Emma Jack || Spring 2015 (Issue 4)

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Volume 1 • Issue 4 • Spring 2015 www.emmajackmagazine.com

Contents

Letter from the Editor One of the best times of the year is during the weeks when the schoolyear ends and summer begins.

Only Christmas can compete with that growing feeling of significance.

As a kid, each day that carries you closer to summer break adds to the anticipation of big fun to come.

Summertime opens up familiar lands with brand new adventures, and practical learning. Whether children are part of structured experiences like summer camp and swimming lessons, or are working on family projects alongside their parents, the learning that takes place during summer months is invaluable.

Enjoy your children. Watch the world through their eyes and remember the magnificence that summertime brought to you at their age. Let the joy of months of sunshine be shared.

– Bryan Carter Editor-in-Chief Publisher P2 Publishers Editor-in-Chief Bryan Carter Contributing Editors Matthew Jackson, Justin Griffing Visual Design Sweta Desai, Chance Shelton Advertising Director Fran Riddell Emma Jack Magazine is published by P2 Publishers. Reproduction of Emma Jack magazine, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. We do not accept responsibility for any unsolicited materials and may not return them. All information in this magazine is taken from sources considered authoritative, but P2 Publishers cannot guarantee their accuracy.

Inclusion of editorials, images, advertisements, or other materials in this magazine does does not constitute an endorsement for products or services by the publisher. ©2014 P2 Publishers.

6 Counting Summers The Few Summers You Get To Spend With Your Kids Are Too Precious To Take For Granted

14 The Gift of Traveling with Your Children Making It A Journey To Remember

14

22 The Genius of Music How Music And Singing Help Shape Children’s Lives

30 Summer Day Adventure Awaits

42 Mother’s Day is Every Day From The View Of A Mother Of Two

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48 A Summer of Learning Camps. Outings. Vacations. Family Projects.

56 Summer Picnic Picnics Are About Fun, Taking In The Sun, And Embracing The Outdoors With A Childlike Mindset, Whether You Are A Kid Or Just Feel Like One.

62 Dave Says...

Advice From America’s Financial Advisor

30

What you can expect in the Fall 2015 Issue Summer Achievement, Back to School, and more!

PLEASE SEND ALL INQUIRIES TO: EMMA JACK MAGAZINE, 655 LAKE HARBOUR DRIVE, STE 100, RIDGELAND, MS 39157 OR CALL: 601-707-8350 WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMMENTS. VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.EMMAJACKMAGAZINE.COM OR EMAIL US AT INFO@EMMAJACKMAGAZINE.COM OR ADVERTISING@EMMAJACKMAGAZINE.COM

SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 3

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BY BRYAN CARTER / FEATURED WRITER

Time is Relative

Seven years seems very long, but having only seven summers seems very short. Time is relative.

“They grow up so fast” are words often uttered by parents that have already raised their kids past childhood. The phrase is an acknowledgement to the years gone by, and the wonder of those years when the kids are at “magical” ages. They are words spoken in both disbelief and in a knowing tone. Time is always crawling forward, and, at the same time, flying by, when it comes to children.

You only have a handful of holidays and summers to spend with your children while they are young. You do not get them back. Each opportunity is precious. Even just taking a few days off to spend with your kids can mean the world.

Summer breaks are opportunities to make memories outside of the daily routine. As a parent, these are the days that SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 7

may be among the best of your life. But, these days are not just the best in your life. Days of summer can be some of the best days in your children’s lives, and once they are grown with families of their own, some of the best days in your grandchildren’s lives.

Passing the Torch

When you think back to your childhood, there are moments that matter. Those that stand out the most are often holidays, vacations, and time off. For children, summer vacations matter. These are the memories that will fill the vaults of their minds and shape their ideals of how life should be.

We don’t often think of our responsibilities in terms of generations to come, but this is certainly one of our opportunities to do so. Summertime offers you the opportunity to help shape the memories that your children will have to be their guide, and to help set the expectation for when they raise their children.

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Too Busy

While we all have responsibilities to take seriously, it is far too easy to be absorbed in today’s fast pace of life. Even on vacation, with our numerous methods to stay in touch with work, literally close at hand with smart phones and tablets, it is simple to stay under the spell of the hustle and bustle that makes you feel productive in the world. A hard work ethic is important and a quality to be admired, as long as it does not develop into an addiction.

A vacation filled with work is not a vacation. You return home less rested. Your distractions may even keep you from fully enjoying the events and memories you are there to create.

It is a shame to waste what little time off we have, and not enjoy the full benefits. And, in a country that boasts one of the lowest time-off statistics, it happens. Even if you own your own business or are leading a group, finding a way to have some time off should be a life priority. Hopefully your hard work has blessed you with a smart, reliable team that can carry the business forward safely for a few days at least, without you needing to mentally remain in touch with, and distracted by, the office.

It’s About Time. Not Money.

While Disney World is amazing, your vacation time with your family does not have to include an expensive trip. Memories are about shared experiences more than travels, and a closely-held family memory can stand out just as much, and mean even more, than a day with Mickey.

As a parent, taking a few days off during the summer to stay at home and work on a family project, to spend time at a pool, to go fishing, or even to go camping in your own backyard, can be amazing and memory building. If you can take a long weekend and incorporate weekend days already off, your SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 9

weekend can be upgraded to a vacation.

After all, Saturday and Sunday are just more summer days for kids on break.

Dedicating time to your family sends a message.

If you do decide to travel, visiting cousins or grandparents, even for a few days, can be just as rewarding as a trip to the beach. Find success in focusing on family time together, without distraction. Raising the bar can be as simple as breaking the daily routine.

Whether you are seeing a different country or exploring a local park, timeoff together matters.

Amazing Days.

Memories.

Amazing

Knowing the importance of your family vacation can actually help you appreciate and enjoy the time you have even more. With awareness as your 10 - EMMA JACK MAGAZINE

ally, you can tackle the days with true fervor and zeal. You can make the memories much more than ordinary.

Your time with your family can be spectacular, can stand out for your children, and can help set a goal of valued family time for the next generation to come. In the end, what you accomplish by taking time together as a family may far outweigh anything you could have dreamed of achieving in just a few days off.

Bryan Carter is an author, business owner, father, and husband. He lives in Ridgeland, Mississippi with his wife Shelley and two beloved children, Jack and Emma.

FIND THE ONLY MALONE SCHOLARSHIP SCHOOL IN MISSISSIPPI. ST. ANDREW’S Episcopal School is one of just 50 schools nationwide and the only school in Mississippi chosen to receive a $2 million grant from the Malone Family Foundation.

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Committed to Excellence.

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Now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 academic year Visit our website to schedule a personal tour today.

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Soccer Camp 2015 Boys & Girls – Ages 7-14 $150 Pre-registration (Paid before May 15, 2015)

$175 Late registration (Paid up to first day of camp)

JUNE 1-5

For more information, visit www.hindsccsports.com Doug Williams 601.857.3342 drwilliams@hindscc.edu

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Hinds Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Debra Mays-Jackson, Vice President for the Utica and Vicksburg-Warren Campuses and Administrative Services, 34175 Hwy. 18, Utica, MS 39175; 601.885.7002.

SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 13

BY MATTHEW JACKSON / FEATURED WRITER

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Memories That Linger On

Every summer of my childhood, virtually without fail, there was a family vacation. Typically, they were extended family vacations – not just my parents and my brother and me, but also a grandmother, an aunt, and sometimes a niece as well. We loaded up the car and headed to the Great Smoky Mountains.

The next week was spent laughing, hiking, shopping, swimming, and eating. These family vacations were a highlight of our year, and they still leave me with some of my fondest memories of childhood.

Naturally, when I got married and started my own family, we had discussions about our ideas of a nice family vacation.

We ended up doing something very reminiscent of my childhood: loading up in a big van, and heading out to the same destination every year. We laughed and hiked, read and talked, and spent a week together, bonding and growing as a family.

Even though my kids are all still fairly young, some of my dearest memories are from those days of vacationing together.

I learned a lot on my vacations, both as an eldest son and as a father.

Something a Little Different

When we think of “traditional” summer vacations, what comes to mind? For many of us, we immediately think of the destination. We remember laughing and splashing in the pool, walks on the beach at sundown, or some other thing we did after we’d reached the place we’d chosen to spend our vacation 16 - EMMA JACK MAGAZINE

time with the family. We remember those postcard moments that we capture on film, for posterity’s sake.

As we prepare for our vacations this summer, I have another thought to throw into the mix of possibilities -- traveling with our children. Of course, we love having fun together once we’re on the beach, but how often do we actually consider the journey to be part of the fun?

Typically, we have no choice; we are in a car together for some number of hours, traveling to that magical place we’ve been preparing for all year. Once we get there, most of us will spend our time busy. We’ll spend time together, and we’ll have a wonderful time. But that time we spend traveling, if we can make the most of it, can be some of the most precious time of the summer.

How? I remember the peals of laughter as we joined together as a family to tease my mother about her propensity to hurry through red lights. People have invented dozens of games for playing in the car, from the classics “I Spy” and “License Plate Game” to newer games like “Road Trip Bingo.”

Stop at random places, eat new foods, or buy cheap souvenirs for a family vacation scrapbook. Be silly together. Letting our kids relate to us as enjoyable human beings is wonderful for our relationship with them. We’re always the adult and the parent, but we don’t always have to remind them of that!

When we’re in the car, headed toward that marvelous vacation destination, let’s try to remember that the trip can also be part of the fun.

Mini Vacations for Everyone

As a last note for making the most of our vacationing time as a family, a few thoughts: Not every vacation has to be in the summer, and not every vacation has to be a giant production.

When we can’t make that summer dream vacation a reality, for whatever reason, we don’t have to give up hope!

Summer immediately comes to mind when we think of “vacation,” but not all vacations need be in the summer. There is always a trip to the mountains for snow, or an off-season visit to some other major attraction. Some of the best vacations I’ve had with my kids involved driving a little north in the fall, enjoying the beauty of the changing leaves, and exploring a place together that none of us really know.

Another vacationing idea involves scale -- not everything has to be big to make a big impact. There are a lot of great things to do in and around Mississippi that make for a great weekend getaway for the family. Our beaches are lovely in the summer; a day trip to Ship Island is an amazing ocean/island adventure for adults and kids alike. Towns like Vicksburg, Natchez, and Ocean Springs offer history and beauty for everyone; every small town has a fair, and all is just a short drive away. These types of mini-vacations are quick to plan, easy on the pocket, and can be brought out like a present of surprise fun for everyone.

Most of All, Enjoy Your Loved Ones

No matter what type of vacation you have in mind for this summer, remember how precious this time with your family is.

Transform travel into quality bonding time -- kick back, relax, and fill your days with wonderful memories that will stay with your children the rest of their lives.

Matthew E. Jackson is an author, an avid reader, and the father of five children. He also works in advertising, loves to travel, and maintains a blog of book reviews.

SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 17

MISSISSIPPI

Express Yourself

Collect. Create. Celebrate. In Ridgeland, the masterpieces are yours in an array of galleries, the Mississippi Craft Center, the state’s premier shopping centers and the great outdoors.

April 18-19, 2015 A juried fine arts festival with America’s finest artists – F E AT U R I N G –

Children’s Creative Craft Corner and Student Gallery

Natchez Trace Century Ride • May 2 Magnolia Meltdown Half Marathon & 10K • May 9 Dragon Boat Regatta • May 16 Heatwave Classic Triathlon • June 6 With an abundance of attractions and events, more than 1,600 quality hotel rooms and over 140 great restaurants, Ridgeland is the perfect stop for travelers seeking the arts – whether it be culinary, craft, fine art or just nature’s creations.

Enjoy the Art of It All...in Ridgeland.

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SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 21

BY JEFF KERSH, PHD

SPRING INTOINTO SUMMER 2015 - 23 SPRING SUMMER

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As a teacher who also works at a music store part-time parents often ask me,

“How do I get my children interested in music?”

Chances are, they are already interested. Music is everywhere in our culture, and the options for listening to it and participating in it are broader and more convenient than ever. If you’ve ever experienced a two year old blurting out a commercial jingle out of nowhere, you’ve seen the power music can have on a listener. The power, and the rewards, for a child who wants to make his or her own music, can last a lifetime.

The benefits of learning and studying music, whether formally or informally, go far beyond knowing what the notes are and where they go. Studies have shown that involvement in music impacts the most important skills a child needs to succeed in school and in life. Music is a good investment in a child’s life that pays benefits in adulthood through imagination, creativity, critical thinking, analytical thinking, comprehension of systems, personal expression, to achievement.

Increased Attention

Studying music improves a child’s attentiveness, even at young ages. The initial fascination with an instrument or the child’s own voice lingers, and each little improvement is a reward that encourages the child to pay even closer attention to building on the basics.

In a formal environment, paying close attention to the teacher or director is crucial to making a rehearsal or performance the best it can be. This attention takes place in

a group, building individual skills into a disciplined whole, not unlike a sports team. A child who increases his or her attention span through music is better able to pay closer attention to academics, activities, and the world in general.

Perseverance and Determination

Music also strengthens a child’s sense of determination. As a percussionist, I often tell customers and students that it’s easy to get a sound out of a drum, but it takes years to master the techniques and craft necessary to really make music with the instruments. Every child who studies music has to deal with the same basics – scale patterns, rudiments, chord formations – and it takes a bit of a stubborn streak to practice these basics over and over again before playing an entire song or making up tunes of one’s own.

But that stubbornness pays off. As a child continues learning, playing that song or writing an original one is the ultimate reward. And each reward leads to another, and another. A violinist progresses from “Mary Had a Little Lamb” to Vivaldi violin concertos; a singer moves from simple songs to more advanced, complex melodies and harmonies; even a drummer who starts with a “Mommy-Daddy” roll can eventually play dense, complicated rhythms.

Children who grow up with music learn not to give up when life gets a little more difficult; they discover how to celebrate the little steps that lead to a final outcome. They know that hard work gets results, and they incorporate that work ethic into all other aspects of their lives.

A Musician’s Mind

The development of creativity fosters growth in two of the SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 25

most important life skills anyone can learn – problem solving and critical thinking. A young musician learns to “think outside the box” by coming up with creative solutions to problems. My own development as a percussionist taught me to use objects that aren’t considered instruments – cans, boxes, buckets, and other “junk” – to create music. I have applied the same ingenuity to my writing and my work and home lives.

The simplest solution isn’t always the best one; a little examination and improvisation can result in solutions that work better, and music encourages that kind of thinking.

Creativity comes in handy in real-life, especially in turbulent times.

The Studious Musician

Musical children tend to develop good study habits. The same discipline it takes to learn to play an instrument or to sing, either solo or with others, can easily be applied to other academic subjects. The need to improve, coupled with appreciating little rewards when they come, teaches a child to do the work necessary to earn the rewards of grades, knowledge, and academic accomplishment.

Of course, a good student has a much better chance of navigating the “grades” of the world outside school. Studying music builds good habits that children carry with them into adult life.

What’s more, music reinforces other academic subjects.

Music is based in math; children who study music tend to score better on math tests and understand how numbers relate to the practicalities of life. Reading music is different than reading a book, but young musicians have higher reading

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comprehension rates, probably because reading requires the same concentration and analytical skills.

Self Esteem and Accomplishment

Music has been shown to raise children’s self-esteem by giving them a sense of accomplishment. It’s not easy to learn a piece of music -- paying attention to not only the notes, but also dynamics, interpretation, and style.

When a guitarist masters a piece of music, he or she has put all the pieces together. When a marching band learns a show (not only playing, but marching), the members of the band have developed a performance for an eager crowd. When a musician writes an original piece of music, he or she has expressed emotions and ideas that matter.

Being a musician isn’t all about reward. Part of the journey is recognizing mistakes and correcting them, which is its own form of accomplishment. Understanding the ups and downs of performing enables a child to understand ups and downs in other aspects of life. A healthier self-esteem does not come from praise alone, but from acceptance of the bad things that are part of the process to achieve the final result.

Encouraging children to study music gives them far more than something to make noise with (although it does give them that); it introduces them to a world of creativity and understanding that enables them to be better people, and to benefit from the advantages that studying music provides, from preschool to college and beyond.

Jeff Kersh, has a PhD in English, and is a published poet and author, a musician, a music teacher, and a father.

SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 27

CoppĂŠlia Presents

April 26, 2015 2:00 p.m.

Thalia Mara Hall

Doll Tea Party- 12:00 noon Mississippi Museum of Art

balletms.com l 601.960.1560

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SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 29

BY BRYAN CARTER / FEATURED WRITER

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From the moment the warm light of the summer sun streams through the pane of glass in your bedroom window to gently awaken your well-rested eyes and muscles, you know that another vacation day is waiting for you to step in. A full day of earnest living and learning, wrapped in a cloak of friendships and random acts of adventure.

As you brush your teeth, there is no shivering before a heating vent. There is no dress code or hurried schedule to stress your start. Only an open mind wondering what will be found on this warm, sunny, summer day.

Even in morning, the day is warm.

The air holds humidity as a precursor to an afternoon spent with blue skies, bright rays, thick green grass, and cool moist earth beneath your toes. Even though every day is the same in its plan, every day holds a different version of 32 - EMMA JACK MAGAZINE

the days before. Get dressed. Shorts and T-shirts. Tie your shoes. With or without socks.

Find friends. Play. Explore. Take on missions alone or in groups. Splash.

Sing. Swing from limbs. Start a project. Build a fort. Find new skills and feats to conquer.

Cover all mistakes in Band Aids.

Cross streams. Walk creeks. Catch critters. Relax in the shade of trees.

Get wet. Get muddy. Ruin a pair or two of sneakers.

Discover new areas and new friends (or cliques of enemies) within the lands of your own neighborhood. Whether by bike or on foot, you become intimately familiar with your territory and some places beyond your borders.

Find a first job. Cut lawns. Do odds and ends. You get to begin to make your own way. Control your own money. For a moment, hold responsibility.

Put your learning and skills to the test in a community of other kids doing the same.

Forts. Pools. Young attraction and

SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 33

romance.

A world expanded from the hibernation of the winter living room and daily schedule to the entirety of outdoors, day and night.

Friends stay over. You stay with friends. You get to adopt parents and your friends get to adopt yours.

The Season of Empowerment

Empowerment as a nation of children across the land. Whatever your age. Whatever your level. Collect bugs in jars, or first kisses, or sunburns at the pool. Everything is in perfect form.

Independence in its grandest incarnation. Figure out the world on your own terms.

Questions’ answers are discovered before the questions are asked. What is freedom? What does summer freedom look like on older kids? How old do I need to be to own summer nights?

What can I do when the world begins at my doorstep, each and every long summer day? How long is all summer long?

You learn so very much in school.

But, thank goodness for all you learn in summer.

Bryan Carter is an author, business owner, father, and husband. He lives in Ridgeland, Mississippi with his wife Shelley and two beloved children, Jack and Emma.

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SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 35

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this summer. JA has a variety of summer workshops to engage, inspire, and nurture young minds from PK to Upper School.

Over 30 different camp opportunities are available. Sign up today!

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We take fun SeriouSly! www.mschildrensmuseum.com | 601.981.5469 Located in Jackson, MS at I-55 & Lakeland Drive This project is partially funded by the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

4908 Ridgewood Road | Jackson, MS | jacksonacademy.org

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Sid the Science Kid: The Super-Duper Exhibit! created by The Magic House® in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company. TM & © 2013 The Jim Henson Company. All Rights Reserved.

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SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 41

Being Mom

BY SUSAN SCHADE-BIJUR

Every day is Mother’s Day for me.

I‘m lucky enough to have a son and a daughter, and both are young. I’m totally enjoying this time in our lives. Not that I have perfect kids, but I look forward to coming home every night to love on them and have them hug me right back. If the day at work was hard and long, it doesn’t matter; it fades into a memory as soon as I am home with my family.

I remember each phase of my kids’ childhoods, and learn something about them and about myself too!

When they were babies, I loved holding them tight and smelling them just after a bath. I loved their toddler stage, when they learned to walk and talk.

The amazement that comes through their thrill of experiencing something for the first time makes me enjoy it all over again, even in something as simple as the first lick of an ice cream cone. The way my son’s eyes and smile widened when he tasted his first cone, was priceless.

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Perhaps the best memory, though, is the first time each child said “I love you.” My heart melted.

They are so happy when they master skills. They start school and navigate life with more independence. When I heard them rationalize how they’ll make their kids eat vegetables because they know vegetables are good for them, it made me realize how much my kids mimic my husband and myself.

As children, kids look up to you to learn to climb a tree or ride a bike.

Now my kids are teaching me about different emoticons and changing apps on my smartphone. They sing along to songs I’ve never heard, yet they know all the words.

I still don’t know how and where they learned these songs. Even more fun than the learning is the creativity I see in my children.

My son can build anything using Legos, and now, virtually in Minecraft. My daughter can draw something very cool in art class or write a story with a starting sentence that draws you in and makes you want to read it. I already think she is a great writer, and can’t wait to see that talent as it develops.

It’s also fun being a kid with them, getting a fake tattoo or enjoying a lollipop, even as a 40-something year old adult.

Honoring My Moms

Being a mom has also made me appreciate my mothers. I am lucky enough to have the blessing of three moms: my biological mom, who died when I was a teenager, my stepmom, and my mother-in-law. Each one has a life story where she has overcome hardships and kept going.

These amazing women have shaped my life in so many ways. Perhaps the most important way is their unfailing love and support for me. I’m impressed with what they have done with their lives, and I don’t think I could have accomplished all that I have without them.

My moms have taught me practical skills like how to cook, but they have also instilled in me how important it is to just be myself. I hope I can be as good a mom as each of them and make them proud of me.

Each Mother’s Day I honor these women for all they do, for me and for everyone else I love. It may only be a phone call and a card, but it’s a simple way to show my love. That’s all I want from my kids. Except that since I’ll see them on Mother’s Day, I also expect lots of hugs and kisses.

Appreciating Mom

My kids say they think of Mother’s Day as a “day to spend time with your mom” and a “day to thank your mom for all the things she does for you.”

And, I like how my husband paraphrases the essence of the Mother’s Day holiday: “Mother’s Day is a day to think of all the things she’s had to put up with, and she still loves me.”

To my moms, I just want to let them know how much I truly love and respect them.

Every Day is Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is technically the second Sunday in May. However, any day you take a little extra time to stop and give your mom a hug, or call out of the blue just to say hi, or do something out of the ordinary to help your mom, is mother’s day.

Being “Mom” has changed me in so many ways. I am such a better person now, or at least a much more patient person. I love my kids, and I love being a mom. And, that is every day.

Susan Schade-Bijur is a wife and a mother of two.

She is a writer, an editor, and a scientific director for a medical solutions company.

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“I have always wanted to pursue a college education, but life just seemed to get in the way. I finally decided it was necessary to return to college to further my career.

Now, 29 years after I graduated from high school, I’m doing it. I’m back in college earning my degree and maintaining an A average! You’re never too old to start pursuing your dreams.”

Stephanie Foster Jackson, MS

1.800.HINDSCC www.hindscc.edu Hinds Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Debra Mays-Jackson, Vice President for the Utica and Vicksburg-Warren Campuses and Administrative Services, 34175 Hwy. 18, Utica, MS 39175; 601.885.7002.

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BY JUSTIN GRIFFING / FEATURED WRITER SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 49

There are certain things that I am surprised I remember from my childhood. When it comes to TV, Camp Candy and Salute Your Shorts are included among these. My reasons for remembering these aren’t so much their cinematic value.

I remember them because of their thematic ties to the yearly ritual of summer camp. Between church youth trips and annual Scouting summer camp trips, I could relate to the summer camp experience in these shows.

We often lament the idea that when summer comes, children stop learning and turn to play. However, after nine months of sitting in a classroom for the school year, children need time outside rather than being stuck inside. Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting movement, said “A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room.” We can turn summer play into summer learning.

Family Projects

The easiest form of summer learning is the family project.

These are experiences that don’t require leaving where we live, except to purchase supplies. These projects present a great opportunity to expose children to practical learning.

A family garden makes a great family project. Children are given the chance to learn about what it takes for plants to grow well. They see the interaction between parts of the ecosystem as the impact of bugs and animals is considered.

Growing choices can help them understand how to begin to adopt a nutritious lifestyle. A garden also offers a budding comprehension of where our food comes from.

We can also include children in things such as household repairs. This teaches them about the upkeep of our homes and how systems in them work. If we’re prepared to explain it, these projects provide an early glimpse into the world of physics.

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Inclusion in family projects such as these has a further educational benefit. Not only are our children given the opportunity to learn skills and applied theory, but they are taught about working as part of a unit and contributing to their family. At a time when it seems that the value of hard work is being lost in society, this is perhaps the most valuable lesson.

opportunity to explore things that we might not otherwise be able to experience. When we pick a place to go, we should consider its exploration potential. A trip to New Orleans, for example, offers opportunities such as the Audubon Zoo and the New Orleans Aquarium, along with exposure to the music that is so intimately a part of our region and nation.

Outings

Camps present, for older children, an opportunity similar to vacations, but with some added benefits. The camp experience is structured around activities that provide both fun and learning. On a family vacation, we can sometimes lose what would be a great experience for one family member in an attempt to keep all family members engaged. The camp experience remedies this with the possibility of more individualized activities.

Campers are put into a situation where they are spending time around peers that they don’t always know rather than being in an environment with family and friends that they see all the time.

This branching out melds together the experience of learning in the camp environment with socialization with peers -an important activity for children.

Most important, perhaps, is the fact that the structure of camp life combines the learning process with outdoor activities that children naturally enjoy.

This encourages them to learn even more and to put to use the new skills they are learning. In a time when children are spending less and less time in the outdoors, this becomes even more vital.

Each of these forms of summer learning fills a niche in providing a summer of education and fun between school years. Independently, they work to help our children continue to grow their knowledge in ways that classroom learning can fail to provide. With a little thought, these experiences can be woven together in order to reinforce one another in knowledge gained. Ultimately, we hope that such experiences help our children see that education isn’t limited to the classroom and held in a vacuum, but is preparation for all life might throw at them.

No longer bound by the five-day-a-week obligation that is school, parents are freed to spend more time with their children and to be involved with their children’s summer learning, especially if they have time off from work. A day spent fishing with a child presents opportunities to learn how to fish, about plants and animals in the ecosystem where fishing, potentially about boating, knot-tying, and maybe even a bit about anatomy and physiology if you catch any fish and need to clean them. Similarly, a day trip to Vicksburg, for example, allows lessons about hiking, hot weather safety, American history, and the value of persons as you walk through the Civil War Military Park.

After being cooped up indoors in a classroom for nine to months, children find outdoor learning eminently enjoyable.

However, not all outings have to be outdoors.

We can also visit other locations that provide educational experiences for our children. In the Jackson area alone, you will find a number of museums, such as the Agricultural and Forestry Museum, the Natural Science Museum, the Sports Hall of Fame, and the Children’s Museum just to name a few. For older children, you can begin to consider options such as the planetarium or art museums.

Outings don’t even have to include overtly educational opportunities. A good way to get kids to learn is to help them do so without them realizing it. This is where outings to age-appropriate concerts and sporting events work well.

Education is not just about “book learning.” It is also about helping our children (and perhaps ourselves) become wellrounded individuals prepared to make their way in the world.

Vacations

Long vacations or weekend trips can be excellent opportunities for learning. Going to locations other than the usual surroundings of home, we’re presented with the

Camps

Justin Griffing is an Eagle Scout and a Unit Commissioner in the Strong River District of the Andrew Jackson Council (BSA).

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MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM of ART Classes begin June 1, 2015!

The Museum School Summer art camps at the Mississippi Museum of Art offer a variety of art opportunities for children and young adults ages 5-17. Campers find inspiration to create in our unique museum environment through classes that draw from our exhibitions, permanent collection, and beautiful public green space. Led by Museum staff and local teaching artists, The Museum School provides art training in a range of media that is both intensive and fun!

For a full list of dates and details, and to register online, visit msmuseumart.org.

380 SOUTH LAMAR STREET JACKSON,MISSISSIPPI 39201 601.960.1515 1.866.VIEWART @MSMUSEUMART 52 - EMMA JACK MAGAZINE

Register Online Today!

Christ-Centered Residential Summer Camp for Ages 7-17 A Ministry of French Camp Academy

www.campoftherisingson.com

•

662-547-6169

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VISIT THE NEWEST EXHIBIT AT THE SOUTHEAST’S BEST ATTRACTION! Look for me at NatureFEST

HAVE A PLAY DAY IN THE LAND OF DINOSAURS SPY AN OOZING VOLCANO TAKE A BOG WALK CRAWL INSIDE A CAVE

Don’t Miss

NatureFEST

SLIDE DOWN AN ICY FLOW

A Southeast Top 20 Event

PLAY IN A DINOSAUR NEST DIG FOR FOSSILS CLIMB ON DINOSAURS This project is partially funded through a grant by the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Saturday, April 11 10am-5pm

NOW UGH THRO MAY 3

It’s a Festival!

It’s a Nature Outing!

All wrapped into one exciting day!

DINOSAURS: LAND OF FIRE AND ICE EXHIBIT CREATED BY THE MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks

Museum of Natural Science 2148 Riverside Drive Jackson, MS 601-576-6000 • www.msnaturalscience.org This project sponsored in part by the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau

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BY EMILY ELLIS

Picnics are a great way to encourage kids to try new ways to eat foods they might have resisted before. It is also an adventure for them to help prepare a few simple snacks, and to learn the “art of packing a picnic.”

A picnic is about breaking away from the everyday-ordinary, eating with your hands, and leaving behind the proper use of utensils and the usual manners like keeping your elbows off the table. Whether you go out in your own backyard or embark on a hike through the woods to a grassy knoll, you are doing something different, and the destination is not the most important aspect, by a long shot.

Location. Location. Location.

Choose a place that works for you and your kids. Tiny tots will do best in their own backyard or in a nearby park.

Older kids will love to get out in the woods, hike to a pond, or go anywhere that is not a familiar part of their daily routines.

What’s on the Menu?

Choosing a picnic menu is easy if you keep it simple, keep it age appropriate, and add a bit of adventure to your

choices. Finger foods on a platter, simply laid out on a quilt, work great for kids.

Chunks of watermelon, or green grapes threaded on a skewer, are both fun for kids and simple to create. The same goes for fresh vegetables combined with a bit of tasty cheese and a tangy sauce for dipping. Corn dog muffins are a snap to make and will sit well outdoors for run-by snacking.

Juice boxes and bottled water are perfect for a picnic.

Simply pop them in the freezer ahead of time, then pack them in your basket or cooler with the rest of the food. They function as ice packs and will still be cold when you are ready to eat. Individually packaged drinks also eliminate the need for glasses or cups.

A Window of Spring

Springtime is short in the South. School is out for just a brief time before the hot summer kicks in, and a change of scenery is welcome after the gloom and gray of winter weather.

Now get outdoors and enjoy the springtime beauty right outside your very own backdoor. Pack a picnic, grab a trash bag, and get picnicking! And remember the bug spray. This is Mississippi after all.

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Corndog Mini Muffins

1 box Jiffy cornbread mix 1 egg, slightly beaten ⅓ cup milk 1 tablespoon sugar 4 Ballpark hot dogs, each cut into 5 pieces Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a mini muffin pan with vegetable spray. Combine the cornbread mix with the egg, milk, and sugar in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Fill each muffin well with about ½ a teaspoon of the batter. Place a piece of the cut hotdog into each well, pressing down on each one. Top each muffin with an additional spoonful of batter, covering the hotdog. Bake muffins for 10 minutes or until the muffins are golden brown. Remove from oven. Run a knife around each muffin and remove the muffins from the pan.

Let muffins cool slightly, and either wrap in foil or place in a plastic container until ready to serve.

(Yield: 12 mini muffins)

Ham and Cheese Tortilla Wraps 4 flour tortillas (6-inch) Vegetable oil spray 4 slices of ham 4 slices of cheese 4 green onions (optional)

Heat a small skillet over medium heat and spray lightly with the vegetable oil. Place one tortilla in the pan for 15 seconds.

Flip the tortilla over and cook for another 15 seconds. Using tongs, remove the tortilla from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Place a piece of the cheese on the hot tortilla, then a piece of the ham. Roll the tortilla up, and then repeat the process with the remaining tortillas. Tie a green onion around each tortilla if desired. ( Yield: 4 servings ) 58 - EMMA JACK MAGAZINE

Caterpillar Grapes

1 pound green seedless grapes White frosting Mini chocolate chips Wooden skewers Wash the grapes and dry as many as you think you will need with a paper towel. Thread 6-8 grapes on each wooden skewer.

Fill a small Ziploc bag with 1 cup of the frosting. Snip the corner of the bag and gently squeeze to pipe two circles on the first grape of each skewer to make the eyes for the caterpillar.

Place a mini chocolate chip in the center of each eye.

(Yield: 6-8 skewers)

East Caprice Bites

1 pint grape tomatoes Fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar Salt and freshly ground pepper Fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced Remove the ends from the tomatoes and discard. Place the tomatoes and cubed cheese in a small bowl. Whisk the remaining ingredients together and pour over the tomatoes and cheese. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. When ready to serve, thread one cube of cheese and 1 tomato on a small pick. Top with extra basil leaves if desired.

Emily Ellis is a Southern food designer and chef, born and raised in Mississippi, known for creating simple, flavorful, and artful cuisine with flair.

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Rainbow Cake

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French Camp Academy Walking with families—helping young people—through difficult times Accepting boarding students in 1st through 12th grades A Christ-centered home and school that exists to serve young people and families for the glory of God.

www.frenchcamp.org (662) 547-6482 For Social Media, search French Camp Academy One Fine Place SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 61

DAVE SAYS...

Financial Advice From America’s Financial Advisor

Where are you in your financial plan?

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Pay it, but with caution Dear Dave, I got a department store credit card, using my real age at the time, when I was 17. I ran up a debt of $150, and the balance has grown to over $350. This was 10 or 12 years ago, but a debt collection agency started calling again the other day wanting the money. Hasn’t the statute of limitations run out by now? What should I do?

– Elizabeth Dear Elizabeth, There is a statute of limitations, but there are a couple of other things to consider, too. First, the debt is not collectible because a minor alone cannot enter into a legally binding contract in any state. The second thing is they can screw up your credit report for a very long time, and it sounds like they’re in the process of doing that right now.

Here’s my advice. Call them and explain that they are past the statute of limitations, and that you are considering suing them. After that, remind them that you were a minor when someone approved you for the card, which means the store you signed up with can be sued as well.

However, since you did take stuff from the store, offer them the original $150 to settle the deal. Get it in writing that the account is settled in full by this amount, and don’t give them electronic access to your money. When you get the settlement offer in writing, keep a copy of the letter and a copy of the cashier’s check you’ll use as payment.

Pay it because you owe it, Elizabeth.

It’s a moral issue. And hopefully as a result you can get these kinds of people out of your life for good!

– Dave

small percentage of your financial world, it will sometimes generate feelings of jealousy or envy in other people.

Jealousy is, “I want what you have.”

Envy is, “I don’t think I can have what you do, so I don’t want you to have it either.” These are two really evil spirits, and they’re loose in our country today like never before. Part of the price of making smart decisions, and being wise with your money, is that some people don’t understand when you win and don’t think it’s fair.

But the truth is that you guys have every right to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ve earned it. You’re generous,

giving people, and you take care of your family so the rest of us don’t have to pay extra taxes to take care of them for you.

That’s the truth about winning with money. You guys are under no obligation to explain your income, net worth or the fact that you’re winning. And you’re not obligated to be ashamed of it either!

– Dave Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books.

The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 8.5 million listeners each week on more than 550 radio stations. Dave’s latest project, EveryDollar, provides a free online budget tool. Follow Dave on Twitter at @ DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey. com.

Sharing Successes Dear Dave, My husband and I are 28 years old. We’re completely debt-free, and we each have great jobs. We don’t talk a lot about this kind of stuff, because we’ve found it causes other people to treat us differently. We realize how incredibly blessed we have been, so we always try to give God the credit, save, tithe and give regularly, and not brag about these things. How would you recommend handling a situation like ours?

– Amanda Dear Amanda, When you start to win with money, build wealth and achieve some of your goals, you discover pretty quickly that there’s a very small group of people you can celebrate with.

It sounds like you’ve discovered this already.

A lot of times there are friends, and even family members, you can’t celebrate with because it comes off as bragging — even if you’re just happy you’ve reached a milestone. So, you learn to keep lots of stuff private and not even share the good things. Still, if you have a nice car or a beautiful home, these things can indicate that you’re successful. Even if they’re a SPRING INTO SUMMER 2015 - 63

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ALL TEAMS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL.

THESE GROW BODY, MIND AND SOUL.

Providence Hill Farm is pleased to announce Mississippi’s first Middle School and High School Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Teams. The PHF Equestrian Team is open to all public and home school students in grades 6-12, and the Jackson Prep Equestrian Team is open to all Jackson Prep students. Riders of all levels are invited to join. No previous riding experience is required. Join either of the Teams and compete in IEA shows in Hunt Seat Equitation (English) flat and over-fences classes against out of state teams. No need to own your own horse. The IEA show season runs September through April, and team members must take weekly team lessons.

Registration begins August 15, 2015, and Team Lessons start August 31. To register and for more information, contact Tina Davey: email tdavey@providencehillfarm.com stable (601) 925-0557

/ProvidenceHillFarm /providence_hill providencehillfarm.tumblr.com /providencehill

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When it’s your child, there is no such thing as a small problem.

As part of University of Mississippi Medical Center, the state’s only academic medical center, Batson Children’s Hospital is the leader in our state for treating childhood health problems, whether they be major or minor. From seasonal illnesses and schoolyard injuries, to serious conditions like heart defects and cancer, we’re dedicated to helping the most important child in your life – yours.

Because your kids are our world.

Learn more at ummchealth.com/childrens or call 888.815.2005.

He is your whole world.

At Batson Children’s Hospital, he is our whole world, too.