Spring Break Camps 2023

By Liz Clearman

It’s hard to believe that we’re already thinking forward to spring break when it feels like the holiday season just ended, but time flies and here we are (hold your breath because we’ll be talking about summer camps before you know it). For parents who work full-time and need camps during SBISD’s spring break (March 13-17), or for those who just want to let their kids get out some energy while they’re on break, we’ve got your back with a quick list of spring break camps in and around the Spring Branch area. (Disclaimer: SB+ does not guarantee that the camps listed are available. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Please check with each individual camp for details.)

Birons Gymnastics: ages 3-14, half/full days not specified. 10225 Katy Freeway. birons.com/camp-programs

Duncan Family YMCA: ages 5-11, full days. 10655 Clay Rd. ymcahouston.org/programs/childcare-and-camps/holiday-camp

Halter, Inc.: 5 years old and up, half days. 17410 Clay Rd. halterinc.org/copy-of-life-coaching

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center: ages 4-12, full and half days. 4501 Woodway Dr. houstonarboretum.org/spring-break-camp

Kidventure: ages 3-5 and K-5th grade, full days. 4210 Bellaire Blvd. or 3600 Brinkman. kidventure.com/houston-summer-camp

Rise at The Warehouse: ages 5-12, full days. 2323 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N. risewarehouse.com/camp/rise-camp

Splat Zone: ages 8-12, full days. 11260 Hempstead Rd. splathouston.com

Texas Rock Gym: ages 7-17 (will take ages 5 & 6 with sibling in camp), full days. 1526 Campbell Rd. texasrockgym.com/spring-camps

Places that have previously offered spring break camps, but no information was available as of publication: Bach to Rock Memorial: bachtorock.com/memorial/sign-up/camps

Club Westside: clubwestside.com/camps/

Idea Lab Spring Branch: idealabkids.com/programs/camps

Magic Moments Stables: magicmomentsstable.com/camps

Spring Branch Dance Arts: springbranchdancearts.com/home.html

The Art Cellar of Houston: artcellarhouston.com

The Little Gym Memorial: thelittlegym.com/HoustonMemorialTX/parties-camps/camps

Spring Branch FFA Annual Show & Sale

The sweet sounds of the farm can be heard from a 17-acre plot located deep in the heart of Spring Branch ISD. It is here that Spring Branch FFA (SBFFA) students learn “the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations, even in hours of discouragement,” as expressed by E. M. Tiffany in the FFA Creed. SBFFA is a student-led organization with the goal to make a positive difference in the lives of its members by developing their potential for growth, leadership, and career success through agricultural education.

This unique program has been offering growth opportunities beyond the classroom for over 70 years. It truly has something for everyone, with leadership and career contests ranging from job interviews to meat judging, shooting sports through our Clay Crushers team, to raising a livestock project for a major show or our very own annual show and sale. Livestock projects include heifers, steers, pigs, lambs, goats, turkeys, broilers, and rabbits and these projects range in length from six weeks up to two years. Through one or all of these Spring Branch FFA experiences, students sharpen their strategic and critical thinking, time management, and public speaking skills and prepare themselves for future endeavors.

One of the best ways to see these students in action is at the annual show and sale. For students raising a livestock project, this event is the pinnacle of months of dedication and effort. We hope you will join us in support of SBFFA and these students at the 45th Annual Spring Branch FFA Show & Sale on February 9-11, 2023! The Agricultural Center is located at 1905 Brittmoore Road and more information about this three-day event can be found online at sbffaalumni.com/ showandsale or by contacting Sarah Bernadac at sbffa.alumni.president@gmail.com. We hope to see y’all at the barn!

Valentine’s Day Got you Down? Try Galentine’s Day InsTead

By Liz Clearman

Galentine’s Day, a relatively new holiday made popular by the goofy and loveable “Parks and Rec”character Leslie Knope, gained notoriety in 2011 about a year after the 16th episode of the now cult-classic show aired in 2010. It’s a great opportunity for those who either revel in or lament their singlehood — or maybe just those who want to pay homage to their girl gang — to gather over brunch, mimosas, and female friendship, in contrast to the more romantic implications of Valentine’s Day. It’s celebrated on February 13th each year and was quickly embraced by businesses who jumped at the opportunity to offer spa packages as well as brunch or happy hour deals to those eager to step back from the roses and chocolates trope of the season. Keep an eye out for fun Galentine’s Day-themed events to pop up, or create your own by inviting your best gal pals to get pedicures, have brunch at a local restaurant, or share a bottle of prosecco at a wine bar. Take inspiration from Leslie Knope herself who said it best: “Every February 13, my ladyfriends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.” Sounds like a winner to me.