Raised in the Rockies
Finding Creativity, Activity and Positivity at the End of the School Day BY DARREN THORNBERRY FOR RAISED IN THE ROCKIES
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here’s so much to do outside of class in northern Colorado! While it might be easy to slip into a TV-after-school habit, these three local organizations have activities that kids love and are far better for the body, soul and mind. Parents, check it out! ABC KIDS CLIMBING ABC Kids Climbing is a one-of-a-kind facility created just for kids. With an ever-evolving curriculum, and exciting climbing games, they will keep young climbers engaged. Its programs are designed to grow with the kids as they increase in age and ability, and there are always new challenges. Our after school program is unparallelled! With classes for ages 4 to 19, we cater to all abilities. The introductory classes (Monkey 1 ages 4 to 6, Super Monkey 1 ages 6 to 12) are a great way for kids to learn the fundamentals of climbing in a fun class environment. Its 10- to 12-week programs build each week to give climbers a comprehensive set of skills to begin their climbing career. After climbers have developed a good base for their climbing, Team ABC is the perfect
place for advanced climbing to hone their skills, says Manager Kara Caputo. ABC Kids Climbing, 1960 32nd St., Boulder; 303.443.5437; abckidsboulder.com. BVSD LIFELONG LEARNING BVSD Lifelong Learning supports student’s academic success by developing their love of learning. After the school bell rings, kids can switch gears from core curriculum to their choice of creative, active and/ or brain building options. Offerings like chess, cooking and Little Medical School provide opportunities not offered during the school day and could build into future passions. Igniting a spark outside of the classroom can improve children’s attitude toward school and boost their self-confidence. During the fall and spring, classes are offered at 24 schools after the bell. Summer camps run late May through early August with one-week, half-day options at five BVSD locations. All classes and camps are open to BVSD and nonBVSD kids. Lifelong Learning reinvests 100 percent of its profits back into BVSD. YMCA OF NORTHERN COLORADO YMCA of Northern Colorado AfterSchool Programs offer care, play-time and homework help for students in 14 BVSD schools, the Longmont Y as well as schools in Larimer and Weld counties. The
(Photo courtesy: BVSD Lifelong Learning).
YMCA’s focus is on providing kids with fun, activity and enrichment while their parents work. Kiddos learn about the Y’s core values – caring, honesty, respect and responsibility – and have opportunities for art projects, STEM experiments, games, sports and free-time. Children benefit from Y After-School Programs by enjoying continued socialization and active time as well as mentorship and community. Basically, the kids make friends outside their classroom, enjoy support from staff and get their wiggles out after a long day of learning.
Sports, extra-curricular activities require proper shoes, clothing BY SHELLEY WIDHALM FOR RAISED IN THE ROCKIES
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ow that the school supplies are purchased, parents have a second list of clothing, gear and shoes for their children’s sports and after-school activities. Students involved in dance, pom squads, theater, choir and color guard need the right attire to practice and perform, so they may head to a place like Boulder Body Wear. Or if they need running or other athletic shoes, they may opt for Brown’s Shoe Fit. Boulder Body Wear sells dancewear and dance shoes and accessories, plus yoga apparel and active wear, for beginners to professionals. Students stopping in the store may participate in activities through their school, such as theater, pom, choir and color guard, or outside of school in Fall 2019
theatrical workshops, theater groups, actor academies and private dance studios. For tap, ballet and other forms of dancing, the students will require special shoes designed for their specific type of dance activity, such as pointe for ballet, tap shoes and dance sneakers, said Amy Kenney, owner of Boulder Body Wear. “Like any other sport, you need to have the correct equipment,” Kenney said. Wearing the wrong shoes can lead to injury or inhibit doing the proper movements, limiting range of motion or not allowing feet to glide on the floor, Kenney said. The same goes with the right clothing that allows for better motion and the instructors’ view of the body line, particularly for things like dance and yoga. Students involved in track and cross country, or who simply like to run, can head to Brown’s Shoe Fit in Longmont to
find the right running or athletic shoe. “We can help by measuring the children’s feet and sizing them and fitting them in the best possible size and the best fitting shoes,” said Jason Wetzel, managing partner of Brown’s Shoe Fit in Longmont. Running shoes can be geared more toward running on roads or for trail running, which will have more aggressive outsoles, deeper ridge patterns and tighter woven uppers. The shoes also can be waterproof and have a rock plate to protect from rocks and uneven terrain. “A better running shoe is going to have a better degree of cushioning to it,” Wetzel said. The shoes need to be the right width and not too tight or loose and may need to include other qualities, Wetzel said. “Getting the right size and proper fit, that’s the most important thing,” Wetzel said. RAISED IN THE ROCKIES 53