Okay. The last few months, we've been a little serious here at Mom Around Town. And I know it's totally awesome that we have come to some deeper understanding of life. Sit with me and chant, "Ooommmm."
But moving on...
This month I want to talk to you about all the ah-mazing fall things this area has to offer to get you in that autumn spirit. I mean, really, just shout, "Pumpkin Spice Latte!" and I'm about as autumn-spirited as they come. But in case you're trying to work up the energy to spiderweb your door or put some spooky stuff in that yard, here are some opportunities to getcha in the mood!
October 9 - Pumpkins, pumpkins, we love pumpkins! I'm going to take us out to Arcadia, where the Parkhurst Ranch offers a petting zoo, pony rides, hayrides, bonfires, and of course, pumpkins! Oh, and there's a corn maze too. Why does that always make me think of the movie Signs? So creepy...but even better for getting in the spooky spirit!
October 16 - Lake Arcadia's Storybook Forest! Opening October 23 this year, the Storybook Forest offers those kiddos the chance to trick or treat with all their favorite story book characters, from Rapunzel to the Three Little Pigs. Also, not only can your kids dress up and explore the lovely trail through the woods, but there are carnival-like games at the end as well.
October 23 - Haunt the Zoo! What's more fun than seeing all those crazy animals? Seeing them while your kid is dressed in a rockin' costume, of course, at Haunt the Zoo! Starting October 26, this event gets the week of Halloween started with a roar.
October 30 - Trick or Treat Safety. Did I say we're going to have fun this month? I did. I totally did. But on this night before the scariest night of all, we'll be addressing the basics of trick or treating safety, with some cool ideas to keep your children from thinking, "Parents are such a drag."
So stay tuned for some spookilicious information! Because those of us with kids need to participate in this stuff while we've got an excuse to do so!
Showing posts with label activities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label activities. Show all posts
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Time to start thinking...summer activities for those older kids
For the past two weeks, I've given you a pretty big list of the summer activities Edmond has to offer the littlest of kids as well as gradeschoolers. So, I now offer you some ideas for those kids on the brink of independence. Yep, middle and high school kids can definitely benefit from keeping busy this summer.
Cordell Ehrich, Principal at Cimarron Middle School, agrees, saying that not only is keeping older kids engaged during the summer important for keeping them out of trouble, but it’s an opportunity for them to explore new areas of interest to them.
But that's not the only reason you should keep kids involved. For older kids, Ehrich says connecting with peers is critical. “For middle schoolers, the social aspect is especially important to them, so summer activities give them the opportunity to have connected with more friends and have more connections on that first day of school."
So without further yapping, here's some possibilities.
Explore leadership...The Edmond YMCA will offer Camp E.L.I.T.E. (Empowering Leaders In Teamwork and Education), a program for youth 13 - 15 looking to grow as responsible leaders while building confidence. Campers will learn teamwork, service, child guidance, and decision making skills through activities and mentoring during the summer.
Enhance skills...Both the Edmond and Deer Creek School systems offer camps for athletics during the summer, as well as driver's education. Check with the district to see what is available for your child. Also, the Coffee Creek Golf Course, Edmond Racquet Club, Arctic Edge Ice Arena, and Edmond Soccer Club offer private camps and lessons to improve skills.
Learn something new...Kids this age still like to learn new things, and sometimes undiscovered talents and interests can make their way into the limelight during summer camps or classes. The Fine Arts Institute of Edmond and Upstage Theater allow teenagers to explore their artistic sides, while the Francis Tuttle Summer Quest Classes offers everything from babysitter training to crime investigation skills to culinary arts (and much more)!
Do something good...There's no better time than the summer to devote to volunteering. Not only is it great experience and a college application builder, but volunteering gives teens the opportunity to discover the many ways they can make a difference already. Whether it's helping with vacation Bible school, getting involved with a charitable organization, training for a fundraising race, or helping out at a homeless shelter (like the City Rescue Mission), kids get the biggest attitude adjustment when they realize just how much they have.
Get experience...And speaking of gaining experience, summer is a great time to fill out a job application, get experience with job interviews, and earn some money. Learning how to balance work and play can be a great lesson the summer can teach any of us, but especially at an age when independence must be earned.
Well, I hope that helps! I'm a few years off from this age with my own kids, but the wheels are already turning.
Cordell Ehrich, Principal at Cimarron Middle School, agrees, saying that not only is keeping older kids engaged during the summer important for keeping them out of trouble, but it’s an opportunity for them to explore new areas of interest to them.
But that's not the only reason you should keep kids involved. For older kids, Ehrich says connecting with peers is critical. “For middle schoolers, the social aspect is especially important to them, so summer activities give them the opportunity to have connected with more friends and have more connections on that first day of school."
So without further yapping, here's some possibilities.
Explore leadership...The Edmond YMCA will offer Camp E.L.I.T.E. (Empowering Leaders In Teamwork and Education), a program for youth 13 - 15 looking to grow as responsible leaders while building confidence. Campers will learn teamwork, service, child guidance, and decision making skills through activities and mentoring during the summer.
Enhance skills...Both the Edmond and Deer Creek School systems offer camps for athletics during the summer, as well as driver's education. Check with the district to see what is available for your child. Also, the Coffee Creek Golf Course, Edmond Racquet Club, Arctic Edge Ice Arena, and Edmond Soccer Club offer private camps and lessons to improve skills.
Learn something new...Kids this age still like to learn new things, and sometimes undiscovered talents and interests can make their way into the limelight during summer camps or classes. The Fine Arts Institute of Edmond and Upstage Theater allow teenagers to explore their artistic sides, while the Francis Tuttle Summer Quest Classes offers everything from babysitter training to crime investigation skills to culinary arts (and much more)!
Do something good...There's no better time than the summer to devote to volunteering. Not only is it great experience and a college application builder, but volunteering gives teens the opportunity to discover the many ways they can make a difference already. Whether it's helping with vacation Bible school, getting involved with a charitable organization, training for a fundraising race, or helping out at a homeless shelter (like the City Rescue Mission), kids get the biggest attitude adjustment when they realize just how much they have.
Get experience...And speaking of gaining experience, summer is a great time to fill out a job application, get experience with job interviews, and earn some money. Learning how to balance work and play can be a great lesson the summer can teach any of us, but especially at an age when independence must be earned.
Well, I hope that helps! I'm a few years off from this age with my own kids, but the wheels are already turning.
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