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11 SECRETS OF HAPPY MOMS WHAT A PAIN

WHEN TO WORRY ABOUT CHILDHOOD HEADACHES

Magazine READY OR NOT, HERE COMES SUMMER

GETTING KIDS TO PLAY OUTDOORS

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agazine

CONTENTS volume 35 • number 5

11 SECRETS OF HAPPY MOMS MENTAL ILLNESS IS BIOLOGICALLY BASED

IT’S TIME TO END THE STIGMA

GETTING KIDS TO PLAY OUTDOORS ACTIVITIES TO EXPLORE & AVOID SUMMER SLIDE Magazine

READY OR NOT, HERE COMES SUMMER Magazine

WHAT A PAIN!

WHEN TO WORRY ABOUT CHILDHOOD HEADACHES Magazine

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OUR KIDS MAGAZINE LLC is a locally owned magazine published monthly. Advertisements in this magazine are paid for by the advertisers, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer. Limit of one free copy per reader. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products or services are endorsed by the publisher. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising are available on an equal opportunity basis. OUR KIDS MAGAZINE LLC copyright 2015. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

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Feature

11 Secrets of Happy Moms By Christa Melnyk Hines

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” - Dalai Lama We know that happiness is an emotion that can come and go. But how do we recapture that bubbly feeling amid the challenges and stresses of parenthood? Here are a few tips from moms for staying positive and feeling good.

Lean on community.

Several moms polled for this article agreed that moms’ night outs with their friends help them feel more optimistic. And science proves it. Studies find that time spent bonding with friends boosts a woman’s level of oxytocin, a natural hormone that reduces stress. Check out mothers’ groups in your area if you are struggling to build a support network.

Commit to healthy living.

Women who make time to care for their bodies, enjoy a stronger self-image and feel more self-confident and energetic. Exercise, try to get adequate sleep, schedule regular massages and make healthy food choices to feel your best. “I know that when I am reasonably well-rested and happy, I am absolutely more patient, energetic and empathetic to everyone in my household,” says Erica Wilson, a mom of one. Take time for personal pursuits. Whether you like 6

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

surfing Pinterest, training for a 5K or simply taking a warm bubble bath, moments stolen throughout the week contribute to our overall sense of well-being. “I try to take at least a few minutes a day outside. I close me eyes, take deep breaths, and listen to the sounds,” says Melanie Werner, a mom of one.

Nourish yourself.

During the rush of the week, most of us throw meals together just to get our hungry crew fed. If you enjoy cooking, find a day when you can slow down and relish the preparation. The process of chopping and measuring ingredients is meditative and soothing. Create a feast to delight all of the senses by serving your meal on a table laid out with your favorite dishes and cheerful flowers.

Laugh. Family life can be funny.

Kids say hilarious things. Pay attention and write those gems down. Next time you need a lift, read them. Need more ideas? Look at funny family videos or photos, hang out with lighthearted friends, watch a silly movie or read a humorous book.

Follow a spiritual practice.

Studies find that people who lean on an inner belief system are happier. You don’t have to be religious to be spiritual. You can feel a connection to spirituality through FRIEND US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazine210

helping others, nature, yoga, music, art, personal meditation or journaling. Michelle Hovick, a mom of one, says the “Elevation” church app is one of her favorite spiritual gateways to a mood shift.

Practice gratitude.

In a gratitude study at Eastern Washington University, researchers found a positive correlation between gratitude and happiness. “We have found that grateful individuals tend to be happy individuals and that grateful thinking improves mood,” the researchers report. Try writing down three things you are thankful for each day--small moments count too.

Get a groove on.

Whether she participates in a Jazzercise class or switches on upbeat dance tunes in her kitchen, Jessie Mallicoat, a mom of three, says, “If I’m in a bad mood, I put on some ‘dancy’ music and it usually helps.” In fact, studies find that dancing boosts the body’s feel-good endorphins. Dancing has even been found to reverse depression and increase self-confidence.

Set boundaries.

Moms who are happier make conscious decisions on a daily basis about who and what is allowed into their lives. Switching to this way of thinking is empowering. You don’t have to be harsh or hurtful to accomplish this goal. Politely

Access good childcare. Seek reliable childcare in order to feel secure pursuing personal interests, maintaining routine health check-ups and for date nights with your partner. A positive marriage contributes to the overall emotional health and happiness of your family. Having trouble finding a sitter? Check out SitterCity.com, Care.com and ask other parents for references.

Avoid comparison. Parenting philosophies that work well in one family, may not work well in another. Thanks to the influx of information at our fingertips, parents have no shortage of advice. Decide which strategies make sense for your family. And beware of spending too much time on social media if you’re starting to feel like you don’t measure up. “Being happy with yourself and how you parent is key to accepting other moms and how they parent, which creates a more supportive parenting community all around,” says Mandy Yokim, mom of two. Freelance journalist, Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two boys. She finds happiness in historical romance novels, sunny days and chocolate chip cookies. Christa is the author of Confidently Connected: A Our Kids May Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life.

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Feature

Mental Illness is Biologically Based It’s Time to End the Stigma

Nearly one in five American adults experience mental illness in any given year according to the National Institute of Mental Health – and one in 25 experiences a serious mental illness (SMI) consisting primarily of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, people with mental illness experience a high degree of stigma. They’re often discriminated against in the workplace and their personal lives from those who see a person with mental illness as odd or flawed. Such a lack of empathy is often the result of ignorance about mental illness or the inability to recognize it as a medical condition. In recent decades, the stigma surrounding mental illness has improved slightly. Yet it persists. Part of the problem lies in that although mental illness often has biological and genetic roots, it’s still classified under the field of psychology. Because psychology is defined as the study of human ‘behavior’, people see it as indicative of personality flaws or learned behavior and that a person should be able to just ‘snap out of it’. Many experts and advocates recognize this problem and are calling for biologically-based brain diseases to be reclassified into more appropriate fields of medicine like neurology. Such a move would go a long way toward reducing stigma. Reclassification would also help to ensure those with brain illnesses are able to get insurance coverage and adequate treatment. In the meantime, what can be done to reduce stigma? Educating society on what mental illness is and is not, is key. When people with a mental illness brave coming out and telling their personal stories, slowly but surely, more people hear the message. Celebrities sharing their own personal experience has been particularly helpful. It seems the public is more receptive when admired celebrities share their trials and tribulations. The following are the more serious mental illnesses as well 8 Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

By Kimberly Blaker

as some of the celebrities who’ve been diagnosed with each condition.

Major depressive disorder (MDD).

In any given year, 6.7% of the population will experience MDD. Unlike the occasional sadness or blues many people experience, MDD is a persistent low mood that interrupts daily living. Symptoms include changes in appetite and sleep, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities, and ruminations about death and suicide sometimes accompanied by suicide attempts. The exact cause of MDD is unknown. What is known, though, is a variety of factors can contribute to the disorder including biological changes in the brain, genetics, hormones, and brain chemistry. Some people with MDD might experience a single bout. Yet for others, it’s chronic. Fortunately, antidepressants are quite effective for most people. Though some are treatmentresistant leading to long-term disability. Ashley Judd, Owen Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Heath Ledger, and Winona Ryder are among the many celebrities who’ve battled major depressive disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD).

This disorder, affecting 2.6% of the population, is marked by emotional extremes ranging from depressive symptoms, as described above, to mania or hypomania. During manic episodes, sufferers experience a decreased need for sleep, extremely elevated mood, increased energy or agitation, are easily distracted, have racing thoughts and take foolish risks. For some with BD, delusions and hallucinations accompany mania. Though the exact cause of bipolar is unknown, it’s biological and often genetic. FRIEND US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazine210

Bipolar is highly treatable, though some people experience treatment resistance. Also, during manic episodes, people with BD are typically unable to recognize their illness. Left untreated, it can be a very debilitating disease. Some celebrities known to have bipolar disorder are Demi Lovato, Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson, Carrie Fisher, and Sinead O’Connor.

Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

These two diseases combined affect 1.5% of the population. Schizophrenia is considered the most serious mental illness of all. It’s marked by symptoms of psychosis which include delusions and hallucinations and sometimes disorganized thinking, speech, or motor movement. What fewer people recognize is what’s known as the negative symptoms. These prevent a person with schizophrenia from functioning. Those with schizophrenia often have poor hygiene, withdraw socially, and have a symptom known as avolition, which is a decrease in motivation. Despite new and improved medications for this disease, only one-third of sufferers are able to lead a relatively functional life. Another one-third is treatment resistant with the final third receiving some relief. As a result, two-thirds of those with schizophrenia are dependent, or often homeless or housed in America’s jails and prisons – known as today’s new mental health institutions. Schizoaffective disorder is marked by features of both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

While the cause of these two disorders is unknown, researchers believe genetics, biology, and environmental factors combined contribute to these brain diseases. Finding celebrities with these two diseases is rare because schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder typically strike during the late teens to the early 20s at which point they become moderately to severely disabled. However, John Nash, Lionel Aldridge, Calen Pick (nephew of Glenn Close), and Eduard Einstein (son of Albert Einstein), all suffer, or suffered, from schizophrenia.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This perplexing disorder, which affects 1% of the population, is marked by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are most commonly in the form of fear of contamination or harm to self or others, excessive concern with order or bodily symptoms, or intrusive religious thoughts. In turn, those afflicted with OCD act out compulsions to alleviate their fears or thoughts. This is done through repeated acts of checking, organizing, washing, or senseless acts of tapping, counting, or repeating words. Medication combined with therapy is helpful in treating OCD, though the prognosis is better for those with milder symptoms. Many people with this disorder experience severe debilitation. The cause of OCD is understood to be a combination of genetics, biology, and environmental factors.

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David Beckham, Marc Summers, Howie Mandel, and Fiona Apple are known to suffer from OCD.

Panic disorder.

One in ten adults experiences a panic attack every year. Panic disorder, however, affects only one in 33 people. With this disorder, people experience sudden and repeated bouts of extreme fear that lasts at least several minutes if not longer. The symptoms include shortness of breath, racing heart, trembling, weakness, dizziness, chest pain, tingling or numbing of hands, stomach pain, nausea, or fear of dying, being out of control or impending doom, to name a few. Panic disorder often results in avoidance of things or places where attacks have previously taken place. Panic disorder is highly treatable with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. It’s believed to be biological and genetic in nature. Though it’s unclear whether the following celebrities have been diagnosed with panic disorder, they’re known for experiencing panic attacks: Johnny Depp, Princess Diana, John Mayer, and Emma Stone.

Autism spectrum disorders.

These disorders affect one in 68 children. Symptoms include repetitive or unusual behaviors, intense interest in certain topics, making little eye contact, facial expressions and gestures that don’t match what’s said, an unusual tone of voice, and difficulty understanding other points of view

among many other social, language, cognitive, behavioral and emotional deficits. Treatment for this developmental disorder includes behavior interventions and medication. Prognosis is dependent, in part, on early diagnosis and intervention. Though the cause of autism spectrum disorders is unknown, genetics and environmental factors appear to be contributing factors. Celebrities diagnosed with these disorders include Dan Aykroyd, Courtney Love, Daryl Hannah, and Paddy Considine. Hopefully, as more Americans suffering from mental illness open up, we can put an end to the pervasive stigma that surrounds it. Just like any other organ of the body, our brains are prone to medical conditions. The brain is the most complex organ of our bodies. So it only stands to reason it’s going to be subject to a variety of biological conditions. As researchers come to understand our brains better, more sophisticated diagnostic tools will be developed for more definitive diagnosis. In the meantime, we should learn to treat those with mental illness with the same dignity, respect, and empathy we would treat someone with a heart condition, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease. Kimberly Blaker was diagnosed with major depressive disorder at the age of 27. Her diagnosis was later revised to bipolar II disorder. She has a son with schizoaffective disorder (schizophrenia and bipolar). She’s also a mental health advocate and played an instrumental role in the enactment of the mental health care portion of what became the

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CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Getting Kids to Play Outdoors By Sandi Schwartz

Do you remember playing outside as a kid? It was a time to run around and let loose, use your imagination, and explore. As a child growing up in the eighties, I remember walking to school, riding my bike to the swim club or just around the neighborhood to see friends, and making up all kinds of imaginative games in the woods behind my house. Well, that doesn’t happen much anymore. Today, children suffer from nature-deficit disorder. This term was coined by Richard Louv, author of the book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder and co-founder of the Children & Nature Network (C&NN). It refers to children having less experience with and connection to nature over the last couple of decades. Here are some facts: • Only 6 percent of American children ages 9-13 play outside unsupervised, according to Frances Moore Lappe. • In a 2004 survey of 800 American mothers, 71 percent said they played outdoors every day as children but only 26 percent of them said their kids played outdoors daily. • The Outdoor Foundation surveyed 40,000 people and found an overall decrease in the amount of time children participated in outdoor activities. • A 2005 study indicated that 71 percent of adults reported that they walked or biked to school when they were children but only about 20 percent of children did in 2005. This is very true for my family. We live five minutes from my children’s schools, yet I spend about 2 hours each week in carpool lines.

Why This Is A Problem Children spending less time outdoors has been linked to decreased appreciation of our environment, health problems including childhood obesity and vitamin D deficiency, diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of emotional illnesses like anxiety and depression. If children are no longer outside playing and enjoying themselves, then how will they naturally calm down and relax? Well, the statistics are frightening. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), it is estimated that 1 in 8 children suffers from an anxiety disorder. More worrisome, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that 25 percent of teens ages 13-18 will experience some form of anxiety. Additionally, the use of anti-anxiety medications is exploding. It increased by almost 50 percent for children ages 10-19 between 2001-2010, explained Scott Shannon, author of Mental Health for the Whole Child: Moving Young Clients from Disease & Disorder to Balance & Wellness . 12 Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

How Nature Helps Reduce Stress

A growing number of studies from around the world show the importance of nature in our life such as improving mental health. Examples include recreation activities in the wilderness, community gardens, views of nature and/or gardens at hospitals, and contact with animals. Why is this the case? • Humans have a nature instinct known as biophilia—an innate bond we share with all creatures and plants in the natural world that we subconsciously seek. • Nature provides a sense of wellbeing. • The natural world offers solace and comfort unlike what we find in any manmade environment. • Spending time in nature reduces the level of human response to stress and allows us to recover from stressful situations more quickly. • Having contact with nature promotes healing. A breakthrough study in 2001 in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that a healing garden at a children’s hospital in California had positive effects on users—about 85 percent reported feeling more relaxed, refreshed, or better able to cope after spending only 5 minutes in the garden.

How Did We Get Here?

Five key changes over the last 30+ years have impacted our relationship with nature: 1. How Society Developed. We are increasingly living in urban areas. According to the United Nations, almost 50 percent of all people in the world now live in urban areas, and this is projected to increase to 65 percent by the year 2030. Also, poorly designed outdoor spaces make it more difficult for children to play outside. 2. Fear. Richard Louv wrote: “Fear is the emotion that separates a developing child from the full, essential benefits of nature.” Since the 1980s, we live in a more fearful society hyped up by 24/7 media reporting, which was intensified after 9/11. FRIEND US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazine210

CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES Parents worry about many safety concerns that impact the time their children spend outside, such as traffic, crime, strangers, injury, and nature itself (e.g. skin cancer due to sun exposure, bug bites, and harmful animals.) A 1991 study of 3 generations of 9 year olds showed that between 1970-1990, the radius around home where children were allowed to roam on their own shrunk to 1/9 of what it was in 1970. Imagine what that statistic is today! 3. Technology. Children spend more and more time focused on screens instead of nature scenes. According to a 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation study, daily media use among children and teens has risen dramatically. Today, 8- to 18-yearolds devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day (more than 53 hours a week!). Common Sense Media reports a huge increase in the use of mobile media by young children in the past couple of years. Finally, in his book, Richard Louv sadly quotes a fourth grader: “I Like to play indoors better because that’s where all the electric outlets are.” 4. Time pressures. Children are living an overly structured lifestyle involving sports teams, indoor play centers, homework, extracurricular activities, etc., that prevent them from simply enjoying free play outdoors. 5. Education trends. Unfortunately, outdoor education is not a priority, and recess time and physical education classes are being threatened in many schools.

How Can You Help? We are all struggling to balance a million priorities and to make the best decisions for our family. Now that you know how critical it is to our children’s wellbeing for them to spend time outside in nature, you may want to take some steps: • Spend more time outside as a family. Don’t overthink this. Keep your children’s outdoor time unstructured–go for a walk, visit a local park, garden, bike ride, or have a healthy meal in your backyard. • Plan day trips and vacations based on National Parks or other outdoor experiences. • Register your children for outdoor sports and summer camp. • Teach children to “stop and smell the roses”. In other words, be mindful of nature around you. • Lobby for your school to keep physical education and recess on your child’s schedule. • Start a nature group at your child’s school. • Get involved in a community garden/local environmental group. • Examine ways to minimize technology use in your house. Common Sense Media is a fabulous resource to explore. Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer/blogger and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness, and environmental issues. You can find her at www.happysciencemom.com and www.sandischwartz.com. Get her free course on raising happy, balanced kids at bit.ly/2i53TDV

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Local Activities To Explore & Avoid Summer Slide By Christina Katz

Who says summer can’t be just as educational and fun as school? Customizing a vacation schedule for each child in the family is an eye-opening adventure in and of itself. If you want a peaceful, happy summer, help your kids stretch their wings beyond the usual, school-year routine. Transform your kids’ summer into weeks of entertaining growth by thoughtfully scheduling activities they will love and appreciate. Take a customized approach to summer fun and meet the needs of your kids locally. Chances are good you can find day camps, classes, workshops and activities in your area that will keep smiles on your kids’ faces all summer long. Ink Year-round Commitments. You may already have school-year activities that extend into summer like scouting or 4-H. Be sure to get these commitments on your child’s schedule first, so you don’t inadvertently overbook. If your child participates in a sport or another competitive activity, training camps may be required during summer. These can be enriching because kids who train over the summer often rejoin their teams playing at a higher level than the prior season. Ask For Referrals. Chances are good that parents who have lived in your area for several years have the scoop on the best day camps and summer programs. Poll your friends individually or post a question on social media to gather information. Specify each child’s interests to draw the most relevant recommendations, then hand pick a summer plan to delight each child. Don’t send the fun-loving child who longs for improv classes to the same activities as the serious sibling who adores long games of chess. They can swap adventures on the car-ride home, but make sure their activities reflect their passions. Don’t Overlook Summer School. Generally speaking, if your child needs a leg-up on academics during the school year, summer school is a smart choice. Since the summer before high school, we have signed our daughter up to take a wellness course in the summer. Getting a jump on pre-requisites allows her to take an extra art elective during the school year, which provides a welcome break during an intense school day. Ask your child’s school counselor if taking summer school courses might benefit your child’s schedule next year. Some districts allow online learning or swapping summer athletic training to fulfill physical education requirements. Check Local Resources. Schools, libraries, and community centers are great resources for summer activities. Be sure to track down any printed or online guides they may offer. Also check towns near where you live to see if they offer programs that may interest your child. By driving one town over, we found a community theater production our daughter can 14 Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

participate in inexpensively each summer. Now that’s worth a ten-minute drive. Consider Your Child’s Needs. Sometimes a kid-centric focus is part of an activity’s allure. But if you know your child flourishes in a structured environment with adult leadership, trust your instincts. Be mindful of how much structure and supervision each offering includes. Some kids are more selfmotivated than others. Consider scaffolding more leadership into your child’s summer experiences over time. If your child is reticent about trying new activities, see if school friends would like to try a new activity together. Kids of working parents often appreciate an opportunity to participate in summer programming, if you can pick up most of the driving. Go Your Own Way. Sometimes you want your child to benefit from the experience of trying a new experience without school friends. So go ahead and enroll in activities where enthusiasm for the topic will trump any first-day butterflies. Do not cave to peer pressure if all of the other kids are doing an activity that is not a good match for your child. If the program focus isn’t a good fit, the experience isn’t going to be enriching no matter how many friends are in attendance. Make timely, age-appropriate choices for your children, and when religion is an activity focus, make sure it fits with your family’s values. Don’t Overlook A Summer Reading Challenge. If your child has a busy summer schedule, you might be concerned about enough down time. Signing your child up for a summer reading challenge at the beginning of summer is a great way to build downtime into any schedule. On busy days, reading will provide a welcome reprieve from social activity. And on lazy days, having a daily book-reading commitment can get an unscheduled day off to a good start. What About Overnight Camp? All of these activity adventures with new people are great preparation for sleep-away camp in the future, if you are considering it. Start a conversation with your child about the possibility of sleep-away camp down the road to gage interest. Consider opening a savings account for overnight camp and putting away a little money each month for the future. Encourage your child to pitch in and help save money with you. Then, when the allure of overnight camp strikes-and it likely will-you’ll have buy-in from your child and the flexibility to choose the best possible camp to suit his or her interests. Christina Katz is an author, journalist, and writing coach who loves local adventures. She never runs out of interesting things to see and do in her area, and hopes to pass this attitude down to her daughter. FRIEND US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazine210

CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES

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This summer explore the ocean’s most amazing animals at SeaWorld Camp. Get up close to dolphins, sea lions, sharks and more. Plus enjoy all the thrills of your favorite rides.

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May 2019 | OurKidsMagazine.com

CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Ready or Not, Here Comes Summer! By Christa Melnyk Hines

Which version of summer is more true for you? A. Lazy days spent lounging poolside with my happy, contented family. B. A mad rush of activities, exhausted parents and grouchy kids. Want a summer that’s a little more lounging and less racing around? Here’s your guide for leaning into a more carefree, creative and spontaneous season. it.

Hit pause. Rather than vault into summer, ease into

“Our school year is full of activity, routine and deadlines. Use the first few weeks of summer like a detox from constant activities,” says mom of three Shannon Kinney-Duh, holistic life and spiritual coach, A Free Spirit Life. Tip: Brainstorm a list of summer desires/activities together. Mindfully, answer questions like: What do I/ we want summer to look like? More down time? More family connection? Less running around? And remember, free activities count too. Kinney-Duh’s sons enjoy making stop-motion movies, writing plays, painting at 16

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

the park, water balloon fights and movie nights in the backyard. Boredom is okay. Kinney-Duh suggests we look at boredom as a creative opportunity. Boredom, she says “invites kids’ creativity to kick in, providing their deep need to play more with a space to flourish.” Multiple studies show that kids, who are given the time and space for creativity and personal expression without adult interference, turn out to be more flexible to change, stronger problem solvers and innovators. “Children need time to immerse themselves in creative activities, a place that feels safe to express ideas that are unconventional, and encouragement to explore the unknown so they can discover what they enjoy and unlock a universe of possibilities,” writes Helen Hadani, a researcher at the Center for Childhood Creativity, in her paper Inspiring a Generation to Create: Critical Components of Creativity in Children. Tip: Keep a space in your home that allows for freewheeling creative expression. Stock it with painting, drawing and craft supplies, inexpensive cameras, recycled objects, and building materials.

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May 2019 | OurKidsMagazine.com

CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES Strike a balance. For some of us, envisioning long days without a plan causes our brain synapses to crackle and pop with alarm. Without structure, won’t our kids spend the next two and half months fighting or turning into houseplants playing video games? Of course, we also don’t want to spend the entire summer peeling our sweaty selves in and out of the car as we run our kids from one scheduled activity to another. “All too often we fall into the ‘too much/not enough’ trap,” Kinney-Duh says. “We end up filling our days with obligations and too many activities with this underlying feeling that if we don’t, we somehow aren’t doing enough for our kids. This cycle can easily leave us feeling tired, overwhelmed and depleted.” Decide what a happy medium looks like and what your priorities are, including your needs for self-care. Tip: Ask questions like: What types of skills would I like my kids to work on this summer? What are they interested in doing? Could a responsible sitter help run my kids around a few times a week? What are ways I can recharge and care for myself to ensure I show up feeling present, patient and engaged with my family?

Provide simple structure. While summer is meant to be more laid back, providing a framework around the days helps kids feel secure and grounded. A sense of structure is especially important for children with sensory, attention or impulse control issues. They “benefit greatly from monitoring and feedback during the summer to stay on track, maintain and improve communication skills,” says parent and life coach Sara Minges, M.S., Playful Awareness. Tip: Plan weekday mornings for more structured activities and the afternoons for free play. Perhaps designate Sunday evenings as s’mores nights with friends or Fridays as pizza/game nights. Be realistic. When planning your family’s summer vacation, take into account each family member’s interests and build in time to relax and take breaks from each other. “Too many activities and not enough ‘chill time’ can push everyone’s last nerve,” Minges says. Instead of focusing on creating the perfect vacation, remain flexible. While you can plan for some variables, you can’t control the weather, a moody teenager, or your

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Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

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CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES two-year-old’s inopportune meltdown while going through airport security.

no technology at all,” Kinney-Duh says. “It may sound hard and you may feel restless at first, but it’s worth it!”

“Any personality, irritability or anxiety issues experienced during the year will still be there and may become more pronounced,”Minges says.

Inspire creative connection. Document the summer with photos and stories in a summer journal that your whole family can contribute to, including ups and downs. Chances are the moments when things went awry are those that you will recall with laughter later.

Tip: Choose a vacation destination with activities that appeal to each member of your family. Remind your kids of the importance of flexibility. “They may not have the extras or comforts they are used to when traveling such as comfy pillows, TV, separate bathrooms and beds, favorite foods, or friends to play with,” Minges says. Make a family media plan. Establish your family’s technology rules as soon as summer starts to avoid tech overload and battles over time allowances. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no tech time for toddlers, other than video chatting, and only one hour a day for preschoolers. Set reasonable guidelines for your older children to ensure they’re getting plenty of exercise, good sleep and face-to-face time with family and peers. Tip: Set aside one tech-free day a week. “That means

Tip: Minges suggests creating a “wall of gratitude.” Using post-it notes or slips of paper and markers, each family member writes their favorite moments from their vacation and pins it to the wall. Encourage younger children to draw pictures of their favorite moments. Don’t forget to take a photo of your wall! Savor summer. Notice and embrace the unplanned moments when family connection unfurls. “Our kids grow up fast and the summer seems to be shorter and shorter every year,” Kinney-Duh says. “Slowing down and savoring the moment is really what summer is all about.” Christa Melnyk Hines is a nationally published freelance journalist, who resides with her husband and their two adolescent sons. Christa loves to sprinkle the summer with mini outings and activities with her boys.

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CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES DAY CAMPS & SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Academics/STEM Bits, Bytes and Bots Multiple Locations 210-745-8123 www.BBBofSA.com

Join us for our SIXTH summer of technology and fun. We offer morning and afternoon week-long summer camps in Robotics, Video Game Creation, Stop Motion Movie Magic, Makey Engineering, & Coding in Minecraft®. Kids have a blast while learning crucial skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math). Come Learn With Us.

Camp Einstein Various Locations in San Antonio 972-333-7371 www.CampEinstein.org

We believe you learn the best when having fun! Our exciting STEM classes are designed to spark creativity and learning through hands-on activities! From CSI Forensics to Green Engineering we offer many enriching camps for all ages. Come join the fun this summer.

Camp Invention Multiple San Antonio locations 800-968-4332 Invent.org/camp

Unmask your child’s creativity this summer in the allnew Camp Invention® program, Supercharged™, where children transform their wild imaginations into epic creations. Campers in grades K-6 will code robots and use collaboration and creative problem solving during handson, STEM activities. Visit www.invent.org/camp or call 800968-4332 to register. Use promo code INNOVATE25L to save $25 (expires 3/22) or PLAY15LISTING to save $15 (expires 5/10).

iD Tech Camps Multiple San Antonio locations 1-888-709-8324 www.iDTech.com

Camps are held at Trinity, St. Edward’s, Rice, University of Houston, and more. Inspired by hip, tech-savvy instructors, ages 7-17 code apps, design video games, mod with Minecraft, engineer robots, build websites, produce movies, and meet friends with similar interests. Also in Texas: Alexa Café (all-girls, ages 10-15) and 2-week, precollege Teen Academies for ages 13-18.

Mad Science of San Antonio Multiple Locations 210-651-1143 sanantonio.madscience.org

Mad Science camps are designed with exciting, fun and hands-on science activities. Children will design, create, build and assemble a variety of interesting projects. 9 different camp themes are available including robots, rockets, spy academy, camp eureka, grossology and more! Mad Science has camp locations all over town. Register now: Pay Later!

Sports & Language Camp Harmony Hills Cabana Club 339 Fantasia Dr. SATX 78261 210 286 9061 210 284 7060 www.idealtennis.com www.careerlanguagetraining.com

A Summer to Remember! Imagine a beautiful day that starts on the tennis court, then going into a class to speak fluent Spanish, then play some indoor and outdoor fun activities including soccer, art, and games to end the day in a refreshing pool!! Fun Fridays! Weekly Themes! Prizes and awards!. Early drop off and late pick up available!

Summer Camps and Workshops Northwest Vista College 3535 N. Ellison Drive Pecan Hall Room 101 San Antonio, TX 78251 210-486-4428 www.alamo.edu/nvc/youth/parents NVC Community Education is a great place to learn! Their K-12 programs are committed to the development of STEM-based learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), as well as, arts and environmental education. They take pride in offering these high-quality programs that help students reach their full potential.

Sylvan Summer Camps 8425 Bandera Rd 20-509-7323 1420 Schertz Pkwy 210-651-5477 2716 SW Military Dr 210-923-8700 Give your child cool, hands-on experiences in STEM today to inspire a leader of tomorrow. From coding video games to building robots, our hands-on STEM activities are a blast! Our camps will boost confidence and enhance academic skills so your child will be ready to start the new school year strong.

The Clowvazar Academy Summer School Program 12746 Cimarron Path #20 210-690-4800 www.clowvazar.com The Clowvazar Academy holds academic camps in June, July and August from 9AM to2PM with the option to extend the day to 7:30AM to 4:00PM. Visit us online for pricing details.

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www.clowvazar.com | 210-690-4800 12746 Cimarron Path #120, San Antonio TX 78249

Summer Art StudioS The most comprehensive and largest summer arts experience for students in San Antonio. Ages 5 -18 • June 3 – August 9, 2019 Registration begins March 26 and is ongoing For more information, visit: www.swschool.org/summer-art-studios

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

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CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES Animals/Nature San Antonio Botanical Garden Summer Camp 555 Funston Place 210-536-1400 Sabot.org

Explore the San Antonio Botanical Garden this summer with STEAM-based camps focused on hands-on exploration, nature-inspired art, ecology, and botany. From Eco-Explorers to Little Sunshine Gardeners and Chef camp, the Garden inspires budding naturalists, scientists, botanists, artists and chefs to dig deeper into the world of plants and fun!

Camp Humane San Antonio Humane Society 4804 Fredricksburg Rd. San Antonio, Texas 78229 education@SAhumane.org SAhumane.org/summercamp

Is your child interested in learning about the animals who live at home and out in the wild? Let them spend a week this summer with the animals the San Antonio Humane Society’s Camp Humane! It’s a great opportunity for your child to receive a unique learning experience about the humane treatment and care of domestic and wild animals. Attendees will participate in workshops, crafts, games, service projects, animal expert presentations, and hands-on animal experiences. Five sessions will take place this summer and registration is limited, so be sure to register your child soon to save a seat for this fun-filled educational experience.

SeaWorld Camp SeaWorld San Antoni0 San Antonio 78251 210-523-3608 www.SeaWorldSanAntonio.com/Education

SeaWorld San Antonio provides residential and day camp programs that allow campers to explore how we care for the animals in our park and around the world through fun and educational activities, amazing animal shows, and upclose animal encounters!

sharpening acting and improvisational skills, and rehearsing show-stopping musical numbers.

Zoo Camp San Antonio Zoo 210-734-7184 Ex. 1501 www.sazoo.org

Crystal Sea Drama Company Summer Fun Camp Crystal Sea Drama Company Fine Arts Studio 8414 Speedway Dr. 210-849-0934 www.crystalseadrama.org

Zoo Camp is the wildest camp in town! Week long camps begin May 28 and end the week of August 12 for grades kinder-6. Select weeks available for grades 7-9. Registration opens February 15.

Dance /Music/Theatre Camp Cloud at the Tobin! Choose to Dream (210) 836-8200 ChoosetoDream@outlook.com Choose2Dream.com

July 1st – 28th, 2019 Our month long (4-week) theater camp offers elementary through high school students the opportunity to develop in the musical theater realm. The program will strengthen acting, choreography, and vocal skill sets. The camp features an intensive approach that will leave parents and audiences in awe! At the end of the final week campers will perform 4 fantastic shows presenting this year’s summer camp production of Mary Poppins.

Camp Showbiz The Magik Theatre 420 S. Alamo St. 78205 The Magik Performing Arts Center 5359 Casa Bella 78249 210-227-2751 MagikTheatre.org

More than 14,000 young people ages 3 to 17 have taken part in Camp Showbiz, San Antonio’s premiere theatre arts summer program. At Camp Showbiz, no two sessions are alike! With guidance from our professional teaching artists, our campers take charge of their experience by learning how to collaborate together to create one-of-a-kind shows. Over the course of a session, campers will have fun growing their imaginations by developing original plays and films,

Join us for a great time this summer as we explore various areas in theatre at Theatrical Thursdays in June, July and August include Improvisation, Drama as Ministry - Get Sketchy, Project Costume, Field Trips. Two week Camps are July 15 – 27: Tech Camp - Dream it! Build it and Drama and Dessert 2019 – Mystery Theatre. Call for details

Dorothy Keck Dancers 1532 Austin Hwy. SATX 78218 210-829-8489 www.dorothykeckdancers.com Join us for a fun-filled summer dance camp! Learn different dance styles and create themed crafts in each two or three day camp. Each camp has a unique theme such as Moana, Mermaid, Olaf, Trolls or Diva; find one to fit your child’s interests! Camps range from 4-10 years old.

For The Love of Drums Call 260-2221 www.fortheloveofdrums.com fortheloveofdrums@att.net https://nisd.net/ace/ We offer Summer Camps at Northside Learning Center off Bandera and Grissom Come have fun playing drums and percussion. We offer field trips to Daycares and Schools and Camps Themes include: Hawaiian/Beach theme Rock n Roll • Celebrate fourth of July.

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From coding and game dev to robotics and design, your child will develop in-demand skills and ignite lifelong passions—all in a fun, inclusive environment. Choose from 50+ innovative courses and join our community of over 400,000 alumni. Get ready for the best summer ever!

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May 2019 | OurKidsMagazine.com

CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES Fun/Enrichment Camp Metro for Girls Sally Cheever Girl Scout Center 5622 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd San Antonio, TX 78237 210-349-2404 www.girlscouts-swtx.org/camp

The premier summer camp for girls to develop her G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) potential. Girls will explore other countries, travel through space and learn survival skills. Only $175 per week. Meals and before & aftercare are offered. You don’t need to be a Girl Scout to join the fun!

Camp MSSA The Montessori School of San Anton 17722 Rogers Ranch Pkwy, SATX 78258 210-492-3553 http://montessorisa.org/program/afterschool-and-summer-programs

MSSA Summer Camp features classes for art, sports, coding, games, and more. MSSA’s full-day camp is available to children ages 4 (3 if student is enrolled at MSSA) through 12. Camp hours are 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday. Camps running weekly from June 3 – August 2. Camp will not be held the week of July 4th.

Camp Pump It Up San Antonio NW 7723 Guilbeau Road 210-523-8883 www.pumpitupparty.com/san-antonio-nw-tx/ San Antonio NE 14036 Nacogdoches Road 210-653-0700 www.pumpitupparty.com/san-antonio-ne-tx/ San Antonio SE 2627 SE Military Drive 210-941-2996 www.pumpitupparty.com/san-antonio-se-tx/

Our Camps are the perfect destination for your child

The DoSeum Summer Camps The DoSeum 2800 Broadway 210-212-4453 thedoseum.org

this summer. Let us workout your child’s mind and body through FUN activities at PUMP IT UP! A free Camp Pump It Up shirt will be given to each child with prepaid registration for a full week of camp. Limit one shirt per camper per year. Camp curriculum is for ages 5-12. It is a summer they will never forget!

Country Home Learning Center 8 locations in San Antonio 210-687-1002 www.countryhomelearningcenter.com

Keep the learning and fun going all summer long with The DoSeum’s summer camps! Your child can engage in large-scale collaborative art pieces, challenging hands-on STEM investigations, and more—all taking place in our indoor and outdoor exhibit space. Whether your child is a future painter, engineer, or a combination of the two, The DoSeum offers a wide variety of programs for kids ages 3-11. Registration begins March 2018.

Join us for an INCREDIBLE Summer Camp Experience! *Kinder – 13 years *Child Approved Special Events *Funfilled days with activities every child enjoys *Kids’ Choice Special Interest Clubs *Exciting Weekly Field Trips.

YMCA of Greater San Antonio Summer Day Camp Multiple Locations 210-924-2277 ymcasatx.org/summer

San Antonio College Summer Camps Alamo.edu/sac/summer-camps!

YMCA camp programs offer youth an opportunity to meet new friends and discover new interests. Activities vary by location but include field trips, crafts, swimming, sports and more. Camp is an excellent way to ensure kids stay engaged socially, physically, and academically throughout the summer. Financial assistance is available.

San Antonio College offers a wide range of affordable summer camps for elementary, middle, and high school students—including an American Sign Language Music Camp a Television Production camp, and even several Space camps! Learn more about all our camps and register today at alamo.edu/sac/summer-camps!

SPORTS Green Tree Tennis Club 4721 Callaghan Rd. 681-5261 www.greentreetennis.com

St. Anthony Catholic School 205 W. Huisache Ave. San Antonio, TX 78212 210-732-8801

All Day Sports & Tennis Camp Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. for juniors ages 6–16 yrs. old who love all sports. This camp is instructional and features the club’s popular tennis camp and “Swim America” swim lessons. Other sports include volleyball, basketball, soccer plus movie time, open swim, games and much more! Eleven weekly sessions running June 10 – August 23. Save $$ with package discount and early bird pricing.

Our summer camps offer weekly themes that engage children with readiness skills through hands-on activities. It’s a well-balanced curriculum promoting intellectual, emotional, and social development. With special guest speakers, field trips, summer BBQ, and swimming, your child will want to come back every year. Space is limited, call today.

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CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES Half Day Tennis Camp Monday – Friday from 10 am – 2 pm for juniors ages 6-18 yrs. Great club atmosphere to learn how to play tennis. Basic tennis fundamentals and skills along with stroke production are taught. The camp includes 20 hours of tennis plus pool time! Eleven sessions running from June 10 through Aug. 23. Save $$ with package discount and early bird pricing. A 10% sibling discount always applies. Swim America Swim Lessons - Monday-Friday with morning & evening times for children ages 3 yrs. and older. We teach America to swim for fun and fitness. Weekly sessions with morning and evening times. Beautiful pool area plus experienced instructors. Classes are small and children are grouped according to age and skill level. Nine weekly sessions running June 10 through Aug. 9. Save $$$ with package discount and early bird pricing. A 10% sibling discount always applies. Summer “COMBO” Program - Monday – Friday 9 -10:40 am Tennis and swim instruction for children ages 5 – 11 years old who are beginning tennis. Weekly sessions run Monday through Friday. Basic tennis fundamentals and skills along with stroke production are taught. “Swim America” Swim Lessons are provided in our beautiful pool area! Classes are grouped 4 – 6 children/instructor according to age .and skill level. Nine weekly sessions running June 10 through Aug. 10 - 23 Save $$ with package discount and early bird pricing. A 10% sibling discount always applies.

Jump Rope Express 210-269-0725 coachbobby7755@gmail.com www.coachbobbysports.com

Throughout its 18 year existence, JR Express has trained thousands of kids all across the U.S. The “fun factor” is the foundation of all the games, activities, drills and challenges

that are taught. It is what makes the classes so appealing to kids and keeps them looking forward to every class. The program emphasizes progressive mastery of specific jump rope skills that will get your kids in top form. It increases speed, agility, strength, endurance, stamina, balance, timing and hand-eye-foot coordination. It is also a great tool to help boost your child’s confidence while encouraging self-expression, self-discipline, diligence, and fulfillment. In addition, working together as a group helps foster teamwork, sportsmanship, and the spirit of camaraderie.

Jumping Dragons Performance Team 210-269-0725 Coachbobby7755@gmail.com www.coachbobbysports.com

Calling all Jump Rope Enthusiasts! We are very pleased to announce that the Elite Jumping Dragons Performance Team is looking for members. The team consists of jumpers in elementary and middle school

The Little Gym of Stone Oak 20711 Wilderness Oak, Ste. 106 San Antonio 78258 210-481-5452 www.thelittlegym.com/ sanantoniostoneoaktx/ The Little Gym of North San Antonio 12730 NW Military Highway, Suite 106 San Antonio 78231 210-545-3770 www.thelittlegym.com/NSanAntonioTX

School’s Out, Fun’s In! Combining physical activity, gymnastics, games, Lego-building, and crafts! Your child will spend three adventure-filled hours that will focus on serious fun! Each week revolves around an interactive learning theme with different, creative lesson plans that will keep your child engaged. We will help your child beat the heat by staying cool at The Little Gym. Please call us to book your child’s spot before it’s too late!

Sports & Language Camp Harmony Hills Cabana Club 339 Fantasia Dr. SATX 78261 210 286 9061 210 284 7060 www.idealtennis.com www.careerlanguagetraining.com

Top Golf 5539 N. Loop 1604 West San Antonio, TX 78249 210-202-2694 www.topgolf.com/kidzone

Our Summer Academy is five days of non-stop entertainment and learning that kids will love. This program includes all of the components that make up the great game of golf. From chipping, putting and full swing, to the rules and etiquette, kids will learn everything they need to know to improve their game. Each Academy is designed and taught by our golf professionals from Topgolf Coach in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Topgolf Kids Academy is staffed with a low student-to-instructor ratio to ensure each Junior golfer receives in-depth, hands-on attention while he or she develops a winning golf swing. Children 6 – 12 years of age. Lunch will be provided. Please check the website for dates/prices.

University of the Incarnate Word Cardinal Soccer Camps 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX, 78209 210-841-7396 https://uiwcardinals.com

Cardinal Summer Soccer Camps are designed to provide a fun learning environment for all players from all levels of youth Soccer. The focus is on developing technical skills

ZOO CAMP May-August

Registration is now open VISIT SAZOO.ORG to REGISTER TODAY! Our Kids App Available on Itunes & Google Play

May 2019 | OurKidsMagazine.com

CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES in challenging exercises whilst allowing the campers the opportunity to express themselves in competitive games. There are 4 core topics that we will focus on to help develop the core principles needed to become a successful soccer player. We also have a brand new staff this summer who are all nationally qualified coaches and are excited to work with your kids. Camp dates are June 16-17, June 26-29, and July 23 – 27.

SPECIAL NEEDS Special Reach Crown of Life Lutheran Church 19291 Stone Oak Parkway San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 788-0010 www.specialreach.org

Join the Spring Sensation! Children with special needs ages 6-18, and their siblings 5 and older are invited to join us from March 11th- March 13th 9am-3pm (early dropoff & late pick up available upon request) for a fun-filled week with games, arts and crafts, music, special guests, and more!

The Clowvazar Academy (210) 690-4800 12746 Cimarron Path, #120 www.clowvazar.com

Each summer The Clowvazar Academy opens three summer sessions in June, July and August for students with Anxiety, High Functioning Autism or other related learning differences. We accept students from Kindergarten to High School. Limited seats are available. Visit us online for tuition information and requirements.

OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Girls’ Camps Camp Honey Creek

401 Honey Creek W. Camp@camphoneycreek.com www.camphoneycreek.com

Located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Camp Honey Creek for Girls is committed to helping girls of all ages develop into well-rounded individuals with good moral character, strong values and high self-esteem.

iD Tech Held at 150 Prestigious Campus Locations 1-888-709-8324 www.iDTech.com

iD Tech is the world leader in STEM education, with 400,000 alumni since 1999. Summer programs for ages 7-19 are held at 150 prestigious campuses including Stanford, NYU, HKU, and Imperial College London. Students build in-demand skills for futures in coding, game development, robotics, and design. Visit iDTech.com.

Camp La Jita Utopia, TX (on the Sabinal River) 210-349-2404 or 800-580-7247 www.girlscouts-swtx.org

Ages: 6-16 • Liberating all-girls atmosphere, Guadalupe River, air-conditioned. Family style dining. Worldwide enrollment, personable! Fun, instruction-oriented, doing the right thing; more than 40 activities. Family owned, operated.

Rocky River Ranch P.O. Box 109 • Wimberley, TX 78676 512-847-2513 www.rockyriverranch.com

Girls ages 7 -14 enjoy the experience of a lifetime at Rocky River Ranch. Located in the heart of the beautiful Texas hill country in Wimberley, Rocky River Ranch has been operating as a private summer camp for girls since 1953. We are a residential summer camp offering three different session lengths and a wide variety of activities.

Boys’ Camps

Ages 7-18 Sports, horseback riding, canoeing, dance, crafts, backpacking, swimming, archery, photography, etc. NonGirl Scouts welcome. Please visit our website for more information.

Camp Sierra Vista for Girls 175 Rio Vista Road, Ingram, TX, 78025 830-367-5353 sierravista.dir@gmail.com www.vistacamps.com

Heart of the Hills Camp for Girls Hunt, TX 78024 830-238-4650 info@hohcamp.com www.hohcamp.com

Camp Mondamin for Boys P.O. Box 8, Tuxedo, NC 28784 800-688-5789 mondamin@mondamin.com www.mondamin.com

Ages 7 - 12 • Aug. 5 - Aug. 18 - August Camp is a two-week session designed to introduce campers to the program at Mondamin. The time allows for great friendships and experiences such as independence and working toward goals. We will touch on all our activities and take many overnight trips. The short period is an excellent choice for those wanting a taste of camp fun.

Camp Rio Vista for Boys 175 Rio Vista Road, Ingram, TX, 78025 830-367-5353

Small, private, traditional camp in the Texas Hill Country. A summer tradition of fun, friends, exciting activities, lifelong memories and life-changing experiences. Make forever friends while having the time or your life.

Sports Camps

SW LESSOIM NS All Ag e

June 10 - August 23

• WEEKLY SPORTS CAMP M-F 8:00a.m.-5:30p.m. (includes tennis and swimming)

• WEEKLY TENNIS CAMP M-F 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. .

Nine w s & Levels eek June 10 ly Sessions - August 9

(includes swimming)

• WEEKLY COMBO M-F 9:00a.m.-10:40a.m. (tennis and swim instruction)

GROUP PARTIES!

• Birthday & Team Sports • Perfect for Company Picnics

www.greentreetennis.com

Green Tree TENNIS CLUB

4721 Callaghan Rd. (easy access from all parts of town)

681-5261

• Infant Care • Pre-School Programs • Music & Gymnastics • Private Kindergarten • Karate • Spanish • Ballet • Swimming Located near USAA and the Medical Center. 9433 Fredericksburg Monday - Friday 210-694-4622 6:15 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. www.brightideasdaycare.com

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

FRIEND US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazine210

CAMP & SUMMER ACTIVITIES www.vistacamps.com

Ages 6-16 A Texas Summer tradition since 1921. Beautiful facilities, fun-filled program, exciting activities and dedicated staff provide a memorable learning environment for your son. We emphasize fun, confidence and success!

Camp Stewart for Boys Hunt, TX 78024 830-238-4670 www.campstewart.com

Ages 6-16 • Camp Stewart for Boys is a privately owned, Christian-oriented, non-denominational camp for boys ages six to sixteen. We are located in the heart of the famed Texas Hill Country, near headwaters of the Guadalupe River.

Texas Catholic Boys Camp – Camp Tecaboca Mountain Home, TX 5045 Junction Hwy, Ingram, TX 78025 830-866-3425 office@tecaboca.com www.tecaboca.com

A boy’s camp offering horseback riding, archery, canoeing, swimming, and bead craft, with morning prayer and evening campfire stories. Co-ed Camps

Camp Balcones Springs 104 Balcones Springs Drive, Marble Falls, TX 78654 830-693-CAMP info@campbalconessprings.com www.campiscool.com

A premier Christian sports and outdoor camp dedicated to building quality relationships through spiritual impact and fun. Features air-conditioned cabins with a 4:1 counselor to camper ration.

Deer Creek Camp Medina, Texas 78055 830-589-7123 www.deercreekcamp.com

Deer Creek Camp, located in Medina, Texas, is a Christian Adventure Camp where we capture both the stunning outdoors and a Christ-centered community. From swimming in the Medina River to riding down the longest tandem zip line in Texas. Come see for yourself why Deer Creek Camp is The Place to Be.

His Hill Ranch Camp Overnight & Day Camp Comfort, TX 78103 830-995-3388 camp@hishill.org www.hishill.org

His Hill Ranch Camp is a Christian, non-denominational overnight & day camp offering 1 week sessions through the summer for children 8 - 18 years old. His Hill is a wonderful place for young people to be taught about Jesus Christ from God’s Word while having fun in the outdoor life of the Hill Country.

Mo-Ranch Summer Camp 2229 FM 1340, Hunt, TX 78024 800-460-4401 ext. 250 or 253 www.summercamp.MoRanch.org

Ages 8 – 15 • We are a co-ed, residential camp located within one of the Hill Country’s most beautiful conference centers; the Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly. Located along the Guadalupe River, Mo-Ranch sits on almost 500 acres of gorgeous Hill Country property. We offer a wide range of traditional camp activities including archery, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and rock climbing.

T Bar M Camps and Retreats New Braunfels 830-620-4263 www.tbarmcamps.org

Camp is one of the most lasting, rewarding experiences parents can give their children. It builds self-esteem, gives kids a sense of independence and allows them to take a breather from the day-to-day. Over 10,000 people experience T Bar M Christ-centered Adventure every year. Come see what It’s all about.

YMCA Camp Twin Lakes 204 E. Little Elm Trl Cedar Park 78613 512-257-0709 camptwinlakes.ymcagwc.org

YMCA Camp Twin Lakes offers week-long overnight and mini overnight summer camp just north of Austin. Join the YMCA for 6 weeks of Full Overnight Camp in 2017. Kids ages 8-16y/o. New Cabins have bathrooms and A/C, experienced counselors, nutritious meals & new friends. All the activities you love and a whole lot more! Conveniently located in Cedar Park.

Special Needs Camp Agape Bereavement Camp for Children Burnet, TX 214-674-1205 info@campagapetexas.org www.campagapetexas.org

Ages 7-12 • Camp Agape’s Children Summer Session will be held August 5th-8th at Forest Glen Camps, $50 application fee that is refunded at the end of camp. Camp Agape is a non-denominational, Christian-based program that supports children and families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The trained staff and volunteers are committed to sharing the belief that through Christ there is HOPE, and will provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children to heal from the pain of grief.

Charis Hills Camp Ingram, TX 888-681-2173 info@charishills.org www.charishills.org

Ages 7 – 18 •Charis Hills is a Christian Summer Camp specifically designed to help kids with learning differences (ADHD, LD, ED and Asperger’s) find success. Our focus is on building self-confidence, social skills and independence.

Apparel for Dance & Gymnastics Bodywear & Shoes for Children thru Adults

Dorothy’s Dance Shop 3 Locations: 1532 Austin Hwy.

829-8454

11255 Huebner Rd. #107

558-4200

434 N Loop 1604 W, #1102

545-4700

See our store specials online at

www.dorothysdanceshop.net Our Kids App Available on Itunes & Google Play

May 2019 | OurKidsMagazine.com

Health

What a Pain! When to Worry About Childhood Headaches By Malia Jacobson

When adults sense the dull throb of a headache coming on, we can likely figure out its origin — too much time staring at a screen, too few glasses of water or one too many glasses of wine last night. When our kids get a headache, though, they often can’t describe exactly what they’re feeling. That leaves parents guessing: are they just tired, dehydrated or overstimulated? Trying to get out of a dreaded chore? Or is something really wrong?

Types of headaches

If you’ve ever suffered from a migraine — a pulsing, throbbing headache often accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound — you probably hope that your child won’t. Unfortunately, research shows migraine headaches have a strong genetic link; kids who have one biological parent with a history of migraine have a 50 percent risk of developing migraine headaches, while kids descended from two migraine sufferers have a 75 percent risk. Migraine headache can strike teens, young children, even infants who can’t tell caregivers what they’re feeling. But adults can look for physical clues: Kids experiencing migraine often appear pale or red, may vomit and usually want to crawl into bed and turn off the lights. Tension-style headaches can result from stress, physical strain, or illness. Unlike migraine headaches, tension headaches don’t throb or pulsate, don’t get worse with physical activity and aren’t accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Cluster headaches –sharp, stabbing headaches that strike one side of the face, sometimes along with stuffy nose or congestion—are quite rare in children, says Blume. They’re short in duration, under three hours and often “clustered” over the course of a day or a week. Chronic daily headaches (CDA) are headaches occurring more than 15 days per month. These headaches can result from head trauma or an infection.

How common are headaches in childhood? Childhood headaches are more common than many caregivers realize, says Heidi Blume, MD, MPH, associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Neurology at Seattle Children’s Hospital. In fact, Blume notes, headaches are widespread in kids and teens, and become more common as kids get older, particularly for girls. 26

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

Headache care at home

Kids’ headaches usually respond well to simple lifestyle changes, and swift treatment at the beginning of a headache can prevent it from getting worse. “Most kids’ headaches, even migraine, can be treated with lifestyle changes, such as drinking a large glass of water and resting at the onset of a headache, and taking medications like ibuprofen and Tylenol,” says Blume. Blume uses the term SMART to help families remember some of the most effective strategies for dealing with frequent childhood headaches: S reminds kids to get enough sleep, M stands for meals and hydration, A is for moderating strenuous activity, R is for relaxation, and T refers to headache triggers like dehydration, foods containing nitrates, or too much stress.

When to call your doctor

It’s important to note that “common” isn’t the same as “normal;” just because headaches are widespread doesn’t mean that it’s normal for children to suffer from frequent, debilitating pain. Blume recommends that children who get four or more debilitating headaches (ones so painful that kids can’t function normally) per month get checked out by a medical professional. And, she notes, headaches associated with other symptoms that might indicate neurological problems, like muscle weakness, numbness, problems with speech, or progressive decline in functions, warrant an immediate call to your healthcare provider. Happily, many children who experience frequent headaches will outgrow them as they move into adulthood. In the meantime, the next time your child collapses on the couch with complaints of a pounding head, you’ll be ready. Malia Jacobson is a nationally published health and family journalist. FRIEND US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazine210

TREATING CHILDREN. CARING LIKE FAMILY.

Built exclusively for kids, Methodist Children’s Hospital cares for your child and your family just like we would our own. It’s what we do best.

Call-a-Nurse Program If your child is sick, we’re here to help Monday – Friday, 5pm – 8pm and around the clock on weekends and major holidays.

210-22-NURSE (210-226-8773)

MHSChildrens.com

May 2019 | OurKidsMagazine.com

4/11/19 4:01 PM

d ng

calendar

OF EVENTS

MAY May 2-5 / Cornyval Cornyval: May 2-5, 2019. Live music, fun and games, food, arts and crafts and other entertainment is provided for your enjoyment throughout the four days of the festival. A full carnival midway including thrilling rides, a super ferris wheel, games, and amusements to be enjoyed by all. $20 wristbands, for unlimited rides will be available Thursday and Sunday. Special prices will be available on Friday and Saturday. $5-$10/Children under 12 free. Special military rates. Rodeo admission is $10. 12210 Leslie Rd, Helotes, TX 78023. 210-695-2103. http://cornyval.org/

May 3-5 / Viva Market Square: Celebrating Cinco De Mayo

Come enjoy bands playing all three days, then on Sunday, May 5th Univision 41 KWEX takes over San Saba Street with a Mariachi Competition starting at 10 am. Plenty of food, fun, culture, original crafts, and music for the whole family to enjoy. Come celebrate Viva Market Square and Cinco De Mayo. 12 to 9 PM, Historic Market Square.

May 4 / Mini-Mini Con 2019

This family-friendly event will feature gaming, vendors, Cosplay, panels, and more. It is hosted by San Japan and Nine-Tails. Here, you will get a sample of what big fan conventions can be like. We will have a variety of activities going on: artists and dealers, karaoke, cosplay, guests, fan panels, gaming of all kind, fashion, and music events. 2019 will be our sixth year putting on this event. We had over 5000 people attend in 2018 and we expect even more to attend as word gets around the region. Free. 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wonderland of the Americas Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd. http:// miniminicon.com/

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

To Advertise Call 305-4181

1 Wednesday

SAMA Playdates – Delightful Dragons: Playdates cultivate, nurture and inspire creativity while developing an appreciation of art and world cultures. Toddlers experience stories, gallery activities, hands-on art, movement and music. Space is limited, first-come, first-served. Participants should meet at the front desk. 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Playdates is for ages 2 to 4. Free with Museum admission. Children 12 and under always receive free admission. Chinese Gallery, San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave. 210.978.8100. https:// www.samuseum.org/calendar Astronomy in the Park: Astronomy in the Park, presented by the San Antonio Astronomical Association, is the longest running public star party in the San Antonio Metro area. It is held each Wednesday from dusk (7:00) p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the parking lot at Raymond Rimkus Park, 6440 Evers Rd, Leon Valley Texas, 78238, weather permitting. (210) 262-8384. http://sanantonioastronomy.org

2 Thursday

Cornyval: May 2-5, 2019. Live music, fun and games, food, arts and crafts and other entertainment is provided for your enjoyment throughout the four days of the festival. A full carnival midway including thrilling rides, a super ferris wheel, games, and amusements to be enjoyed by all. $20 wristbands, for unlimited rides will be available Thursday and Sunday. Special prices will be available on Friday and Saturday. $5-$10/Children under 12 free. Special military rates. Rodeo admission is $10. 12210 Leslie Rd, Helotes, TX 78023. 210-695-2103. http://cornyval.org/ Charity Golf Tournament: Join us for our first annual K Fore Kids Charity Golf Tournament. This day on the course will feature a wonderful spring day with your golfing friends, a helicopter ball drop for a chance to win a trip to Napa, CA, social, and awards, all while helping Alamo Kiwanis with its mission to help children in need in San Antonio. 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Quarry Golf Course, 444 East Basse Rd. 210-824-4500. https://www. Facebook.com/OurKidsMagazineSA/

eventbrite.com/e/k-fore-kidscharity-golf-tournament-tickets-5 6225840001?aff=ebdssbdestsearc h#listing-organizer

3 Friday

Miss Anastasia’s Wild and Wacky Pre- WeekendTwiglet Storytime: Miss Anastasia combines story time and a delightful craft each Friday. Free. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Twig Book Shop in the Can Plant Building, 306 Pearl Parkway Ste. 106. 210-826-2611. https://www. thetwig.com/event/2019-05 Free Movie Screening “Cloak & Dagger” at Mission Marquee Plaza: A young boy and his imaginary friend end up on the run while in possession of a top-secret spy gadget. With plenty of lawn space, visitors are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy an evening of entertainment under the stars. Venue will open 7:00 p.m., and the movie will begin 15 minutes after sunset. The event is free, parking available onsite and pet friendly. Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. 210-207-8612. https://www. missionmarquee.com/EVENTS/ Outdoor-Movie-Series Viva Market Square! Celebrating Cinco De Mayo: Come enjoy bands playing all three days, then on Sunday, May 5th Univision 41 KWEX takes over San Saba Street with a Mariachi Competition starting at 10 am. Plenty of food, fun, culture, original crafts, and music for the whole family to enjoy. Come celebrate Viva Market Square and Cinco De Mayo. 12 to 9 PM, Historic Market Square. Art in the Park: Come down each month for a night full of diverse artistic activities for kids. FREE! Art in the Park is brought to Hemisfair in collaboration with USAA®. Enjoy painting with Pinot’s Palette, balloon making by Mandie’s Balloons, music by Mariachi Los Soberanos, face painting by IPaintU by Brie, crafts by Inspire Community Fine Art Center, and a pop up by Spare Parts! Don’t forget to grab eats, drinks and treats from our on-site tenants which include: Chocollazo & Sugar Sugar, CommonWealth Coffeehouse & Bakery Hemisfair, Con Safos,

FREE THINGS TO DO IN SA Downtown Tuesdays Free parking at city facilities, restaurant deals and special events can be found downtown every Tuesday night from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Information is available online. www.downtowntuesday.com

Institute of Texan Cultures ITC offers complimentary admission on the Second Sunday of every month. 210-4582300. www.texancultures.com

Inspire Community Fine Art Center Free Family Art Day on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1943 N New Braunfels Ave. 210-829-5592. www. inspirefineart.org

McNay Art Museum Free admission the first Sunday of each month from noon to 5 p.m. and every Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. 210-805-1768. www.mcnayart.org

New Braunfels Railroad Museum Free Admission every first and third Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids of all ages run the train and become a junior engineer. 302 West San Antonio St., New Braunfels. 830627-2447. newbraunfelsrailroadmuseum.org

San Antonio Museum of Art Free admission every Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon and every Tuesday from 4 to 9 p.m. San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave. 210-978-8100. www.samuseum.org

The Alamo Free interactive living history event from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Includes live demonstrations, living history and history talks. 300 Alamo Plaza. 210-225-1391. www.thealamo.org.

The Witte Museum Free admission from 3 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday. 3801 Broadway. 210-357-1900. www.wittemuseum.org

May 2019 | OurKidsMagazine.com

Free Screening of “Ralph Breaks The Internet” will be shown at Mission Marquee Plaza on May 4th.

Cocina Y Cantina, Dough Pizzeria Napoletana, Paleteria San Antonio Art in the Park is on the first Friday of every month and will be at held Central Games Plaza. 7 PM – 9 PM. Hemisfair, 630 Nueva St. Cornyval: see May 2

4 Saturday

Mini-Mini Con 2019: This familyfriendly event will feature gaming, vendors, Cosplay, panels, and more. It is hosted by San Japan and Nine-Tails. Here, you will get a sample of what big fan conventions can be like. We will have a variety of activities going on: artists and dealers, karaoke, cosplay, guests, fan panels, gaming of all kind, fashion, and music events. 2019 will be our sixth year putting on this event. We had over 5000 people attend in 2018 and we expect even more to attend as word gets around the region. Free. 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wonderland of the Americas Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd. http:// miniminicon.com/ Farmers Market: Shop fresh local produce, farm fresh eggs, breads,

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

jams, jellies, local honey and Texas Hill Country arts and crafts at the historic Herff Farm at the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne. Enjoy free live music, gardening classes, cooking demonstrations and children’s craft activities, too. This popular Texas Hill Country outdoors farmers market will be open to the public every Saturday through November. This Farmer›s Market will take place at the Kendall County Fairgrounds Center›s Mostly Native Plant Sale! Please note this market is usually held at Cibolo. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Kendall County Fairgrounds. 1307 River Road, Boerne. 830-249-4616. https:// www.visitboerne.org/calendar/ farmers-market-cibolo-206 Bird Walk at the Greenline at Brooks: If you enjoy looking at birds or are curious about bird watching, this is the perfect event for you! Join us every first Saturday for bird walks designed for the beginning birder. Travelling by foot, your guide will go over birding identification and the proper use of binoculars, then explore the Greenline for various species. This

is a very family-friendly program. Advanced birders are also welcome to attend. No binoculars? No problem! We have some to loan. Meet at the butterfly kite statue in the main area of the park. Bring sunscreen, hat, closed-toed shoes, water, and your enthusiasm! Free. 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton Rd. 210-628-1639. http://mitchelllake.audubon.org/events/ bird-walk-greenline-brooks-5 Starting Out Wild: Nature Play Day: Just for the little ones. Bring your toddlers, 1 to 4 years old, for an active morning together in the park. Enjoy hands-on nature play activities, crafts, movement, songs and readings of nature books, all based on the popular Starting Out Wild curriculum. You know what your child likes best, so please bring your own snacks and drinks. Free; donations accepted (recommended $3 a person or $5 per family). No registration needed. 9 a.m. to 11:00. Phil Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center, 8400 N.W. Military Hwy (West Side). 210-492-7472. http://www.philhardbergerpark.org/ To Advertise Call 305-4181

Free Movie Screening “Ralph Breaks The Internet” at Mission Marquee Plaza: Six years after the events of “Wreck-It Ralph,” Ralph and Vanellope, now friends, discover a wi-fi router in their arcade, leading them into a new adventure. With plenty of lawn space, visitors are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy an evening of entertainment under the stars. Venue will open 7:00 p.m., and the movie will begin 15 minutes after sunset. The event is free, parking available onsite and pet friendly. Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. 210207-8612. https://www.missionmarquee.com/EVENTS/ Outdoor-Movie-Series Cornyval Parade of Helotes: Annual parade held in conjunction with Cornyval in Helotes. The parade begins at 10 a.m. The 2019 parade theme is “May the 4th be with you!” Since the parade will take place on May 4 this year, our theme is a play on words and tribute to our friends who love Star Wars movies. It is recommended that you bring your own chairs, blankets, and umbrella. Free. 10 – 11. Parade starts on Leslie Road in Helotes. 210-695-5916. http://www. helotes-tx.gov/events/ helotes-cornyval-parade/ “Kids Fun Day” with Trains: The New Braunfels Train Museum is a place for fun for kids of all ages. “Kids Fun Day” is the first and third Saturday of every month. Kids of all ages “run the train” and become a “junior engineer.” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. New Braunfels Railroad Museum. 830-627-2447. http://newbraunfelsrailroadmuseum. org/public_html/ Cinco de Mayo at Traders Village: There will be live music and fun on many stages throughout Traders Village on Saturday and Sunday, May 5th and 6th. There will be a full afternoon of entertainment and Facebook.com/OurKidsMagazineSA/

live bands on both days on two big stages plus on stages throughout the market. Free. Parking $4 per car. Music is from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Trader’s Village, 9333 Southwest Loop 410. 210-623-8383. https://tradersvillage.com/ san-antonio/events/cincode-mayo-music-celebration/ Southtown Arts District Cinco de Mayo Markets: Southtown Arts District Lavaca Neighborhood First and Second Saturday Markets - Cinco De Mayo. Amazing vendors and featuring Mexican Folkloric Dancers. 10am - 5pm. The Artisan (San Antonio) 1103A S. Presa St. 210-848-1069. https://www.facebook.com/ events/339677723316105/ Children’s Health Awareness Fair 2019: Sporting good giveaways for the first 100 kids that walk through the door. Free. 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 5427 Ray Ellison Boulevard. 210-816-2067. https:// vtservicesa.wixsite.com/ vtservicesa Cornyval: see May 2 ¡Bravo! Mi Cultura - Cinco De Mayo Performances: See May 3 Northwest Vista College Presents May 4th and Wookiee Walk: Star Wars fans come to the beautiful NVC campus on Saturday, May 4th for a day of fun. Music starts at 4 pm. At 6 pm, the San Antonio Wookiee Walk will begin. Come in your best Star Wars costumes to walk around our lake with Star Wars props along the way and take plenty of pictures. From 6-7:30 pm, there will be a costume contest, games, activities, food trucks, vendors and more. Right before sundown, the movie “The Last Jedi” will start. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Only service pets allowed. No smoking or alcohol on campus. Everything is free except for vendors and food trucks. 4 PM – 9:30 PM. Northwest May 2019 | OurKidsMagazine.com

on the Great Lawn – the perfect play date for your little ones! Big Blue Blocks allow for creativity and use of fine motor skills besides being tons of fun. Free. 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hemisfair, 434 S Alamo St. 210-709-4750 http://hemisfair.org/

7 Tuesday

Art Fit - Art + Yoga: Get to know the galleries during a quick 5-10 minute gallery talk on art and yoga, then center your mind and body during an all level vinyasa flow in the shady Sculpture Garden with certified instructors from MBS Fitness. In the case of inclement weather, class will be held in the covered River Pavilion. Meet in the Great Hall. Bring a mat and water bottle.. 6 to 7 p.m. San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave. 210-978-8100.

Mini-Mini Con 2019 will be held at Wonderland of the Americas Mall on May 4th. Vista College, 3535 N Ellison Dr.

5 Sunday

Cinco de Mayo: See May 4 Lemonade Day: Lemonade stands will be all over Boerne, along the Hill Country Mile as well as in Main Plaza. Feeling thirsty? Buy a glass of cool lemonade while spending the day in Boerne and help spark an entrepreneurial spirit. Lemonade Day is a fun, experiential learning program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their own business – a lemonade stand. Help to empower today’s youth to be tomorrow’s entrepreneurs! Free. All day. (830) 249-8000. Hill Country Mile and Beyond, Boerne. https://www.visitboerne.org/ calendar/lemonade-day-1

come and trade without setting up a table. Also you may take a monetary “donation” in exchange for the medal. Free. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Arctic Ape Wild Desserts, 5221 Walzem Road, Suite 1. Cornyval: see May 2

6 Monday

Big Blue Blocks: Big Blue Blocks

Free Family Night at the DoSeum: Every first Tuesday of the month, the first 1,500 guests will be admitted for free so please arrive early to ensure entry. 4 to 7:30 p.m. The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway. 210-212-4453. www. thedoseum.org Little Explorers – Plants!: We will look at the different parts of a plant and what they need to live. We will also look at what they provide to people as well as wildlife. $5 per family. Storytime included, and each child will get a craft to bring home. 10:00 a.m.

Turkish Fest by TAASA: Come and enjoy a day full of great food, spectacular dance shows, live music, belly dance, art shows and loads of fun! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Turkish twist. Free admission. 11 AM – 8 PM. La Villita Historic Arts Village. 418 Villita St. Fiesta Medal Trading Event: Bring all your medals you wish to trade & come get some new ones as well! Individuals are welcome to

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

Mary Poppins Returns wiil be screening at The Tobin Center, Will Naylor Smith River Walk Plaza on May 10th. To Advertise Call 305-4181

to 11:00 a.m. CNC Library. Cibolo Nature Center & Farm, 140 City Park Road, Boerne. 830-331-8868. www.cibolo.org Story Time in the Book Garden: Come down to the park on Tuesday mornings for a Story Time and a fun activity to accompany it. Visit the free take-a-book, leavea-book mobile library, where families can take a free book or donate any books that you’re done with. This event is perfect for kids under age 4. Free. 10 to 11 a.m. Hemisfair, 434 S Alamo St. 210-7094750. http://hemisfair.org/

8 Wednesday

Yoga at Mission Concepcion: Join Mobile Om and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park for yoga at the Missions! Sponsored by Mission Heritage Partners, this complimentary class helps balance the mind and body in the heart of the historic San Antonio Missions. Times vary by date. Mission San José, 6701 San José Drive. 936-499-4804. https:// www.facebook.com/ events/228983508050487/ Astronomy in the Park: see May 1 Little Explorers: see May 1

9 Thursday

Art Crawl – The Wonder of Nature: Moms, dads and caregivers can put their babies in slings and take a walk through the museum galleries for a guided tour. Talks are geared toward adults while the art selections are chosen to engage the adults and infants 0-18 months. Held every Thursday of the month. Tour includes group play and social time. Free with museum admission. Children 12 and under are free. 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Oceanic

Gallery, San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave. 210-978-8100. https://www.samuseum. org/programs-events/ event-calendar

10 Friday

H-E-B Cinema on the Plaza - Mary Poppins Returns: Now an adult with three children, bank teller Michael Banks learns that his house will be repossessed in five days unless he can pay back a loan. His only hope is to find a missing certificate that shows proof of valuable shares that his father left him years earlier. Just as all seems lost, Michael and his sister receive the surprise of a lifetime when Mary Poppins -- the beloved nanny from their childhood -- arrives to save the day and take the Banks family on a magical, fun-filled adventure. Movie starts at 8:00 p.m. (Plaza will open at 7:00 p.m.). No outside food or drinks. Concession are available for purchase. *BYOC (Chairs) Chairs are provided but attendees are also encouraged to bring their own blankets and portable chairs. The Tobin Center, Will Naylor Smith River Walk Plaza. 100 Auditorium Circle. 210-223-3333. https:// www.facebook.com/ events/386501758809504/ The Jungle BookFree Outdoor Movie: Sponsored by the San Antonio River Foundation. Bring picnics, lawn chairs and blankets. Film starts at dusk. 7 to 10 PM. Confluence Park, 310 W Mitchell St. Miss Anastasia’s Twiglet Storytime: see May 3

11 Saturday

Fit Family Challenge D4 Heroes 5K and 10k: The 8th Annual San Antonio Sports Fit Family Challenge kicks off with the D4 Heroes 5K and 10k.

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The Fit Family Challenge is a free 12-week summer program with the goal to get families active, eating better and learning about health and fitness. Weekly events are held in the 10 area zip codes identified with the highest rates of diabetes and obesity, although the program is open to anyone. Free. Opening Ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Event begins at 8 a.m. The start/finish line village will be in the small parking lot at the corner of 36th street and General Hudnell Dr. 210-820-2108. http:// www.sanantoniosports.org/ fitfamilychallenge/ San Antonio Donut Fest: Feast on pastries from dozens of local bakeries, sip on some deliciously brewed coffee, fresh mimosas and more. Kid-friendly beverages available too! Plus, we’ll make you smile with some Saturday morning cartoons, a cereal bar, games, music and so much more. Participating vendors include Brew’s Lee Tea, Cereal Killer Sweets, Duck Donuts, Miss Chickpea’s Bakeshop, Niche Coffee Co., Popcorn Piccadilly, Shipley Do-Nuts, Snowflake Donuts Culebra, The Art of Donut, The Dapper Doughnut - San Antonio, The Juice Experiment, The Original Donut Shop, Gordough’s and more confirmed daily. Tickets are $15 for admission and include limited donut and pastry samples, music, games and art. Admission is free for children under 10. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts on the Will Naylor Smith River Walk Plaza. Guadalupe River State Park Star Gazing: Scopes are set up in the parking lot on the left hand side of PR 31 at the marker (see map on website). Free. 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Guadalupe River State Park, 3350 Park Road 31. 210-262-8384 https:// nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/event-view. cfm?Event_ID=100193 Listen to Your Mother: A series of live readings read by local authors on the subject of motherhood, in celebration of Mother’s Day. This performance will take you on a well-crafted 90-minute journey about the diverse, true stories of motherhood: being a mom, having a mom, losing a mom, finding a mom...and much more. From hilarious and heartwarming, to emotionally

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

8th Annual NB Kidsfest returns to the Comal County Fairgrounds on May 11th.

intense and profound, Listen to Your Mother entertains, energies, brings community together and leaves everyone feeling a little less alone and a little more understood. 2:00 p.m. Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater. The Tobin Center. 100 Auditorium Circle. 210-223-3333. https://www.tobincenter.org/box-office/2019-05/ listen-your-mother Migratory Bird Day Fest: Mitchell Lake Audubon Center is celebrating 15 years of connecting people to nature through conservation and community education focused on birds and their habitat. The 2019 festival will kick off with a fun run, and will feature van tours of the lake, plant and butterfly walks, live animals, bird of prey show, and more. Free and open to the public. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton Rd. 210-628-1639. http://mitchelllake.audubon.org/events/ migratory-bird-fest-0 Movie in the Park Wonderwoman: Grab a blanket and enjoy a family-friendly motion picture under the stars

every month. Free. Movies start at sunset. 6 to 9 PM. Tower of the Americas, 739 E Cesar Chavez. Boerne Market Days: On the second weekend of each month, families can enjoy shopping in an outdoor setting with artists and craftsmen showing their creative talents and wares. Live music, food, kids’ activities and more. Free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Boerne, Main Plaza. 210-844-8193. http://www.boernemarketdays. com/boerne.html 7th Annual Boerne Art Waddle: Stroll, ride bikes and picnic along Cibolo Creek while viewing paintings, illustrations, jewelry, pottery, sculptures and more, hosted by neighbors in their yards in The Flats of Boerne. Works by more than 70 artists will be for sale, and the event will help support scholarships to Summer Art Camp at the Cibolo Nature Center and Farm. Free. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Rain or shine. Walk starts at 204 W. San Antonio, Boerne. 210-325-6390. https:// www.visitboerne.org/calendar/ boerne-art-waddle-0 To Advertise Call 305-4181

Farmers Market at Cibolo: Shop fresh local produce, farm fresh eggs, breads, jams, jellies, local honey and Texas Hill Country arts and crafts at the historic Herff Farm at the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne. Enjoy free live music, gardening classes, cooking demonstrations and children’s craft activities, too. This popular Texas Hill Country outdoors farmers market will be open to the public every Saturday through November, 2019. 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Herff Farm, 33 Herff Rd. Boerne. 830-249-4616. https:// www.visitboerne.org/calendar/ farmers-market-cibolo-207 Inclusion Programming: Join us every second Saturday for fun, inclusive activities for adults and children of all ages and abilities. Free. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hemisfair, 434 S Alamo St. 210-223-3101 https://hemisfair.org/event/ inclusion-programming-2019-05-11/ 8th Annual NB Kidsfest: Hill Country Conferences proudly presents the 8th Annual NB Kidsfest scheduled for May 11th from 10 am to 4 pm at the Comal County Fairgrounds. We invite you to join us at this a magical event where families experience a fun-filled day discovering new interests, enjoying captivating entertainment and learning with hands-on activities. The mission of the event is to connect local businesses with local families by bringing all the Hill Country’s best for families into one place for one day. Free. 10 AM – 4 PM, 701 E Common St, New Braunfels, TX. Southtown Arts District Cinco de MayoOKM_May_AD.pdf Markets: See May 4th 1 4/23/19 12:37

12 Sunday

Sunday Jazz at the Witte - Sunday Jazz is back in full swing for its 15th season! Join us at the Witte Museum campus and relax under the pecan trees in the Will Smith Amphitheater and enjoy the sounds of the San Antonio Jazz. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Sunday Jazz at the Witte is presented by Dr. Bob and Stephanie Girling. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. Included with museum general admission. 3 to 5 p.m. Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. 210-3571900. http://www.wittemuseum. org/programs-events/event/ sunday-jazz/ CCSA Presents ‘Awaken To Spring’: Join the combined CCSA choirs in an afternoon of all things bright and beautiful in celebration of Mother’s Day. Awaken to Spring will take the audience on an exuberant journey of the generations, through rich texts and memorable moments woven together in an inspirational gift to all grandmothers, mothers, and daughters! 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Tobin Center, River Walk Plaza. 100 Auditorium Circle. 210-2233333. https://www.facebook.com/ events/471558523329286/ Boerne Market Days: see May 11

13 Monday

Little Sprout Monday – Wonderful Water: Water keeps us alive, and is lots of fun too! Bring your little one, age 3-5 years, to the Garden for kid-friendly fun! Each Little Sprout Monday includes storytelling, kids’ crafts and hands-on PM explorations at your child’s pace. Early registration encouraged.

$10 per adult and $5 per child. A parent or guardian must stay with the child. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Little Sprouts Mondays are the 2nd Monday of each month. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. 210-536-1400. http://www.sabot.org/education/ childrens-education/little-sprouts/ Reptile Encounter/Fundraiser for Alamo City Reptile Rescue: Bring the kids for a FREE encounter with some reptiles from Alamo City Reptile Rescue - 501c3 NonProfit and their volunteers then head inside to buy yourself a sweet treat. Guests will get to learn about, handle, and take photos with several species of reptiles. 20% of sales inside Arctic Ape during the event will be going back to the rescue. 5 PM – 8 PM. Arctic Ape Wild Desserts. 5221 Walzem Road, Suite 1. Big Blue Blocks: See May 6th

14 Tuesday

Little Explorers – Plants!: See May 7 th Story Time in the Book Garden: See May 7

15 Wednesday

Tejano 38th Conjunto Festival: The 38th Annual Tejano Conjunto features star-studded performances. Plenty of dancing, food and beverage booths in a familyfriendly environment. 3-day passes will be available at a special rate. Admission fees, start times and locations vary by date and event. Guadalupe Theater and Rosedale Park. 210-271-3151. http://www. guadalupeculturalarts.org/ tejano-conjunto-festival/

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Miss Anastasia’s Twiglet Storytime: see May 3 Tejano 38th Conjunto Festival: See May 15th Cinderella: See May 16

18 Saturday

America’s Armed Forces River Parade will be held on May 18th. Astronomy in the Park: see May 1

16 Thursday

Free Movie Screening “Mary Poppins Returns” at Mission Marquee Plaza: Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael’s children through a difficult time in their lives. With plenty of lawn space, visitors are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy an evening of entertainment under the stars. Venue will open 7:00 p.m., and the movie will begin 15 minutes after sunset. The event is free, parking available onsite and pet friendly. Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. 210-207-8612. https://www.missionmarquee.com/ EVENTS/Outdoor-Movie-Series Cinderella: Join the talented cast of the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio in our magical production of Cinderella! Cast members bring to life the enchantment of this classic story, complete with a wicked step-mother, clumsy step-sisters, a fairy-god mother, and of course a handsome prince! Thursday and Friday at 7:00 p.m. The Tobin Center. 100 Auditorium Circle. 210-2233333. https://www.tobincenter.org/ box-office/2019-05/cinderella Tejano 38th Conjunto Festival: See May 15th

Our Kids Magazine | May 2019

17 Friday

Native Plant Walking Workshop: Explore our 11-acre Texas Native Trail with Master Naturalists. Learn about how native plants conserve water, adapt to their environment, and work in landscapes and what their growing requirements are. Topics include: medicinal uses of native plants as well as their historical and cultural uses, and which are favored by birds, butterflies and other wildlife. There are more than 250 plant species in collections that represent three ecosystems. Sponsored by San Antonio Water System. Free with membership or general admission. 10:00 – 11:30. Registration required. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. 210-536-1400. https://www.sabot. org Coffee and Conversation: Meet and mingle with families on The Wharf to kick off your Friday morning! Enjoy complimentary coffee, creative learning opportunities for your children, and catch-and-release fishing in our fully-stocked 8-acre lake. From crafts to curiosities, and conversations over coffee, there’s plenty of fun in store. 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Morgan’s Wonderland. 5223 David Edwards. 210-4995-5888. https:// www.morganswonderland.com/ programs/coffee-and-conversation/

America’s Armed Forces River Parade: America’s Armed Forces River Parade is dedicated to the men and women of the Armed Forces; past, present and future. Twenty-six patriotically-decorated floats carrying all 5 branches of military personnel ranging from enlisted to a general. Patriotic music is played from the floats and on stage to serenade the floats throughout the 2 1/2 mile downtown area of the River Walk including the Arneson Theatre. This is one of the largest Parades held on the River Walk. View the parade for free from anywhere downtown on the River Walk. View the parade for free from anywhere downtown on the River Walk so arrive early to pick a spot. Free. 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. San Antonio Riverwalk. 210-227-4262. https://events. getcreativesanantonio.com/event/ detail/441960866/Americas_Armed_ Forces_River_Parade Weekend Big Blue Blocks: Big Blue Blocks on the Great Lawn – the perfect play date for your little ones! Big Blue Blocks allow for creativity and use of fine motor skills besides being tons of fun. Free. 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hemisfair, 434 S Alamo St. 210-709-4750 http://hemisfair. org/ Super Fun Saturday: Spring is Blooming: Enjoy an afternoon of learning about the plants used in Yanaguana Garden, plant a seedling with Gardopia Gardens and watching a performance by the Magik Theatre of “The Ants Go Marching”. Super Fun Saturday is brought to you in partnership with Trinidad Realty Partners, The Magik Theatre and Kilwins San Antonio. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 210-7094750. Hemisfair, 434 S Alamo St. http://hemisfair.org/event Texas Bird Walking Workshop: Learn about resident and migrant birds in the San Antonio Botanical Garden, their characteristics, and their requirements for food, nesting, and protection. Sponsored by San Antonio Water System. Free with membership or general admission. Registration required. 9:00 – 11:00. To Advertise Call 305-4181

San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. 210-536-1400. https://www.sabot.org Sensory Friendly Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka: Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to chocolate-covered life. The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder and new songs by Leslie Bricusse (Jekyll & Hyde, Doctor Dolittle) and Anthony Newley, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth. Ideal for ages 5-10. 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $10.00. The Magik Theatre. 210227-2751. 420 S. Alamo St. https:// www.magiktheatre.org/event/ willy-wonka/ Family Health And Wellness Expo 5K: The 2019 Family Health and Wellness 5k will take place on the Hemisphere Park grounds, leading into the historic Riverwalk and back to the 2019 Family Health and Wellness Expo being held at the Henry B. Convention Center. 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM. Hemisphere Park. ITC begins Asian Texans Exhibit and Program Series: The UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures has prepared an Asian Texan Exhibits and Programs series to highlight three prominent Asian communities in Texas and their unique dual heritage as they preserve their cultural identities while adapting to their new lives in Texas.$10 for adults (18-64); $8 for seniors (65+) and minors (6-17); free with membership, UTSA or Alamo Colleges

identification. May 18, 2019 – Feb. 2, 2020. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, Hemisfair Campus, 801 E. César E. Chávez Blvd. “Kids Fun Day” with Trains: see May 4 Tejano 38th Conjunto Festival: See May 15th Farmers Market at Cibolo: See May 11 th Yoga at Mission Concepcion: See May 8th

19 Sunday

YOSApalooza: Join YOSA for the fifth annual YOSApalooza featuring all nine YOSA orchestras together for one spectacular concert. A simulcast of the concert will be broadcast on the giant screen in the Will Naylor Smith Plaza along the San Antonio River Walk. YOSA orchestras are made up of young musicians from across the San Antonio area, ages 8 to 20. This is a free concert, but tickets in the H-E-B Performance Hall are limited to three per family. 6 p.m. The Tobin Center, H-E-B Performance Hall and Will Naylor Smith Plaza. 100 Auditorium Circle. 210-2233333. https://www.tobincenter.org/ box-office/2019-05/yosapalooza Tejano 38th Conjunto Festival: See May 15th

20 Monday

Big Blue Blocks: See May 6th

21 Tuesday

Little Explorers – Plants!: See May 7th Story Time in the Book Garden: See

May 7

22 Wednesday

Astronomy in the Park: see May 1 Yoga at Mission Concepcion: See May 8th

24 Friday

Family Flicks: Night at the MuseumNight at The Museum: Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics! It’s time for a family night. Night at the Museum is the story of a newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History who discovers that an ancient curse causes the animals and exhibits on display to come to life and wreak havoc. Free. Movie starts at sundown. Food trucks on site. 8:30 to 11:30 PM. San Antonio Museum of Art. 200 West Jones Ave. Music in the Park: Ruby City will partner with Trinity University’s radio station, KRTU 91.7 FM, for Music in the Park, an annual evening of performance by Jazz musician Aaron Prado. In 2011, Prado was commissioned by KRTU to write the “San Antonio Jazz Suite,” a long-form work of jazz orchestra, featuring poetry and readings by acclaimed poet Carmen Tafolla. This year also marks Trinity University’s 150th anniversary, with the radio station continuing to cement its identity as a world-class station for mainstream jazz. Free and open to the public. 6 PM – 9 PM. Ruby City, 111 Camp St. Miss Anastasia’s Twiglet Storytime: see May 3

25 Saturday

The Music of John Williams: Come enjoy a spectacular event with

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your favorite movie music by John Williams! Star Wars, Harry Potter, ET, and so many more you are sure to know and love. Noam Aviel, conductor. Eric Gratz, violin. 8 PM – 10 PM. San Antonio Symphony, 100 Auditorium Circle

identification techniques, proper binocular use, and apply them in the field. Experience several of our varied habitats on your walk to see a variety of bird species. This walk is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. Bring: water bottle, closed-toe shoes, bug spray, hat, sunscreen, binoculars and favorite field guide if you have them. Free for Members. $8.00 for non-members. 8 a.m.- 10 a.m. Mitchell Lake Audubon Center 10750 Pleasanton Rd., San Antonio, 78221. 210-6281639. http://mitchelllake.audubon. org/events/beginner-bird-walk-31

Big Blue Blocks: See May 6th Magazine

28 Tuesday

Little Explorers – Plants!: See May 7 th Story Time in the Book Garden: See May 7

Nature Walk: Nicolas Phillips will provide a short show-and-tell in the PHP Urban Ecology Center Classroom. A 1.5 mile walk will 29 Wednesday follow. On this walk participants Astronomy in the Park: see May 1 will learn some of the most common insects in the area, how they interact with plants, and their role in the ecosystem. The walk is on 31 Friday flat terrain and is slow-paced. Meet Farmers Market at Cibolo: See May Movie In The Park- Incredibles in the classroom of the PHP Urban 11th 2: The Incredibles hero family Ecology Center in the west side of takes on a new mission, which Please check your PROOF CAREFULLY for accuracy (address, phone, website, coupons, expiration dates, etc.) as Ad Pages the park. Free; donations acceptinvolves a proof change in family cannot be held responsible for any error not marked. Indicate any changes and return this AS SOON ASroles: POSSIBLE. ed. No registration is required. 27 Monday Bob Parr (Mr Incredible) must 8:00 to• SAN 10:30 a.m. Phil Hardberger DALLAS • AUSTIN ANTONIO • ST. LOUIS Family Fun: Participate in manage the house while his wife Approved, Museum Approved, Park Urban Ecology Center, 8400 the Museum’s 5/6-BP(Elastigirl) no changesa river blessing with notedatchanges _________ 1ST PROOF Helen 2NDgoes PROOF out_________ to N.W. Military Hwy (West Side). River Landing at 11:30 a.m., then save the world. Enjoy pre-show Savings Magazine 210-492-7472. http://www.philhardfrom 12:00–2:00 p.m. dance and activities, and the movie at Authorizing Signature ________________________________________ Date:begins _________ bergerpark.org/ www.adpages.com spin beats with the The AM Project dark! Feature presentation toPAGE be HALF Corp. Fax: 972-509-1603 and make en plein air watercolors Beginners’ Bird Walk: JoinThis us ad every is the property of Ad Pages Magazine. Colors displayed on your proof will not match announced. 7:30 p.m.SPL0516DRB10C Free. (830) finalthis printed ad exactly; variations OCCUR. Corp. 972-424-1980 and art color inspired by WILL Donald Lipski’s 4thOfc. Saturday of the monththefor 248-1635. 100 N. Main, Boerne F.I.S.H. to celebrate 10 years of the regularly scheduled Bird Walk! Main Plaza, Boerne. https:// Museum Reach. Free. 11:30 AM – 2 Travelling by foot, this bird tour is www.visitboerne.org/calendar/ PM. San Antonio Museum of Art, perfect for the beginning birder! 200 West Jones Ave movie-park-5 Your guide will go over basic bird ®

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