June 2021 | Vol. 33 | Issue 6
Wild Encounters AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
CAMP DIRECTORY TEACHING KIDS TO BE
ENTREPRENEURS
THE IMPORTANCE OF
TEEN SLEEP
START PLANNING FOR A
FAMILY CAMPING TRIP
CHECK OUT OUR
FATHER’S DAY FINDS
Start your summer adventure today!
Find your summer adventure at the Houston including new babies Nelson, Winnie, and Te hungry giraffe, experience the thrill of a jagua Pantanal, and more! With more than 800 anim opportunities, there is something for everyo
Tickets only available online–
houstonzoo.org 48 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
n Zoo! Check out the elephant herd— eddy—splashing in their pool, feed a ar walking overhead in South America’s mal species, and a variety of educational one at the Houston Zoo!
–reserve yours today!
MARCH 6 – SEPTEMBER 6
INCLUDED WITH YOUR ZOO VALUE PASS Get yours today at HoustonZoo.org 49 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
What better time than now for hope and healing? The pandemic has brought great challenges. New vaccines are bringing great hope. And through it all, there’s still much healing to be done. You have the power to help in that healing. We all do. Through every act of kindness, every moment of human connection, anyone can make a difference in the healing of another person’s body, mind, and spirit. We call this power humankindness, and we see the extraordinary effect it has on people every day. So while St. Luke’s Health is renowned for world-class medical and academic excellence, we also see great hope in the healing power that’s inside us all.
2 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 GO BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
Have a wild time this summer with the Houston Zoo's many animal encounter opportunities.
12 KID ENTREPRENEURS
Build business savvy kids with these nine impressive skills kids can learn by starting their own business.
6 12
ON THE COVER
16
16 PERSONAL SAFETY PLAN
The home safety plan is a cornerstone of emergency preparedness. Knowing what to do, where to go, and how to respond when tragedy strikes at home can save lives.
18 UNDERSTANDING TEEN SLEEP Teens live in a different time zone biologically, find out how you can help them get the right amount of sleep.
22 FAMILY CAMPING: GET OUTSIDE
Celebrate National Camping Month with these off the wall camping destinations.
36 5 TIPS TO KEEP KIDS READING
Avoid the summer slide with these ideas and tips to keep your kids engaged in reading all summer long.
37 ULTIMATE SUMMER BUCKET LIST Take off and head down to Galveston and plan your adventure with our bucket list of island fun.
44 CAMP DIRECTORY Discover Summer Camps
Hailey (5) & Dad Jimmy, Conroe Texas Photo by Holly Young Photography Location: Houston Zoo
IN EVERY ISSUE 4 PUBLISHER'S NOTE
30 I AM HOUSTON
38 THE BIG TO-DO
10 FAMILY FINDS
36 BOOK BITES
44 KID AMBASSADOR
School's out for summer and we couldn't be more thrilled.
Find the perfect gift for dad.
Meet Hilary Amburgey and Elizabeth Thompson, founders of Jollie
Check out these hot summer reads suggested by Blue Willow Bookshop.
3 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
Explore all the great things happening in the Greater Houston area.
Meet this month's HFM Kid Ambassador, Kate Bostick.
Letter from the editor
SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER
publisher/editor
Kimberly Davis Guerra kim@houstonfamilymagazine.com
associate editor
Chantal Lemieux chantal@houstonfamilymagazine.com
creative director/ production
As a kid, I can remember counting down to the last days of school. Anxiously waiting for the day that I could sleep the days away, head to the beach or get lost in a good book. The few days before school ended seemed to drag on forever. But when that last bell rang, that was the sound of freedom.
Casey Johnson casey@houstonfamilymagazine.com
contributing authors Kimberly Blaker Kimberly Davis Guerra Valerie Koehler Chantal Lemieux Sarah Lyons Christa Melnyk Hines
contributing photographers
ABOVE// Kim with son Bodhi
Holly Young Photography Pop of Color Photo- Amy Garrett Three Little Chickadees Photography
advertising sales Beverly Davis Tish Petty
printing
Publication Printers Denver, Colorado
contact us:
14123 Bluebird Lane Houston, TX 77079 (P) 713.266.1885 (F) 713.266.1915 www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
THE BIG TO DO Did you know our online calender is packed with even more great family friendly events? Check it out at houstonfamilymagazine.com. FIND US ON FACEBOOK @houstonfamilymagazine FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @houstonfamilymagazine
CONTACT US Let us know how we’re doing. kim@houstonfamilymagazine.com
Today, as the mom of a teenage boy, I found myself in the same situation. Counting down those last few days. Anxiously waiting for the mornings that I wouldn’t have to fuss after a sleepy boy who desperately wanted ‘5 more minutes, mom’. Not getting up early to cook healthy breakfasts and pack lunches. Now, selfishly, I get to just worry about me. Summer break rocks for parents, too! So as we roll into our first summer, post COVID-19 with vaccines, it is with great hope and anticipation of the days to come. A feeling of normalcy is just around the corner. A sense that we may start to come out from under the cloud we have all been living under and find our way back into the sun. Back amongst friends, family and strangers, for that matter. A chance to gain back some of what we have lost. It is with these thoughts in mind that we pulled together this issue to celebrate summer in our calendar of events chock full of fun activities for all ages. Celebrate our city and all it has to offer. To celebrate fathers with great gift ideas and all they do for our families. To get our kids back in summer camps with their friends having fun and being kids again with our awesome camp directory. And so much more. For all those small businesses out there, we support you. We encourage you to contact us and tell us your story. We are here for you and look forward to helping in any way we can. We sincerely hope you find this, and every, issue entertaining, educational and empowering. It is our intent to provide local content to make your lives better in whatever small way we can. Enjoy your summer!
Publisher/Editor Houston Family is published monthly by Houston Family Magazine, LLC. Houston Family is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only Houston Family authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all submitted material. We cannot be responsible for the return of any submitted material. Houston Family is ©2020 by Houston Family Magazine,LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express permission is prohibited. 4 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
get noticed. advertise with us!
Available in print, digital and everything inbetween. www.houstonfamilymagazine.com
5 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
family life | F E AT U R E
GO BEHIND THE SCENES
at the Houston Zoo
TAKE A MORNING STROLL WITH A CHEETAH, FEED A GORILLA, OR EVEN GIVE AN ELEPHANT A BATH! THESE ARE SOME OF THE MANY EDUCATIONAL BEHIND-THE-SCENES EXPERIENCES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN TRY AT THE HOUSTON ZOO THIS SUMMER.
6 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
Animal Encounters are one-of-a-kind opportunities to meet zookeepers and get up close to your favorite animals. Each encounter is an interactive experience designed with the animals’ welfare in mind. Get a tour of the space, meet the animals, and spend some time with a keeper to learn how the animals are cared for, the challenges they might face in the wild, and what you can do at home to help save them in the wild. With so many options to choose from, there is something for everyone at the Houston Zoo. ELEPHANT BATH EXPERIENCE
ALLIGATOR EXPERIENCE
TUESDAYS, 11:00 – 11:45 A.M.
THURSDAYS, 10:00 – 10:45 A.M.
THURSDAYS, 1:00 – 1:45 P.M.
Join the orangutan troop and their zookeepers for a special training session. Learn more about these Great Apes, including their favorite activities, and help deliver a tasty treat.
Head behind the scenes to experience first-hand what it’s like to bathe an elephant! You will get to feed and touch one of these amazing creatures with a photo opportunity you can share with friends and family.
Accompany zookeepers into a staff-only area to learn more about these amazing reptiles. During this experience you will participate in a training demonstration and even feed the alligators some of their favorite food.
SEA LION TRAINING EXPERIENCE
OKAPI ENCOUNTER
NIGHT AT THE ZOO EXPERIENCE
WEDNESDAYS, 9:30 – 10:15 A.M.
THURSDAYS, 9:00 – 9:45 A.M.
THURSDAYS, 8:00 – 8:45 P.M.
Join the sea lion training team for a rare opportunity to participate in an interactive training session complete with a little play time, which might include ball tosses, frisbee catches, and more. You’ll also get a photo opportunity with one of the sea lions!
Get eye-to-eye with one of Africa’s rarest species as you visit the Okapi’s habitat and learn about this closest living relative to the giraffe. You will have the opportunity to feed them their favorite treats during this one-of-a-kind experience.
Learn what happens at night after the zookeepers go home. Accompany staff on a guided flashlight tour during their evening rounds as some animals are settling down for the night and some are just waking up.
photo by THREE LITTLE CHICKADEES PHOTOGRAPHY
ORANGUTANS ENCOUNTER
A WILD ENCOUNTER
Get up close and personal with some of the Zoo’s longestlived residents, the Galápagos Tortoises. Did you know we have a Galápagos Island exhibit in the works? It’s scheduled to open in Autumn 2022. Visit www.houstonzoo.org for all the latest information. photo by HOLLY YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY
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photo by HOLLY YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY
GIANT RIVER OTTER EXPERIENCE FRIDAYS, 10:00 – 10:45 A.M. Meet Max, Marley, Rijo, and Dru in the brand-new exhibit, South America’s Pantanal. Get to know each otters’ personality and discover how zookeepers care for these playful (and vocal) giants.
GORILLA ENCOUNTER FRIDAYS, 10:45 – 11:30 A.M. Step into the tree house and get a up close view into the gorilla’s world. Spend time feeding and interacting with one of the greatest apes while learning about how the Zoo’s global partners are protecting gorillas in the wild.
GOAT EXPERIENCE FRIDAYS – SUNDAYS 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Get to know the Zoo’s goat herd while interacting with them and learning from the Children’s Zoo keepers. While you’re there make sure to get a selfie with your new goat friends.
ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER FRIDAYS & SUNDAYS, 12:45 – 1:30 P.M. Get up close to one of the Zoo’s Asian elephants and see first-hand how keepers build relationships with these amazing animals! You will have an opportunity to feed, hear stories about the herd and touch one of these breathtaking creatures.
GALÁPAGOS TORTOISE ENCOUNTER SUNDAYS & TUESDAYS, 10:00 – 10:45 A.M. Get up close with some of the Zoo’s longest-lived residents, the Galápagos tortoises. During this experience, you’ll have access into the Galápagos tortoise habitat to learn all about these giant, slow-motion reptiles while offering them their favorite snack.
GIRAFFE FEEDINGS DAILY, 11:00 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. Interact with the Masai giraffe family at the Giraffe feeding
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platform, a shaded feeding area with a great view of the giraffes and ostriches. While you’re there, offer a lettuce leaf snack to your new long-necked friends. Animal experiences are offered daily, and each has its own age requirements and group size limits. These experiences fill up fast. A portion of every purchase helps the Houston Zoo save animals in the wild. For all the details and to book an Animal Encounter, visit houstonzoo.org.
family finds | T H E G O O D S T U F F
FATHER’S DAY FAVORITES 1.
1. ULTIMATE DAPPER GENT Consciously-crafted personal care gifts from Walton Wood Farm are sure to make all dads smile with joy. $78 • waltonwoodfarm.com
2.
2. PEARSON BLEACHED DENIM SHIRT Crafted in Italy, this is an elevated take on a weekend favorite, our Pearson Bleached Denim Shirt packs a stylish punch. $225 • jonathanmezibov.com 3. NOMANDIQ PORTABLE PROPANE GAS GRILL The ideal grill for compact backyards! This lightweight portable grill weighs only 12 pounds while providing all the features of a full-size grill. $299 • nomadiqgrills.com
3.
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4. CITY BONFIRE + S’MORES KIT Gather around the City Bonfire and enjoy a night of s’mores with family and friends. Cozy up to our crackling fire and a sweet way to make memories. This will make any day feel a little s’more special. $30.95 • citybonfires.com 5. JADE MARBLE BAR TOOLS Elevate crafting a cocktail with a set of Jade Marble Bar tools. Crafted from Floral Jade Marble. $75 • mgbwhome.com
5. 6.
6. MARBLE WHISKEY SPHERES Keep cocktails cool without diluting with this set of reusable whiskey spheres. Simply chill spheres in a freezer and add to your favorite libation. $45 • mgbwhome.com 7. BLACKLAND DISTILLERY SPIRITS Brewed in Ft. Worth, Texas, Blackland’s small batch bourbon showcases reverence for the American bourbon legacy while delivering a wholly distinct expression. Not a Burbon Fan, they also brew Rye Whisky, Gin & Vodka. $38 • blacklandfw.com
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8. OAK TUMBLERS SET OF 2 An unusual and beautifully crafted creation, this set of 2 Oak Tumblers is an unmatched gift. $176 • mgbwhome.com
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9.
9. Greatest Astro Plays Slate Coasters Relive four of the greatest moments in Astros baseball history. Each set comes with four laser-etched coasters depicting historic plays. $40 • playbookproducts.com 10. Gentleman’s Box from Cratejoy The Gentleman’s Box is a quarterly or monthly subscription focused on bringing an experience to help you grow into a more wellrounded gent. With items based around fashion, technology, and lifestyle, our Premium and Classic boxes are more than a box. You can look forward to blogs, YouTube videos, and the Premium Gentleman’s Post to stay engaged. $35+ per month • cratejoy.com
10.
11. Nomadix Do Anything Towel Nomadix Do Anything towels for fitness, golf, spin class, and all your on-the-go drying needs. Use it as a golf towel on the links or throw it across your bars in spin class. Your gym bag just got a whole lot classier. $27.95 • nomadix.co
FROM GATE TO PLATE!
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DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR.
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13. SHOP LOCAL! GLUTEN FREE BAKERY
12. USDA Prime Surf & Turf BOX from Duke’s From gate to plate, the team at Duke’s Butcher Shop brings over 50 years of experience in the foodservice industry. All meat is sourced from the nation’s top suppliers and delivered directly to your door. $175 • dukesbutchershop.com 13. Ancho Chili Brownies by Leven Baking Company Our brownie is our first Mexican-inspired treat. Our brownies are rich, cake-like, and incredibly delicious. They’re made with 72% organic bittersweet dark chocolate, and the perfect amount of ancho chili powder and cinnamon to spice them up. $10, 3-pack • levenbakingcompany.com
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family life | F E AT U R E
B U S I N E S S I D E AS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS • • • • • • • • 12 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
Babysitting Jewelry making Cookie decorating Social media help How-to videos Photography/Design/Art Tutoring Lawn care
Kid Entrepreneurs
NINE IMPRESSIVE SKILLS THEY CAN LEARN written by Christa Melnyk Hines | photo by Pop of Color Photography, Amy Garrett
With a little bit of ingenuity, any child can test their entrepreneurial wings--and gain a wealth of life skills along the way.
F
ive years ago Dan Viall introduced woodworking to his daughter Livia, now 10, with the intention of spending time with his youngster. Not long after, a family friend stopped by and was so impressed with one of Livia’s creations, he asked to purchase it as a gift for his wife. Excited by the idea of marketing her wares, Livia began peddling her woodwork under the name “Crafty Girl Creations” to family and friends and on her mom’s personal Facebook page. As demand grew, her mom helped her set up a public business page on Facebook. She also sells her home decor items on Etsy and holiday marts. What can kids learn from owning their own businesses? Parents of young entrepreneurs say they not only earn extra cash, they gain a host of valuable life skills too. Self-confidence. Whether they conduct business in person, over the phone or online, kids learn how to talk to customers, politely confirm orders via email, or make eye
contact while responding to an adult’s question. “Some of that is becoming a lost art, which is sad. Sometimes they get nervous, but we coach them about what the conversation might look like and we practice,” says Kristin Viall, mom to Livia, and Brooklyn, 7, who shares her sister’s entrepreneurial spirit. With each conversation, kids slowly grow more selfconfident and poised.
Curiosity. Owning a business can help a child explore a passion while also fulfilling a need. “Brooklyn has been gifted this amazing heart for animals,” Viall says. Although the Vialls weren’t interested in adding a dog to their family, they didn’t want to quash her passion either. Brooklyn turned her love for animals into a pet care enterprise called Blue Doggy Dog Walking. Not only does her business allow her to interact with animals, she also provides a needed service for neighbors,
who sometimes struggle to get home from work in time to let their dogs outside or seek a pet-sitter when they travel.
Problem Solving. Kyler Russell, 13, loves baseball, but early on in his youth baseball career, he resisted wearing an athletic cup because the only ones available were “hard, bulky and uncomfortable.” Many of his friends complained about wearing theirs too. Since his coach required all of his athletes to wear a protective cup during practices and games, Kyler’s parents encouraged their then eight-year-old to come up with a way to address the issue. With help from his mom, a few craft supplies and her sewing machine, they began developing a prototype. After testing and fine-tuning the product, the Comfy Cup was born.
Persistence. Inventing a product, of course, takes patience and tenacity. With persistence
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comes resilience as kids work to promote their business, overcome failures and manage disappointment. “The evolution of Kyler’s idea into a marketable product happened over the course of two years,” says Brandi Russell, Kyler’s mom and coCEO. “There were at least 10 prototypes before Kyler landed on the Comfy Cup you see on Amazon today.”
Teamwork. Like many families whose kids are involved in an entrepreneurial effort, Kyler’s whole family is involved in making the business a success. “The synergy of working together is a valuable lesson in business and in life. In our family, we all support each other and ask for help when we need it,” Russell says. Even Kyler’s younger sister Ellie, 10, is an employee of the company, filling orders for shipment before school.
Commitment. Maddox Weber, 11, had to think fast after making a “poor
Local
Local Kid-preneur Julie Koch, age 12, is a girl of many talents. She spent a majority of the Covid lock down learning to sew and make masks. Julie got so good she started her own Etsy Store. Part of the proceeds from her mask sales were used to make and donate masks for local medical facilities in need during the shortage. Julie’s masks were so popular she managed to make enough money to buy a new laptop and create a nice nest egg in her college savings account. Today Julie has moved on to her next great business adventure, Sugarlicious by Julie. She took a few cookie making classes and has now become a pro with her adorably sweet creations. Follow her on Facebook @ Sugarlicious by Julie.
choice at home which led to a $600 repair,” says his mom April Weber. To reimburse his parents, the shrewd middle schooler decided to channel his love for animals into a poop-scooping business he named “Scoop Squad.” Weber, a graphic designer, helped him create professionallooking flyers which Maddox distributed around their neighborhood. He also advertised his business on the neighborhood Facebook page. Maddox has since paid off his debt to his parents and benefited in other ways too. “The number one lesson Maddox has learned is that having a job is not about what he feels like doing at that moment. It has taught him to do what needs to be done first, and then there is time for play,” Weber says.
Leadership. Running a business gives kids a chance to explore different ideas and learn to organize and manage their time. If your child wants to start a business, allow them to take the lead each step of the way, beginning with brainstorming what steps would be necessary to launch it. “Be careful not to take over the experience or do the job for your child. He needs to know that he can do this on his own,” Weber says. If you end up doing too much of the heavy lifting, encourage your child take a break from their business for awhile to follow other interests.
Financial management. Viall says that running a business has introduced her daughters to online banking and money management.
They are able to log into their accounts on their iPads, endorse checks, make deposits and collect fees for their products and services through a Square app. They are also learning about sales taxes and creating budgets around how much they plan to save, donate and spend.
Community engagement. Coming up with creative products and finding fun ways to serve others isn’t just a business model for the Viall family, these values are intertwined in their personal faith and parenting philosophy. Their kids’ entrepreneurial spirit “has been a great, practical way to fulfill our family values, which for us are: Love God, serve others, be generous, do our best, and have fun,” Viall says.
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Most recently, Brooklyn gave back to her community by creating a “Dog Fest” for the neighbor dogs. She invited the neighbors to bring their dogs and try an obstacle course that she created. She also raffled off a dog toy, offered dog treats for the dogs and lemonade for the owners, and gave away free dog walks to owners who completed a crossword puzzle. “It was so fun and such a hit—all created and funded by Brooklyn,” Viall says. “We just helped her implement her ideas.” Christa Melnyk Hines is an award-winning freelance journalist. Her entrepreneurial spirit took hold at the tender age of six when she tried selling a few rocks that she painted. By age 12, she discovered a stronger demand for her pet-sitting and babysitting endeavors.
KID POWER P R O D U C T S C R E AT E D TO I N S P I R E We’ve curated a collection of products that aim to inspire your children’s creativity and individualism.
STAR KATCHERS Empower and inspire young girls with colorful and high-quality clothing from Star Katchers. These products with a purpose give back— $1 of every t-shirt sold is donated to “GIRLS WHO CODE”— a nonprofit organization that aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science by equipping young women with the necessary computing skills. With messages like “Being Yourself Will Always Be In Style,” “Love Knows No Colors” and “You Can Change the World, Girl.” The t-shirts are 100% cotton, vegan and are made with recycled and sustainable materials. In sizes 3-11 years old.
www.starkatchers.com
GIRLS CAN! CRATE Inspire young girls with a monthly subscription box created to empower girls— and boys (ages 5-10) to Do and BE anything by introducing them to fearless women of history who made the world better. Each month, a new kit celebrates the life of a strong, diverse female role model such as Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Frida Kahlo, Malala Yousafzai, Sally Ride and more. Crates include the GIRLS CAN! 28-page activity book with an original story celebrating a featured woman and other fun activities, 2-3 hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) challenges with necessary supplies, a collectible button and much more.
www.girlscancrate.com
SPOONS ACROSS AMERICA
The Food Exploration Project: Parents can access the nation’s top food education programs for kids entirely redesigned to teach and learn in a home kitchen. The program can be used in traditional homeschooling circumstances but can also be used by parents looking to add fun programming to their family routines. The curriculum includes lessons about the elements of taste, proper culinary practices, local and seasonal food, how to read a nutrition label, how much is too much sugar content in a drink, healthy snacking, eating different parts of a plant, and food advertising. Age Range: 8-11yrs . Cost: $30 and includes a Parent Curriculum Guide, a Child’s Activity Journal, an Apron, and a Child safe Knife.
www.spoonsacrossamerica.org 15 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
family life | F E AT U R E
CREATING A PERSONAL SAFETY PLAN in 3 Easy Steps written by rescusaveslives.com
The home safety plan is a cornerstone of emergency preparedness. Knowing what to do, where to go, and how to respond when tragedy strikes at home can save lives.
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M
any people take the time to sit down with their loved ones and develop an action plan for these crises. But just as important is developing a personal safety plan for outside the home. Having a plan for when family members get separated during an outing, what to do if severe weather strikes, and how you’ll get help if you need it can ensure you and your family stay safe in the event of an emergency. Here are 3 simple steps to creating your personal safety plan and a powerful tool you can easily add to your emergency readiness toolkit.
STEP 1: PLAN AHEAD This step may seem like a nobrainer, but it never hurts to reassess how you plan for life’s activities. As a rule of thumb, have your phone on you at all times. If you can, check to make sure you’ll have a working network connection wherever you’re going, and bring a portable charger with you if you won’t have access to a plug-in charger. How you prepare should be based on where you’re going and who will be going with you. Think about the environment you’ll be in and what precautions you can take to ensure you’ll have everything you need and know where (and how) to get help if you need it. A perfect example is a family trip to the beach. To avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion, it’s essential to bring plenty of water and snacks. And, of course, a healthy supply of sunscreen goes a long way to prevent sunburns.
SPLITTING UP Ideally, everyone should stay together or at least have a
partner when the group splits up, but it’s crucial to prepare for when things don’t go according to plan. If for some reason your little one gets separated and can’t find their way back to you, discussing what to do beforehand can help avoid the worst-case scenario. Using the beach example, here are a few things you can do to make sure your child is prepared: • Bring a distinctly colored or designed umbrella (you can also bring a flag) and make sure they’re familiar with what it looks like. You can ask them to describe it to you to ensure they know what to look for if they get lost. • Position yourself close to a landmark when you pick a spot on the beach. Ideal places to set up shop include near lifeguard towers, signposts, or other groups of people with umbrellas or flags that stand out. Helping your child familiarize themselves with their surroundings will make it easier for them to find you if you get separated. • Most public beaches have designated lifeguards that keep watch over beachgoers. Let your little one know that if they get lost and can’t seem to find you, they can get help from a lifeguard at one of the towers. Since your child knows which umbrella and landmark to look for, they can inform the lifeguard who can help them in their search. You can apply these same principles to other activities as well. For example, if you’re at a theme park with a group of friends or family, you can come up with designated meeting times and locations for the group whenever you split up.
PLANNING FOR THE WEATHER Always take a look at what the weather will be like before you go somewhere. Having an idea of what the forecast will be can not only help you pack the right clothes, but if there’s a chance of severe weather, it can also help you save yourself the trouble and reschedule or plan accordingly.
NEARBY EVENTS Trouble can often spill over into areas you plan to be from nearby events. Wherever your activities take you, make sure to stay aware of what may be going on around you, which is the perfect lead-in to our next step. Step 1 doesn’t have to take up too much of your time, but it’s good to get in the habit of thinking ahead and taking the proper precautions whenever you leave the house.
STEP 2: BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS When you’re out and about, it’s easy to get preoccupied with whatever you’ve got going on. But it’s always good to maintain a sense of situational awareness. The more aware you are of your surroundings, the more likely you are to notice when something’s off or if it’s time to leave the situation entirely. It’s not so much about being fearful or anticipating something going wrong. It’s about keeping an eye on your environment, so you have an idea of what’s going on around you. Getting to know the area you’re in can also help you identify the fastest way out if you need to make a quick exit. One common barrier to step 2 is our mobile devices. As vital as they are in today’s society, the world around you disappears when you use them.
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If you need to look at your phone for a while, simply make sure you and those you’re responsible for are in a safe area.
STEP 3: DECIDE HOW YOU’LL GET HELP BEFOREHAND Situations – and life in general – rarely go as planned. Piggybacking off step 1, planning how you will get help in case of an emergency is arguably the most critical part of creating a personal safety plan. Having a tool like the Rescu app on your phone can be a powerful asset in a crisis, allowing you to get help faster than the traditional 911 system. Starting in June, Rescu’s Prime subscription will feature GPS medical alert system functionality, giving you the ability to get fire, medical, or police help wherever you may be. The best part about Rescu is that there’s no talking required, so you can send for help silently, without alerting anyone around you. With Rescu Prime, just two taps on your phone can send emergency services to your location, either to help you or someone else on the scene. Personal safety preparedness is something that we all can be better about. Even just a little bit of it goes a long way, and Rescu makes it easy. Visit the RESCU website to download the app and complete your personal safety plan. www.rescusaveslives.com
take action! make a plan
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is your child getting enough?
TEEN SLEEP
family life | F E AT U R E
t n e r e f f i D a n i e v i L s Teen – y ll a c i g o l o i B e n o Z e Tim ? p l e H s t n e r a P n a C w o So H
T
een sleep habits are an ongoing frustration and battle for countless parents. Many teens stay up into the wee hours of the night. Then they struggle to wake up during the week for school and sleep through the day on weekends. But sleep is crucial to adolescents’ well-being. Schoolage kids between ages 6 and 13 need nine to eleven hours of sleep per night, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Teens, from ages 14 to 17, need eight to ten hours. Yet, studies find only a small percentage of teens are getting the necessary sleep. The problem, as experts point out, is that during puberty, teens’ circadian rhythm shifts. In earlier childhood, kids begin feeling sleepy around 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. But during adolescence, sleepiness doesn’t set in until around 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. This is called ‘sleep phase delay’ and is likely caused by a delay in the release of the body’s melatonin. Sleep phase delay, however, isn’t the only reason teens don’t get enough sleep. Increased demands on their time, ranging from additional household responsibilities and homework to extracurricular activities, socializing with friends, and media use also contribute to teens’ shortage of sleep.
written by Kimberly Blaker
So what’s a parent to do? In a perfect world, all high schools would adjust the school day to begin and end at least an hour or so later each day. This would make it easier for teens to get the sleep they need and would benefit students significantly. To exemplify this, Kyla L. Wahlstrom et al. conducted a 3-year study of 9,000 students. The study, reported in “Examining the Impact of Later High School Start Times on the Health and Academic Performance of High School Students: A Multi-Site Study,” found in high schools that start the day at 8:30 a.m. or later students reap several benefits. First, 60% of the students were able to get at least eight hours of sleep per night during the school week. Those gaining the extra rest also had lower rates of depression and caffeine use and were at lower risk for substance use. These students had better academic performance and achievement test scores as well and a reduction in tardiness. Also, in communities where schools shifted the start time to 8:55 a.m., teen traffic accidents were significantly reduced. If you’d like to see later start times implemented at your teen’s school, talk to other parents in your district about the teen sleep dilemma and share with them the benefits of later school hours. Then create
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a concerted effort to take the issue up with the school board. Keep in mind, this is a longerterm solution that won’t likely be implemented until at least the following school year. But once implemented, it’ll improve your teen’s chance for success in future years and pave the way for other kids who will soon be entering high school.
TIPS TO HELP YOUR TEEN GET ENOUGH SLEEP Fortunately, there are several things you can do right now to help ensure your teens get the sleep they need.
SET A REGULAR BEDTIME ROUTINE. Teens should go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time each day. It can also be helpful to allow your teen to sleep in a little later on the weekends to catch up a bit. But don’t let your adolescent sleep in too late. Otherwise, your teen will likely stay up later as well. This makes it difficult to fall into an early bedtime routine during the week.
REMOVE MEDIA FROM BEDROOMS. Televisions, computers, music, and cell phones serve as distractions to keep kids awake
IN A PERFECT WORLD, ALL HIGH SCHOOLS WOULD ADJUST THE SCHOOL DAY TO BEGIN AND END AT LEAST AN HOUR OR SO LATER EACH DAY.
late into the night. Have your teen remove all media from the bedroom before bedtime. If your teen uses a phone alarm, replace it with an alarm clock.
RESTRICT CAFFEINE. Soda, coffee, and energy drinks late in the evening impede sleep. Set a curfew of at least two to three hours before bedtime for drinking these beverages.
KEEP THE BEDROOM COOL. Being too warm at night interrupts sleep. Set the thermostat to 3 degrees cooler at night than during the daytime. Just make sure your teen has plenty of blankets to maintain comfort.
EAT SOME CARBS BEFORE BED. Have your teen eat a light, high carbohydrate snack before bedtime. Fruit and white
grains are generally high in carbohydrates. Just make sure your teen doesn’t overdo it since feeling stuffed can also make it difficult to fall asleep. Practice relaxation. Have your teen start winding down 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. Your teen should do something relaxing, such as read, listen to calm music, or watch a light TV show. Better yet, see if you can get your teen to practice meditation or yoga.
RESTRICT WORK HOURS. Teen jobs often require working the late shift. So during the school year, restrict the hours your teens can work both on weeknights and weekends so they can get their z’s.
TAKE A HOT BATH. This is a good way for your teen to relax before bed. It can also provide your adolescent an extra 20 minutes of sleep in the
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mornings by getting the bath or shower out of the way the night before.
SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE. If you’ve tried everything and your teen still isn’t getting enough sleep or feels sleepy during the day, talk to your doctor. Several sleep disturbances such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or a sleep movement disorder can contribute to the problem. Certain mental health conditions, such as ADHD, depression, and bipolar disorder, can also lead to sleep disturbances. Kimberly Blaker is a freelance family writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, specializing in search engine optimization and SEO content, at kbcreativedigital.com
read it online at houstonfamilymagazine.com
Learn at home . . . OUR home! Education is more challenging this year. Moody Mansion helps teach history and other social studies – as well as subjects like architecture and the decorative arts – in a safe, no-touch environment. The gift shop features books on Galveston and Texas history, geography and nature.
Currently Registering for the 21/22 School Year
Moody Mansion Open daily at 2618 Broadway • Galveston Island moodymansion.org • (409) 762-7668 •
21 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
family life | F E AT U R E
y l i m a f
CAMPING JUNE IS NATIONAL CAMPING MONTH AND IT’S ALMOST SUMMERTIME, THAT MEANS IT’S TIME TO GET OUT THE CAMPING GEAR, FISHING written by Chantal Lemieux POLES, SUNSCREEN AND INSECT REPELLENT! 22 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
There’s no better way to relax than to sit outside and hang out with Mother Nature. There was a time when camping trips took place away from home, providing a rare glimpse into a new destination. However, more campers are choosing to stay domestically and travel smaller distances, rather than traveling out of state, or even to a foreign country. The upside of this camping trend is that it gives people the opportunity to rediscover the beauty of their local communities. This includes national parks which always offer a rich camping experience amongst our country’s most beautiful scenery. Whether you’re getting ready for a day trip or a week in the great outdoors, camp in wineries, distilleries, and breweries or stay in pristine rustic campsites closer to home. Whatever you decide, we’ve got just what you need.
4R RANCH VINEYARDS & WINERY
SEA RIM STATE PARK
MUENSTER, TX
In a little under 2- hours you can camp in a little-known beach and marshland getaway. Visitors can prop-up a tent in the sand and kick back and relax near the Gulf. You have the option of campsites with utilities, cabins, and primitive beach camping.
Want a weekend of camping, while still having access to award-winning wine? Book a stay at the 4R Campsite (limited RV hookup). The 4R campsite is located near the entrance to the ranch overlooking Camp Creek. The ranch is blessed with undulating topography and bluffs overlooking the Red River Valley.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ sea-rim
TARA WINERY
LAKE SOMERVILLE STATE PARK & TRAILWAY
ATHENS, TX
SOMERVILLE, TX
Peaceful, quiet, luxurious, historic, wine country experience. Enjoy tent camping or RV while you wine taste and savor the local produce.
Located between Austin and Houston, there are few outdoor activities that Lake Somerville State Park doesn’t offer, from hunting, horseback riding, to boating and fishing. There are several overnight options that include primitive, equestrian, regular and horse-friendly campsites
www.4rwines.com/Visit/ Accommodations/4RCampsite#camp
www.tarawinery.com/winery
BRAZOS BEND STATE PARK NEEDVILLE, TX This park has got plenty of options for activities during your stay. Lots of trails, some of which are even wheelchair friendly. Aside from walking or biking the trails, there’s also the option of horseback riding on one of the multiuse trails. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ brazos-bend
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ lake-somerville
YOGI BEAR’S JELLYSTONE PARK VARIOUS LOCATIONS
cabins and enjoy the water amenities and other activities that the location offers. If you have an RV this is a great option for you too. jellystonehillcountry.com
TIPIS ON THE GUADALUPE NEW BRAUNFELS, TX Why not try a tipi experience on a secluded and small New Braunfels property that boasts only 8 tipis of this kind. Each tipi can accommodate up to six guests and the biggest tipi even has a communal tree house game room for your family to enjoy. www.rezontheguad.com
GALVESTON ISLAND STATE PARK GALVESTON, TX This park is an island, so as far as camping goes you really can’t go wrong with this option. There is hiking, biking, fishing, bird watching, and lots more. One of the many things that make this island campground unique are the paddle trails. You’ll need to bring your own canoe or kayak because they don’t rent them out. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ galveston-island
Probably one of the most renown network of campsites, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camps & Resorts are amazing for the whole family. You can choose from campsites or 23 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
resources
RV TRAVEL AND STAY AT LOCAL FARMS, WINERIES, AND DISTILLERIES
You can be hosted on farms or wineries and support small business for a more fun and exclusive experience than simple camping. RVers can have unique overnight stays on family farms, wineries, distilleries, and attractions like museums, not only in Texas but across the country. https://harvesthosts.com
EXPERIENCE EXCLUSIVE CAMPSITES Thanks to the Hipchamp platform small businesses, like wineries, farms, distilleries, and breweries can rent out their land to campers for a nightly rate or through an annual membership fee. www.hipcamp.com/en-US
CAMP AT LOCAL BREWERIES For breweries that offer onsite stays, take a look at AirbnBeers on www.craftbeer.com.
CAMPING APPS FOR ROAD TRIPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY NATIONAL FOREST MAP LOCATOR www.fs.fed.us/ivm/
MOTOR VEHICLE USE MAPS Specific National Forest area you’re camping in. www.fs.fed.us/recreation/ programs/ohv/ohv_maps.shtml
FREE ROAM This desktop and mobile app has some really helpful features. https://freeroam.app/
CAMPENDIUM Awesome camping resource that allows you to search free camping by state. www.campendium.com/freecamping
S P E C I A L S E C T I O N | C A M P D I R E C T O RY
A.D. PLAYERS adplayers.org/2021-summeracademy 713.439.0181 Houston, TX TYPE OF CAMP: Theatre Camp AGES: 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-18 A.D. Players Academy will be “Cruisin’ the Sea!” during Summer 2021! Our literary component will include selections ranging from Dr. Seuss to Shakespeare. Each Academy instructor will incorporate interactive theatre activities to reinforce learning as students build on the foundational performance skills of characterization, expression, creative movement, and ensemble.
ADVENTURE KIDS PLAYCARE
ALLIANCE FENCING ACADEMY
adventurekidsplaycare.com/camps
alliance-fencing-academy.com
Katy 281.769.2398 Memorial City 713.838.1414 Sugar Land 832.886.4153 The Woodlands 936.271.2259 Woodforest 936.209.2212
713.410.6655 Houston & Conroe
TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp
AGES: 5-14
AGES: 3-12 Flexibility for your family, FUN for your kids! Drop-in for an hour or stay all day. We have an option to meet every family’s needs this summer. 9AM-4PM, before and after care available.
TYPE OF CAMP: Sports, Day Camp
Alliance Fencing Academy’s summer and winter fencing camps are an opportunity for your child to have fun exploring one of the original and foundational sports of the modern Olympic games while picking up technical and competitive skills that will last them a lifetime.
EXPLORE ASIA CULTURE CAMPS
BUILDING BRAINS LEGO ENGINEERING
CAMP ALLEN
asi.as/camps 713.496.9901 Houston, TX
buildingbrains.biz 713.204.0770 10 Locations Around Houston
936.825.7175 Navasota, TX
TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp
TYPE OF CAMP: Full Day, Half Day
AGES: 6-17
AGES: 3-5 and 6-12
Week-long, hands-on camps delving into Asian traditions, art, and culture. Make your own movie, design comics for the web, learn about animals and fantastic beasts of Asia, and more!
LEGO I: Campers will learn math and science by building simple machines with lego and K’Nex. Fun themes like circus fun, and transportation. LEGO II: Campers will build working machines and MOTORIZE and PROGRAM them for Motion, Sound, and Lights. STEM PROGRAMS
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campallen.org
TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight Camp AGES: 8-18 Camp Allen provides a fun & unique environment for young people to cultivate friendships, experience personal growth, and learn about the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Located 1 hour from Houston, Camp Allen’s core values are Spiritual Growth, Positive Identity, Safety, and FUN!
C A M P D I R E C T O RY | S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
CAMP CHAMPIONS
CAMP LANTERN CREEK
THE HEALTH MUSEUM
www.campchampions.com
www.camplanterncreek.com
childtime.com
830.598.2571 Marble Falls, TX
936.597.8225 Montgomery, TX
Multiple Locations throughout Greater Houston
TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight
TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight, All Girl
TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp
AGES: 5-17
AGES: 7-17
AGES: 2-10
Camp Champions has created a tradition of excellence since 1967. With the facility and staff expected from a top overnight summer camp, Champions is distinguished by its focus on building strong kids. One, two, and three-week sessions available for ages 5-17.
Tucked away on 100 acres in the piney woods of Montgomery, Texas, Camp Lantern Creek is a unique all girls sleep away summer camp that was created so girls can find their voice, try new skills, be cheered on whether they succeed or fail, get dirty, push boundaries, love nature and so much more!
Get ready for a whole summer packed with excitement, discovery, and adventure. At Camp Curiosity, your child will explore themes through hands-on projects and daily activities. Our all-day camp features healthy meals and snacks. Plus, campers receive a camp backpack, T-shirt, and baseball cap for summer adventures!
SUMMER 2021 IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
FOR KIDS AGES 6–12
To register or for more information, visit hmns.org.
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S P E C I A L S E C T I O N | C A M P D I R E C T O RY
COOKING WITH A TWIST
CORDOVAN ART SCHOOL & YOUNG ARTIST ART STUDIO
cookingwithatwisthouston.com 713.574.9371 Stafford, TX
HMNS SUMMER CAMP hmns.org/education/summer-camp/
cordovanartschool.com
713.639.4651 Houston, TX & Sugar Land, TX
281.645.6580 The Woodlands, TX
TYPE OF CAMP: Kids Cooking Camp
TYPE OF CAMP: Academic, Technology
TYPE OF CAMP: Art Camp
AGES: 7-16
AGES: 5-16
One week of culinary learning & fun! Our Kids Summer Camp is designed for kids ages 7-16 who are passionate about cooking and creating culinary masterpieces. We provide a fun, safe & top-notch Cooking Camp led by Chef DeeDee Coleman & other first class instructors. Your kid will learn culinary skills including a multitude of fun & exciting recipes! Register your kid today. Limited space available.
Cordovan Art School is teaming up with Young Artist Art Studio for the BEST creative Spring & Summer Art Camps ever! 10,000 kids & teens have joined Cordovan camps over the past 11 years! Family owned, Over 40 camps to choose from, Ages 5-16, All skill levels, Extended care.
AGES: 6-12 From robots and rocket science to mummies and spying, students can participate in a variety of week-long camps at the Houston Museum of Natural Science!
YMCA-0117_SummerPro_PrintAd_4875x5_mech_ol.pdf
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C A M P D I R E C T O RY | S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
HOUSTON SPCA
KANAKUK KAMPS
houstonspca.org
www.kanakuk.com
education@houstonspca.org Houston, TX
417.266.3000 Branson, Missouri
TYPE OF CAMP: Adventure, Academic
TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight Camp
AGES: 3rd-8th grade
AGES: 6-18
Get Ready for Some Off-the-Leash Fun! Summer Critter Camp at the Houston SPCA is back and will be held in-person from June 7 – August 13, 2021. There is a variety of 10 week-long day sessions for Campers entering 3rd – 8th grade. Summer waits for no one, and your kids deserve it. So register today!
Kanakuk is a premier summer camp experience for boys and girls with locations in Branson and Lampe, Missouri. It’s 5 overnight camps provide children and teens with fun, safe and age-appropriate outdoor camping experiences that develop them spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially. Sessions run from May 29 to August 6 with 1, 2 and 4-week options.
KIDVENTURE OVERNIGHT CAMP
LANGUAGE KIDS WORLD
LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM
kidventure.com
www.languagekids.com
lonestarflight.org/learn/camps/
512.263.8992 Hunt, TX & Rocksprings, TX
281.565.1388 Greater Houston Area
346.708.2517 Houston, TX
TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight Camp
TYPE OF CAMP: Academic Camp
TYPE OF CAMP: Technology Camp
AGES: 8-13 & 13-16
AGES: 3-5 & 6-12
AGES: 11-14
Kidventure Overnight Camp has been an experience like none other. Now, more than ever, our kids need camp. The opportunity to rebuild relationships, gain confidence, and dream big has never meant more. Join Kidventure for the summer of 2021 and be part of an adventure that will last a lifetime.
Learning another language has never been so much fun! Spanish immersion in-person camps, and virtual camps in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, ESL and Sign Language, as well as our brand new “Build your own camp” ™ program, in which we bring our amazing camps to your home!
Spring Break Camp and Merit Badge Workshops at LSFM – JUST PLANE FUN! For Scouts 11-17. New American Heritage and Electronics merit badges available plus the Aviation merit badge. And don’t forget the Pilot Maker camp for kids 10-13. Visit LoneStarFlight.org for details.
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KIDVENTURE DAY CAMP kidventure.com 713.960.8989 Houston, TX TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp AGES: 1st-5th Grade & 6th-9th grade Kidventure will offer over 16 Camp programs across the Houston area. Each Houston Day Camp program provides each age group with its custom curriculum, unique camp activities, and dedicated adult camp team designed to bring out the very best camp experience for every child.
S P E C I A L S E C T I O N | C A M P D I R E C T O RY
THE PARISH SCHOOL www.parishschool.org/summer 713.467.4696 Houston, TX TYPE OF CAMP: Day and Overnight Camp Options AGES: 2-17 (ages vary by program) The Parish School educates children who have communication delays and learning differences, empowering them with the tools to succeed. Through a variety of summer programs, campers build self-esteem while developing communication, social and handwriting skills in a safe, nurturing environment.
RISE AT THE WAREHOUSE
SCHOOL OF ROCK
risewarehouse.com/camp
Clear Lake 281.218.7625 Sugar Land 832.939.8788 Champion Forest 281.246.4475
www.schoolofrock.com
713.715.7473 Houston, TX TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp
TYPE OF CAMP: Music, Day Camp
AGES: 5-12
AGES: 5-18
RISE offers a one-of-a-kind weeklong day camp featuring gymnastics, dance, music, and ninja: 4 camps in 1! Each day our campers cycle through these 4 disciplines, keeping them engaged and active for the whole week. Our camp is open to ages 5-12 and runs 9am-3pm; extended care is also available!
Throughout the year, School of Rock offers music camps and workshops perfect for musicians of all skill levels who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, ukulele, and vocals. Call today, or sign up on our website! Rock on!
June 7 – August 13 www.houstonspca.org un Summer F e! Starts Her
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C A M P D I R E C T O RY | S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
TEXAS ROCK GYM
YMCA CAMP CULLEN
YMCA DAY CAMP
713.973.7625 Houston, TX
www.ymcacampcullen.org
ymcahouston.org/summer-camp
936.594.2274 Trinity, TX
Greater Houston Area
TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp, Rock Climbing
TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight, Adventure
AGES: 7-17
AGES: 5-17
Texas Rock Gym has been offering Climbing Day Camps to Houston youth for over 15 years. Our camps are well structured, run by experienced counselors, and most of all…fun!
Nestled among the tall pines along the shores of Lake Livingston lies one of Texas’s premier camps. Campers take part in choice-based activities in a safe, fun and supportive environment.
texasrockgym.com
Join us for an action-packed, faith-filled week of summer camp! Located on 1,100 forested acres one hour north west of Houston, Camp Allen provides affordable, over night camping experiences for ages 8-18.
campallen.org
936.825.7175 29 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp AGES: 5-15 Offered at locations around the Houston area, our camps place special emphasis on youth choice, achievement and a sense of belonging. Activities may include sports and outdoor games, creative and performing arts, archery, engineering and nature exploration.
i am houston| E M P O W E R E D H O U S T O N I A N S
Be Sweaty, be still, be Jollie.
— I AM HOUSTON —
Hilary Amburgey and Elizabeth Thompson
C
FOUNDERS OF JOLLIE, THE MINDFUL MOVEMENT BRAND WITH HEART
reated by two women who bonded over a shared vision for healthy families, they developed a company that elevates fitness accessories to encourage creativity, authenticity, and joy. It was important to them to do this while also respecting Mother Earth and
interview by Kimberly Davis Guerra giving back to pediatric cancer patients - a cause near and dear to their hearts. With its core mission of ‘do good and give back’, Jollie sets out to get you moving. By creating absolutely gorgeous, soft movement mats, ecofriendly multi-purpose straps and their signature Kid Kit, they do just that. Packed full of fun, the kid kits offer many hours
of movement, engagement and fun for kids of all ages while the mats are excellent to enjoy anything from yoga class to playtime. The best part is, that every purchase yields a donation of a free mat to a pediatric cancer patient. HFM spoke with Hilary Amburgey and Elizabeth Thompson to find out what
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motivates them and what’s in store for the future.
Love the concept behind the development of Jollie – did you ever start up a kids/family yoga studio/ program in Houston? Elizabeth: Yes, prior to COVID in 2020, Hilary and I launched a yoga business for children
called MilkLoveYoga. We were teaching in community centers, libraries and local schools. When the pandemic started, we recorded and loaded our yoga classes onto the website. We also provided downloadable yoga games, crafts and activities that go along with the classes. Now that COVID restrictions are starting to ease up, we are hoping that we will be able to teach in schools next year.
What has been the proudest moment/ accomplishment since you started the company? Elizabeth: A significant amount of people have told me they are so impressed. I find this extremely humbling and a very nice compliment. The entire process has been both a learning curve and a very fun experience. I do feel like we have worked hard, and it is rewarding for people to recognize that. Hilary: Elizabeth and I spent over a year creating Jollie, and for a while it was difficult to explain to friends and family what we did day in and day out. Now that we have a physical product and brand to show for our hard work, it is exciting to see people’s reactions to even the smallest details, such as the branding and packaging.
You both have little ones, how are you able to balance and manage your business? What is your secret?? Elizabeth: Each other. I could not have done this without Hilary. When we met, we both immediately knew we wanted to work together. We have very opposite strengths and then there are some things that we 100% agree on. We each bring a different and important point of view to the conversation. My business background and her science and nursing background have both been tremendously helpful. The first secret is asking for help, whether it be from Hilary, my husband, my family or my nanny. The second is turning it off. Sometimes I need to be in full mom mode and just have to turn off the emails. You can’t always be everything to everyone and it is important to notice the times when we need to step away and be fully present. Finally, a lot of YOGA! Hilary: I don’t have family in Houston, so in addition to relying heavily on the most AMAZING nanny, I am very fortunate to have a very helpful husband and fabulous neighbors that are like family. With three young children, and another one on the way, I came to terms with the idea
that my home might not be 100% in order all of the time. I constantly try to remind myself to live in the moment and soak up these early years with my children.
What is one surprising outcome since starting Jollie? Elizabeth: The overwhelming response around the country. We thought Houston would be our strongest market since we are from here and most of our hospitals and foundations are here in Houston. We have seen interest from people all around the United States. Hilary: I am constantly surprised by the cities and states where we see orders placed. I love that people all over the U.S. are talking about Jollie and are inspired to incorporate mindful movement into their daily lives.
The Kid Kit is amazing – what is your favorite part of the box? Elizabeth: My favorite elements are the pose cards, breath cards and poster. I love the drawings and the colors we
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were able to incorporate. I also love that we are bringing more yoga to children. The poses and breathing techniques were specifically chosen to help a child learn and build a practice. Each pose has a different purpose and ways to level up, and can be paired with a different breath. I love that this is a strong foundation of tools that can be used in the classroom, on the sports field or in a hospital room, and they are fun to look at! Hilary: I especially love the breathing cards and the signed copy of the Breathe and Be book. I was so excited when I found that book on vacation with my family and knew right away that it had to be a part of our Happy Kid Kit. The colors, pictures and messages in the
HAPPY KID KIT A jam-packed set of activities, tools and games to encourage creativity and playful movement. $76 • bejollie.com
THE PLUSH MAT Great for all sweat sessions. Soft texture increases its grip when moistened so you and your mat get stronger at the same time. Available in assorted design patterns. $92 • bejollie.com
book were all so beautiful and aligned well with our brand.
What is the goal for Jollie in a year or 5 years? Elizabeth: I would love to see us start a foundation that sits next to Jollie. With a foundation, we can reach more people and really expand to promote and support yoga therapy. Is it too much to say a Jollie mat in every household!? Hilary: I would love to see our hospital partnerships grow and expand. Elizabeth and I constantly discuss the idea of “Jollie carts” circulating pediatric cancer units and the ability to bring mindful crafts and inspiration directly to children’s hospital rooms. I have to agree with Elizabeth—I also love the idea of Jollie becoming recognized in households across the U.S.
This is a wonderful program, have you approached the local ISD’s about incorporating yoga into their curriculum? I think it would do wonders for our local kids! Elizabeth: Yes, last summer during COVID we reached out to HISD about incorporating yoga into the school day. I believe with the ups and downs of programming and curriculum being virtual, we were not able to get things going. We would love to teach more in schools and offer more after-school programs. We also have a vision of integrating the Kid Kits into classrooms and educating teachers on how to incorporate yoga moments into the school day.
As a lover of yoga, I personally know the benefits abound once
you start to practice. What do you think is the biggest misconception about yoga? Elizabeth: The biggest misconception is that it’s a Buddhist religious practice; that it goes against religion or that practicing with large groups is like being in a cult. Yes, yoga originated from different Buddhist practices and the origins of meditation are different. That doesn’t mean they are just used to promote or worship that way.
What would you like our readers to know about Jollie? Elizabeth: There is overwhelming research showing the improvement in quality of life when practicing yoga. Yoga therapy is a form of complementary medicine and is very successful. Some studies have shown improvement in GI
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function for pediatric cancer patients as well as a whole host of other issues. When we selected this as our giveback program, we spent a lot of time researching the effects. With every purchase, we are intentionally giving back and supporting the community. Hilary: When Elizabeth and I created our giveback program, we came from a place of both passion and research. I am a former Master’s prepared RN and know firsthand the impact that yoga therapy can have on a patient’s quality of life. Once we saw the research that supported yoga therapy in the pediatric cancer community, we knew exactly how we wanted to give back. Interested in finding out more, visit www.BeJollie.com.
advertorial | B R I XO S
Brixos - They’ve Modernized Remodeling, Home Additions and Multi-Stage Home Improvement Projects So You Can Get Things Done.
T
he last year has made families hyper focus on the functionality of their homes. What used to be visually appealing isn’t anymore and we’ve learned there are many ways to make a space into a multi use area. Whether it’s remodeling your home, converting a used to be guest room into an office/ gym/bunk flex space, or adding an addition for your at home study, Brixos is here to do it with you. Brixos works with vetted professional contractors to ensure every job is frictionless for homeowners. After receiving your project request through app.brixos.com, their team reviews your request, works with you directly to understand your project, and sends a project bid based on average industry pricing. From there, Brixos works closely with homeowners
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on the design of their space, then manages the remodeling and construction work from start to finish. All you have to do is share your vision and trust Brixos to complete your project. The Brixos team uses the highest quality materials on all remodels and new project builds — ensuring your project is of the highest quality while staying in your desired budget. With the ability to call, email or text with their team about your project - you have 24/7 access to the Brixos team for anything you need or questions you might have. Submit your project today at app.brixos.com or give the Brixos team a call or text at 713-331-1064 to discuss. They love hearing about your home improvement projects! Learn more at brixos.com and let Brixos do it with you.
family education | F E AT U R E
5 TIPS TO KEEP KIDS
READING this summer written by Sarah Lyons
CREATE A BOOK CLUB Two people reading a book at the same time can be considered a book club. Pick a book your child would like to read or an old favorite from your own childhood and read it together. If you have multiple children that are about the same reading level, this can be a great way to get everyone involved.
SEE THE MOVIE
BE A ROLE MODEL
Check out what books are becoming movies this summer or those that are already available on DVD and choose those books to read with your child. A reward for finishing the book will be watching the movie together.
Parents who enjoy reading often have children who enjoy reading. I notice if I sit down in the living room with a book instead of turning on the TV, my tweens will often find their own spot to relax and read near me. If I turn on the television, we all end up watching it together. Set a good example for your kids when it comes to reading. It isn’t just for schoolwork, it is a fun hobby as well.
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EXPAND YOUR READING Not all kids will find a book they love easily. The goal is to practice reading, it doesn’t matter if it is a book or something more creative. Find other things besides just books to read such as graphic novels, magazines, or even audiobooks. You can even get kids into the kitchen and read recipes in the cookbook. They will enjoy helping prepare meals and not even notice they are practicing their reading skills at the same time.
PICK INTERESTING TOPICS Find out what your child is interested in and check out books on that topic. My son became curious about volcanoes, so we headed to the library and checked out multiple books on volcanoes. When we returned home, he promptly started reading about them and writing down interesting facts in his journal. You can also encourage your child to try different genres to see what they prefer. Nonfiction, historical fiction, mysteries, graphic novels, or classic literature - once kids find their niche, they will most likely be more excited about reading. Kids who make reading a part of their daily routine are more likely to become lifetime lovers of reading. Set
aside part of the day each day when your child can read for 30 minutes or set this as a goal before they can play video games, meet up with friends, or go to the pool. Try to make it fun and come up with creative ways to incorporate reading into your daily schedule. Just a bit of daily reading will help them maintain their current reading levels and be ready to take on new material once school begins. Sarah Lyons is a mother of six children, including six year old triplets. Her favorite pastime is reading and she loves to pass alone and share that with her children.
TIPS TO AVOID THE SUMMER SLIDE Yorkshire Academy’s principal, Janet Howard, offers various language arts suggestions as well as math resources which Yorkshire shares with their elementary students to help guard against summer slide.
MAKE A JOURNAL • Have your child decorate a summer journal using stickers and colored paper. • Give them time each day to write in their journal to tell about their summer adventures. You don’t have to go on a trip to have a journal. • Take a day trip to the nature center or walk down a path and collect leaves. Your child can make a leaf picture and write about it. • When going to the zoo, let them draw and write about their favorite animal. • Let them draw a map of their room. • Let your child make lists in their journal. • The opportunities are endless!
FIND A PEN PAL This could be their former teacher, an aunt/uncle, or a friend. Have your child set aside time to write to their Pen Pal. They will love getting letters back in the mail.
START A READING ROUTINE • Let your child make a sheet tent and read under it. • Drive to a park on a nice day and read under a tree. • Partner read with your child. You read one page and let your child read another page. • Create incentives for reading. • Invite peers over and have a Reading Club one day a week. Each child can bring his/her favorite book and share their favorite parts. • Go to your public library and sign up for their reading program. • Make sure you read to your child, at a reading level above theirs. They need to hear wonderful vocabulary and the model of a fluent reader.
PRACTICE YOUR MATH Websites with math games and thinking activities: • www.stmath.com • www.abcya.com/grades/3 • www.funbrain.com/games/math-baseball • www.time4mathfacts.com/reflex/ • www.braingle.com/brainteasers/ • www.youtube.com/channel/UCFuXEdSVb9sZM8q5lKpqSnA
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book bites | G O O D R E A D S
r e m m Su s d a e R
with Blue Willow Bookshop Valerie Koehler, owner of the Blue Willow Bookshops, shares some of her favorite summer reads. Visit BlueWillowBookshops.com.
EMERGING READERS
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
We Both Read: My Town
Bee Fearless
by Sindy McKay
My Town is a wonderful introductory reader where large pictures provide context clues and the page the child reads rhymes with the adult page, making decoding even easier.
We Both Read: Little Chipper by Sindy McKay
Told from the perspective of a small dog playing with bigger dogs at a park, this book’s message is for anyone learning to play and share in groups.
Hi Jack!
by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli In this first book in a delightful series about a bad rabbit, we meet Jack and his friends, and we can delight in scolding Jack for his antics.
by Mikaela Ulmer Fifteen-year-old lemonade entrepreneur Mikaila Ulmer shares her advice for life and business
Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. by David Levithan
Aidan disappeared for six days. The story he tells on his return is simply ... impossible. But it’s the story he is sticking to.
Flight Of The Puffin by Ann Braden
Seventh-grader Libby sets off a chain of events that brings hope and encouragement to four different individuals who are dealing with bullies, acceptance, homelessness, and grief.
The House That Wasn’t There by Alana K. Arnold
Nick and Nack Build a Birdhouse by Brandon Budzi
A book for emerging readers with more words and sentences per page, and hidden picture searches to keep it fun. A bonus craft activity idea is included.
When Alder starts school with Oak, his new neighbor, they soon discover a series of connections between them: mysterious, possibly even magical puzzles they can’t put together.
TEEN:
ADULT:
Victories Greater Than Death
While Justice Sleeps
by Charlie Jane Anders Tina never worries about being ‘ordinary’ because she is the keeper of an interplanetary rescue beacon that holds her dreams for saving all her worlds.
Game Changer
by Neal Shusterman
by Stacey Abrams
An inside-Washington thriller about an ambitious law clerk thrown into a life-or-death treasure hunt when the Supreme Court justice she works for slips into a sudden coma.
We Begin At the End by Chris Whitaker
One hit on the football field, and suddenly Ash has been hit into another dimension and into worlds that are almostbut-not-really his own.
An ex-con, a naïve police chief, and a tough 13-year girl old steal the show in this intricately developed thriller that offers a continuous series of surprises.
FireKeeper’s Daughter
The Last Thing He Told Me
Daunis defers attending the University of Michigan to care for her mother and reluctantly becomes involved in the investigation of a series of drug-related deaths on the Ojibwe reservation.
When her husband Owen disappears, Hannah finds herself taking care of her step-daughter who may hold the key to Owen’s true identity.
Shipped
by Bess Kalb
by Angelline Boulley
by Meredith Tate Houston author Meredith Tate has written a fast paced, sweet teen rom-con about Stella and Wesley, high school rivals in person who meet anonymously online.
by Laura Dave
No One Will Tell You This But Me In this debut memoir, Bess Kalb speaks in her grandmother’s sassy voice to tell the story of her family, and her relationship with her grandmother, whose every voicemail message the author saved.
For even more SUMMER READING FUN, head over to Blue Willow Bookshop! BlueWillowBookshops.com
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family fun | F E AT U R E
Galveston Island’s
Ultimate Summer Bucket List (Re) discover a Texas coastal town and get on island time
Get free sandcastle building lessons at Steward Beach Navigate oceans and rainforests at Moody Gardens Visit Historic Pleasure Pier for complete family fun Take a step Back in time at the Bishop’s Palace Visit the majestic Moody Mansion Hope on a bike and ride through the East End Districts’ neighborhood to view at Victorian-style homes
Take a self-guided tree sculpture tour Take a self-guided tour through African American historic places and sites Experience The Strand Peruse the coffee shops, art galleries and boutiques on Postoffice Street Enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset from the rooftop of The Tremont House Gather around to see live taffy making at La King’s Confectionary
Strike a pose in front of Greetings from Galveston mural at Saengerfest Park Explore Pier 21 Shop for fresh seafood from the seafood markets at Pier 19 and Pier 21 Hop on a boat tour and get a close up view of Galveston’s dolphins Explore the decks of the 1877 Tail Ship Elissa Visit the Galveston Naval Museum
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Tour the Ocean star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum Visit the Railroad Museum and Terminal Visit the bay on a kayak tour with Artist Boat Go Birding on the Great Texas Birding Trail Book a fishing excursion with one of the island’s many charter services Experience spooky chills with a nighttime ghost tour
the big to do
the big to do | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S
June is one of those months that’s filled with a sense of excitement. It is starting to feel a bit like entering summer holidays as we once knew them. The return of things that once felt so familiar to us feel like spontaneous holiday discoveries. Eating indoors, sitting in a cinema, enjoying outdoor concerts and events and spending afternoons enjoying exhibitions and the theatre. We’ll catch you out there.
Location: Houston Zoo Photo: Three Little Chickadees Photography threelittlechickadees.com
All events listed are FREE unless otherwise noted. Don’t forget to check out our online calendar at www.houstonfamilymagazine.com/event-directory/ for even more family friendly activities.
JUNE 1 Moody Mansion Tours Open for tours every day, visit this fabulously restored turn of the century, 28,000 square-foot, four-story Galveston historic home that was completed in 1895. Guests visit 20 rooms on a self-guided tour that depicts the home life of a powerful Texas family. The Moody’s established one of the great American financial empires. moodymansion.org Moody Mansion, Galveston 10am-5pm 7 days/week. All ages
Good Grades at Moody Gardens Visit the rainforest, the aquarium and discover other educational attractions. Present a report card from within 30 days with nothing less than a B and receive free admission into one educational attraction. moodygardens.com Moody Gardens All day 7 days/week. Some restrictions apply.
Brunch & Books Join in for a moderated discussion of the book Homeless by Choice with
motivational speaker and author Roy Juarez to learn more about his mission to inspire youth. midtownhouston.com Virtual. facebook.com/midtownHOU 11:30am. Age: adult
VIRTUAL Teach You Tuesday Learn a new craft, skill, or technique. Join the group to learn how to make floral silk bath soaks with Pop Shop America. midtownhouston.com facebook.com/midtownHOU 5:30pm. Age: 10+
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JUNE 2 Music in the Gardens Join Mercer Botanic Gardens for Music in the Gardens. Children partner with their parents and experience rhythm and music principles in a natural outdoor setting throughout the garden. Classes use Kindermusik curriculum’s songs, instruments, and movement to inspire creativity, confidence, and music appreciation in children every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. hcp4.net/mercer/events/ Mercer Botanic Gardens 10:30am. Age:2-5
June 2 02 1 Nature Discovery Center & Story time
JUNE 5
Visit the discovery rooms and enjoy the outdoor trails and play area. Plan to stay for nature story time which can include live animal encounters and a simple craft. naturediscoverycenter.org
The CAF Houston Wing Museum and Hangar is open on the first and third Saturday of each month, welcoming visitors to view its collection of World War II-era aircraft. houstonwing.org
Nature Discover Center Tues.-Fri. Noon-5:30pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am530pm, story time Wednesday at 4pm. All ages
CAF Houston Wing Museum & Hangar at West Houston Airport 10am-3pm. All ages
JUNE 3 Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop Story Time Enjoy Blue Willow’s virtual story time, songs and an art activity every Thursday. bluewillowbookshop.com Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop 10am. Age: Toddlers and preschoolers
JUNE 6 George Observatory If you haven’t already been, GO! Undergoing an extensive makeover that lasted 2 years, you can finally go back to exploring the galaxy every Saturday. hmns.org/george-observatory
Children’s BINGO in the park
George Observatory Dusk. Age: 6+
Bingo is a fun way for children to practice their letters and numbers while earning prizes. levyparkhouston.org
Photography Workshop: Composition II
Levy Park Houston 4:30pm. Age: 4-12. Bring a blanket to ensure social distancing practice
JUNE 4 Mommy Morning Off at the Galveston Children’s Museum Take a few early morning hours to yourself to enjoy a leisurely walk, stop at a coffee shop on Post Office Street, peruse the art galleries and antique shops that line the historic downtown area. The kids will have a blast in the open playtime session supervised by GCM play experts every Friday morning. galvestoncm.org Galveston Children’s Museum 9:30-11:30am. Potty trained kids only.
Houston International Sports Film Festival Come out to the park to view sports films and documentaries on everything from basketball to tennis. Visit the multitude of food trucks. For children programming includes sports clinics and sports-related STEM activities. discoverygreen.com
Just in time to take some amazing summer photos of your family. Skill up on your photography techniques by attending one of the themed workshops. levyparkhouston.org Levy Park 10am-noon. Age: 15+
First Saturday Arts Night Market in The Heights The market features painting, sculpture, woodcraft, photography, jewelry and handcrafted items. It’s also a great place to eat and people watch. firstsaturdayartsmarket.com 530 W. 19th St. 7pm. All ages
Join a volunteer group to help keep Spring Creek clean and make an impact on the environment. hcp4.net/jones Jesse Jones Park 9am. Age: 18+
Dance Extravaganza at the Miller Outdoor Theatre
Miller Outdoor Theatre 8:30pm. All ages. Tickets are free but still required.
BRAESWOOD FARMERS MARKET USPA NYTS Tournament Final at the Houston Polo Club DON’T MISS THESE YOUNG teams battle for FOR THE WIN. Extra special trophy presentation by Bill Fick Ford. MEET the players and the Bill Ford team at the trophy presentation. Live music, a champagne divot stomp at halftime. See the latest 2021 Ford trucks displayed at halftime. Houstonpoloclub.com Houston Polo Club 5pm. All ages. 15.50-$32.50, box seats for 2-20 guests $79-$695
Walk the scenic temple grounds of the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland If you’re in the mood for a little culture, take a short drive out to visit this amazing temple. The temple is modeled closely after the historic Meenakshi temple in Madurai, India and features intricate carvings inside of its main temple, priest quarters, youth center, library, visitors center, and exteriors, too. The samosas are also amazing. Sri Meenakshi Devasthanam, 17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584 Every day. All ages
Enjoy hands-on workshop for you and your child while you build, decorate and paint projects. Available virtually. homedepot.com/c/kids
On the first Saturday in June of each year, everyone can fish recreationally without licenses or endorsements so that more people can try fishing for the first time. hcp4.net/jones Jesse Jones Park All day. All ages
Instilling the habit in kids to appreciate farm to table as you peruse the bountiful locally grown summer produce
2520 Airline Dr., daily
Boredom Busters at the Home Depot for Kids
Free Fishing Day
farmer’s Markets the kids will love
HOUSTON FAMER’S MARKET
JUNE 7
National Trails Day: Creek Bash
Discovery Green 8am-10pm. All ages
Get your weekend started with an evening bursting with energy, music and the intoxicating spirt of dance. Bringing together an array dance genres, music and movement, Houston Metropolitan Dance Center’s performance will inspire, enthuse, and entertain audiences. milleroutdoortheatre.com
Hangar Hang Out at CAF Houston Wing Museum & Hangar
home depot various locations All day. All ages
JUNE 8 Family Storytime & Craft Enjoy a cross-generational literacy experience! Family Storytime, held under
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8620 Stella Link at Braeswood, Wednesday 3-7pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm
HEIGHTS MERCANTILE FARMER’S MARKET 714 Yale St., second and fourth Sundays, 9am-1pm
URBAN HARVEST FARMERS MARKET 2752 Buffalo Speedway, Saturday, 8am-noon
FULSHEAR FARMERS MARKET 9035 Bois D’Arc Ln, Fulshear, 9am -1pm on Saturdays
THE WOODLANDS FARMERS’ MARKET 7 Switchbud Pl., The Woodlands, 9am to 1pm on Saturdays
FARMER’S MARKET AT IMPERIAL 234 Matlage Way, Sugar Land, 9am to 1pm on Saturdays
the big to do | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S the pavilion, features a socially distanced reading followed by a craft that accompanies the book. All craft supplies are included. levyparkhouston.org Levy Park 10am. All ages
World Oceans Day The Ocean is the heart of our planet— celebrate the importance of it in our lives and how we can protect it. aquariumrestaurants.com Downtown aquarium Houston all day. All ages
Houston Symphony for Summer Symphony Nights at Miller!
panies the book. All craft supplies are included. levyparkhouston.org
Join your Houston Symphony at the park for a series of family-friendly concerts that showcase outstanding soloists and conductors performing favorites from the classical repertoire. milleroutdoortheatre.com live streamed on https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=vhUM74LpKO0 8:30pm. All ages
JUNE 11
JUNE 9
Levy Park 10am. All ages
JUNE 16 Family Day at ocean star: Get the Petroleum Picture Oil and gas make up many of the products we use on a daily basis. From things like fuel and tires, to video games and cell phones, from medications and eyeglasses, to shoes and clothing. Create your own Oil Painting and complete a Petroleum Products Scavenger Hunt to discover more about these versatile hydrocarbons and really ‘get the petroleum picture’! oceanstaroec.com Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum, Galveston 10am-3pm. All ages
JUNE 13 The Menil Collection Nature Discovery Center & Story time Visit the discovery rooms and enjoy the outdoor trails and play area. Plan to stay for nature story time which can include live animal encounters and a simple craft. naturediscoverycenter.org Nature Discover Center Tues.-Fri. Noon-5:30pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am530pm, story time Wednesday at 4pm. All ages
JUNE 10 Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop Story Time Enjoy Blue Willow’s virtual story time, songs and an art activity every Thursday. bluewillowbookshop.com Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop 10am. Age: Toddlers and preschoolers
VIRTUAL Samba Dance Class Learn a popular Brazilian dance style during this exciting class. Samba is a partner dance from Rio de Janeiro that evolved as a ballroom dance to the Brazilian samba musical rhythms. The class is free and open to all skill levels. Instruction is provided by the Brazilian Arts Foundation. midtownhouston.com www.youtube.com/channel/UCiEBxdD8R0-OPkm7hatvtw 7-9pm. Aged: adult
Children’s BINGO in the park Bingo is a fun way for children to practice their letters and numbers while earning prizes. levyparkhouston.org Levy Park Houston 4:30pm. Age: 4-12. Bring a blanket to ensure social distancing practice
MOVIE NIGHT: ROMAN HOLIDAY Forget about trekking to the theater for your movie fix and head to Market Square Park for a free outdoor screening of Roman Holiday. Overwhelmed by her suffocating schedule, touring European princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) takes off for a night while in Rome. marketsquarepark.com
Located in the heart of Houston, this impressive collection is located in several buildings nestled between pocket parks and outdoor sculptures, a perfect setting for picnic lunch. Menil.org Menil Collection 11am-7pm every day. All ages. Stroller friendly.
JUNE 14
Market Square Park 8:30pm. All ages
Join Mercer Botanic Gardens for Music in the Gardens. Children partner with their parents and experience rhythm and music principles in a natural outdoor setting throughout the garden. Classes use Kindermusik curriculum’s songs, instruments, and movement to inspire creativity, confidence, and music appreciation in children every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. hcp4.net/mercer/events/ Mercer Botanic Gardens 10:30am. Age:2-5
Nature Discovery Center & Story time Visit the discovery rooms and enjoy the outdoor trails and play area. Plan to stay for nature story time which can include live animal encounters and a simple craft. naturediscoverycenter.org Nature Discover Center Tues.-Fri. Noon-5:30pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am530pm, story time Wednesday at 4pm. All ages
JUNE 17 Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop Story Time Enjoy Blue Willow’s virtual story time, songs and an art activity every Thursday. bluewillowbookshop.com Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop 10am. Age: Toddlers and preschoolers
Opry on the Square If you like country music then consider spending your evening seating on one of the many patios to enjoy your dinner with the sound of good music. Sugarlandtownsquare.com Sugarland town square 7:30pm. All ages
JUNE 12 Houston Symphony for Summer Symphony Nights at Miller! Join your Houston Symphony at the park for a series of family-friendly concerts that showcase outstanding soloists and conductors performing favorites from the classical repertoire. milleroutdoortheatre.com live streamed on https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=vhUM74LpKO0 8:30pm. All ages
Movie Under the Moon! Frozen 2 Bring your family, friends and lawn chairs to the Plaza to enjoy a free Movie Under the Moon! sugarlandtownsquare.com Sugarland town square 8:30pm. All ages
Music in the Gardens
Blanket Bingo
Heights & Bike trails & Donovan Park Explore the Heights Hike and Bike Trail and view some of the most beautiful examples of Victorian and turn-ofthe-century architecture then picnic at Donovan Park. www.traillink.com/city/houston-txtrails/ 2799 Moy St., Houston
JUNE 15 VIRTUAL Children’s Story Time Looking for something to do from the comfort of your home. Have a children’s storytime with music from AndyRoo & the AndyRooniverse. facebook.com/midtownHOU/ Midtown Park 11:30am-1:30pm. Age: 1-6
Family Storytime & Craft Enjoy a cross-generational literacy experience! Family Storytime, held under the pavilion, features a socially distanced reading followed by a craft that accom-
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Bring your blanket, lawn chairs or snag one of the tables at the park for a night of fun, music and great prizes! marketsquarepark.com Market Square 8pm. All ages
Women’s Leadership Series: Women in Space Join Asia Society as extraordinary women involved in the U.S. space program discuss their careers and how to help women continue to break barriers on Earth and beyond. https://asiasociety.org/texas/events/ bank-america-womens-leadershipseries-5 Participate LIVE on https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=4iKqdwWF3Vg 7pm. All ages
Children’s BINGO in the park Bingo is a fun way for children to practice their letters and numbers while earning prizes. levyparkhouston.org Levy Park Houston 4:30pm. Age: 4-12. Bring a blanket to ensure social distancing practice
June 2 02 1 JUNE 18 Front Lawn Film Nights: ‘To Be Takei’ Get a bit of fun and fresh air with Asia Society this spring as we screen a collection of Asian and Asian American films outdoors on the front lawn! To Be Takei traces the impact of actor and activist George Takei, following his journey from his childhood internment at a Japanese location camp through his Hollywood career and long-time activism. https://asiasociety.org/texas/events/ front-lawn-film-nights-be-takei Asia Society Texas Center 8pm. Lawn pod which seats 4 is $30
Lush Life & Latin Beats Get ready to feel the beat. milleroutdoortheatre.com
Hop aboard for a free ride at this large scale model railroad that features three passenger trains hauling the young and young-at-heart along tracks. It’s a cute experience for the kids. hals.org Zube Park • 9am-1pm. All ages
Hangar Hang Out at CAF Houston Wing Museum & Hangar The CAF Houston Wing Museum and Hangar is open on the first and third Saturday of each month, welcoming visitors to view its collection of World War II-era aircraft. houstonwing.org
CAF Houston Wing Museum & Hangar at West Houston Airport 10am-3pm. All ages
Miller Outdoor Theatre 8:30pm. All ages
JUNE 20
Monthly Volunteer Workday
Join us for a virtual Family Capoeira class, a unique Afro-Brazilian martial art that develops discipline, coordination, strength, and rhythm. Instruction is provided by the Brazilian Cultural Institute. midtownhouston.com Virtual 10-11am. All ages
Photography Workshop: Understanding Exposure & Light Metering Just in time to take some amazing summer photos of your family. Skill up on your photography techniques by attending one of the themed workshops. levyparkhouston.org Levy Park 10am-noon. Age: 15+
Temporary Hours of Operation
Wednesday 11am-5pm, Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am6pm, Sunday 12:30pm- 6pm
Through June 2021
Happy Father’s Day to all those Amazing dads out there! Activities you can do with Dad •
Plan a family workout
•
Take an online cooking class
•
Host a lawn game tournament
•
Serve dad an all-star brunch
•
Craft together
•
Host a wine tasting or a beer tasting
•
Get out on the water
•
Go for a hike
•
Plan an outdoor movie night
•
Go camping
Armand Bayou Nature Center Enjoy the forest, marshes, butterfly gardens and a farm site from the mid-1800s. www.abnc.org Armand Bayou Nature Center 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena Wednesday-Saturday 9:00am5:00pm, Sunday Noon-5:00pm All ages Price: Free every third Sunday of the month
World Rainforest Day
This annual blues and creole festival features Grammy award-winning blues legend Bobby Rush. milleroutdoortheatre.com
mfah.org
Two visionary artists, separated in time and space, are united by a shared fascination with nature.
JUNE 21
A GULF COAST JUNETEENTH: FEATURING BOBBY RUSH
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON
Hockney-Van Gogh: The Joy of Nature
Houstonians, ages 9 and up, are invited to join Buffalo Bayou Partnership for community-wide volunteer days at Buffalo Bayou Park happening the third Saturday of each month. buffalobayou.org
VIRTUAL Family Capoeira
NOW EXHIBITING | MUSEUM CALENDAR
Monday- closed except selected holidays, Tuesday – closed
JUNE 19
Buffalo Bayou 8:30-11:30am. Age: 9+
Body Worlds & The Cycle of Life, Houston Museum of Natural Science
Train Rides at Zube Park in Hockley
Learn all about rainforests, the animals that live there, their importance and how you can save them. Activities include crafts, games, animal appearances, keeper chats and more! aquariumrestaurants.com Downtown Aquarium Houston All day. All ages
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
hmh.org
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm., Sat. 10am5pm., Sun. 12-5pm
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Like the book, the exhibition offers a visually rich, entertaining, yet rigorous look at RBG’s life and work. Through archival photographs and documents, contemporary art, media stations, and playful interactives, the exhibition tells the parallel stories of RBG’s remarkable career and the efforts she joined to expand “We the People” to include those long left out of the Constitution’s promises. Through July 2022
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
hmns.org
9am-5pm Mon-Sun
Pompeii: The Exhibition The exhibition tells the tale of the lost and forgotten city of Pompeii, hidden until its rediscovery more than 250 years ago. Peruse the 150 precious artifacts on loan from the unparalleled collection of the Naples National Archaeological Museum in Italy.
Miller Outdoor Theatre 8:30pm. All ages
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BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life Experience a breathtaking encounter with the inner workings of the human body and see the effects of poor health, good health and lifestyle choices. In addition to showcasing the wonders of human development, the 100+ preserved human specimens – including whole-body plastinates – demonstrate the complexity, resilience and vulnerability of the human body in distress, disease and optimal health. Through September 2021
THE HEALTH MUSEUM
www.thehealthmuseum.org Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9am-5pm., Thurs. 9am-7pm., Sun. 12-5pm
Admission: $10 adult, $8 senior 65+, free for children under 2 FREE on Thursdays 2-7pm
Brain: the world inside your head Designed to appeal to audiences of all ages, BRAIN employs innovative special effects, 3-D reproductions, hands-on learning activities, and interactive technology to delve into the inner workings of the brain, including its processes, potentials, and mysteries. Through September 6, 2021
LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM
Lonestarflight.org
Hours: Thurs.-Sat. 10am-5pm., Sun. 12-5pm Admission: $14.95 adult, $12.95 senior 65+, $12.95 youth, $9.95 children 4-11
CONTEMPORARY CRAFT MUSEUM
Crafthouston.org
Hours: Thursday – Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM. Admission: Free
Suited up: Contemporary Armor Making in Texas Featuring suits of armor inspired by historical re-enactments and iconic pop-culture warriors, explores the extraordinary craftsmanship behind armor making in the Lone Star State. Through September 11
the big to do | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S C E N T E R S TA G E | T H E T H E AT E R & A R T S
JUNE 22
JUNE 25
Tough Broads Out at Night Book Club Tough Broads Book Club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. This month’s book will be The Mothers by Brit Bennett. bluewillowbookshop.com Virtual, meeting on Zoom 7pm. Age: Adult
Family Storytime & Craft Enjoy a cross-generational literacy experience! Family Storytime, held under the pavilion, features a socially distanced reading followed by a craft that accompanies the book. All craft supplies are included. levyparkhouston.org
Stories & Songs with Emily & Jake Speck A.D. Players at The George Theater
Levy Park 10am. All ages
No one owns me Macy has dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter, however, she’s gotten caught up in the world of human trafficking. Carla, a survivor and now counselor, attempts to help Macy escape the cruel world of prostitution. adplayers.org Streaming until June 13th
Johnny and the Devil’s Box Johnny, a brash young fiddler from Georgia, must evade the law, outwit a devilish preacher and navigate young love on his journey to prove he’s the greatest fiddler the world has ever known. adplayers.org Streaming from June 14th-27th
Junie B`s Essential Survival Guide To School This is the wisecracking first grader’s newest adventure — writing her own survival guide with tips and tricks on surviving an entire day at school! mainstreettheater.com June 20th - 27th
Hansel & Gretel Experience the work as never before, with live performances and original animated settings by award-winning visual artist Hannah Wasileski. The production will add new layers of storytelling and visual theatrics to the enchanting opera about a pair of children who encounter a witch after being sent into the woods. houstongrandopera.org Through June 27
Short Play: Choosing Love A man escapes the rain by walking into a psychic’s shop. She has a towel waiting. He accepts a reading. It may, or may not, change his life. alleytheatre.org Through July 4
OSKAR AND THE SHOCKINGLY BAD INTERNET CONNECTION When an unforeseen global event forces Oskar to stay home and attend school online, he is not sure how to adjust. He has spent six months preparing a very special show-and-tell experience. It’s magical. It’s the best of the best, but it won’t work… alleytheatre.org
JUNE 23 Nature Discovery Center & Story time Visit the discovery rooms and enjoy the outdoor trails and play area. Plan to stay for nature story time which can include live animal encounters and a simple craft. naturediscoverycenter.org
Levy Park Houston 8pm. All ages
MOVIE NIGHT: REAR WINDOW Forget about trekking to the theater for your movie fix and head to Market Square Park for a free outdoor screening of Rear Window [PG]. The story of a recuperating news photographer who believes he has witnessed a murder. marketsquarepark.com Market Square Park 8:30pm. All ages
Texas Outlaw Challenge (June 23-27)
Beyond Bees!
If you like boats, this is the right event for you as it is the most spectacular annual performance boat event in Texas! kemahboardwalk.com
Bee-come fascinated with our local bees as staff and volunteers guide you through Mercer’s East Side Gardens. Learn about resident colonies of carpenter bees and honeybees and their critical role in the environment. hcp4.net/mercer/events/
JUNE 24
Front Lawn Film Nights: ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’
Kemah boardwalk All day. All ages
Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop Story Time Enjoy Blue Willow’s virtual story time, songs and an art activity every Thursday. bluewillowbookshop.com Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop 10am. Age: Toddlers and preschoolers
Stages Studio Sessions Lawn Screenings
Virtual Rainbow on the Green®
Through June 11
After crashing an experimental aircraft, Air Force pilot Carol Danvers is discovered by the Kree and trained as a member of the elite Starforce Military under the command of her mentor Yon-Rogg. levyparkhouston.org
Nature Discover Center Tues.-Fri. Noon-5:30pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am530pm, story time Wednesday at 4pm. All ages.
Through June 30
Here’s your chance to enjoy these unique streaming performances on the big screen! Don’t miss this opportunity to catch these unique performances from three of Houston’s finest talents on The Brown Foundation Lawn. stageshouston.com
Family Movie night: Captain Marvel
Celebrate our LGBTQ community with the 10th anniversary of Rainbow on the Green with virtual performances by Ada Vox, Tye Blue and Angelina DM Trailz. discoverygreen.com 7-8pm. All ages
42 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
Mercer Botanic Gardens 9:30am. All ages
Get a bit of fun and fresh air with Asia Society this spring as we screen a collection of Asian and Asian American films outdoors on the front lawn! In 19th century Qing Dynasty China, a warrior (Chow Yun-Fat) gives his sword, Green Destiny, to his lover (Michelle Yeoh) to deliver to safe keeping, but it is stolen, and the chase is on to find it. https://asiasociety.org/texas/events/ front-lawn-film-nights-crouching-tigerhidden-dragon Asia Society Texas Center 8pm. Age: Adult. Lawn pod is $30 for 4 people.
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CALENDAR@HOUSTONFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM
JUNE 26
JUNE 28
Keeping the Music Alive: a tribute to Black Music Month
Discover the Heights and stroll the historic 19th
This live performance will be bringing the iconic sounds of R&B and HipHop legends, remembering classic sounds. milleroutdoortheatre.com
Lined with a jigsaw of boutiques, artsy stores, restaurants and thrift shops, historic 19th Street is the shopping mecca of the Heights. It’s a great neighborhood to explore on foot with the family.
Miller Outdoor Theatre 8:30pm. All ages
Storey Lake Live! Featuring the Monarch Chamber Players Revel in a morning of classical melodies, echoing gently through the serene setting of Mercer’s Storey Lake garden. hcp4.net/mercer/events/ Mercer Botanic Gardens 10am. All ages
JUNE 27
Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace Bring the family to enjoy a 40-minute light show and then let them run on the grassy hill https://moody.rice. edu/jamesturrelltwilight-epiphanyskyspace
Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion, Rice University 40 minutes before sunrise, about 8-10 minutes before sunset Wednesday – Monday, closed Tuesdays. All ages
Get outside for national camping month!
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Did you know there are Texas State parks for Texans to choose from? Since there are so many, we looked up which ones have the most to offer, so you can make the most of your visit. Here’s the ones we found that include: Biking Trails • Boat Rentals/Ramps • Cabins • Fishing Hiking Trails • Lake Access • Showers Swimming • Water Skiing
JUNE 29
Eisenhower State Park, Denison, TX 5 hours
Family Storytime & Craft
Sam Houston Boat Tour Take the family on a 90-minute roundtrip, educational tour along the Houston Ship Channel to learn about the maritime industry. www.porthouston.com/sam-houstonboat-tour/ Port Houston Sam Houston Landing, Houston 10am & 2:30pm on select days All ages – Reservations are required.
Chicago Old school classics. Enjoy an evening with Chicago and their Greatest Hits. woodlandscenter.org Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 6:30pm. Age: Adult. Tickets start at $30.50
Enjoy a cross-generational literacy experience! Family Storytime, held under the pavilion, features a socially distanced reading followed by a craft that accompanies the book. All craft supplies are included. levyparkhouston.org
Lake Corpus Christi State Park, Mathis, TX 3.5 hours Lake Livingston State Park, Livingston, TX 1.5 hours
Levy Park 10am. All ages
JUNE 30 Nature Discovery Center & Story time
Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway, Somerville, TX 1.5 hours Martin Creek Lake State Park, Tatum, TX 4 hours
Visit the discovery rooms and enjoy the outdoor trails and play area. Plan to stay for nature story time which can include live animal encounters and a simple craft. naturediscoverycenter.org
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, Jasper, TX 2.5 hours
Nature Discover Center Tues.-Fri. Noon-5:30pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am530pm, story time Wednesday at 4pm. All ages
Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Pilot Pont, TX 5 hours For reservations or more information on all of the parks, visit www.tpwd.texas.gov
43 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
GET TO KNOW OUR FAVORITE KID STAFF MEMBERS
Kid Ambassadors
Get to know
Kate Bostick 1
I have two pet hamsters, Roxie and Roxane.
2
If I could eat one dessert everyday it would be chocolate chip cookies. They are sooooo good!!!!
3
My favorite hobbies are gymnastics and soccer. They are so fun to do!!
4
A fun fact about me is that I like to go shopping with my mom and golf or fish with my dad.
5
I like to play tag, hide n’ seek, and eat ice cream with my friends.
6
I love the smell of strawberries!!
7
When i grow up, I plan on becomming a dentist.
44 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
MORE EXPLORATION
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PRIMARY CARE that fits your life
Safe, convenient primary care — at a location near you.
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At Houston Methodist, we provide personalized care for you and your family, including physicals, immunizations and preventive care. Many of our practices: • Provide in-person and virtual visits with online scheduling • Offer same-day sick visits • Are conveniently located close to work or home • Accept most major insurance plans
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And, with enhanced safety measures in place, you can rest assured your safety is our priority.
houstonmethodist.org/pcg 713.394.6724 46 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE June 2021
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