March 2014

March 2014March 2014

The importance of creative play

Page 14

Page 20

Page 12

wild child!

+

Learning beyond

class

Divide and conquer

parenting too much divide?

Raheem, 4, and

Ronak, 1, of Woodbury

Rock on

Pure fun at Camp Kesem iCampBig imagination on the small stage

Bakken brainstorm Spanish immersionSTARTING ON PAGE 31

LEARN ABOU

T

MORE THAN

100 DIFFERE

NT

CAMPS!

Page 71

+

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6camp i" uetheCONTENTS Minnesota ParentMarch 2014

Departments

Out&About

On the coverRaheem and Ronak, sons of Sameera and Ravi Soni.PHOTO BY MANDY DWYER, GLIMPSES OF SOUL PHOTOGRAPHY GLIMPSESOFSOUL.COM

10 CHATTER

12 BABY ON BOARDThe general weirdness of divide and conquer parenting.

14 TODDLER TIMESometimes you just have to let your child paint in the bathtub.

16 ASK THE PEDIATRICIANHow to select a new pediatrician.

18 IN THE KITCHENSo its not really spring, but you can start cooking like it is.

20 TWEENS & TEENSUsing out-of-school time for learning.

22 HOT STUFFGreat products for the great outdoors.

24 GROWS ON TREESMake tax time a little less painful.

26 BOOK SHELFStories for Our Fragile Planet and other books about nature.

28 RELATIONSHIPSHow to focus on whats working in your relationship.

82 REAL LIFE Chemical crusader Sara McLoone.

Page 63

ALL ABOUT PURE FUNAt Camp Kesem, a normal camp experience is the goal.By Cali Owings

31

SMALL STAGE, BIG CREATIVITYAn experience in building miniature theater productions.By Zoe Gahan

41

BRAINSTORMING AT THE BAKKENScience camps help kids brainstorm inventions.By Emily Mongan

49

A CONSERVATION ETHICDeep Portage o! ers camps for young explorers, hunters and wilderness enthusiasts.By Cali Owings

60

APPLE CAMPApple Camps give kids the tools to bring their visions to life.By Emily Mongan

37

IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR SLEEPAWAY CAMP?Factors to consider.By Julie Kendrick

44

CULTURAL CONTEXTCamp at Joyce Preschool o! ers life skills, cultural lessons.By Zoe Gahan

54

camp i" ueCAMP RESOURCES

Page 71

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8It was like we had our daughter back. When I read those words while editing this issue, I think I had my first glimpse of what summer camp is really all about.

Camp is a big deal at Minnesota Parent because its a big deal to our readers. But unfortunately I never actually went to camp myself.

Working here for seven years has meant Ive worked on a lot of camp content, so I thought I had a pretty good understanding of the camp thing. Until I read the story with the daughter who was truly back when she returned from camp.

The girl is nine-year-old Autumn, and she attended Camp Kesem, which is featured in this issue beginning on page 31. And Camp Kesem is a camp for kids with a parent who has battled cancer. And its a pretty great example of the power of camp.

Theres a quote from the camp co-director a little further along in the story: We want to make sure that camp is one week of pure fun.

Maybe that quote isnt as dramatic as the first one. Or maybe it is. The idea that a group of kids facing such a challenge could get together with the goal of pure fun is pretty powerful.

Camp Kesem isnt about therapy, nor is it about providing an escape. Camp Kesem is about the same thing that all camps are about: A group of kids with something in common be it an interest, a talent, a challenge or whatever put together to have some fun.

Throw in a little shared anxiety, newfound independence, and some new responsibilities and a funny thing happens. Kids gain confidence. Here Ill give you a third quote from the feature.

If it werent for Camp Kesem I would probably still be like a turtle hiding in its shell.

That one, from Autumn herself, sums it all up. I never went to camp myself, but now I do think Im starting to

understand what its really about.

What camp is really all about

From the editor

Dana Croatt, Interim Editor

8 March 2014

GYMNASTICS TUMBLING

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9Co-PublishersJanis Hall

[email protected]

Terry Gahan [email protected]

General ManagerChris Damlo

612-436-4376 [email protected]

Contributing Writers/PhotographersShannon Keough

Jen WittesPeter Dehnel

Joy RiggsKara McGuireSean TorenCali Owings

Emily MonganZoe Gahan

Julie Kendrick

Creative DirectorDana Croatt

[email protected]

Senior Graphic DesignerValerie Moe

Graphic DesignerAmanda Wadeson

Sales AdministratorKate Manson


CirculationMarlo Johnson


Advertising612-825-9205 [email protected]

PrintingBrown Printing

60,000 copies of Minnesota Parent are printed monthly, available at news stands statewide.

Get Minnesota Parent mailed to your home for just $12 a year. Call 612-825-9205 for more information.

Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications.

POSTMASTER send address changes to:MINNESOTA PARENT, 1115 Hennepin Avenue S.

Minneapolis, MN 55403. Minnesota Parent is copyright 2014 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole

or part without written permission is prohibited. Address all material to address above.

Vol. 29 Issue 3

March 2014 9

The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently pregnant or less than 6 weeks postpartum to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth

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10

Thin Mints and Tagalongs and Samoas, oh my! March is your last chance to get Girl Scout cookies! Girls Scouts in Minnesota and Wisconsin will be selling their tasty treats until Sunday, March 23. Use their convenient cookie locator at girlscoutsrv.org to fi nd cookies nearest you. The program is about much more than just cookies and helps teach girls business skills, fi nancial competence, goal setting, and people skills. Profi ts raised through the Cookie Program help to fund troop activities and community service projects. Find out more, and learn how your daughter could become a Girl Scout, at girlscoutsrv.org.

Allergies or medical conditions can create a unique challenge for children on the go or heading o! to summer camps. To that end, Hope Paige had created a set of medical ID bracelets that are discreet enough in everyday wear so as not to draw attention, but will instantly provide necessary information to any camp counselor or medical professional if the need arises. They are customizable and available in a wide variety of colors. Check them out at hopepaige.com.

Good food habits, early on: The Minnesota born LANA Nutrition Program helps introduce young children to healthy foods at their childcare or preschool, providing hands-on experiences to cook and taste a variety of fruits and vegetables. Many children who participate in the program have been shown to increase the amounts of these foods they eat in and out of school. The program, which stands for Learning About Nutrition through Activities, is the outgrowth of a successful 24-week program designed by the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota. And speaking of eating well, March is recognized as National Nutrition Month by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, so it may be a perfect time to open the door to conversations about healthy eating with your young ones. Learn more and see a video of the program in action at lananutrition.com.

MINNESOTA PARENT LIKES

MINNESOTA PARENT SAFETY

Dont let packing for an overnight summer camp become a source of stress. Check with the camp to see what kind of storage space will be available, and have your child pack early to avoid problems. It might be tempting to over-pack just to cover your bases, but an over-full suitcase can lead to frustration for a kid or counselor as they dig to fi nd the right items when they need them. Check the list created by The American Camp Association for a starting point of necessary items at campparents.org/travellight. And remember to break in any new shoes or sandals before camp to avoid blisters that can interrupt camp fun. Be sure to check out Hot Stu! on page 22 for some snazzy outdoor items.

Camp season is fast approaching! Get a jump on your summer planning and enjoy a day at Como Zoo in St. Paul with the help of Minnesota Parents Camp Fair. You and your child can meet representatives from over 50 di! erent camps and summer activity coordinators to fi nd the best fi t for everyone. Meet a Como Zoo animal up-close, get your face painted and enjoy live entertainment and music. The Fair will be held March 8th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visit mnparent.com/camp-fair for more information. See you there!

A recall has been issued that covers 11 models of Graco child carseats sold between 2009 and 2013. The buckles of the seat often needed excessive force to be unlatched, occasionally to the point of needing to be cut to free children. To see a! ected models visit mprnews.org/story/2014/02/11/graco-recalls-car-seats

If you have a budding artist on your hands, get this: The Guthrie Theater has announced a Shakespeare art contest for children grades 412 in association with The Acting Companys production of Hamlet. The winners artwork will be reprinted as the cover image of the Shakespeare Classic program an event designed to introduce Shakespeare to a younger audience and their school will receive 50 free tickets to see the play. The deadline for submissions is April 4th. More details at guthrietheater.org/artcontest.

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11

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12

Shannon Keough

And then there were twoThe idea of having two kids (or more) has always scared me a little. Im an only child, so the prospect of having just one baby has never seemed lonely or selfish to me things Ive heard applied to the only child situation just normal.

And since I have no personal experience with sibling dynamics, I was concerned about how that might impact my ability to parent two kids. My husband often credits my inability to understand playful fighting or competitive banter to my only-child status. If I were to witness my two theoretical children in some standard-issue sibling argument, would I just stare at them in confusion, unable to comprehend it and respond appropriately?

But then I became pregnant with a second child and I thought, Well, why not? Our daughter Lydia was almost a year and a half old when we found out, so the newborn days were well behind us. Lydia was sleeping well, generally jolly of temperament and had seemed like an actual little person (instead of a perplexing baby) for quite some time. Although in some ways it seemed too soon, and I could definitely remember the trials of the newborn period, I figured I could handle another child.

My first surprise came with the onset of the first trimester. Although my first pregnancy was relatively easy, the second one was much more difficult. (See my November column, What to expect when youre expectingagain, for more about that.) Add to that the fact of having to care for my active toddler, and I basically felt done-in before the contractions even started.

Of course, the real surprises surfaced when we brought little baby Felix back from the hospital. At first, things at home seemed relatively calm. Lydia had been in a months-long daddy phase, so my husband Nick was able to seamlessly take on most of the toddler care with little drama. I, on the other hand, took on baby duty, dutifully getting up with Felix every three hours or so to address his hunger,

diapers and so on. This went on with little incident for a day or two.Then Lydia became significantly ill for the first time in her

young life. Throwing up, a fever, coughing, and so much

Instead of Nick and Shannon, it was now Nick and Lydia and Shannon and Felix.

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13more. Since she suddenly refused to sleep alone in her crib, Nick shacked up with her in another room, staying awake all night long while Lydia coughed and moaned beside him. Meanwhile, the relentless, 24-hour newborn schedule started to seriously take its toll on me. And then, of course, we all came down with Lydias illness in the days that followed.

Many parents of two have described the aforementioned divide and conquer coping strategy for handling two kids, and it made logical sense to me. I was expecting to fall into that dynamic, at least at the beginning.

What I wasnt expecting was how weird this would seem in practice. Its like weve split off into two new couples, said Nick, and scarily, he was right. Instead of Nick and Shannon, it was now Nick and Lydia and Shannon and Felix. One day I heard Nick saying something to Lydia about mama and Felixs room. I was reminded of a quote from the movie Before Sunset: I feel like Im running a small nursery with someone I used to date.

That said, Im writing this while only a month into our new family situation, so were bound to get a babysitter and go out for dinner one of these days. And I have faith that Felix will eventually learn to sleep and move into his very own room, just like his sister before him. The newborn phase is a dire, but temporary, condition.

Meanwhile, Ive generally found that the transition from one to two kids isnt quite as rough for me as the switch from none to one. Like my friend Jen said, With the first one, theres this existential crisis who am I now? Whats happened to my old life? Whereas with the arrival of a second, its all about the logistics can we wedge another car seat into our 20-year-old Honda? How will I mix this mac and cheese while simultaneously bouncing a screaming baby? Is there time to watch another episode of Boardwalk Empire before the baby wakes up howling?

Shannon Keough lives in south Minneapolis with her husband, Nick, and

daughter, Lydia. She can be reached at editor@ mnparent.com.

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14

Rock on wild child!TODDLER TIP

There is a sweet duality in the developing toddler brain boundless imagination alongside a tendency to be extremely literal. We ask them not to actually eat the dusty, colorful

fallen leaves on the ground and later make a garden salad. Or we watch as they stare perplexed at the dark sky, after the announcement that its raining cats and dogs.

On the flip side play a game of cloud-watching with a toddler and be blown away by what they come up with.

That cloud looks like a duck, you say.Your two year old replies, I think it looks like a

turtle with an ice cream cone. Helping Grandpa mow the lawn. With Elmo.

Her budding minds creativity is incredible, and is in a sense sprouted from the same seed that makes a toddler paradoxically literal belief in the impos-sible, everything new, glitter as pixy dust, and a chat with the man in the moon. She doesnt quite under-stand the world yet and the possibilities are limitless. The time is ripe for exploration and creativity.

I recently chatted with Molly Breen, a St. Paul native who taught music and dance to young children for years before becoming the director of Saint Anthony Park United Methodist Church Community Nursery School. She also leads a choir of get this children aged newborn to three. In her spare time? Shes working toward a Masters in Education, specializing in the early childhood years. As a mother herself, small, creative, ever-changing minds are kind of her thing. She enthusiastically talked with me about the importance of art, creative freedom, and imaginative play in a toddlers development.

Current research shows evidence that the

Toddler Time

development of creativity and intelligence go hand in hand Breen says. Creative play makes kids smarter, thats the bottom line. Actually, play makes everyone smarter!

This is good news for parents playing with your toddler is one of the finer perks of the job!

But how do we guide exploration without squelching the very nature of creativity with our rules and pre-conceived notions? How do we encourage freedom of expression with little people who are limited in their abilities and possess an independence level that is constantly in flux? And what if were not crafty? Is there any hope for the not-so-creative parent trying to help their child explore their artsy side?

Worry not. You dont need to know how to make a craft-show worthy reindeer out of a bag of pipe cleaners and a stick of glue, nor do you ever in your life have to use the word decoupage.

JenWittes

Embrace and ExploreGo crazy with flour.

Ask your child to describe the stars and record her observations.

Let a toe be a paint brush.

Share your favorite song.

Build a fort and call it a castle.

Ask What if?

Dance!

Take a walk and guess the names of passing dogs.

Let the child tell the bedtime story.

Delight in your own rediscovery of crayons.

The importance of creative play

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15 Ive always thought that parents and

teachers are like the architects, setting up structure, materials, and opportunity for open-ended play. After these opportunities are created, its time to get out of the way, says Breen.

She also encourages a yes mentality and an acceptance of some level of mess. This means allowing for materials to be used in a way you wouldnt have predicted rather than immediately saying no.

Again, this is within the structure initially created and does not require Mom or Dad to swallow frustration as they embrace a little Jackson Pollack on the duvet cover in the name of free expres-sion. The structuring is merely trying something slightly closer to the parental comfort level while still honoring a little come what may, rock on wild child that accompanies our sweet toddlers.

For example, I have occasionally set up a bathroom studio in which I put a variety of brushes and washable paints in the bathtub. The guidelines are: paint what you want, how you want, but only on the tub and tile. The beyond paper scenario allows for creative rebellion while falling a few steps short of painting on the walls. And by the way, if youre cool with paint on the walls go for it!

Of course, not all art requires mess. Not in the mood for clay? Put on some music and pull out the rhythm instruments. (These can look an awful lot like pots and pans!) Find things around the house and use them in your living room band. Dont be alarmed if your toddler decides to name the band Cookie Drum. Just go with it.

There are so many wonderful ways to spark the imagination of your toddler. Beyond the desired developmental progress, you reap the benefit of together-ness, fun, a little mess, and occasionally a finished project for the fridge.

Ah, a finger paint masterpiece on the fridge. Yes, Toddler Parent, that means youve arrived.

Jen Wittes is the mother of two young children. Questions? She can be reached

at [email protected].

March 2014 15

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16

Many parents are often faced with choosing a new pediatrician for their

children, whether due to a move to a new area or a change in clinics with new insurance coverage. Depending on your personal preference, wants, comfort level and style, you are highly likely to find someone that you and your children are comfortable seeing on a regular basis.

One of the first considerations for many families is to determine which physicians and clinics are covered by your insurance policy. It may be easiest to select a pediatrician that is considered in network for your health plan, as this is often the most cost efficient. You will want to check your insurance coverage for specifics about your in-network and out-of-network providers.

Another item to contemplate in selecting a pediatrician is size of the clinic, and if it is a stand alone facility or a part

of a larger clinic system. This matters for things such as after hours (evenings, weekends and holidays) availability, alternative care options, etc. Ease of setting appointments and ease of getting through on the telephone to talk live with a nurse or doctor is another important factor to consider when you think about clinic size. Also, find out the likelihood of seeing your chosen pediatrician for well visits and/or sick visits and how the clinic addresses those issues.

Finally, and, perhaps the most impor-tant in terms of care for your child(ren), is determining if a particular pediatrician is within a practice. Some additional considerations include if she or he has a particular area of interest within pediat-rics (sports medicine, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, allergies, asthma, etc.). Board certification in pediatrics is generally a highly positive credential to

We are new in town and wondering how to best select a pediatrician.

PeterDehnel, MD

hold. Some families will prefer a female pediatrician and some will prefer a male pediatrician, although this generally becomes more of a concern as kids reach their pre-teen years and often prefer a same-sex pediatrician. Many clinics provide websites with physician history, which can also be helpful as you select a pediatrician.

We are expecting a new baby in three months. How do we get our toddler ready for the arrival of her baby brother or sister?In spite of the great joy that it brings to parents and grandparents, the birth of a new brother or sister can be very disrup-tive to the future older sibling, especially if the older sibling is a first-born. Even under the best and most skillful of circumstances, it will likely take at least two or three months for your older child to get used to the idea of another child being in their territory and adjust to the fact that a new person is getting way too much attention from their perspective.

Starting to prepare your child months ahead of time is a good idea. Trying to impart some notion of ownership by the older brother or sister can be very helpful, as well. For example, the phrase your baby brother/sister can go a long way to help them gain acceptance. Having the older sibling participate in caring for their new sibling in age-appropriate jobs can also help ease the transition. Having a grand-parent, aunt or uncle around to give lots of extra attention to the older sibling has been key for an easier transition in some families. Finally, lots of reassurance from mom and dad that there is plenty of love to go around is a good principle to have.

Regardless of the age of the children in your home, there can be unexpected surprises at any age. A six-year-old who previously was an only child can be much more challenging than a two-year-old. Adoptive children will add another dimension of transition if the adoptive child is a little older than the sibling and is ahead of them in milestones, too.

Even if there are three children in your

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17home already, a new baby will require an adjustment by everyone. An important principle is to reinforce that there is an abundance of love, care and concern for everyone and that this new arrival is a very positive addition to everyones life.

We are soon going on a family vacation to a warm climate soon. What items should we bring?Family vacations can be a great experience. A warm weather vacation after a very cold Minnesota winter will be welcome by your kids as much as you. Much of what you need to know and bring would also apply to a family going on vacation up north in mid-July. You definitely need to pack the sun screen (SPF 50 or higher for most kids) and insect repellent if you will likely be exposed to mosquitoes or other biting insects. Sunglasses and hats will help many kids and adults alike, with the intensity of southern sunlight. Rugged sandals are often over-looked, but work well for beaches, climbing and walking. Lots of hydration is important even before they start to feel thirsty because they will have a lot of insensible water losses that they are not used to having under five layers of winter clothing. Also, dont forget long sleeves during the day to shield you from the suns rays or at night to keep you warm as the temperature dips.

As always, safety is key to a successful family vacation. Safety in an automobile is as important while traveling as it is here. Water safety may present new challenges if your kids are just at the age of really wanting to be in the pool or ocean several hours of the day. NEVER leave a child alone in any water, for any reason. Finally, practicing overload safety, not trying to pack too much into each day, will lead to a better family experience for everyone.

This column is intended to provide general information and guidance only and not specific medical advice. If you

have specific questions about your child, please consult your health care

professional. Dr. Peter Dehnel is a board certified pediatrician and medical director with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Have a question for Dr. Dehnel? Email editor@ mnparent.com.

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18

RECIPESRECIPES

Think spring!

Preheat oven to 450.

Grease a large baking sheet.

Mix the fi rst 4 ingredients in a bowl.

Make an assembly line with bowls of whisked egg, fl our, and the panko mixture. Dip the asparagus fi rst into the fl our, then the egg and then into the panko mixture, coating evenly and repeating with all the sticks.

Place all of the coated sticks on the baking sheet. Arrange so theyre not touching, spray lightly with oil and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the bread crumbs are golden brown.

Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.


Cook and crumble bacon.

Place crust on an ungreased pizza pan, pizza stone or baking sheet. Brush top with 4 teaspoons oil.

Top crust with shredded cheese, asparagus, and bacon. Drop spreadable cheese by teaspoonfuls over pizza. Sprinkle with pepper fl akes. Drizzle with remaining oil.

Bake 12-15 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.

1 cup panko

1 Tbsp Italian herbs

tsp salt

tsp garlic powder

2 large eggs

cup fl our

1 bunch asparagus, trimmed

Marinara sauce

1 prebaked 12-inch pizza crust

6 tsp olive oil, divided

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cups asparagus

8 bacon strips

cup garlic-herb spreadable cheese

tsp crushed red pepper fl akes

Italian asparagus sticks

Asparagus and bacon pizza

Asparagus is the vegetable that most says spring. Get yourself in the spirit of the season with these recipes or save them until local asparagus is available.

18 March 2014

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19


Grease a 1.5-quart baking dish.

Steam asparagus until just tender, 5 to 8 minutes.

Saute mushrooms and chopped onion in olive oil until the mushrooms have given o! their liquid, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the asparagus, tossing vegetables just until hot. Remove from heat.

Crush saltine cracker crumbs and mix with cheddar and black pepper. Spread half the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.

Spoon the asparagus mixture over the crumb mixture.

Whisk the cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth, and pour over the asparagus mixture.

Spread the remaining crumb-cheese mixture over the casserole and sprinkle with pecans.

Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms

onion

1 (4 ounce) packet saltine crackers

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

cup milk

cup coarsely chopped pecans

Asparagus and mushroom hotdish

March 2014 19

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20

Joy Riggs

My kids generally enjoy school, but there are times Monday mornings, for instance when they complain that school takes up too much of their lives. I can understand the sentiment, even though I dont believe its true. If you account for holidays, breaks and weekends, the total number of hours they spend in a classroom is much smaller per year than the hours they spend exploring and experiencing the world outside of school.

Finding positive ways to use that out-of-school time isnt a problem for them because they have multiple and varied interests, and they live in a family that has the ability to support their participation in summer and afterschool activities. But thats not the case for many tweens and teens in Minnesota.

According to Youthprise, a Minneapolis-based organization that works to increase and improve opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, 32 percent of Minnesota students in grades K-12 are responsible for taking care of themselves after school, and only 12 percent participate in afterschool programs. Youthprise estimates that more than half of Minnesota parents struggle to find things for their children to do when theyre not in school.

How kids spend that out-of-school time is important for both their social and academic development. Research shows that youth who participate in quality out-of-school programs acquire important life, social and communications skills, do better in school, and are healthier and happier. Thats why Im glad to see that a growing number of schools, communities and organizations like

Youthprise are working together to improve out-of-school-time activities for kids and make them more available to everyone.

Leading the effort in St. Paul is Sprockets, a citywide network of more than 170 afterschool and summer programs. Sprockets was launched in 2011 by Mayor Chris Coleman, Superintendent Valeria Silva, and the Second Shift Commission community advisory group. It provides training, professional development, coaching and data sharing for 50 organiza-tions that serve more than 7,000 youth throughout the city.

The Sprockets network is a network of support. The organizations feel that they are a cohesive entity, even if they are located in different parts of town, because of the shared language about how to provide quality programming, says Sprockets Director Eyenga Bokamba.

The programs cover a wide variety of interests, from fine arts to sports to civic engagement. What they have in common is that all the program providers agree to undergo assessments of what they do well and where they could improve in four general areas: welcoming staff, spark (youth having fun), belonging, and safety.

Parents can think of it as a stamp of approval that they are undergoing these trainings and looking at ways to improve, Bokamba says. They are happy to have interactions and answer questions that, to me, is an indicator of a dynamic system, and thats exciting.

Learning beyond the classroom

Teens&Tweens

How to identify a quality afterschool or summer programFollow these tips from Sprockets (for more information, go to sprocketsstpaul.org)

A welcoming sta!. Look for upbeat sta! members who encourage young people to learn new skills by helping the youth take on tasks that build self-confidence. Ask: What are the sta!s qualifications? How far in advance are activities planned?

Spark. Look for young people having fun. Participants should be energized, focused, eager and on task. Ask: Are the activities hands-on? Do the youth help choose or plan the activities? Belonging. Look for welcoming sociable interactions among all the participants. Smiles, eye contact and

friendly conversation are good indicators of positive peer relationships. Ask: How are conflicts addressed? How is communication maintained between participants, parents or guardians and sta!?

Safety. Look for a clean space with drinking fountains and bathrooms nearby, safety equipment like fire extinguishers and a first aid kit readily available, and enough room to safely conduct the activities. Ask: Is there an emergency plan? Are background checks conducted on all sta! and others who have access to the space? Are sta! CPR certified?

MORE INFO

Eyenga Bokamba

20 March 2014

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21

Sprockets St. Paulsprocketssaintpaul.org

Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Boardycb.org

Youthpriseyouthprise.org

RESOURCES

The programs serve kids from pre-kindergarten age through high school. Bokamba says about 42 percent of participants are ages 1014, and about 14 percent are ages 1517.

Parents can go to the program fi nder on the Sprockets website and plug in details like the type of program theyre looking for, the time of day, the area of town they live in, and the age of their child, and it will show them a list of different programs that fi t those criteria. They can also fi nd out whether theres a fee, if scholarships are available, and if the program has bilingual staff members.

Bokamba says the organizations work collaboratively and communicate with each other regularly. If it turns out that a particular program isnt the right fi t for a youth, he or she will be referred to another program.

Their feeling is, were going to do the homework to fi nd the right fi t because ultimately thats what were about, she says.

Skills the youth learn through these out-of-school programs like how to navigate disagreements, how to articulate an opinion, and how to show leadership are skills that will serve them well in their adult lives.

Bokamba says its exciting to be part of an organization that is helping the city reevaluate how it invests in youth, and what opportunities it provides for them to become involved, engaged citizens.

Its nothing but positive the potential it has to reshape the entire way that we interact, and what we expect from young people in terms of their participation, she said.

Joy Riggs is the mother of one tween and two teens. Questions?

Contact her at [email protected].

March 2014 21

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Frogglez GogglesIf youve ever had to struggle with traditional swim goggles, only to have them slide down your childs head, pinch their ears or pull their hair, heres a solution: An inventive dad created these non-slip, easy to use childrens googles that eliminate the frustration and discomfort normally associated with goggles. The unique shape of Frogglez Goggles mean smaller hands can put them on and take them o! without much assistance, and the soft wide straps stay put throughout activities. And, as icing on the cake, they float! A great camp-ready item for those upcoming summer months.

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Name BubblesIts always wise to mark your childs belongings before they head to camp, but this time use Name Bubbles and theres no risk of it washing away or rubbing o!, as these are laundry and dishwasher-safe. Kids can choose a customized style and pattern that might make them more inclined to accept the labels over Moms old-fashioned marker. Beyond just name labels for all their items, you can buy alert labels to warn of an allergy or medical concern with easy-to-read directions and phone number in case of emergency.

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LED Mini Camping LanternsA small lantern with serious power. The narrow beam of a fl ashlight can restrict activities in low-light camping situations, but set one of these little guys up and youre good to go with 360 degrees of light over 15 feet. Small enough and lightweight to send o! to summer camp using just 4 AA batteries and equipped with a hook perfect for hanging it from a bunk.

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Kara McGuire

on your taxes. Actually, you can do both, so long as you dont double dip, or take advantage of both programs with the same dollars. Since childcare is so pricey, my family has always used both to make the bite less painful. Remember summer camps and other activities that provide childcare while you work qualify as dependent care. Minnesota has its own special tax breaks for education-related camps. Some school supplies too. Revenue.state.mn.us has the details.

Kids in college? For your college student, there are several tax benefits worth up to a few thousand dollars. Unfortunately, deciding which of the many programs you qualify for is tougher than it should be. The IRS tax assistant, housed in the Tax Benefits for Education section online, can help make sense of the credit mess in a few minutes. Any tax professional can also guide you. The important thing here is that you know they exist.

Think forward. Yes, tax planning is important too.

Owe too much? Big refund on the way? Then it might be time to readjust how much tax is withheld from your paycheck. Before

Tax time. If youre like many Americans, you want to rush through them, or outsource them and be done. That is, until next year.

But rushing through your taxes or failing to plan can mean costly mistakes, added hassle, or tax breaks left on the table.

For parents with kids at home or in college, there are provisions in the tax code just for you that can add up to significant savings.

Before you turn in those tax forms, double check the following:

Is your name spelled right? Is your address correct? Do you have accurate and complete Social Security numbers for you and your kids. These are common mistakes. Im not kidding. Last fall, the IRS was sitting on $153 million in undeliver-able refunds because the agency couldnt locate taxpayers.

Have you entered the 21st century? E-filing your taxes and setting up direct deposit for your refund is the fastest, least-error-prone way to get your taxes off your plate and your money in your hands. Free e-filing is available for some taxpayers.

Free fillable forms are available for everyone. Learn more at freefile.irs.gov. Even if you pay for online tax prep, its not expensive. I use TaxAct and am charged less than $25 to prepare and file both Federal and state returns. Better than slaving away with paper forms and a calculator.

Any big life events? Significant life changes getting married, moving, sending a child to college alter tax circumstances. Kiplingers.com has a good series on tax planning by life event. Following are some of the key kid-related tax benefits.

New addition to the family? Each child under 17 qualifies for the $1,000 child tax credit. That phases out at higher tax brackets, but is a welcome benefit for families who earn less. Parents who adopt qualify for an adoption credit of nearly $13,000 per child. It also has a phase-out for higher incomes. Check out Tax Topic 607 for the skinny.

Kids in daycare? If you require daycare, there is a little help. You can contribute to a pre-tax flexible spending dependent care account or take the dependent care credit

How to make tax time

less taxing

24 March 2014

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25getting down to the nitty gritty tax calcula-tion, though, think about your refund personality. While receiving a big refund technically means youve given Uncle Sam an interest free loan, some people swear by refund-as-forced-savings. And in this next-to-no interest rate environment, youre not really losing much by way of forgone earnings. However, if youre disciplined, changing your withholding so you receive bigger paychecks gives you ultimate financial flexibility.

Have you made donations? Think back to all of the charitable donations youve made or the Goodwill runs youve taken for some additional tax savings. This will only work if you itemize your taxes. And you have to be somewhat organized because receipts are required. If tax year 2013 is a lost cause, get it together in 2014 with use of Turbo Taxs free Its Deductible tool, available online or as an app.

Dont forget about the future. As your income grows, youll be looking for all sorts of ways to reduce your tax burden. One of the smartest is to take advantage of pre-tax workplace retirement plans. Its a double benefit because you are saving for your future plus your taxable income falls today. Better yet, many employers offer matching funds, free money you dont want to leave on the table.

Prior to April 15, you also have the option to fully fund IRAs for the previous tax year. Its a funky rule, but dont question it. Rather, take advantage of the extra time you have to open or fund an IRA or Roth IRA account. Roth IRAs wont give you a tax break today, but you will be able to take the money out tax-free at retire-ment. Plus there are ways to tap the principal now without penalty, making it so versatile that I think of it as the little black dress of personal finance.

Kara McGuire is a personal finance expert and St. Paul mom of three. Send comments, questions and story ideas to

[email protected].

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NATURE & OUR PLANET

Natures Patchwork QuiltBuild a web of knowledge of important habitats and ecosystems, from the desert to rainforest and everywhere in between. The pages are fi lled with mosaics of rich watercolor paintings, prompting the recognition of the interdependence of all creatures in their own habitats. With mentions of topics such as the food chain, biodiversity, and environmentalism, the book introduces children to complex concepts in a manageable way.

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Stories for a Fragile PlanetDiverse, expansive and thoughtful, this book of traditional stories from around the globe is richly illustrated and tenderly poignant. Ten stories weave a narrative that highlights the importance of our stewardship of the earth, and a history of ideas that can teach

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Geography: A Visual EncyclopediaThe shear volume of information between these covers is astonishing. Keep an inquisitive young mind buzzing with this volume detailing Earths physical processes, its cultures and continents, and our own human impact on the planet. Children can explore the comprehensive sections Planet Earth, Rocks & Minerals, Life On Earth, Climate & Weather, and a Country Factfi le to name a few which are rich with photos, maps, and diagrams to illustrate concepts.

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earth, and a history of ideas that can teach young readers to look with kindness

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My Nature Book: A Journal and Activity Book for KidsA fully hands-on, inspiring journal for children to fi ll with their own unique experiences. With activity pages, blank pages for drawing or writing, and activity suggestions, My Nature Book is a tool to build a life-long fascination with nature and the world around us. Prompts encourage in-depth exploration and consideration beyond merely observation, and facts and quotes reward curious minds.

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The Book of Minnesota SkillsA guide to living fully and taking advantage of the beautiful natural resources in our great state. Whether its down-right outdated or actually practical, this lighthearted book explores the true skills and know-how of living in our great state, from growing your own wheat (did we mention out-dated?) to exiting a chairlift gracefully, (now thats one we could use!). While some of the skills may be beyond the average persons expertise, its the rich history lessons from local experts that make this book worthwhile for any Minnesotan.

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The best of my loveValentines Day has come and gone. Did my partner Edna forget it again, as chroni-cled in last years column? You might be surprised to read that it didnt matter to me. Reason One is because I really got her attention last year.

Reason Two is that Im also seeing the bigger picture as evidenced by an upcoming prostate exam (which, for some reason, has become very important for Edna, whos been showing more concern for my well being). I was on hold the other day, waiting to make the appointment and listening to the canned 70s music when I realized I was tapping my toes to the Best of My Love.

Was it The Eagles version, you may wonder, with its lost-love lament? Or maybe Olivia Newton-Johns sugar pop? Neither. It was The Emotions joyous, booty-shakin R&B romp with the heavily-repeated chorus: Whoa, whoa, you got the best of my love!

Sean Toren

Hearing the chorus over and over got me to thinking. Ive had a few relationships that fell on The Eagles side of the fence, and a few on The Emotions side, and it has something to do with cylinders such as in a big, fat 12-cylinder engine. I used to think that I had to share all 12 relation-ship cylinders with my partner romance, intelligence, sexiness, good parenting, fi nancial security, knowing where the keys are, fi ne cooking, caring, communication, kindness, friendship and desire to have (or not have) kids.

I had a few relationships where the cylinders werent all fi ring and I had good reasons for not giving the best of my love, like the fellow climber who was in love with a married man while she dated me. And the Peace Corps volunteer who was just about to leave for 10 months.

This was much less the case with a fellow writer I met in grad school, the smart, beautiful Kitty, who also had a venomous sense of humor and a tongue wicked enough to wield it. I lured her back to Minnesota where she got a curator job at one of our big art museums.

We started out revving at pretty high-RPMs, and I gave her more of the best of me than Id given the others, but she also had me at my worst. Id had a mountain bike injury and ruptured some disks in my neck, then blew out my rock-climbing elbows so badly I couldnt climb. I was in pain and grumpy all the time and needed someone to care for me more. Plus I was myopically fi nishing a novel and couldnt broaden my focus to include her interests which frustrated Kitty, who wanted to be all-in together.

Maybe we just needed to accept that, although we were fi ring on most cylinders, we werent fi ring on a few that really mattered. I found it hard to tell her how awesome she was when she had so much going for her. I begrudged her this and ultimately deprived myself of greater happiness with her. Or, heck, maybe we both just got out while the gettin

I couldnt climb. I was in pain and grumpy all the time and needed someone to care for me more. Plus I was myopically fi nishing a novel and couldnt broaden my focus to include her interests which frustrated Kitty, who wanted to be all-in together.

Maybe we just needed to accept that, although we were fi ring on most cylinders, we werent fi ring on a few that really mattered. I found it hard to tell her how awesome she was when she had so much going for her. I begrudged her this and ultimately deprived myself of greater happiness with her. Or,

Sometimes, if youre getting enough torque o! those cylinders that are there, the other cylinders arent so important anymore.

28 March 2014

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29was good.

In any case, I learned my lesson, and when my present partner (and wife) Edna came cruising by I made sure we drove slowly even though we didnt have all our shared relationship cylinders firing equally. I decided that the cylinders that were firing should get an awful lot of attention. I tell her when shes looking good, and when her food is delicious, and how much I appreciate her smart, well-considered opinions and what a loving mother she is to our son.

To make sure your own shared cylin-ders are firing right and to give and get the best of each other, ask yourself these questions:

Are your past relationships coloring your present one?

Do you begrudge your partner some parts of you that they deserve? Is there something that youre withholding?

If there are some cylinders in your relationship that arent firing right, decide if you should fight for them or let them go. Sometimes, if youre getting enough torque off those cylinders that are there, the other cylinders (like remembering birthdays or putting gas in the car) arent so important anymore.

Finally, ask yourself if you are getting the best of your partner. Are they holding back? Can you draw them out? Thats what I had to do with Edna, when I demanded that she give me more attention through the mild lashing of last years post-Valentines Day column. Since then, shes shared more of her love and care for me even urging me to get that pesky prostate exam.

Come to think of it, though, she did grin rather impishly when I thanked her for pushing me to make the appointment, and then mumbled just making sure you really are getting the best of my love, as she mimed the snapping of a examination glove. Hmm.

Sean Toren loves living the full catastrophe in Minneapolis with his wife and son. He

can be contacted at [email protected] with thoughts or suggestions.

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31the

camp i" ue

2014

When Jay and Penny Olson dropped their nine-year-old daughter Autumn off at Camp Kesem two summers ago, she was withdrawn not her usual bright and bubbly self.

Autumn shut down when her mom was diagnosed with cancer earlier that year.

It was like we had lost our little girl, Jay Olson said.When they picked her up a week later, things were different.She gave us a great big hug. It was like we had our daughter

back, he said.Camp Kesem is a free University of Minnesota student-run

summer camp for kids and teens whose parents have or have had cancer.

If it werent for Camp Kesem I would probably still be like a turtle hiding in its shell, said Autumn, now 11 and preparing for her third summer at the camp.

Youre not only worrying about your parents and their cancer, youre worrying like every kid does how am I going to make friends? How is this going to work? she said.

Now in its third year, Camp Kesem is poised to help even more children like Autumn whose lives have been affected by their parents battles with the disease.

The Kesem experienceCamp Kesem Minnesota started in 2012 when a group of University of Minnesota students raised nearly $30,000 to

A TYPICAL SUMMER CAMP By Cali OwingsAt Camp Kesem, a normal camp experience is the goal

Campers and counselors having fun at Camp Kesem.SUBMITTED PHOTOS

March 2014 31

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32

send 35 campers, including Autumn, to camp in Paynesville.

Its part of a nationwide network of college students across the country who raise funds throughout the year and volunteer to bring the camp experience to their communities.

Today, there are 54 Camp Kesem chapters at colleges throughout the U.S.

Kesem is Hebrew for magic and the camps strive to bring magic to families coping with cancer.

Alek Tomich, a University of Minnesota senior and one of the co-directors for this years camp, said Camp Kesem prides itself on not being too different from other summer camps.

Campers can expect a pretty typical array of activities like arts and crafts, campfires, canoeing, hiking, fishing and games.

When youre a kid and youre dealing with a parent who has a cancer, you dont have a lot of opportunities to have fun because you have so much on your plate,

he said. We want to make sure that camp is one week of pure fun.

On the way to Camp Kesem for the first time last year, Melissa Reynolds said her son and daughter werent that excited. There were no smiles during camp registration and only one-word answers.

They were like Why do we have to go to a camp and deal with cancer all over again, Reynolds said.

It was a night and day difference when she and her husband picked them up. Ashlynn and Myca, known as Alfredo and 7evens at camp, talked nonstop and taught their little sister Amelia who was too young to go last summer all of the camp songs during the ride home to Pequot Lakes.

This year, all three Reynolds kids plan to attend the camp and theyre all excited.

The University of Minnesota student group is working to raise $70,000 to send 85 campers to Camp Heartland in Willow River.

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Last year, about $50,000 sent 65 kids ages six to 16 to camp in Hayward, Wis. Camp Kesem Minnesota, which more than doubled in size since its inaugural year, has outgrown the camps that have hosted the group in previous years. The camp boasts a 3-to-1 camper to counselor ratio, Tomich said. So when the number of kids increases year over year, so does the groups all-volunteer counselor count.

To accommodate this years large group, Camp Heartland is bigger than any other camp weve been to before, Tomich said.

The Big CWhile Camp Kesem has a non-thera-peutic approach, the camp is uniquely designed to help address the kids experiences with cancer.

During one night early in the week, campers participate in an empowerment ceremony where theyre invited to share their story and tell everyone what brought them to Camp Kesem. Kids arent required to participate, but many

Autumn Olson and counselor "Seashell."

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34

choose to open up about their fears and vent their frustrations with campers and counselors whove had similar experi-ences.

Tomich said its really the only time they address cancer head-on.

You have to talk about it at some point, he said. Its like the elephant in the room.

The emotional ceremony helps tie everyone together like a family. They usually hold it earlier in the week to make everyone more comfortable with each other so they can focus on having fun, he said.

We share our stories about our parents and what happened to us in our lives, Autumn said. All of the rest of the time its like youre at a regular camp.

Most of the counselors can relate to the campers because theyve had experience with the disease in their families.

[The counselors] were looking for something like this when they were a kid and its kind of like paying it forward now, said Tomich, who lost his dad to cancer at age 8.

Penny Olson was surprised when she learned so many of the counselors had experience with cancer.

Theyve been down a similar trail which gives them a direct connection with

many of the kids, she said.Counselors personal experience

combined with specialized training helps them to tackle some big issues that other camps might not have to deal with like a camper who says theyre not sure if their mom or dad will be alive when they get home.

It takes some practice to take their mind off that situation, Tomich said.

The camp experience helped Autumn open up to her parents about her feelings.

I was afraid to be by my mom, like if I was looking at her or talking to her and shed die, she said. But I was afraid to be away from her because I was afraid she would die while I was gone.

After camp, she knew it was safe to talk to her parents.

She was afraid to tell me how she was feeling because she was afraid of hurting me, Penny Olson said.

Beyond summer campCamp Kesems influence extends beyond a week of summer fun to reunions throughout the year and a network of support for campers and their families.

When Melissa Reynolds husband passed away from cancer in December, a dozen counselors made the three-hour

Myca and Ashlynn Reynolds.SUBMITTED PHOTO

34 March 2014

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35

trip to Pequot Lakes for the visitation service and funeral. It was just after finals week at the University of Minnesota and they delayed trips home to their families to spend time with Ashlynn, Myca and Amelia, Reynolds said.

It was such a testimony. Just look at the commitment and dedication these college students have to these little kids, she said.

The counselors that couldnt make it sent a care package, referring to them by their camp names. Even Amelia, who hasnt yet attended camp, was included and given her own camp shirt.

Reynolds said the camp counselors have had a huge impact on her family.

Its encouraging to look at them as mentors, as older kids, that have gone through it and are successful, she said. Theyre still happy and doing something positive out of something negative.

Even though the camp is free, the Olsons donate each year to Camp Kesem to give the opportunity to another child.

It meant so much to us to have our daughter back so we decided to sponsor another kid so that another child could become whole again, Jay Olson said

He said he hopes to send Autumn to Camp Kesem as long as she can and maybe shell have the opportunity to be a counselor when shes older.

They say Once youre in the Kesem family, youre in, he said.

CAMP SNAPSHOTDates: Aug. 1723, 2014Location: Camp Heartland in Willow RiverAges: 616Application info: Interested campers

should apply online at www.campkesem.org/camper-application

Capacity: The camp is currently at 65 percent capacity for this year, Tomich said. If spots run out, prospective campers can put their names on a waiting list. In previous years, donors have come through to fund the camp experience for wait-listed kids.

Give: You can help bring the Camp Kesem experience to a child a!ected by cancer. For donation information visit campkesem.org/minnesota/donate

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Apple Camps give kids the tools to bring their visions to lifeBy Emily Mongan

n Apple store, with its neatly organized displays of high-tech gadgets and funky piped-in

music, hardly seems like the type of place a typical summer camp would be held. There are no tents, no smores, no campfi re sing-alongs (dont worry about the lack of bonfi re...theres an app for that). But here, among the iPads and

MacBooks, camp is in session. From mid-July to early August, Apples

retail stores across the globe serve as camps for kids ages eight to 12 with an interest in fi lmmaking and learning more about Apples range of products and software. Over the span of three 90-minute classes, Apple store employees teach campers how to use Apple programs

like iMovie and GarageBand to create short movies that they write, fi lm, edit, score, and sometimes even star in themselves. The camps are short and free, a welcome addition to any hectic summer activity schedule. But dont let their brevity fool you; like the camps slogan says, the kids are there to get down to business and make movie magic.

iCamp

a

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PHOTO BY LYON KEASLER

March 2014 37



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The Apple Store in Uptown Minneapolis has held camp each year since it opened in 2010. The store operates as usual while camp in session, with campers grouped around one of the massive display tables to work on their projects and learn that days lesson. Apple Camps encourage kids to bring their own Apple devices with them, if they own any. If they dont, the store offers iMac and iPads for the kids to use in the store.

Siblings Wyatt and Bria Budziszewski were already plugged in and intently focused on their iPads before the session even began, playing around with apps and games. They were both fi rst time fi lm-makers, but like many of the other campers they were certainly no strangers to using Apple products.

Day one of each camp session begins with the fundamentals of fi lmmaking, like the basic parts of a story and popular movie genres. To spark inspiration, the instructors asked what good movies the kids had recently seen. Answers ranged from Despicable Me 2 to Star Wars, which the campers then broke down into genres. The instructors explained that genres like action, sports, and how-to videos were popular with young fi lm-makers at past camp sessions, but that

Apple campers Joel DuBay and Bria Budziszewski score their fi lms using iPads, while Brias mom Heidi Ripplinger checks in on their progress. PHOTO BY LYON KEASLER

kids were free to create their fi lm about whatever inspired them.

Each camper then received a piece of paper to use as their storyboard, where each scene would be sketched out into a cohesive story with a beginning, middle, and end. Pen and paper in hand, the campers began drawing.

On the fi rst day of Apple Camp, parents are invited to stick around while their kids work for a free parents workshop. There, they can learn how to set time limits and parental controls on Apple products. In addition to attending the parent work-shop, many parents stayed in the store during the camp session to lend their kids a hand with the brainstorming process.

Steve Kinny, dad of fi rst time campers Dylan and Maddie, watched as Maddie sketched out a story about the familys pets texting each other. Dylan had previous experience making videos in his fi fth grade class, but Maddies tale of texting pets was her fi rst foray into fi lmmaking.

It will be fun to see what she does with it, Kinny said.

Lights , camera, action!Within minutes, several distinct stories

38 March 2014

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39had been sketched out on the campers storyboarding sheets. Wyatt planned an instructional video explaining how to build an underwater observatory on the popular building block-based computer game Minecraft, while his sister had sketched out an adventure story that she would animate with Legos. Siblings Kaitlyn, Eric, and Briana Terry would be teaming up to create a bowling movie, to be filmed that afternoon when the family used their pass to a local bowling alley.

All of the camera work for the films happens outside of the store, between the first and second sessions. Campers are encouraged to use their iPads, iPhones, and digital cameras to shoot video, and gather old photos and video that can be edited in if their story revolves around a past event. The editing happens during the second session, using iMovie and the iMacs available in the Apple store.

After planning out their stories, campers are shown how to create songs using the music program GarageBand. They use the touch screen on the iPads to play a variety of virtual drums, guitars, and pianos to create a looping track that would serve as the score to their film. The Terry siblings each had their own ideas for the score, which they hoped would mesh later in the filmmaking process.

I have lots of drums, kind of hip-hop, Briana said. [Eric] has jazz, so well try to put it all together.

After two sessions of working on their films, the campers returned to the Apple Store the next Saturday morning with their families in tow. But this time, there would be no brainstorming or editing. The kids walked past the giant table where they had brought their ideas to life, and headed towards three giant built-in screens at the front of the store.

Apple Camps culminate on Day 3 with a short film festival, a chance for campers to show off their creations to family and friends. Unlike the first two sessions, the film festival takes place before regular store hours, giving campers a place thats solely dedicated to showing off their work.

Up first is Bria, whose Lego action flick expertly utilized sound effects to bring its jungle setting to life. The counselors admitted that one sequence involving a

boat chase and clever use of fishing line had them stumped when they first viewed it. Her brother Wyatt was next, with his how-to Minecraft guide that used text subtitles to explain each step of the project.

Between each film, the counselors pointed out cool tips and tricks that the kids had learned during camps and put to practice in their projects, like adding text, sparkly special effects, or title screens throughout the film.

The films continued, ranging from one about horseback riding to an intense movie trailer-style film about one campers promising baseball season. The filmmaking team of Briana, Eric, and Kaitlyn Terry did agree on a cohesive soundtrack in the end, with instant replay shots of their bowling games set to jazzy, upbeat music.

Maddie and Dylan Kinnys film became a family affair, not only starring the familys pets but their parents and grandmother as well. In it, the familys dog and cat appear to be texting back and forth (on iPhones, naturally) about their humans crazy party lifestyles. The texting looked so realistic, one counselor couldnt help but ask Maddies special effects secret.

We put gravy on the screen, she said.When the last of the credits rolled,

Apple Camp officially came to an end. As the campers left with their families, the counselors encouraged them to return to the store with any questions they have about future projects, which may come in handy; some campers had already made more films in the time between the camp sessions and the festival, inspired by what they had learned in store.

Apple Camps are definitely not your typical summer camp. Theyre free, short, and take place in a space thats usually reserved for shopping or camping out for the latest Apple product. But in just two short days, Apple campers had created something awesome that was entirely their own. They left the store with not just a basic knowledge of filmmaking, but the skills to use their Apple devices to bring any story they can imagine to life.

March 2014 39

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BIG CREATIVITYSMALL STAGE

Campers get an immersive experience building miniature theater productions

By Zoe Gahan

A camper gets some hands-on puppet experience at In The Heart of the Beast Theater. PHOTO BY BRUCE SILCOX

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A long traditionToy theater, as In The Heart of the Beasts Education Director Bart Buch explains, is a unique and intimate combination of art and performance that allows artists complete control of the production. Originally sold as kits of popular plays in the 19th century, a typical toy theater sits about a foot or two tall and looks just like a miniature stage. Inside the theater, puppets cut from cardstock and paper, and suspended by strings or small sticks, dance and twirl at the whim of the puppeteers.

Its a little like pre-TV, or primitive TV. Thats how we explain it, says Buch.

In the Heart of the Beast Theater (HOBT) prides itself on repurposing old materials, and discarded cardboard boxes provide the perfect frame for a make-it-

yourself toy theater, upon which endless sets, paints, tiny curtains, and ornaments may be placed.

[Toy theater] gives the kids an over-view. They can create an entire theatrical production, including the set, the costumes, and the puppets. It gives them an immersive design and performance experience in a way that they have control of almost all the variables in a show.

Building skillsIn a spacious though cluttered room, edged with heaps of craft supplies, seven children between the ages of nine and 11 immersed themselves in the process of bringing their fractured fairy tales to life. The campers clearly embrace the creative freedom they are given, enthusiastically warping traditional fairy tales to refl ect

Youve heard of the Big, Bad Wolf, but how about the Big, Bad Pig? He wears a bowler hat and suspenders, a monocle wedged in his pudgy pink face, and runs a nuclear power plant on the side that is, according to campers at In The Heart of the Beast Theaters Fractured Fairy Tales Toy Theater Camp. The camp is a

collaboration with the Loft Literary Center, inviting children to take traditional fairy

tales and fracture them in satirical and imaginative ways, before challenging them to

create a toy theater performance for family and friends at the end of the week.

their wry sense of adolescent humor, often informed by surprising observations. No longer does Jack dutifully climb the beanstalk to steal golden eggs and provide for his mother, but instead spends his days nose-to-screen, playing video games on his cell phone.

Campers Siri and Sanna, who together wrote and built Jack and the Beanstalk NOT!, featuring the lazy Jack, both enjoyed imagining and creating the characters. It can be kind of compli-cated, says Sanna, referencing the problem-solving involved in the whole process, but said also that she has enjoyed herself during the week. Her group partner, Siri, nodded agreement.

The campers took the images they wrote out, and fi gured out how to represent them in artwork, says HOBT counselor, Lynette LaRue. Then the challenge is to make it 3D after that. They had to reconfi gure, scene-by-sc

March 2014

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