the Mt. Kidd RV Park, ending at the Wedge Pond Day-Use Area. For biking, I recommend starting at the Kovach Day-Use Area below the village and riding to Wedge Pond and back (approximately a 20-kilometre return and relatively flat). If you’re on foot, it’s a pretty walk from Kovach to the golf course and back through a large meadow. 4. Marl Lake, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. This trail starts from the Elkwood Amphitheatre parking lot or from the Elkwood Campground, if Big Elbow Trail you’re spending the night here. The hike is a 3-kilometre return and you’ll make a 5. Elbow Lake, Highwood Pass. Follow a wide lovely loop of the lake on an easy flat trail. gravel road to a scenic backcountry lake where you can Paved trail option - There is a paved bike trail that camp for the night, if you want to try stroller-friendly connects most of the campgrounds in Peter Lougheed backpacking. The hike is a 2.8-kilometre return with 137 Provincial Park. The trail is 12 kilometres (one way) and metres of height gain. has a few hills. There’s a nice playground in the Canyon The lake is popular for fishing and you can circle the Campground for a rest break mid-way. Make sure you lake on a pretty trail if you’re looking for an easy option for also plan a stop at Boulton Creek where you can get ice young children to stretch their legs after riding up the trail. cream at the Trading Post.

Note: This hike is popular, and the parking lot is small so plan to arrive early if you want a place to park. Mid-week is also a great time to visit this lake when it’s less busy. 6. Watridge Lake, Spray Lakes Valley. This is a great hike for families wanting a quiet trail without the crowds. Start at the Mount Shark parking lot and follow wide ski trails for 3.7 kilometres (one way) to reach the pretty lake. Stroller-Friendly Hikes – Continued on next page

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Grassi Lakes Stroller-Friendly Hikes – Continued from previous page

Once at the lake you have the option of hiking up to Karst Spring (without the stroller) to see a spring gushing out of a rock wall. It’s also a lovely hike up to the spring following a pleasant creek. The hike is only 0.8 kilometres one way from the lake. You’ll feel remote on this hike so make sure you bring your bear spray and consider hiking in a group. 7. Dyson Falls, Sheep River Provincial Park. This is a great hike for families living in south Calgary. Drive down to Turner Valley and head west on Highway 546 toward Kananaskis. You’ll start your hike from the Indian Oils Day-Use area. Dyson Falls is accessed via the Sheep Trail, which resembles a wide gravel road. At the beginning of the hike, you cross the Sheep River on a large bridge over Tiger Jaw Falls before starting your 8.9-kilometre hike (return distance) to Dyson Falls. There are moderate hills on this trail, and you’ll gain 289 metres of height. You’ll also want to make sure the trail is dry (and free of mud) before you try to push a stroller to the falls. The All Trails website or app is a great place to check for up-to-date trail reports. 8. Grassi Lakes. This is one of the most popular trails near Calgary for good reason. Families have the option

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of taking two different routes to reach two stunning lakes bordered by cliffs popular with rock climbers. Look carefully and you can often see owls in a small cave up on the wall behind the upper lake. If you’re pushing a stroller, you’ll want to take the upper “easy” trail, which follows a wide gravel road. The “harder” trail is not suitable for strollers and has many stone staircases. The trail is a 4-kilometre round trip with 200 metres of height gain. Note: This trail is busy on weekends, so either visit mid-week or arrive early to find a parking spot. I also recommend bringing a bike lock, so you can leave your stroller at the first lake. The scenic trail around the two lakes is narrow. After your hike, consider stopping at Quarry Lake on your drive back down to Canmore to cool off at the town beach. 9. Canmore Riverside Trails. Canmore has the most beautiful network of riverside trails around town and they are all wide enough for a stroller. Most of the Three Sisters Pathway is paved, and the other trails are a mix of smooth dirt and packed gravel. Park beside the river at the Mineside Trailhead on Rundle Drive (it’s a small parking lot so you may need to arrive early). From this parking lot, you can either head west for the Bow River Loop Trail crossing over

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Engine Bridge (the highlight of this loop) or you can head east on the Three Sisters Pathway toward the West Canmore Playground. Beyond the playground, you’ll come to a beautiful meadow with an old mine site to explore. Further east, the trail climbs up to the Three Sisters area of Canmore. You can find downloadable maps on the Town of Canmore’s website, canmore.ca/recreation-facility/trails. The Bow Valley West Map shows the trails I’ve mentioned. 10. Sundance Trail, Banff. This paved trail starts from the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in the town of Banff. It climbs up to a picnic area along the Bow River from where you can lock the stroller up and continue on foot into Sundance Canyon, if you want a longer outing. The paved trail is a 7.4-kilometre return with 145 metres of height gain. The additional loop through the canyon is 1.6 kilometres and is not stroller-friendly. The trail is scenic along the river, even if you skip the canyon, and it’s an easy walk with a stroller. Disclaimers: For up-to-date trail information, trailhead locations, or maps, consult a hiking website or app such as All Trails or check the appropriate provincial/national park website. I highly recommend checking for a current trail report before heading out because trail closures can occur at any time. The All Trails website/app is fairly reliable. Otherwise, both provincial and national park websites have up-to-date trail reports. Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to an energetic 11-year-old boy. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountainrelated. She is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com. CCM

summer camps: canoes, campfires, and family time By Diane Turner Maller

knew I was doing something right when my young daughter exclaimed, “I love camping!” Grinning wide through a mouthful of pancakes, she was the most contented camper who ever dined at the tiny table of our weathered tent-trailer. Connect to nature. When your home is decorated, edged, mowed, and landscaped, you lose track of nature’s natural tendencies. National and provincial parks that offer campsites are all about preserving native vegetation particular to the region. From the beginning of my parenting journey, I was very conscious about wanting to share similar camping experiences with my children that I had experienced while growing up. My childhood perspective saw that while camping, the basics of life were fulfilled and life felt unencumbered. Some of the most vivid and treasured memories from my childhood come from my family’s summer camping trips near Calgary. But not everyone had the same outdoor summer camping experiences my family did. And by the time my happy camper was in high school, she reported that many of her friends had never been summer camping. Richard Louv’s landmark book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, documents the dramatic change in modern childhood that has resulted in children spending less and less time outdoors. Luckily, a growing awareness of the developmental need for children to experience a connection to nature has spurred widespread implementation of programs that aim to support children and families with opportunities to get outdoors and to increase visits to national and provincial parks. What if you didn’t grow up camping? You may not have camping gear stocked and ready for the next summer outing in Alberta. Reservations ought to be made and precautions considered before you are ready to pack up the car. If you opt to give camping a try, you and your kids could grow to love camping as a family, too. Choose from abundant camping choices. These days, you can choose campgrounds that offer resort-like amenities or you can camp out in your own backyard. And when you are ready to experience summer wilderness, more primitive accommodations are waiting to be discovered. Once you have your camp gear together, getting to know your national and/or provincial parks is a good place to start. (There are definitely ones close to Calgary that are drivable and easy to find.) Well-established facilities normally provide shelters, bathrooms, trash disposal, and access to clean water. The presence of equipped and experienced park staff give support to your camping efforts and can provide peace of mind when you are away from home. Slow down. When you arrive at the best location for your family, camping offers a chance to adjust your pace as there are no calendars with appointments to keep. Breathing fresh outdoor air is the first step in releasing accumulated stress from worries at home. Shift your perspective and notice what is unique and beautiful in your temporary landscape.

Create a simpler life. The basic rhythms of mealtimes, planned or spontaneous activities, and evening time around the campfire are enough to structure your day. Young children are often happy to explore the microcosm of nature near a shrub, in a puddle, or under a tree. Any early-birds in your family can revel in a sunrise while everyone else sleeps peacefully in the tent. Watching the sun go down as a family offers an opportunity to appreciate an everyday occurrence that we often miss or take for granted in day-to-day life. Connect to summer nature. Whether high desert, forest, meadow, or coast line, your chosen campground offers an environment ready to explore. Guided nature walks and evening talks may be provided. Nature needs to be experienced first-hand by little and big hands; use all of your senses. Develop outdoor and wilderness skills. Backyard camping is a good way to practice setting up the tent. You may also want to test the pad or air mattress you plan to sleep on. Do you know how to attach propane bottles to the camp stove? Building a ‘10 essentials pack’ can engage kids in learning basic outdoor skills. A compass, First-Aid kit, whistle, space blanket, and nutrition bars are some of the items to include in your essentials pack. Older children will need guidance in learning to handle fire-starting materials. All children can carry a flashlight. Learn history and geology. Camps are often located near natural areas that feature museums and educational displays available to the public. Investigate these places along the route to your camp's destination. You may be amazed by the colorful characters who occupied the

territory before you. Before leaving on your camping trip, watch films or search YouTube for information detailing the hundreds of years of geological transformation in the region you are traveling to. Mishaps make for fun storytelling around the campfire. Campfire time offers opportunity to recount the adventures or misadventures of the day. Embellishments are allowed and all members of the family can contribute. Watching the flames dance in the darkness stirs our sensibilities and has the power to unite family members in lasting and memorable ways. Form traditions over time. When you have gone on enough summer camping trips, favorite spots at camps become apparent. Think of all the memories that could be formed over many years of visiting the same camps or locale. Each return visit feels fresh and new, yet the familiar landmarks, the places to watch the sunset, the familiar trails that meander up the hill all form an imprint that steadily builds on previous visits. A summer camping tradition that you start with your family may very well be carried on by your children and their families. From every trip, bring back the best experiences from summer camping to everyday life at home. There will be gear to put away, clothes to wash, moments to remember, and stories to tell. The evening summer sunset at home beckons weary campers for yet another Calgary view.

Diane is a freelance writer who loves the outdoors, and is actively anticipating camping trips with friends and her grown children this summer. CCM

Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

smart outdoor activities for young children Great outdoor activities for the body and the brain.

By Natacha V. Beim, Founder of CEFA Early Learning Schools and Parenting with Natacha

ith the warm weather finally upon us, there are plenty of fun outdoor activities for our little ones to enjoy! Here are a few ideas that will benefit your child’s physical development, as well as their intellect and their imagination. Smart outdoor activities for babies Playing with sand. Sand play provides your baby with a great sensory experience, which sets the path for learning to write among other important benefits. If you add toys to scoop and pour (any container from your kitchen will do) it also teaches them S.T.E.M. with mathematical concepts, such as measurement, weight, and even addition and subtraction. Sand play also encourages scientific-thinking in your baby and is the perfect environment for socializing (once we are finally able to) and imaginative play. Playing with water. Similarly to sand play, water provides great stimulation for the senses (they can feel the water with their bodies, if it is cold or warm, or if it changes temperature depending on its depth; they can also hear the noise it makes as it splashes and moves and stimulates all of your baby’s senses). Water play offers a number of opportunities for your child to

learn S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), to reason, to try building dams, or otherwise stopping the flow of the water, to measure, to compare its temperature, to try mixing sand or dirt into the water, to see if objects float or sink, or to manipulate its course with their body. Water is the perfect learning experience for S.T.E.M. Even a small puddle of water provides endless learning opportunities and hours of fun. Always supervise and stay very close to your child while playing with water. Exploring grass with their bodies. Babies love to feel and explore with their entire body. Help your baby walk on the grass with their bare feet or crawl on it. Invite them to feel the grass and the earth with their hands and talk to them about what they are feeling. To add more sensory stimulation, go from a soft blanket to cool grass, or from dirt to mud, and walk over different textures, always commenting on how it feels to the touch. Smell the earth and the grass, the flowers, and all of nature around you. Count the flowers, notice their colors, find an insect and worms on the ground, name them, ask questions, even if your baby can’t talk yet, have a conversation with them. If you look closely, you will know exactly what your child is wondering, and put it

into words for them. This is still great for their language and science development. Smart outdoor activities for toddlers Building with mud or sand. Take sand play a step further by introducing your child to tools they can use to build with. Appropriate tools include spoons, pails, shovels, and containers of different shapes and sizes. Your child will learn early mathematical concepts by working with various shapes and weights. They will also learn science and creative thinking while comparing results and techniques as they discover the best way to build their structures. Building is engineering at its best and using tools in the early years is considered learning technology. You have a complete S.T.E.M. activity just by inviting your child to build a sandcastle or a fort. You can enhance your toddler’s learning by talking about their observations whilst they are playing. Bring a friend (or make a friend) for your child for added social skills. Observing insects. For a few dollars, you can buy plastic aquariums with perforated lids at a Dollar Store (one will last you until your child is ready to leave for post-secondary education - they are a really great investment and provide the perfect little house for insects

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"Spending time outside, rain or shine, and discovering the world around you from your child’s perspective is like seeing it again for the first time." for a few days so your child can learn about them). Bring it along with you and help your child carefully and gently collect bugs to observe for the day. Discover with your child what the insects need in their habitat and what they need to eat and drink. Pond and riverbed exploration. You can look closely at sand and stones with a magnifying glass (have you ever tried? It is fascinating!) or you can collect water from a pond or river in a jar to look at it later under the light or with a flashlight. You can look at the plants that grow in the water and the tiny wildlife that lives in ponds and streams. Smart outdoor activities for young children Build a fort. Use rocks, branches, and other natural elements around you to build a fort together. Figuring out how to build enhances your child’s reasoning, engineering, and mathematical skills. Weaving and tying string, leaves, and other elements together are wonderful for fine motor skills, which are precursors for writing. Explaining the process out loud adds vocabulary skills and doing it with a friend or a sibling adds another level of complexity and social skills.

Make a mini habitat for your child’s favorite toys. For example, my son spent over six hours outside playing with his dinosaurs. We found a garden of tall grasses and leaves, which was the perfect habitat for 20 of his dinosaurs. He made them a lake, a volcano, a hiding place, and even a place to sleep. If your child is not into dinosaurs, try a fairy world or try making a home for any of your child’s favorite toys - trains, critters, superheroes! Days like this are wonderful opportunities for dramatic and imaginative play, which is crucial in any discipline. Plant a garden. Gardening teaches your child about science and about life and nature. It teaches your child responsibility by having to tend to their garden daily and it teaches them about food and where it comes from (if you plant vegetables, for instance). This can also lead to good nutritional habits. Start from the very beginning by growing roots on an avocado, a potato, or an onion, and plant them in glass jars to allow for better observation of the roots as they grow. There are endless activities that your child can both enjoy and learn from; these are just a few examples. Spending time outside, rain or shine, and discovering the world around you from your child’s perspective is like seeing it again for the first time.

No matter what activity you choose, engage your child in conversation, regardless of their age. This will teach your child essential vocabulary, as well as help them understand how to put their feelings and all their new discoveries into words. You and your child can talk about it again once you are inside, and they can draw their experiences or journal about them. You can scan and print the drawings (let’s say, they draw an ant, a ladybug, a worm, and a caterpillar) for them to play with later and create stories with them. This is a great extension of their learning and teaches them creativity and imaginative play (dramatic play). You can talk with your child about their drawings and their observations. You can look at the photos they took and exchange thoughts and questions, which will expand your child’s learning even further. If your child is interested, start a nature journal where every day, you can either draw or write about your outdoor experiences. This will be something that will not only extend their learning greatly, but also become a treasured keepsake throughout the years. Have a wonderful time outside!

Natacha is a mother, parenting expert, and Founder of CEFA Early Learning, cefa.ca, Canada’s private school for children ages one to five. As a pioneer in the field of modern education, she is a sought-after speaker, educational leader, and writer who shares her progressive views with educators and parents. She continues to pursue studies in the field of developmental psychology, focusing on the early years. For parenting resources, activities for kids, and more, visit parentingwithnatacha.com. CCM

Mountain bike summer camps Stop watching. start playing. Book today at winsport.ca

Get outside! Mountain bike camps take place in small groups for ages 6 and up following government guidelines. Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

Want that creativity to take flight? Cassa MUSICAL ARTS

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contests SUMMER BY SCOOTER! The Primo Foldable 3-Wheel Scooter for kids from award-winning Globber is the new, patented folding scooter with a push button folding system. It’s easy to use, has a wide scooter deck with reinforced metal body frame, and an anti-slip deck design. It can support up to 50 kilograms and has an adjustable 3-height T-bar! The scooter can easily be folded and put into trolley mode to conveniently store the scooter on a coat rack, in the car boot, in the garage, or out of sight before bedtime! For more information about the Primo Foldable 3-Wheel Scooter and more, visit globber.com/ ca/en. Purchase at Toys “R” Us, HBC, Indigo, Mastermind Toys, and local toy stores. Feeling Social? Follow them on Facebook, facebook.com/globberna, Twitter @globberna, and Instagram @globberscooters. For your chance to win the Primo Foldable 3-Wheel Scooter, ENTER HERE and enter the code: Scooter. Entry deadline is Monday, July 27, 2020.

SUMMER OF SCIENCE!

Vin Gogh Paint Studio Paint at home Art kits! Kits include all art supplies, & step by step instructions. Pick up or delivery available.

Great for small gatherings or zoom parties! •Birthday •Anniversary •Mom’s Night •Team building & more!

• 7160 Fisher Street SE • (403) 475-4644 • info@vingogh.ca

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC™ da Vinci’s DIY Science & Engineering Construction Kit: Discover da Vinci’s Workshop with National Geographic’s best-selling da Vinci’s invention products! No special tools are required to build these incredible inventions. Everything is included: laser-cut wooden components, rubber bands, sandpaper, and clear, simple instructions. Recommended for ages 12+. Purchase at Mastermind Toys, Indigo, Staples, Toys “R” Us, independent stores.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC™ Break Open 2 Real Geodes: Break open these rocks and find the crystal treasure! National Geographic brings you home the best variety of geodes in the world. This earth science kit provides a hands-on science experiment that you and your children are guaranteed to love. Recommended for ages 8+. Purchase at Mastermind Toys, Indigo, Staples, Walmart, Toys “R” Us, independent stores.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC™ Dinosaur Kit: Spark your child’s love of history and science, and teach them all about dinosaurs with an exciting hands-on experience to discover three real dinosaur fossils! Dig up a dinosaur bone, mosasaur tooth, and dinosaur poop for your rock collection. Recommended for ages 8+. Purchase at Mastermind Toys, Indigo, Staples, Walmart, Toys “R” Us, independent stores. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com. Feeling Social? Follow them on Facebook, facebook.com/ natgeo and Instagram @natgeo. For your chance to win these 3 National Geographic™ Kits, ENTER HERE and enter the code: Nat Geo. Entry deadline is Monday, July 27, 2020.

SUMMER WITH EASE! If there’s ever been a way to convince your kids to eat their vegetables, the Ninja® Air Fryer is the secret weapon! In addition to crisping up veggies to perfection, you can enjoy all of your fried favorites at home in a much healthier way as it only takes one

tablespoon of olive oil to air fry. It’s also a fun way to make fun and special desserts at home, like churros and beavertails! To start making crispy fried meals and snacks today, minus the guilt, visit ninjakitchen.com. Available to purchase at Canadian Tire. For your chance to win the Ninja® Air Fryer, ENTER HERE and enter the code: Ninja. Entry deadline is Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

messy summer fun

Here are 17 messy activities that will keep your kids smiling outdoors or indoors, without breaking the bank. By Christina Katz

ummer is here, and you know what that means, right? Long, unstructured days punctuated by “I'm bored” and “There’s nothing to do,” which really means kids are tired of doing all of the same things and they crave new activities they can feel excited about. This is the perfect opportunity for messy fun to swoop in for the emotional rescue this summer. After all, what could be more festive than a little bit of parent-approved pandemonium? So never fear, because the key to milking the most fun out of any summer is including more messy fun in the mix. This summer, why not try a new messy activity each week? Here are 17 messy activities that will keep your kids smiling outdoors or indoors, without breaking the bank. 1. Take aim, color. Mark off a square play arena outdoors with five-foot-tall bamboo garden stakes and blue painter’s masking tape. Fill squirt guns or squirt bottles with non-toxic watercolor paints, don clear swim goggles, and let the kids ‘decorate’ each other dressed in white T-shirts and leggings or sweats. The only rule is no one leaves the field until all the paint is spent! 2. Take a whack at it. Fill a piñata two-thirds of the way full with cooked, well-drained spaghetti, then add

small plastic toys, foil-wrapped granola bars, and plasticwrapped candies. To extend the fun, hang the piñata on a pull cord threaded through an eye hook so you can pull it up and down as kids swing at it with a bat or broom handle. Secure a tarp underneath with duct tape (indoors) or camping stakes (outdoors) for easy cleanup. 3. Egg-centric art. Break the tops off real eggs and pour the yolks and whites into Tupperware to make quiche or a soufflé later. Keeping empty shells in the carton, fill each with acrylic paints of various colors. Outside, or in the garage or basement, hang a large canvas against a sturdy wall or fence and let the kids take aim and fire until they create a masterpiece. Use plastic drop cloths to catch the spatter as needed. 4. Franken-beauty. Make natural facial masks out of banana, avocado, or cocoa. Sit your kids around a large table and have each take turns applying masks to each other’s faces. Have some hand mirrors handy, so the kids can see what all the squeals are about. 5. Construction junction. Supply your kids with lots of sheets, blankets, and pillows for fort construction. If you can mount a few Hula Hoops strategically around the room, they come in handy. You might also supply bandanas and bungee cords. Inspect the results for hazards. Keep food and drink separate.

6. Reach for the foam. Play messy Twister in the yard by mixing foam shaving cream and food coloring. Wear clothing that can get stained. If one of the kids is worried about clothing stains, use white shaving cream instead. 7. Pudding slide. Make about a gallon (about four litres) of chocolate pudding. Drop large spoonfuls of pudding onto a Slip & Slide. Have the kids take a running start down a low-grade slope. To make the slide slipperier, sprinkle it with water from a sprinkler or set the hose sprayer to mist. Add more pudding or water, as needed. 8. Slimeball. Find an online recipe to make nontoxic slime and let kids prepare it, then play a game of hide the bouncy ball in the slime. Use a blindfold and a timer to see who can find their toys the fastest. Enjoy the groans. 9. Picasso footsie. Roll out a long sheet of paper and pour puddles of acrylic paint at one end. Have each child step in one color per foot and walk across the paper. Switch to the other side of the paper to balance out the look. Trim and hang the art on a fence or wall to dry. 10. Pasta fling. Cook one box of spaghetti per participant. Get some large buckets and fill them two-thirds of the way with water. Add enough flour to thicken the water, then add the cooked spaghetti. Messy Summer Fun – Continued on next page

Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

Messy Summer Fun – Continued from previous page

The only rules are: use your own spaghetti, no bucketdumping, and no touching - just throwing. Put the kids in the square play arena and get the heck out of the way! 11. Mud puddle fun. On a sturdy table at playing height, fill a small kiddie pool with dirt and just enough water to make mud. Add digging and pouring toys for an hour of industry for young kids. MESSY FUN FOR A LARGE FAMILY 12. Trashion runway. Don’t discard your reusable recyclables. Spread them out evenly in tarps with plenty of clear tape, masking tape, painter’s tape, and duct tape. Pair kids up into design teams. Give a time limit, like one hour. The assignment is to design a runwayworthy fashion for each team out of only the trash that’s been supplied. Have a runway show afterward to display the results. 13. Musical silly string. Put half the group in the middle of a plastic tarp. Encircle them with the other half of the group. Turn on the music. Have the inside group move in one direction and the outside group move in the other direction while spraying the inside group with silly string. When the music is turned off, switch groups. 14. Duck-Duck-Dump. Have kids sit in a circle for a game of Duck-Duck-Goose. But first, hand them a cup of water and a half-cup of flour to pour over each goose’s head. 15. The opposite of tiny bubbles. Make bubble mix with 10 cups of regular dish soap and five gallons (about four litres) of water. Let it sit overnight. Do not agitate the solution as you pour it into a small wading pool slightly larger than a Hula Hoop in diameter. Have one child don a pair of clear goggles and stand in the middle of the pool without splashing. Let two kids lower a Hula Hoop over the child and then pull it straight up into a giant bubble. 16. Three-legged color run. Set up a start and a finish line for a short jaunt. Tie the legs of two kids together and have them wear clear swim goggles and white play clothing. Have your other kids stand on

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"Remember, the key to setting up an unforgettable messy activity isn’t about imitating the trendiest Pinspirations. The key is to let kids make a mess and have fun doing it." mashed potatoes, Jell-O, pudding, and cooked oatmeal. Tint food with food coloring if clothing can be stained. On your mark, get set, food fight! MAKING MESSY WORK FOR YOU Remember, the key to setting up an unforgettable messy activity isn’t about imitating the trendiest Pinspirations. The key is to let kids make a mess and have fun doing it.

the sidelines and throw color from bags of nontoxic Holi colors (the type used for Color Runs, available to purchase online). Repeat until everyone has run. The most colorful pair wins. 17. Sloppy volley. Divide children into two groups. Put a line across the centre of your play arena. Everyone has to stay on their own side and wear swim goggles. Place a table of supplies within reach of the backcourt on each side. On the table, supply large bowls of chilled

These tips will save your sanity: 1. If you can’t go outside, consider using a wellventilated garage, shed, or basement. Some activities work better indoors than others, and some won’t work. 2. Check out the house painting supply section of your local store for inexpensive items to protect your space. 3. Have a designated photographer who may not be slimed, spaghettied, or painted (make it you). 4. After a messy activity, hand out messy food, too, like popsicles or ice cream. 5. If you don’t want kids to get stained or dirty, you can still make a mess. Use smocks, shower caps, and bandanas to cover up. 6. The sky’s the limit when it comes to making messes. Use your imagination; then consider safety precautions, as needed.

Like most parents, Christina’s first instinct is not to necessarily choose the messiest activity, but her desire to let kids have fun usually prevails. CCM

30 things to do in and around town this summer By Nanica Brown & Allison Percival

ored? Desperate? Never fear, we’ve got 30 great things to do in and around Calgary this summer! Make sure to check ahead for closure and admittance information before you visit. 1. Mini Golf at WinSport - While many of their usual summer activities are closed this season, mini golf is open! Book your time ahead at winsport.ca. 2. The City of Calgary Wading & Spray Pools - The City of Calgary will be opening four parks in early July. Bowness Park (8900, 48 Avenue NW); Prairie Winds Park (223 Castleridge Boulevard NE); Rotary Park (617, 1 Street NE) and South Glenmore Park (8415, 24 Street SW). 3. Outdoor Pools - Two are planning on opening this season with limited hours/admission! Highwood (25 Holmwood Avenue NW) and Silver Springs (Silverridge Close & Silverridge Drive NW). 4. The City of Calgary Skate Parks - We’re fortunate to have a ton of permanent skate parks in the city! All wheeled sports are permitted - in-line skates, bmx, scooters, and skateboards. Vehicles with motors are not permitted. Please follow physical distancing guidelines and watch for closures. calgary.ca/csps/recreation/ skateparks.html

5. Fish Creek Park - Only a hop, skip, and a jump from Calgary’s southern suburbs, Canada’s largest urban park covers more than 20 kilometres of protected river valley. 6. Nose Hill Park - A unique natural environment park located in northwest Calgary, just 15 minutes from downtown. 7. The City of Calgary’s Reader Rock Garden Historic Park - This three-acre site has trails waiting to be explored! Location: 325, 25 Avenue SE. 8. Elbow Valley Wetland - An incredible variety of sights and sounds greet you at this constructed wetland in the Calgary area. Location: Hwy 8 (Glenmore Trail SW), just 800 metres west of Sarcee Trail. 9. Beaver Dam Flats - Beaver Dam Flats is surrounded by various natural habitats that attract beavers. 10. Kananaskis Country - Located 90 kilometres southwest of Calgary, the spectacular mountain and foothills landscapes make a perfect backdrop for a multitude of recreational opportunities. 11. Calgary Farmyard - Get lost and eventually found as you navigate your way through giant corn labyrinths, mingle with barnyard animals, bounce on jumping

pillows, ride tractor trains and more! calgaryfarmyard.com 12. Cobb’s Adventure Park - Book ahead online and check the website for closures. There is more than a full day of activities: kangaroo petting zoo, climbing wall, bouncy houses, pedal carts, tractor rides, archery tag, Zorbz, Eurobungy, ropes course, black light mini golf, and more. cobbsadventurepark.com 13. Butterfield Acres Children’s Farm - Mix and mingle with all the different animals on a farm. Pony rides for little ones, tractor rides, try some milking, and more! Location: 254077 Rocky Ridge Road. butterfieldacres.com 14. The Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station - The Station is truly out of this world! Crew members will be on hand to answer any questions about the Station, as well as the town of Vulcan and Vulcan County. Location: One hour southeast of Calgary. 15. Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park - Enjoy almost 30 kilometres of trails through Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. The main paved pathway is part of the Trans-Canada Trail system. These trails provide access to visitors on foot and bike, in wheelchairs, and on 30 Things to do – Continued on next page

Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

30 Things to do – Continued from previous page

skateboards and rollerblades. The GRPF believes that recreation in natural surroundings benefits both the mind and body. Experience Glenbow today! Location: 255001 Glenbow Road, Cochrane. 16. The Hangar Flight Museum - Open Fridays and Saturdays; pre-purchase your tickets online. This museum has one of Canada’s most extensive collections of aircraft, helicopters, and aero engines. Location: 4629 McCall Way NE. 17. Heritage Park Historical Village - Limited buildings are open for public access; midway rides and the S.S. Moyie are closed for the season. Travel back in time to Canada’s largest living historical village. There are over 150 exhibits ready for you to explore. Location: 1900 Heritage Drive SW. heritagepark.ca 18. The Military Museums - At one of North America’s largest military museums, you can follow Alberta’s military heritage from 1885 during the NW Rebellion to the present day. Location: 4520 Crowchild Trail SW. 19. Calgary Zoo - Book your ticket online. There’s something for the whole family! Whether it’s enjoying the zoo or the warmth of the ENMAX Conservatory, it’s a different visit each time. Main public entrance: 210 St. George’s Drive NE. calgaryzoo.com 20. Kayben Farms Sunshine Adventure Park - Book a timed ticket online. 12+ acres of nature and farm for your kids to discover, learn, and have fun! Location: 10 minutes south of Calgary in Okotoks. kayben.com 21. The City of Calgary Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Centre - Over 250 bird species and a variety of mammals call these 32 hectares of natural area home. The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is open, including the north field. However, the Nature Centre, the building onsite that houses the washrooms interpretive displays and drinking fountains, is currently closed. Location: on the Bow River at 2425, 9 Avenue SE. 22. Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary - Wolfdog ambassadors are the wolfdogs that take front and centre stage at events and sanctuary interactions to

help educate the public about wolfdogs and the importance of wolf conservation. Location: Cochrane. 23. The City of Calgary Devonian Gardens Devonian Gardens is an urban oasis that offers one hectare of botanical gardens including over 500 trees, 50 varieties of plants, a 900-square-foot living wall, fountains, fish ponds, and a playground to climb and explore. Located in the downtown CORE Shopping Centre. calgary. ca/parks 24. TELUS Spark Opening July 11 with a modified experience. Check online for details. A place for people of all ages and abilities to let go and embrace the desire to explore and discover science, technology, and art in a way that their normal day-to-day life doesn’t allow for. sparkscience.ca 25. Calgary Climbing Centres - Pre-book your time online! Whether you’re an advanced climber or just getting started, you’ll find your wall at the Calgary Climbing Centre. calgaryclimbing.com 26. Calgary Public Libraries - There are free children and teen programs available online on an ongoing basis and this summer, check out the Ultimate Summer Challenge! calgarylibrary.ca 27. Repsol Sport Centre - Reopening July 6 - check the website for details. Repsol Sport Centre is there to help you in the pursuit of being courageous with your mind and body - forever swimming, forever running, forever weight lifting, or whatever activity moves you. repsolsportcentre.com

Arts

Ambrose

ACADEMY

• Bring the magic of theatre into • • •

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your home. Learn script writing, characterization, production design, and filming tips from university professors and professional artists. Everything you need delivered right to your door. Build literacy, memory, and imagination all while having fun.

28. +15 Art Circuit, Presented by The City of Calgary Public Art Program - The +15 introduces you to 14 interesting pieces from the civic art collection. This free, self-guided tour is primarily indoors with a few quick trips outside. calgary.ca 29. InjaNation - Climbing gym, indoor playground, trampoline park, and more all under one roof. injanation.com 30. Calgary Stampede 2020 - Celebrate this year with a food truck rally, mini donut drive-thru, and a drive-thru pancake breakfast. stampede2020.calgarystampede.com

Nanica is the proud parent to Benjamin and Fable. Truly a child at heart, she is constantly exploring Calgary for new things to keep her kids from destroying her house and happily occupied year-round. Allie is the Assistant Publisher of Calgary’s Child Magazine. CCM

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Rainbow Salad Jar SERVES: 4 – 2 cup (500 mL) jars

PREP TIME: 20-25 minutes including pulse cooking time

INGREDIENTS Salad 1 cup (250 mL) .......... dried split yellow peas, rinsed 1 – 14 oz (398 mL) ... can lentils, drained and rinsed 1 cup (250 mL) .......... sliced green or red seedless grapes 1 cup (250 mL) .......... grated carrot 1 cup (250 mL) .......... diced sweet yellow or red pepper

PULSES are the dry, edible seeds of legumes. This includes beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas like split yellows – all grown in Alberta.

Topping 1-2................................. green onions, ﬁnely sliced ¼ cup (60 mL) ........... dried cranberries, optional ¼ cup (60 mL) ............ pecan pieces, toasted, optional Dressing ¼ cup (60 mL) ............ apple cider vinegar ¼ cup (60 mL) ............ canola oil, cold pressed if available 2 Tbsp (30 mL) .......... liquid honey 2 tsp (10 mL) .............. Dijon mustard 2 cloves ....................... garlic, ﬁnely minced

Nutrients per serving (1 jar) 431 Calories, 15 g Fat, 1 g Saturated Fat, 0 mg Cholesterol, 60 g Carbohydrate, 7 g Fibre, 23 g Sugar, 17 g Protein, 201 mg Sodium, 938 mg Potassium, 239 mcg Folate, 4 mg Iron.

Directions In a covered saucepan, simmer split peas in 2 cups (500 mL) water until moisture is absorbed and peas are tender, but not mushy, about 20-25 minutes. Rinse and cool. Yields 2 cups (500 mL) cooked. Meanwhile, whisk together dressing. Evenly divide salad ingredients and layer in each of the four jars. Top with green onion and sprinkle pecans and cranberries, if desired. Pour an equal amount of dressing over each jar, seal and refrigerate until ready to go.

Alberta Pulses – full of potential! For more great recipes visit albertapulse.com

summer travel in Alberta By Lukas Saville

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visit Alberta. It’s definitely understandable to feel worried about COVID-19 lingering on surfaces, but you can always book a condo for a week, bring some cleaning supplies, and sanitize the unit once you arrive. Further, reduce your pandemic fears by bringing and making your own food in your condo. Take a staycation. If you’re totally against booking a condo or going to a campground, it’s still possible to stay home and embark on exciting family getaways. Doing day trips may not be the best move for your carbon footprint due to increased

Quarry Lake

Devon Lake

driving, but mini adventures grant you the chance to feel protected from COVID-19. Campbell is a huge advocate for family hiking excursions, and he’s completed many great family hikes near Calgary, 10adventures.com/10-best-family-hikesin-canmore-kananaskis, with his young family. This list of hikes covers many trails in Kananaskis, which Campbell believes is a great place to ease your family into outdoor expeditions. The exciting sights paired with kid-friendly trails and an average of one- to two-hour routes make these great day trip options. If you’re looking for a stroll tailor-made for young families, try the Quarry Lake Hike in Canmore. The 3-kilometre loop boasts the ideal elevation for little ones: 15 metres. If they get bored hiking the circuit, you can always stop, have a picnic, and have fun splashing around in the lake. Note: the water can be a little chilly! Once you’ve completed the Quarry Lake Hike, head to Grassi Lakes in Canmore. With an elevation gain of 185 metres and a 4-kilometre loop, this hike may sound harder on paper, but it’s definitely considered a classic family hike, especially for young beginners. Families with preteens and teens may enjoy Picklejar Lakes! This trek takes around three-and-a-half to five hours and has 500 metres elevation. The 10.5-kilometre distance may induce sweat, but the views dotting the trail will force you and your family to forget that you’re carrying your legs through a mountain.

Picklejar Lakes

Try backpacking. A family backpacking trip doesn’t have to mean heading out on a long hike into the depths of the wild. There are plenty of family-friendly backpacking excursions that are easy to reach! Campbell suggests checking out these three spots in Kananaskis: Elbow Lake, Point Campground, and Lillian Lake. If you’re with young kids, you may want to consider Elbow Lake as your first backpacking excursion. You can reach Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground after trekking for just 2 kilometres. Eventually, the wide path will dissolve, and Elbow Lake will glimmer in front of you. The campsite is just to your right! If camping, you will have to drink water from the lake, so be sure to bring filters or treatment along. You can entertain your kids by going on a variety of day hikes in the area if you plan to stay for more than one night. With borders closed across the globe and nonessential travel restrictions blanketing Canada, there’s no better time than now to explore Alberta. Lukas’ passion for wildlife and nature has carried him to many countries of the world. He loves hiking the best trails on earth and sharing his experiences through writing and hopes it will help more people to start their own adventures and appreciate the world surrounding them a little bit more. To find hiking trails and adventure tours in the most stunning places on earth, visit 10adventures.com. CCM

Photos: Courtesy of 10Adventures.com

he arrival of summer usually means one thing: time to head out into the great outdoors and make the most of Canada’s fabulous natural spaces. However, with the world still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, many family vacation plans have been cancelled or postponed due to border restrictions. Alberta Health recently announced that “non-essential travel outside the province is not recommended,” and it looks like this advice is likely to be in place throughout the summer. On the other hand, local authorities have also reversed the decision to close 17 provincial parks and recreation sites across Alberta in order to “give Albertans more opportunities to camp and connect with nature as we all recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.” With regional and international travel off the agenda, there’s never been a better time to explore Alberta’s natural wonders! Luckily, our province has one of the greatest outdoor playgrounds in all of Canada, if not the world. Amid the Rockies, Kananaskis, Banff, Canmore, Jasper, and Waterton, you’ll find towering peaks, lakes painted in baby blue hues, and campgrounds nestled in the thick of the wild. What’s more, these natural wonders aren’t just tailor-made for extreme outdoor enthusiasts, they are also perfect for families. What’s the best way to plan your summer travel adventures in Alberta? Richard Campbell, with 20 years of experience in the outdoors, has a young family, and founder of 10Adventures, 10adventures.com, one of Canada’s biggest outdoor websites, which provides free route guides for intrepid explorers and families alike, shares his tips on how to plan the ultimate family-friendly getaway in Alberta. Plan ahead. First things first: pull out your calendar, your computer, or phone, and start making reservations. Advance planning is more important than ever this summer, as local campgrounds and sites are likely to book up quickly. If you’re thinking of booking a campground for a weekend camping trip, you may find it difficult to find a space. Campbell suggests avoiding the busy weekend campgrounds and heading out mid-week to avoid the crowds. If you aren’t able to get a reservation, “instead of traveling at the weekend, start your family adventure on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and head for a quieter campground that doesn’t take reservations,” advises Campbell. You’ll find many reservation-free campgrounds along Icefields Parkway or in Southern Alberta, and traveling mid-week means you’ll have much less competition for the perfect camping spot. You can also take this time to explore more ‘off-thebeaten-path’ areas in Alberta, such as the east, south, and north - try to cover and experience as much of Alberta as possible. Many of the provincial parks recently opened by the Alberta Parks authorities have campgrounds that operate on a first-come, first-served basis. We all tend to flock to the Rockies, Kananaskis, or Banff, but why not give something new like Elk Island National Park and Cooking Lake a go? If you’re unable to visit a campground mid-week and would rather have your reservation confirmed, book a hotel or a condo! Most places, including Banff, Jasper, and Canmore, have rooms available as more and more establishments open their doors to local visitors. To top it off, you’re likely to find some great deals and prices on accommodation are better than they have been in years, as international tourists are unable to

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celebrate the Stampede at home For an event as huge as the Calgary Stampede, holding an alternative celebration seems daunting, but it doesn’t have to be over-the-top. By Trista Arney

he 2020 Calgary Stampede will not be held this year. While this is a huge community event that many families in Calgary look forward to, it’s also another festival we won’t be celebrating together. Weddings, birthdays, community events, festivals, and more have had to be put off for now as we come together while staying apart. MAKE A PLAN Start by acknowledging your feelings. It is perfectly okay (and normal!) to be sad that Stampede isn’t on the agenda this summer. It’s disappointing to have to miss big highlights of the year that you and your children were looking forward to. Talk to your family. Let every member in the family talk about what they will miss and which part of the Stampede was the most special for them, then brainstorm ways to do something similar on a smaller scale at home. This is a time you can teach your children (and remind yourself) about how to be flexible! For an event as huge as the Calgary Stampede, holding an alternative celebration seems daunting, but it doesn’t have to be over-the-top. Keep it simple and achievable. When I asked my son about his favorite part of Stampede, it was “the cowboy shows and dressing up.” For my husband, it was midway food, and for me, it was time together as a family (which we have no shortage of at the moment!). BRING HOME THE RODEO Did you know you can watch videos of Stampede events on their Facebook page? On both the Calgary Stampede page and the Calgary Stampede Rodeo page, there are loads of videos of various events and activities from previous years! While it won’t be quite the same as watching the action live, this could be an alternative if the rodeo events are what you love most. (You may want to preview content before loading them up for the kids.) THE MUSIC Another one of my favorite things to see at the Stampede is the award-winning Stampede Showband. This amazing group of young musicians is thrilling to see live! While we won’t be able to see them in person this year, you can view videos of performances on their official Facebook page, as well. As for the main stage performances, many recording artists the world over are bringing music into your home with live streaming events! CBC has a continuously updated list of Canadian live streams to watch, or search the Web and you’ll be sure to find a concert that appeals to everyone in the family. MIDWAY GAMES If the best part of the Stampede for you is trying your hand at the midway games, you can set up at-home versions. For prizes, you can always use small treats or coupons for special privileges or not having to do chores. Lucky duck - Take rubber ducks or any kind of floating toy/object. Mark a couple of ducks as ‘winning’ ducks (different colors if you have multiple prizes), take turns selecting a duck. If you select a winner, you get a prize! Water gun shooting gallery - Place small balls (plastic golf balls, ping pong balls, balls of aluminum foil, etc.) balanced on the top of bottles, golf tees, or other containers. Aim the water gun at the balls to see how many you can knock down. Play for the fastest time or the most balls knocked down in a certain time. Bottle pyramid - Stack empty bottles of the same size, cans, or plastic cups into a pyramid shape. Use a softball or other ball to attempt to knock down the pyramid.

Calgary Stampede grab-and-go food events A taste of the midway, drive-thru style!

Set up a ring toss using any toy rings you have or make rings from paper plates or left-over cardboard. Use empty bottles, empty cardboard tubes, or anything else you can find that you can throw a ring around as targets. STAMPEDE FOOD Pancake breakfasts are a cornerstone of the Stampede experience, and easy to recreate at home! Have pancakes for breakfast or dinner - try them picnic-style in your front yard or living room to change things up! Midway food is a core part of Stampede for many people - these are foods that we don’t generally eat at home! Thanks to many amusement parks and fans around the world, there are tons of recipes for these fun treats available online. Here are some ideas: • Dole Whip • Churros • Funnel cakes • DIY snow cones • Homemade corn dogs • Walking tacos (aka: tacos in a bag) • Baked mini donuts • Deep-fried cookies • Slushies • Bannock (try making this over the fire!) If you aren’t feeling up to trying to cook carnival treats at home, you can often find versions for sale in grocery stores - or check out local delivery options! Many Calgary eateries are offering delivery on summertime treats, from BBQ to ice cream and - yes - even doughnuts! Check out YYCfoodtrucks.com to find out about their Drive-Thru Food Truck events and delivery options for an even more festive feel. THE STYLE Probably the easiest part of the Stampede experience to recreate at home is the style! Let your kids dress up in their best cowboy outfits for neighborhood walks. If your kids enjoy sidewalk or window art, try a Western theme. No matter how you choose to make celebrations your own (or if you simply let them slide this year), remember to be gentle to yourself and your family if you find yourself feeling sad, angry, or disappointed - this is a hard year, and it’s okay to feel that way. Try to find moments of joy where you can and look forward to how wonderful it will be to be together again next summer! Trista is a stay-at-home mom and loves to share her discoveries about how to make life in Calgary work for families of all kinds. CCM

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth may be cancelled this year, but your family can still delight in delicious Stampede fare! Indulge in sweet and savory with a food truck rally, mini donut drive-thru, and pancake breakfast drive-thru. Access to these events will only be provided to those in vehicles. Bicycle, scooter, walk-up, and alternative transportation modes will not be permitted. No gathering, parking, or tailgating will be allowed on Stampede Park due to current restrictions on mass gatherings. WHAT’S ON THE MENU? July 4 & 5 - Stampede Food Truck Rally Stampede Park Noon to 9pm Additional locations/dates will be added. For details, sign up for the Stampede Insider: calgarystampede.com/ become-stampede-insider July 6 & 7 - Mini Donut Drive-Thru Stampede Park Noon to 9pm Purchase your mini donuts in advance and receive two free gate admissions to Sneak-a-Peek at the 2021 Calgary Stampede, courtesy of Bell! Sign up for the Stampede Insider and get notified when tickets are available to purchase: calgarystampede.com/becomestampede-insider

July 8 - BMO Kids’ Day Drive-Thru Pancake Breakfast Stampede Park 9am to 4pm Advanced registration required. Limited spots available. Sign up for the Stampede Insider and get notified when registration is open: calgarystampede. com/become-stampede-insider July 9, 10 & 11 - Mini Donut Drive-Thru Stampede Park Noon to 9pm Purchase your mini donuts in advance and receive two free gate admissions to Sneak-a-Peek at the 2021 Calgary Stampede, courtesy of Bell! Sign up for the Stampede Insider and get notified when tickets are available to purchase: calgarystampede.com/becomestampede-insider

Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

try a walk on the wild side Five fun suggestions for things to do with the kids this summer as you seek to entertain the troops.

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ead on for five fun suggestions for things to do with the kids this summer as you seek to entertain the troops. 1. Introduce your children to geocaching in Calgary’s parks and natural areas. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting activity using GPS-enabled devices, such as smartphones. Families guide themselves to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. There are several geocaching apps for iPhone and android phones. I like the Groundspeak Inc. app, which syncs with your geocaching account created through geocaching.com. You can either download the free version or you can upgrade to the premium version, which gives you access to a larger number of geocaches. Once you have an account and a mobile app, head out to your nearest natural area or park, and guaranteed, there will be a handful of geocaches to find nearby. Start with the easy ones that are larger and work your way down in size as you get more experienced. Don’t forget to bring along small treasures or toys to leave in each cache if you want to trade for something that you’ll find inside. 2. Discover a new favorite City park or natural area. The City of Calgary has almost 800 kilometres of pathways with over 5,000 public park spaces! That’s a lot of green space to get out and play in. Here are some hidden gems that you might not be familiar with: Bowmont Natural Area, NW - Look for the natural swimming hole under the train trestle bridges in the community of Silver Springs. The closest parking lot is at the off-leash parking area beside the 85 Street Bridge bordering Bowness Park. From this parking lot, follow the paved pathway down to the river and walk east. (Note: The pond is also located in an off-leash area and the river gets quite deep in the summer. My family takes life jackets with us on hot days when we anticipate swimming.)

Photos: Courtesy of Tanya Koob

Full-time, part-time & drop-in spaces. Nose Hill Park, NW - Everybody knows about Nose Hill, but every walk up here is different, depending on which parking lot you start from. There are some awesome geocaches to find, and my family loves biking or hiking into the quarry to play in the pond. To find the quarry, take the paved trail up to the top of the hill from the Brisebois and John Laurie Boulevard parking lot. At the top of the hill, follow old wagon trails and dirt paths farther north into the park and you’ll find the large gravel quarry and pond. Start from the Sarcee and Edgemont parking lot if you want to access the flattest section of trails for biking or from 14 Street, you can go in search of the First Nations Medicine Wheel or a beautiful labyrinth created out of stones. Griffith Woods, SW - This park is hidden in the community of Discovery Woods and is worth exploring to find the little pond with the stepping stones bridge. Follow the natural trails on the north side of the power lines from the west parking lot to find the pond. This park also has a beautiful paved pathway for biking. Weaselhead Flats, SW - The Weaselhead Flats natural environment park is situated between the North and South Glenmore Parks. It’s located at 66 Avenue and 37 Street SW and has its own parking lot labeled ‘Weaselhead.’ It’s one of my family’s favorite areas to hike in Calgary and once you leave the regional paved pathway, you’d never know you were still in the city. The trail follows the Elbow River and there are many areas to stop and play in the mud or sand bordering the river. Note: There are no bikes allowed in this natural park so head out on foot to explore. Confluence Park, NE - This gorgeous natural area is located along West Nose Creek off Beddington Trail. Either walk or bike along the paved pathway or drop down to the creek and follow natural trails. The highlight of this park is a giant glacial erratic called the Split Rock. It’s a short walk to the rock from the parking lot. The kids will also love the numerous bridges found in this park.

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Carburn Park and Beaverdam Flats, SE - Park by the lagoon at Carburn Park and then head north, following the paved regional pathway to Beaverdam Flats, a natural environment park located along the eastern bank of the Bow River. Keep your eyes out for pelicans, ducks, and even bald eagles while you explore the natural trails through the park. Information on each park can be found on The City’s website: calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/All-cityparks.aspx. 3. Explore the city on bikes. My family loves biking the paved Bow River Pathway from Shouldice Park in the northwest to the city centre. Highlights along the way include stopping for ice cream at Edworthy Park, looking for ducks at Prince’s Island Park, and playing in the pond at St. Patrick’s Island. For a ‘week on bikes,’ I also recommend checking out the trails in Fish Creek Provincial Park, exploring the paved trails along the Elbow River Pathway, biking the Bowness/Baker Park Loop in the northwest or riding around the Glenmore Reservoir between North and South Glenmore Parks. Information on biking routes can be found on The City’s website: calgary.ca/SitePages/cocis/SubCategoryCycling.aspx.

You’ll also find great inspiration and suggestions on Calgary Tourism’s website: visitcalgary.com/thingsto-do/stories-from-calgary/10-epic-bike-pathwaysin-calgary. 4. Learn to play disc golf. Disc golf is played like regular golf except instead of using golf balls and clubs, you use flying discs similar to a frisbee. This version of golf is also free in City parks, and you don’t need to make a reservation to get on the course - you can show up whenever you want to play a game! There are several disc golf courses around the city, but my family loves the 18-hole Baker Park course in the northwest because of how it blends nature and golf in a beautiful forest setting. To get started with disc golf, use a regular frisbee until you decide if you like the sport or not.

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If you decide to purchase real discs, there are several stores around town that sell them or purchase online (you can get by with one mid-range disc per person at first). The basic rules are simple to learn, and you don’t need to worry about keeping score when you’re starting out. Each hole begins at the tee (usually a concrete pad you throw from) and ends at the target (usually a basket). After each player has thrown from the tee, each following throw is made from where the previous throw finished. On completing a hole, carry on to the next tee until you’ve finished either 9 or 18 holes. 5. Explore one of our neighboring provincial parks. My family’s favorite provincial parks near Calgary is Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, located 20 minutes away from the northwest city limits as you follow Highway 1A toward Cochrane. A small loop hiking trail takes you to waterfalls, natural springs, and swimming ponds; refreshing on a hot day. Off Highway 1A toward Cochrane is Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, created on 1,314 hectares of ranchland. My family likes to hike the short Tiger Lily Trail or bike down to the Bow River on the paved trail. Finally, Fish Creek provincial park is located in the south part of the city where you’ll find more than 80 kilometres of pathways for biking, hiking, and walking. This park is truly a gem within city limits and you’ll feel like you’ve left the city far behind as you explore.

Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to an energetic 11-year-old boy. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountainrelated. She is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com. CCM

Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

is it time for a tutor?

Help your child overcome their struggles with a successful tutoring experience. By Jennifer Lacey

t is frustrating to see your child struggle academically and lose their self-confidence. Maybe a tutor is the answer - someone suited to help your child achieve better grades and assist in rebuilding their self-esteem. Once you decide to seek help, finding the tutor and/ or tutoring facility with the right qualifications to fit your child’s exact needs may be challenging. But with some practical advice and tips, you will be able to help your child overcome their academic struggles with a successful tutoring experience. Signs of trouble - Be on the lookout for some specific, telltale signs of academic trouble with your child. For instance, is your child exhibiting newfound fears of failure? Has their behavior become the opposite of their personality? Has your child lost interest in learning? Additionally, it may be as painfully obvious from a single report card or a parent/teacher evaluation meeting that your child may need assistance. You are the most important teacher your child will have, and it is vital that when you see your child growing frustrated or overwhelmed by their schoolwork, you should speak with your child and discuss their fears. How a tutor can help - A tutor needs to be someone your child will feel comfortable with and who is welleducated in the subject matter your child struggles with. Tutors can provide your child with not only a new sense of reassurance and confidence-building, they can also show your child how to apply new learning techniques to the subject(s) that are troublesome for them. A good tutor has the potential to become a critical part of your child’s academic support. After you have determined your child requires the assistance of a tutor, one of the best places to turn to first is your child’s teacher/guidance office. Inquire if they have a list of available tutors/tutoring facilities in your area. But remember, the cost for tutoring can vary - many schools may be able to assist you with finding someone within your budget or help in other ways if the tutoring need for your child is clear and you need help affording it. Most importantly, if your child’s academic struggles are related to a developmental issue, your pediatrician/primary care physician should also be consulted. Start your research - One of the next factors to take into consideration during your research is the frequency, length, and type of tutoring session. Would your child

benefit more from the individualized approach that addresses their needs? Or would your child naturally gravitate and thrive in a group setting, which will allow your child to see there are other students who have the same challenges they do? One-on-one tutoring allows the time to focus on the individual student and determines what the learning gap is and directs attention to ways of helping the student, while a group setting may be more effective as students see that others can overcome challenges, too, and it will give your child the confidence that they will also achieve success.

"Continue to evaluate your child's tutor even after the sessions begin. It is important for you to ask your child if they are comfortable with their new instructor(s) and whether or not they understand the lessons clearly."

However, there are some possible drawbacks to each that you need to consider during your initial research. First, cost. Private tutors can be pricey, depending on the type of tutor. Additionally, you may also have to pay for your tutor’s travel expenses. Most importantly, one-onone tutoring has the potential to become a temporary solution to your child’s learning difficulties at hand as the tutor does not necessarily work on developing the student’s independent thinking skills and good work

habits. The tutor is only present for a short amount of time, and if your child becomes too reliant on the tutor, learning opportunities can be overlooked and a pattern of dependence is developed. Although there are benefits of students being able to share knowledge and concepts they come to understand with other group members, your child may get discouraged if other students learn faster and do not encourage the slower students. Once your family has settled on the type of tutor that addresses your child’s needs, there are several questions you should ask the prospective tutor/tutoring facility: • Does the program or person focus on developing learning skills? • Is the program designed or will the person help with specific concepts? • And, most importantly, what are the long-term goals of the program/tutor and will they have the same goals in mind for your child? Some tutors, particularly tutoring facilities, give children a complete skills evaluation to identify precisely where they struggle. Involvement is key - Continue to evaluate your child’s tutor even after the sessions begin. It is important for you to ask your child if they are comfortable with their new instructor(s) and whether or not they understand the lessons clearly. Monitor your child’s grades, too. Encouraging and praising your child throughout this process will go a long way as the changes in their grades and attitude may become immediately apparent. Notice the successes, even the small ones, and speak to your child in a positive and matter-of-fact way. Ask your child to teach you what they have learned and show them a positive attitude toward learning by studying and reading yourself, discussing ideas, and talking about how life is easier and more interesting when you have more knowledge. Seasoned teachers and educational specialists will agree that once a child has been working with a tutor for a while, the changes are clearly visible, and your child will become more confident as they master the subject material. How to win the homework wars 1. Establish a specific time and place in your home to start homework. Don’t let your child put it off until later. Typically, homework is important

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@calgaryschild to do, or the teacher wouldn’t have assigned it. Make a concerted effort to lay down some laws about homework. 2. Let your child take breaks during long homework sessions. If your child is working on homework for more than 30 minutes, provide them with a snack and let them take a break for 10 minutes or so and then get back to work. 3. Make homework fun. Trying to relate your child’s lessons to the real world may prove to be the link to a better understanding of the lesson.

4. Stay involved and offer positive feedback. Together, check over your child’s homework when it’s done. If your child encountered any difficulties while working on it, discuss their concerns, and praise your child for their accomplishments.

Jennifer has specialized in covering pregnancy/family health and lifestyle issues for well over a decade. Her award-winning work has been featured in numerous publications. CCM

Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

talking to children about racism Many parents are wondering how to have an open dialogue with their children, in an impactful and age-appropriate manner. By Soraya Lakhani, R. Psych.

s we watch events unfolding across the world, we, as a global society, are stepping back to seriously examine our own perceptions of race and broader tenets of anti-Black racism, racial injustice, and systemic oppression and inequality. In addition to having these conversations as individuals and communities, many parents are wondering how to have an open dialogue with their children, in an impactful and age-appropriate manner. Talk about race. Many people believe that talking about race somehow increases racial prejudice; it doesn’t! Race is a natural dimension of human diversity, the same way we have different heights, different smiles, and different sexual orientations. Diversity is a strength and it is important for children to hear that message early and often. If we shy away from conversations about race, it becomes difficult to talk about racism. If we pretend race doesn’t exist or we don’t see race, then we’re also pretending racism doesn’t exist and the lived experiences of racialized people are not real. You might notice your young children ask openly and curiously around race, wondering why people have different skin colors. Instead of shutting down these questions and closing the dialogue, answer them openly and positively. Talk about why people have different skin colors and how beautiful it is that we do. Even within families, people often have different skin tones! All of us notice race and there’s nothing wrong with that. Push back on value judgments, always. Race is not a bad thing. Value assessments around race are where problems arise. The objective of talking about race is to raise children who are aware and can navigate the nuances and complexities of this issue. All of us see race - children do from the age of six months. Children can start demonstrating in-group preferences from the age of two, with racial prejudice beginning to solidify when children are four to five years old. Children between the ages of four and six can begin assigning positive attributes to their racial groups and negative attributes to other racial groups. Ensure you are correcting negative value assessments. For example, if a child comments that another child has strange-looking skin, remind your child we all have different colored skin and all skin colors are beautiful. From the time children are young, draw attention to value judgments based on race, whether your children say it, their peers say it, or extended family members say it. If your children are saying, hearing, or repeating racist rhetoric, immediately push back. State clearly to your children: “I think that is a hateful/unacceptable/racist thing to believe and to say. I think all human beings are worthy and beautiful. What do you think?” Return to earlier conversations around race to help kids understand why value assessments based on race are wrong. These conversations will help children learn to hold themselves and others accountable for racial judgement. Diverse representation matters. As an extension of talking about and celebrating racial diversity, think about the racial representation your children are seeing in the media they consume. Are they watching movies or reading books primarily about White protagonists, created by White artists? Historically, Find us on

media has heavily favored White characters and White creators, often featuring racialized characters in minor or villainized roles. It is problematic when children are seeing one racial group as the norm or the default or as ‘good.’ It is problematic when children have difficulty connecting with characters who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), or view those characters as unfavorable or less valuable. Take stock of the representation your children are seeing. Make sure they have opportunities to connect with and root for protagonists from all racial backgrounds and they are consuming media content from BIPOC creators, to begin understanding a range of lived experiences. Focus on similarities. Always support your children in identifying similarities they share with other people. If children are focusing on differences in physical appearance, acknowledge and normalize those

and experiences, to call out racism, and to champion other people’s voices. Talk about protest and current events. As children get older, you can have more nuanced conversation around the current events that are unfolding, including the murder of George Floyd and many other Black people before him. Encourage children to reflect on how protestors might be feeling and to share their own feelings about all that is going on. This is a valuable opportunity to talk to children about the history of peaceful protest, how protest is used as a call for change against an unjust system, and how protests have led to large scale societal change. Older children will also be able to grasp the tenets of systemic racism, and you can together research how existing systems and institutions have perpetuated racism and must make efforts to change.

"If you are unsure of how to answer questions or address your children’s concerns, give yourself space to learn from the many exceptional resources available on anti-racism and privilege."

differences and offer a frame of thinking based on common ground (e.g., “You both like playing chess!”). As children grow older, this approach will help them identify unifying factors and foster a sense of empathy and commonality with people from different racial backgrounds. Talk about White Privilege. The reality is that almost all BIPOC children will grow up with awareness of their own race. For these children, race informs many aspects of their lived experience, including their safety. They are likely to become aware, or be made aware, of racial bias from a young age. However, it is equally important for White children to grow up understanding the privilege their skin color affords them. Just like with race, if we don’t talk about privilege, people become blind to it and forget their lived experience is not the same as everybody’s experience. As part of talking to kids about privilege, help them understand that, for BIPOC people, skin color can make life harder. It is important for White children to understand how to become good allies. Teach them how to listen to others, to make space for other people’s stories

Model listening and learning. Nobody has all the answers right now. If you are unsure of how to answer questions or address your children’s concerns, give yourself space to learn from the many exceptional resources available on anti-racism and privilege. Model that process of learning to your children. It can be useful to say: “I don’t know the answer to that right now. Maybe we can look at some resources together.” Right now, all of us are coming to appreciate the immense value of listening, learning, and committing to educating ourselves moving forward. Demonstrating these behaviors to our children is valuable, as a way of creating lifelong listeners who are able to hear and learn from others’ stories, expand their awareness, and deepen their understanding.

Soraya Lakhani, R. Psych., is the Clinical Director of Yellow Kite Child Psychology, yellowkite.ca, located in Calgary. Soraya is a thought leader on parenting and child psychology. Her work has frequently appeared on CBC, Global, and other major media outlets. CCM

fall education

top10 titles to inspire a new hobby Provided by the Calgary Public Library

hether your child wishes to go it alone or whether you choose to get creative as a family, here are our top 10 books to inspire you to get crafty! 1. Draw Paint Print like the Great Artists by Marion Deuchars. Nonfiction. Explore simple and innovative techniques used by renowned artists. Examples include photomontage in the style of Hannah Höch, “painting with scissors” to emulate Matisse, and using art games to inspire surreal images like Salvador Dali. 2. What Shall We Do Today? 60 Creative Crafting Projects for Kids by Catherine Woram. Nonfiction. Organized into seasonal themes, this book guides kids through fun and visually appealing crafts. Eggshell planter-heads sporting sprouts for hair, pressed flowers in balsa wood frames, and pumpkin shell bird feeders are among the projects detailed in easy-to-follow picture instructions. 3. Chalk on the Wild Side: More than 25 chalk art projects, recipes, and creative activities for adults and children to explore together by Lorie King Kaehler. Nonfiction. For those who like to get their hands dirty, create your own chalk with unique recipes. From shellshaped chalk, sidewalk chalk, and glittery chalk to really unusual inventions like chalk bubbles, ice chalk, and gooey sensory chalk, this book has so many fun ways to make something special.

4. Project Kid: Crafts That Go! 60 Imaginative Projects That Fly, Sail, Race, and Dive by Amanda Kingloff. Nonfiction. A craft book designed for active children who love things that go: Planes, boats, trains, construction equipment, and bicycles! This book is filled to the brim with transportation-themed crafts using many found objects in and around the home. 5. ScrapKins: Junk Re-Thunk: Amazing Creations You Can Make from Junk! by Brian Yanish. Nonfiction. A book inspired from materials in the recycling bin, this activity book fosters creativity and encourages eco-friendliness. Raid your ‘junk’ to create a knight’s helmet, puppets, a recycled racer, or a parachute jumper. 6. Go Photo! An Activity Book for Kids by Alice Proujansky. Nonfiction. Handy tips and a step-by-step guide to inspire young readers who enjoy the magic of photography. The activities in this book are engaging and can be done indoors or outdoors. 7. The Unofficial Guide to Crafting the World of Harry Potter: 30 Magical Crafts for Witches and Wizards from Pencil Wands to House Colors Tie-Dye Shirts by Jamie Harrington. Nonfiction. Detailed photographs and step-by-step directions encourage Hogwarts creativity in young crafters and devoted Harry Potter fans. Projects include a sorcerer’s stone paperweight, dementor soap, and a lumos/nox light switch.

fall education

8. Loopy Loom Rubber Band Animals: 25 fun designs for jewelry and accessories by Lucy Hopping. Nonfiction. Take rainbow looming to the next level by creating a variety of colorful and cute rubber pets and wild animals. The animals can be made for cool charms to hang off of a backpack or made into earrings. 9. Crochet for Kids: Basic Techniques & Great Projects that Kids Can Make Themselves by Franziska Heidenreich. Nonfiction. More than just scarves and hats, learn how to make bracelets, leg warmers, hacky-sacks, pirate moustaches, and a very cute cat. Step-by-step illustrations show basic to more advanced stitches and techniques. 10. Fingerprint Princesses and Fairies and 100 Other Magical Creatures by Ilona Molnar. Nonfiction. It’s time to use your fingerprints to create intriguing fairies, centaurs, and storybook characters. Once your fingerprint is dry, use colored markers to add defining features like eyes, hair, and smiles. This book is perfect for any age. Also, make sure to check out its companion book, Fingerprint Monsters and Dragons and 100 other Adventurous Creatures. With these books, you can nurture your child’s or your family’s creative spirit and develop new hobbies. Craft on! For more information about the reopening of Calgary Public Libraries, curbside pickup, the library’s Summer Challenge and more, visit calgarylibrary.ca. CCM

Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

fall education

5 steps to choosing the perfect private school By Our Kids, ourkids.net

hile finding the right house is all about location, location, location, when it comes to private schools, the motto is fit, fit, fit. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. What makes a school perfect for your neighbor’s child doesn’t necessarily make it the right choice for yours. Your family’s circumstances, the individual strengths and needs of your child, your education philosophy and vision will all contribute to your choice of schools. 1. Carefully consider your needs. Private and independent schools are numerous and diverse. There are schools with excellent academic and athletic programs. Some schools follow a distinct education philosophy, such as Montessori, or serve a particular religious community. There are arts-based schools, allboys schools, boarding schools… and the list goes on. Before you start flipping through attractive brochures or browsing websites, take the time to consider, as a family, what it is you are looking for in a school and why. Top considerations • Your child’s personality, learning style, and academic ability. • Special learning strengths and/or needs your child may have. • Your family’s values, goals, and priorities. • Your budget for education spending. • How far you are willing to let your child travel each day and commuting distance to and from school. • What type of academic setting you are looking for; a back-to-basics curriculum or a more alternative approach and how strong you’d like the academic focus to be. • Your absolute must-haves, such as small class sizes or specific athletic facilities. • Coed or same sex, boarding, and/or day school preferences. • School size: Are you searching for a small or large school? • Program duration: Are you looking for a school

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with an elementary and a high school program, where your child can stay for many years? The importance of extracurricular activities.

Write down your basic must-haves in one column of a page. In a second column, add your wish list - the points that are not essential, but would be a bonus to find. Schools with an outstanding music program, a technological focus or strong outdoor education component are all out there. It’s up to you to determine and rank your priorities. Keep your list and refer back to it throughout the search process. Remember, the bells and whistles may be nice to have, but don’t lose sight of your priorities. Keep these in mind and they will guide you to the right fit. 2. Do your initial homework. This can’t be said enough: do your homework. Having a good base of information and knowledge about the private school landscape will help you make a choice that is right for you and your child. Remember to involve your child in the school search process as much as you can. Quick tips • Start your search early. A year in advance is not too soon. • Do first-hand research. Don’t rely on the experiences of others. • Make good use of the school’s website; most schools have profiles where the information you are looking for is quickly accessible. • Contact a number of schools directly and ask them to mail out an information package. • Attend Open Houses and private school fairs they’re usually scheduled several times a year. Now that you’ve gathered some information, it’s time to make good use of it to help you find the best fit for your child. 3. Visit a shortlist of schools. Most schools readily welcome visiting parents, so pick up the phone and

arrange a tour. A first-hand look is essential to get a personal sense of whether it’s a place you can see sending your child. But don’t rely on your first impression - plan more than one visit. Return with your child if you like what you see. Remember to ask a lot of questions; admissions officers anticipate and welcome them. And it’s a good idea to bring a written checklist along with you. Ask schools about: • The school’s philosophy and vision, and how it is achieved on a day-to-day basis. • The school’s method of communicating with families. • Teacher qualifications and the type of professional development offered to them. • The school’s curriculum. Does it follow, meet, or exceed the provincial Ministry of Education guidelines? • Where the school’s students go after graduation. In the case of a high school, the percentage of students who advance to the university of their choice. • Admission requirements, such as entrance tests. (If there is a test, what type is administered, and how much emphasis does the school place on test results?) • The type of student the school is looking for. • The ways the school measures individual achievement and progress. • The school’s typical response to a child who is not meeting academic expectations or who has gaps in their knowledge. • The school’s homework policy: is there homework help and support available? • Student-to-teacher ratio and maximum class size. • Tuition fees and what they include. Are there additional fees and other expenses such as uniforms, books, technology fees, and extracurricular activities?

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Ask schools to provide you with: • An outline of the school’s curriculum; ask to look at textbooks and other teaching materials. • Names and numbers of parents whose children are currently at the school or alumni, whom you can contact as references. • An opportunity to speak with the principal and teachers; don’t limit yourself to just meeting the admissions officer. • A chance for your child to interact with students. • A chance to observe a class or other school activities. • Information about bursaries or other financial support that may be available. • 4. Make a winning application to a few different schools. You now have your first-hand knowledge. Narrow down your choices, using your priority list as a guide. It’s time to apply to schools of your choice. It’s best not to limit yourself to submitting an application to just one ‘perfect’ school. Chances are there are a number of schools that could be an appropriate fit for your child.

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• Points to remember: • Submit applications early; some schools complete their enrolment by early Spring. • Some schools have set entrance years. (This information should be available on the school’s profile.) • Depending on your child’s age and the school, an entrance exam may be required. • Do not stress your child out about writing an entrance exam. • If the school asks to interview your child, prepare for the interview. Admissions officers warn against being ‘too’ prepared, however. • Don’t pin all of your own or your child’s hopes on one particular school. • Be honest and clear about your child’s needs. If they have special learning requirements, be sure the school is willing and able to accommodate them.

Be clear about what you are looking for. If the school assigns two hours of homework each night, this practice is not likely to change once your child is there. Extracurricular activities are an important component of many schools. Consider how those offered by a particular school fits with your child’s interests. Be realistic about your children’s academic abilities; don’t push them into a school where they won’t be able to cope.

What schools are looking for: • An appropriate fit for your child and your family. • A sense of whether your child wants to attend their school or is being pressured by parents. • A clear sense of your child’s strengths and challenges. • Your child’s likelihood of becoming a participating, integrated member of the school community. • A family’s full understanding of the school’s philosophy, vision, and expectations at the outset.

Still, there are a few points that every parent should keep in mind. Words of wisdom: • There is likely more than one school at which your child would succeed and prosper. Don’t be overly disappointed if your child does not gain admission to one particular school. • Don’t be crushed by less-than-stellar entrance exam results. Most schools will consider more than just test scores. • Share pertinent information with the school. The goal is to ensure your child’s needs are well accommodated. Once you have accepted a school, have confidence in your choice. Make the most of the fact that your family is now part of a unique school environment. You have succeeded in making one of the most important decisions in your child’s life and an investment in their future. That alone is worth more than a gold medal victory!

5. Stay grounded while awaiting results. The finish line is in sight. You’ve submitted your applications and are waiting to be notified about acceptance.

Trusted by Canadian parents since 1998, Our Kids is your source for information on private and alternative school options and has a great introductory guide to help you get started on your search. Get the information and feedback you need at ourkids.net. Reprinted with permission by Our Kids, ourkids.net. CCM

BUILDING FUTURES LEARNING WITH AUTISM IS BETTER, HERE.

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NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR REGISTRATION@JANUSACADEMY.ORG

JANUSACADEMY.ORG Summer 2020 • calgaryschild.com

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5 tips to keep your children engaged for the next school year Provided by Asasa Academy

t seems like children have been away from school for years, not just months! By this time, you might think you have run out of all the options to help your children entertain themselves or keep learning, just as the traditional kids’ summer ‘bored’ season rolls around. But the good thing is, parents and teachers have been fighting the ‘summer slide’ for generations and there are a number of good options to help keep your children engaged in growth and learning during the warm months. The ‘summer slide’ is generally acknowledged to be the backslide in knowledge retention that kids are affected by, with expert analysis observing a two-month loss in learning growth each summer. Below are five of the best tips that we recommend to ensure your children can gain knowledge and growth, in fun, summer ways, to be ready for next school year. 1. Give children ownership of their activities. We all remember resenting when being told to do something for which we failed to see the purpose. It may have been perfectly purposeful to our parents, but when children don’t understand the point of an activity, they tend to block out engaging in the activity or resist doing it. The answer to this problem is to give your children

ownership over their activities. What this means is to create activities for which there is an outcome they can observe as a result from the activity itself. A great example of an activity perfectly suited to summertime is growing a garden. Digging soil, pulling weeds, and planting seeds are not generally activities children will engage in as a chore. But disguised as an accomplishment, as in, “Look at what you grew in your garden!” and a child will gain lessons of effort and reward, which will help with the willingness to exert themself in school later on. 2. Read, read, read. This is self-explanatory, as both reading to your young children and encouraging your older children to read for themselves is proven to increase language and vocabulary skills. Reading can take them to new worlds where their imaginations can run wild, teach them valuable lessons about the real world, and pique their curiosity for greater knowledge growth. The best part about reading is it can be enjoyed outside, too, so your children never have to feel like they’re cooped up inside, away from the good weather. Grab your library card and load up on summer books (Calgary Public Libraries offer curbside pickup)!

"My son participated in the 1:1 online program. He connected really well with his teacher through this medium. Evidencedbased approaches were used and progress was tracked. Each session is built upon the last. It was great! "

New c o u r s e s s t a r t J uly 13 & Aug. 4 & Aug. 24

3. Learn about nature. Activities in nature kill two birds with one stone, as the saying goes. Properly planned out excursions can be both educational and healthy, as getting out in the sun and exercising is immensely beneficial, especially in the midst of viral spreads. Take a day trip and visit a museum, like the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, or get close to nature by visiting the Calgary Zoo or Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Learn about farm animals at a local petting zoo. And hiking around a provincial or national park provides excellent exercise for both children and parents, who may or may not wish to burn off that “Quarantine 15” (15-pound weight gain during isolation). 4. Embrace boredom. Not every day or every moment of every day can be filled with excitement and wonder. As parents, we tend to fret that our children won’t be occupied with resources all day or have a regimen of activities planned. But a child’s mind often finds its greatest results when left to itself to wander and let its curiosity discover. If you are working from home, perform a little experiment (for age-appropriate children): ensure that either your house or yard are secure and let them do what they want for a few hours. Don’t constantly check up on them. Trust that their minds will invent activities for themselves. Crucial to this is limiting their access to digital screens during this experiment. The idea is for your children to create for

themselves, rather than have stimuli digitally fed to them. You just might find your children have as much fun creating for themselves as with the carefully-planned activities on another day! 5. Stay active and healthy. A growing child needs a healthy body to get the best results out of learning. During the summer, we need to take the initiative and have our children outside playing and exercising as much as possible. Whether planned adventures, family trips to the forest or beach, or just playing with permitted friends during the pandemic, exercise will sharpen the mind and burn off energy that may otherwise be disruptive to learning. A child with proper exercise will sleep better and wake up refreshed, ready for whatever the next day has for them. Take advantage of the great weather to the fullest extent possible this summer! Asasa Academy is a not-for-profit Calgary private school specializing in exceptional education for junior kindergarten, kindergarten, and elementary students. They have two campuses in Calgary, Pinetown and Northmount, and offer a variety of programs with a special emphasis on language arts, math, and technology. To learn more, visit asasaprivateschool.ca. CCM

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