Emerald Coast Parent Magazine July+August 2014 by Rob Williams

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July+August 2014

contents

10 9 Column

The Bigger the Group!

Crystal Ryan, Emerald Coast Kids Listserv

Articles Eight Ways to Keep Your Child Learning over the Summer!

Fun and Creative Summer Learning Activities

10 Taking Little Ones Touring! 12

Rock Climbing Is Great for Kids!

Develop Your Child’s Creative Thinking, Physical Ability and More

Eleven Tips for Making the Most of Your Family Trip Abroad

Family Builders

Families are important. Spend time enjoying life together at home and on the go.

The Family Chatter Challenge �� 22 That’s Good to Know!—Information You Can Use �� 24 Show Her You Care, Show Him You Care ��25, 26 Snacks—Recipes for Tasty Get-Togethers �� 28 Crafts—Get Creative with Your Kids �� 30 Teach Your Kids Something New �� 32

Family Fun Guide Calendar of Events

Get to know the people, places and things that make this coast special!

Camps ��38 Seasonal Events �� 40 Runs, Walks & More ��41 Sounds Fun ��42 The Arts ��43 Recurring Local �� 44 Volunteer �� 44

Resource Directory

Community resources offer a wide range of information and services for you and your family!

Listings �� 45

Emerald Coast

parent It’s Your MagazineTM

This is your magazine! Welcome to Emerald Coast Parent magazine. We like to consider this your magazine. We look forward to hearing from local readers like you on a regular basis. Let us know how we might be able to participate in the continued improvement of this beautiful area where we all live and work. As busy parents ourselves, we place a high value on spending quality time with our children and are always looking for fun crafts, recipes, events and outing opportunities to add to our family calendars. If you have fun, easy and cost-effective ideas that you'd like to share with our community of readers, please feel free to email them to us at info@itsyourmagazine.com. Your ideas might just end up being featured in an upcoming issue! Here's a list of things we'd love to receive from you: • Personal stories and pictures of you and your family out and about, enjoying a favorite local attraction, restaurant or event • Recommendations and endorsements of local stores, services and restaurants • Ideas for fun crafts • Your family’s favorite recipes Let’s make this a great local magazine, together! Thanks, The EC Parent Team To advertise in Emerald Coast Parent, contact Nathan Wilson: nathanwilson@itsyourmagazine.com Phone: 503-710-1720 Publisher Nathan Wilson Creative Director Rob Williams Snacks & Crafts Editor Tasha Williams Contributing Writer Crystal Ryan Contributing Writer Heidi Smith Luedtke Contributing Writer Kim Seidel Contributing Writer Joanna Nesbit Contributing Writer Jan Udlock Photography InsideOut Creative Arts © 2014 It’s Your Magazine. All rights reserved. Emerald Coast Parent content may not be used or reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopy, without the express written permission of the publisher. Emerald Coast Parent is not responsible for the loss of or damage to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork, or any other unsolicited material. Unsolicited material will not be returned. It’s Your Magazine and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. It’s Your Magazine’s liability in the event of an error is limited to a printed correction. It’s Your Magazine does not assume liability for products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by the advertisers.

4 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Bigger t he Group, t he Better t he Resource! The

EmeraldCoastKids

Listserv Crystal Ryan

Fear. Defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that something or someone is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. In parental terms, its a chronic side effect that comes with having children.

Before I had kids, I traveled the world, sometimes alone, sometimes to third world countries. I walked city streets late at night, I jumped off cliffs, I explored dark caves. Throughout the experiences of my young adulthood, I can’t recall ever feeling the kind of fear that accompanies the everyday anxieties of raising children. I had less fear standing on the edge of a cliff strapped to a kite than I do standing on the shoreline watching my children play in the waves. Cliffside I would take a deep breath and hope for the best. A family day at the beach frequently involves vivid five-second-long IMAX-like movies in my brain that start with a lovely day in the water and quickly end in rip currents, leaving me childless. They make me exhausted and feeling 10 years older. But as quickly as those images and emotions come, they go. The laughter of my kids brings me back to reality, and the smiles on their faces as they pop back up after getting pummeled by a wave relieves my fear. My boys are actually overly cautious and often have to be encouraged to take even the smallest of risks. It can be quite comforting to know they’re not going to jump off the roof into the pool the minute I turn my back. I see what other kids do and can only imagine the knife edge their parents must be on. But I’m torn between the desire to keep them safe and the knowledge that to really experience life, you have to take some risks. If there is one thing I want to instill in my children it’s that you cannot be afraid of what you don’t know. When my children were crawlers, I made an effort not to be a “helicopter” parent and hover over them. Instead I wanted to watch and learn from them. I tried not to prematurely react out of my fear, but rather wait and see if they would instinctively make a good decision before scaring them away from the possibility of making a bad one. Continued on page 6

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Continued from page 5

For instance, if they crawled to the kitchen cupboards I would not run and block their way and instantly scream “no”. I would simply wait and watch closely as they opened the cupboard to look inside. I gave them the opportunity to explore, and without a physical or emotional reaction from me, they would move on when they found there was nothing interesting in there. It’s the same principle as when a kid falls down. You can see the kid look around for a reaction, and when there is none, they get back up and keep going. Fear works the same way and kids are sponges. They are likely to display the same fears as the parents without even knowing why. But we all have fears and they change as we get older. We conquer some and gain some as our situations change. Recently my family and I took a last-minute road trip to Atlanta to watch my husband play in an Aussie Rules Football game. The team had an extra room at their hotel that unbeknownst to us was in a terrible part of town. When we arrived late that night we had the option to either keep driving a little more and hope to find a better hotel that would cost us a lot more, or turn the situation into an adventure. The boys love hotels and couldn’t tell the difference between that gated and guarded hotel surrounded by a massive homeless population and a Hyatt Regency. Just spending the night in one is a big adventure in itself for them. The hotel security instilled enough confidence in us to feel we’d be OK, so we decided to stay. We ended up spending two incidentfree nights there and the boys were oblivious to their surroundings. Whenever we left the room we didn’t show any fear, which meant the boys didn’t respond to that fear. It was just a normal weekend hotel adventure for them. It has left us with a great life lesson and reinforced our knowledge that you are not born with prejudice, but are taught it. Had my husband and I decided not to stay there based on an unfounded fear of the unknown environment, we could possibly have instilled a prejudice in them. I believe the difference in fears of youth and fears of adulthood is simply in the way you perceive the experience. When you’re young you approach fear with a sense of adventure. As you get older and “wiser” you tend to rationalize away the sense of adventure you once had for practicality by weighing the risks. Finding the right balance between the two when raising your kids is crucial to developing them into the people you want them to be. 6 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Answers to last issue’s question Q: Now that summer is coming, how do you get your kids to overcome their fear of water? A: We enrolled our son in swim lessons during the spring to get ready for lots of summer water play!—Kimberly A: We did swim lessons, but discovered that playing in the water at the beach was a much different thing. While the swim lessons helped with getting used to the water, there is no way to simulate waves and the nasty taste of salt water in the ocean. On trips to the beach, it was a slow learning process in the beginning… a lot of hand holding and rolling around on the shore, but eventually, they just put on their floaties and waded in the waves on their own.—Amanda Q: How do you manage bedtime when siblings of a different age share a room? A: Our kids are two years apart and just recently started sharing a room at ages 2 and 4. They have the same bedtime. At bedtime they each pick two books; we read them and then I turn on some music and they will drift off to sleep. I’m waiting for the day when they keep me up all night chatting about girls and cars . . . eek!—Belinda A: Our kids have always shared a room. With the baby in the crib, we read books on the couch and then my 3-year-old creeps into bed. In the beginning we worried about the baby crying in the middle of the night and waking her up, but it’s amazing what kids can sleep through.—Angela

We would love your responses to these questions: Q: What are some of your tricks to help your kids conquer their fears? Q: How do you conquer your own fears for them, while at the same time letting them experience life? Email me at: crystal@emeraldcoastkids.com. v

By Jan Udlock

Eight Ways to Keep Your Child Learning over the Summer Summer’s here, and kids are out of school. Even though they’re excited to be out, studies show that children can lose as minimally as two months worth of math and reading skills. Because of this loss, parents should take an active role in their child’s learning over the carefree summer months.

Pick a Goal You probably already know your child’s academic strengths and his weaknesses. Pick a goal from one of his strengths and one of the areas he needs to improve on. That way he can have an area that is fun to work on and another one that is more of a challenge. You also know what is a fair limit as to how long to read or how often she should work on a subject. Set reasonable limits to still make it fun and yet challenging.

Keep a Daily Routine Most kids need structure while school is out, so set up a general routine. Some kids have no problem in making the transition from school work to no school. However, other kids need more structure in their day-to-day living, such as reading after breakfast. You can require a quiet time after lunch where kids can write in a journal or do quiet activities and mom gets some quiet time, too. Even though they may balk at setting up a simple schedule, structure gives kids a sense of security and self-discipline.

Work on Math Skills There are hundreds of fun ways to work on math skills while your kids are away from desks and homework. And it’s to your child’s advantage to learn basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. When you’re standing in line with your kids, pull out your wallet. With younger kids, show them different coins and ask them the Continued on page 15

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ROCK CLIMBING I S G R E AT FOR KIDS! By Joanna Nesbit

One sunny afternoon, with no footholds left to lunge for, my 7-year-old son is stumped four feet into his rock climb. “I can’t do it, Daddy; it’s too hard,” he says to his dad belaying from below (belaying is securing the climber by holding the rope and belay device). Ty’s goal is to scale what climbers call a “chimney.” Think fireplace chimney with no front wall. “Stick your feet to the side walls, Ty, and use your hands for balance,” says Curt. Ty places hands and feet on opposing walls, just narrow enough for his limbs to span, and hesitates, spread-eagled, like a small blonde Spider-Man. To reach the top, he must “stem”—in other words, pretend he has suction cups. “It’s too hard,” he calls. Ty hasn’t done much outdoor climbing, and stemming is new to him. “Try inching your way up. See how it goes.” My husband is a 20-year veteran climber, but Ty discovered climbing for himself at age 4. He began with bouldering (climbing un-roped just above the ground) at our local indoor wall. By age 5, he was climbing vertically. Ty loves problem solving, a key component of climbing, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s lean and lanky, but he sees himself as an indoorsy Lego kind of kid. His dad and I are often trying to lure him into physical activity. Preferably outside. A typical conversation: “Hey, Ty, how about a bike ride?” “Mmmm, nah.” “Want to kick the soccer ball around?” “Nah.” “Let’s go for a hike.” “Noooooo!” But when we suggest rock climbing, he’s all ears.

The Benefits of Rock Climbing Admittedly, rock climbing isn’t the impromptu activity that biking is, but with the advent of indoor climbing walls, classes and walls abound. And kids tend to be natural climbers. They have a

high strength-to-weight ratio—which means they have less body weight to haul up the wall than adults do—and their bodies are more flexible. They’re also not fearful (but if they are, that’s normal, too), and they have fewer personal limits than adults do. “Adults tend to think they know what their body can and can’t do. Kids are less likely to limit themselves this way,” says Kevin McCluskey, Program Director and Head Instructor at Seattle’s Vertical World climbing gym. Kids acquire all kinds of positive skills. Because climbing requires a combination of creative thinking and physical output, less athletic kids often shine, surprising even themselves. Kids also learn problem solving. Climbing is a puzzle to unlock, sometimes requiring the ability to back off, look at the route anew, and start again, says Bobby Ferrari, owner of High Xposure Adventures in New Paltz, New York. Additionally, kids learn to focus, concentrate and persevere, essential for getting to the top. Along the way, they gain confidence, competence, strength and body awareness. If your climbing gym teaches kids how to belay, McCluskey says that kids also learn safety skills and responsibility. “Kids take that responsibility seriously, and that’s empowering,” he says.

Getting Started (Safely) Whether kids start with an indoor wall or an outdoor crag, it’s critical they learn from a professional. Five to 7 are good ages to start, but don’t be surprised if your child isn’t interested until later. Younger children will benefit from starting indoors, where outdoor distractions aren’t a factor. Continued on page 19

10 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

(Above) Robby, (Top Down) Ty, Tom, Rob and Tasha Williams On-board the Oasis of the Seas - Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

TAKING LITTLE ONES TOURING

11 Tips for Making the Most of Your Family Trip Abroad

By Joanna Nesbit

When my father-in-law invited our family of four to travel to Amsterdam, his childhood home, we were thrilled and also a little worried our 5-year-old would limit the group’s adventures. But we learned that traveling abroad as a family needn’t be jam-packed to be meaningful. In fact, unpacking your trip will make it more affordable and just as enjoyable. While older kids can handle the rigors of foreign travel, younger children (8 and under)

dollars on meals. Unexpected benefit? Meals at “home” ensured restaurant outings were happy occasions for everyone. Try www. homeaway.com or tripadvisor.com/VacationRentals for rentals, or check in with a travel agent specializing in your country of interest.

aren’t as flexible, so keep in mind that less is more—see less, do less, plan less—and everyone will have more fun. Here’s how to make your trip with little ones memorable for all the right reasons.

Schedule strenuous activities in the morning

Book an apartment or a house instead of a hotel room Choosing one larger location for an extended stay provides a homeaway-from-home that gives kids extra wiggle room and saves you money (European hotel rooms are smaller than American counterparts and booking two rooms gets expensive). In Amsterdam, our family stayed in an apartment with two bedrooms, laundry facilities, and a fully outfitted kitchen that saved us hundreds of

Opt for public transport over a rental car For kids accustomed to traveling by car, trains and subways are an adventure in themselves, especially if you’re based in a city. Train travel will also teach your child new skills, such as reading a timetable and locating the correct platform. But the best part is leaving stressful driving to someone else so that you can focus on fun with your kids.

Most of us have our must-do list—us adults, that is. Decide which sights you can’t miss, and schedule them in the morning when kids are freshest and least likely to melt. My own rule of thumb: one big activity per day, and then assess how kids are holding up in the afternoon. Also, giving your kids some say in the family plans keeps them interested and invested. Try to leave a day or two unscheduled for unexpected discoveries.

Select museums with care For many of us, visiting a museum or two is part of the experience, but you may need to reassess with younger kids in tow. Interactive museums are usually great, but art museums and historical museums…not so much. The Ann Frank museum was a complete bust for my kids, aged 8 and 5 at the time of our visit. Weigh the Continued on page 16

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value of each coin. With an older child, pick out an item from your grocery basket and ask them what would be the change if you bought it with a dollar.

Keep Reading If you have a beginning reader at your house, read to her on a regular basis. “Reading together for just a few minutes each night will dramatically improve your child’s literacy skills and help them to develop a lifelong love of reading,” says child education expert Dr. Tiffany Cooper Gueye, the CEO of BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life). Imagination is increased, too.

Explore Technology Technology is helpful and fun for kids, so check out educational apps that are age appropriate for your child. “Since kids like technologies, it’s a good thing since mobile technologies provide novel and unique opportunities for learning,” says Elliot Soloway, an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor at the University of Michigan. Of course, set the necessary limits on computer time but it can also be used as an incentive to get other work done.

Start a Business Do you have a budding entrepreneur? There is an entire set of valuable social skills involved in kids reaching out to their neighbors offering dog walking services, lawn and garden watering, or helping in the yard. Kids can design a flyer on the computer and then take it around your neighborhood. You can discuss what are some good business practices, such as being on time, doing a thorough job, and setting a fair price. And don’t be afraid if your child’s job has to be redone

to the neighbor’s satisfaction. The experience of your child working with a trusted neighbor can be beneficial for years to come.

Work on Self-Directed Learning Boredom is bound to happen since summer has begun. However, don’t let the words “there’s nothing to do!” scare you as a parent. “Being bored is a learning opportunity, an opportunity to practice self-directed learning,” says Soloway. Depending on the age of your child, offer him some suggestions and then wait and let him make a decision on what he wants to do. Self-directed learning is a skill kids can learn, so you may need to help them with some self-discovery by asking questions and offering suggestions.

Search for Field Trips Take your kids to the local museum and watch what interests them. What do they get excited about? What local park activity can your child participate in while he’s learning? “Many local museums offer free admission during the summer months, with great programming geared toward expanding children’s academic knowledge,” says Dr. Gueye. It always takes a bit longer when you cook with your child or when you discuss cost per unit at the grocery store. “Yet, parents play an integral role in combating summer learning loss and can dramatically help their children to get off to a strong start in the new school year,” says Dr. Gueye. So have fun in the sun as you make learning fun. v Jan Udlock is a freelance writer and mom of five. She’s always looking for fun ways for her kids to learn over the summer.

Simple Math & Reading Tips • Roll a pair of dice and have older kids multiply the two numbers while younger kids can add the numbers. • Use a timer for 30 minutes for reluctant readers. • Search for free math worksheets online for whatever grade your child is in. • Double a recipe of cookies and see if your child can do the math in her head. • Write math problems with chalk on the sidewalk in a hopscotch design. As your child hops to each square, have him complete the problem. • Write words with water and a paint brush on the sidewalk and see if your child can read it before it evaporates. • Have your child measure the floor perimeter and draw a floor plan of her room. ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 15

Continued from page 12

cost against the possibility of cutting out early, and check whether a wrist stamp will allow re-entry.

Divide and conquer The alternative to dragging kids along to learn about the Mona Lisa is to take in art on your own. Venture out alone or take a day tour while your spouse takes the kids for the morning. You’ll get a break from the 24/7 company and a chance to relax into the cultural experience.

Hit the playground Kids love playgrounds and foreign ones are more interesting because they’re different. Our family has visited playgrounds of all kinds, from tiny neighborhood play areas in Mexico to London’s Princess Diana Memorial Playground (www.royalparks.org.uk). The best part? Playgrounds are free, and they allow kids to burn off the energy built up in the museum.

Plan picnics (often) Next to eating pasta and cereal in their own space, kids love nothing better than a picnic. Preferably at the playground. Pick up some easy eats along the way for a cheaper and more relaxing experience. Plus kids can keep burning off energy.

Enjoy the little things You don’t have to introduce your kids to a formal tourist attraction to have a learning experience. Take a walk, visit the local outdoor market, or head to the grocery store. Notice with your kids the differences from your own country—street width, milk containers, car size. It’s all new and interesting.

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Make time for downtime Touring around is fun, but heading back to your abode can be just the ticket. Even if kids are past the nap stage, they’ll appreciate relaxing with a book or taking in a foreign-language cartoon or two. For kids, hanging out in familiar surroundings is as much a part of the adventure as being out and about.

Skip the gift shops Once your kids are ready to shop for souvenirs, try the local grocery store or an outdoor market. Trinkets will be less expensive but no less meaningful to kids. When my son was 4, his souvenir of choice from Baja was a cheap plastic Spiderman from a corner store.

Consider postponing big trips Not all kids’ temperaments are suited to travel at a young age. When Lara Welker’s daughter was 3, she had such a hard time adjusting while on a trip to Hawaii that Welker and her husband resolved not to travel again while their daughter was preschool-aged. Now that she’s 8, big trips with her are a breeze. If your child is the routine type (note how she handles dinner in a restaurant, birthday parties, or unexpected changes), consider putting off the big jaunt until she’s older. v

Continued from page 10

Indoor climbing Choose a climbing gym with kids’ programs or instructors with plenty of experience working with kids. Consider taking an introductory class yourself to learn the fundamentals.

Outdoor climbing Locate a professional guide service that works with families, and request a guide experienced with kids (for a list of accredited guides and schools, visit American Mountain Guides Association at amga. com). Don’t be afraid to ask about instruction even if you don’t climb yourself. A good instructor will teach kids how to use their feet properly, a key component for becoming proficient. Typical cost for a day: $100+ per person.

Go as a family You may not want to climb, but your kids will benefit from seeing you try something new. “You can role model how to learn,” says McCluskey. “Kids are supportive of their parents trying something new.” Think small: Beginning climbs should be short and simple so that kids feel successful, says Ferrari. If kids display a fear of heights, don’t push them to keep going. Scaring them can turn them off the sport. Try bouldering: Bouldering is the art of climbing boulders or small cliffs, or just above the floor if indoors, that doesn’t require being roped. Bouldering takes less endurance, offers instant gratification (no waiting around to tie in), and is a great way to gauge your child’s interest—for free. Spotting your child is a must. As Ty inches his body up, he discovers momentum with friction and “opposition.” He pauses, rests, keeps inching. “He’s doing it,” I say. No one cares if he makes it—the goal was to go outdoors. But then extra bonus: Ty is at the top. He grins down through the chimney shaft, and we cheer. Climbing taps many skills, but what Ty likes best, though he can’t articulate it, is that climbing is a solitary achievement, intensely personal. After he’s lowered to the ground, he runs along a trail, spots a bird, and discovers the perfect stick. Part of the fun of outdoor rock climbing, after all, is messing around on a beautiful day. Continued on page 36

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 19

FAMILY BUILDERS Summer time is nearly everyone’s favorite time of year—and with good reason. We live in such a vibrant area offering so many family-friendly experiences you may not have time to enjoy them all—so involve your family in deciding what is most important to them. Relax, and Enjoy life TOGETHER!

The

FamilyChatter Challenge

Slowing down long enough to have meaningful family conversations is no easy task in the summer—after all, the beach is calling—right? Nevertheless, here are just a few questions we think will help you strike up some lively conversations around the house that are fun, thought-provoking and sometimes downright silly. Go ahead, it’s okay—the beach can wait!

“Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible—the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.”

Would you rather spend the day shopping, at the beach, at the water park or at home reading a good book?

What are your five favorite dinner dishes?

What are your favorite beach activities? What do you consider to be your strongest character trait? How does it affect your day-to -day life?

ant is How import ? ou money to y Why?

What is your most va

22 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

luable possession?

ange your h c d l u o c u If yo lor would o c t a h w , r hair colo ? Why? e s o o h c u o y

”Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at the people who belong to us we see the past, the present, and the future.”

Use these questions to spur on great conversations: • At the Kitchen Table • In the Family Room • On Road Trips in the Car • By yelling them out loud—out of the blue— just for fun! What do you think would be the most interesting job in the world? What do you think might be the worst possible job?

Do you feel that professional athletes are overpaid?

live If you could re whe anywhere, choose would you ? to live. Why

What is th Who was e best book you’ve your favo rite chara ever read? cter and w hy?

What are some ways that lying can have a negative impact on your life and those around you?

do you What chore the g dislike doin ore ch h ic most? Wh fer? re p would you

Live Laugh Love and Talk Together

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 23

That’s Good to Know! Information You Can Use!

This Edition:

Babysitting: The Basics Managing kids can be a challenge. One moment they’re snuggling up for stories and introducing you to their imaginary friends. The next, they’re biting their siblings and painting the new puppy purple. How do you cope? You plan ahead for all kinds of possibilities! There’s no doubt that babysitting requires skills in creativity, adventure, and play. But those skills are no help if you don’t know what to do when a kid has a playground tumble or you’re not prepared for the realities of a 2-year-old’s temper.

Have a Business Plan

Planning starts before you get a babysitting job. To get clients, you need to know the best way to find them. If you’re new to babysitting, you might want to spread the word only to family, friends, and neighbors until you get more experience. Babysitting is about your safety and comfort level as well as the kids’. Find out if a job is right for you by asking careful questions about what the family expects. Plan how you’ll get to and from jobs safely and know how you’ll stay in control in an unfamiliar house. Think ahead about the kids you’d like to care for. If you’re not comfortable looking after newborns or kids with special needs, don’t take that job. Wait for the next opportunity to come along. It will!

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Be Prepared Do you know how to change a diaper? How to bathe a child? Find out before you show up for your first day of work. Your first priority in babysitting is to keep kids safe. Being a good babysitter means knowing how to handle everything from a splinter to a real emergency. The best time to prepare for an event is before it happens. Yes, it’s very unlikely the child you’re looking after will eat something poisonous. But knowing where to find the poison control number gives you enormous peace of mind. Even when it comes to something as simple as fixing lunch, a little advance planning saves you time and worry. Does the child have any food allergies? Which foods are choking hazards for toddlers? How will you ensure young kids or babies stay safe and out of trouble while you prepare a meal? Young children demand your time and attention every second. They also need structure, such as regular meal and nap times. Organize your day, including what time the kids will eat, what you’ll feed them, when they nap, and for how long. The best way to prepare for all kinds of babysitting possibilities is to take a babysitting training or safety course. Your local community center or hospital might offer one. It also helps to talk to experienced babysitters to see how they do things.

Be an Entertainer . . . Parents love babysitters who help kids have fun and learn — while still reinforcing rules and keeping discipline. Ask kids to show you Continued on page 35

Cut out this page. Then, cut it down the middle. He takes his half, she takes her half. Now it’s time for you both to do your part. Keep it simple. Don’t keep score. Just enjoy life and each other—as often as you remember!

Let’s face it, most of us could use a little jump-start now and then when it comes to relationships. That’s why we’ve included this section. Simple acts of kindness are a great way to say “I care about you.” Date nights are great, but when life gets busy, sometimes all that’s necessary are little reminders!

10 WAYS to sh w

R E H y u care Do the “fix-it” jobs she wants done around the house. Do little things for her—an unexpected kiss, coffee in bed. Wash her car without telling her. Surprise her with a card or flowers. Start each day by telling her you love her. Work on getting rid of one habit that annoys her. Spend time talking with her. Be especially helpful on days when she is feeling tired. Take her out to breakfast or make her breakfast.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas each issue. Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Hold her hand in public.

Email us your ideas! Let us know how you go out of your way to SHOW HER YOU CARE! info@itsyourmagazine.com

10 WAYS to sh w

M I H y u care Prepare a surprise for him. Focus on the positive—focus on what you have already! Brainstorm vacation ideas and how to save for them. Hide notes for him around the house where only he will find them. Wear his favorite dress tonight. Work to get rid of one of your habits that annoy him. Play a board game together. Call him out of the blue just to say that you love him.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas each issue. Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Go for an adventure together— somewhere unexpected. Cook his favorite dish. That old saying about the way to a man’s heart is true!

Email us your ideas! Let us know how you go out of your way to SHOW HIM YOU CARE! info@itsyourmagazine.com

SNACKS & CRAFTS Set a little time aside this summer for some good, old-fashioned fun. Snacks an crafts are a great way to engage with your children during the summer. Enjoy!

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S’mores Bars INGREDIENTS • 20 graham crackers • ¼ cup granulated sugar • 12 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted • ½ teaspoon salt • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

• 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk • 7 oz. Kraft Marshmallow Crème® • Kitchen Torch • 8 x 8 inch pan • Tinfoil

DIRECTIONS • In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until fully crushed. Add sugar, melted butter and salt. • Prepare the 8” x 8” pan using tinfoil. • Press crust mixture into the pan and bake for 10 minutes at 350°. Allow to cool completely. • In a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat on medium and stir until fully mixed. • Spread the chocolate mixture over the crust and allow to cool in the refrigerator for one hour. • Spread the Kraft Marshmallow Crème over the top of the cooled chocolate mixture. • Using a kitchen torch, lightly brown the top of the S’mores Bars. • Place back in the refrigerator to cool. • Cut just before serving.

These can be messy like s’mores, so leave in the refrigerator until it is time to serve.

Fish Pops INGREDIENTS • Lollipop Sticks • Light Blue Candy Melts • Marshmallows • Graham Crackers • Goldfish Crackers • White sugar pearl sprinkles • Wax paper DIRECTIONS • Crush graham crackers until they look like sand and put in a shallow dish. This can be done by hand or in a food processor. • Melt candy melts according to the directions on the package. • Push a lollipop stick into each marshmallow. • Dip each marshmallow into the blue candy melt and then dip into the graham cracker crumbs. • Place on wax paper. • Add a goldfish cracker and “bubbles” to each candy pop before it dries.

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White icing can be used for the bubbles if you cannot find pearl sprinkles.

Cup of Worms INGREDIENTS • Plastic Cups • Chocolate Pudding Mix • Milk • Oreo Cookies • Gummy worms • Gallon Ziploc bag • Clear Plastic Cups DIRECTIONS • Prepare the chocolate pudding according to the directions on the box. • Fill each cup halfway with chocolate pudding. • Place Oreo cookies in a Ziploc bag. Allow your child to crush the cookies until they look like “dirt.” • Arrange a few gummy worms sticking out of the top of the pudding. • Place Oreo cookie dirt under and around the worms. Allow your child to crush the cookies until they look like “dirt.”

Jello Oranges INGREDIENTS • 3 oz. boxes of Jello, a rainbow of colors • Oranges • Knox Gelatine envelopes • Hot Water • Saucepan

For an adults-only party, hard alcohol can be added.

DIRECTIONS • Cut oranges in half and remove all the fruit, leaving only the peel. We used 6 oranges, one for each color of the rainbow- Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple • Heat 1 cup of water in the saucepan until boiling. Add one envelope of Knox Gelatine and stir until completely dissolved. Add one 3 oz. package of Jello and stir completely. • Pour ½ mixture into each half of the orange. • Place in the refrigerator. I recommend putting it on a plate or cookie tray to catch stray Jello that may spill. • Repeat with all remaining colors. • Slice orange with a sharp knife to look like orange slices. • Refrigerate until it is time to serve.

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Candy Jar MATERIALS • Flower Pot & Saucer • Glass Bowl • Ball Knob • E600 Glue • Spray Primer, Red Spray

Paint, Silver Spray Paint & Clear Coat • Blue Painter’s Tape • M&Ms®

INSTRUCTIONS • Spray primer on the flower pot, saucer and ball knob. (We placed a nickel sized circle of blue painter’s tape in the center of the saucer where the knob would attach. We wanted the knob to attach securely to the saucer itself, not just the paint.) • Using red spray paint, spray the pot and ball knob. • Using silver spray paint, spray the saucer. • Allow ample time to dry and then spray all painted items with clear coat. • Squeeze E600 glue onto the upside-down pot and attach the glass bowl. Attach ball knob to saucer using E600 glue as well. Make sure all pieces are thoroughly attached. • Fill your candy jar with M&Ms or your candy of choice

This makes a great gift for friends or family members who are known to have candy at their house or desk for guests to enjoy!

Picket Fence Votive or Flower Pot MATERIALS • Tuna can • 4 oz. can (from green chilies)

• Approximately 44 clothespins • White spray paint

• Votive • Flower • Paint stick

INSTRUCTIONS • Attach approximately 22 clothespins along a paint stick. Spray one side of clothespins, allow to dry. Turn them over and spray the other side and allow to dry. The remainder of the clothespins can remain natural colored. • Open two tuna cans and remove tuna. Open one chili can. Wash thoroughly and dry. • Place votive in the center of one tuna can and the 4 oz. can in the center of the other. • Plant a cute little flower in the 4 oz. can. • Place clothespins along the tuna cans to create the picket fence. We used white clothespins on the flowered pot and natural clothespins for the votive. • Attach tags to the front and rear of the can.

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You can use spray paint or acrylic paint. Use all white for the traditional “Picket Fence” look or experiment with your own color choices. This little craft makes a great gift.

Water Balloon Flip Flops MATERIALS • Inexpensive Flip Flops • 300 water balloons INSTRUCTIONS • Place 3 water balloons in the same direction and tie them together with the fourth balloon. Continue with the fourth balloon, double knotting it onto the flip flop strap. • Repeat until each flip flop strap is covered. Balloons can easily be slid up and down the strap until the desired amount is achieved. • We used approximately 150 water balloons per flip flop.

These are great conversation starters at any beach day!

Bird Feeders MATERIALS • ¾ cup birdseed • ¼ cup water • 1 envelope of Knox Gelatine • Twine

These are easy to make with little ones, and they’ll really enjoy watching the birds around your house eat from them.

• Cookie cutters • Wax paper • Straws

INSTRUCTIONS • Bring ¼ cup of water to boil in a small saucepan. • Add one envelope of Knox Gelatine and stir until fully dissolved. • Add ¾ cup of birdseed and stir until all the birdseed is covered in gelatine mixture. • Lay cookie cutters on wax paper and fill with birdseed mixture. • Push a straw all the way through the mixture (this is to provide a place to tie the twine) and allow it to dry. • Remove the straw when the bird feeder is mostly dry. Turn cookie cutter over to dry completely. • Once dry, slowly push the bird feeder out of the cookie cutter. • Tie a bit of twine through the hole to hang the bird feeder.

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Teach Your Kids Something New! This Edition:

BABYSITTING 3 THINGS EVERY RESPONSIBLE BABYSITTER SHOULD KNOW Being a responsible sitter means being prepared. It’s very unlikely that you’ll face an emergency. But knowing you’re capable of handling problems allows you to relax and focus on the kids. So before the parents leave, be sure you know these three things:

1. How to get in touch with the parents

Check that you have the right phone numbers and contact information at the start of every job. You may have been babysitting the same kids for ages, but what if a parent got a new mobile number and forgot to tell you? It also helps to get a backup number, like the number of a restaurant the parents will be at or a close neighbor’s number, just in case their cell phone battery dies or there’s no signal.

use them for kids. Always ask a parent what medicines you can give their child (different parents have different rules). And never give aspirin — or medicines with aspirin in them — to a child. If parents want you to give a child medicine, ask them to show you how. Always check the expiration date of the medicine before you give it. Be sure to close the medicine bottle tightly after you’ve measured out the correct dose. Some kids have allergies to foods and other things that can lead to reactions severe enough to require injectable epinephrine. Know where the family keeps the auto-injector and how to use it (it’s really easy once you know how!).

3. How to keep kids safe Kids love to explore, and they can get into trouble fast. In fact,

2. Where to find medical information and supplies accidents are one of the leading reasons children end up in a (and how to use them) doctor’s office or emergency room. That’s why supervision is Ask parents if they have a file with information on a child’s health issues, allergies, prescription medications, etc. Or create a form of your own and fill in the blanks when you meet with the family. Ideally, you’ll want to get this information in advance so you have time to go over it and know what to expect. It’s a good idea for parents of small kids to keep a first aid kit so items like alcohol wipes, Band-aids, and antibacterial cream are in the same place. Know where the first aid kit is, what’s in there, and how to use it. If you use items from the kit, let the parents know so they can restock them. You’ll need to know which items from the first aid kit you can use on kids and which you can’t. For example, even if a first aid kit is stocked with pain medications, it doesn’t mean you should 32 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

key. Never leave young kids unattended, especially around water, heaters, appliances, and other hazards. And keep the medications mentioned above well out of the reach of kids. When you’re babysitting, avoid distractions like going online, texting, Snapchatting, etc. Kids need your full attention. If parents want you to handle a task you haven’t done before (like drive the kids someplace), ask them to go over all the steps. For example, when driving kids, you’ll want to know which car seats they use and how to buckle them in properly. Ask the parents to do a demonstration of how to use their car seats correctly. Better still, find out if you can use the parents’ car because it’s safer and easier to use a car with the kids’ car seats already installed.

Know where the family keeps safety and emergency equipment, like fire extinguishers, flashlights, and batteries. Emergencies are about more than having the right equipment, though: You need to know what to do, including when and how to use things like fire extinguishers. Check with your local hospital or community center to see if they offer CPR or other emergency training, or take a babysitting course. It can give you the confidence to handle all sorts of situations, from a power outage to an emergency. v

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their favorite toys. Find out from parents and other babysitters what games kids of different ages like to play. Get the kids outdoors if you can. Take them to a playground if the parents say it’s OK. Simple games like tag and hide and seek get kids active and help them stay fit (a big topic these days). Running around outside also tires kids out so they nap and sleep well, which parents will probably appreciate! If you can’t walk to a park or play in a yard, ask parents about other options in the neighborhood. Urban areas may have skating rinks, libraries, or community centers within walking distance — just be sure to ask parents if it’s OK to take the kids there. If outdoors doesn’t work out, get creative indoors. Dancing with the kids is great exercise, too. TVs and computers have become the go-to entertainment for many kids these days, but that’s not always a good thing. Doctors and parenting experts recommend less screen time for kids, so many parents have set time limits on electronics. Find out what the house rules are.

and figure out where they stand. But even though kids try to fight rules, they actually need and thrive best on structure and limits. So check in with parents to find out what the rules are, then follow them — even if you don’t agree with them! Not only will this help keep things consistent for the kids, you’ll gain their respect and trust. The best babysitters think of the job as a responsibility first, with having fun (or earning money) second. Few things are as rewarding as knowing you’ve earned a child’s trust and affection.” v

. . . But Not a Best Friend Speaking of rules, it’s tempting to be the “cool” babysitter who lets kids get away with things parents never allow. But you can’t be a child’s friend all the time. Know when to say no and when it’s OK to let something small go — like letting kids stay up 15 minutes past bedtime on occasion. Kids will challenge you. Pushing boundaries to see how much they can get away with is a normal way kids (even toddlers) learn

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Most Common Misperceptions About Rock Climbing • To be a good climber, you need a burly upper body. Nope. Climbing uses legs, abdominal muscles, and balance. • Rock climbing is unsafe. No. If you go with an expert, rock climbing is actually a very controlled sport.

Gear to Get Going • Indoor and outdoor programs usually provide or rent necessary gear. • Harnesses are required, indoors or out and range from $59.95 and up. Some are specifically designed for youngsters between ages 5 and 10, up to 88 lbs., at www.REI.com. • Helmets are essential in outdoor climbing and usually range from $59.95 and up at www.REI.com. • Because rock shoes must fit tightly, experts agree that your child should love climbing before you invest in a pair. But if your kid is hooked, try the Mad Rock “Mad Monkey 2.0” with an adjustable heel that grows with your child ($39 at www.madrockclimbing.com). v

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FAMILY

FUN GUIDE CALENDAR OF EVENTS Welcome to a More Exciting Life! No matter how busy you find yourself these days, you might want to make your to-do lists in pencil rather than pen. With the Emerald Coast’s year-round sunshine and laid-back lifestyle, the stage has been set once again for an abundant year of festivals, concerts and special events. We live on a beautiful coast that has so much to offer, and we’re here to make sure you know what’s going on in your own backyard. Don’t miss out on life just because you didn’t know what was happening. Enjoy!

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SummerWILD Children’s Summer Camp

the Emerald Theatre Company to produce the classic “The Wizard of Oz” at Destin Elementary for 3rd through 8th grade actors this summer. Students will experience auditions and casting (everyone gets a role), acting and theatre games, and scenic and prop construction in a positive team building environment. On the final day of camp, students will present a performance showcasing their work from the week. Cost: $150 per student. For students entering 3rd 8th Grade in the Fall of 2014. All payments are non-refundable. For more information contact MKAF at 850-650-2226.

Weekly, Mon. - Fri., July - August, (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) HarborWalk Village Summer goes WILD at HarborWalk Village with Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. Children 1st-6th grade can spend an exciting week on the Destin Harbor learning about exotic animals and their natural habitats. Children will talk with a real marine biologist, do arts and crafts, and encounter actual animals like owls, tortoises, gray foxes, and raccoons! Learn about dolphins, sharks, seashells, sand castles, and more! Contact Susan Leveille at 850-830-3933 to register. Cost is $150 for the week; family discounts are available.

Musical Theatre Camp - Camp Broadway

Mon. - Fri., July 7th - 11th - (9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) Seaside Neighborhood School

Musical Theatre Camp - Willy Wanka Jr.

Mon. - Fri., July 28th - Aug. 8th - (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Ruckel Middle School, Niceville

ECTC invites rising 5th through 9th graders to come act, sing and dance their hearts out to popular Broadway tunes. Kids will play improvisation and theater games as well as learn songs and simple choreography. The cost is $160 per student. “We are thrilled to be able to once again partner with many of the area’s finest art organizations to present a solid art education program that not only hones skills and builds confidence, but is also just loads of fun,” said ECTC producing artistic director Nathanael Fisher. For more information call 850-687-1637 or email info@emeraldcoasttheatre.org or visit www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.

The Wizard of Oz

July 14th - July 19th, (Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. & Sat. 1 - 5 p.m.) - Destin Elementary School Lions and tigers and bears oh my! Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation is partnering with

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ECTC will present “Willy Wonka Jr.” a musical theater camp based on Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Grades 5 through 9 will get the golden ticket to act, sing and dance their hearts out in this two-week musical theater production staged at Ruckel Middle School in Niceville. The camp will be offered Monday through Friday July 28 through Aug. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A final performance will be staged on Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. ($5 donation per adult). Registration is $295 per student. For more information call 850-687-1637 or email info@emeraldcoasttheatre.org or visit www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.

EMERALD COAST SCIENCE CENTER http://www.ecscience.org Half-day $100 ECSC Members $120 General Public Full-Day: $200 ECSC Members $240 General Public 10% discount available for siblings. Camps limited to 20 students.

Junior Scientists Rising 1st - 3rd Grade Camps run Monday - Friday 9:00-12:00 or 1:00-4:00

July 7-11:

AM—Space Explorers PM—LEGO in Motion

July 14-18:

AM—LEGO Engineers PM—Messy Science

July 21-25:

AM—LEGO in Motion PM—Junior Naturalists

July 28-August 1:

AM– Gardening Fun PM—Amazing Animals

August 4-8:

AM—Greatest Hits PM—The Human Body

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heck C e l b u Do mes i T & s Date sometimes change.

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HERITAGE MUSEUM OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA

Read Program

Sat., July 12th (10-12) All ages, sign-ups required.

Sat., Aug. 9th (10-12)

“Time Traveler’s” Summer History Camp

All ages, sign-ups required.

Intermediate Scientists Rising 4th - 6th Grade Camps run Monday - Friday 9:00-12:00 or 1:00-4:00

July 7-11: (ALL DAY):

Advanced Robotics Programming for LEGO Mindstorms

July 14-18:

AM—Green Thumbs PM—CSI: Fort Walton Beach

July 21-25: (ALL DAY):

LEGO Robotics Mayan Adventure

July 28-August 1:

AM—Marine Biology PM—Young Engineers

August 4-8:

AM—LEGO Robotics 101 PM— Crazy Chemistry

FORT WALTON BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY Events for July & August 2014 http://fwb.org/library Located at 185 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL in historical downtown Fort Walton Beach. (850) 833-9590; library@fwb.org.

Story time, Lunch time

Tuesdays, July 8th and Aug. 5th (12:30) For ages 3 and up, guest can bring their lunch.

Lunch & a Movie

Thurs., July 31st (12:30) Ages 3 and up, guests can bring their lunch.

Sat., Aug. 23rd (12:30) All ages, guests can bring their lunch.

Lapsit Program

Thursdays, July 3rd and 17th (2pm) For ages 0-3

Thurs., Aug. 7 and Tues., Aug. 21st (2 pm)

Aug. 11–15, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, FL 32580 $60 per child or $50 for Museum Members (Special deal for NEW Family Members)

CRESTVIEW YMCA http://www.ymca.net 298 N Wilson Street, Crestview, FL 850 689 2999 • ecymca.org

Weekly Day Camp Grades: Entering K-6 Fees: $145/170 per week We’ll introduce your child to the excitement of day camp with activities such as silly skits, artsy crafts, laughter-inducing games, cooking, swimming, and weekly field trips to places like the Destin Aquatics Center, Niceville Children’s Park, and Abrakadoodle. Check online for field trip dates and locations. Breakfast and lunch included in all camp programs.

Daily Camp

Join us on a week-long journey filled with adventure as we become “Time Traveler’s” during Summer History Camp at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, August 11th - 15th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Discover, explore, and experience days-gone-by as we travel back in time. “Time Traveler’s” Summer History Camp is for children ages 5-12. The cost is $60 for the week ($50 for Museum Family Members). Become a NEW Family Member ($50 level) and receive (1) child’s camp registration ½ off. The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is dedicated to providing affordable and fun, quality programs. SPACE IS LIMITED! Please pre-register. Call 850-678-2615.

Grades: Entering K-6 Fees: $30/$35* per day If you only need one or two days of camp programming, this is the program for you. Your child can attend camp and enjoy the program activities taking place that day and have a blast making new friends.

Camp Dates June 30 ‐ July 3 July 7‐11 July 14‐18 July 21‐25 July 28 ‐ August 1 August 4‐8 August 11‐15

Don’t See Your Event? Send calendar events to us at: info@itsyourmagazine.com

For ages 0-3

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SEASO NAL

5 12 19 26 Plaza in Baytowne Village. Enjoy three shows from fly-board extraordinaire Ben Merrell over the lagoon! For more information, visit www. baytownewharf.com or call 850-267-4164.

Baytowne Wharf Summer Events Boomin’ Tuesday

Every Tuesday during the Summer - (7 - 9 p.m.) The Village of Baytowne Wharf Gather the kids for spectacular family entertainment every Monday starting at 7pm at the Events Plaza in Baytowne Village. Enjoy lawn games and inflatables at the Events Plaza and then light up the night with fireworks at 9:15pm over the Lagoon. For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com or call 850-267-4164.

Fat Tuesday Parade

Every Tuesday through Summer - (6 -10 p.m.) HarborWalk Village sunset, indulge in coastal cuisines, dance to live music and end the night with a spectacular fireworks show. The 125’ SOLARIS yacht features three decks of fun including the open air sky deck. Prices range from $20 to $80 including 3 course meal, 3.5 hour cruise, live entertainment and fireworks. Reservations required online at www.SunQuestCruises.com or call 850.650.2519. The SOLARIS is docked at Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina.

ArtWalk on the Harbor

Sundays in the Summer - HarborWalk Village Art along the Destin Boardwalk from HarborWalk Village to AJ’s featuring local and regional artists and vendors. This event is free and open to the public! Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. For more information, visit www.artwalkontheharbor.com or www. harborwalkdestin.com or call 850-424-0600.

4th of July Extravaganza on the Harbor

Fri., July 4th - (6 - 10 p.m.) - HarborWalk Village Hero Reunion on the Harbor is a weekly honoring of a local hero—highlighting the efforts of those who go above and beyond to better their community. Enjoy live entertainment, free kid’s crafts and face painting and a WWII replica flyover. The evening is topped off by a spectacular FIREWORKS show over the Destin Harbor at 9pm! For more information, visit www. harborwalkdestin.com or call 850-424-0600.

Red, White & Baytowne

Fri., July 4th - (7 - 9:30 p.m.) - The Village of Baytowne Wharf Celebrate Independence Day at Baytowne! Enjoy a day of fun in the sun, and an evening that lights up the sky! Live music and kids’ activities from 7-9pm. Fireworks light up the sky at 9:15pm. For more information, visit www. sandestin.com/events or call 850-267-4164.

4th of July Fireworks & Dinner Cruise Celebration | SunQuest Cruises SOLARIS Yacht Fri., July 4th - (6 - 9:30 p.m.) - Baytowne Marina

Sunday Cinema

Every Sunday during the Summer - (8 p.m.) The Village of Baytowne Wharf Gather the kids for a fun family movie night every Sunday starting at 8pm at the Events Plaza in Baytowne Village. There will be a different family friendly movie each week to enjoy outside under the stars. For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com or call 850-267-4164.

Peter and The Wolf - Musical Storytelling Every Monday during July - (7 p.m.) - Barrett Square in Rosemary Beach

Peter & The Wolf and other musical storytelling, featuring the Sinfonia woodwind quintet; and narrator Aimee Shaffer. So round up the family and join us each Monday evening at 7pm for a great evening in the park. For more information, contact the merchants of Rosemary Beach.

Baytowne Wharf Summer Events Sky Surfing Monday

Every Monday during the Summer - (7 - 9 p.m.) The Village of Baytowne Wharf

Don’t miss the boat on the ultimate 4th of July celebration on the water as you cruise into the

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Gather the family for spectacular entertainment every Monday starting at 7pm at the Events

Who wants some beads?! Join us for our Fat Tuesday Parade every week during the summer as HarborWalk Village transforms into “The Big Easy”. Enjoy dazzling floats, beads, and lots of swag during our FREE PARADE through HarborWalk Village! After the parade enjoy a performance from the Village Brass Band on the main stage, along with a stunning vibrant fire dancing show. Laissez les bons temps rouler! For more information, visit www. harborwalkdestin.com or call 850-424-0600.

Gulfarium’s Sunset Camp

Every Tuesday & Thursday through Summer (4 - 9 p.m.) - Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park Enjoy an evening out while your children have an unforgettable experience at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Our Sunset Camp includes a dockside encounter with a dolphin, an exploratory venture along the beautiful Emerald Coast beach at dusk, ocean themed activities, scavenger hunt, and dinner at Seal Harbor. Ages 6-14, advance reservations required. Cost is $85 for the first child, 25% off additional kids. For more information, call 850-243-9046 ext 2.

Kids’ Summer Scene Movie Series Every Wednesday during the Summer (3 - 4:30 p.m.) - Destin Library

The Destin Library will host a Kids’ Summer Scene Movie Series (grades 1 through 5) on Wednesday afternoons beginning June 25th. Films selected will be linked to themes that can be further explored through reading materials available at your public library. Parents or guardians of children will be required to be in attendance during the Kids’ Summer Scene Movie Series. Participation will be limited to 30 students at any scheduled showing. For more information, call 850-837-8572.

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RUNS, WALKS & MORE

Baytowne Wharf Summer Events Wednesday Night Concert Series

Every Wednesday during the Summer - (7 - 9 p.m.) The Village of Baytowne Wharf Enjoy the continuation of the Wednesday Night Concert Series throughout the summer. For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com or call 850-267-4164.

Baytowne Wharf Summer Events Magical Thursday

Every Thursday during the Summer (7 - 9 p.m.) - The Village of Baytowne Wharf Gather the family for spectacular entertainment every Thursday starting at 7pm at the Events Plaza in Baytowne Village. Enjoy a Magic Show performed by Captain Davy at the Events Plaza. For more information, visit www. baytownewharf.com or call 850-267-4164.

Paddle at the Porch

Sat., August 16th - (10 a.m.) - The Back Porch Restaurant See highlighted area for details.

28th Annual Sandestin Triathlon

Hero Reunion on the Harbor! The Red, White and Blue Celebration

Sat., August 23rd - (8 a.m.) - Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort - By Elephant Walk near beach

Every Thursday through Summer - (6 -10 p.m.) HarborWalk Village Hero Reunion on the Harbor is a weekly honoring of a local hero—highlighting the efforts of those who go above and beyond to better their community. Enjoy live entertainment, free kids’ crafts and face painting and a WWII replica flyover. The evening is topped off by a spectacular FIREWORKS show over the Destin Harbor at 9pm! For more information, visit www. harborwalkdestin.com or call 850-424-0600.

Rock the Docks Live

Every Saturday through Summer - (6 -10 p.m.) HarborWalk Village Every Saturday night during the summer, come out for free concerts on the HarborWalk Village stage! All concerts are free and open to the public! For more information, visit www. harborwalkdestin.com or call 850-424-0600.

Labor Day Celebration

Fri., Aug. 29th - Sun., Aug. 31st - (9 p.m.) HarborWalk Village Summer 2014 ends with a weekend of family activities, free concerts, and FIREWORKS! For more information, visit www.harborwalkdestin. com or call 850-424-0600.

Paddle at the Porch

Sat., August 16th - (10 a.m.) - The Back Porch Restaurant Paddle at the Porch showcases the beautiful emerald green water and white sandy shores of Destin, Florida, behind one of its most loved restaurants, The Back Porch. This standup paddleboard event features a one-mile recreational race, a three-mile recreational race, and a six-mile elite race, to be followed by awards, including a $5,000 cash purse! Registration is open on Active. com or you may print and return our registration form. For more information visit www.paddleattheporch. com or Like www.facebook.com/ PaddleAtThePorch or bookmark this web page to stay up-to-date on race details.

Where: Throughout Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The 28th Annual Destin Triathlon (formerly the Elephant Walk Triathlon) will lure 700 participants for a half-mile Gulf of Mexico swim, a 20-mile bike along the coast, and a 4-mile run through Sandestin’s beach and bayside community. Proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast. For more information visit www.SandestinTriathlon. com or call Katie Tyler at 850-267-6333 or email KatieTyler@sandestin.com.

Don’t See Your Event? Send calendar events to us at: info@itsyourmagazine.com

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 41

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Smoke on the Coast, BBQ & Fireworks Festival

Thurs., July 3rd - (5:30 p.m.) Destin Commons Come one, come all to a fun-filled day and evening celebrating Destin Commons’ newest stores and restaurants including: H&M, Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill, Charming Charlie, Everything but Water, Sunglass World, Chipotle, Yogo Mogo and Tervis along with the 4th Annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ and Fireworks Festival. Fun for the whole family will include free face painting, kids’ activities, street performers, and continuous live bands performing on two stages, including The Maxx, Heritage, Jones & Company , Chris Alvarado, Coconut Radio and DJ. Twentythree area restaurants and BBQ aficionados will light up their grills to prepare their best dishes. Starting at 6 pm, for $1 per sampling, people get to taste and vote for their favorite People’s Choice Award Winner with proceeds benefitting local military and children’s charities. Will three-time winner ValleyCrest come out on top again? The evening concludes with an Independence Day firework extravaganza unlike anything ever seen on the Emerald Coast. Convenient park and ride with free shuttle services running from Destiny Worship Center and Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s Cultural Art Village parking area during Festival hours. Follow Destin Commons on Facebook to stay up to date on all things Smoke on the Coast.

Downtown FWB ArtWalk

Friday Nights in the Summer (5:30 - 8:30 p.m.) - The Landing Featuring local artists of all mediums. There is something for everyone; from oil paints, jewelry, to hand-made fishing lures. It’s a great way to start your Friday evening off downtown! Stroll downtown, check out the stores, listen to local music, and be amazed by our local artists. For more information, call 850-218-0812.

Downtown FWB ArtWalk

Friday Nights in the Summer (5:30 - 8:30 p.m.) The Landing See highlighted area for details.

42 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Baytowne Art Walk

Fri, August 29th - Sun, August 31st - (5 - 10 p.m.) The Village of Baytowne Wharf The Village of Baytowne Wharf welcomes the Fall season under the moonlight with a weekend good for the art and soul. Stroll the streets as you enjoy live music from local musicians and browse a variety of art from regional artists. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www. baytownewharf.com or call 850-267-4164.

Don’t See Your Event? Send calendar events to us at: info@itsyourmagazine.com

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Beauty and the Beast

Thurs, July 3rd - Sprint Theater The Camp Glee creative dramatics program at Northwest Florida State College will present two free performances of “Beauty & the Beast, Jr.” on Thursday, July 3 at 11:00 am and 1:00 p.m. in the Sprint Theater of the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center on the Niceville campus. The mini summer musical is the culmination of a summer intensive workshop for students in 8th grade through college that provides training by college faculty in acting, voice, makeup, dance and staging. Now in its 17th year, the program allows youth the opportunity to train and perform at the state-of-the-art facilities of the college’s fine & performing arts complex. For information on the Camp Glee program, contact Diana Jernigan at the college’s Humanities, Fine & Performing Arts Division at 850-729-5382.

Spamalot

Wed, July 16th - Sat, July 19th - (7:30 p.m.) - Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Main Stage The Northwest Florida State College Fine & Performing Arts Division proudly presents Monty Python’s SPAMALOT - a new musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” - with public performances on July 16, 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 1 via phone and web from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office for $25 adults and $20 youth ages 18 and younger. For more information, visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org, or call 850-729-6000.

Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace Sat, August 16th - August 26th - McIlroy Gallery

Soka Gakkai International Buddhist Association of Fort Walton Beach presents “Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace”, an exhibit celebrating the achievements of three luminaries: Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Daisuku Ikeda, from August 16 to 26, 2014 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. The three men came from different cultures and continents, but shared a commitment to improving the lives of all people. This didactic exhibition explores themes of the innate dignity of humanity, principles of nonviolence, triumph over adversity, and shaping the future through action. The exhibition will open with an Opening Ceremony and address by Dr. Lawrence E. Carter, Sr., Dean of the Martin Luther King, Jr., International Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta, on Saturday, August 16. The exhibition is open during regular Gallery hours, Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and 90 minutes prior to most events in the mainstage theater at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. The exhibition will encompass both the McIlroy and Holzhauer Galleries and is free of charge and open to the public. Contact the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries at 850-729-6044 or email: ArtGalleries@nwfsc.edu for information or to schedule group tours.

RECURRING LOCAL

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FWB ArtWalk & Concerts at the Landing Every Fri, (5:30 - 8 p.m.) - The Landing, Downtown FWB

Come join us on Friday nights throughout the summer for a fun evening of music, viewing local artists and shopping at downtown boutiques. Perfect for the family or a night out alone! For more information, visit www.1021thewave.com or call 850-218-0812.

ARTwalk on the Harbor

Every 3rd Sun of each month, (11a.m. - 4 p.m.) Destin Boardwalk

Twin Hills Drum Circle

1st & 3rd Sun of each month, (4 - 6 p.m.) Twin Hills Park on Hwy 90, Crestview This is a fun music-filled group for the community out at the park every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. It is a great chance to break out the drums and feel the beat or sit and relax and take a load off your feet! We play all types of percussion from hand drums, to djembes, to wooden sticks to buckets. All our welcome, including the kids. For more information call Tiffany at 772-323-6029.

Art event along the Destin Boardwalk from HarborWalk Village to AJ’s featuring local and regional artists and vendors. This event is free to the public and will take place on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 11am to 4pm. For more information, visit www. ArtWalkontheHarbor.com. You can also visit www. harborwalkdestin.com or call 850-424-0600.

Reading Buddies is a literacy-based program that matches readers from the first through fifth grades with a trained young adult volunteer who will earn community service hours for high school graduation requirements. Wednesday, July 16th will be a special training day for the mentor to learn valuable teaching techniques they can use when they are with their buddy. Young adults participating in the Reading Buddies program will typically meet once a week to read, build vocabulary skills and complete reading comprehension activities with their assigned elementary aged “buddy”. Young adults interested in volunteering for the Reading Buddies Program are asked to contact the Destin Library 850-837-8572 and complete a program application form. All young adults participating in the program will receive training prior to being matched with an elementary aged child for the summer months. “Young adults participating in this program will gain valuable experience in leadership and communication skills while simultaneously serving their community and making a difference in children’s lives.” Rogers says.

Wings of Wonder

Opportunity Place

Contact CC Fearson at 850-659-3190.

Socks

Contact Nikole Wood at 850-863-8999.

Poets and musicians are invited to bring their work and instruments to a free-form openmic poetry reading and jam session. For more information call Esther at 850-682-4432 or Rick at 850-585-6399.

PAWS

Contact Alicia Sikes at 850-243-1525.

Salvation Army

Contact Lisa Martinez at 850-243-4531.

Stargazing Basics

44 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Wed, July 16th - (1:30 - 3:30 p.m.) - Destin Library

Looking for volunteers for general museum hours and special events. For more information please contact Cameron W. Ahlsen-Girard, Museum Services Manager. Office: 850-664-1261, Cell:850-621-6340 or e-mail, Cameron@ ecscience.org.

Every 2nd Tues of each month, (6 - 7:45 p.m.) Crestview Public Library

Tom Haugh with the Northwest Florida Astronomy Association will be at the Crestview Public Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every third Tuesday to answer astronomy questions and help beginners get started stargazing. For more information visit www.nwfastro.org. The library also has a telescope available for oneweek checkout thanks to an NFAA donation. For library information call 850-682-4432 or go to www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php.

Reading Buddies Academy

Sat., May 10th - Emerald Coast Science Center

Poetry & Music Jam

Every 3rd Tues of each month, (6:30-8 p.m.) Crestview Public Library

VOLUNTEER

Habitat for Humanity

Contact Mark McEnaney at 850-685-0686.

Don’t See Your Event? Send calendar events to us at: info@itsyourmagazine.com

Florosa Fire Department

Contact Tom Peele at 850-581-2900.

VFW

Contact Harvey Eckoff at 850-244-3834.

Goodwill

Contact John at 850-837-8516.

Destin Community Center

Contact Lisa Firth at 850-654-5184.

RESOURCE

DIRECTORY Planes, trains & automobiles . . . and everything else in between! The Emerald Coast has a wealth of attractions for all those who visit or call the coast home. It's amazing just how much there is to do if you embrace your adventurous spirit and simply explore your own backyard. Whether you're looking to plan a field trip or just a fun family outing, there's always something to look forward to on the Emerald Coast. Here are just a few ideas for places to visit. And don’t forget to send us your favorites! info@itsyourmagazine.com

Wesley Mansion Welcome to Eden Gardens State Park The focal point of this 161-acre park is the beautifully renovated, two-story Wesley house with its elegant white columns and wrap-around porch. The moss-draped live oaks and ornamental gardens inspire visions of hoop skirts and landed gentry. Named after a wealthy Florida timber family, the park is part of the family's estate. The house holds the second largest known collection of Louis XVI furniture in the United States. Visitors can also take a stroll along the grounds and enjoy the picnic area. 181 Eden Gardens Road Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 850-267-8320 www.floridastateparks.org/ EdenGardens/

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 45

EMERGENCY NUMBERS Sheriff & Police Okaloosa County Sheriff �� 850-651-7400

Libraries Destin ��850-837-8572 www.readokaloosa.org/details_destin.html

Ft. Walton Beach �� 850-833-9590 www.readokaloosa.org/details_destin.html

www.sheriff-okaloosa.org

Walton County Sheriff �� 850-892-8186

Walton ��850-267-2809 www.focbl.com or www1.youseemore.com/ walton/about.asp?p=22

www.waltonso.org

Bay County Sheriff ��850-747-4700 www.bayso.org

Escambia County Sheriff �� 850-436-9580 www.escambiaso.com

Santa Rosa County Sheriff �� 850-983-1100 www.santarosasheriff.org

Navarre �� 850-981-7323 www.santarosa.fl.gov/libraries

Crestview �� 850-682-4432 www.cityofcrestview.org/library.htm

Niceville �� 850-279-4863 www.cityofniceville.org/library.html

Ft. Walton Beach Police �� 850-833-9546 www.fwb.org

Panama City Beach Police �� 850-233-5000 www.beachpolice.org

Florida HWY Patrol �� 800-665-2794 www.flhsmv.gov/fhp

Florida Poison Control �� 800-222-1222 www.fpicn.org

US Coast Guard ��850-244-7147 www.uscg.mil/d8/stadestin

Fire Department Destin ��850-837-8413 www.destinfire.com

Ft. Walton Beach �� 850-833-9565 www.fwb.org/fire

South Walton ��850-267-1298 www.swfd.org

Navarre �� 850-939-5236 www.hnfd.org

Niceville ��850-897-3689 www.northbayfd.org

Chambers of Commerce Destin ��850-837-6241 www.destinchamber.com

Navarre ��850-939-3267 www.navarrechamber.com

Ft. Walton Beach �� 850-244-8191 www.fwbchamber.org

Walton County ��850-267-0683 www.waltonareachamber.com

Niceville �� 850-678-2323 www.nicevillechamber.com

Crestview �� 850-682-3212 www.crestviewchamber.com

Pensacola �� 850-438-4081 www.pensacolachamber.com

Panama City Beach �� 850-235-1159 www.pcbeach.org

Museums Air Force Armament �� 850-651-1808

Crestview �� 850-682-6121 www.crestviewfl.org

www.afarmamentmuseum.com

Destin History & Fishing ��850-837-6611

Panama City Beach �� 850-872-3053 www.pcbfire.com

Medical Centers & Hospitals Destin Emergency Care ��850-837-9194 www.fwbmc.com/our-services/destinemergency-care-center.dot

www.destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org

Indian Temple Mound Museum �� 850-833-9595 www.trailoffloridasindianheritage.org

Heritage Museum of NW FL �� 850-678-2615 www.heritage-museum.org

Walton County Heritage ��850-951-2127

Ft. Walton Beach Medical �� 850-863-7610 www.fwbmc.com

N. Okaloosa Medical Center �� 850-689-8100 www.northokaloosa.com

www.waltoncountyheritage.org

Wesley Mansion �� 850-231-4214 www.floridastateparks.org/EdenGardens

White Wilson Medical-Destin ��850-837-3848

Emerald Coast Science Center �� 850-644-1261

White Wilson Medical-Ft. Walton �� 850-863-8100

Post Offices

www.ecscience.org

white-wilson.com white-wilson.com

Sacred Heart �� 850-278-3000 www.sacredheartemerald.org

Emerald Coast Urgent Care �� 850-654-8878 www.emeraldcoasturgentcare.com

Niceville Twin Cities �� 850-678-4131 tchospital.com

Navarre Baptist �� 850-939-4888 www.ebaptisthealthcare.org/BMPNavarre

www.usps.com

Destin ��850-837-6312 Ft. Walton Beach �� 850-244-2625 South Walton �� 850-269-1186 Navarre �� 850-939-0381 Niceville �� 850-678-2021 Crestview �� 850-682-2634

46 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Destin History & Fishing Experience the feeling of swimming in the Gulf of Mexico with an awardwinning exhibit of fish caught in Destin. View a large collection of antique fishing rods and reels. The most unique is constructed of split bamboo with an original Penn Reel that belonged to Ernest Hemingway. Enjoy vintage photographs of early Destin settlers, boat captains and much more. Tues. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Wed. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Thurs. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Fri. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Sat. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Admission Fees: Adults $5 Seniors & Military $4 Children $3; Children under 6 are Free Destin History & Fishing Museum 108 Stahlman Ave. Destin, FL 32541 850-837-6611 www.destinhistoryand fishingmuseum.org

Public Transportation

Delta �� 800-221-1212

Okaloosa County Transit ��850-833-9168 www.rideoct.org

Mid Bay Bridge ��850-833-7562 www.mid-bay.com

United Airlines �� 800-864-8331

Movie Theaters

AMC Destin Commons 14 ��850-650-4579 At the Destin Commons Mall

Cinema Plus ��850-302-0129 Downtown FWB

Lively 10 ��850-654-2992 Off of Hwy 98 in Destin

Regal Sun Plaza ��850-244-4252

Air Force Armament Experience the aviation warfare armament from the early days of World War I right through to today's high tech planes and bombs. Inside, you'll find an extensive collection of weaponry and interactive displays that will amaze and intrigue. Outside displays include vintage military aircraft including the fastest plane ever built - the SR-71 Blackbird! Admission is FREE and all are welcome! Mon. 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Tues. 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Wed. 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Thurs. 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Fri. 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Sat. 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Sun. Closed Air Force Armament Museum 100 Museum Dr. Eglin AFB, FL 32542 850-651-1808 www.afarmamentmuseum.com

www.delta.com Service may be provided by Delta or a Delta Connection carrier. Provides nonstop service daily to Atlanta, GA (ATL).

Mary Esther Cutoff

UA Santa Rosa 10 ��850-243-5260 At the Santa Rosa Mall in FWB

Radio Stations

www.united.com Express Jet provides nonstop service to Houston, TX (IAH).

US Airways �� 800-428-4322 www.usairways.com Provides non-stop daily service to Charlotte, NC (CLT) and Washington, DC (DCA).

Southwest �� 1-800-I-FLY-SWA / 800-435-9792 www.southwest.com Provides non-stop flights daily to and from Baltimore, MD (BWI), Houston, TX (HOU), Nashville, TN (BNA), and Orlando, FL (MCO) with connecting service to international destinations.

AirTran ��800-Air-Tran / 800-247-8726

1120 AM – Progressive Talk 1260 AM – Fox News Talk 1340 AM – ESPN Sports 91.1 FM – Contemporary Christian 92.1 FM – Oldies 93.3 FM – Adult Contemporary 95.3 FM – Talk Radio – Local Crestview 98.1 FM – Country 99.5 FM – Rock 102.1 FM – Classic Rock 103.1 FM – Adult Contemporary 105.5 FM – Country 106.3 FM – Smooth Jazz 107.3 FM – Classic Rock

www.airtran.com 3 Daily Flights to Atlanta with 351 seats.

Rental Cars

Avis ��800-331-1212 Enterprise ��800-261-7331 National �� 877-222-9058 Budget �� 800-527-0700 Hertz ��800-654-3131

Airports NW Florida Regional Airport – VPS ��850-651-7160 www.flyvps.com

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport–Panama City Beach ��850-763-6751 www.iflybeaches.com

Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional ��850-436-5000 www.flypensacola.com

Destin Airport ��850-651-7160 www.flydts.com

Crestview Airport – Bob Sikes ��850-651-7160 www.flycew.com

Airlines American Eagle ��800-433-7300 www.aa.com Provides non-stop service to Dallas, TX (DFW).

It’s our goal to make this guide as useful and complete as possible. If we have omitted any resource you feel could be useful to our community of readers, please feel free to send us your recommendations at: info@itsyourmagazine.com

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • 47

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