Idaho Family Magazine May 2014

FREEMAY 2014

M A G A Z I N E

IDAHO

BryantWant your child’s photo on next month’s cover?

Check inside for details!

WARHAWKAir MuseumHonoring families’ heroes

LITTLE

LeagueSummer’s big hit

IDAHO

BabiesSpecial section devoted to your new arrival

See inside for our…

CAMPS Guide II

5-20

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www.idahofamilymagazine.com Idaho Family Magazine | May2014�

M A G A Z I N E

IDAHO

Contents May 2014

Volume 2, Number 5

PublisherSterlingMediaLtd.

EditorGayeBunderson

[email protected]

Associate EditorJodiHurley-Sollars

Sales & MarketingMelvaBade

[email protected]

Graphic DesignDeniceKing

ContributorsSusanEvans,AngelaHayes,PatrickHempfing,AmyLarson,

BethMarkleyandSamanthaStillman

Distribution SpecialistsDorisEvans

andShawnaHoward

Idaho Family Magazine, published monthly by Sterling Media Ltd., is committed to providing readers with informative and entertaining information to help them in maintaining healthy families and positive lifestyles. It is distributed throughout the valley as a free publication. Idaho Family Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. Idaho Family Magazine does not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. No portion of

this magazine may be reproduced without express written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and editorial submissions are welcome.

Idaho Family Magazine reserves the right to edit or reject all materials submitted. All rights reserved. Copyright 2014 by Sterling Media Ltd.

Features

Daniel Vellotti:Chess:Kidscandoit

8

Warhawk: Walkthroughhistory 6

Columns

Departments

In Each Edition

20-25

Editor’s IntroAh,May

4

Social Skills: Graduationetiquette

7

Ang’s Antics: Forgotsomething!

17

Little League: Asummerhit

12

All in Good Taste: Bean&RiceBotana

16

moMENts: Baseball&promises

14

26-�4

Little League turns 75 1�

Family Events Calendar:Familyfriendlyactivities&eventsforMay&earlyJune!

Body After Baby:Fitterthanever

�8

Manic Mothering: Rottenguilt

18

Crafts on a Dime: Menuboard

10

BabySteps: Assistingnewmoms �7

Exchange Students: Invitethemin 11

Passport to Boise: Door to learning 26

CAMPS Guide II

IdahoBABIES

�5-40

Great Outdoors is Calling 5

White Bean Chili 15Kids Safe on Mobile Devices 19

Crying Babies: Aplanforcoping �6

4 May2014 | Idaho Family Magazine www.idahofamilymagazine.com

EDITOR’S Intro Moms, Memorial Day and sports

Sometimes the word “mother” is used in a way that detracts from what it actually means, which is “a female parent,” ac-cording to the dictionary. Remember Frank Zappa and the The Mothers of Invention? Or Saddam Hussein’s reference to the 1991 Gulf War as “the mother of all battles”?

With the range of emotions from warm and fuzzy to freaky that the word can incite in many people, you’d think the dictionary would be a bit more creative with its definition. But dictionaries aren’t poetry or psychology tomes. The good part of that is, we can all define for ourselves what it means to be or to have a mother.

Mother’s Day is on May 11 this year. That will mean crowded restaurants, a boatload of greeting cards, and gifts of all kinds for the women we call Mom.

My own mother, at 80, is still a lot of fun. She’s a real trooper and good sport who exercises every day yet always manages to keep her hair unruffled. Last year, she traveled with my sister to New York City for the first time in her life. This is a woman who grew up in small, isolated mining towns in Idaho, Nevada and Utah, and yet there she was, at 79, in one of the biggest cities in the world. And guess what? She enjoyed it.

May also portends the beginning of warmer weather and all that goes along with it: gardens, sports, vacations, and the far less popular heat waves. In this edition, columnist Patrick Hempfing recalls visiting a ball field where he relived a child-hood highlight: a grand slam home run. He mixes that memory with “I will” commitments he’s made to his wife and daughter.

Freelancer Amy Larson takes a look at the world of Little League, an American institution since 1939, when it was founded in Williamsport, Pa. by a man named Carl Stotz. The website www.littleleague.org lists many notable “Little League graduates,” including Dirk Kempthorne (sound familiar?), John Elway, Mark Harmon, Bruce Springsteen, John Grisham, and my sister’s favorite MLB player, Derek Jeter.

For children (and adults) who like competitive endeavors and don’t mind doing them indoors in all kinds of weather, there’s always the challenge of mastering chess. Daniel Vel-lotti teaches boys and girls as young as 3 the finer arts of the game by using colors, characters and tales that appeal especially to them. His story is featured in these pages.

May also offers us a federal holiday: Memorial Day. While those of us who work for a living see it as the year’s first re-ally big three-day weekend, it is officially a day to remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. I have my own personal hero: my un-cle, Capt. Gary L. Steele, who died on April 19, 1965 while flying a helicopter on a reconnaissance mission in Vietnam. Recently, I visited the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa to write a story about its amazing memorabilia and tributes to our countrymen and women. I was particularly moved by the sight of a helicopter on display there. I highly recom-mend visiting the museum and having your own experience with our nation’s history.

Finally, don’t forget the old adage, “April showers bring May flowers.” So if you’ve felt too wet too often during the past months because the clouds were performing their ap-propriate function by releasing water, be heartened by the beauty that is now beginning to sprout throughout the valley.

Whatever you do this month, enjoy! nGaye Bunderson, Editor

Cover Child of the MonthIdahoFamilyMagazineisholdingaCoverChildoftheMonthcontest.Yourchild—orchildren—couldbefeaturedonourcover,justlikethechildonthismonth’scover.Sendphotostomeatgayeb@sterlingmedialtd.com.Allphotossentshouldbehighquality,meaningclearnotblurry,andhighresolutionofaround300dpi.Theymustalsobeincolor;noblackandwhitephotoswillbeaccepted.Theyneedtobevertical,nothorizontal.Photosshouldbeofthechildonly,withnoadults.Pleasealsoprovidethechild’snameandage,parents’names,andthecommunitythefamilylivesin.Onlythefirstnameofthechildwillbeprinted,andallotherinformationwillbekeptprivate.Allphotosreceivedwillbereviewedbyapanelofjudges,andawinnerwillbeselected.

On the Cover: Bryant

www.idahofamilymagazine.com Idaho Family Magazine | May20145

(NewsUSA) — The world has changed. Wii has re-placed “Wheeeee!” Tweeting is no longer for the birds, and Blackberries aren’t for picking on a warm sum-mer afternoon. Kids today spend twice as much time indoors than their counterparts two decades ago.

But technology can be a great ally for families who want to spend more time in nature.

NatureFind, National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) recently rede-signed and re-launched online search tool, helps modern kids discover old-fashioned out-door fun. NatureFind (www.nwf.org/naturefind) is a part of NWF’s Be Out There campaign, a mom-led movement to raise happier, healthier children with a lifelong appreciation for nature.

NatureFind users can search by city, state or zip code to access outdoor adventures nationwide, includ-ing nature activities and events, trails, aviaries, wildlife preserves, regional parks, zoos and campsites. With NatureFind, families get detailed information that will help them explore nature up to 500 miles away or right around the corner.

The next puddle-jumping excursion or fishing trip with Grandpa is just a few clicks away. “NatureFind makes

spending time outside easy for families,” says Rebecca Garland, Executive Director of NWF’s Be Out There

campaign. “It puts the benefits of the great outdoors as close as your finger-tips.”The benefits of green time to chil-

dren’s minds and bodies can be seen immediately by the experts — their

moms. “When we go outside, my kids become their best selves. Gone are the petty argu-ments about whose turn it is to go first or what to do next. Suddenly the kids are creative, digging in the dirt, picking up worms, jumping and laughing,” says Be Out There mom Renee Limon, co-founder of EnviroMom.com and Portland mother of two girls, ages 5 and 7.

Each of the more than 9,200 locations and 30,000 events in the NatureFind database is accurately con-firmed by a member of the NatureFind staff.

Hundreds of new locations and events are added daily.

To get started on your next family outdoor ad-venture, visit the website. n

‘The Great Outdoors’ is calling

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WARHAWK Air MuseumA place to honor families’ heroesBy Gaye Bunderson

The story of America’s armed conflicts cannot fully be told without looking at the collective sacrifice of its families. The Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, while displaying and chroni-cling the contributions of soldiers directly involved in war, also commemorates what spouses, sons and daughters gave up in support of our nation.

“Families have served our country, and are currently serving,” Sue Paul, executive director and co-founder of Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, said.

Roughly 3,000 children annually visit the museum on school field trips, and among other things, they see how World War II-era children rallied around their homeland by adhering to values of courage, responsibility and love of country, according to Paul.

During tours of the museum, which features displays from WWII through the Cold War era, students are asked to raise their hands if they have a relative who fought in WWII. A few hands go up from youngsters who have great-grandfathers who fought oversees. Then, youngsters are asked to raise their hands if they have relatives who fought in Korea or Vietnam; a few more hands are raised. The students are then asked to indicate if they have relatives currently serving or who have recently served in one of America’s modern wars in the Persian Gulf or Afghanistan.

“Lots of hands go up,” Paul said. “The children look at each other. … They now have this commonality.”

One of the museum’s largest programs is its Veterans History Project, undertaken in conjunction with the Library of Con-gress in order to preserve the experiences on video of men and women who fought in battle, as well as those who made their contributions to America while remaining on the home front. The project launched 9½ years ago at Warhawk, and since that time, 900 videos have been made. Each time, a copy of the video is given to the family members of the American hero.

“The videos are priceless in terms of family history,” Paul said.

Each generation has its own version of war to tell. World War II veterans fought a different kind of war than future combatants.

“In World War II, we knew why we were fighting and who. The war had a beginning and an end, and the soldiers came home to a country that 100 percent supported them,” Paul said. “World War II was the last time America was really to-gether in its purpose as a country.”

Vietnam War soldiers experienced a bitter homecoming, one that continues to cause grief among many of that era’s war-riors.

“Vietnam veterans have a lot of pain about the way they were treated,” Paul said. “I tell them to feel proud. They are the reason our military today is treated with such respect, because our nation realized the way it treated Vietnam War veterans was shameful. That’s the legacy of our Vietnam veterans. I tell them, ‘You need to feel proud that soldiers are no longer treated like that for their service and sacrifice.’ I am so proud of the 18,000 square feet (of history) we have here honoring Vietnam veterans.”

Paul helps interview veterans, along with 15 other people who interview, film and edit the history project videos. (Vid-eos may be viewed online at warhawkairmuseum.org.)

Volunteers are the backbone of Warhawk Air Museum. They logged 14,000 hours of free service last year alone; 25,000 to 28,000 people a year visit Warhawk, located at 201 Municipal Drive just off Garrity Boulevard and near the Nampa Municipal Airport.

Volunteer Don Carson, who mans the front desk and helps with the history project, said he likes “everything” about working at the museum.

“There are great programs here: the veterans’ history program, the school kids on tour. For a lot of these kids, when we’re talking about World War II, for them it’s ancient history,” Carson said. “A lot of the veterans are good to work with. You learn more about what they did.”

The museum welcomes mothers, fathers and children to come learn about their nation’s history and to see the vintage planes on display there from World War II as well as other aircraft. The museum also has a replica of the Berlin Wall. Many family-friendly events take place annually, includ-ing the Warbird Roundup P-38 Lightning Days, which this year is set for Aug. 30-31. “It is definitely a very popular family weekend,” Paul said. More information is available at warhawkairmuseum.org. n

Don Carson volunteers at the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa. Among other things, he helps with the Veterans History Project there by running the camera. (Photo by Gaye Bunderson)

Displays at the Warhawk Air Museum include an entire Cold War era room with a replica of the Berlin Wall, as well as a partial helicopter that actually flew in Vietnam. (Photos by Gaye Bunderson)


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SOCIAL Skills The etiquette of graduation parties

By Susan EvansYou are the party planner…If you’re a parent planning a party,

make sure to involve your graduate in the process. Pick a theme or something unique about the young person to highlight at the party, such as where they have been and where they are going (if they know!). Highlight accomplishments by displaying awards and photographs. If your graduate is headed to college, check out the college bookstore to order school banners, posters, etc. If they are undecided, but are heading out on a trip, you might include maps or décor of the destination.

Make sure to include a mix of close relatives and your child’s friends at the party. For those remaining people you want to inform of your child’s achieve-ment but don’t feel comfortable inviting

to the party, you can simply send a graduation announcement — af-ter the event. This will allow the

recipient to learn of the gradua-tion without any obligation on his

or her part. Note that both invitations and an-

nouncements should be printed and mailed. No mass emails please! Invitations should be sent to local friends and family three to four weeks before the date. Invi-tations for out-of-town relatives and friends should be sent out at least six weeks in advance, and

should include a map of the area along with a list of local hotel suggestions.

You are invited…Do follow the basic party guidelines for

attendance. Plan to arrive within the first half hour of when the party starts. Focus the topic of conversation initially on the graduate’s accomplishments in high school. The future may be uncertain and can be a sensitive topic, so tread lightly. As for gifts, if you don’t know the gradu-ate well enough to choose a personalized gift, stick to money. If you can’t attend the party, send a card with a donation. If you are the recipient of an announce-ment, you are not obligated to send a gift, although you may choose to do so.

You are the graduate…The only thing that is really expected

from a graduate during the party is warm, humble behavior. Also, consider that relatives may have travelled a long way to celebrate. It is all right for grads to hang out with their friends, but it is important to spend quality time with relatives and out-of-town guests.

Besides good manners at the party, the graduate must send thank you notes. A brief thank you will let your guests know that you appreciate their good wishes and gifts. Hand-written thank you notes are expected and mandatory. You and your parents will look bad if you don’t send them out.

Whether you’re graduating from high school or college, having and using good manners will be valuable throughout your life in both work-related and social interactions. “Academic skills will set you up for the job, but people skills will actu-ally get you the job!” n

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DANIEL VellottiTeaching higher values of chess

By Gaye BundersonThe first person to introduce Daniel Vellotti to the centuries-

old game of strategy known as chess was his grandmother, Marcella Tomei.

“I taught him what little I knew back when he was about 8,” the 83-year-old Tomei said by telephone from Arizona. “He seemed like he was really dedicated from day one.”

Vellotti’s dedication to chess grew so much that as an adult he started a business called Vellotti’s Chess School. At his now 10-year-old company, he teaches chess to children as young as 3, using stories and fantasy characters. Just like his grand-mother made chess fun for him, he tries to makes it fun for his students.

“Chess is way more than a game. It’s a magical world than can be mined for tremendous riches. It’s all in the presenta-tion,” Vellotti said. “Like a chef, I like to mix into the batter important ingredients like sportsmanship.”

Origins of chessThe origins of chess are somewhat vague, according to Vel-

lotti, but many experts — including him — speculate the game started in India. It has been modified as it moved from culture to culture and from ancient to modern times.

“Chess has evolved,” he said. “For instance, the queen used to be the weakest piece because in older civilizations women held less value.” As chess moved to Europe, it underwent a rebirth. Not only did the queen become stronger, the war elephant piece transmuted into a bishop, a symbol of spirituality rather than of armed conflict.

America influenced the game by creating such competitions as “speed chess,” a contest valued for its fast pace.

A family activityVellotti said he teaches chess to both boys and girls, and that

all together, 300 families attend his classes annually. Vellotti

now employs three contract workers who teach alongside him. The new teachers were hired based less on their chess acumen and more on their ability to work with children. “I want them to connect well with kids, to be kind and spark their imagina-tion,” Vellotti said.

Vellotti’s business card indicates his wife, Ava, is the com-pany’s director of programming. His son Carl is director of curriculum, and son Luke is international chess master. At just 14, Luke (www.lukevellotti.com) is a student at UCLA, major-ing in math and science. Carl (www.carlvellotti.com), also a UCLA student, attended the Clinton Global Initiative Univer-sity in Phoenix March 22-23. His topic: the use of formal chess lessons to help increase graduation rates of underrepresented minorities in Los Angeles.

Though chess gave the world the arrogant genius Bobby Fischer, Vellotti espouses completely different values, stressing thoughtfulness to his students. He likes to make them feel val-ued. With children generally being the littlest members of their families, he shows them that the smaller pawns on the board are like David taking on Goliath. He tells children it’s all right to beat adults — even parents — at chess, but winning (and losing) must be punctuated with grace.

His teaching technique is constructive. “I’ll never tell a student, ‘You’re wrong,’” he said. “Instead, I’ll say, ‘You’re so close; try again. You’re getting warmer.’”

When children are new to the game, or have learned a little but make a bad move, he works to remove their fears, reinforce confidence, and let them start anew with a clean slate.

Despite the value of chess to young minds, Vellotti said he nonetheless doesn’t feel it should be any child’s top priority. With his own sons, he said, he made sure they did well in school first and wanted them to have a passion for learning in general.

As old as chess is, interest in it is not waning. “Chess is still popular and continues to grow,” said Vellotti, who has written books on chess and is a competitive title-holder with a 6-foot trophy the children enjoy looking at.

“Chess is a lifelong endeavor,” he said. nFor more information, call 713-2486, email [email protected] or visit successinchess.com.

Daniel Vellotti instructs a roomful of enthusiastic children in the finer points of chess. (Courtesy photo)

Children at Vellotti’s Chess School learn to play chess with pieces and boards that are designed specifically for them. Owner Daniel Vel-lotti teaches by using characters and stories that appeal to youngsters. (Courtesy photos)


Register online at www.bluecirclesports.com Call 208-853-3700 or visit www.walklikemadd.org/boise for 5K Run/Walk information.

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CRAFTS On A Dime A menu board for meal planningBy Samantha Stillman

I love having cute ways to stay organized. This menu board helps give me a quick refer-ence guide every week so I’m not scrambling come dinnertime. I incorporated some repur-posing for this project. I had a cardboard box left over, and once it was covered you would never know! I keep a box of fabric leftovers too, so it was free as well. Don’t be afraid to google for ideas on decorating! n

Samantha Stillman is a Treasure Valley crafts instructor and freelance writer. She may be reached at [email protected].

Instructions:1. 1. Take your cardboard and cover it with either fabric or

scrapbook paper. I used hot glue for the fabric, but if you are us-ing paper you can just tape it. Picture 2

2. To make the envelope to hold meal cards, fold a piece of scrapbook in half and place the triangle template right on the fold line. Essentially, you are making a square that you will fold and tape into an envelope. For the crayon box template, you can trace it on your scrapbook paper and fold it into a box along the lines. You could also find a small crayon box or baking soda box, cut it down and cover it with scrapbook paper. Pictures 3, 4, 5

3. What you do next is up to you and your creativity. For mine, I glued ribbon on and clipped my clothespins on the ribbon. Using scraps of paper I made small days-of-the-week labels and glued them to each clothespin. Glue some magnets on the back to stick it on your fridge or use more ribbon to hang it up. Picture 6

Supplies needed: Picture 1

1

4 52

Scrapbook paperFoam board or card-board, cut to desired size (mine was 12” x 13”)Fabric, iron flat (for background or you could just use scrapbook paper)

Glue gun2-sided tapeRibbonSmall wood clothespins or metal clipsMagnets (optional)

6

Printout of two templates (envelope and crayon box)Envelope link: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Nkk9S6dwuM/Te4p6J-R1MI/AAAAAAAAIeM/W8YNyfWLG1I/s1600/T5LG.jpgCrayon box link: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/11/a1/1811a1189267a00ff376e2ba2a7c6c5242.jpg

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CRAFTS On A Dime A menu board for meal planningBy Samantha Stillman

I love having cute ways to stay organized. This menu board helps give me a quick refer-ence guide every week so I’m not scrambling come dinnertime. I incorporated some repur-posing for this project. I had a cardboard box left over, and once it was covered you would never know! I keep a box of fabric leftovers too, so it was free as well. Don’t be afraid to google for ideas on decorating! n

Samantha Stillman is a Treasure Valley crafts instructor and freelance writer. She may be reached at [email protected].

Instructions:1. 1. Take your cardboard and cover it with either fabric or

scrapbook paper. I used hot glue for the fabric, but if you are us-ing paper you can just tape it. Picture 2

2. To make the envelope to hold meal cards, fold a piece of scrapbook in half and place the triangle template right on the fold line. Essentially, you are making a square that you will fold and tape into an envelope. For the crayon box template, you can trace it on your scrapbook paper and fold it into a box along the lines. You could also find a small crayon box or baking soda box, cut it down and cover it with scrapbook paper. Pictures 3, 4, 5

3. What you do next is up to you and your creativity. For mine, I glued ribbon on and clipped my clothespins on the ribbon. Using scraps of paper I made small days-of-the-week labels and glued them to each clothespin. Glue some magnets on the back to stick it on your fridge or use more ribbon to hang it up. Picture 6

Supplies needed: Picture 1

1

4 52

Scrapbook paperFoam board or card-board, cut to desired size (mine was 12” x 13”)Fabric, iron flat (for background or you could just use scrapbook paper)

Glue gun2-sided tapeRibbonSmall wood clothespins or metal clipsMagnets (optional)

6

Printout of two templates (envelope and crayon box)Envelope link: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Nkk9S6dwuM/Te4p6J-R1MI/AAAAAAAAIeM/W8YNyfWLG1I/s1600/T5LG.jpgCrayon box link: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/11/a1/1811a1189267a00ff376e2ba2a7c6c5242.jpg

3

BE A HOST FamilyWelcome a foreign exchange studentBy Beverly Boyd

The American Institute for Foreign Study Foundation’s Academic Year in America program is one of the nation’s most respected cross-cultural educational exchange pro-grams. American families who host an AYA student learn about another culture and build a relationship with the student, who becomes like a son or daughter to them.

AYA enables high school students ages 15-18 from more than 35 countries to visit the United States and live with American families while attending high school for a semester or an academic year. Students participating in the program learn about America and its culture while improving their English language skills and achieving their academic goals.

At the same time, American families have the special opportunity to increase their knowledge of foreign coun-tries and languages and learn more about cultures dif-ferent from their own. High schools benefit from having exchange students as the program creates a globalized campus, exposing students to diversity and allowing for a tangible connection to world events.

AYA students are carefully screened and selected by a network of overseas partners. Students must demonstrate proficient English language skills and have studied Eng-lish for at least three years. They require teacher recom-mendations and up-to-date health records and required immunizations. AYA students must come to the U.S. with their own health insurance and must bring their own spending money.

All AYA students and host families are assigned a local coordinator who provides support during the entire time the student resides with the host family. The local coor-dinator assists with enrolling the student at the area high school and checks in regularly with both the AYA student

and his or her host family to ensure the placement is a success.

Host families are volunteers, and AYA carefully con-ducts reference and background checks on all host fami-lies. They are expected to provide a safe, comfortable home to ensure a positive cultural experience for students studying in the U.S. People of all ages and backgrounds volunteer to serve as host families. Grandparents, families with younger children, single parent families and tra-ditional two-parent families have all successfully hosted with AYA.

Host family responsibilities include:• Providing the student with a home for the academic

year or semester.• Welcoming the student as a member of the family and

encouraging him or her to participate in all aspects of family life.

• Providing the student with his or her own bed and place to study, either in a room shared with a family member of the same sex and in the same age range, or in his or her own room.

• Providing the student with all meals except school lunches.

• Assisting the student with course selection and regis-tration.

• Providing the love and understanding a young person needs to enjoy a successful academic year in America.

If you are interested in bringing culture into your home by being a host family for the 2014-2015 school year or in the future, please contact me at [email protected] prior to the second week in June. n

Beverly Boyd serves as a local coordinator for the AYA program.


A SUMMER HitThe big deal about Little League

By Amy LarsonClear back in the 18th century when someone thought up a

sort of Irish/British cricket-rounders game combo, they had no idea what they were starting. This game would one day become “America’s Pastime,” baseball, and further morph into Little League, the largest organized youth sports program on the planet.

The League was formed by Carl Stotz and friends in 1939, with the idea of teams being sponsored in order to keep indi-vidual costs down. Themes of sportsmanship, fair play, and teamwork would be promoted, as well.

When my friends Nick and Janet, seasoned veterans of Little League, first learned I was doing an article on the subject, they spontaneously looked at each other, looked back at me, and said:

“Tell (the newbies) they’re going to freeze.”“Tell them they’re going to bake in the hot sun.”“Tell them they’ll need a tent or something to shield them

from the crazy, crazy wind out there.”In short, there are some tricks to upholding “America’s

Pastime,” things people wish they’d known during the first season but catch onto very quickly, like dressing in layers, not being too proud to envelope oneself in a heavy duty sleeping bag or brightly colored Snuggie, or don winter clothes from head to toe, not to mention sticking a few of those nifty little hand warmer packs into various pockets. Oh, and participants would be well-advised to pack that umbrella, whether it looks like rain or not. Sunscreen, snacks times the number of kids

you’ll have with you, something to drink, and a sturdy chair or stadium seat are also imperatives.

You’ll also need to get used to having an iron bladder, since it can be nothing short of a hefty jaunt to the nearest rest-room; and become accustomed to being sleep deprived, since games tend to start early in the morning, or run late in the day. Pack your patience, too, since Little League games can and often will have extra innings. If you’re planning an important meetup with someone at around 7 p.m., you’ll definitely want to rethink that.

It’s not uncommon to question your sanity while enduring the wind/rain/sleet/hail (because it’s Idaho), while cheering on those cute little sluggers. Rest assured, that’s normal behav-ior. It’s true this is a large chunk of your life you’ll never get back, but — good news — there are lasting dividends, and the more you put into it, the more those seem to multiply, espe-cially if you’re a coach or team mom.

Rewards include watching your young son playing left field when there’s a batter up, but facing the opposite way, watching a lone, colorful kite flying in the distance, along with four other boys in the outfield doing the exact same thing, oblivious to the coaches’ pleas to turn around. Talk about a photo opp.

You’ll get to see some proud uniform wearing, with players taking their membership very seriously until the aforemen-tioned outfield moments. Team photos are a cherished keep-sake.

You’ll get to cheer on those with athletic ability, and those whose abilities get encouraged and will grow throughout the season in leaps and bounds. When the kid who hasn’t hit the ball all season finally hits it way, way out there, you’ll find your-self cheering like you’re at the World Series.

Players aren’t the only ones who get to learn about sports-manship, fair play, and teamwork. Parents and siblings have to learn, should the worst happen, how to lose a game with grace and still be able to tell other parents and players, “Good game.”

Fair play also goes beyond merely adhering to the rules. There’s a Little League code of conduct to be considered, too. Teammates, parents, coaches, and officials all must sign on the dotted line, agreeing to behavior that quells any confrontations between the adults, umpires, players and those in the crowd watching games. Anyone can and will receive warnings or even banishment from the field, should they violate the code. It’s a great way to practice being on good behavior, at or beyond the baseball diamond.

The best part of all is that you and your children will form lifelong, true blue friendships. My two friends told me about Leslie, one of the most dynamic team moms ever, and how their son Braden bonded with her son, Sam. The boys, now high school aged, are still good friends, and so are their parents.

So, bundle up, bring the food and drink, cheer loudly, criticize softly, make some friends and above all, have fun. That’s what “America’s Pastime” is all about. n

These days, former electrical contractor Amy Larson is now a writer, editor, and book coach, helping new writ-ers throughout the Treasure Valley turn their ideas into finished manuscripts. In her spare time, she explores her beloved Idaho.


(NAPSI) — Here’s intriguing news for parents, their young athletes and anyone interested in America’s past and present: the world’s largest youth sports orga-nization is celebrating its Diamond Anniversary. From its humble beginnings in 1939 in Williamsport, Pa. with 30 players to today’s reach of more than 2.4 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and more than 80 other countries, Little League has continued to thrive by sticking to its funda-mental values of community, family, friendly competition, and relationships that last a lifetime.

To celebrate, the organization is rolling out a slate of programs beginning with the Little League Big Legacy Project. This creates a unique, digital baseball mosaic with images spanning 75 years of Little League memories. People may submit photos to LittleLeagueBigLegacy.com through June 5. For each photo submitted, Little League will donate $1, up to $50,000, to Pitch In for Baseball (pifb.org), a nonprofit organization that helps provide equipment to baseball and softball programs in need. The mosaic will be unveiled on June 6.

“Over the course of our rich 75-year history, through the many life lessons learned on the diamonds, from notable athletes to incredible entertainers, writ-ers, philanthropists and citizens, Little League baseball and softball can proudly say it develops major-league people,” Little League President and CEO Stephen D. Keener said. “We are so thrilled to be celebrating the 75th anniversary of Little League and look forward to continuing our legacy of helping children develop strong character on and off the field.” n

The big 7-5: Little League marks Diamond Anniversary

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Education and support for divorced and remarried families

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322-2908www.stepfamilyhelp.com

email: [email protected] 5-2014

moMENts On baseball and ‘I will’ promisesBy Patrick Hempfing

What will I do with my limited time? Finding the right balance is a constant struggle.

Last summer my 8-year-old daugh-ter, Jessie, and I traveled to Penn-sylvania for our annual visit with family and friends. I can’t remember another two-day trip with so much rain. The hour-long traffic jam didn’t add to the fun. I also could have done without the brisk walk down six flights of stairs at 4:25 a.m. when the fire alarm went off in our hotel. At least it was a mechanical problem and not a fire. By the time I reached the Mason-Dixon Line, I was ready for a little “me” time.

While Jessie fished with her Grand-daddy, I drove to the cemetery to pay my respects to a few loved ones. I agree the cemetery is not the most exciting place for “me” time, but as I visited each grave, many wonderful memories surfaced…along with a few tears.

My next stop was the ball field where I spent much of my child-hood. I stepped into the batter’s box, tapped my imaginary bat at the corner of the plate like I’d done hun-dreds of times with a real one, and swung at a few make-believe pitches.

The memory of the grand slam home run I hit 40 years ago came flooding back. I walked around the bases. I could have run, but I wanted to soak up the memories. As I round-ed second base, I put on my pretend glove and fielded a few grounders at the shortstop position. I was a boy again and it felt good.

When I got back to the house, Jessie excitedly reported she caught her first fish, a 14-inch bass according to Granddaddy, though Jessie told me it was two feet long when stretched out. The fish, having been returned to the pond, couldn’t clarify the matter.

“Me” time is important, and I high-ly recommend everyone steal a block of it when possible, but family time is even better. Though I had come back rejuvenated from a little time alone, I was disappointed to miss seeing Jessie catch her bass, no matter its size.

Not seeing Jessie’s first fish is one thing, but missing her wedding? Recently, I ran an errand and when I returned, Jessie greeted me wearing her mother’s wedding dress. “I was only gone 20 minutes!” I exclaimed. She and my wife, Mattie, had cleaned out a closet while I was gone. Mattie’s wedding gown was too big for Jessie, but not by much. Seeing her took me

back to my wedding day 28 years ago and the vow I made when asked if I would love, honor, and cherish my bride.

“I will.”I will continue to do things to keep

the promise that I made to love, honor, and cherish. I will put gas in Mattie’s car because she rarely looks at her gas gauge. I will come running

Patrick Hempfing had a 20-year professional career in banking, accounting and auditing before he became a father in 2004 at age 44. He is now a full-time husband, stay-at-home dad, and writer. He and his family reside in Georgia.

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when I hear, “Spider!” I will take the dog out when it’s early, late, cold, or rainy. I will make sure that our bathrooms never run out of toilet tissue. As often as possible, I will hand Mattie a glass of iced tea as soon as she wakes up, and I’ll let her keep my favorite pillow when she falls asleep first.

I will also enjoy some “me” time to play tennis and pursue my writing goals. I will nurture relationships with phone calls, letters, and visits and will remember loved ones who are no longer with us. Most impor-tantly, I will spend quality time with Jessie. I will shoot baskets, watch her improvised shows, and eat her beau-tifully decorated cupcakes after showing proper appre-ciation for her artistic talent.

One day, Jessie may be dressed in a wedding gown for real, and as with the 4:25 a.m. hotel fire alarm, I won’t be ready. In the meantime, I will cherish my time with her. Each day I will step up to the plate, not at the ball field, but as a father, looking out for her well-being. And when I throw balls off the roof of our house and Jessie catches them in her pink glove, I will remember that fatherhood is even better than a grand slam home run. In a few years I will have plenty of “me” time, some of which I will spend missing these hectic days with my daughter. n

White Bean Chili1 bag dried white beans2 Oso Sweet Onions, or similar onions1/2 cup garlic (chopped)1 pound ground chicken or turkey1 cup celery (chopped)1 tsp oregano1/4 cup olive oil2 each large green mild chili (deseeded)2 quarts chicken stock or water (to cover)2 tsp cumin

Directions: Saute onions, garlic, celery, chilies, chicken/tur-key for 10 minutes on medium heat. Add half of the chicken stock. Then add salt, pepper, oregano and cumin and simmer for 45 minutes. Then adjust with the remaining chicken stock. Combine all ingredients in crock pot or large heavy-bottomed pot, bring to a boil and then simmer overnight, or 8 hours. Puree 1 cup beans for a thicker chili and serve. Garnish with shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, tarragon or basil, chopped Tabasco peppers, raw chopped sweet onions or hot sauce.

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Cooking Matters teaches low-income individuals and families in Idaho how to identify, shop for, and prepare delicious, simple, healthy meals on a budget. They are always looking for volunteer support to help teach these cooking-based nutrition courses. If you would like to get involved, contact Cooking Matters at (208) 577-2692.

ALL In Good Taste


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Brian Raymond, LCSW • (208) 475-1875Located in the Premier Building in Nampa, ID

at 5700 E. Franklin Rd., 220 Suite AOffi ce Hours: Monday – Friday 8AM to 8PM

Evening & Saturday Appointments May Be AvailableWe are contracted with most major insurance providers, EAP,

Medicare, and provide a sliding scale fee for private pay.

Currently assisting Individuals, Couples,

Groups, Families, & Churches

CHRIS IANCLINICALCONCEPTS,LLC

05-2014

By Angela HayesNot being properly prepared for your

day can really wreak havoc on a person. Real havoc! Let me give you the preface to my story first.

As a mom, I wake up on school days, roll out of bed, wash my face, and put my contacts in. I head into the kitchen to turn the coffeepot on, make a bottle for the crying infant in the next room, and gather the kids’ lunch bags. As I hand the bottle to the baby, I pour a cup of coffee. Ahh, the burn to the lips and palate...never fails! As I mutter under my breath, I head to the fridge to grab the jelly for PB&J sandwiches.

After the sandwiches are made, the baby has finished his bottle and wants my attention. Then, my son Lucas comes downstairs and, rubbing his eyes, asks for food. I feed him a yogurt, which he proceeds to spill on the floor. I grab a towel without letting my son hear me mumbling under my breath. (I’m trying to set a good example with my vocabu-lary.)

Now, the girls meander on down the stairs for their breakfast. Of course, they don’t ask for the same menu item. Lauren requests toast, no crust. She gets toast, with crust. Juliebelle asks for toast any way I make it because she’s 11 and has had more time on this planet with me. (She’s learned.)

After eating, Juliebelle rushes to beautify herself for school. Meanwhile, Lauren is still eating breakfast with her I-hate-crust face on. I tell her to finish up and she hears, “Lauren, mess around as much as you can!”

The clock reads 8:05 at this point. I still have to dress Lucas, pack the lunches that will more than likely go to waste, make sure I look presentable, and yell at the girls to get their acts together another 50 times.

As we finally get ourselves ready to go out the door, my husband Steve walks in from the shop. He loads the boys into the car, I grab my coffee cup, now filled with cold coffee, and try to tell the girls to get into the car without yelling at them, a trait I’m so desperately trying to work on.

As we’re in the car heading to drop Lucas off at school, I realize Steve’s driving without shoes. Who does that? Isn’t that against the law? And besides,

how do you expect to manage the brake pedal with just your toes? As we pull up to the drop-off, we realize they shut down right at 9 a.m. It’s 9:01; they mean business.

That means we have to walk Lucas in now. Well, Steve can’t do it; he’s bare-foot. I’ll just do...oh, wait! At this point, I realize I’m missing a significant item of apparel. I had decided I was too tired to put my bra on. I have a t-shirt on, no bra. I’m sure it would be frowned upon taking my son into class like that.

Julie! Julie’s in the car. I tell her to take Lucas in. She has no idea where to go. I give her instructions. She comes back out three minutes later, no Lucas, but with a teacher. The teacher walks up to my window, probably murmuring her own words about why my 11-year-old is bringing her younger brother into school instead of me, and proceeds to tell me that he doesn’t have a lunch.

I automatically get excited for the Mother of the Year award I know she’s just dying to hand me. I state that I’m sorry and I’ll make sure and get it to him before lunch. She gives me a fake smile and turns around in a huff and goes back into the school.

This school is Challenger, people. Parents who send their children to this school have their acts together. Not only do they pay tuition, but they also drive expensive cars, wear expensive clothes, probably are fluent in three languages, and the moms wear bras. I just don’t fit in, but that’s OK. (No, really, it’s OK!)

Steve and I are laughing hysterically at this point. I’m sure the teacher’s not. She probably is reviewing my son’s school chart and questioning why they allowed him to be enrolled based off of his parents’ inability to get dressed properly in the morning. We dropped the girls off at school, and while waiting in the car line, I started to sweat. Oh, my goodness. What if I need to get out of this car for something? What if Steve needs to? I can’t possibly embarrass any more of my kids today.

Whew, no reason to have to exit the car.

As we pulled into the garage I had to laugh. I had to laugh at how fool-ish I was. I had to laugh at my lesson learned. I now put a bra on first thing in the morning. n

Angela Hayes is a local mother to five, a wife to one man, and a problem solver to many. Please send sug-gestions about further column topics, questions, and even opinions to: [email protected].

ANG’S AnticsDon’t forget to check wardrobe


By Beth Markley“Being a working mom is al-

ways hard…”…this from a Facebook friend, shar-

ing a raw moment after dropping her child off at kindergarten…

…and being mistaken for the little girl’s aunt...

“Ouch, that was a tough one,” she said, “straight through the heart.”

We’ve all been there. Conscientious parents, whatever their professional sit-uation, get to know that jerk — Guilt — pretty well.

Am I helping too much with her homework? And, when did I forget how to do math?

Was sending him to bed without a story an appropriate form of punish-ment, or am I just exhausted with Cat in the Hat?

Isn’t she going to get, like, rickets or some-thing from never eating vegetables?

Is he old enough to have a lifetime memory of that epic tantrum I had in the car this morning?

Guilt. He’s such a jerk, always hang-ing on. I know you’ve met him. He has one arm draped casually over the back of your shoulders, all chummy. He’s jabbing you in the ribs to make a point.

His main gal, Worry, is on your other side. Worry is fidgety, with a facial tick. She wears way too much perfume but still smells like BO.

I know, I want to slap her too!My friend’s Facebook comment

started a thread of encouraging and supportive responses.

And one statement that brought me up short.

This is a sad result of our economy, which requires dual family incomes to make ends meet. It happened in my generation and con-tinues to this day.

Errrch… Wait a minute. What?Move on, nothing to see here, said a

little voice. Neither my friend nor her Anachronistic Commenter needed a dose of late night snark.

But Anachronistic Commenter had it all wrong.

Hang on, I’m going back in time and you’re coming with me.

Fourteen years ago. Baby babbles cutely from his infant carrier. I sit in a flimsy gown on an exam table for a postpartum checkup.

“What are your plans for work?” the doctor asks.

“Oh, work, well,” I say, “I’ll be taking a couple weeks off, then I have this really cool deal where I can bring him into the office for at least the next six months. After that, I’ve signed up for this great child-care center where he’ll have Spanish lessons and baby gym class.”

I’m gushing, but I’m proud of having my act together so early in the game.

The doctor scowls. He is unimpressed.“Listen,” he says, “you go back to work,

and sooner or later everyone is going to suffer — you, your health, your marriage and your child. You need to think very carefully about this.”

We stare at each other. My mouth is open. My bare feet are dangling.

I need a different doctor.My career was in full swing by the

time the kids came along. So was their father’s for that matter.

Both my parents worked. No one was the worse for it.

In addition to careers, we also had hobbies.

We volunteered and had active social lives.

We got a good seven to eight hours shut-eye every night.

We worked out.And then we were parents.Priorities changed. We sold our

whitewater gear (eventually). Mike no longer races stock cars nor does he golf. We put a hiatus on backpacking until the kids were old enough to go.

We shifted volunteer opportunities to those in which we could include our kids, or were at least on behalf of organizations with a direct impact on them.

What used to be date nights turned into family nights and suddenly in-cluded way more movies with cartoon characters and restaurants where a giant mouse served crappy pizza.

Sleeping and working out were sharply curtailed.

Hobbies? Social life? Later, alligator.But with all the changes, big and

small, we never talked about either of us staying home from work.

It wasn’t a financial issue.It had nothing to do with the state of

the economy.

I knew if I stayed home full time with my kids, it wouldn’t be long before I was formally Cuckoo for Coco Puffs, and either heavily self-medicated or removed from the scene altogether.

Everyone would suffer.So we both work outside the home (as

well as in it). Sometimes our kids eat mac and cheese for dinner as a result, and we still can’t put in 100 percent at the office. These things make life inter-esting. They force us to learn balance. They give us stuff to talk about at the dinner table. They give us the ability to model good coping strategies, and our children the opportunity to develop independence and resiliency.

To be sure, my career decisions have been influenced by the flexibility I need in order to accommodate my kids. Everything I do, actually, is based upon what’s best for them. Even with that in mind, Guilt and Worry aren’t ever far away. And, guess what? I know my stay-at-home mom friends are on a first name basis with Guilt and Worry too.

Those two need to find someone else to pick on!

I wrote and erased about seven angry responses to Anachronistic Commenter that night. Then I stopped and thought about my friend, who probably wasn’t looking for anyone to tell her to “fight the power” or “stick it to the man.”

“Next time,” I told her, “just smile at the teacher’s aide and say something like, ‘You must be new here. Don’t worry, you’ll start to get to know all us parents sooner or later … sweetie.’” n

MANIC MotheringGuilt is an annoying jerk

Beth Markley is a humor writer and fundraising consultant who lives in Boise with her husband and two sons. She publishes weekly stories about her mis-adventures in parenting in her blog, Manic Markley Mumblings at www.manicmumbling.com.


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Keep kids safe on mobile devices(NewsUSA) — Let’s face it: young people love cell phones

and tablets. They use them to keep up and connect with their friends on sites like Instagram, Twitter and SnapChat.

While these devices make it easier for parents to stay con-nected with their children wherever they go, they can also make it easier for children and teens to be exposed to serious issues like sexting and cyberbullying. According to the i-SAFE foundation, more than 25 percent of adolescents and teens have been bullied repeatedly through their cell phones or the Internet. Parents need to make sure they’re staying informed about what apps their children are using and set guidelines on how the devices will be used.

Here are a few important tips to keep in mind:• Establish ground rules for phone access and use, including

location and time restraints. (Example: use only in common household areas, like the kitchen.)

• Discuss what apps and in-app purchases are appropriate upon gifting the phone.

• Stay educated about sites like Instagram, Twitter and Ask.fm, where cyberbullying is becoming more commonplace.

• Make sure your kids have privacy settings enabled on all of their devices and social media sites.

• Know your resources: You don’t have to keep your kids in the Stone Age to keep them safe from dangers in the digital world.

“As a parent, I know how important it is to get your child the devices they want this holiday season,” says Paul Adkison, founder of ZABRA (www.zabra.com), a social media parent-

ing tool that monitors the most common issues in cyberspace today.

“Even with guidelines and ground rules, there is always the possibility for your child to become involved in potentially dangerous online activity,” says Adkison. “But having candid conversations with your kids about what they do online and using a safety tool like ZABRA is a great way to find a middle ground.”

Parents can initiate the conversation about using these devices responsibly by including the Good Cyber Citizen Pledge. This provides parents peace of mind that their kids are committed to developing good online behavior.

For more information on ZABRA and to download the Good Cyber Citizen Pledge, visit www.zabra.com. n


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CALENDAR of EventsPreschool children and their families are invited to attend “Reading at the Refuge.” This activity is held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month in the visitor center at the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Children can take part in crafts, explore the center, and listen to wildlife-related stories. All craft supplies are provided. For more information, call 467-9278, email [email protected] or visit www.fws.gov/deerflat.

Reading at the RefugeFirst & Third Monday of Each Month

Nampa Public Library will present Lapsit Storytime at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Thursday, May 8. (Please note Preschool and Lapsit Storytimes will be taking a break May 14-June 10. They will resume Wednesday, June 11.)

Lapsit Storytime Thursday, May 8

Idaho Ice World, 7072 Eisenman Road in Boise, holds Family Night every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per person and includes skate rentals. For more information, call 331-0044.

Family Night at Idaho Ice World Every Wednesday Evening

Teen Late Night Fridays are held from 6:30 to 11 p.m. every Friday at Fort Boise Community Center, 700 Robbins Road. Activities are for kids ages 12-17. There is an admission fee of $2, but students with a current school ID get in free. Teen Late Night Fridays are sponsored by Boise Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, call 384-4486.

Teen Late Night FridaysEvery Friday Evening

The Nampa Public Library Preschool STEAM Storytime will take place at 10:15 a.m. Friday, May 9. (Please note Preschool and Lapsit Storytimes will be taking a break May 14-June 10. They will resume Wednesday, June 11.)

Preschool STEAM Storytime Friday, May 9

The Wild About Life lecture at the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, 13751 Upper Embankment Road, will feature the topic “The Status of Sage Grouse” on Tuesday, May 13, at 7 p.m. The entrance to the Refuge visitor center is at the intersection of Roosevelt and Indiana in Nampa. For information, call 467-9278 or visit http://www.fws.gov/deerflat. The lecture series is presented by Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge and the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute AmeriCorps. The May 13 event is the last lecture until fall.

Wild About LifeTuesday, May 13

On the first Wednesday of the month, anytime between 10 a.m. and noon, children ages 2-3 accompanied by an adult are invited to explore art media related to the Boise Art Museum’s exhibitions. (Dress for mess!) For more information, go to boiseartmuseum.org.

Toddler Wednesday at BAMFirst Wednesday of the Month

“Foil Art Craft” will be the topic during the Nampa Public Library’s Kids & Tween Program from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8. This program is for children from 8 to 12 years old. An Art Endeavor program, for young people ages 8 to 18, will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 15. Visit nampalibrary.org for more information.

Kids & Tween ProgramsThursday, May 15

The Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, next to the Old Penitentiary on Warm Springs in Boise, is hosting 30-minute museum tours, hillside geology hikes, and Q&A’s with experts from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, May 9. An evening lecture at 7 p.m. will be given by historian Troy Lambert on the topic, “Out of the Deep Dark: Lessons Learned from the Sunshine Mine Disaster.” A free mineral will be given to each visitor. It’s also a free day at the Idaho Botanical Garden as it celebrates National Public Gardens Day. The Garden will open its back gate so people may stroll easily between the IMMG and IBG. For more information, go to idahomuseum.org.

Dig Into Idaho Geology Friday, May 9

The Idaho Botanical Garden will celebrate National Public Gardens Day from 9 a.m. to dusk on Friday, May 9. People will be admitted to the Garden for free all day. The event is designed to celebrate America’s public gardens and their role in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, and education in communities across the country. For more information, go to idahobotanicalgarden.org.

National Public Gardens Day Friday, May 9


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CALENDAR of Events May - Early JunePlease send family-related calendar

items to [email protected].

More Events on Page 18

Leadercast 2014 Friday, May 9Leadercast is a one-day leadership event broadcast live from Atlanta to hundreds of communities around the world from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the Ambrose School gym, 6100 N. Locust Grove, Meridian. Leadercast is a movement that is working to change the way the world thinks about leadership by building leaders worth following. This year’s theme — “Beyond You” — challenges leaders to leverage their influence for the sake of others. Speakers include Andy Stanley, Malcolm Gladwell, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Randall Wallace, Bill McDermott, Laura Schroff, Henry Cloud, Simon Sinek, and Laura Bush. Cost is $69-$89. Learn more and purchase tickets at LeadercastIdaho.com.

Register your kids for a free Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic. Kids may attend the clinics beginning at 10 a.m. every other Saturday at their local Lowe’s. The next clinic takes place Saturday, May 10. Registration is required; visit lowesbuildandgrow.com.

Lowe’s Build & Grow for Kids Saturday, May 10

Parents Night Out Saturday, May 10Children ages 5-12 are welcome to explore Planet Kid (at Wings Center, 1875 Century Way in Boise) while their parents enjoy a night out without them from 6-11 p.m. Saturday, May 10. The theme is Pinata Night. Cost is $20 per child, with a $5 per-child fee for registration the day of the event. Pre-register online at wingscenter.com or call 376-3641.

Nampa Public Library holds Family Fun Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The program on May 10 will feature “The Wonderful Rhythms of Planet Earth.” Visit nampalibrary.org for more information.

Family Fun Saturdays Saturday, May 10

A “Free Crafts for Kids” program is offered each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeshore Learning Store in the Westpark Towne Plaza at 417 N. Milwaukee St. in Boise. On May 10, the project will be a kid-created coupon book filled with promises for Mom. At the same time, there will also be a “Celebrate Mom” event for children to make blooming bouquets, a special craft stick card, and a dazzling “queen for a day” sash and gown — all for Mom. For more information, call 377-1855.

Mom’s Coupon Book Saturday, May 10

This family-friendly day in the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center at the World Center for Birds of Prey will focus on conserving birds that migrate between nesting habitats in North America and non-breeding grounds in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. There will be live bird demonstrations and special activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10. For more information, call 362-8687.

International Migratory Bird Day Saturday, May 10

The Foothills Learning Center at 3188 Sunset Peak Road in Boise holds a Second Saturday family-friendly program from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The May 10 program is “The Hills Are Alive.” Migratory birds are returning to the area, and people are invited to a day of exploration in the foothills with a naturalist to learn about plants and animals. Art is also on the program with Boise artist Joni Frey. (Bring your moms for Mother’s Day.) The event is free, and no pre-registration is required. For more information, call 493-2530 or visit www.bee.cityofboise.org.

“The Hills Are Alive” at Foothills Learning Center Saturday, May 10

Zoo Boise will hold its annual Mother’s Day Brunch from 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday, May 11, with a buffet in the zoo’s African Plains. Following brunch, guests will have a special animal encounter and then have the rest of the day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to enjoy the zoo, including free rides on the Conservation Cruise for all moms and Mother’s Day-themed talks from the zookeeper. Cost of the brunch and other information is available at zooboise.org. Mothers who do not wish to attend the brunch but visit the zoo during the day will be admitted for only $4.25.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Zoo BoiseSunday, May 11


Continued from page 21CALENDAR of Events

Young actors ages 13-18 are invited to audition May 10-11 for “High School Musical Jr.” presented by Boise Little Theater and Boise Parks & Recreation. Actors, singers, dancers and technical theater staff are sought for this annual production. Performers should prepare a 2-minute song of their choice to be sung a cappella or with recorded music (CD player and iPod adapter will be provided). To make an appointment for your audition, go to http://highschoolmusical2014.eventsbot.com. There is no fee to audition; however, cast members are asked to pay a $25 fee, which covers a t-shirt, script, cast party and other administrative costs. There are parts for 32 actors, including ensemble. Not everyone who auditions will be cast. A mandatory cast and parent meeting will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Boise Little Theater, 100 E. Fort Street. Rehearsals will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, May 19-29, and Monday-Friday, June 2-July 11. Show dates are 7:30 p.m. July 24-26 and July 31-Aug. 1, and 2 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 2 at Boise Little Theater. For information, visit [email protected].

“High School Musical Jr.” AuditionsSaturday, May 10 - Sunday, May 11

On the second Tuesday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m., the Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Peak Road, invites parents and their preschoolers to be part of a Story Trail Adventure. Participants walk a quarter mile trail and read a book, then make a story-related craft. The book on May 13 is “A Bunny for All Seasons.” The program is free, but pre-registration is required by calling 608-7680. For more information, visit www.bee.cityofboise.org.

Story Trail AdventureTuesday, May 13

The Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center hosts a Sunset Series of free adult education events from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from May through July. The May 14 topic is “Times They Are a Changin’: The Importance of Phenology,” the science of the influence of climate on the recurrence of such annual phenomena of animal and plant life as budding and bird migrations. The May 28 topic is “A Look Back in Time with a Paleontologist.” No pre-registration required. For more information, call 493-2530 or visit www.bee.cityofboise.org.

Sunset SeriesWednesdays May 14 & May 28

The Brain Balance Center in Eagle holds free education seminars from 7-8 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month. The next seminar will be held May 15; the center is located at 3210 E. Chinden Blvd. For more information, call 377-3559 or visit brainbalancecenters.com.

Brain Balance Achievement Center SeminarThursday, May 15

A “Free Crafts for Kids” program is offered each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeshore Learning Store in the Westpark Towne Plaza at 417 N. Milwaukee St. in Boise. Children will have the opportunity to create a “Catch of the Day!” fishing pole they can actually play with on May 17. For more information, call 377-1855.

“Catch of the Day!” Craft Saturday, May 17

The YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon, presented by the Idaho Potato Commission, is a full marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5K course along the Boise Greenbelt that takes place Saturday, May 17. All courses are flat and fast. (This marathon can be used to qualify for the 2015 Boston Marathon.) The whole family may participate in the event, as there is a distance that will work for everyone. The full and half marathons will begin at 7 a.m., and the 10k and 5k each begin at 10 a.m. Register online at ymcatvidaho.org. An expo and packet pick-up precedes the event on Friday, May 16, from 2 to 7 p.m. at The Riverside Hotel on Chinden Boulevard. A full expo schedule is available on the YMCA website.

2014 YMCA Famous Idaho Potato MarathonSaturday, May 17

The Boise Host Lions Club will hold its first-ever Weiner Dog Races on Saturday, May 17, with check-in at 9 a.m. at Winstead City Park in Boise. Co-sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance, funds raised from the event will go toward building a rest area in Julia Davis Park next to the Greenbelt. For more information, email [email protected].

1st Annual Wiener Dog Races Saturday, May 17


This is a family-friendly event that takes place across the U.S. to help raise funds for food allergy research, education, advocacy and awareness and will include fun activities for the whole family. It will take place in Boise from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Veterans Memorial Park. There is no charge to register, but participants are encouraged to form teams and fundraise through online registration at foodallergywalk.org. There will also be an onsite registration from 11 a.m. to noon, with a walk ceremony beginning at noon. For information, visit the aforementioned website or contact regional representative Silvia Ramirez at 424-603-3608 or [email protected].

FARE Food Allergy Walk BoiseSunday, May 18

Have you ever had a really rotten day? Alexander has. He wakes up with gum in his hair, he trips on a skateboard, and then he accidentally drops his sweater in the sink — all before breakfast. Alexander can really tell: it’s going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Laugh and sing along with Alexander at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Morrison Center. The show is part of the Velma V. Morrison Family Theatre Series sponsored by the Boise State University President’s Club. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit morrisoncenter.com or call 426-1110.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad DaySunday, May 18

Kids between the ages of 9 and 14 who love to run, jump and throw are welcome to participate in the Hershey’s Track & Field Games for the chance to win an all-expense paid trip to compete in the annual North American finals meet in Hershey, Pa. in August. Treasure Valley first- and second-place finishers qualify to participate in the South State meet in Rexburg in July. Boys and girls compete separately in four age groups: 7-8 (Idaho local and South State meet only), 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14. Local competition will take place May 21 (7-8 and 9-10) and May 22 (11-12 and 13-14) at Timberline High School. There is no entry fee, but participants must pre-register by May 18 at: City Recreation Office, 110 Scout Lane, Boise, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, call 608-7650 or visit www.cityofboise.org/parks/activities. Hershey’s Track and Field Games is endorsed by the National Recreation and Park Association, National Association for Sport and Physical Education, and Athletics Canada.

Hershey’s Track & Field GamesPre-Register May, 18 Event: Wednesday, May 21 & Thursday, May 22

Zamzow’s Small Animal Presentation, “Meet the Critters,” will be held from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at Nampa Public Library. Visit nampalibrary.org for more information.

“Meet the Critters” Tuesday, May 20

Children may learn how to create edible masterpieces at a kids cake decorating class from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Nampa Rec Center, 131 Constitution Way. Cost is $14 for members and $19 for non-members. Registration deadline is one week prior to class. For information, call 468-5858 or visit namparecreation.org.

Kids Cake Decorating – School Days Tuesday, May 20

The “Snow Queen” books and the movie “Frozen” will be featured during Kids’ Book & Movie Club at the Nampa Public Library from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22. Visit nampalibrary.org for more information.

Kids’ Book & Movie Club Thursday, May 22

A “Free Crafts for Kids” program is offered each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeshore Learning Store in the Westpark Towne Plaza at 417 N. Milwaukee St. in Boise. On May 24, children will transform everyday collage materials into a powerful superhero puppet that saves the day. For more information, call 377-1855.

“My Superhero Puppet” Craft Saturday, May 24

The 2nd Annual Eagle Antique and Classic Car Show is set for noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 25, at 538 W. State St. in Eagle. Domestic and foreign cars are welcome; register online at eaglecarshow.com or at the event. Fee for participation is $20 and benefits the Eagle Adventist Christian School & Preschool. The family-friendly, alcohol- and tobacco-free event will include a tribute to veterans, as well as food and kids’ activities. For more information, call 939-5544 or 365-1413.

Eagle Antique & Classic Car Show Sunday, May 25

More Events on Page 24


Continued from page 23CALENDAR of Events

The American Heart Association’s 2014 Boise Heart Walk will be held Saturday, May 31, beginning at Julia Davis Park. The Heart Healthy Festival begins at 8 a.m., opening ceremonies begin at 9, and the walk starts at 10. For more information, contact the Boise Heart Walk Team at 501-7800 or [email protected].

2014 Boise Heart Walk Saturday, May 31

A “Free Crafts for Kids” program is offered each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeshore Learning Store in the Westpark Towne Plaza at 417 N. Milwaukee St. in Boise. The May 31 project will be a mermaid mobile that twinkles as it turns. For more information, call 377-1855.

Mermaid Mobile CraftSaturday, May 31

Children ages 5-9 can learn about nature and the biological world around them during the Idaho Botanical Garden’s Saturday Camp programs. The fee is $20 per child per Saturday. IBG members receive a $5 discount. Registration is required. For more information, call 343-8649 or visit idahobotanicalgarden.org. The first Saturday Camp of 2014 will be held May 31.

Idaho Botanical Garden Saturday Camp Saturday, May 31

Children accompanied by an adult are invited to drop into the Boise Art Museum anytime between noon and 3 p.m. on the last Saturday of the month for a hands-on art workshop. This program is recommended for children ages 12 and under. On May 31, they will transform images like those seen in the short film “Night Hunter.” For more information, go to boiseartmuseum.org.

Family Art Saturday Saturday, May 31

Kick off the 2014 summer swim season at Lakeview Waterpark and Lincoln Pool, Davis and Winther Boulevard in Nampa, from 1 to 4:45 p.m. Saturday, May 31. Enjoy free entry all afternoon, with water safety educational booths and fun, safe swimming activities. Learn about lifejacket safety, canal safety, sun safety and more. For more information, contact the Nampa Rec Center at 468-5858.

Summer Splashtacular Saturday, May 31

The Saint Alphonsus Capitol Classic Children’s Race set for Saturday, June 7, is open to kids ages 6 to 14, all abilities. The one-mile course starts at the historic Boise Train Depot and ends at the State Capitol, with a Finish Fair in Capitol Park. Start time is 11 a.m., but racers need to be at the Depot by 10. For more information and to register, go to http://www.saintalphonsus.org/capitol-classic.

St. Alphonsus Capitol Classic Children’s Race Register Now • Event: Saturday, June 7

Mothers Against Drunk Driving will hold its annual 5k and 1-mile walk/run to raise awareness about impaired driving on Saturday, June 14, at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Boise. There will many fun activities for families beginning at 8:30 a.m. The timed 5k run starts at 9 a.m. with the 5k walk and 1-mile fun run following after. Cost is $20/adults, $15/youth ages 5 to 20, and $10 for dogs. For more information, visit ww.walklikemadd.org/boise or call 853-3700.

Walk Like MADD/MADD DashRegister Now • Event: Saturday, June 14

Wednesday, June 4, is National Running Day and a good time to kick off a healthy summer. People may register online or in person for the FitOne event in September (formerly the Women’s Fitness Celebration and now open to everyone) for just $15 on June 4 only, between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. The online $15 registration may be done at FitOneBoise.org or at The Village in Meridian on June 4. Regular registration fees will apply beginning June 5. FitOne features a 5k Family Run, Walk & Stroll, a 10k, or a half marathon (new this year). Boys and girls 12 and under may join the newly formed FitOne Kids Club. Sign up and get more information at FitOneBoise.org.

FitOne Early Registration Wednesday, June 4

The Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology is presenting a morning of geology fun for kids ages 7-10 from 9 to noon Tuesday, June 10, at 2455 Old Penitentiary Road in Boise. The topic is “Lake Idaho and Other Historic Features of Idaho” and includes such information as the fact that in prehistoric times, southwest Idaho was a big lake. Geo-camp includes hands-on activities plus a hillside geology hike. Cost is $10 per child, and pre-registration is required by calling Margaret at 740-0937.

Geo-Camp for Kids Tuesday, June 10


Celebrate biodiversity at this family-friendly festival that will include guided nature walks, live birds of prey and reptiles, as well as insect-collecting expeditions. Visitors may also visit interactive exhibits from wildlife-related organizations in Idaho and participate in kids’ crafts and activities. Some events require pre-registration. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14, in the Visitor Center at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, fws.gov/deerflat, 467-9278 or [email protected].

BioBlitz Festival 2014 Register Now • Event: Saturday, June 14

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Nampa will host Kids’ Fishing Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Gotts Point at Lake Lowell. People interested in helping plan the event, or in volunteering, should call Heidi at 467-9278 or email her at [email protected]. Volunteers are needed to teach kids about fish biology, fishing ethics, water safety, and casting and rigging.

Kids’ Fishing Day Saturday, June 14

The Foothills Learning Center at 3188 Sunset Peak Road in Boise holds a Second Saturday family-friendly program from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The June 14 program is “Sheep in the Foothills...Round ‘em up!” Sheepdogs “strut their stuff,” herding sheep and showing off their skills. Sheep will be shorn, and their wool will be available to touch. There will be activities for kids, products available for purchase, a BBQ lamb lunch, and music by Gary & Cindy Braun. The event is free, and no pre-registration is required. Parking is limited, but shuttle buses will be available. For more information, call 493-2530 or visit www.bee.cityofboise.org.

“Sheep in the Foothills...Round ‘em up!” Saturday, June 14

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CAMPS Guide IIPassport to Boise kicks off June 1

By Gaye Bunderson

Editor’s note: An organization called Re:purpose Initia-tive started a program called Passport to Boise, a unique summer event that connects children and businesses for learning and fun. Co-founder Eric Brocksome answered some questions via email and telephone about the program.

Q. How long has Passport to Boise been going on?A. Passport to Boise is brand new this year. It kicks off June

1 and runs through August 31.Q. How many business are involved?A. We have 32 businesses officially registered (as of April 14)

and more committed. To view the list of businesses participat-ing, parents may visit the website at passporttoboise.org. Busi-nesses wanting to sign up should go to host.passporttoboise.org. All the businesses are based in Treasure Valley; there’s a great selection, and it’s very community oriented.

Q. Pick one or two businesses, if you would, and give me examples of what kids will be doing when they visit those particular enterprises.

A. For kids who are interested in becoming a DJ or in learn-ing how a radio station works, Townsquare Media — the parent company for Mix 106 and other local radio stations — is going to let kids come in and tour a station. Also, Capital City Market is going to do tours of the market and give kids an opportunity to see what the market is all about and meet some of the vendors. Kids can begin to understand where the vendors come from locally, how they grow their own products, and how the artisans create their crafts.

Q. Why do the businesses feel this is worthwhile for them?

A. Most of the businesses are hoping to attract more kids into already established programs. Passport to Boise is a way for them to give back to the community while at the same time at-tracting unique visitors to their programs.

Q. What will the kids get out of it? A. Kids are going to learn a wide variety of skills and see

the curtain pulled back on lots of local businesses. They could

learn painting, dance, cooking, communication, nature and outdoors, fishing, graphic design, welding, banking and finance, bee-keeping, gardening, law enforcement, and electronics, to name a few.

Kids are our biggest resource and by helping them see the vast world around them, we promote a future where our children can become the best versions of themselves.

Q. Is it free for the kids to participate in Passport to Boise?

A. Passports are $99 for the first child and $49 for each additional child. The Passport is good

for as many activities as families can fit in their schedule. That could be over 50 in some cases. Each

event, then, is provided at no additional cost to the parents or children.

Part of our mission is to help kids learn self-reliance and how to build something. We are demonstrating that in how we approach building the Passport to Boise program.

Q. Where do kids sign up?A. Parents can purchase the passports for their children by

going to passporttoboise.org. Activities and events will be open for registration around mid-May.

Q. Can you tell me a little about the Re:purpose Initiative?

A. Re:purpose Initiative is the parent company for Passport to Boise. Re:purpose has a double meaning for us. It’s meant to take ideas and information and repurpose them to a new use. We believe we can do that in our small business commu-nity.

The second meaning stems from the fact that everything we do is built around a purpose and comes from our core value system. We are teaching other small businesses this principle in action. n


Ada County 4-H Summer Day Campsextension.uidaho.edu/ada/2013/07/4-h-events/cascadelake4hcamp.com5880 Glenwood St., Boise 83714 .........287-5900

Advanced Gymnastics16161 N. 20th Ave., Nampa 83687 ....468-9292agidaho.com

Always SimBale Sports, LLC5134 S. Sweetgrass Pl., Boise 83716......................................412-5669 or 426-0871simbalesports.com

Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo1224 1st St. South #204, Nampa 83651 ....................................353-0966

Ballet Idaho Summer Programs501 S. 8th St., Ste. A., Boise 83702balletidaho.org

Bluebird Quilt Studio1309 2nd St. S., Nampa 83651 ...........467-4148bluebirdquiltstudio.com

Bodies In Motion (inside front cover)729 W. Diamond St., Boise 83705 ..............................381-0587bodiesinmotionidaho.com

Boise WaterShed..................................................608-7300BoiseEnvironmentalEducation.org

Bogus Basin Nordic Team Summer Adventure Training..........................................................761-9911bogusbasinnordicteam.com

Boise Art Museum670 Julia Davis Dr., Boise 83702 ..........345-8330boiseartmuseum.org

Boise Dance Alliance Junior and Senior Summer Camp2475 S. Apple St., Ste. 104,Boise, 83706 ......................................703-4627boisedancealliance.com

Boise Hawks Baseball Camp5600 N. Glenwood St. Boise 83714 .....322-5000boisehawks.com

Boise Parks and Recreation..........................................................608-7680cityofboise.org/parks

Boise Racquet & Swim Club1116 N. Cole Rd., Boise 83704 ...........376-1052boisetennis.com

Boise State UniversityDepartment of Kinesiology Summer Youth Sports Program1910 University Dr., Boise 83725 ..............................426-1509kinesiology.boisestate.edu

Boise State University Summer Literacy Academy1910 University Dr., Boise 83726education.boisestate.edu/literacy/literacy-center/summer-literacy-academy/..........................................................426-2702

Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS)4821 W. Franklin Rd., Boise 83705 ............891-GROW (4769) ext. 101boiseurbangardenschool.org

Born To Succeed Early Care & Education Center Summer Programs4770 N. Shamrock Ave.,Boise, 83713 .............................658-5561brntosucceed.com

Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County911 N. Meridian Rd., Meridian 83642 ..................................888-5392610 E. 42nd St., Garden City 83714 .............................376-49601670 N. Linder Ave., Kuna 83634 ........954-5034adaclubs.org

Broadway Dance Center893 E. Boise Ave., Boise 83706 ...........342-6123patharrisdance.homestead.com

Bronco Elite Summer Day Camp1187 W. River St., Boise 83702 ...........389-9005broncoelite.com

Building Blocks IdahoBoise ..................................................284-2444buildingblocksidaho.com

Bullbots Lego Robotics Summer CampsMountain View High School2000 S. Millennium Way, Meridian 83642 ..................................855-4059bullbots.org

Cabin, The801 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise 83702 ........331-8000thecabinidaho.org

Caldwell Recreation618 Irving St., Caldwell 83605 .............455-3060cityofcaldwell.com

Camp Discovery, New Horizon Academy1830 N. Meridian Rd., Meridian 83646 ..................................887-388012692 W. LaSalle St., Boise 83713 .......................................376-269011978 W. Ustick Rd., Boise 83713 .......................................323-8900155 E. Boise Ave., Boise 83706 .......................................386-9108newhorizonacademy.net

Camp Invention ...............................800 968-4332 or 571-1074campinvention.org

Camp Millionaire by Capital Educators FCU275 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian 83642 ....884-0150capedfcu.org/camp

Camp Perkins Outdoor MinistriesLake Alturas Road near Stanley, ID. ........788-0897campperkins.org

Art Classes for Children & Teens • Ages 5 & UpPottery &

Art CampsNew Classes June 16th through

August 15th

Register by phone or email:345-7207

[email protected]

5-2014

538 W. State St.Eagle, ID 83616

Phone & FAX 939-5544eagleadventistchristian.com

[email protected]

Eagle’s only NAEYC accredited childcare!

Eagle Adventist Christian School“…where education meets application”• Summer Camp, Before & After School Care• Preschool, Full-time/Part-time Childcare• Kindergarten (half and full day) - 8th grade• Busing to local schools

05-2014

05-2014

Monday - Friday6:30am - 6pm

Full time orPart Time

658-55614770 N. Shamrock Ave. • Boisewww.brntosucceed.com

SUMMER PROGRAMSAges Kindergarten - 12 Years

Advertisers in this guide are listed in bold.

CAMPS Guide II


2014 FCA

Sports Camp

June 23-27NNU

Nampa, ID

Co-ed Camp for 7th-12th Graders - Sports Offered:Football, Basketball, Lacrosse, Swimming, Tennis,

XC, Golf, Volleyball, Wrestling, Soccer, Track, Cheer, Softball, Pole Vault

More info & to Register: 208-697-1051 or [email protected]

5-2014

Camp Pinewood Retreat & Conference Center300 Mission St., McCall 83638 ............634-5598camppinewood.org

Capital City Ballet Center8749 W. Hackamore Dr., Boise 83709 .......................................378-9752capitalcityballet.com

Cascade Kayak School’s Kids Paddling AdventureMain Payette River...............................800 292-7238 or 793-2221cascaderaft.com

Cathedral Pines Summer CampsKetchum 83340 ...................................726-5007cathedralpines.org

Ceramica1002 S. Vista Ave., Boise 83705 ..........342-3822ceramicaboise.com

Challenger School2020 W. Everest Lane, Meridian 83642 ..................................846-88885551 W. Bloom St., Boise 83703..........338-9500challengerschool.com

Club Kid Summer Camp at Wings Center1875 Century Way, Boise 83709..........376-3641wingscenter.com

Cross of Christ Soccer Camp11655 W. McMillan Rd.,Boise 83713 .......................................375-3992cocboise.org

Dance Arts Academy2989 Copper Point Dr., Meridian 83642 ..................................345-4832danceartsboise.com

Dance Unlimited11489 Fairview Ave., Boise 83713 .......322-8082danceunlimitedstudios.com

Danik Gymnastics547 S. Locust Grove Rd., Meridian 83642 ..................................846-8311danikgym.com

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center13751 Upper Embankment Rd., Nampa 83686 ....................................467-9278fws.gov/deerflat

Discovery Center of Idaho131 W. Myrtle St., Boise 83702 ...........343-9895dcidaho.org

Dream River Ranch (Horse Camp)8894 Martha Ave., Mountain Home 83647 ..............796-2228dreamriverranch.org

Eagle Adventist Christian Center538 W. State St., Eagle 83616 ....939-5544eagleadventistchristian.com

Eagle Children’s Theater223 N. Eagle Rd., (Inside Eagle Early Learning Center)Eagle, 83616 .....................................949-0153eaglechildrenstheater.com

Eagle Performing Arts Center1125 E. State St., Eagle 83616 ............338-4633epacdance.com

Edwards Greenhouse4106 Sand Creek St., Boise, 83703 ......342-7548edwardsgreenhouse.com

Especially Me! Self-Esteem Classes For Young Women350 N. 9th St., Boise 83702 ................424-5011jlboise.com

Environmental Resource Center’s EcoCamp471 N. Washington Ave., Ketchum 83340 ...................................726-4333ercsv.org

Fellowship of Christian Athletes CampNW Nazarene University, Nampa .........697-1051fcaidaho.org

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Kids & AdultsGreat way to try our program…

5 classes $20Summer

CampJuly 21-23

10 am - 1:30 pm

Super Self-Defense Camp $199Self -defense techniques, stranger

danger & bully proof techniques

68 E. Fairview Ave., Meridian846-9119

www.idahoujj.com

Pre-register and pay by June 15th to receive $50 off. Call for more details.

5-2014

CAMPS Guide II

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SacajaweaInterpretive, Cultural,& EducationAL CenterOpen Memorial Day through September

Ancestral/Primitive Skills & Craft ClassesThursdays & Fridays • June-August

•Outdoor Day Camps

June 18-20 • July 7-9 • July 14-16Contact us for more information

208-756-1188www.sacajaweacenter.org

5-2014

Fine Arts Camp3901 Cassia, Boise, 83705 .........344-8311artsthroughtime.weebly.com

First Tee of Idaho Treasure Valley ....................................938-3411TheFirstTeeIdaho.org

Foothills Learning Center3188 Sunset Peak Rd., Boise 83702 ......493-2530bee.cityofboise.org

Framework Learning..........................................................890-0008frameworklearning.com

Friends For Life Camp4775 Dorman St., Boise 83705 ............377-1716idahohumanesociety.org

Friendship Celebration Preschool765 E. Chinden Blvd., Meridian 83646 ..................................288-2404friendshipcelebration.org

Galena Lodge Youth Adventure CampKetchum 83340 ...................................726-4010galenalodge.com

Gem State Gymnastics Day Camp5420 W. State St., Boise 83703 ...........853-3220gemstategymnastics.com

Girl Scouts of Silver Sage CouncilCamp Alice Pittenger, McCall ................377-2011girlscouts—ssc.org

HSBCampsTreasure Valley ....................................720-1904hsbcamps.com

Idaho Botanical GardenBotany and Saturday Camps2355 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise 83712 .......................................343-8649idahobotanicalgarden.org

Idaho IceWorld7072 S. Eisenman, Boise 83716 ...........608-7716idahoiceworld.com

Idaho Martial Arts1580 E. State St., Suite 102, Eagle, 83616 .............................863-3673IdahoMartialArts.com

Idaho Museum Of Mining & GeologyGeo-Camp for Kids2455 N. Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise 83712 .......................................740-0937idahomuseum.org

Idaho Performing Arts175 S. Rosebud Lane, Eagle 83616 ......326-5099idahoarts.org

Idaho Shakespeare FestivalBoise .........................................336-9221idahoshakespeare.org

Idaho Tennis Association1076 N. Cole Rd., Boise 83704 ......................... 322-5150 ext. 202idtennis.com

Idaho Youth Soccer LLC1802 N. 12th St.,Boise 83702 .............866-9592soccertots.net/treasurevalley

Juniper Mountain Outfitters Inc.Stolle Meadows ...................................454-1322junipermountainoutfitters.com

Just For Kids/Boise School District8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise 83705 .......854-6723jfk.school.boiseschools.org

Key Leader CampUtah-Idaho District Kiwanis FoundationTrinity Pines in Cascade .......................431-3604keyleaderidaho.org

Kids Choice Great Summer Adventure2210 W. Everest Lane, Meridian 83642 ..................................888-7540mykidschoice.com

Kids in Action Day CampNampa Recreation Center131 Constitution Way, Nampa 83686 ...468-5777nampaparksandrecreation.org

Kids On The Keys Pre-Piano CampEsther Simplot Academy..........................................................466-4560musicalkidsonline.com

Lakewood Montessori Art & Science Camp2626 Gekeler Lane, Boise 83706 .........331-3888lakewood-montessori.com

Lee Pesky Learning Center3324 Elder St. Boise 83705 .................333-0008LPLearningCenter.org

Luther Heights Bible CampNear Ketchum .....................................886-7657lutherheights.org

Marianne’s Swim School1542 W. Sandy Court Meridian 83642 ..................................939-8248

CAMPS Guide II

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�0 May2014 | Idaho Family Magazine www.idahofamilymagazine.com

MDT WorkshopLocated at Cole Valley Christian School200 E. Carlton Ave., Meridian 83642......................................283-9207 or 871-3634mdtworkshop.com

Meridian ATA Martial Arts2240 E. Franklin Rd., Meridian 83642 .........................888-1855meridianata.com

Meridian Music and Arts Summer Camps934 E. 5th St., Meridian 83642 ............412-4748meridianmusicandarts.com

Meridian Parks & Recreation33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian 83642 ..................................888-3579meridiancity.org/parks_rec

Meridian Police Activities League (PAL)250 N. Baltic Place, Ste. A., Meridian 83642 ..................................888-6030meridianpal.org

Morrison Center Summer Performance CampsBSU Campus .......................................426-1110MorrisonCenter.com

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6 Week

Karate Camp

June 9 - July 14

$99Ages: 6-12 years Each Monday 5 - 6 pm• Basic Karate • Japanese Calligraphy • Class in the Park (Eagle) • How to stand up to Bullies • Warrior Challenge • Cha do Japanese Tea and Graduation

Full Karate Day Camp July 28 $59 6-12 years

Includes snacks 9 am - 5 pm

[email protected] www.IdahoMartialArts.com

208.863.3673

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www.idahofamilymagazine.com Idaho Family Magazine | May2014�1

CAMPS Guide II

Make New Friends!Weekly Themes!Martial Arts!

Weekly Field Trips!Weekly Swimming!Safe Learning

BEST

of the year!

INCLUDES:• Fun-packed activities from 8:30am-6:30pm• Early care available• Family Discounts available

Structured Environment!Our summer camp is fi lled

with entertaining and exciting activities led by Meridian ATA

Instructors. Have a blast every day with Lego® Building

Challenges, Dart Wars, Swimming, Archery and more!

Weekly themed Day Camps starting June 9 thru August 22

Full Time/Part Time/Daily Rates 8:30 am - 6:30pmwww.meridianata.com • 888-1855

4-2014

Mountain West Gymnastics60 N. Cole Rd., Boise 83704 ......869-1693mountainwestgymnastics.com

Music Center Studios/Kindermusik12516 W. Fairview Ave., Ste. B., Boise 83713 .......................................861-6056MusicCenterStudios.com

Nampa ATA Martial Arts2108 Caldwell Blvd. Ste. 117, Nampa 83651........................................546-9282NampaATA.com

Nampa Civic Center Summer Arts311 Third St. South, Nampa 83651 ......468-5500nampaciviccenter.com

Nampa Recreation Center131 Constitution Way, Nampa, 83686 ..........................468-5858nampaparksandrecreation.org

Natural Resources CampSun Valley ...........................................736-3634extension.uidaho.edu/nrc

Opera Idaho Summer Camp513 S. 8th St., Boise 83702 ...... 345-3531, ext. 2operaidaho.org/childrens-programs

Operation Military Kids Summer CampUniversity of Idaho 4-H .....334-2328 or 334-2332uidaho.edu/extension/4h/programs/omk/omkcamps

Ore-Ida Boy Scout Council8901 W. Franklin Rd., Boise 83709 ......376-4411oreida-bsa.org

Paradise Point Camp2755 Eastside Dr., McCall 83638 .............................345-4440paradisepointcamp.org

Parkside School1017 E. Park Blvd., Boise 83712 ..........283-2777parksideschool.boise.com

Pat Harris School of Dance1225 McKinney St., Boise 83704 .........375-3255patharrisdance.homestead.com

PCS Edventures Lab345 Bobwhite Ct. Ste. 200, Boise 83706.....................................343-3110 ex. 101EdventuresLab.com

Pierce Park Greens Junior Clinics5812 N. Pierce Park Lane, Boise 83714 .......................................853-3302pierceparkgolf.com

Pilgrim Cove Camp & Conference Center1075 Plymouth Rd., McCall 83638 .......634-5555pilgrimcovecamp.org

Polaris Learning Center Adventure Club1323 E. Iron Eagle Dr., Eagle 83616 ..............................939-98306224 Birch Lane, Nampa 83687 ...........................466-1322polarislearning.net

Puentes Language ProgramsPuentes Spanish School1605 S. Phillippi St., Boise 83705.........344-4270puentes.biz

Quaker Hill Camp & Conference CenterMcCall 83638 ....................................634-2083quakerhillcamp.org

Reuseum, The108 W. 33rd St., Garden City 83714 ...375-7507educate.reuseum.org

Rising Stars Performing Arts Camps11505 W. Fairview Ave., Boise 83713 .......................................921-6651idahorisingstars.com

Riverroots Ltd. Whitewater Summer CampsBoise River ..........................................850-7637riverrootskayak.com

Riverstone International School5521 Warm Springs Ave., Boise 83716 .......................................424-5000riverstoneschool.org

Rose Hill Montessori Summer Camp4603 Albion St., Boise 83705 ..............385-7674rosehillmontessori.com

Department of Kinesiology presents

Summer Youth Sports Program 2014

Session 1 : June 9-27 Session 2: July 7-25Children ages 5-14 — all skill and ability levels

Register beginning April 14th

kinesiology.boisestate.edu

Email: [email protected]

426-1509

5-2014


Modern Manners for Kids

Summer Camp!Socialization and Dining Skills for Boys and Girls

Grades 1-6

The School of Etiquette, Leadershipand Image Development

Director: Susan Evans 631-0576

www.socialessence.com 5-2014

June 23 - June 27July 14 - July 18

orAugust 4 - August 8

11am- 1pmMonday - Friday

5-2014

Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center2 miles east of Salmon, Idaho, Hwy. 28 ..........................756-1188sacajaweacenter.org

Salvation Army Nampa Youth Center403 12th Ave. S. Nampa 83631............................................ 467-6586 ext. 205thesalvationarmynampa.orgSawtooth CampNorth of Fairfield .............. 00 593-7539 ext. 213gocamping.org

Shiloh Bible Conference (Shiloh Bible Camp)13165 Gestrin, Donnelly 83610 ...........325-8239shilobibleconference.com

Social Essence—Modern Manners For KidsTreasure Valley ..........................631-0576socialessence.com

Stepping Stones Children’s Center12228 Bridger Bay Drive, Star 83669 ...286-9362steppingstoneschildcenter.com

Super Kids’ Quest Camps & Skill Thrill Grade School CampThe Little Gym of Eagle/Meridian3210 E. Chinden Blvd. Ste. 120, Eagle 83616 .......................................938-6185thelittlegym.com/eaglemeridianid

Treasure Valley Ballet Academy Summer Dance Camps1545 E. Leigh Field Dr., Ste. 150, Meridian 83646 ..................................855-0167tvballet.com

Treasure Valley Children’s Theater703 N. Main St., Meridian 83642 .................................. 287-TVCTtreasurevalleychildrenstheater.com

Treasure Valley Family Signing..........................................................559-6042treasurevalleyfamilysigning.com

Treasure Valley Institute for Children’s Arts1406 Eastman St.,Boise 83702 .............344-2220trica.org

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www.idahofamilymagazine.com Idaho Family Magazine | May2014��

CAMPS Guide II

2014 Idaho’s Overall Club of the YearOptional, Compulsory & Xcel

mountainwestgymnastics.com

01-2014

New Location: 60 N. Cole Rd. • Boise • 869-1693

100% gymnastics all the time! 100% dedication to bringing high level competition to the Treasure Valley. Come see the difference.

Entire Summer of Recreational Gymnastic Classes12-Week Session Starting June 9th

Sign Up Now! Spots Limited. First Come. First Serve!

Summer Special$99

CoopaloLearning Center

208-484-3816www.CoopaloLearningCenter.comemail:[email protected]

Specializing in Dyslexia

one on one tutoring for Reading, Writing, Spelling, and Math

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Arts Through TimeFine Arts Camp

1st - 8th GradeJuly 14 - 18

Sacred Heart School3901 Cassia, Boise

8:30 am - 3 pm Monday - Thursday

Performance on Friday 8:30 am to Noon

Exploring historical periods in the Arts with acting, singing, dancing, creating and discovering the connection between science and the arts.

artsthroughtime.weebly.comDebbie Fischer 344-8311 5-

201405-2014

Ages 7-15Day & Overnight

CampsAdult Camps Too!

Classes include safetyaround horses, horsecare,

showmanship, balanced-seat riding, trail riding and

horseback riding games.

Overnight campers sleep in ateepee, eat 3 camp cooked

meals per day. Threeinstructor/camp counselors.

Summer Horse Camp

June, July & August CampsSHEtherapy.orgCall Willa Rose

602-3265

Treasure Valley YMCA Youth Day CampsCaldwell Family YMCA..................................................454-9622Downtown Family YMCA..................................................344-5501Homecourt Y ..............................855-5711West Family YMCA .....................377-9622ymcatvidaho.org

Trinity Pines Camps and Conference Center349 Cabarton Road, Cascade 83611 ...382-6200tpines.org

U & Me CampHorsethief Reservoir..............................870-8000CarolynCasy.net

Ultimate Karate & Jiu-Jitsu68 E. Fairview Ave., Meridian 83642 .........................846-9119idahoujj.com

Urban Ascent308 S. 25th St., Boise 83702 ...............363-7325urbanascent.com

Xpressions Dance Academy16048 N. 20th St., Nampa 83687 .......466-1229xpressionsdanceacademy.com

Young At Art1304 E. Boise Ave., Boise 83706 ..............................345-7207

Vellotti’s Chess School..........................................................713-2486SuccessInChess.com

Village Charter School219 N. Roosevelt, Boise 83706 ............336-2000thevillagecharterschool.org

Y Camp at Horsethief Reservoir....................................345-5502 ext. 250ycampidaho.org

Zoo Boise Summer Camp355 Julie Davis Dr., Boise 83702 ..........608-7760zooboise.org

SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPSAdvancing Adventures in CommunicationsCampus of NW Nazarene University..........................................................489-5066akuhlmeier@elksrehab.org

AdVenture Teen Summer CampGrace Jordan Community Center, Boise 83709 .......................................608-7680cityofboise.org/parks/activities

American Cancer Society’sCamp Rainbow Gold216 W. Jefferson, Boise 83702 .............350-6435camprainbowgold.org

Camp HodiaAltruas Lake in Sawtooth Mountains .......891-1023hodia.org

Camp Meadowood SpringsThe Institute For Rehabilitation, Research & Recreation, Inc.Pendleton, Oregon ........................541 276-2572meadowoodsprings.org


Medicaid and Insurance Accepted

• Speech Language Therapy• Physical & Occupational Therapy• Counseling• CBRS• Habilitative Intervention• Habilitative Support

323-8888www.childrenstherapyplace.com 05

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4

Summer ProgramsSensory Groups

Handwriting Groups& More…

Locations: Boise • Nampa • Emmett

Chatterbox Speech & Language Center7451 W. Iron Dr., Boise 83704 ....................................................... 898-1368320 11th Ave. South, Nampa 83651 ............................................... 466-1077

Camp River Run1045 S. Ancona Ave. Ste. 140, Eagle 83616 ................................... 286-1078campriverrun.org

Children’s Therapy Place Inc.Boise, Nampa, Emmett ......................................................323-8888childrenstherapyplace.com

Coopalo Learning Center3424 Bogus Basin Rd., Boise 83702 ..................................484-3816CoopaloLearningCenter.com

Glory Children AcademyBoise ............................................................................................ 870-0563glorychildren.org

Healing Hearts Bereavement Camp420 S. Orchard St., Boise 83705 ..................................................... 275-0000lifesdoors.com/healinghearts

Idaho Adaptive Cheer 7665-B Mossy Cup, Boise 83709 ..................................................... 861-6387idahocheer.com

Idaho Youth Adaptive Sports CampFort Boise Community Center, Boise 83702 ....................................... 608-7680cityofboise.org/wheelchairsportscamp

Muscular Dystrophy Association MDA Summer Camp1440 Warren Wagon Rd., McCall 83638 ........................................ 327-0107mdausa.org

Ride For Joy Therapeutic Riding ProgramBoise ............................................................................................ 365-0671rideforjoy.org

Seastrand Swim School10050 W. Crown Dr., Boise 83709 ................................................. 362-6649

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Professional Birth and Postpartum Services

Providing emotional, physical, and

educational support during pregnancy,

birth and the postpartum period

[email protected]

208.649.6194

5-2014

Specializing inwomen’s health and

pediatric development in the Treasure Valley

BOISE300 Main St., Suite 103

287.2299

MERIDIAN1560 N. Crestmont, Suite E

288.1776

Call Anacker Clinic of Chiropractic

TODAY for your Complimentary

Consultation

04-2014

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a Happy PostpartumEase postpartum and menopausal hormonal fl uctuations• Contains your own natural hormones• Balances your system• Replenishes depleted iron• Gives you more energy• Increases milk production• Hastens uterus to pre-pregnancy state

Baby Belly Doula and Placenta EncapsulationCarina Hays CD(DONA), CPES(PBi)

Certifi ed Labor Doula and Certifi ed Placenta Encapsulation Specialistplacentabenefi ts.info/carinahays

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Arms to hold them when you cant!

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[email protected]

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In-HomeLactation Consults

&Breastfeeding

Products

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Idaho BABIESBABYStepsA free resource for new momsBy Gaye Bunderson

Expecting a baby can be scary, with the responsibilities of caring for a newborn and the finances involved in birth and child-rearing. Those concerns are compounded for low-in-come women, who frequently don’t have health care insurance or family support. Enter BabySteps, a ministry of St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral in Boise. The program provides educa-tion, friendship, support and even basic essentials such as diapers to mothers in need.

“Many women say they’ve found a family-like community at BabySteps. When you’re surrounded by people who can relate to your situation, you feel connected and not isolated. We see how empowering that connection can be,” Allison Demarest, director of BabySteps, said.

The program receives support from St. Michael’s congre-gation and the community at large. It also reached a formal collaboration a year ago with an area program called Family Advocates that provides in-home visitation services to mothers.

“A new mom may have no community, no social network. That connection is created here,” Diane Demarest, Family Advocates chief operating officer, said.

“Poverty is a culture that is often misunderstood,” said Al-lison. “By taking a strengths-based approach, we can support families in creating relationships that strengthen their resil-ience, social connections, and more. We get to watch families grow in amazing ways.”

She said BabySteps takes a different view of success for the population it serves, looking at it through a different lens and seeing people move ahead in small, incremental ways.

Approximately 75 Treasure Valley professionals — from physicians to dentists to financial advisers — volunteer to teach once a month at BabySteps. Moms enrolled in the program earn points by participating in parenting classes, prenatal education and health care, play groups and other services. The points may be used to purchase clothing and baby furnishings at the donations-stocked BabySteps Boutique.

BabySteps is located at 518 N. 8th St. at St. Michael’s Epis-copal Cathedral across from the State Capitol. Hours are: Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m.; Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to noon; and Thurs-

days, 4-6 p.m. Enrollment takes place Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. Child care is provided during all programs and is offered through church and community vol-unteers, as well as BabySteps graduates who want to give back.

BabySteps started at St. Michael’s 10 years ago, and dur-ing that time, according to Director Demarest, 1,400 women availed themselves of its services. Annually, 125-150 women are served, and weekly, BabySteps averages around 50-60 women over the three days it is opened. Moms participate until their child reaches 15 months of age.

BabySteps also hosts a dads’ group. For more information about all program offerings, call 342-5601, email [email protected] or visit babystepsidaho.com. n

Jessica Whitehouse, seated at right, watches her daughter Athena crawl and holds a newborn named Bentlee Mae Hines. In the background is Family Advocates employee Brenda Wood. The photo was taken at BabySteps in Boise. (Photo courtesy of BabySteps)


Idaho BABIESBODY After BabyBe stronger than ever beforeBy Maggie Williamson

The process of getting back in shape after a baby can be a challenging one. My own pregnancy was a bit complicated. I spent much of it on bed-rest and gave birth to twins who were about seven pounds each, so I understand that it can be tough! Yet there’s something about becoming a mom that gives many women a new strength they never tapped into pre-baby. I encourage you to believe you are capable of being healthi-er and stronger than ever before. Here are a few tips for navigating the process.

Be kind to yourselfBe gracious and patient with yourself.

The changes your body has gone through in the last 9+ months are vast. Your body has played an extraordinary part in bring-ing about another human! So do the best with the body you have now, not the one you had before baby. It doesn’t mean you can never have a rockin’ body again, but it probably won’t be the exact same rockin’ body you had before baby.

Eat wellYour dietary habits will account for

most of your outcome. There is a vast ocean of nutrition information out there and it can be challenging to sift through it all. Here are some basic guidelines that will serve you well:

• Eat an abundance of fruits and veg-gies.

• Avoid processed foods. They tend to involve sugar, preservatives and trans-fats.

• Make sure you get plenty of fiber and lean protein. Think of them as your best buddies for combating hunger.

• Reduce your portion sizes, veggies be-ing the one exception…eat more of those!

• Eat often: start first thing in the morn-ing. Aim for a snack or small meal about every three hours. This keeps blood sugar and insulin levels stable and may even help you maintain willpower (since you won’t get too hungry).

• If dairy agrees with you, aim for three servings a day. Multiple studies indicate that dairy helps shed belly fat and that drinking milk post-exercise optimizes fat burn and muscle gain.

• Eat slowly and mindfully.

Get moving Make sure that your medical provider

gives you the green light for activity. Generally, it’s recommended that women wait about six weeks to start exercising for vaginal birth and eight weeks for a C-sec-tion. Plan to start slowly, especially if you had complications.

• Activities such as walking, swimming, biking and gentle yoga may be good places to start.

• Listen to your body. Remember that do-ing too much too soon could lead to injury or complications that will only serve as a setback.

• When you are ready, be sure to incorpo-rate resistance training and cardiovascular exercise — both are imperative to getting fit!

• As for your tummy, it’s been through a lot, so give it time. You can’t spot re-duce…you’ll need to lose body fat to shrink your belly. That said, some great exercises include: plank pose, side plank, ‘bicycling’ on your back (elbow to knee), and crunches on a stability ball. A strong core is the foun-dation of your fitness (and combats back problems too).

Set goalsMake them specific, behavior oriented and

realistic. It’s fine to have a long-term goal, but short-term goals are more motivating in the here and now. For example:

• Do a full body resistance circuit three times this week

• Log everything you eat for 14 daysRather than:• Drop five pounds• Get down to a size 6By focusing on the behavior rather than

the outcome you are more apt to feel in con-trol. When you fulfill a goal, reward yourself in some meaningful way (a massage, a new workout top, or just a little time to yourself).

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Exceptional learning experiences for children six weeks through school ageProfessional & experienced teachers

A curriculum that provides a variety of educational opportunities for all learning stylesWide variety of scheduling options including half days and varied scheduling

Call the location of your choice to schedule a tour or for more information

Eagle939-9830

Nampa (near the CWI campus)

466-1322www.polarislearning.net

...inspiring young minds

05-2

014

Half-day preschool positions still

available for our 2013-2014 School

Year At Our Nampa Campus

Idaho BABIESI encourage you to focus on forming healthy life habits,

rather than immediately getting back into your skinny jeans. Remind yourself you are in this to go the distance, not just survive a quick sprint. Quick results sound appealing, but if you can’t sustain it, you will regain it!

Make the timeSince you probably won’t find the time, you’re going to have

to MAKE it! Be creative and sneak it in where you can. Here are some suggestions:

• Partner with other new moms: support each other and hold each other accountable. Walk or work out together, trade babysitting time, etc.

• Have baby be your workout buddy. Walk the mall to-gether. Do swats or lunges while holding her. Do an exercise circuit or DVD while he watches in awe.

• Every little bit adds up. If you have five minutes, do each of the following for a minute each: high-knee march, plank pose, bent-knee push ups, squats, and dips (on the edge of a chair). Do this five times a day and you’ve got your workout in.

• Take a walk to a local park and do a circuit of exercises using the playground equipment (for a creative playground workout circuit, check out this link: http://boisestrongmom.com/videos/).Have realistic expectations

Getting back in shape will take some time. This is assuming you aren’t a celebrity with a nanny, chef, and trainer on speed dial. If you have unrealistic ideas regarding your time frame, you’re likely to end up frustrated. In contrast, if you expect it to take a while, and you make faster progress than you anticipate, you are likely to feel encouraged. A couple issues to keep in mind: a C-section is a major abdominal surgery, so don’t expect to bounce back in a month. Second, a word about breastfeed-ing: it helps some women shed pounds, but isn’t the magic solu-tion for all women (I actually gained weight!).

Getting your body back after baby may feel overwhelming at first. When you feel like throwing in the towel, find your moti-vation in your little one(s). Think about setting a good example: model healthy habits and a health-based focus. It’s not about a number on the scale, it’s about eating well and staying active so you can live a dynamic life and be around to see grandbabies. When you make caring for your health a non-negotiable prior-ity, you are modeling that it IS truly important. n

Maggie Williamson is a health coach, NASM-certified (National Academy of Sports Medicine) personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist. She holds a master’s de-gree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in psychol-ogy. Her business, BoiseStrongMom.com, specializes in working with women seeking to improve their overall health and well-being.

Documents

Idaho Family Magazine May 2014