Northeast Ohio Parent - April 2023

On the Cover:

Siblings, Quinn and her brother Luke at the April cover shoot. Their mom, Rebecca Zeiter shared how she and her husband Eric chose Quinn’s name, “(We)have always been drawn to one syllable, strong names. We don’t hide that Quinn is our rainbow baby. Early on in the pregnancy, doctors gave us another scare, putting us through various tests and the longest wait of our lives. But any time we had doubts, Quinn would give a kick, in a way letting us know everything is going to be OK. Once born, we knew this special girl needed a name to represent her strength and determination.”

8

20 FAMILY CALENDAR Fun things to do all month long, including indoor and outdoor activities.

26 DAD MATTERS

Dad columnist Jason Lea shares why sweet traditions should be treasured.

Starting

Whether you want to get outside in nature, are celebrating the Easter holiday or want to go green on Earth Day, find these things to do starting after page 23.

Photo by Moments by Mauric.

That Perfect Name Fit

I remember sitting in the hospital bed and wondering, “did we make the right decision on his name?” For one of my sons that had crossed my mind only a few hours into his life. Maybe it was because someone earlier mispronounced his name or when I looked at him, I wondered if it would fit him. But, honestly, now, I feel we couldn’t have picked a more perfect name.

I think with all big decisions, we as parents struggle with them. One is names. The moment you find out you are expecting, everyone wants to know the names you are thinking of or there could be some other family obligations or traditions you have to follow. Some parents might have a few picked out already while others pull up the baby name websites and start looking. For us, we had one name chosen, Noel (after a lead singer in a band we liked), and for the other, it was a matter of logistics (I wanted a certain Italian-sounding name and my husband wanted something to go with his German last name.). We ended up deciding on Anton. The one thing we did agree on was both sons’ middle names would be our grandfathers.

Shana O’Malley-Smith, managing editor and author of the article in this issue “The Name Game” shares her inspiration behind the names she chose for her daughter, Lyla (7) and son, Rowan (2). “For my daughter, I wanted something feminine and easy to pronounce. I grew up with a name that is commonly mispronounced (it’s Shana, rhymes with Hannah). I’ve learned to own it, but for my daughter, I wanted something that was easy for other kids to remember and say on the playground. My son’s name was picked years before he was born. My husband is the third James in his family. When my husband’s father passed away unexpectedly in 2016, we knew if we ever had a son, we wanted James to be his first name in honor of him. However, neither of us could picture having a little James/Jim/Jimmy running around so we decided to call our son by his middle name, Rowan, which we think fits his personality perfectly.”

This decision is one of the first we make as parents. While it’s important, we also shouldn’t stress too much about it. The name you decided was the best choice at that time for your family. Honestly, it’s OK things evolve and nicknames happen, etc., but it’s so much better to see your child develop into who they will be. That’s why in this annual baby issue, we have a story about these decisions and how to provide them with room to grow in their spaces at home.

I would be remiss to not talk about the great opportunities for our older children, which are summer camps. Check out our spring edition of the Summer Camp and Programs pull-out guide that has lots of reasons why to explore this summer staple for your child.

For me, it has been a whirlwind of a school year, and I think the kids are feeling it too. There have been a lot more battles with my two teens. If you are experiencing these sibling disputes, look on pg. 8 for advice.

As always, throughout the issue, we try to provide ways to get out of the house, whether it’s activities or events in the region.

For me, I’m excited for the warmer weather and so are our two Scottish Terriers. Our little girl puppy, which will soon be a year old, was named after one of the girl names (a song of a band we loved) I’ve kept in my mind for years. It’s a perfect fit.

April 2023

Northeast Ohio Parent is a property of PO Box 1088 Hudson, OH 44236 330-822-4011 NortheastOhioParent.com

PUBLISHER - Brad Mitchell brad@northeastohioparent.com

330-714-7712

EDITOR - Angela Gartner angela@northeastohioparent.com

216-536-1914

ART DIRECTOR - Sherry Lundberg sherry@northeastohioparent.com

MANAGING/DIGITAL EDITORShana O’Malley-Smith shana@northeastohioparent.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR - Georgia Lattas georgia@northeastohioparent.com

ADVERTISING SALES: Chris Geer, 330-614-8471 chris@northeastohioparent.com

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When Siblings Fight

TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR COOL AND KEEPING THE PEACE WHEN YOUR CHILDREN DISAGREE

By Georgia Lattas

Sibling fights are normal. Can you remember a time when you were younger and you argued with your sibling over clothes, or the TV remote, or who was going to have that last bit of cake? Chances are, you probably answered yes. While sibling rivalry is common at any age, it is important for parents to be aware of how to referee sibling battles and how to help remedy the argument. We share how parents can develop conflict resolution skills and how to teach those skills to their children.

“People don’t realize that sibling rivalry starts at the moment that you bring that new baby home,” explains Nanekia Ansari, owner/operator of Just One Hot Mom Coaching services. “You’re bringing somebody new into the family and this person requires your full attention. So, if you have a kid that’s one-years-old, that’s used to having your full attention on them, and then you bring in this new person who requires so much of the entire family, it starts there.”

“Sibling fights are not uncommon,” adds Sarah Hope Lincoln, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Case Western Reserve University and a licensed clinical psychologist with the Center for Evidence Based Treatment. “Conflict between siblings does not indicate severe psychopathology. Conflicts happen. I would say an actual back and forth conflict is going to start happening around age 2-3. An actual conflict verbally back and forth is going to be when you have a little bit more language development in both kids.”

Children will quarrel — these things happen. Observe your children and see how they communicate with one another.

“You have to let them figure out what their relationship is outside of you because that lays the foundation of how they’re going to communicate as they grow up,” Ansari says. “If you’re always butting in, one of them is going to assume that you’re taking a side. In actuality, when we step in and we try to figure things out, siblings don’t learn conflict resolution, and they don’t learn their relationship with each other and how to depend on each other.”

Resolving Conflicts

While some parents may argue that it is better to separate the children, wait for them to cool down, and then have them talk it out, other parents may argue that it is better for parents to intervene right away and have the children talk to each other immediately to work things through. Parenting is not a one size fits all – customize conflict resolution based on what works best for your children.

“You don’t want to ignore the fight,” Lincoln says. “You don’t want to just let it go. You also don’t want to punish the children because there is a conflict. It’s okay to have consequences for inappropriate behavior like hitting, but it’s okay for kids to have disagreements. So really what a parent should do is separate them a little bit, help them calm down, take a deep breath, do whatever they know their kids need to do to calm down. Then, you want to function as a coach or a mediator.

Because if you can use it as an opportunity for kids to learn, problem solve, or regulate their emotions, what you’re doing is helping them develop good social and emotional skills. So, you’d have them calm down, and then you’d ask them each to describe their perspective of what happened and help them figure out what their individual goals are, what do they want, what do they need, and then help them think through how they could resolve the situation.”

A young child should understand to not hit their sibling or to not touch something that isn’t theirs. Introduce these topics early on so children know how to communicate with one another when conflict does arise.

“Tell them that their words are hurtful and make me feel sad,” Ansari says. “You’re having those conversations with them when they can understand what you’re saying. Then, you can start conflict resolution because then you can say ‘Hey, when you hit your sister that hurt her, and we don’t do that.’ It’s not a guilt trip. I don’t make my children feel guilty about it. It’s a corrective action to that behavior.”

When Fights Go Too Far

Sibling fights should never get physical – never allow your children to hit one another or engage in physical fighting. There are some red flags that parents should look out for when their children are fighting.

“(A) red flag is when something simple sets a child off,” Ansari says. “If every time your

sibling does something, and there’s no period of understanding, or walking away, that’s an issue. You and your child need to sit down and need to start having some conversations and interventions about how you can help your child manage their anger, because that’s an issue.”

“Constant conflict or conflict that is ongoing, particularly severe conflict that involves physical aggression, any type of coercion and destruction of property on multiple occasions might require some kind of additional support,” Lincoln says. “When kids are depressed, sometimes they’re more irritable. One of the criteria for kids having depression is that they could be sad or down or lose interest in activities, but sometimes they just get more irritable. So if there’s something else going on, you would see chronic conflict over and over again that’s not responding to interventions.”

Parenting for All

While it is important to bring up conflict resolution conversations as early as possible, many families are blended families and some siblings may be half siblings, step siblings, or foster siblings. Some siblings may be a lot older than their siblings. Not every parent will parent their child the same way.

“My youngest daughter is 10 and has four siblings outside of me,” Ansari says. “I’ve always told them that it is my job to show you all love regardless of who gave birth to you. So whenever they argue, I still apply the same rules I use with my kids, as far as separating and the conversation I use with them. I make it clear with the other parents that there is an issue and I talk to them about this. As much as they are siblings, they’re being raised very differently because we’re all different as parents, and so it’s up to the parents to decide on how they approach conflict.”

“Some children might say you’re treating me unfairly because I’m older and I should know better,” Lincoln says. “What you really want a parent to be able to do is help them figure out how to resolve it. And if the resolution comes from them, they’re less likely to say ‘well, that isn’t fair. ‘ So if there was a strong divide that the kids were feeling, you could have both parents or a more neutral party, do it together. So again, the goal is to mediate, but if you felt like the kids were having a hard time trusting one parent versus another, especially in a newly blended family, you could wait until you had both parents in place or an older sibling who’s more neutral or something like that.”

Remember that sibling fights are normal. Take a deep breath and relax — you will figure this out as a family.

“I really wish that parents would give themselves some grace,” Ansari says. “It’s not your fault that they don’t get along.”

These picture books were recently chosen for the 2023 Caldecott Medal and Honor awards, which are given by the American Library Association annually to the most distinguished American picture book for children and other books worthy of attention. They offer a wide range of themes, styles, and settings for children to explore. Whether your child is interested in playful adventures, nature, social justice, or imaginative worlds, these books offer something for everyone.

Annisha Jeffries, Youth Services Manager at Cleveland Public Library provided this month’s recommended reads.

HOT DOG

by Doug Salati

The book won the top award and is a delightful picture book that follows the adventures of a cute and lovable pup who becomes overheated and overwhelmed on a hot summer day. Looking for a way to cool off, the pup embarks on a journey through a fantastic and imaginative world, encountering various obstacles and challenges. It offers a fun and imaginative story that will spark their imagination and sense of adventure.

BERRY SONG

by Michaela Goade

The book follows a young girl and her mother on a berry-picking trip to the Alaskan wilderness. The illustrations are stunningly detailed, capturing the lush forests, sparkling rivers, and colorful berries bursting forth from the page. The book’s gentle and poetic prose is accompanied by a delightful berry-picking song that will capture young readers’ attention and imagination.

CHOOSING BRAVE: HOW MAMIE TILL-MOBLEY AND EMMETT TILL SPARKED THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

by Angela Joy

and illustrated by Janelle

Washington

The Caldecott-honor-winning picture book biography tells the powerful and true story of Mamie Till-Mobley’s journey. She fights for justice and seeks to hold accountable those responsible for her son’s brutal murder. The illustrations are striking and powerful, emphasizing the book’s themes of courage, resilience, and the importance of standing up against racism and injustice.

KNIGHT OWL

by Christopher Denise

This Caldecott-honor-winning picture book is a delightful and whimsical book about a small owl who dreams of becoming a real knight. Despite his size, Owl believes that his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. The book is full of wordplay and optimism, emphasizing the value of intelligence and friendship over brawn.

Easy Chia Jam

Northeast Ohio Parent blogger Melissa Koski Carney of “I Crashed the Web” says this recipe is so easy to make, she thinks it shouldn’t really be considered a recipe.

“It only has three ingredients and takes 15 minutes to make. If you have kids —or anyone in your family — that loves jam, I encourage you to try chia jam as a healthier alternative.”

Here’s what you need:

2 cups of frozen or fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches or even a mix of all of them – the possibilities are endless!)

2 tablespoons chia seeds

1-2 tablespoons honey

Optional: spices or other seasonings like vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice (for sweeter fruits)

Here’s what you do:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat up your fruit. Stir it so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan and burn, and keep heating it up until the fruit starts to break down and mixture gets bubbly.

• While it’s heating up, mash the fruit. When making it for my youngest, I like to mash it a good amount so it’s not too chunky. If it’s just for me, I don’t mind chunky jam and this step doesn’t take as long. Some fruits – like blueberries – take longer to mash and I use a potato masher to break them down.

• Add in honey and continue to mix. I like 2 tablespoons, but depending on the sweetness of the fruit, you may use less. For example, I use less honey with strawberries, but more with blueberries or mixed berries.

• Add in chia seeds, and mix until they’re evenly distributed.

• Remove from heat and cool for 5-10 minutes. The chia seeds will thicken the jam while it cools.

• Pour into a jar or serve immediately. Mine typically makes a little more than 1 cup of jam.

Family Theater

4/15

Princesses in Concert. Sing along to your favorite princess songs. 10 a.m., Noon., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. French Creek Theatre, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, loraincountymetroparks.com/theatre

4/20-5/7

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. The world’s longest running play, “The Mousetrap” will keep you on the edge of your seat to the chilling end. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, weathervaneplayhouse.com

4/21-30

The Diary of Anne Frank. An impassioned drama about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, fineartsassociation.org

4/26-5/13

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. The Big Bad Wolf is having his day in court v. those three innocent little pigs. Or are they? You be the jury. You decide. Magical Theatre Company, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, magicaltheatre.org

5/2

Madagascar: The Musical. Relive the fun of the DreamWorks animated motion picture. The University of Akron, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, uakron.edu.ej

5/2-5

Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School. From bus rules and Band-Aids to carpools to cookies, Junie B. and friends deliver the definitive word on surviving and thriving in style. Mimi Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, playhousesquare.org

The Importance of Developmental Milestones Milestones

Are you are concerned that your child may be missing their developmental milestones? Don’t wait. While each child is unique and develops at their own pace, there are general milestones that can help you understand your little one’s development. Early Intervention (EI) services can put your child on the path toward their milestones and Summit DD can help. With Summit DD, you have a team of professionals there to help you every step of the way with your child’s learning and development.

FREE Assessment

Your child may be eligible for free EI services if they are missing their developmental milestones, have a suspected delay, or have a medical condition which has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay. Aren’t sure if your child meets any of these? Take the FREE developmental assessment at SummitDD.org/EI.

Don’t Wait

Learn more about Early Intervention services and how Summit DD can provide the expertise to support your family and your little one.

Making The Outdoors Your Classroom

By Erin Sernoffsky

HHere in Northeast Ohio, April means the chance to get our families outside and once again breathe deep. Nature provides so many avenues for growth and learning at every age. Simply being outside stimulates imagination, provides a boost of vitamin D, reduces stress, and has been shown to benefit attention and cognition.

“Outdoor play is essential to growth,” says Rachel Aidala, lead teacher at the Mandel ECE at Shaw Jewish Community Center in Akron. “The benefits of outdoor play, and risky play, are endless as kids explore and take chances.”

Make the outdoors your classroom this season. Mother Nature is an excellent planner and makes sure you have all the supplies you need for learning, creativity, and exploration. But remember, the mere fact your child is playing outside means they’re learning.

“There doesn’t have to be an academic component for it to be great for kids,” Aidala says. “Parents may be surprised to find out how much kids learn from unstructured play. It helps them develop a better sense of body awareness, consequences of their actions, and learn about the world around them. Not every moment needs to be a lesson in numbers and letters.”

Hiking Trails

Hiking trails are the ultimate outdoor classroom. Simple games engage the entire family and help draw more attention to the incredible sights, sounds and animals around. As you hike, pick out landmarks—a lake, flowers, a field— and see how many words kids can come up with to describe each one. Or compare what’s the same and different between various species of trees or flowers. These games are easy to scale for both younger and older kids to play together. Go on a rainbow hike where everyone searches for items to match each color of the rainbow. Or try a rhyming treasure hunt. Assign each kid a word—hug, flea, sock—and challenge them to find something in nature whose name rhymes with the word you give them.

Mud

Let’s face it, there’s no shortage of mud around this time of year so you might as well make the most of it. Making mud pies is not only fun, it provides great sensory input. Grab a stick and write letters in the mud for your child to identify, or let them write their name or draw a picture. The resistance from the mud strengthens muscles needed for writing and other fine motor skills as well as gives extra tactile reinforcement. Kids can also use their stick, or the branch of a fir tree to “paint” with mud on driveways and sidewalks. For added fine motor development, give them spray bottles of water to wash away their artwork.

Leaves and Flowers and Pinecones, Oh My!

There’s no end to the fun ways to play with leaves, twigs, rocks, grass and flower pedals. Send kids outside at home to collect any interesting items and bring them back and make nature monsters on the ground—grass for hair,flower petal eyelashes, mulch mustaches. Older children can create nature mandalas, circular artwork on the ground utilizing patterns and shapes to make unique displays. Exercise creativity and fine motor skills by using twine and twigs to hang the items for a nature mobile.

“In my experience, letter recognition is best begun by practicing the letters in a child’s name,” Aidila suggests. “Have your child find objects in nature that correspond to the letters in their name, or help them create their name out of sticks, pebbles, or anything they can find.”

Break out the sidewalk chalk and draw squares on the driveway with a number inside each. Challenge your child to a scavenger hunt to find objects to match numbers in each square—four pinecones, three acorns, two flowers. For older kids you can then use these items to create addition and subtraction problems.

Playing outside, climbing trees, getting dirty—these are what core childhood memories are made of. It’s also where incredible learning happens. Whether they are inventing their own games, or you are finding innovative ways to reinforce schoolwork, getting outside can help your child grow in every area of development.

BENEDICTINE HIGH SCHOOL

2900 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Cleveland

216-421-2080, cbhs.net

April 23: 11 a.m.

SPRING SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES

GLOBAL AMBASSADORS LANGUAGE ACADEMY (GALA)

13442 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

216-315-7942, gala-prek8.org

April 15, May 13, June 3: 1

0-11:30 a.m.

April 18, May 9, June 6: 5-6:30 p.m.

HAWKEN SCHOOL

Lower & Middle Schools

5000 Clubside Road, Lyndhurst

440-423-4446, hawken.edu

April 16: 1 p.m.

Upper School

12465 County Line Road, Gates Mills

440-423-4446, hawken.edu

April 23: 1 p.m.

Mastery School

11025 Magnolia Dr., Cleveland

440-423-4446, hawken.edu

April 30: 1 p.m.

HERSHEY MONTESSORI

Upper School - Huntsburg Campus

11530 Madison Road, Huntsburg Twp. 440-636-6290, hershey-montessori.org

April 10, May 8: 9-11 a.m.

Lower School - Concord Campus

10229 Prouty Road, Concord Twp. 440-357-0918, hershey-montessori.org

April 12, May 10: 9-11 a.m.

LAUREL SCHOOL

Lyman Campus

1 Lyman Circle, Shaker Hts.

216-464-1441, laurelschool.org

April 15: 9-11 a.m.

(All-School Open House)

Butler Campus

7420 Fairmount Road, Novelty

216-464-1441, laurelschool.org

April 15: 9-11 a.m.

(All-School Open House)

OLD TRAIL SCHOOL

2315 Ira Road, Bath

330-666-1118, oldtrail.org

April 13: 5-7 p.m.

THE LILLIAN AND BETTY RATNER

MONTESSORI SCHOOL

27575 Shaker Blvd, Pepper Pike

216-464-0033, theratnerschool.org

For private tours call Shawnta Duckworth

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL

Hunting Valley Campus

(Grades 9-12)

2785 SOM Center Road, Hunting Valley

216-831-2200, us.edu

April 13: 8:30 a.m. (Parent Preview)

Shaker Heights Campus

(Junior Kindergarten-Grade 8)

20701 Brantley Road, Shaker Heights 216-321-8260, us.edu

April 20: 8:30 a.m. (Parent Preview)

CAMP and SUMMER PROGRAMS Guide

Sponsored by:

In the Wild Explore Nature at Outdoor Camps

Day Camp

Decider

Questions to Ask When Choosing

Techy Fun

Plug-In and Learn at these Camps

CAMP and SUMMER PROGRAMS Guide

SPRING EDITION

C-5

EXPLORE CAMP IN THE WILD

Outdoor camps provide benefits to kids to learn about nature and its inhabitants.

C-10

CAMP READING LIST

Help for kids — and parents — get ready for summer camps and programs.

C-12

BENEFITS OF PLUGGING IN AT CAMP

Techy kids have opportunities to explore their interests and more!

C-13

DAY CAMP DECIDER

Questions parents are asking when choosing a day camp.

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Sponsored by

CAMP AND SUMMER PROGRAMS LISTINGS

Find the best summer camps and programs for your child.

Camp Worth NOTING

Merit International, Inc and the Ohio Department of Education partnered to offer The Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account program. The program provides funds to a student’s parent or guardian to use on various enrichment and educational activities. The ACE Educational Savings Account program is available to any student between the ages of 6 and 18 years old whose family income is at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Qualifying children include those who attend any Ohio public or nonpublic school or are home educated by their parents.

Qualifying families can receive $500 and after April 7 $1000 per child that can be used to pay enrichment activities that will accelerate learning for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These include day camps and field trips, tutoring, language and music lessons, study skill services and more.

Families who are interested can learn more information about how to apply at aceohio.org

PHOTO BY EARTHOLOGY

Explore Camp In the Wild

OUTDOOR CAMPS ARE POPULAR AND THEY PROVIDE BENEFITS TO KIDS TO LEARN ABOUT NATURE AND ITS INHABITANTS.

By Ginny McCabe

Especially since Covid, but even before the pandemic, there was an enormous push for camps.

“The sun shines in Northeast Ohio in the summer. As a community and people that live here, we have come to value and treasure those sunny, warm days. So, this is a great opportu-

nity for kids who have been stuck in school, in front of computer screens all-year around, to get outside, but it really highlights amazing things we have to offer here in terms of nature and outdoor experiences in Northeast Ohio,” says Mary Rouse, director of outdoor experiences at Cleveland Metroparks.

- CONTINUED ON PAGE C6 -

PHOTO BY EARTHOLOGY

Dave Devey, owner and director of Falcon Camp says getting out in nature and experiencing adventures is essential for learning and development.

At Falcon Camp, kids gain confidence, improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills, learn valuable self discovery and increase curiosity of adventure and exploration – all while spending time outdoors.

“There is an important sense of sharing the environment with nature, and understanding the layers of how the environment works, in order for everything to flow smoothly,” Devey says. “We need trees, plants and animals, and we need bees to pollinate. There has to be a healthy respect for the environment that we live in and camp is a great place to help teach some of that respect and it gives kids a greater understanding.”

Many camps offer opportunities for kids to not just get outside, but learn about nature. From conservation and hands-on animal encounters to nature fun — there are endless ways kids can explore the great outdoors and the benefits are amazing, too.

Kids Get an Experience Unlike Anywhere Else

“When you’re on a nature hike, and you see a frog in the creek, and you hold the frog in your hands for a couple of minutes,” Devey says. “That’s so much better and nicer than seeing the picture of a frog on a screen, and it’s so much more real. Then, you can go back home, if it interests you, and look up frogs on a screen, and see all the different kinds and colors, and learn from it, but seeing that frog in real life, and holding it in your hands, and watching it jump from one rock to another, seeing how it blends in to the pine needles and the grass on the edge of a stream so you can’t see it anymore, and you have to really focus to find out where it went. Those are things screens don’t do for you.”

At camps like those at the zoo, it’s good to see the animals at the zoo and understand the conservation messaging, and how their actions can impact those same animals that are out in the wild, explains Stacey Panteck, education specialist, at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. So, there’s also the conservation piece of seeing the animals and being outdoors with them.

“It’s super important that kids of all ages get the opportunity to be outside, play outside, and see things here at our zoo that they might not be able to see anywhere else,” she says. “So, they are able to come here and be outside of the classroom, outdoors, but still learn really great things through these experiences. It also awakens a curiosity in kids. For instance, it could be them looking at an elephant close up and that will lead to a million questions, or they can see a caterpillar on the ground, and that would lead to a million questions. It could awaken something in them that’s a passion, and it will continue to be a passion for them throughout their lifetime.”

Exposure to Nature has Positive Health Outcomes

“There are so many benefits. There’s the physical health benefit of being outside, being active in fresh air and challenging your body to do more things. Right along with that is the mental health benefits. There’s so much research - CONTINUED ON PAGE C8 -

PHOTO BY EARTHOLOGY

PHOTO BY EARTHOLOGY

that shows the benefit of time spent outdoors, in terms of brain chemistry and the neurons in your brain, helping to facilitate new connections there in that outdoor space with the sun, hopefully,” Rouse says.

“Nature is grounding and calming,” says Erin McCann Enovitch, owner and director of Earthology Unbound. “Climbing, hiking, exploring, running up

and rolling down hills are all things that build confidence and self-esteem and boost brain chemistry. We know through plenty of research that the benefits of exposure to natural soundscapes and nature in general are transformative. Improved overall health and wellness, increased ability to concentrate and regulate and decreased stress and anxiety are just a few of the positives of being outside.”

Longer periods of time spent in nature have been connected to positive growth cognitively, physically, emotionally and socially. Nature provides the fuel to nurture and grow the whole child, she adds.

“One that’s probably noteworthy are the health benefits,” says Vicki Searles, director of conservation education at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. “A number of children come here who haven’t had the opportunity to be outside a lot, and sometimes that’s by choice, and sometimes that’s because of some challenges they have, but either way, we know that when kids get outside in nature in some way that it can help them tremendously if they have health challenges, if they have some attention deficit challenges, being out in nature has been proven to help that.”

A Positive Alternative to Screen Time in the Outdoors

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2020, “Children and adolescents spend a lot of time watching screens, including smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, TVs, and computers. On average, children ages 8-12 in the U.S. spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours.

While screens can entertain, teach, and keep children occupied, too much use may lead to problems.

The negative impact is kids are getting less exercise or gaining weight. There’s also a growing lack of interest in being outside. Electronics are everywhere and it’s causing more anxiety for many kids.

“Children spend too much time indoors, especially during the school year,” McCann Enovitch says. “They need to be outside more, and camp is a perfect way to do that. Even the most hesitant children, who claimed to dislike the outdoors, have reported enjoying their time at Earthology. We have to get them used to being outside more and for longer periods of time, their wellness depends on it.”

PHOTO BY CLEVELAND METROPARKS

“Another benefit is keeping those minds active over the summer,” Rouse adds. “If all the kids do is play video games, or watch movies over the summer, they lose some of those reading skills and math skills, particularly in the younger grades. So, it keeps their minds active.”

“Every day at the zoo is different,” Searles adds. “Animals are doing different things, and you’ll see different behaviors in them, so there are campers who will repeat a theme, and they see something different every time they come.”

Outdoor Camps Broaden Kids Social Skills

Being outdoors in nature will give kids an opportunity to make new friends and it teaches them how to build relationships. At camp, kids can share stories, or sit around a campfire. They are experiencing face-to-face interaction with others, while making lasting memories.

“There are social benefits,” Rouse says. “Kids are going to camp with a group of other youth that they don’t normally spend time with. People from different backgrounds, and people from other communities and neighborhoods. So, it’s a chance to make new friends and learn about people, maybe you don’t already get a lot of exposure to.”

“Summer camp not only helps kids physically, because they use their muscles and bodies in a different way when they are playing outside, but also, it helps to boost brain power and their mental capacity, when they are outside more,” Panteck says. “I think it also adds the element of social-emotional in getting outside, interacting with others and nature. So, it’s good for their mind, body and soul.”

Devey says, often, when he talks to campers years later, he learns that many

campers have made lifelong friends. Campers develop common bonds with their friends at camp, and they have an opportunity to share in new and different

experiences together. He says campers also learn skills like teamwork while they have fun.

Camp Reading Nook

SUMMER CAMP CRITTER JITTERS

by Jory John and

illustrated by Liz Climo

Some familiar faces and some new ones meet up at summer camp . . . and they all feel nervous! There’s a duck afraid everyone will find out he can’t swim, a bear afraid of noises in the woods, and a sloth who worries he’ll have to catch his own lunch. But can they get over their nerves to have some fun and make new friends?

FROGGY GOES TO CAMP

CAMP FAMOUS

by Jennifer Blecher

Eleven-year-old Abby Herman is beyond excited that her parents are letting her go to summer camp for the first time ever. She’s not going to just any summer camp, she’s going to Camp Famous, the

one exclusively for famous kids escaping the spotlight. Desperate to fit in with the pop stars, princesses, and geniuses, Abby creates a fake identity as a famous author. But as camp comes to a close, Abby finds herself torn between who she has pretended to be and who she truly is.

by

Jonathan London and illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

Froggy’s packs a lot into one week: archery lessons, food fights, and scary stories around the campfire. But only Froggy could also manage to lose his trunks during swim class and overturn his kayak with the camp director in it. Froggy will keep his fans laughing with his latest antics.

SAM AND CHARLIE (AND SAM TOO) AT CAMP!

by

Leslie Kimmelman and illustrated by William Owl

Best friends Sam and Charlie are headed to sleepaway camp for the first time. Each day brings something new―from swimming and nature hikes to camp songs and more. At camp, Sam and Charlie learn the importance of shomrei adamah, taking care of the earth, and taking care of friendships, new and old.

CAMP ROLLING HILLS: BOOK TWO: CROSSING OVER

by Stacy Davidowitz

There’s only one thing Melman loves more than soccer: her summers at Camp Rolling Hills. So she’s pumped to be back—until she realizes her bunkmates have gone totally boy-crazy over the school year and plastered their cabin in pink. Pink posters, pink t-shirts...it seems that the only not-pink thing in the cabin is Melman herself. That is, until she’s given a dare in front of the entire camp: wear a pink princess dress. For Three. Whole. Days.

Here are some book recommendations for kids to start thinking and preparing for their days of summer fun.

‘Get Ready’ Book List

THE NIGHT BEFORE SUMMER CAMP

by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Mindy Pierce

The first day of summer camp is almost here, and one little camper doesn’t know what to expect. For a while everything is hunkydory . . . until rest time rolls around

and he gets a bad case of nervous butterflies. But an unlikely friend appears out of the crowd and reassures him that the best cure for the summertime blues is tons of summertime fun.

SPY CAMP

by Stuart Gibbs

Ben Ripley is a middle schooler whose school is not exactly average—he’s spent the last year training to be a top-level spy and dodging all sorts of associated danger. So now that summer’s finally here, Ben would like to have some fun and relax. But that’s not going to happen during required spy survival training at a rustic wilderness camp.

SUMMER CAMP ACADEMY

by C.K. Bushnell

Join Noah and his bunkmates, the River Otters, as they search for the answers to many, many questions and many more such as What’s in the Mysterious Woods? What is the chunky stuff the camp serves in the Dining Hall? Why is there a mean bunk called the Gray Wolves?

AWAY

by Emil Sher and illustrated by Qin Leng

A little girl’s fears about leaving home for the first time, and the need to stay close with her Mom through handwritten notes becomes even more important. As the camp departure date gets closer, Mom does her best to soothe her daughter’s nerves. A visit from her grandmother helps to calm her fears and convince her that she’ll have a good time, even away from her mother and beloved cat. Camp ends up being a wonderful adventure — but nothing is sweeter than a back-athome reunion.

TACKY GOES TO CAMP

by Helen Lester and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

Tacky and his fellow penguins are off to summer camp in Nice Icy Land to enjoy themselves while Rock Hopping, Line Dancing, and playing Capture the Ice Cube. One night, they gather around the campfire to sing, eat s’mores, and tell scary stories. But after going to bed, something straight out of one of their scary stories pays the sleeping penguins a visit.

Benefits of Plugging In at Camp

By Lydia Mockensturm

It’s hard to believe it’s already time to start thinking about summer camp again. Everywhere you look, you might be seeing options for art camps, soccer camps, or dance camps—but maybe your kid’s idea of summer fun is building robots and coding.

Parents are likely to fall into one of two camps—those who are ready to embrace tech, and those who see summer as a time to “unplug” and get outside.

While increased screen-time and electronics use can certainly be a concern, it’s also undeniably a part of our world today. Still, encouraging our kids to pursue their interests in things like gaming, coding, and all things techy while also convincing them to take a break now and then can turn into a bit of a balancing act.

We’ve talked with some of the experts offering technology-related camps this summer to learn more about the benefits of plugging in at camp, many of which go beyond a future career in tech.

Technology Creators

In a tech summer camp, kids are able to get creative in different ways than they might in art or music camp.

“When kids attend tech camps like Classroom Antics they learn how to be technology creators instead of technology consumers,” says Sheri Niedermyer, owner at Classroom Antics, an education enrichment provider offering STEAM-focused summer camps.

Their classes for younger kids include activities like robotic programming and Minecraft build challenges as well as screenfree STEAM “brain breaks.” Older tweens and teens can learn to design video games and engineer robots.

“Once they start thinking about how their technology runs—like video games or computer animation—then they realize that

producing technology requires an education and can be a career,” Niedermyer says.

Sarah Kepple, owner of Gigalearn says that the distinction between creating versus consuming technology is important. Her organization partners with Cuyahoga Community College to bring summer camp programs in robotics and video game cre-

camp can be applied across all areas of life.”

“We use technology to teach kids critical thinking and problem solving skills because we can tie important educational milestones to an area they are already interested in,” she says. “Even learning to create YouTube content develops skills such as brainstorming, storyboarding, producing and editing.”

Working Together & Making Friends

If your kid or teen has a passion for coding and robotics, Kepple says that a summer camp can be a great way to meet friends with similar interests as they work together.

ation to kids and teens.

“They’re coding their own video games; they’re drawing digital graphics, editing unique sound effects; they’re building and programming robots,” Kepple says. “So we help students learn what’s behind some of their favorite media and empower them to produce their own ideas.”

Life Skills

The benefits of a tech program aren’t just important for future game developers, though. “They also practice broader 21st century skills that translate into whatever they do, whether they go into any sort of tech-related field or not,” Kepple says. “Skills like communication, critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, perseverance, and information literacy.”

Niedermyer also adds that the skills learned in a tech summer camp can be applied to many areas outside of technology. “Even if they don’t become technology experts when they grow up, the age-appropriate critical thinking skills they learn at tech

“One of my favorite things that students gain from summer camp are friends,” she says. “Over the course of the week, it’s common for students to bond over their shared interests. And there’s actually research that shows that this type of peer-to-peer informal learning can be one of the best ways to support creativity and self-driven study.”

Screen-free Tech

While you may think of “tech” as synonymous with “electronics,” for example, camps such as Challenge Island’s screen-free STEAM summer camps, this isn’t the case.

“We reclaim the original definition of technology—a new solution to a problem,” says Anne Vaughan, owner of Challenge Island in the Summit and Medina county regions. “We really focus on making the STEM concepts accessible to all children, not just kids that are really focused on technology, or robotics, or coding. We take basic STEM concepts and intertwine them with topics that kids really enjoy.”

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DAYCAMP DECIDER:

Questions parents are asking when deciding on a day camp

By Aisha Taylor

It seems like the school year just started, but it’s quickly coming to a close. It’s time for parents to begin making the final decisions about where to send their children to camp. There are many amazing camps in the area

and parents may need to make tough choices. So how do you do it? Parents first need to know the camp hours so they can understand whether a program works for their schedule. Their schedule will help to determine

whether they select a full-day or halfday program or a program that offers before and after care. It’ll also help parents to identify which weeks and how many weeks during the summer they need camp.

What will the children learn and experience?

Once families know whether the camp works for their schedule, they need to understand the experience they will receive at the camp.

Hunter Hammil, outdoor adventure camp manager at Nature Center at Shaker Lakes recommends parents ask two questions to help guide their decision, “What’s the reason for sending the kids to camp” and “What experience do they want the children to have?”

“What parents want their child to get out of it will have a lot to do with where to send their child,” he says.

This will help parents decide on an outdoor vs. indoor camp, a speciality camp where they learn a skill, a sports camp, a special interest camp, etc.

How do camps ensure safety?

Evaluating program safety includes how the staff are trained and the policies and procedures involved to ensure child safety, conflict resolution between campers, as well as safety protocols for water activities.

Staff training goes beyond knowing if they are trained. “Parents should know who does the training,” Hammil says. “Is a well-known, reputable company training the staff? The camp should be able to provide certifications and documentation of the training. This is really important if there are activities that could be a little more dangerous if proper procedures aren’t followed.”

Another consideration of safety, according to Natisha Bowling, VP of Youth Development at the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, “is the ratio of children to counselors and whether the counselors are youth or adults.”

What should I consider about water activities?

If there are water activities, parents should find out how much water time the children will have, the ratio of counselors to children in the pool, as well as any accommodations for non-swimmers.

For example, if your goal is to have your child learn how to swim, then you may want to choose a camp with more swimming time. If your child doesn’t know how to swim or doesn’t want to swim, then are there different activities the child can do during the pool or water

activity time? If the child is a non-swimmer, but wants to get in the pool, does the camp have accommodations for the child to wear a life vest and remain in the shallow end?

Water activities extend beyond the pool. Some camps have water sports or use water equipment. In those cases, Hammil suggests parents ask, “How often is it inspected? Are the life jackets up to date? How often do they replace and inspect the life jackets?”

What about the age groups?

When parents review camps they will notice that some camps are mixed age groups while others separate the children by age or grade. It’s important to understand your child’s maturity level, development, interests, and goals for the summer when deciding between a mixed age camp or not. Parents should also consider how the camp tailors learning and activities around the children’s age, development, and skill level.

Some mixed age group camps have time where the children are in smaller

groups with their peers who are at a similar level of development. Therefore, if the program is a mixed age camp, will the children have time during the day when they are paired into groups according to their age, grade, or developmental level or are the ages mixed the entire time?

What if it rains?

Rain has the potential to disrupt programs where children spend a majority of the time outdoors. When deciding on your camp program, ask:

• Will the children still play outside if it rains? If so, under what conditions?

• Is there a dedicated indoor space for the children to play if it rains?

• How does the camp structure indoor activities so children can have as much fun indoors as outdoors?

What if your child has special needs or allergies?

Hammil encourages parents of children who may need special accommodations to “talk with the camp director. Then the

director can explain the program, decide if this is something they can work with, or if it is more than what the camp is capable of providing.”

What about costs?

��Bowling advises parents to “consider the program cost and then weigh that against what is included in the program and what children will gain from the experience.”

Once you weigh your decisions, there are opportunities from scholarships to savings plans to help for day camp costs, if needed.

For example, parents have the opportunity to apply for the Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account program, which provides families who qualify with a $500 credit for learning activities such as day camps.

While the cost is an important part of the decision-making process, because the summer camp needs to be affordable, it’s also making sure it’s the best fit for your child.

CAMP and SUMMER PROGRAMS Guide

ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN

Hosted on the beautiful 52-acre Camp Cheerful campus, this full-day program provides academic instruction that addresses IEP goals in a summer camp format. Activities are designed and implemented by an intervention specialist to meet each student’s needs and ability level in a 1 staff to 2 camper ratio. Speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists also provide required therapy minutes for IEP goals. Activities include swimming, sensory play, arts and crafts, adapted sports, and horse barn visits. achievementctrs.org

ADRENALINE MONKEY

adrenalinemonkeyfun.com

AKRON ARTWORKS

Akron ArtWorks, family-owned art studio, offers fine art instruction for children, teenagers, and adults. This summer they are offering half day and full day art themed camps. Need extended care?, they have that too. Camp themes include painting, 3D sculpture, Upcycling, fantasy, and art exploration. The studio’s teaching philosophy emphasizes the artistic process, teaching students to focus on exploration and skill development, so that the final product can be a true expression of their unique point of view. akronartworks.com

BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Beck Center offers classes at the Lakewood campus in dance, theater, visual arts, private music lessons, and group lessons. Students of all ages and abilities learn as they create unique works of art, discover hidden talents, and have loads of fun with new friends. They have something for every interest in visual and performing arts, and every skill level. Looking for entertainment? Please call 216-521-2540 to buy tickets for the entire family to enjoy “Once On this Island” or visit beckcenter.org for more details.

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CAMP and SUMMER PROGRAMS Guide

BELLWETHER FARM CAMP

At Bellwether Farm, campers can experience farm-to-table food, goat snuggles, foraging, swimming, reading, singing, cooking, hiking, crafting, and much more on the beautiful 137-acre property. Specialty camps include all traditional camp activities in addition to a focus on specific topics. Mini camp is offered to rising second and third graders Sunday - Tuesday as a sample of a weeklong camp. Bellwether Farm works to inspire future generations to become passionate leaders for a sustainable future. bellwetherfarm.com

CAMP CURIOSITY: SUMMER SCIENCE CAMPS

Do your kids excel at exploration, or thrill at discovery?

If so, a weeklong, summer STEM adventure might be just what they need. New camp themes offer exciting challenges for kids in grades K-6, with options from nature, fossils, ocean life, engineering, Minecraft, LEGOs, space, chemistry, and everything in between. Register by March 31 and receive $20 off. Sessions begin June 5. For more information, call 216-621-2400 or visit greatscience.com

CAMP FITCH

Camp Fitch’s century-old classic sleep-away summer camp provides kids ages 6-17 with a holistically safe, values-driven community where they discover friendship and achievement. Kids feel like they belong among the camp’s carefully vetted, committed and caring staff, who create transformative experiences on the shore of Lake Erie. Partnering with the Erie Health Department and healthcare professionals, they have designed a safe camping environment to make kids better, forever. North Springfield, Pa., 814-922-3219, campfitchymca.org

CAMP GILMOUR

summercamp@gilmour.org.

CAMP INVENTION

Spark your child’s curiosity and creativity with the all-new Camp Invention program, Wonder! Coming to your town, campers in grades K-6 will collaborate with friends to take on fun, hands-on STEM challenges. From building a mini skate park to launching a pop-up shop to transforming a robot into a stuffie, each experience adds up to an imagination-stretching, confidence-boosting summer. Visit invent.org/local to secure your spot. Use promo code LOCAL15 by 5/17 to save $15 off the registration fee.

CAMP JCC IN AKRON

June 5-Aug 11. Different weekly experiences allow campers to discover new hobbies and explore favorite interests. Specialty camp offerings include a variety of sports, creative arts, and STEM. All are welcome at the JCC, regardless of religious preference or economic status. Whether you choose a specialty or traditional camp, all campers attend from 8-3:30 p.m. daily (aftercare available). Daily activities include swimming, art, and games. Available for grades 1-8. Register at shawjcc.org/camp-j.

CAMP TIPPECANOE

ymcastark.org

CAMP QUALITY

campqualityusa.org/oh/

CAMP RATNER

theratnerschool.org/summer-program

CHALLENGE ISLAND

Set sail for a fantastic adventure with Challenge Island. Challenge Island is a one-of-a-kind S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and math) program full of hands-on fun. Children embark on a unique “island” adventure where they complete STEM/ STEAM challenges using only the materials in their treasure chest and their own creativity to build structures, create games and more. The wide variety of pop-culture camp themes include wizardry, slime, arcade games, space and travel. Learn more at challenge-island.com/neo

CLASSROOM ANTICS

Learn what you love. If your child likes LEGO, Minecraft, or coding, they are going to love becoming a creator in a Classroom Antics summer camp. Classroom Antics is an educational enrichment provider offering fun, educational STEAM programs for kids ages 6-14. Weeklong summer camps are offered in a variety of STEAM activities, including video game design, robotics, animation, video production, and coding. Attend half-day or full-day in Beachwood, Berea, Brecksville, Brunswick, Fairlawn, Hudson, Solon, or Westlake. classroomantics.com

CLEVELAND CITY DANCE

clevelandcitydance.com

CLEVELAND FENCING ACADEMY

Cleveland Fencing Academy is a 5800 sq ft state-of-the-art fencing and social facility for kids/ adults. Recreational and competitive programs, summer and winter camps. Table tennis, basketball, chess, games, movie nights and more. Get plugged into the oldest modern Olympic sport, realize your Star Wars Jedi dreams, and become competitive on a regional, national and international level! Unique opportunity in the Cleveland area. clevelandfencingacademy.com

CLEVELAND METROPARKS

Cleveland Metroparks

Summer Nature Camps connect children with the natural world. From hikes in the woods, kayaking, crafts and games, a variety of Summer Nature Camps offer compelling outdoor adventures.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Summer Day Camps connect campers with wildlife and inspire the next generation of conservationists. Campers can spend their summer days at the zoo, participating in special activities like giraffe feeding, carousel rides, educational games and crafts. Cleveland Metroparks Golf Junior Day Camps offer activities and instruction for junior golfers of several ages and skill levels. Learn more at clevelandmetroparks.com/camps

CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

cmnh.org/summer-camps

ODYSSEY PROGRAM AT CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY’S SCHOOL OF FILM & MEDIA ARTS

Odyssey Program at Cleveland State University’s School of Film & Media Arts offers 4 different residential or day camps for teens (aged 13-18) interested in filmmaking. With access to the film school’s professional sound stages and production equipment, Odyssey participants learn screenwriting, acting, directing, cinematography, editing, and complete their own individual film projects, including a College Admissions Interview video. For more information or to register, please email odyssey@csuohio.edu or visit csufilmodyssey.com

COMMON GROUND SUMMER CAMPS

Eight weeks of day camp full of adventure and education in Oberlin. Earth camp is for ages 6-15 and features a unique environmental theme for kids to explore, learn and grow. Adventure camp takes kids ages 12-15 on epic adventures such as zip-lining, tree climbing and more. Financial aid and bus transportation available from several Lorain County locations available. Call 440-965-5551 and register today commongroundcenter.org/summer-camps

CORNERSTONE OF HOPE

Cornerstone of Hope offers two camps for grieving children and teens, where they will participate in age-appropriate grief activities led by professionals, play fun, high-energy games and experience challenging activities in a safe environment. Campers are encouraged to explore their grief, learn essential coping skills, and make friends with peers who are also grieving. Camp Cornerstone (ages 6-12): July 11-15. Camp Erin (ages 8-17): Aug. 5-7. cornerstoneofhope.org/cleveland

CREATIVE PLAYROOMS

Get Creative for summer camp. Summer is coming, which means longer days, fun in the sun and great friends. Join the “Voyagers” at Creative Playrooms Montessori and Child Care Centers for the best summer ever — full of adventure, imagination and engagement to keep campers ages 5-12 busy and active. Themed activities and programs. Explorations around famous people, places and things. They believe in encouraging children to explore more deeply through doing, asking questions, and having a great time. Join them this summer as they heat up the fun factor. Save your space today. Call 440-349-9111 or creativeplayrooms.com

CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (TRI-C)

Whether your child is a young performer or a budding engineer, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Summer Camps will help them realize their full potential. Choose from more than 30 camps for ages 4-18, featuring: Nuts and Bolts Academy: providing an opportunity to design and create objects using state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. Creative Arts Academy: offering dance, vocal arts mastery, orchestra and JazzFest Academy. Virtual and in-person camps available. Visit tri-c.edu/ summercamps for descriptions and registration.

EARTHOLOGY

Earthology is offering 11 weekly summer camp sessions starting June 5. Join their immersive nature experience and watch your child’s confidence and kindness grow. Your children will learn about native species while intentionally exploring the outdoors. Animal visitors, swimming, and environmentally conscious crafts are all part of the experience. They allow a maximum of 30 explorers per session. Let your children experience summer the way it’s meant to be — outdoors. Register now at earthologykids.org

THE ELITE GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

The TEGA summer camp program will be an activity-based camp all about keeping athletes ages 6+ engaged both physically and mentally the entire summer. With their fully equipped gym, the camp is bound to be non-stop fun. Each week will focus on different ways to stay active and have fun, but they are still a gymnastics gym, so there will be time to balance, flip, hang, and obtain new skills. Spots are limited, enroll today. elitegym.com/events/summer-camp/

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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PARENT E-NEWSLETTERS TO VIEW “CAMP OF THE WEEK” OR CHECK THE ONLINE CAMP DIRECTORY, VISIT NORTHEASTOHIOPARENT.COM

CAMP and SUMMER PROGRAMS

EN POINTE DANSE

enpointedanse.com

FAIRMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Fairmount Center for the Arts offers a variety of performing and visual arts camps and classes year-round for toddlers through seniors. Campers ages 3 and older can explore dance, music, theatre, and visual arts offerings. Mix and match half-day camps to build a full-day camp experience for ages 6 and up. Registration for all summer camps, workshops, and classes has begun. Call at 440-338-3171 or fairmountcenter.org

FALCON CAMP

Recognized throughout the Midwest as Ohio’s premier summer camp since 1959. Falcon offers a beautiful lakefront setting; talented, experienced staff; and a wide variety of activities. Campers choose their own schedules within the general framework. Most of all, it’s great fun. Special introductory camp for ages 6-10. ACA accredited. At Falcon, good things happen by design. 800-837-CAMP, falconcamp.com

THE FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION

Enjoy summer arts day camps at The Fine Arts Association. They offer a challenging summer dance intensive led by guest artists, engaging camps for preschool and elementary ages, theatre arts camps which build toward a concluding performance, stylish visual arts camps, and much more in addition to their traditional summer classes and lessons. Summer camps at Fine Arts are where discovery and creativity happen and lifetime memories are made. Release the artist within your child. fineartsassociation.org

FIT BY FIVE

fitbyfive.com.

FLYING HORSE FARMS

fyinghorsefarms.org.

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CAMP and SUMMER PROGRAMS Guide

FRUITS OF THE FARM SUMMER CAMP AT BLUE JAY ORCHARD

Farm life yields many fruits — and not just the edible kind. They are looking for energetic and enthusiastic children to experience the joy of independent learning through outdoor play. Campers will have the opportunity to explore the 50+ acre orchard and forest including a natural play area. Daily activities will introduce campers to organic growing practices and a character-building virtue of the week. With lots of free play, campers can explore their passions. Becoming a life-long learner is fun at Fruits of the Farm Summer Camp. bluejayorchard.com/summer-camp

GEAUGA PARK DISTRICT

Geauga Park District will host its 11th annual summer camps for youth entering third and fourth grades the weeks of July 10 and August 7; youth entering fifth through seventh grades the weeks of June 5, 12 and 26 and July 17, 24 and 31; and teens entering eighth through 10th grades the weeks of June 19 and July 10, as well as “X-TREME” adventures for these ages on July 26 (kayak) and August 2 (evening). Registration opens March 20. bit.ly/gpdcamps

GELFAND STEM CENTER

The Gelfand STEM Center leverages the resources of Case Western Reserve University to engage prekindergarten through 12th students in activities that introduce them to scientific practices and concepts and inspire a lasting interest in science and engineering. The Center will change students’ lives in Northeast Ohio and beyond by preparing them to succeed in STEM-based careers, enabling them to make informed contributions to public discussions of important scientific issues, and fostering lifelong learning in science and engineering. gelfand.case.edu

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CAMP and SUMMER PROGRAMS Guide

GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH EAST OHIO

gsneo.org/camplife.

HATHAWAY BROWN

Located in Shaker Heights, Hathaway Brown offers camps for boys and girls, toddlers through college. One of the many things that sets HB’s camp programming apart is the ability to truly create your son or daughter’s own summer adventures. Visit hb.edu/summer to register for academic, athletics, adventure, and specialty camps to have the best summer ever. hb.edu

HAWKEN SCHOOL

find

NEOHioparent

NEOHioparent

Hawken Summer Programs offer a variety of activities led by experienced professionals for boys and girls ages 4-18. Camps run between June and August, and offerings include day camps, passport camps, athletics camps, and summer studies. These opportunities enable children to develop existing passions and discover new ones; they also provide exposure to new people and new skills, which helps build self-esteem, independence, and confidence. For more information, email summerprograms@hawken.edu, call 440-423-2940, or visit summer.hawken.edu

HOLDEN FORESTS & GARDENS

Holdenfg.org.

LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s summer camps offer preschoolers and students the opportunity to explore and connect with the outdoors, meet new friends, encounter local wildlife, and discover the wonders of the sky in Schuele Planetarium. Campers will engage in hands-on, nature-based activities that integrate science, math, literacy, and the arts as they discover the natural world at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. View offerings and register at lensc.org/summer-camps

LAKE RIDGE ACADEMY

lakeridgeacademy.org/school-life/summer-programs.

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even more fun around northeast ohio.

CAMP and SUMMER PROGRAMS Guide

LAKESHORE DANCE AND GYMNASTICS

Lakeshore Dance and Gymnastics offers recreational classes and competitive teams in dance and gymnastics. The newly renovated 27,000 square foot facility in Mayfield Village is equipped with two dance studios, a competitive gymnastics area, a preschool gymnastics area, boys gymnastics area, and a rhythmic gymnastics floor. Lakeshore offers dance and gymnastics classes for infants all the way through to adults. Lakeshore’s offerings may be broad but it’s a child focused business where everyone is family. lakeshoregym.com

LORAIN COUNTY

METRO PARKS

loraincountymetroparks.com/summer-camps.

MAGICAL THEATRE COMPANY

Professional teaching artists working in the field lovingly share their skills and knowledge with your kids, building up their confidence and self-esteem, with a hearty work ethic in an atmosphere of support and inclusion. Your kids will sing, dance, and act their way to joy, self-improvement, and success. Drama without trauma for your kids. magicaltheatre.org

MARTELL SCHOOL OF DANCE

Keep your child, twirling, singing, and moving to the beat at Martell School of Dance. By popular demand, their Princess Day Camp, Musical Theatre Camp, and Acro Camp return this summer. With the perfect amount of creativity and exploration of dance and musicality, their camps include a variety of styles for all ages in a family oriented, non-competitive dance environment located in Akron. Please call 330-8054854 or visit our website, martellschoolofdance.com

MASTER MARR’S TAEKWON-DO

marrtkd.com

MONTESSORI LIFE

Montessori Summers are in full swing at Montessori Life in Macedonia, Ohio. With three major themes to explore over nine weeks, little learners ages 3-5 will enjoy the environment and the possibilities that come with preschool. New families love the enrollment flexibility and our current families enjoy meeting new friends. Camp runs Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more and register at thatmontessorilife.org. Send your questions: grow@thatmontessorilife.org

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CAMP and SUMMER PROGRAMS Guide

NATURE CENTER AT SHAKER LAKES

Swap screen time for nature as you learn and explore in an outdoor classroom. Your child will love their one-of-a-kind, week-long camp experiences taught by teachers and highly trained naturalists. Find an outdoor adventure to inspire an appreciation for their natural world, unlocking a summer full of learning, reflection, friends, and fun. Choose from nine unique camp themes. Register early, as camp sessions often sell out. Financial assistance available. 216-321-5935, shakerlakes.org/camp

THE NEST SCHOOLS

This summer, campers will be exploring the Ten Wonders of The Nest, which make up some of the most important characteristics of who we are and what we believe to be integral components in young children’s development. Throughout their 10-week summer program campers will dive into each of the wonders through various games, activities, field trips, and special events that promote the deep exploration of each topic, promote learning and build valuable skills for life. thenestschool.com

OHIO TUITION TRUST

Summer camps open new worlds for your child as does a higher education. For over 33 years, Ohio’s 529 Plan has been helping families nationwide save tax-free for education, whether at a four-year or two-year college, a trade or technical school, or an apprenticeship. You can also use your Ohio 529 account to pay for K-12 tuition and repay student loan debt. Learn, plan, and start for as little as $25 with Ohio’s 529 Plan today at collegeadvantage.com

PARK DAY CAMP

parksynagogue.org/park-day-camp

PIANO CLEVELAND

Calling all piano-playing and music-loving students for Piano Cleveland’s collaborative program, Piano Pals. Participants are matched with a “Piano Pal” from the Cleveland International Piano Competition & Institute for Young Artists and get a behind-the-scenes look at how young stars develop their artistry. They’ll also observe masterclasses and performances and even serve on a “Junior Jury” to award prizes during the Competition (and more!). The program is sponsored by Kaulig Giving. Registration: Opens April 1. The $30 Registration Fee will give students access to any Piano Pals activity they choose between June and July. pianocleveland.org

PRESTIGE LACROSSE

prestigelacrosse.com

PROGRESS WITH CHESS

Enrich your child’s summer with chess camp. Students learn and improve at the intriguing game of chess. Camps conducted by PWC, experienced provider of after-school chess programs in 50+ Northeast Ohio locations. Players of all levels, beginner to advanced, will receive plenty of individual attention in small groups divided by age and skill level. Activities include a healthy mixture of interactive lessons and supervised open play. Register at progresswithchess.org/camps

SAINT IGNATIUS

ignatius.edu

SNAPOLOGY

cleveland.snapology.com

SUMMIT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio presents Farm Fridays from June 2 through August 25. These free weekly summer Friday programs are for children Pre K-6th grades. Starting at 10:30 a.m., each program explores local history with arts and crafts, storytelling, music, sports and historical artifacts from our collection. Held on the Perkins Stone Mansion property, 550 Copley Road, Akron. For information, 330-535-1120 or visit summithistory.org

SUPER NINJA ZONE

Keep your kids active at Super Ninja Zone Summer Camp. Kids will climb, swing, balance, run and jump their way through the summer on their Ninja Warrior obstacles with themed weeks like heroes, ninjas,

and sports week. Their summer camp features guided games and challenges, field trips to local parks, arts and crafts, fitness classes, movies, snack times, and special events on Fridays. Half-day & full-day options. Single-day, 3-day, and full-week options. Ages 5-13. superninjazone.com

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CAMP and SUMMER PROGRAMS Guide

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL

University School is the place to soak in the fun, make new friends, and create your summer of adventure. Boys and girls of all ages can try something new in week-long camps, like musical theater or mountain biking, or dive deeper into something they already love like soccer, basketball, or creating with LEGO. Their classic six-week boys day camp for grades K-7 now offers a two-week coed extension for grades K-3. Visit us.edu/summer to learn more.

WALSH JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL

walshjesuit.org/summer-camps-2023.

YMCA SUMMER CAMPS

There’s no place like the YMCA Summer Camp: a home away from home where kids laugh, learn, explore and grow, all while creating memories and friendships that last a lifetime. The YMCA knows that every kid is different. That’s why it offers camps for your child’s needs. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Learn about their sites and curriculum at clevelandymca.org

rooM to Grow

local moms share their nursery inspo as they prep space for newborn and beyond.

By Shana O’Malley-Smith

FFrom reading stories and rocking your baby to sleep to getting dressed and starting the day -- your baby’s nursery is where you’ll spend a good amount of time together during those first years. We talked to some Northeast Ohio moms who shared a few of their must-haves for making baby’s space comfortable and stylish.

photo by Lindsay Richards Photography.

WWhen Kelly Joles found out she was having a girl, she knew she wanted her daughter Becca’s room to have splashes of pink and feminine decor.

She went with neutral-colored paint and added a statement wall filled with pink, gray and white hearts.

“We tried so long to have her and hearts are a symbol of love and we were so excited for her to come,” Joles explains. “Plus, hearts to me, is something that can always be used. I think it's just something that can be used when they're little and when they get a little bit older.”

Other girly touches include a white dresser with crystal knobs, pink curtains and a pink rocking chair and ottoman.

“I definitely wanted the rocking chair pink, that had to be 100 percent pink,” she says. “I have a little lamp that has a heart on it. I really wanted more things that put the room together, I wanted more like little touches.”

Another must-have for Joles was the Newton Baby 100% breathable crib mattress and a non-absorbent, wipeable changing pad.

Joles also chose a crib that converts to a toddler bed and hopes that 1-year-old Becca will be able to use her furniture and the room décor into her toddler years and beyond.

Lexxie Hall of Massillon was also thinking pink when plan-

ning the nursery for her now 5-month-old daughter Loftyn.

Hall chose a boho rainbow theme for the room, with muted shades of dusty rose, coral, tan, beige, white and brown.

She went with natural wood shelving and a side table, and a white dresser/changing table which was from Loftyn’s oldest sister’s room.

The crib is also a natural wood and converts to a toddler bed.

She added a large boho wall tassel above the crib, a flower shaped mirror over the dresser, a wooden rainbow and framed photo of Loftyn with her two big sisters.

“Decor overall will remain the same until she wants to change it or early elementary age,” she says.

For gear, Hall says she found the Diaper Genie convenient for nighttime diaper changes as well as a wipe warmer. A few other “must haves” for her are a sound machine, and the Owlet video monitor which can be used from your phone and also pairs with the Owlet sock (a sock that monitors baby’s heart rate and oxygen while they are sleeping).

Another pro-mom tip she shares is to keep “multiple diaper caddies stocked with diapers, wipes and cream for convenience of changing wherever you are.”

Many parents are choosing neutral paint and furniture colors and adding personality to the room with bookshelves, accent walls and decor that can be swapped out as baby grows.

Photos by Aubrey Cuevas and Kelly Joles

“It’s cool with him now because he’s at the age where I can decorate it based on what he likes,” Cuevas says about changing up her almost 2-yearold’s room.

“My boys’ rooms are my two favorie rooms in the house,” Cuevas says. “I made sure it was a space that I felt the coziest in, and I want that to be their safe space when they go to bed. I want them to feel comfortable and relaxed.”

ATransitioning from Baby to Child

A popular nursery trend is keeping the main parts of the room neutral such as using neutral-colored paint and neutral furniture and adding detailed pieces that are easily changeable as your baby grows into toddler and childhood.

That’s just what Rocky River mom Aubrey Cuevas recently did for her almost 2-year-old son Ace.

“I used light tones with pops of color in his room, so he has a gray-blue wall and the rest of white,” she says.

Cuveas initially decorated his room with black and white animal photos but when he transitioned to a toddler bed, she updated his room with dinosaur-themed accents, which is one of his favorite things right now.

“It's cool with him now because he's at the age where I can decorate it based on what he likes rather than just my aesthetic pleasure,” she adds.

Cuevas, a social media influencer who is known for style, welcomed sons, Ace in 2021 and Axton in 2022, and it’s no surprise that their rooms match the aesthetics she’s known for.

“My boys’ rooms are my two favorite rooms in the house,” Cuevas says. “I made sure it was a space that I felt the coziest in, and I want that to be their safe space when they go to bed. I want them to feel comfortable and relaxed.”

Cuevas chose neutral tones for both rooms and each child has an accent wall with their names spelled out in large letters.

One-year-old Axton’s room is travel-themed, decorated with a globe and a map. She adds that both rooms are minimalistic so the boys associate their rooms with comfort and winding down.

“They don't have toys in their rooms yet because I try to distinguish when we go in our room, it's time for a nap or bedtime,” she explains.

They each have comfy chairs and some books that they use for their bedtime routine.

A few other baby room must-haves for Cuevas are the Hatch sound machine and the Vava split screen baby monitor so she can watch both boys on one monitor.

the name game

NNaming a new person coming into the world is one of the many highlights of expecting a baby. However, new parents might also feel the pressure of “getting it right.”

Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief at Nameberry.com, says one of the reasons your name is so important is because it’s your very first expression of identity.

“It's not necessarily an easy thing to do to name a stranger,” Kihm says. “You don't know who this person is going to be. While most of the time your child grows into their name, we're now in this world where it's becoming more accepted and typical for people to change their names for a variety of reasons, or for parents to even change their baby's name. And I think part of that is because we're much more in tune with the connection between names and identity.”

It seems like there are endless naming options these days and almost anything goes when it comes to choosing a name. So, where should parents begin with their name search? Kihm suggests starting with the things you like or dislike about your own name.

Did you grow up with a very popular name? Maybe you’ll choose something less common if you don't like sharing your name with several classmates. Is your name hard to spell or pronounce? You may want to choose something that will make roll call easier on your little one.

“Also think about the things you like,” Kihm says. Maybe you love having a name that’s connected to your cultural heritage or having a special family name.

“Thinking about those things helps narrow the pool of names immediately,” Kihm adds.

Pamela Redmond, Nameberry.com co-founder and CEO has a list of “20 Questions Every Baby Namer Should Ask.” Some of the questions include: plain or fancy, gender-dis-

According to the Social Security Administration, these are the top baby names in the U.S. in and the top names in Ohio in 2021. TOP

In the market for a moniker? We talked to the naming experts to help you find the perfect fit.

tinct or gender-neutral, old or new, nickname or no nickname, and story or no story.

By asking yourself some of these questions, Kihm says you’re going to end up with a lot of key words that can help guide your search.

Name Trends for 2023 and Beyond

Whether it’s through celebrities, shows and movies, or other influences, new name trends are always happening and certain names will rise to the top quicker than others.

For 2023, Kihm predicts we’ll see more “gilded” or sun-inspired names. For boys, Cyrus, which means sun, and Leo. For girls, she says Soleil is on the rise as well as Sunday and Goldie.

“These are not super popular names, but they're quick rising names that are going to be cool,” Kihm says. “So they might surprise people because they might not know any babies named Soleil, but just wait a couple of years you will.”

Thanks to shows like Yellowstone, there’s also a rise on neo-western names. “Boone like Daniel Boone, Riggs, Dutton, that’s a Yellowstone name, Rhodes, that’s a big one for boys and Truett is up and coming,” Kihm says.

For girls, unisex names as well as short names that end in “i” are trending with celebrities and parents in the wider world.

“Think of Esti, which is Chrissy Tegien and John Legend’s daughter,” Kihm says. “We have names like Kiki and Lumi, Nori, Novi, Remi and Yoli, which is the middle name of Michael Buble’s daughter. One thing that's nice about these names, we call them internally ‘traveling light names,’ because they feel they have an international feel and work in a ton of different

cultures and languages throughout the world. They can kind of chameleon and fit in really easily. You know if your name is Kiki, that you're going to be able to pronounce it no matter where you go in the world.”

Another trend Kihm is seeing is what she calls “kindercore” names, or names that remind you of childhood. Think Wednesday like Wednesday of The Addams Family, Eloise, like the mischievous book character who lived at the Plaza Hotel and Casper, like the friendly ghost.

Should you share your baby’s name before they arrive?

Once you’ve settled on your perfect baby name, you might want to share it with everyone you know. Kihm says you should take a few things into consideration before announcing your baby’s name to the world.

“This is such a personal question,” she says. “People ask me this and I have to always get a sense of who they are before I recommend one way or the other. For some people, it is going to make more sense to announce it right away and say, ‘all right, we've chosen our baby's name, here it is,’ and maybe do a name reveal before the birth. If you're really confident about a name, go for it.”

She says you can also put up a boundary with opinionated friends or family by saying “we are not accepting any feedback” when you reveal the name.

She adds that if you’re still unsure of the name or you’re easily talked out of things, you might be better off keeping it to yourself.

April CA lenDAR

Creative family fun

4/10

Families Innovate. Children and caregivers learn together how to do a creative project using their laser engravers. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Garfield Heights Branch Library, 5409 Turney Road, cuyahogalibrary.org

4/12

Art Smart. Explore basic elements of design through hands-on observation of art objects and artifacts and receive a special art project to work on at home. Grades 3-5. 4:45-5:45 p.m. Hudson Library, 96 Library St., hudsonlibrary.org

4/16

Babyfest 2023:Texture. Bring your little one (and siblings, of course) to explore a creative take on one of the baby’s favorite senses: texture. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., akronartmuseum.org

Find more events at

Pick - a - day

MONDAYS

Campus Life: Teens. Food, games, and conversations that matter to teens. 6:30-8:30 p.m. That Place for Teens, 1480 Pearl Road, #10, Brunswick, thatplace4teens.com

Middle School Makers. A club for middle schoolers who love to create, craft, explore and discover. 7 p.m. Kent Free Library, 312 W. Main St., kentfreelibrary.org

TUESDAYS

Afterschool Spot for Teens & Tweens. Video games, board games, snacks and more. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Coventry Village Branch Library, 1925 Coventry Road, Cleveland Hts., heightslibrary.org

After School Adventures. Children in kindergarten through fourth grade will explore literature, science concepts, arts, and culture through various activities. 3:15 p.m. Wickliffe Public Library, 1713 Lincoln Road, wickliffepl.org

THURSDAYS

Keyboard Explorers. Engaging music class, featuring keyboard instruction and much more for ages 4-5. Through 5/25. The Music Settlement, 2610 Detroit Ave., Ohio City, themusicsettlement.org

Delight Nights: Akron Children’s Museum. A night of interactive play and fun with full access to 25 exhibits and a couple of featured surprises. Through 4/28. 5-8 p.m. 216 S. Main St., akronkids.org

SATURDAYS

Comic Club. Work in the company of others to create a page of comics, drawings, or poetry. First Saturday of each month through April. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Community Arts Center, 2937 W. 25th St., clevelandart.org

Spring Theatre Academy. Students will learn to think outside the box and use their imaginations to explore, create, learn and grow. Ages 3-17. Through 5/13. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, weathervaneplayhouse.com

SUNDAYS

Family FUNday. Family-friendly games, movement-based activities, art, and more. First Sunday of each month. 1-4 p.m. Community Arts Center, West 25th St., Cleveland, clevelandart.org

Mentor Marsh Family Hike. Come explore the forest. 2-3:30 p.m. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Carol H. Sweet Nature Center, 5185 Corduroy Road, Mentor, cmnh.org

Day - by - day 4/4

The Art of Cursive. Come learn the art and skill of cursive writing. Ages 12-18. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Noble Neighborhood Branch Library, 2800 Noble Road, Cleveland, heightslibrary.org 4/6

Think Like a Scientist. Do you want to make a volcano and explode ninja stars? If so, this program is the place for you. 4-5 p.m. Ages 6-18. Glenville Branch Library, 11900 St. Clair Ave., cleveland, cpl.org

4/7

Fairy Tale Tea Party. Dress as your favorite fairytale character; share crafts, tea and games. 1:30 p.m. Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, mcdl.info

4/10

Homeschool Art. Learn to draw some fun animals with step-by-step instructions. 2-2:45 p.m. Middlefield Branch Library, 16167 E. High St., Middlefield, divi.geaugalibrary.net

4/12

Pizza with Police. Enjoy a slice of pizza with the Elyria Police Department. 1-2 p.m. Elyria South Branch Library, 340 15th St., elyrialibrary.org

4/15

Super Science Saturday: Spectacular Snakes. Come learn about these special slithery creatures. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Akron Fossils & Science Center, 2080 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Copley, akronfossils.com

Spy Camp. Learn how to make invisible ink and send secret messages in Morse code at Spy Camp. Ages 8-12. 10-11 a.m. Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville, morleylibrary.org

4/15-16

Native American Cultural Education Weekend. Highlights the rich histories and cultures of native peoples from our region and the state of Ohio, both past and present. Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, wrhs.org

4/17

Your Future, Your Choice. A workshop for students (grades 7-12) to look toward their futures. 3:45-4:45 p.m. Firestone Park Branch Library, 1486 Aster Ave, Akron, akronlibrary.org

4/20

Family Game Night. Learn and play cards and board games as a family. 6 p.m. North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St., ncantonlibrary.com

Youth Archery. This class emphasizes safety, proper shooting form, and recreational target shooting for ages 10-17. Sippo Lake Park-North, 5712 12th St., Canton, starkparks.com

4/22

Family History Day: Database Sampler. An introduction to 12 of the most popular and useful databases. Learn how to apply them to your research. 1-4 p.m. Medina County District Library, 210 S. Broadway St., mcdl.info

Hudson Preschool Parents Children’s Fair. Food, entertainment, raffle, characters, and vendors. 9 a.m.-noon, East Woods Elementary School, 120 N. Hayden Pkwy., Hudson, hudsonpreschoolparents.org

4/27-30

Geauga County Maple Festival. Four days of fun, food and “everything maple.” Chardon Square, 111 E. Park St., maplefestival.com

4/28

Kid Talent. Show magicians, singers, dancers, poets, and others are encouraged to sign up. Ages 5-13. 4:30 p.m. Reed Memorial Library, 167 E. Main St., Ravenna, reedlibrary.org

Monster Math for Kids. Stories, magic tricks, and math experiments for kids ages 5-11.Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, 3512 Darrow Road, smfpl.org

Spring Events

Ongoing THROUGH 5/5

Chicken Hatching. Eggs and incubators will arrive on 4/7. Hatching will take place around 4/27. Columbia Branch Library, 13824 W. River Road, North Columbia Station, lorainpubliclibrary.org

Day - By - Day 4/9

Spring Craft: DIY Kites. Take advantage of the spring winds by making and flying your very own kite. 2-4 p.m. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, summitmetroparks.org

4/12

Spring into Nature. Wander around scenic Quail Hollow Park looking for signs of spring with a Naturalist. 6-7:30 p.m. 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville, starkparks.com

4/22

Macedonia SpringFest. Stop by Longwood Park to enjoy craft vendors, food vendors, craft classes, outdoor Zumba, kid’s activities, and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1566 E Aurora Rd, Macedonia, macrec.com

Family Fishing Derby. Fish together with your family, hook some memories, and win prizes. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Buffalo Creek Retreat, Hubbard Valley Road, Seville, medinacountyparks.com

4/23

Spring Fling. Visit with lambs, ducklings and bunnies, watch the flock get sheared, see sheep-herding demonstrations, and more. Noon-4 p.m., The Spicy Lamb Farm, 6560 Akron-Peninsula Road, Peninsula, thespicylamb.com

4/27

Umbrella Painting. Design/paint the top of an umbrella based on your summer reading theme. 6-7 p.m. Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., mentorpl.org

4/29-30

Lamb Jam. An entire weekend of sheep thrills where you can help shear a sheep, spin wool, weave on a loom, and learn to make felt. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com

4/30

Spring Wildflower Walk. Join a naturalist from Summit Metro Parks to learn about the wildflowers painting the early forest floor with a long-awaited splash of color. Liberty Park Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg, twinsburglibrary.org

Earth Day EvEnts

4/15

Earth Gathering Festival. Earth-friendly art, music, food, products, and ideas. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Pump House Center for the Arts, 1 Enderlin Circle, Chillicothe, visitchillicotheohio.com

4/16

Backyards Gone Wild: Composting 101. Learn the basics of starting, maintaining and troubleshooting a compost pile or barrel at home.

2-3:30 p.m. Liberty Park Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg, summitmetroparks.org

4/21

Fun Science Friday: Happy Earth Day. Discoveries will be made through hands-on experiments, active participation and a simple take home project. 4-4:45 p.m. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, westlakelibrary.org

4/22

Zero Waste Living. Discover tips and tricks to embrace sustainable habits on your zero-waste journey. 11 a.m.-noon. Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Road, rrpl.org

Party for the Plant. A fun-filled day of education, conservation-themed activities, crafts and a pollinator scavenger hunt.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org

Earth Day Bird Feeding. Drop by to celebrate Earth Day by joining a naturalist to feed birds from your hand.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. F. A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron, summitmetroparks.org

Medina County Earth Day Festival. Earth-friendly exhibits, family fishing derby, kids’ activities, and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Buffalo Creek Retreat, Hubbard Valley Road, Seville, medinacountyparks.com

Randolph Earth Day Celebration. Earth Day awareness crafts and other activities. Noon-2 p.m. Randolph Branch Library, 1639 State Route 44, Randolph, portagelibrary.org

Earth Day Festival. Earth-friendly exhibits, family fishing derby, food, and more. Buffalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Road, Seville, medinacountyparks.com

4/23

Earth Day 2023. An opportunity for change and a time to explore more about our planet. Noon-4 p.m. Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Road, Willoughby, lakemetroparks.com

4/24

Volunteer on Earth Day. All ages volunteer to improve the grounds of the Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve. 2-4 p.m. 11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance, beechcreekgardens.org

PARENT & CHILD

MONDAYS

Toddler Tale Storytime. Stories, songs, and rhymes for children ages 2-3 and their caregivers. 10 a.m. Amherst Public Library, 221 Spring St., amherst.lib.oh.us

Music and Movement. Music and movement themed stories, songs and activities. 10 and 10:45 a.m. Through 4/24. Fairview Park Branch Library, 21255 Lorain Road, cuyahogalibrary.org

Tales for Tykes. Stories, movement and rhymes for active walkers through age 3 with their caregivers. 10:45-11:15 a.m. North Ridgeville Branch Library, 37500 Bainbridge Road, lorainpubliclibrary.org

Tales Alive for 2-5s. Stories, songs and activities. Through 4/26. Cuyahoga Falls Library, 2015 Third St., cuyahogafallslibrary.org

MONDAYS & THURSDAYS

Preschool Story Time. Join Miss Chris on Mondays/Thursdays at 10am for stories, songs and dance. Through April. 10-11 a.m. Peninsula Library, 6105 Riverview Road, peninsulalibrary.org

MONDAYS & FRIDAYS

Squeaky Sneakers. 10-11:30 a.m. Preschool families come for gym play using tumbling mats, sports equipment and a parachute. Through 4/14. Rocky River Recreation Center, 21016 Hilliard Blvd., rrcity.com

TUESDAYS

Family Fun Storytime. Toe-tapping, hand-clapping good time of stories, songs and rhymes. 11:30 a.m., 6 and 7 p.m. Through 4/18. Euclid Public Library, 631 E. 222nd St., euclidlibrary.org

Windham Spring Storytime. Infants to preschoolers will enjoy music, books and crafts. 11 a.m. Windham Library, 9005 Wilverne Drive, portagecounty.lib.oh.us

WEDNESDAYS

Toddler Tales. Families with children ages 2-3 are invited to join for songs, fingerplays and books. 10:30 a.m. Kent Free Library, 312 W. Main St., kentfreelibrary.org

THURSDAYS

Baby Storytime. Books, rhymes, songs and fingerplays. Through 4/6. 10:30-11 a.m. Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, mcdl.info

Waddlers. Sing songs, read stories, do a few rhymes, and engage in some well-deserved playtime. Through 5/25. 10-10:30 a.m. Lee Road Branch Library, 2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts., heightslibrary.org

My First Storytime. Stories, songs and rhymes. 10:30-11 a.m. Through 5/11. West River Library, 1194 W. River Road N., Elyria, elyrialibrary.org

FRIDAYS

0 to 3: Read to Me Playdates. Read engaging books and sing lively songs with plenty of time for playing and talking! Through 5/26. 10:30 a.m. Jefferson Branch Library, 850 Jefferson Ave., Cleveland, cpl.org

Finger Paint Fridays. Bring your little one to explore their creativity. Through 6/23. 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. Mentor Headlands Branch Library, 4669 Corduroy Road, Mentor, mentorpl.org

Travelin’ Tots. Little ones will travel the world through stories and songs in this very active storytime.10:30 a.m. Through 5/5. Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville, morleylibrary.org

Reminderville Family Story Time. Families of all ages, shapes, and sizes are invited to listen to stories, songs, and fingerplays. 10:30 a.m. Through 4/28. Heritage Hall, 3601 Glenwood Blvd. Reminderville, twinsburglibrary.org

For more Parent & Me events, visit NortheastOhioParent.com

By Jason Lea

S appily Ever After

Breakfast is the best meal. It has the stickiest carbs, richest proteins, and —if you’re doing it right — enough coffee to wake Briar Rose.

Coincidentally, it’s also the only meal I’m qualified to cook. My kids have watched me burn pasta but my pancakes are like a prayer. My eggs benedict is a benediction. My bellinis are blessed.

Most importantly, whatever’s on our plates (waffles, an omelet, oatmeal,) we douse it in maple syrup.

And we take that syrup seriously in my family. I got that from my mom. I’ve only known her to be prissy about two things in her entire life — tea and maple syrup. If you give her some corn sludge in a plastic bottle with a squeeze top … well, she’ll pray for you.

My mother’s pretensions come honestly. She grew up in the village of Burton where farmto-table was a short jaunt. I don’t know if she’s ever purchased a gallon of syrup from someone she didn’t know personally. And, yes, she bought it by the gallon. Pints are for hobbits.

My mom and I experienced drastically different childhoods. She sprouted an only child in the country — real country, not the suburbs disguised as rural. Her neighbors were mostly Amish families who might need to borrow their barn phone or rely on my grandpa as an ad hoc ambulance when a buggy wouldn’t be

fast enough.

Meanwhile, I grew up in Garfield Heights – the third of between four and 400 kids, depending on how many cousins and friends were staying for dinner. But our childhoods were sweetened the same way.

I’d never considered what I put on my pancakes as a tradition, but what’s a tradition anyway? Something that you get from your predecessors that you pass along to your progeny. So, yeah, our tradition is sappy.

Consequently, my family and I go to Lake Metroparks Farmpark every year for maple syrup weekend. We restock and learn about God’s favorite condiment.

“You collect the sap at the beginning of spring,” I tell them, as if I don’t give them the same monologue every year. “That’s when the sap starts flowing through its xylem – its tree veins. When we tap the trees, the buckets fill with sap – not enough to hurt the trees, just enough to share.”

My kids and I taste the sap. It’s barely sweeter than a swig of spring water. Then we watch outside as volunteers reduce the sap into syrup. Have you ever tasted just-boiled maple syrup? It’s warm and sugared without being treacly. The scent wafts into your nostrils and makes you think of waffles.

But it’s hard work to make. You need 40 quarts of sap to make a quart of syrup. That’s a lot of figurative blood and sweat and plenty of literal sap.

I’m not much for symbolism, but my mom’s parenting style could be described as maple syrup. She gave of herself – forty times more than we ever saw. But, by the time it reached us, all we noticed was a little extra sweetness.

So when I drizzle syrup on my kids’ breakfast, I’m sharing the blessings of nature, the traditions of generations, and giving them a little bit of myself and their grandma too.

And that’s all pretty sweet.

Jason Lea has a son, a daughter and a full-time job at the Mentor Public Library. He also blogs for Northeast Ohio Parent in his nonexistent free time. You can find this East-sider on Twitter at @jasonmarklea or read his blog at northeastohioparent. com/bloggers