Category: Summer Fun
Why Playing Outdoors Makes Children Smarter
Author and clinical psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison writes, “Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” It is through unstructured, open-ended creative play that children learn the ways of the world. While playing outside, children explore with all their senses, they witness new life, they create [...]
Self-Determination at Summer Camp
Parents spend a lot of time trying to motivate kids. We use chore charts, checklists, reminders and rewards to get them to feed the dog, clean their rooms and complete schoolwork. But these techniques don’t change behavior long-term. Real motivation must come from within. The psychology of summer camp Time at camp may be all [...]
Getting a Jump on Summer Camp Planning
I still remember the Excel spreadsheet my husband created when our son was in grade school. We were trying to patch together multiple summer day-camp options that would be fun and enriching for him and that would also, frankly, help us out with child care while we both worked. We talked with friends, read everything [...]
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Living in Portland offers many advantages; beauty, livability, food carts, cool people. One thing we do miss, however, is our own major league sports teams. Although it’s great that Portland has the Trail Blazers, some also love to get their sports on with football and baseball in a major league way. For that, we have [...]
Valuing Community Connections
“Our best connection is you.” This catchy phrase found at Portland International Airport represents the high level of customer service provided by PDX employees; it also represents the values held by the Port of Portland. Simply put, the Port’s mission is to bring people, products and places together. Whether through one of their four marine [...]
Embrace the Excitement: The 2012 Olympic Games
“I got the gold!” blurted my 7-year-old after finishing his broccoli before anyone else at the table. “I got the silver!” said my 5-year-old. Both boys then encouraged my 2-year-old daughter to hurry up and finish her
Summer Food Safety
We celebrate summer with food, from fruit pies and potato salads to steaks and seafood. In this season of picnics, potlucks, and barbeques, though, it’s easy to become distracted and forget to handle food
Banish boredom
Ever spent an exhausting day at a theme park or a zoo with your kids and arrived home to hear someone whine “I’m bored”? What is up with that? The Science of Boredom Recent research indicates the state of the brain during boredom looks more like a busy bee than a lazy bum. Psychologist Jackie [...]
Simply Thrilling at Silverwood Theme Park
If you’re looking for a perfect family getaway that promises extraordinary thrills, then Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park, near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is just your ticket. The largest theme park in the Northwest, Silverwood attracts over 600,000 visitors a year. You and your kiddos can enjoy over 216 acres of 65 rides, [...]
Test Your Sun-Safety
You’ve read the statistics before: 80 percent of harmful sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. That’s why you’re careful to slather sunscreen on your child when she’s at the beach or pool. But how sun-smart
Become Part of our Family
Connect with us on these social media sites!