MARCH 2019 • FREE
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SUMMER CAMP GUIDE CAMP LISTINGS I CAMP SPOTLIGHTS SPRING BREAK OPTIONS
Specializing in dentistry for infants, children, adolescents and children with special needs.
New Location 109 Mendenhall Drive Suite A Wilmington, NC 28411 910.686.1869 306 Dolphin Drive Suite 2 Jacksonville, NC 910.333.0343
growinggrins.com
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Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 1
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MARCH 2019 Publisher/Editor in Chief Keith Jaworski 910-518-0011 seasidemedia1@gmail.com
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SUMMER CAMP GUIDE 16
CAMP LISTINGS
18
CAMP SPOTLIGHTS
25
To Advertise Contact: Andrea Knight 910-632-0283
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DEPARTMENTS 3
EDITOR’S NOTE
24
NEW PRODUCTS
4
LOCAL NEWS
26
MIND AND BODY
6
THINGS TO DO
27
OUR PETS
Wilmington Parent is published 12 times a year. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication's standards. All contents of Wilmington Parent are protected under copyright. Reproduction of any content requires permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
9
CHILDCARE LISTINGS
28
SCHOOL NOTES
Wilmington Parent • PO Box 1336, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
29
BIRTHDAY PHOTOS
cover credits Photography by Katie Mathews, www.katiemathewsphotography.com • 910-297-5378 2 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
© Wilmington Parent 2019 Seaside Media, LLC Complimentary copies of Wilmington Parent are available to the public at various locations in the greater Wilmington area. One copy per family is permitted. Additional copies require the written permission of the Publisher. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE
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EDITOR’S NOTE
W
If you are hoping some Irish luck rubs off on you this month, we have an abundance of St. Patrick’s day events all over town. The parade is the highlight of the festivities, and the festival that follows offers food and excitement for the whole family! Not too far in the future, we also have the famous North Carolina Azalea Festival coming our way. This yearly tradition has grown, but has always maintained its style. I plan to enjoy the day and stick around for fireworks, I hope to see you there! Before all that partying starts, we still have to get through Spring Break. If you haven’t planned for that week as you hoped, don’t worry, there are some fabulous adventure ideas on page 25. Take your family on a scavenger hunt, or visit a dude ranch, and your kids will have some cool stories to tell when they get back to school. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Danielle
Wilmington’s Family Favorite Pediatric Dentist for over 10 years!* *Voted *Vo ted by Wi Wilmington lmingt Parent Parent Ma Magazine ine
2606 Iron Gate Dr. Suite 200, Wilmington, NC WN-2062371
elcome to Spring and our Summer Camp issue! We are so excited about the Summer Camp Guide this year. There are pages of resources to help your family plan the best summer for each of your kid’s needs. Day camps, overnight camps, science, sports, art...everything that you’re looking for. If you want to get an inside glimpse into how others have enjoyed some of these camps, check out our Camp Spotlight that features families who have experienced the fun first hand. This month, four families share their memories of summer camp and tell us why they made the choice for their specific needs.
910-791-7380 Surf our website www.catchasmile.net
OPEN SPOTS IN 2'S MWF MORNING CLASS FOR FALL 2019
(910) 367-0287 I www.jpawilmington.com I 7888 Market St Buy one adult ticket and get a child ticket free with code: Childfree
April 14, 2019 | Wilson Center By Wilmington Ballet Company, in collaboration with US International Ballet, the region’s only professional ballet company. Starring Ines Albertini and Walter Angelini.
Tickets (910)-362-7999 www.usinternationalballet.com
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Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 3
LOCAL NEWS Tax Assistance
UNCW offers free tax e-filing assistance to eligible taxpayers through the university’s IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Taxpayers with an income of $66,000 or less are eligible for this assistance. All VITA volunteers are IRS-certified UNCW students majoring in accounting. The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (803-G South College Road, Wilmington) will be open on the following Saturdays between 9am and 3pm for taxpayers to receive assistance: Feb. 9 and 23; March 2, 23, and 30; and April 13. Taxpayers can also visit 813 Nixon Street on the following Wednesdays between 5 and 8pm: Feb. 13 and 27; March 6 and 27; and April 3. More information including a list of items needed upon arrival can be found online at https://csb. uncw.edu/csb/acg/vita.html, or by phone at (910) 962-2776.
2019 Azalea Festival Time is Here! The North Carolina Azalea Festival is Wilmington’s annual community celebration and the largest festival of its kind in the state. Founded in 1948, the Azalea Festival has emerged as Wilmington’s premier event. Each April, a full week of natural beauty, big-name entertainment, festive galas, fun family events and Southern hospitality come together to showcase the charms of the Wilmington area. For community pride and springtime pageantry, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has no equal. This year’s event will begin on April 3rd and continue through April 7th. The iconic 72nd Azalea Festival Parade will begin at 9:30am on April 6th. What to Wear? The Azalea Festival is the best time for spring fashion especially at our Airlie Luncheon Garden Party where you will find hats, bowties, bright dresses, and seersucker suits. But Parking is so Hard! Uber is the preferred ridesharing app of the 2018 Azalea Festival. This year they’ve partnered with Uber to help you spend more time enjoying the festival and less time worrying about your ride. Whether you’re headed to the concerts, fairs, or the parade, use Uber to get a safe, reliable, and affordable ride there and back.
New Hanover County Explorer Post Program
Earth Hour 2019
Starting as a symbolic lights out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is now the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, inspiring millions of people to take action for our planet and nature. We love this planet and everything that lives upon it. Join us and, together, let’s spark never-before-had conversations on nature and the unique diversity of life we share our home with! What better way to celebrate than with the electrifying energy of Earth Hour as it sweeps across the planet? Remember to switch off in solidarity with global efforts to secure nature and our home: 30 March, 8:30pm your time. It’s time to #Connect2Earth. www.earthhour.org
New Hanover County Fire Rescue is starting a new program aimed at mentoring teens ages 14-18 throughout the year. The Explorer Post Program will teach youth about firefighting by participating in activities and training. Participants can use virtual reality goggles to tour a house destroyed by fire, learn hands-only CPR and learn “stop the bleed” techniques. Attendees will also be able to try on firefighter gear and extinguish a fire with training props. The Explorer Post Program provides young women and men interested in firefighting first-hand experience and one-on-one mentorship to discover their future in a safe and controlled setting. Throughout the year, participants will be able to take part in activities that help them explore their interest in Fire Rescue and prepare them for professional training later. The program will meet twice a month on Tuesday nights at different fire stations around New Hanover county. Training will be both in classroom and hands-on. The fee is $33 per participant and financial assistance is available. To sign-up for the Explorer Post Program, or for more information, contact NHCFR at 910-798-7420.
RAINBOW GARDEN PRESCHOOL
General Dentistry for Youth
The Cape Fear Flyers is a non-profit USATF and AAU affiliated running club for athletes ages 6-18.
New Patients Welcome
(910) 790-3836
2520 N. College Road Most Insurance Accepted Including Medicaid, Health Choice, TRICARE
HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL!
!
Rafael Rivera, Jr., DDS, PLLC - Owner
4 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
Like Us
Preschool & Extended Care Preschool 9am-1pm Extended Care Hours 7:00-6pm ***** Montessori***** 1497 Country Club Rd, Hampstead, NC 910- 233-8594 • www.capefearchild.org
The Flyers practice at the Ashley High School Track on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
The track and field season starts in April. Please see our website for specific information info@thecapefearflyers.com
www.thecapefearflyers.com
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Tuition FREE for all NC Residents
GO THE EXTRA MILE for your children
Classical Core Knowledge Curriculum Singapore Math Experiential Learning Project-based Lessons C.O.M.P.A.S.S. Core Values Located in Scott’s Hill, Wilmington NC Apply Now! www.coastalprep.org
NC Public Charter School (K-8) 1135 Pandion Drive Wilmington, NC
www.wilmingtonparent.com
Dr. Raaj Amin
27417 Andrew Jackson Hwy E, Delco, NC 28436
www.sandpiperpediatrics.com 910-207-0777
Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 5
THINGS TO DO • PLAN YOUR MONTH WITH US
MARCH | 2019
LOCAL STORYTIMES Railroad Storytime
Wilmington Railroad Museum 910-763-2634 1st and 3rd Mondays. 10:30am. Come support the rebuilding of this timeless museum and hear stories and enjoy creative activities in the Children’s Hall. $5/Family. Free/Members. Library Storytimes
Pleasure Island Library 910-798-6303 Mondays. 10:30am, Join our fun and educational storytime for all preschool ages (babies to 5 years of age). We’ll enjoy books, music, manipulatives, and other pre-literacy activities. No registration or fees required. Main Library
910-798-6303 Tuesdays. 9:30am; 10am; 10:30. Babies up to 18 months at 9:30 are invited to bring an adult lap and enjoy up to 20 minutes of books, songs, fingerplays & rhymes. Toddlers 18 months to 3 years old are invited at 10am to 20 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy
6 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
activities in Story Place. Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 are invited at 10:30am to 20-30 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in our storytime room. Myrtle Grove & Northeast Libraries
910-798-6303
Wednesdays & Thursdays. 9:30am; 10am; 10:30. Babies up to 18 months at 9:30 are invited to bring an adult lap and enjoy up to 20 minutes of books, songs, fingerplays & rhymes. Toddlers 18 months to 3 years old are invited at 10am to 20 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in Story Place. Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 are invited at 10:30am to 20-30 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in our storytime room.
NHC RESIDENT FREE DAYS Mar. 3, 9am - 5pm Family Fun Day Airlie Gardens
910-798-7700 www.airliegardens.org Visit the parks and Arboretum for a full day of family fun. Mar. 3 1 – 5pm Cape Fear Museum
910-798-4350 www.capefearmuseum.com NHC residents are admitted free.
Main Library
910-798-6303
Family Yoga Storytime Fridays. 10:30-11am. Parents & children birth -
5 will have fun listening to stories while stretching and learning basic yoga postures with Miss Susan. Children must have an adult present. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or beach towel. No registration required!
FUN STUFF FOR LITTLE KIDS Mar. 1 & 2 10am Springing Into Spring Halyburton Park
910-341-0075 Bring your “Little Explorers” out to the park and www.wilmingtonparent.com
discover nature through stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes, and crafts. Children must be accompanied by adults. Adults attend at no cost. Children ages 2-5, $3. Please dress for the weather (including closed-toe shoes) to be ready for outdoor fun! Registration is required.
Wilmington Animal Fitness & Rehabilitation Center at Needham Animal Hospital
Mar. 7 & 21 10am Messy Hands Toddler Art Main Library
www.nhclibrary.org This program is designed for toddlers, 2’ and 3’s. The focus of this program is child driven art exploration. Registration is required, play clothes are recommended. Mar. 14 10am Hands-on Math and Science Cape Fear Museum
Full Rehabilitation Services for Dogs and Cats including Underwater Treadmill, Therapy Laser and Massage
Play, learn, and explore with your child. Math and science concepts will be introduced through an interactive story time, hands-on science experiments, and exploration stations. Ages 3-6 and registration required at www. nhclibrary.org. Mar. 14, 15 & 16 10am Green In Nature Halyburton Park
910-341-0075 Bring your “Little Explorers” out to the park and discover nature through stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes, and crafts. Children must be accompanied by adults. Adults attend at no cost. Children ages 2-5, $3. Please dress for the weather (including closed-toe shoes) to be ready for outdoor fun! Registration is required.
Mar. 16 9am Pot O’ Gold Scavenger Hunt Fit For Fun Center
www.fitforfuncenter.com A chance for ages 5 and under to dress up in their best green garb and search the center for a pot of gold. Admission is $5 and times are 9am to 9:30am and 1pm to 1:30pm.
3720 Federal Park Drive, Wilmington NC
(910) 398-6436 dlogan@needhamanimal.com www.wilmingtonanimalrehab.com
Don’t know where to turn?
Mar. 28, 29 & 30 10am What Does a Tree Need Halyburton Park
910-341-0075 Bring your “Little Explorers” out to the park and discover nature through
Mar. 2 9:30am 9th Annual Swing Into Spring Empie Park
910-200-4101 A tennis clinic for adults and children with intellectual disabilities.
Mar. 2 12-4pm Mardi Gras for Families Cotton Exchange
An afternoon of jazz music with Duke Ladd, face painting and henna tattoos, photo booth, crafts with Hot Mess Studios, tarot card readings, www.wilmingtonparent.com
We Can Help! • Individual and Family Counseling • Couples and Marriage Counseling • SYMBIS Certified Premarital Counseling • Parenting Programs • Group Classes • Anger Management • Biofeedback • DWI/Substance Abuse Services
Bridge Builders Counseling Center 311 Judges Road, Suite 1E, Wilmington, NC 28405
910-792-9888 www.bridgebuilderscounseling.com
Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 7
stories, songs, hands-on activities, hikes, and crafts. Children must be accompanied by adults. Adults attend at no cost. Children ages 2-5, $3. Please dress for the weather (including closed-toe shoes) to be ready for outdoor fun! Registration is required.
FUN STUFF FOR BIG KIDS Mar. 1-3 10am-4pm Weeki Wachee Mermaids
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher www.ncaquariums.com The world-famous Weeki Wachee Mermaids visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher swimming alongside sharks, rays, schooling fish, and a green sea turtle named Shelldon. Attendees can see a swimming mermaid once per hour from 10am to 4pm, and meet a mermaid on dry land from 9:30am to 4:45pm. Also: Mermaid-themed activities including a scavenger hunt, photo opportunities and autographs.
Mar. 1 9-10:30am Free Bird Hike Halyburton Park
Woof woof. Did you hear the news? Woof woof. We’re moving to woof. DidWoof youahear news? newthe location!
We offer boarding and luxury boarding for cats and dogs and doggie day care (910) 408-2955
Did you hearmoving the news? We’re to a new location! We’re moving to a new location!
Dr. Sam Smith Dr.DSrtephen anDerSon . Sam Smith Dr. S-a amnne Smith DrD . rn. atalie reinhart DrS.tephen StephenaanDerSon . Carrie mnDerSon aG rann DrD .Drn.ratalie -a nne natalie -a nner reinhart einhart
DrD. rC. arrie Carriem maaG Grann rann Practicing in Preventive & Internal Medicine, Practicing Preventive Internal Medicine, Practicing in in Preventive &&Internal Medicine, Advanced Dentistry and Surgery for Advanced Dentistry andExotics Surgery for Advanced Dentistry and Surgery for Cats, Dogs and
Come see us at Ave!
Come see us at Come see202 us atGiles Giles 202 202 Giles Ave! Ave!
Cats, Dogsand andExotics Exotics Cats, Dogs
910-341-0075 Join park staff for a leisurely bird-watching stroll around Halyburton Park. We’ll search for migrants, winter residents and point out year-round bird species too. These walks are for beginner birders and all are welcome. Ages 5 and up. Mar. 2 2pm Engineering Challenge - LEGO Car Racing
Cape Fear Museum www.capefearmuseum.com Think like an engineer! Design, build and test a prototype of your creation. Drop in anytime from 2 to 3 PM to put your skills to the test. Perfect for kids age 5 and up and their adult helper.
“Devoted Beloved Pets” “DevotedVets Vets for for Beloved Pets” “Devoted Vets for Beloved Pets”
202 GileS ave ,W ilminGton nC | 910.399.3768 | info@ .Com | WWW .paWSClaWSah 202 G ileS ave ,W ilminGton nC28403 28403 | 910.399.3768 |paWSClaWSah info@paWSClaWSah .Com | WWW..Com paWSClaWSah.Com
202 GileS ave, WilminGton nC 28403 | 910.399.3768 | info@paWSClaWSah.Com | WWW.paWSClaWSah.Com
BE AWARE. DON’T SHARE.®
LOCK YOUR MEDS.® www.lockyourmeds.org/ nc TM
Supported by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, with funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Opioid STR/Cures (Grant#1H79TI080257) and SPF-RX (Grant # 1U79SP022087).
8 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
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Mar. 2 1-4pm Game Day Main Library
www.nhclibrary.org Bring the whole family to the Main Library to play games! A variety of board and tabletop games will be scattered throughout the Children and Young Adult Departments. No registration is required.
Mar. 15 6:30pm Kids Night Out Maides Park
341-7867 A fun night out for ages 6 to 11 and features games, sports, and arts & crafts. Pre-registration required. This is a free event!
Mar. 23 2pm Planetarium Adventures: Seasonal Stargazing - Spring
Cape Fear Museum www.capefearmuseum.com While learning about eclipses, the ice age, Earth’s water cycle and differences between the Earth and Moon, the audience will be taken on a roller-coaster-like ride through canyons of raging rivers and hot flowing lava. Film is approximate 22 minutes in length.
Mar. 30 10am-2pm Flytrap Family Fun Day
Carolina Beach State Park www.ncparks.gov A celebration of what Royal Governor Arthur Dobbs in 1759 described as a “catch fly sensitive found at Latitude 34” -- the famous Venus Flytrap. The event includes crafts, games, face painting, interpreters in period costume, and carnivorous plant hikes. Meet at the Picnic Area.
CHILDCARE LISTING GUIDE CHILDCARE – PRESCHOOLS Childcare Network 8 convenient locations in Wilmington, Southport and Leland 866-521-KIDS www.childcarenetwork.com Ages 6-weeks to 12-years Jenkins Preschool Academy 7888 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28411 910-367-7210 www.jpawilmington.com Half day programs 9am-12pm, 2 or 3 day classes for 2-3 yr. olds, 5-day programs for 4 y.o. And PreK Gym & Learn Preschool Program Carolina Gymnastics Academy 3529 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28412 www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com Ages 3-5, boys & girls, 9am-1pm. A good mix of structure, instruction, and free play including developmentally appropriate academics, gymnastics class, arts & crafts, & socialization. Put your name on the Waitlist now for 2018-2019. 3 day minimum! Pax Natura Academy 4202 Wilshire Blvd. Wilmington, NC 910-791-2080 www.childcarenetwork.net/159 Early Foundations Infant & Toddler Programs. Preschool for 2 & 3 yo. Kindergarten Prep for 4 & 5 yo. After School Program.
Wilmington Preschool of the Arts 3830 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-794-3025 www.wilmingtonartspreschoolnc.com Half and full day programs for ages 2 through Pre-K. We offer Spanish, dance, music and lots of art. Summer water play camps now in session. Limited spots in our 3 and 4 year old class for fall. Rainbow Garden Preschool 1497 Country Club Rd. Hampstead, NC 28443 lindsayt@capefearchild.org www.capefearchild.org 910-233-8594 3-5 day preschool inspired by Montessori and Waldorf philosophies for ages 2-6. YWCA Early Learning Academy, Main Campus: 2815 South College Road Wilmington, NC 28412 910-799-6820 ccsupport@ywca-lowercapefear.org www.ywca-lowercapefear.org YWCA’s Early Learning Academy is a half-day and fullday preschool that has been teaching and caring for children since 1981. Early Learning Academy offers a variety of social, emotional and physical development among children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. We provide praise and positive reinforcement while encouraging children to develop positive concepts and problemsolving skills. Our experienced staff provides a caring, loving atmosphere while also teaching positive values in an educational setting.
DROP IN CHILDCARE Carolina Gymnastics Academy 3529 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28412 910-796-1896 www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com We offer two opportunities for drop in care. Join us Friday and Saturday night for Parents Night Out, which is drop off/no parents. $8/hour. Also meet us at the gym for Watch Me Play, Monday-Saturday, 9am-11am, ages 5 and younger, with a parent. $6 at the door.
PARENTS NIGHT OUT
FUN STUFF FOR TEENS Mar. 1 6-9pm Teen Game Night Maides Park
910-341-7867 Teen Game Night at Maides Park in Wilmington, NC, is for ages 13 to 17 and features video games, board games, other activities, and refreshments. Pre-registration required.
www.wilmingtonparent.com
Carolina Gymnastics Academy 3529 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28412 910-796-1896 www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com Friday & Saturday nights, 6-10pm, ages 3-11. Drop your children off for supervised free play in our 15,000 sq. foot gymnastics facility. Run, jump, & flip with your friends all night long! Parents can relax at home, or get things done while the kids have fun!!
The Little Gym of Wilmington 132 Racine Drive, Unit 1 910-799-3771/3770 tlgwilmingtonnc@thelittlegym.com www.tlgwilmingtonnc.com When school’s out or you are looking for a safe, fun and nurturing environment for your child in Wilmington, we’ve got your back! The Little Gym offers classes as well as weekend Parents’ Survival Nights. We combine physical activity, gymnastics, games, and arts & crafts. Call us for fun!
Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 9
Mar. 2 11am 8th Annual Step Up For Soldiers Backyard BBQ Cook Off Carolina Beach Lake
Admission is FREE to the Step Up For Soldiers Backyard BBQ Cook Off. Tickets can be purchased to sample BBQ. Bands include, opener The Cut and headliner, The Polar Bear Blues Band. In addition, there will be raffles, arts & craft vendors, plus food and drinks available for purchase. On Friday March 1, 2019 we will host our inaugural Charity Golf Tournament at Beau Rivage Golf Course, entry fee for teams of four (4) is $400 with a shotgun start at 9 AM. Both events will benefit Step Up For Soldiers!
Mar. 9 6pm Astronomy Program Carolina Beach State Park
www.ncparks.gov The Cape Fear Astronomy Society presents an Astronomy Program at the Carolina Beach State Park Visitor Center. During this free event, attendees will learn about the night skies by using telescopes set up for viewing planets, stars and more. Check the weather as the program will be canceled due to poor viewing conditions.
Mar. 4 5:30-7:30pm Painted Library Totes
Northeast Library www.nhclibrary.org Come paint a canvas tote to carry home all your favorite books. Materials will be provided, but registration is required.
Mar. 8 6:30-9pm Ultimate Teen Night Maides Park
910-341-7867 For middle school students and features sports, karaoke, nail painting, social time, X-Box, board games, and refreshments. Pre-registration required.
Mar. 11 5-6:30pm Teen Cosplay Workshop: Headpieces
Northeast Library www.nhclibrary.org Make your cosplay pop with accessories! Choose one of two projects to create over a three-month period: a pair of horns or a pair of ears. If you have a cosplay in progress, you are welcome to work on that as well. Registration is required as space and materials are limited.
Mar 16 8am Paddles with Cape Fear River Watch
Head out on a Riverkeeper guided expedition of the beautiful waterways in our area. Hear first hand stories and explore rarely charted territories. We embark every 3rd Saturday. Bring your own kayak or sign up to be a member and get use of our kayak fleet. Preregistration is required. www. capefearriverwatch.org
GET OUT OF TOWN Mar. 16 9am 2019 N. Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival Myrtle Beach
www.myrtlebeach.com This one-day, rain or shine event brings approximately 30,000 people to celebrate being Irish and welcome the coming of spring. Following the parade is the St. Patrick’s Day Festival with three stages of live music and a children’s area with rides and amusements from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Crafts, services, information, products and
Tuesdays 5-7:30pm Great Stories Club
Main Library www.nhclibrary.org NHCPL partners with CJS for this 9-part series on Heroism. This program is made possible by a grant from the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Mar. 6 4pm Middle School Anime Club
Northeast Library www.nhclibrary.org All anime and manga enthusiasts in 6th to 8th grade are welcome to join this free club. Enjoy popcorn/snacks, streaming anime (no commercials!) and crafts (optional) at every meeting. You are also welcome to bring ANY art/manga/fanart/ fanfic you’ve been working on outside of the club to present and/or work on at the library. BRING A FRIEND! No registration required; 6th, 7th and 8th graders only, please. 10 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
Mar. 9 & 10 10am Made in NC Brooklyn Arts Center
www.brooklynartsnc.com Made In NC is an annual craft show featuring more than 50 vendors, the event also includes food trucks and a cash bar. Kids under 13 get in free.
Mar. 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 Spring Book Sale Northeast Library
It’s that time again, the New Hanover County Library Spring Book Sale will take place 2 weekends in a row. The first day is for members of The Friends of the Library, but you can join that day! Prices drop every day, so don’t miss a day!
www.wilmingtonparent.com
treats will be on display from approximately 150 vendors. Mar. 16 9am-5pm Citizen Science 2019
NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh www.naturalsciences.org Citizen Scientists from across the country will be sharing their citizen science projects with the public. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to contribute to scientific research! What is “Citizen science”? It describes the community’s involvement in scientific research that shapes the way we understand nature and the effect humans have on the world around them. Projects range from local to international efforts. Scientists often have so much data to collect and analyze for accurate conclusions that they need the public’s help gathering or processing it. Big questions are made more solvable when we answer them together.
Mar. 23 9:30am-12:30pm Youth Arts Day
Leland Cultural Arts Center Arts activities for children of all ages and live entertainment by the Wilmington Ballet and Mr. Scooter. The gallery will be filled with art by Brunswick County kids. Schedule of Events www.wilmingtonparent.com
-- 9:30am: Crafts; 10am: Mr. Scooter; 10:30am: Crafts; 11:15am: Awards; 11:30am: Wilmington Ballet students with the US International Ballet Fee.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM www.playwilmington.org 910-254-3534
Kid’s Cooking Club Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:30pm. Learn new skills and
explore fun seasonal recipes. Then savor the flavor of your hard work. 3/5 - Astronaut Food (Astronomer)
3/12 - Animal Face Pancakes (Zoologist) 3/19 - Quesadilla Sharks (Marine Biologist) 3/26 - Garden Smoothies (Botanist) S.T.E.A.M. Explorations Wednesdays 10am & 3:30pm. STEAM programs
explore Science, Technology, Engineering Arts, and Mathematics by applying them in fun, hands-on activities. Children will learn about the scientific process while measuring and recording in mathematical terms, developing critical thinking skills in the process. 3/6 - Marine Biology March 3/13 - Marine Biology March 3/20 - Marine Biology March 3/27 - Marine Biology March
Mar. 16 9am-12pm Ability Garden Plant Sale Fundraiser NC Arboretum www.abilitygarden.org
Join the area’s largest plant sale and fundraiser while you fill your garden with house plants, herbs, succulents and native plants. Proceeds support the Ability Garden programming.
Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 11
Mar. 16 11am 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Downtown Wilmington
The parade begins at Front Street and Red Cross and features live Irish music and traditional dance performances, plus food, beverages and crafts for purchase. Cape Fear First Responders will be the Grand Marshals and NourishNC is the parade charity.
StoryCOOKS Thursdays 10am. A cooking club for preschoolers
Mar. 16 10am-12pm Bee Bonanza: DIY Native Bee House Airlie Gardens
where we read a story and make a dish inspired by the book. 3/7 - Green Eggs & Ham: Green Eggs 3/14 - Happy St. Patrick’s Day: St. Paddy’s Day Parfaits 3/21 - What Makes a Rainbow: Fruit Rainbows 3/28 - Jamberry: Jamberry Smoothies
www.airliegardens.org Learn about the important role bees play in our environment and how setting up a bee house can help our native population. Participants will finish the final steps in building their own bee house to take home and learn how to maintain it properly to keep native bees healthy for years to come. All materials included. No more than four participants per bee house. Pre-registration required. Recommended for ages 5 and up. All children must have at least one adult per group.
Nature Navigators Thursdays 3:30pm. Join us in exploring the
beauty of the world around us! Nature Navigators will help foster a love of nature in children of all ages. From animal tracks to scavenger hunts, come explore some North Carolinian nature with us! Ages 5 - 9. 3/7 - Build a Bug 3/21 - Nature Thaw
Adventures in the Arts Fridays 3:30pm. Registration required. Bring
your child to express their creativity through various forms of art including--but not limited 12 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
www.capefearmuseum.com 910-798-4350
around us with hands-on activities, experiments and fun in Museum Park! Enjoy interactive story time, exploration stations and play related to a weekly theme. In event of inclement weather, program moved inside. Ages 3-6 and their adult helpers. Adult participation is required. 3/1 & 2 - Old Stuff 3/8 & 9 - Color Science 3/15 & 16 - Little Einsteins
www.wilmingtonstpatricksdayfestival.com Live music and dancing. The event includes food and beverage sales, cultural vendors, and convenes immediately after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
and activities for our youngest visitors ages 4 and under and their special grownups to work on together. 3/1 - I’m So Lucky Fruit Loop Necklaces 3/8 - Paper Plate Rainbow Fish 3/15 - Pot of Gold Handprint Rainbow 3/22 - Rainbow Shamrocks 3/29 - Painting With Feathers
CAPE FEAR MUSEUM Little Explorers Fridays & Saturdays 10am. Explore the world
Mar. 16 12-6pm St. Patrick’s Day Festival Riverfront Park
Toddler Time Fridays 10am. No registration necessary. Projects
to--painting, sculpture, music, theater, dance, drawing, and printing. 3/1 - Discovering Marc Chagall part 1 3/8 - Discovering Marc Chagall part 2 3/15 - Discovering Marc Chagall part 3 3/22 - Discovering Gustav Klimt 3/29 - Discovering Paul Cezanne part 1
Mar. 21 6-7:30pm F.A.T. City Workshop The Hill School of Wilmington
www.hillschoolofwilmington.org This FREE F.A.T. City Workshop and video examines the important process of understanding learning disabilities. F.A.T. stands for Frustration, Anxiety, and Tension - and that’s exactly what the participants experience. This workshop and video provide teachers, parents, caregivers, and siblings with the opportunity to actually experience the emotions and stressors children with learning disabilities face daily. By using simulations and contrived activities as models, the participants temporarily experience the frustration, anxiety, and tension that is the lifestyle of students with special needs. Registration is required.
www.wilmingtonparent.com
3/22 & 23 - Water Wolds 3/29 & 30 - Weather Wonders Discovery Lab - Eco-Explorer Mar. 16 2-3pm. Discover history, science and
cultures of the Lower Cape Fear through hands-on exploration and fun science labs, self-guided discovery stations. Ages 5 and up. Adult participation is required.
ALL MONTH LONG Playtime! Cape Fear Museum Daily, through Sept 2019. 10am & 3pm. Most kids like to play, and many adults do too! PlayTime!, Cape Fear Museum’s newest in-house exhibition, captures a spirit of playfulness in a lively, colorful and highly-interactive space. Visitors are encouraged to play games, build towers, make a work of art and imagine going on an adventure. The inviting space also features artifacts drawn from the Museum’s 19th and 20th century toys and games collection. Hundreds of toys and games are on view in PlayTime!, ranging from classics like Lincoln Logs, toy soldiers, an Erector set and a Mr. Potato Head to old favorites such as wooden tops, blocks and dolls. Remember those toys that, for whatever reason, we just had to www.wilmingtonparent.com
have? Some of those fad favorites like the Rubik’s cube and 1960s Liddle Kiddle dolls are on exhibit along with toy figures from fast food kids’ meals. Explore toy history in custom label books.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Mar. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 & 10 7:30pm Into The Woods Community Arts Center
(910) 251-1788 Written by famed composer Stephen Sondheim (Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George,
West Side Story), the musical blends the plots of several Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault fairy tales including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella. Please note: The Sunday performance is a matinee beginning at 3pm. Mar. 7 7:30 The Queen’s Cartoonists Thalian Hall
www.thalianhall.org On stage at Thalian Hall, The Queen’s Cartoonists perform lightning quick renditions of music from the Golden Age of animation, Disney films, cult cartoon classics, and modern animation. Their
Mar. 21 5:30-8:30pm Experience STEM-ILM Cape Fear Museum
www.capefearmuseum.com Explore the future of how we live, work and play through a series of one-night only, hands-on Science Salon experiences throughout the Museum and join us in celebrating local STEM partnership initiatives. Dream about what is to come and see innovation in action as you enjoy STEM inspired food, drink and entertainment. Please join us in supporting this event and participate through the opportunity for sponsors to have interactive booths onsite. Event tickets are $20 for Members and $25 for Non-Members. Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 13
Mar. 10 2pm Wilmington Dessert Market Waterline Brewing Co
arrangements are set to video projection and feature singing, comedy, and instrumentals.
Covenant Presbyterian Church www.sacpc.org Featuring Irish duo the Bracken Band, which includes Marian Tomas Griffin on guitar and vocals and Chris Murphy on violin. They perform gigs, reels, romantic music, and drinking songs.
www.lovedessertsclt.com Local dessert shops and bakeries will have desserts available for purchase. Select bakeries will have alternative options such as gluten-free, vegan, and sugar free desserts. Bring your family and friends out to enjoy your favorite Waterline brew and satisfy your sweet tooth! Wilmington Dessert Market is FREE to attend, please register for your FREE tickets.
Mar. 16 7:30pm Symphony Pops! Jeans and Classics
Mar. 22 6-9pm 4th Friday Gallery Night Downtown Wilmington
Mar. 16 7:30pm Music on Market: Irish Edition St. Andrews-
Little Angels Boutique Exquisite Children's Clothing
Stop by and visit our selection of Christening outfits which includes bonnets and robes. LOCATED IN THE COTTON EXCHANGE 910-399-6801 • www.littleangelboutiques.com
G L O B A L LY G R O W N . C A R O L I N A R O A S T ED. WE TAKE PRIDE IN THE ART OF COFFEE. WE GIVE EACH STEP OUR UNWAVERING ATTENTION; FROM HANDPICKING SPECIALTY GREEN COFFEE BEANS TO ROASTING EACH BEAN TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD AND HAND PACKAGING ALL ORDERS.
Wilson Center www.cfcc.edu The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra presents Symphony Pops! Jeans and Classics at the Wilson Center. Jeans & Classics has toured nationwide with more than 100 orchestras performing original rock and pop orchestrations. Expect an evening of work by Blood Sweat Tears, Earth Wind Fire, and a little Chicago including hits like September, Spinning Wheel, If You Leave Me Now, God Bless the Child, and 25 or 6 to 4.
PARENT’S DATE NIGHT
www.artscouncilofwilmington.org A monthly self-guided tour of galleries, studios and art spaces featuring exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, glass, metals, wood, ceramics, mixed media and more. 4th Fridays also include opening receptions, artist discussions, demonstrations, live music, wine, food and other art-related activities. Participating venues include Aces Gallery, Acme Art Studios, The Art Factory, Art in Bloom Gallery, The Golden Gallery, The ArtWorks, New Elements Gallery, Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts, Expo 216, Flytrap Brewery, River to Sea Gallery, The WHQR Gallery, Crescent Moon, and The Daniels Gallery.
Mar. 2 7-10pm Mardi Gras Casino Night Bellamy Mansion
NATIONAL DAYS
Enjoy a night out of casino games, hors d’oeuvres with a New Orleans flair, signature cocktails, live music, raffle prizes, wine pull and a bourbon bar. Admission fee of $75 includes game chips, grand prize raffle ticket, two signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and beads. Proceeds benefit the Bellamy Mansion. “Laissez les bons temps rouler.” (Let the good times roll). Mar. 9 1-5pm 9th Annual Cape Fear Beer & Wine Festival
3/2 Read Across America Day 3/3 World Wildlife Day 3/5 Mardi Gras 3/8 International Women’s Day 3/10 Daylight Saving Begins 3/14 Pi Day
Wilmington Convention Center www.businessmadecasual.com More than 60 American breweries and wineries with 100+ beers, wines and liquors, plus a DJ, silent auction, and giveaways. Noon admission for VIP ticket holders.
3/17 Saint Patrick’s Day 3/20 1st Day of Spring/Spring Equinox 3/30 Earth Hour
Mar. 23 9am-1pm Public Safety Day Fort Fisher Recreation Center
DOWNLOAD THE LOYALTY AND REWARDS APP!
FOLLOW US ON PORTCITYJAVA.COM
WE ARE FRANCHISING!
www.townofkurebeach.org Presented by the Carolina Beach Police Department and features a fun day exploring the emergency service agencies in our area. Local police, fire, EMS, federal agencies, military branches and supporting organizations will explain their role in how they protect and serve the citizens of New Hanover County.
www.portcityjavafranchising.com
14 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
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Mar. 30 & 31 10am 2nd Annual Wilmington VegFest Coastline Convention Center
www.wilmingtonvegfest.com a two-day event that includes Education Day at Events on Front (Saturday, 10am to 5pm, 130 North Front Street, $5 suggested donation) and the festival at the Coastline Convention Center in downtown Wilmington, NC (Sunday, noon to 5pm), which features more than 50 vendors, speakers, music, family fun zone, cooking demos, and lots of samples. Kids under 18 get in free with paid adult.
Special Kids
ON OUR RADAR April 3-7 North Carolina Azalea Festival
Mar. 29 & 30 Striperfest Coastline Convention Center
www.capefearriverwatch.org The largest fundraiser of the year for Cape Fear River Watch and features live and silent auctions and a banquet (Friday) and educational events, a tag & release fishing tournament, seminars, and boat trips (Saturday).
Downtown Wilmington www.ncazaleafestival.org A full week of natural beauty, big-name entertainment, festive galas, fun family events and Southern hospitality come together to showcase the charms of the Wilmington area. For community pride and springtime pageantry, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has no equal! The parade will be the morning of the 6th and the fireworks will be that evening. The 5th, 6th & 7th enjoy the Street Fair, Music, Children’s Area and Multicultural Stage, a free multicultural, family-friendly celebration on the multicultural stage that will showcase different cultures flourishing here in the Greater Cape Fear Region. The Children’s Area is a family-friendly part of the Street Fair made just for kids! Guests enjoy family-friendly vendors, hands-on activities, and performers on the Wilmington Health Stage.
To submit events to the calendar, please email Danielle.wilmingtonparent@ gmail.com. Deadline for submissions to the April issue is March 9, 2019.
The APRIL 2019 issue of Wilmington Parent Magazine features our annual resource guide devoted to Special Needs children, with articles, resources, tips, and provider listings of local businesses and organizations that serve the special needs population.
Andrea Knight 910-632-0283 To advertise andreailmparent@gmail.com contact: Nancy Lievre 910-240-3461 nancywilmparent@gmail.com
Find more resources at
www.wilmingtonparent.com
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www.petspalinn.com • 910-452-2424 3417 Merchant Ct. (North Chase) Convenient to I-40, Area Beaches, and Airport www.wilmingtonparent.com
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Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 15
DINO-MITE CAMP | ENGINEERING | MINECRAFT | AMERICAN GIRLS | FILMMAKING COMPUTER PROGRAMMING | DISC GOLF 101 AND SO MUCH MORE!
Online Registration taking place NOW! SPECIAL SECTION: Summer Camp Guide
www.CapeFearAcademy.org
CELEBRATING 15 YEARS! VOTED BEST
PARTY SHOW & SUMMER CAMP!
NO SLEEVES MAGIC.com
BOOK KONA FOR YOUR : SUMMER CAMPS DAY CARES SCHOOL EVENTS BIRTHDAY PARTIES FIELD DAYS END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS
16 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
BROOKLYN ARTS MUSIC ACADEMY SUMMER CAMPS 202 N. 5th Ave. Wilmington, NC 262-227-5421 bamamusic.org/summercamps Session Dates: June 24–28: Jump Right In music camp, July 8–12: Musical Theater Camp, July 22–26: Strings & Harp Camp Transportation provided: no Type of Camp: music & musical theater Categories for Camp: music, theater, arts Description: The BAMA summer camps bring musical excitement to kids ages 4--18. Kids can participate in Jump Right In Camp with musical games, songs, and activities; Musical Theater Camp during which students will present a fully-staged production of Jack and the Beanstalk; and Strings & Harp Camp in which students will expand and explore their instrumental musical skills. CAPE FEAR ACADEMY SUMMER PROGRAMS 3900 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28412 910-791-0287 www.capefearacademy.org Ages: Grades PK3-12 Session Dates: June 3rd- August 2nd (no camps the week of July 4th) Transportation provided: No Type of camp: Summer, Half-Day, A couple full day Categories for camps: Enrichment, Sports, Academic, STEM Description: Cape Fear Academy is excited to offer over 120 unique camps this summer. Weekly programs are opened to the public and online registration begins February 11th at www.capefearacademy.org CAROLINA GYMNASTICS ACADEMY 3529 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28412 910-796-1896 www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com Ages: 3-11 for Morning Camp, and 5-11 for the All Day Camp, Boys & Girls Session dates: June 17th - August 23rd Transportation provided: No Type of camp: Full Day 8:00am-6pm & Half Day 9:00am-1pm Categories for camps: Sports & Free Play, Adventure Camp Description: Campers stay busy and active in our 15,000 sq. foot Gym, Outdoor Recreation Area, and
Afterschool Building. Gymnastics Circuits, Bouncy houses, Outside water play, gymnastics free play, trampolines, and in/outside active play. Field trips to pool for All Day Camps. Carolina Ninja Warrior Contests every Monday for All Day Campers. New Astro Turf play surface with lots of new playground equipment! Campers bring lunch and 2 snacks from home. Early drop off and aftercare available for Morning Summer Campers @ $8/hr. CHILDCARE NETWORK ADVENTURE SUMMER CAMP Wilmington, Leland, and Southport 866-521-KIDS www.childcarenetwork.net Ages: 1st grade to 12 years Session dates: Full Summer Transportation provided: No Type of camp: Summer, Full Day Categories for camps: arts, adventure, science, sports and/or academics Description: Full day summer camp. 6:30am to 6:00pm, field trips and daily activities, fun and educational weekly themes, Food is included COASTAL ATHLETICS SUMMER CAMPS Camp Director: Fletcher Bates 2049 Corporate Drive South, Wilmington NC 28405 910-452-5838 www.coastalathletics.net Indoor/outdoor facility Instructors with Professional/ Collegiate playing experience Ages: Primarily ages 6-12 Ranging from 6-16 ** Each camp week targets a different age group Week 1: June 17-21 Baseball Ages 6-9 // Lacrosse (beginners) Ages 6-9 Week 2: June 24-28 Baseball Ages 8-12 // Lacrosse Ages 8-12 //Softball 8-12 Week 3 July 8-12 Sports Series WeekKick Ball, Wiffle Ball, Flag Football & Fiddle Stix Ages 6-10 Week 4: July 15-19 Lacrosse Ages 6-9 // Softball Ages 6-9 Week 5: July 22-26 Baseball Ages 6-9 // Football Ages 6-9 www.wilmingtonparent.com
CAMP DEFY 6431 Market St. Wilmington 910-444-1002 www.DefyGravity.us/Wilmington Dates: 6/17-6/20 7/8-7/11 7/22-7/25 8/5- 8/8 8/19-8/22 Transportation provided: No Camp type: Fitness/ leadership/ team building Description: Camp Defy coming this summer! 6 weeks of pure adrenaline and team building experiences. Have the time of your life this summer with us. EVOLUTION DANCE COMPLEX SUMMER CAMPS 4515 Fountain Drive, Units 1-3 Wilmington, NC 28403 910-769-4824 www.evolutiondancecomplex.com Session Dates : June 10 - August 2 (Each Camp is One Week long) Transportation provided : No Type of Camp : Sewing, Princess, Disney, Acrobatics, Costume Design/Sewing, American Girl Doll, The Lion King, Stage Makeup And Hair, Mary Poppins, Audition Preparation and more Categories for Camp : Dance, Tumble, Arts and Crafts, Sewing, Princesses, Costume Design Description : Join us for a fun morning at camp. Summer Camps will vary depending on what week it is. Camp times are either 9am-12pm or 9am-1pm depending on the camp. You will provide snack and lunch and we will provide the rest! Contact us at evolutiondancecomplex@gmail.com or visit our website for more information and to register.
DODGEBALL,
NINJA COURSE, TRAPEZE,
DUNKBASKETBALL, SUPERTRAMP, FOAMPITS,
SLACKLINE, AND MORE
6431 MARKET STREET • 910-444-1002 • DEFYGRAVITY.US.WILMINGTON
Winter Park Presbyterian Preschool ENROLL NOW FOR 2019-2020 & 2019 SUMMER CAMP Half Day Preschool
• • • • •
Ages Toddler - Pre - Kindergarten Low Teacher/Child Ratio Nurturing & Fun Environment Kindermusik Classes Stretch-n-Grow Classes
t precious gift!
children are our mos
791-5893 • 4501 Wrightsville Ave. www.wppc-preschool.org
ENGINEERING EXPECTATIONS STEM Summer Programs for ages 4-17
uncw.edu/youth 910.962.2640
An EEO/AA Institution
SUMMER SOCCER CAMPS
www .S eahawk S occer C amps . com www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 17
SPECIAL SECTION: Summer Camp Guide
Week 6 : July 29-Aug 2 Baseball Ages 8-12 // Lacrosse Ages 8-12//Lacrosse Ages 8-12 Week 7: August 5-8 Baseball Ages 8-12 // Softball Ages 8-12//Lacrosse Ages 8-12 Week 8: August 12-18 Baseball Ages 8-12 // Softball Ages 8-12 Week 9: August 19-23 Baseball Ages 8-12 TIME/COST: Time: 8am-12:00pm Extended Stay Option 12:30pm4:30pm Cost:$175/week or $40 daily. $20 Extended Stay (per day) Includes a snack and drink for each child on a daily basis. T-shirt for each child who attends a full week of camp. (Children signed up for extended stay must bring a lunch.) Transportation provided- No Type of Camp- Athletic camp Categories for Camp- Sports, Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Multi-Sport Description- Coastal Athletics offers a fun summer camp experience for your athlete! All instructors have former collegiate or professional experience and have a passion for teaching the game to young players. Each week offers different age and sport options for your child to participate in. The extended stay option includes additional games and multi-sport activities.
CAMP SPOTLIGHT Maleah Moses Braxton Childcare Network #83
What was the deciding factor for your family in choosing this camp? There were other kids that were my age at this Childcare Network that I could play with and learn with! It just felt more like home.
SPECIAL SECTION: Summer Camp Guide
How many years has she attended this camp? I’ve been at Childcare Network for about 8 or 9 years. What is a lasting memory that you would like to share that she experienced at this camp? I love it whenever we get to go to the pool because we all get to have fun with each other! What activity does she look forward to every day? I look forward to recess everyday and playing outside with all my friends. What is some advice you would like to share with other parents who might be sending their kids off to camp for the first time? When a kid tries this camp for the first time they will make friends quickly. The teachers and the kids will treat them like they are at home. It will feel like home!
CAMP SPOTLIGHT Monterey & Landon Elliott Sprout Yoga & Art Camp
What was the deciding factor for your family in choosing this camp? Combining Arts, Yoga, and outdoor activities for a summer camp just couldn’t get any better! I also love the hours and flexibility as well as the beautiful art projects my kids bring home. How many years has she attended this camp? 3 years What is a lasting memory that you would like to share that she experienced at this camp? At the end of summer camp last year, the children hosted a party for all of the parents exhibiting their artwork all over the rooms at Sprout. They also made lifelong friends which is another added plus. What activity does she look forward to every day? Both of my children love the yoga, music, dancing and building and creating different types of art pieces, and going outside to tour different areas of Wrightsville Beach like the Touch Tank! What is some advice you would like to share with other parents who might be sending their kids off to camp for the first time? Know that your children are in good hands because Shannon Agee is as sweet as can be and an experienced Elementary School Teacher.
18 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
CAMP SPOTLIGHT Sarah DeWire Evolution Dance Complex
What was the deciding factor for your family in choosing this camp? The family feel atmosphere. I love how the older girls were so kind to the younger girls. How many years has she attended this camp? 3 Years What is a lasting memory that you would like to share that she experienced at this camp? My daughter enjoys celebrating her birthday in this camp every year! What activity does she look forward to every day? Playing dress up and coloring. What is some advice you would like to share with other parents who might be sending their kids off to camp for the first time? They will take great care of your little one during this camp. Even though my daughter is growing up and wants to try another camp that happens at the same time she is still conflicted because she loves princess camp so much.
CAMP SPOTLIGHT Chelsea Smith-Russell Wonderland Farm
What was the deciding factor for your family in choosing this camp? We decided on Wonderland Farm because it looked like an amazing learning experience for my younger daughter. How many years has she attended this camp? 5 as a camper 2 as a counselor What is a lasting memory that you would like to share that she experienced at this camp? My daughter’s favorite experience is how she learned to love and bond with such an amazing animal. What activity does she look forward to every day? Riding the horses into the pond! What is some advice you would like to share with other parents who might be sending their kids off to camp for the first time? Send a water bottle, don’t worry they’re gonna have a LOT of fun, and expect them to sleep well.
www.wilmingtonparent.com
SEW INSPIRED FRAN’S SEWING CIRCLE 5751 Oleander Drive Unit 5, Wilmington 910-397-9399 Sewing camps fo ages 7 - 14 Half day classes: 3 day and 5 day. Call for more information or check website: www. franssewingcircle.com JENKINS PRESCHOOL ACADEMY 7888 Market Street Wilmington 28411 Contact: Alethea Jenkins 910-367-0287 www.jpawilmington.com ajenkinsjpa@gmail.com Weeklong camps for ages 3-5; 9am-1pm Call for more information or to enroll June 24-28: Transportation Station, July 15-19: Under the Sea & Pirates Ahoy, Aug 5-9: Diggin’ the Dinosaurs Fee: $150 ( $20 deposit/ $120 due first day of camp) *subject to min of 7 campers enrolled one week prior.
NO SLEEVES MAGIC CAMP 3902 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28409 910-200-5300 www.nosleevesmagic.com Ages: 7-13 Session Dates: June, July, August Transportation provided: No Type of camp: Summer full day 9am-3pm (before and after care available) Categories for camps: arts WE ARE CELEBRATING 15 YEARS! WARNING! Campers will experience one of their BEST summer memories HERE! Taking an adventure into the world of magic includes tricks, live shows, shirt, bag, pizza, wild games & more! POWER OF PLAY AFTER SCHOOL & SUMMER CAMP 6644 Gordon Road 910-332-1660 PowerofPlayWilmington.com Power of Play summer camp is for ages 4-11. Camp runs June 17 - August 23 / daily & weekly rates available Full day- Monday through Friday 7:30am-6pm 1/2 day-Monday through Friday 9am-1pm www.wilmingtonparent.com
SEAHAWK BOYS SOCCER CAMPS UNCW Soccer Stadium/ 601 S. College Rd, Wilmington NC, 28403 910-962-3044 www.seahawksoccercamps.com Ages: 5-7, 8-12, 10-14, 15-19 Session dates: Day Camp 1, June 24-28: Full Day Option (ages 8-12), $270; Half Day Option (ages 5-12), $170. Day Camp 2, July 8-12: Full Day Option (ages 8-12), $270; Half Day Option (ages 5-12), $170. Residential Camp, July 25-28: Residential ID Camp (ages 15-19), $525 (Commuter $385) Jr. Residential Camp (ages 10-14), $525 (Commuter $385) GK Academy (ages 10-19), $525, (Commuter $385) Transportation provided: No Type of camp: Half Day / Full Day / Overnight Categories for camps: Sports Description: Professional coaching staff. Camp curriculum implemented to improve individual technical skills in addition to fun games and competitive matches.
SIGN UP FOR 2019 SUMMER CAMPS AT
www.coastalathletics.net
SUMMER CAMPS $175/week or $40.00 daily
$20.00 Extended Stay ( per day)
Includes a snack and drink for each child on a daily basis T-shirt provided to each child that attends a full week of camp
Turn ordinary into EXTRAORDINARY ! Pax Natura Academy is not your typical preschool! We specialize in school readiness with a focus on developing the whole child. Our programs are designed to highlight nature, community and diversity.
4202 Wilshire Blvd. Wilmington, NC • 910-791-2080
Looking for Quality, Affordable Child Care?
We have many convenient locations in the following areas: Wilmington, NC Leland, NC & Southport, NC
910-557-2471
Our Schools Provide: Care for ages 6 weeks - 12 years • Structured Curriculum for all Ages • Young Achievers Afterschool • Transportation to and from School • Nutritious Meals and Snacks Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 19
SPECIAL SECTION: Summer Camp Guide
THE LITTLE GYM OF WILMINGTON 132 Racine Drive, Unit 1 910-799-3771 www.tlgwilmingtonnc.com Ages: 3-12 years Session dates: April 2-6 (Spring Break); June 11-August 24 (Summer) Transportation provided: No Type of camp: Summer, Full and Half-Day Categories for camps: Sports/ Cheerleading/Gymnastics/Dance/Karate Description: Give your kids a camp experience they will never forget and will create memories for a lifetime! The Little Gym hosts Spring Break and Summer Camps to suit you and your schedule! We offer both half and full day options filled with gymnastics, sports, dance, legos, karate, painting, other fun themes and imaginative play! Sign up for as little as one or two days or an entire week! Camps are for children ages 3-12 years old.
Children will enjoy physical activity, education, field trips, water park weekly, games, sports, and free play in our expansive indoor playground. See our website for more information on how fun POP summer camp really is!
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
www.PowerofPlayWilmington.com
910-332-1660
powerofplaywilm@yahoo.com 6644 Gordon Road Wilmington, NC
www.wilmingtonparent.com
• BIRTHDAY PARTIES • DROP IN CARE • OPEN PLAY • AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Find more resources at
• INTERSESSION & SUMMER CAMP
Home of Playnation of Wilmington
Wonderland Farm Horseback Riding Camp Weekly sessions Ages 6+ Small class size Instructor student ratio 1:3 Daily Riding lessons Lots of time on the horse, Trail rides Art, Bareback riding Swimming with ponies
Tiny Riders Camp
July 15-19, Ages 3 1/2 to 5 1/2
Farm Camps
Learn about and care for different animals, games, swimming & nature
Birthday Parties & Lessons Year Round www.wonderlandfarm.net 910-655-5735 In Leland, 10 min. from Cape Fear Bridge New students buy 3 lessons get 1 free with ad 15% discount on camps with ad (include with registration)
20 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
SEAHAWK GIRLS SOCCER CAMPS UNCW Soccer Stadium/601 S. College Rd, Wilmington NC, 28403 910-962-3932 Coach Chris Neal www.seahawksoccercamps.com Ages: 5-12 Day Camps; 10-18 Residential Camps Session dates: Day Camp, June 17-21: Ages 5-12. Full Day Option, $270; Half Day Option, $185 Seahawk Academy Camp, July 18-21. (Thursday-Sunday) Ages 10-18, $560 residential / All meals included; $395 commuter. Transportation provided: No Type of camp: Half Day / Full Day / Overnight Categories for camps: Sports Description: Girls only soccer camp in Wilmington. Professional coaching staff. Camp curriculum implemented to improve individual technical skills in addition to fun games and competitive matches. SPROUT YOGA & ART SUMMER CAMP 5 Live Oak Drive 910-599-2567 www.sproutyoga.net/ Session Dates: Morning Sessions 9am-12 (ages 4-7) Afternoon Sessions 1pm-4pm (ages 8-11) June 17-21: EASY like Summer Mornings Camp (wear PJs! Eat donuts!), June 2428: Stuffed Animal Camp (Bring your stuffy! Make tiny art and little yoga mats.), July 1-5: Free and Wild Camp! (It’s all about being independent & a little wild!), July 8-12: Star Wars/ Super Hero Camp (exploring our universe), July 15-19: Water, Water Everywhere! (Splish Splash!), July 22-26: Messy Camp (Don’t wear your nice clothes!), July 29-Aug 2: Stuffed Animal Camp, August 5-9: Messy Camp, August 12-16: Yoga and Art Games (Mandalas, partner and group yoga), August 19-23: Focus and Chill Camp (prepare for the school year with mindful practices and relaxing art.) Transportation provided : No Type of Camp : Yoga and Art Description :The mission of Sprout Yoga & Art Summer Camp is to HAVE FUN while participating in meaningful art and yoga experiences. We believe that all children are uniquely creative. We have developed a program that encourages kids to explore, build, and experiment in a supportive, noncompetitive environment. Offering after school sessions, birthday parties, and special events! Cost: $175/week ($150/week for 2nd sibling*) *email us at sproutyogaandart@ gmail.com to enroll 2nd sibling. THE STEM LABS SUMMER CAMPS Mayfaire Town Center; 820 Town Center Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405 www.thestemlabs.com 910-679-5060 Weekly camps, Running June 17th through August 16th Half-day and Whole-day Camps for K-8th graders Transportation Provided: No Category: Chemistry, Robotics, 3-D printing, Computer Technology, Biotechnology, Zoology, Engineering, Microbiology, Forensics, and more! Premium academic enrichment camps held in brand new student learning laboratories. Visit www.thestemlabs.com for complete list of over 40 summer camp topics covering science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Camp themes are presented as fun, age-appropriate, yet challenging lessons encouraging hands-on and immersive learning experiences. All campers in our one-of-a kind program learn directly from local and visiting STEM professionals from around the country. Limited spots available, so register online today! UNCW MARINEQUEST 601 S College Rd Wilmington, NC 28403-5630 910-962-2640 uncw.edu/marinequest Ages: 4 - 17 Session Dates: June 9, 2019 – August 2, 2019 Transportation provided: No Type of camp: Summer, half-day commuter, full-day commuter, full-day residential Categories for camps: marine science, academic Description: Don’t miss out on the chance to discover the amazing world of modern marine science while exploring beautiful coastal habitats with MarineQuest’s www.wilmingtonparent.com
Mayfaire Town Center
Enriching and Inspiring Students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
AFTER SCHOOL Program
Learning labs
ACADEMIC CAMPS BIRTHDAY PARTIES Tutoring Educational store WWW.THESTEMLABS.COM
910-679-5060
Sign Up For Summer Camp! Ages 3-11, Boys & Girls Register Online Now: www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com 3529 Carolina Beach Road • 910-796-1896
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Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 21
summer camps! Conduct field-based scientific investigations at the marsh, beach, fouling docks, and/or on a research vessel. Develop the tools to become a modern marine scientist while kayaking, snorkeling, boogie boarding, or scuba diving. Discover your leadership potential while engaging in coastal service projects. MarineQuest is more than just another day at the beach!
SPECIAL SECTION: Summer Camp Guide
NOW ENROLLING FOR SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES. JOIN US FOR A SUMMER FULL OF ADVENTURE! 4515 Fountain Drive Units 2-3 Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 769-4824 www.evolutiondancecomplex.com
The Little Gym of Wilmington
132 Racine Drive, Unit 1 Wilmington, NC 28403
www.tlgwilmingtonnc.com 910-799-3771
Summer Camps
Acro/Tumble Camp The Lion King Camp Disney Princess Camp American Girl Doll Camp Stage Makeup And Hair Camp Audition Preparation Camp Costume Design/Sewing Camp Mary Poppins Camp Princess Camp
SPROUT YOGA & ART SUMMER CAMP! HAVE FUN while participating in meaningful art and yoga experiences. Offering after school sessions, birthday parties, and special events! New preschool and after school sessions begin March 25.
Sign up today! Space is limited.
www.sproutyoga.net 910-599-2567
Summer Program For Ages 3-15 Check Out Our Website For More Info Or Call Us Today! We Are Also Offering: 6 Week Kids Yoga Session 6 Week Creative Combo Session 22 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
UNCW ENGINEERING EXPECTATIONS 601 S College Rd Wilmington, NC 28403-5630 910-962-2640 uncw.edu/engineeringexpectations Ages 4 - 17 Session Dates: June 17, 2019 – August 2, 2019 Transportation provided: No Type of camp Summer, half-day commuter, full-day commuter Categories for camps: engineering, academic Description: Engineering Expectations opens young minds to the possibilities of STEM. Whether it’s the mathematical precision of 3D printing or the logical sequence of computer coding, we want Pre-K-12 students to be able to recognize the ways in which STEM impacts the world around them! Explore civil, mechanical, aerospace, chemical, or sports engineering, or learn more about computer programming, robotics, and coding in one of our summer. WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SUMMER DAY CAMP 1401 North College Road 910-791-4248 ext. 5520 www.wilmingtonchristian.com Ages: 5-year-olds through rising 9th graders Session dates: June 3 - August 9, 2019 Transportation provided: No Type of camp: Weekly adventure camp Categories for camps: adventure Description: Summer Day Camp provides a recreational day camp for children of parents who need summer childcare. Daily activities include field trips to area amusements and sites of interest. WILMINGTON ROCK GYM SUMMER CLINICS 8118 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28411 910-319-7209 wilmingtonrockgym.com Session Dates: Call or see our web site for dates Transportation provided : No transportation included Type of Camp : One week clinics Categories for Camp : fitness Description : Wilmington Rock Gym offers one week summer clinics for kids 7-13 years old. Clinics are for new and intermediate climbers looking for a challenge. Please call Wilmington Rock Gym for more information or visit our web site www.wilmingtonrockgym.com. WILMINGTON SCHOOL OF BALLET 910-794-9590 Website-www.wilmingtonschoolofballet.com Ages: 3+ Session Dates: Call Transportation provided: no Type of Camp: half day Categories for Camp: Arts Princess camps (ages 3-5) with jewelry making, visiting princesses, dance classes, dress-up runway, make-overs and more. Budget friendly “try-it” www.wilmingtonparent.com
summer classes, ballet camps, International Ballet festival, and regular drop in ballet classes.Summer sessions of dance from 2 1/2-pre-professional. Master teachers summer camps for intermediate to advanced dancers.
WONDERLAND FARM HORSEBACK RIDING CAMP/FARM CAMP 7453 Radio Rd North East Leland NC 28451 910-655-5735 www.wonderlandfarm.net Ages-6-15 years old Session Dates- Regular weekly sessions, One week sessions, Monday thru Friday 9am to 3pm, Ages 3 1/2 - 5 1/2 Tiny Rider week 9am-12pm Transportation provided: No Type of Camp: Full day 9am-3pm Categories for Camp: Nature, Art, Sport, Academics Description: Located just 10 minutes from Cape Fear Bridge, nestled away on a 106 acre tract of fun for kids! Karen Mealey, the Owner & Head Instructor has a BA Degree in Equine Studies and Certification in Art Education. If you have a child that is interested in horses our camp specializes in teaching proper
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YWCA LOWER CAPE FEAR YOUTH ENRICHMENT SUMMER CAMP YWCA Main Campus, 2815 S. College Road, Wilmington 910-799-6820 YWCA at Wesley Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1401 South College Road 910-777-3257 www.ywca-lowercapefear.org Session Dates: June 17, 2019 - August 23, 2019 Transportation provided for field trips and camp events outside the YWCA only. Type of Camp: The program is offered to children ages 5 to 12 and is open Monday-Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm throughout the summer break. The program is a 3-star fully licensed program by the North Carolina Division of Child Development. Categories for Camp: Day Camp, Summer Camp, Co-ed Description: The YWCA Summer Camp Program provides quality, affordable childcare in a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment for students on break for the New Hanover County Schools academic year. Give your child an enriching summer full of new friends, skills, interests, challenges, and most importantly, fun!
Lower Cape Fear
early education & youth enrichment
The YWCA Lower Cape Fear provides quality and affordable childcare, with culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate activities that enable children to succeed in school and have fun!
UP SIGN Y! TODA
HIGHLIGHTS: creative curriculum reading music safe transportation healthy snack arts & crafts on-site 3-acre playground homework assistance swimming at the ywca pool field trips dance class & much more!
YWCA Main Campus 2815 S. College Road 910-799-6820 YWCA @ Wesley UMC 1401 S. College Road 910-777-3257
ywca-lowercapefear.org
Offering one week Summer Clinics for kids 7-13 years old. Clinics are for new and intermediate climbers looking for a challenge. Please call Wilmington Rock Gym for more information or visit our web site.
910-319-7209
wilmingtonrockgym.com
Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 23
SPECIAL SECTION: Summer Camp Guide
WINTER PARK PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP 4501 Wrightsville Avenue Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-5893 www.wppc-preschool.org Ages 2 - 5 years June 10th - 14th, June 24th - 28th, July 8th - 12th, July 22nd - 26th Transportation Provided: No Half-Day Camp Category: Half-Day Preschool Camp Summer Camp at WPPP is fun and exciting. We will have 4 wonderful weeks full of games, music, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, Friday water day and much more! Each week has a different theme. Snack is provided everyday. Each week will include a session of Stretch-n-Grow at no additional charge. For more detailed information, pricing and registration forms, please visit our website.
horsemanship and riding technique in a safe and fun environment. We limit the class size to only ten students per week and our Instructor student ratio is 1:3 for maximum fun and safety on our well-trained, safe horses. Two students are assigned to a horse daily. Students learn how to safely handle and care for their furry friends. Some topics included are grooming & anatomy. Activities include daily riding lessons with individual and group instruction, making a clay pony art project with real horsehair to take home, trail rides, swimming with ponies in our pond & bareback riding. Tiny Rider week offered as half days for 31/2-5 year olds. Two weeks of Farm Camp, which focuses on the care and enjoyment of all of our farm animals, is also available this summer. Space is limited and sessions fill ups quickly so sign up today! Discounts for early registration and multi child families.
NEW PRODUCTS
Toys That Teach Modarri Cars Modarri takes your kid’s love of cars to the next level with their new customizable track and race cars they can build and design themselves. Fueling their imagination and creativity, kids will love using interchangeable high-quality parts to build their own models.Other cool features include: Durable parts - includes real metal frames, heavy duty plastic, built-in screws that don’t fall out and rubber tires. Real steering and suspension mechanics - controlled with a single finger in the driver’s seat. Do sharp turns and quick figure-eight patterns without ever re-positioning your hand. 100% kid powered - no batteries needed! Endless options - 3 cars together can be designed hundreds of different ways! Portable - take your cars to grandma and grandpa’s house, to the park, on a plane, birthday parties and more! STEM toy - these award-winning Modarri cars fuel a child’s creativity and learning as they develop their fine motor skills, logic, and imagination through countless hours of hands-on, explorative-play. Available at www.modarri.com, Amazon, Target, Walmart and dozens of other retailers nationwide
Rescue Runts Babies Rescue Runts Babies, from KD Kids, are a line of adoptable mini plush pets that kids can rescue, groom, collect, and love. Available at Walmart stores for under $10 each, these four-inch plush arrive in plastic crates in need of some love and care – pluck out their “fleas,” brush their messy fur, and tie the ribbon collar on to transform them from ragged runt to perfect pet! The convertible crate offers so many ways to play! Slide the interlocking walls of the crate to turn it into a bed, cubby, carrier, or house for your Rescue Runt Baby. Turn the house into a home by decorating it with the included stickers. Collect all 20+ pets, including cats, dogs, wild animals, and mythical creatures!
Kano: Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit First-ever Harry Potter STEM product allows you to build a wand and learn to code with stepby-step challenges, inspired by the Wizarding World. The wand is lightweight and easy to carry helping users stay entertained while on the road where they can complete their challenges on laptops, tablets and smartphones. Available at: www.kano.me, Amazon, Target
Tub Sub When it’s a boat it floats....as a sub it sinks with its periscope showing! Young marine specialists learn the concept very quickly when they push or pull the blue part up and down and see how the Tub Sub works. For ages 12 months and up, this Edushape toy encourages thinking and reasoning. MSRP: $9.99
The Cube The Cube is the next generation of Rubik’s cube! This new aGreatLife speed cube incorporates a generation’s worth of ideas to solve all those annoying shortcomings of the cubes you may have tried in the past. With this new, magic 3-D puzzle, you can solve it twice as fast as the original and the colors remain sharp even if you speed cube everyday. www. agreatlifebrand.com. 24 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
Geo Stacker Even your toddler can enjoy geometry with Geo Stacker, a new sensory shape game that babies love to hold and squeeze! Geo Stacker features eight classic geometric shapes that are fun for your baby to hold and squeeze, and even more fun to stack on top of each other (in topple-proof tubes). Easy to sort by circles or squares. Made of soft rubber, the colors and textures are inviting and introduce babies to geometric shapes – and stacking. MSRP: $19.99
The Art & Science of Color Uncover the hidden colors in plants, art supplies, and candies! New from Yellow Scope, The Paper Chromatography: The Art & Science of Color is chock-full of high-quality lab supplies for hundreds of exciting color-changing experiments. Kids will have hours of fun revealing rainbows of color using a cool scientific technique called paper chromatography! With art and creativity front and center, this kit will appeal to all kids, even those who might not realize they love science. It’s the only science kit like it out there! Designed for children ages 8-12. Three exciting science kits are available that will provide hours of critical thinking while having fun! These include new Paper Chromatography: The Art & Science of Color, Foundation Chemistry: Beakers & Bubbles and Acids, Bases & pH Chemistry: Explore Your World. Learn more at www.yellow-scope.com. www.wilmingtonparent.com
Shake Up Your Spring Break
Y
ou want to take your family on a spring break adventure, but not the kind that involves rowdy college kids, passports, and crowds. This is not impossible! With a little creativity, and a sense of exploration, your family return from break with a refreshed attitude and life-long memories.
want to stay on the coast, Beaufort, NC is short drive north and has the cutest bike tour company called Hungry Town Tours. Their bikes all have names like Parsley, Sage, and Rosemary. Check out their options at www. hungrytowntours.com.
Family Scavenger Hunt
Gather some supplies, grab some packs, maps and freeze dried food, and hit the trails! You can find trails on the Alltrails app, or the Hiking Project app as close as a day’s drive, or head out to the Smoky Mountains for the week. For families eager to go camping over the spring break, but aren’t quite ready to plan out a week on their own, REI adventures can do the planning for you, be your guide, and even provide the equipment.
Design a traveling scavenger hunt for your family that includes 2, 3 or 4 different cities across NC. A hunt for clues can engage even the most cynical traveler, and everyone can learn a little more about different locations. If you don’t want to do the planning, Clueventure is a company that does all the work for you. Their fee includes transportation to and from destination, accommodations, research, planning, booking, taxes, an oncall agent while you are on your Cluventure, personalized clues, travel resource guides, planned activities and a pre-departure gift. You have to book early for discounts at www.cluventuretravel.com.
Dude Ranch If you thought that you would have to travel out west to get the dude ranch experience, I have a happy surprise for you. North Carolina has joined the dude ranch fun, and what better way to bond with your family! The French Broad Outpost Ranch near Asheville is not only kid friendly, they are family friendly! Your family can reconnect as you learn to ride horses together, including how to groom and saddle, help steer a whitewater raft down the river, shine up your new boots for an old fashioned square dance, drive cattle just like City Slickers and chase cows in team penning just like an old Cowboy. They have so many adventures to choose from at www.frenchbroadduderanch.com.
Family Cycling Vacation Cycling is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors and explore as a family. Even better, there are several outfitters that have cycling vacations tailor-made for families. Trek Travel offers trips in North Carolina and South Carolina with everything already planned out for you. Check out the Asheville trip at www.trektravel.com/trip/asheville-bike-tour. If you
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Backpacking Trip
Family Rail Tour The train lines that wind through the hills, valleys, and mountains of North Carolina are among the most beautiful ways to travel through the state. Riding these railways offers families the opportunity to be transported back to the peak time of the train, when millions of people depended on them to move across the country. The Tweetsie Railroad and its associated Wild West Theme Park is a perfect family vacation. Visitors can enjoy taking rides on 2 different trains during their all-day stay at the theme park doing all kinds of fun activities for the whole family. Visit www.tweetsie.com and plan a trip back in time.
Tiny House Village Are you intrigued by the tiny house trend, but don’t want to downsize permanently just yet? Experience the simple life in a Tiny House Village. Carolina Beach has a couple Tiny Homes, called The Conchs, you can see first hand before you decide. When you are ready to give it a try, visit the Pisgah National Forest in western NC. A cony Bell Tiny Home Community offers vacation rentals with beautiful mountain views and streams from the deck of a tiny home. Communal amenities including community gardens, edible landscapes ,walking paths, mountain bike trail, stocked fire rings, and a Community Center. Visit www.aconybellnc.com for a tiny vacation with big fun such as, hiking, mountain biking and trophy trout fishing.
Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 25
MIND AND BODY
March Races
Rethink that recipe
5K/1 Mile Tinted Turtle Trot Mar 3 10am Mike Chappell Park Carolina Beach. The Tinted Turtle Trot offers participants the choice to run a Timed 5K or 1-Mile Timed Fun Run. These family friendly runs are Color-FUN! Proceeds will benefit the Island Montessori School’s Family School Association, which provides grants benefiting teacher, students, and guardians at the only free, public Montessori education offered in New Hanover County. This event is rain or shine!
Eating healthier is a top New Year’s resolution each and every year. Rather than doing a complete overhaul of your current diet, make simple food swaps that exchange not-sohealthy items with more nutritious ones. Try swapping simple carbohydrates with complex carbs by incorporating North Carolina sweet potatoes – which are full of Vitamin A, fiber and potassium – into your everyday life: lighten up heavy noodle dishes by using sweet potato pasta, or give yourself a boost of energy with some of these:
Miracles in Motion Run, Walk, Roll Mar. 2 9am at Miracle Field of Wilmington. The Miracles in Motion Run, Walk, or Roll is the original universally accessible 5K and 1-Mile Race in the Cape Fear Region for all participants, with and without disabilities, to experience a race day filled with joy, celebration, and inclusion! Proceeds will benefit ACCESS of Wilmington operators of The Miracle League of Wilmington, Project SOAR, and ACCESS Fit. Your participation will give the gift of adapted sports, recreation, and fitness to hundreds of children, adults, and veterans living with disabilities in our community through ACCESS of Wilmington’s programs. Find out more at: www.accessilm.org 10th Annual Wrightsville Beach Marathon Madness Mar. 8 & 9 The Full Marathon is the perfect Boston Marathon qualifying event because it’s fast, flat, and notorious for being the backdrop for setting personal bests. The course runs through Wrightsville Beach, Landfall, and winds up at UNCW’s campus. Also available is a half marathon, a marathon relay and if you’re not a hardcore runner, the 5K is a great place to start. Less intense than a full or half-marathon, the 5K provides a manageable course that makes it easy to mark your progress along the way. Sign up at www.wrightsvillebeachmarathon.com. 2019 Steve Haydu St. Patrick’s Day Lo Tide Run Mar 16 8am Carolina Beach. It’s That Time! With 14 years under our belt we look forward to the 15th Annual event being even bigger and better! With the help of our community we will continue to fight for a bit of financial freedom for those battling cancer. Because the Lo Tide Run is an all-volunteer event, almost every penny we raise goes directly to those that desperately need our help. Find out more at www.lotiderun.org. 2nd annual Hoggard Band on the Run 5K and Fun Run March 30. The John T. Hoggard High School Band Boosters will host their race at Hugh MacRae Park. This is the only event of its kind in the area. Band members will be playing motivating music along the course, as runners enjoy the beautiful spring scenery. The Hoggard band programs include marching, concert, symphonic, and jazz bands, as well as color guard. All donations and money received from the race will directly benefit the band programs. For more information on the Band on the Run 5K and Fun Run, please visit https://its-go-time.com/hoggard-band-on-the-run. 8th Annual Blue Ribbon Run Mar. 30 4pm at Autumn Hall on Eastwood Rd. The Blue Ribbon Run is a truly unique event – Much much more than just a race! This afternoon event has finishers transported to enjoy a reception provided by Dockside. That’s where food, drink and the Lunar Tide band will be ready to reward you for your effort in kicking cancer’s butt. All proceeds from this incredible event benefit raising awareness and finding a cure for colon cancer. This year’s race is dedicated to the memory of Bland Gillikin, a Wilmington local and loving father, husband and friend to many who lost his very short battle with colon cancer in August 2018. Sign up at https:// its-go-time.com/the-blue-ribbon-run.
No Bake Sweet Potato Coconut Ginger Energy Bites Ingredients: 1 cup cooked sweet potato ¾ cup rolled oats ½ cup peanut butter 3 tbsp honey ½ tsp ground ginger (can use ¾ tsp for more ginger flavor) ½ tsp cinnamon ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until well combined. Place bowl in fridge to firm up (about 20 minutes). Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove dough and portion into snack-sized bites. Gently roll bites into shredded coconut and place back in fridge for 15-20 more minutes (or the freezer for 10 minutes) Remove from fridge and enjoy for a pre run snack!
Second Annual Wilmington VegFest Due to the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural event, Wilmington’s VegFest 2019 will span two days. An exciting lineup of speakers and vegan celebrities will be on hand to educate, showcase and inspire with a variety of family-friendly activities that focus on the vegan lifestyle. In addition to demos, speakers and some 50 vendors, attendees can look forward to food trucks, a family friendly fun zone, and a live performance by Official Grey Music. Education Day is set for Saturday, March 30th from 10 am until 5 pm at the venue Events! On Front which is located at 130 N. Front Street. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn all about the benefits and how-tos of a plant-based lifestyle. The festivities continue on Sunday March 31st at the Coastline Convention Center where vendors and demos will further showcase all things vegan. In case you missed it, 2019 was declared the “Year of the Vegan” by several major news outlets. Forbes predicts that 2019 will be the year that more people embrace a plant-based lifestyle and The Economist says that veganism will be this year’s most popular topic. Here’s your chance to discover what all the buzz is about! Tickets for the 2-day festival are $10. Kids under the age of 18 get in for free with a paying adult. Two nonprofits, Wilmington Vegan and North Carolina Farmed Animals Save are working directly with Helene Greenberg, the executive director and promoter of Triangle VegFest/ NC Vegfests. For more information on Wilmington VegFest or how to become a sponsor, please visit: https://wilmingtonvegfest.com/ Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ncvegfests/
26 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
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OUR PETS Our Pets is sponsored by Needham Animal Hospital
3720 Federal Park Drive, Wilmington NC • (910) 398-6436
dlogan@needhamanimal.com • www.wilmingtonanimalrehab.com
Pet Spotlight Mama is a 7 year old spayed female with beautiful green eyes. Littles is her son and he is a 5 year old neutered male. Even though his name is Littles he outweighs Mama by 3lbs! They are both up to date on vaccinations and felv/fiv negative. They must be adopted together as they are bonded. They are looking for a new home because their owner passed away unexpectedly. They are very loving and curious. Potential adopters will need to fill out an adoption application at Needham Animal Hospital. The cats will be required to be kept indoors. A vet reference will be required.
11th Annual Paws4people 5K & 1 Mile
National Puppy Day
March 23 10am Greenfield Lake Park It is the Official Dog Race of Wilmington! Come join paws4people for their 11th Annual 5K & 1 Mile Fun Walk! Last year you helped them raise over $20,000 for their Assistance Dog Placement Programs! Race and walk will take place at Greenfield Lake Park in Wilmington, NC. Other activities include a 50/50 Raffle, Puppy Kissing Booth and goodies from different vendors. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome to participate with their owners. We hope to see you there!
March 23rd is National Puppy Day, sponsored by The Animal Miracle Foundation. This annual event encourages shelter and rescue adoption. While adoption makes a huge difference, there are many other ways to make a difference in a rescue dog’s life.
The paws4people foundation raises, trains and places certified Assistance Dogs with children, civilians, veterans, active duty military and military dependents living with disabilities. Assistance Dogs are valued at $60,000 and are provided to clients at NO COST! Race Shirts will be guaranteed to participants who register by 11:59pm on Saturday, March 2nd, 2019 . The shirts are available in Youth S-M and Adult Unisex S-XXL cut sizes, and are made of Cotton. Dog participants will also receive a special giveaway item! Register at https://its-go-time.com/p4p5k/
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Shelters often take donations of bedding to line cages, dog toys, treats and dog food. Don’t forget to call the shelter before donating food to find out what they feed. Sudden changes in dog food can make a dog sick so it is important to keep it on the regular diet that it is used to. Shelters with puppies can always use puppy friendly treats and teething toys. Every little bit makes a big difference in the life of a rescue puppy.
Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 27
SCHOOL NOTES Myrtle Grove Christian Upgrades Their Science Offerings As part of our STEM integration effort, we’ve added a STEM lab to our campus. Located beside a Mott’s Creek tributary, and adjacent to our 10 acre Outdoor Learning Environment, our lab features an outdoor learning pavilion ideal for water quality studies and outdoor science classes. Inside, students find lab stations equipped with microscopes, computers, and projection screens for collaborative learning opportunities, such experimentation, exploration, and design. Classes visit the STEM lab for hands on, experiential learning that reinforces concepts taught in the classroom. Our award winning Underwater Robotics team got an upgrade this fall. Thanks to Eagle Scout candidate, Nathan Hackney, the team now has a dedicated above ground pool with a deck to practice with their designs as they prepare for competition.
Teens and Screens: The Impact of Technology On Our Children - with Dr. Denise Hanson Do you struggle with your children and screens (video games, phones, social media, etc.)? Do you wonder what the current research shows? Join us for this informative presentation that will equip and inform. “Q & A” time will follow the presentation. Date: Thursday, February 28th. Time: 6:30 - 7:30 P.M. Location: Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church 800 Piner Road, Wilm. NC 28409. For more information, contact Glenn Pleasant at 910-392-2067 or email gpleasant@mgcs.org.
Myrtle Grove Christian School Admissions Open House Mar. 28 9am-12pm & 5:30-7:30pm www.mgcs.org Visit campus and see if MGCS might be the right choice for your family. Meet teachers, tour classrooms, and ask your questions.
New Horizons Send Students to Science Fair Each year New Horizons Elementary School is excited to send several students to the regional science fair held at UNCW. This year, they are excited to announce that they are sending 10 students to the science fair competition. Two of the current students developed engineering projects to showcase. New Horizons hopes that some of their students will move on to the state level as they did last year.
Alderman Students Receive New Winter Coats
On Monday, February 4, 2019, at 8:15am, each Alderman Elementary student received a brand new winter coat during a special assembly held at the school. An organization called Thrivent Member Network and Operation Warmth recently raised over $29,000 to give new winter coats to elementary school students in southeastern North Carolina including Alderman. Thrivent is a not-for-profit membership organization that provides insurance and financial services. “Many of our families are continuing to recover from the financial hardships caused by Hurricane Florence. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Thrivent Member Network and Operation Warmth. These new winter coats will do much more than keep our students warm...this event is a reminder that our sense of community is strongest when we seek opportunities to serve one another,” Principal Kate Tayloe said. Alderman students attended the “Wrapped in Love” event in the school cafeteria where volunteers fit each student with a brand new winter coat. Each child’s coat was labeled with their first and last name, and they were able to wear the new coat home on the same day as the event.
28 | March 2019 | Wilmington Parent
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BIRTHDAY PHOTOS
Olivia N. 3/9• 7yo
Augie J. 3/25 • 11yo
Claire B. 3/19 • 5yo
Jai M. 3/3 • 4yo
Travis G.
3/27 • 6yo
Levi 3/14 • 3yo
Haven R.
3/4 • 10yo
& Syler R. 3/15 • 7yo
Tyler Z. 3/15 • 4yo
Bailey S. 3/8 • 4yo
Laila 3/10 • 5yo
Ariel 2/2 • 9yo
DOES YOUR CHILD OR GRANDCHILD HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN APRIL Honor them by having their photo published in Wilmington Parent. Here's how: e-mail image (size not to exceed 1mb) to birthday@wilmingtonparent.com. Deadline for publication: 3/12. We have a limited number of spots, so if you sent your child’s picture and do not see it this issue, please check back next month! www.wilmingtonparent.com
Wilmington Parent | March 2019 | 29
NOT FEELING WELL? Get the care you need on
your schedule. Monday-Friday 8 am-8 pm and Saturday-Sunday 8 am-5 pm
WALK-INS ARE WELCOME at Pediatric Convenient Care.
2421 Silver Stream Lane, Wilmington 910.763.2072
PORTERS NECK
MONKEY JUNCTION
LELAND
JACKSONVILLE
8108-B Market Street Wilmington
5211 South College Road Wilmington
9101 Ocean Highway East Leland
1000 Brabham Avenue Jacksonville
910.772.6558 12-8 pm Monday-Friday and 8 am-8 pm Saturday-Sunday
wilmingtonhealth.com
910.815.4231
910.371.7695
910.347.1515
8 am-8 pm daily
8 am-8 pm daily
8 am-8 pm daily
Pediatric Convenient Care is open to all current Wilmington Health patients and new patients with most commercial insurances.