Bend Nest — Summer 2015

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Feature Wisdom from your Parents Adult Time Single Parent Dating Tips! Outside Grab Hold of Rock Climbing May 2015 Calendar Summer Fun for Kids!

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Transcript of Bend Nest — Summer 2015

Page 1: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

Feature Wisdom from your

Parents

Adult Time Single Parent Dating Tips!

Outside Grab Hold of

Rock Climbing

May 2015

Calendar Summer Fun for Kids!

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Publisher Aaron Switzer

Associate Publisher Angela Switzer

Editor Phil Busse

Associate Editor Amanda Klingman

Contributing Writers Taylor Thompson

Linda Knittel

Freelancers Annette Benedetti

Kirsteen Wolf

Hayley Jo Murphy

Copy Editor Erin Rook

Layout & Design Jennifer Hornstein

Ad Design Esther Kang

Photography Lisa Armstrong

Advertising Executives Kimberly Morse

Ban Tat

Chris Larro

Amanda Klingman

For sales, contact [email protected]

bendnest.com

coverphotographyChockstone Climbing

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CONTENTS

UPFRONT7 Expert Q&A 9 Ages & Stages11 Trending22 Calendar

COLUMNS32 Adult Time35 Health 41 Leaving the Nest 42 Things I’ve Learned

FEATURES13 Education

Our new section looks at education trends in Central Oregon, and we start by exploring a possible new charter school that would expand Montessori opportunities through grade eight.

29 CultureProviding world-class arts education, Caldera summer camps help regional teenagers stay engaged in school and life opportunities.

36 OutdoorClimbing is a great way to strengthen muscle and agility, but local parents also find the sport has great psychological and mental benefits for their kids.

bendnest.com

14 Feature

Lisa Armstrong

For Mom’s and Father’s Day, we talk with local residents about their own parents and what they’ve learned

along the way.

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Spreading Our Wings

theAssociate Publisher’s

Note

Ang e la Switz er

Wow! Spring is certainly in full force here in Central Oregon- the time of year when we’re surrounded briefly by lush green before the dry, dusty brown that comes with living in a high desert. Add in some cooler spring temperatures before the heat arrives, and it’s the perfect time to recreate out-of-doors with your kiddos.

Most students are wrapping up the school year, getting those last minute projects done, especially high school seniors who are looking forward to graduation and that exciting transition into adulthood. You may be surprised, however, to discover that Oregon has one of the worst graduation rates in the nation. In 2014, our state achieved an all time record of 72 percent of students who graduated on time. Compare this with the national average, which is 81 percent overall. The three Bend high schools do perform above state and national levels, averaging 87 percent, but LaPine and Redmond High Schools fall short with 72 and 67 percent graduation rates respectively.

It is a tough reality to recognize that we are failing many of our teenagers.

In this issue, we explore parental advice (Feature, page 14), and also take a look at an amazing arts education program at Caldera, near Sisters, which works with at-risk teens—and raises graduation rates to nearly perfect! (See Culture, page 29) Our Outside section (page 36) also explores this theme—about finding ways to engage students—and we are proud to provide a robust list of summer camps and programs in our Calendar.

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Q & A

Dear Dr. Hanna: My eight-year-old son still sucks his thumb. Although I have been reluctant to step in, thinking he would stop once he went to elementary school, I am beginning to have very negative feelings when I see him doing this. I worry about his teeth being affected by this habit, and I don’t know how to approach this very sensitive subject.

Dr. Hanna: You are right; thumb sucking is a very sensitive subject. It is a self-soothing calming habit that many young children do, and putting pressure

on him to stop or punishing him may make matters worse. The good news is he will wean himself off of his thumb, slowly but surely. We can support him in the process. Consider identifying the trigger; does he do it out of boredom?, or, does he do it when there is a stressful situation? If out of boredom, keep him busy with fun activities, get him to use his hands with coloring or painting. If it is associated with stressful circumstances, give him comfort with reassuring words and a hug. Perhaps giving him a stress ball or a stuffed animal to squeeze and release anxiety will help. Also, praising him and rewarding him when he is not sucking on his thumb will increase his self-esteem and encourage him to kick the habit. If at any point in this process, he appears overwhelmed and the habit worsens, just ignore it. It might be a good idea to bring him in to see a pediatrician or a pediatric dentist to evaluate the development of his teeth. It will also provide the doctor the opportunity to show your son his teeth in the mirror, the callus on his thumb, and discuss the risks of bringing germs into his mouth, thus appealing to his reasoning and hopefully encouraging him to want to quit himself.

Dear Dr. Hanna: Is there any harm in my 10-year old drinking tea? He started drinking one cup in the

morning about a year ago, and now he wants to take a thermos to school every day. He says it really wakes him up. This is black tea we are talking about which, I know contains caffeine. How much is too much for a child, and is it a bad idea to allow him to drink it throughout the day?

Dr. Hanna: As difficult as it is for me to say the following, as I too enjoy the effects that caffeine has on me, but… caffeine is a drug; it is a stimulant drug. Its consumption, regardless of its presentation as tea, or a blended coffee drink, or soda pop, or high energy drink, causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. It can cause an increase in anxiety and hyperactivity and disturbs the sleep cycle. In addition, caffeine provides no nutritional benefit to your child’s diet. Young children do not need caffeine at all, and drinking it throughout the day is a bad idea as he will be replacing good hydration with this stimulant drug. My suggestion would be to stop the use of caffeine for your son and to encourage him to establish better sleeping habits, drink more water and milk, and get involved in physical activity.

You asked. Local pediatrician, Guitar Hanna, Bend Memorial Clinic Pediatrics, answers!

I lovemy doc.

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TV Guides’ Top TV Dads of all time:

DADS

MOMS

2009 Number of

stay-at-home dads reaches 1.8 million

1983 Mr. Mom released

1989 Number of

stay-at-home dads reaches 1 million

(according to Bureau of Labor Statistics)

1. Cliff Huxtable (“The Cosby Show”)

2. Ben Cartwright (“Bonanza”)

3. John Walton, Sr. (“The Waltons”)

4. Charles Ingalls (“Little House on the Prairie”)

5. Danny Williams (“Make Room for Daddy”)

6. Jim Anderson (“Father Knows Best”)

7. Steve Douglas (“My Three Sons”)

8. Andy Taylor (“The Andy Griffith Show”)

$671

Million Spent on cards

$20.7

billion Spent on gifts for

Mother’s Day

$1.9

Billion Spent on flowers

1. Carol Brady (“The Brady Bunch”)

2. Clair Huxtable (“The Cosby Show”)

3. Marie Barone (“Everybody Loves Raymond”)

4. June Cleaver (“Leave it to Beaver”)

5. Estelle Costanza (“Seinfeld”)

6. Elyse Keaton (“Family Ties”)

7. Marge Simpson (“The Simpsons”)

8. Nora Walker (“Brothers and Sisters”)

Access’ Top TV Moms of all time

Percentage of moms want:36% 35%

32%22%

8%6%

4%HOME-MADE GIFTS

DINNER A CARD FLOWERS SPA TREATMENT

CLOTHES ELECTRONICS

68% On-time graduation

rates in Oregon

49Rank in the country

92%On-time graduation rate at Summit High

77%On-time graduation

rates in Bend-La Pine School District

70%On-time graduation rates in Redmond

School District

Percent of teens who work during the summer months

SOURCE: Center for Labor Market Studies, Northeastern University

1990: 50%

2000: 45%

2010: 25%

Ages & Stages

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Birds chirping, trees and flowers blooming, longer days—everyone gets antsy at the splendorous signs of spring. But for the child with seasonal allergies, spring also means a runny nose, itchy eyes, and a

scratchy throat, which can make it difficult to breathe, concen-trate, or even sleep, and make the outdoors a less inviting place. Even worse, over time, these symptoms may lead to chronic ear infections and asthma. And, while over-the-counter antihista-mines can bring some immediate symptom relief, side effects such as drowsiness may disrupt ordinary activity as much as the allergies themselves.

Support your child’s comfort with a holistic approach that addresses lifestyle, environment, diet, and supplements to mini-mize allergen exposure, balance the body’s natural systems, and reduce symptoms.

Control Exposure—Since pollen levels are usually highest between 5 am and 10 am, it’s best to keep kids inside until after levels peak. And once they come in from outdoor play, have them take off their pollen-covered clothes and put them directly in the wash. Hair and little bodies get covered in allergens too, so baths after playtime or before bed will keep kiddos from bringing allergens into bed and being needlessly exposed to an

irritant for eight extra hours.

Minimize Inflamma-tion—What kids put in

their bodies can often make a big difference in symptom severity. Since allergies are an inflammatory response, minimizing inflamma-

tory reactions to certain foods can lessen the

burden. Many children have mild sensitivities

to everyday foods—dairy and wheat,

for example—that cause little, if any, day-to-day discomfort.

However, throw in an annual dose

of ragweed and the child’s allergy response shifts into overdrive. The

solution is to identify and eliminate such culinary

culprits—at least during allergy season—to improve a child’s ability to deal with the harder-to-avoid seasonal onslaught.

Keep it Clean—It takes some effort, but making sure your living environment is free of the particles that cause allergies will go a long way toward supporting better balance. Start with clean surfaces and floors, and vacuumed rugs. Keep windows closed, and use air filters, especially in the bedroom. Keep pets out of sleeping areas, and wash clothes and bedding frequently and in hot water.

Flush it Out—While it can take a little getting used to, rinsing kids’ nasal passages can help clear them of allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or dander. One 2009 study of children with allergies found that nasal irrigation with saline decreased the need for steroidal sprays. A traditional way to do this is using a teapot-shaped device called a neti pot filled with a solution of sterile (boiled or bottled), lukewarm water and salt (sea salt works best). (Sterility is important, as a dangerous infection oc-curred in Louisiana and was widely reported.) With head tilted, the saline mixture can be poured up one nostril and allowed to flow in such a way that it comes out the other nostril. Try it in the bath or shower for less potential mess, or try a sterile saline spray, which can sometimes be easier for kids to use.

Don’t Let Seasonal Allergies Ruin Your Kids’ Spring/Summer FeverBy Linda Knittel

Trending

Support the body’s systemsThey aren’t quick fixes, but regularly taking the following supplements may boost the immune system, minimize inflam-mation, and greatly reduce the agony of seasonal allergies. Check with your child’s physician before starting a new supplement protocol.

Fatty Acids—Fatty acids are what surround the cells in the body—like a strong, protective barrier. Most of us—especially kids—don’t get enough omega-3s. Supplementing with es-sential fatty acids does double duty: it builds strong cells, and tames inflammation should an allergic reaction occur.Probiotics—Having enough friendly bacteria in the body is proving to be one of the best defenses against a host of con-ditions, including allergies. In fact, a recent study in Indian Pe-diatrics found symptoms such as runny nose and watery eyes markedly diminished in children with allergies who were given a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus salivarius.Nettle—Stinging nettle is a plant that may sooth symptoms like drippy noses and itchy eyes. Nettle works like an antihista-mine, and can be consumed as a tea or taken in pill or tincture form, as directed.Quercetin—Limited preliminary clinical research has sug-gested that this flavonoid with antioxidant, antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory properties may sooth allergy symptoms. Adding vitamin C may also help.

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Education

“Peace is a cornerstone of the Montessori

method,” Phillips says. “It is critical in creating a learning

environment.”

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“I think as soon as we get up and running, we will have a waiting list as long as my arm,” says Shelly Phillips, co-president of the board of directors for Desert Sky Montessori. A few months ago, with a desire to expand

Montessori education in the region, the Board for Desert Sky Montessori submitted an application for a grade one through eight charter school to the Bend-La Pine school district. They are currently waiting for a ruling from the school district, but if successful, they will add the first elementary and middle Montessori school to the region with enrollment open to all, regardless of ability to pay. In Bend, currently, Montessori education is limited to six tuition-based preschools (at least one of the schools does teach children up to the age of 9).

Based on the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori over 100 years ago, Montessori classrooms set up a “teaching triangle”—child, teacher and environment. Using a geography lesson as an example, Phillips illustrates the specialized and self-motivated way a child may move through the grades and build on their knowledge. Three to six year olds, she explains, work with hands-on geography learning materials, manipulating intricate puzzle pieces, tracing maps, labeling countries while understanding their location and relationships with the globe. Once this foundation is established, the student builds additional lessons. By the time that child is in sixth grade, the details on the map are increased significantly—adding information about flags, culture and major cities, and by delivering reports to the class, students solidify their public speaking skills. According to the American Montessori Teachers’ Association, there are more than 20,000 Montessori schools worldwide.

But, while the education is tailored to the individual and children are self-directed, Phillips is clear that it doesn’t mean students can do whatever they want. The teacher accesses the child’s points of high interest which then guide them through other subjects. Phillips calls this approach “practical and effective.” Children “construct” their knowledge rather than trying to absorb all “top down” information.

Desert Sky Montessori has an initial budget of $12,000 for each student’s classroom materials. The materials are part of an overall strategy to build on a child’s natural love of learning according to Phillips. It is this approach to learning and the peaceful classroom environments that solidified Phillips’ dedication to the Montessori method.

“Peace is a cornerstone of the Montessori method,” she says. “It is critical in creating a learning environment.”

Desert Sky also plans to apply for a school in the Redmond district.

Expanding Montessori Through Grade EightDesert Sky Montessori waits for approval from the Bend-LaPine School DistrictBy Kirsteen Wolf

Education Notebook:Hosting an exchange student

By Kirsteen Wolf

Have you ever thought about inviting a complete stranger to come live with you?

I mean a total stranger, one that you agree to host any-where from a few weeks to a full academic year. Recently, my family did just that. We have hosted two teenage girls, one for a couple of weeks in the summer (from France), and one wonderful young woman who is currently staying with us (from the Gaza Strip) from September until June.

At first, I was nervous to host, but looking back, I can see that it has been an unforgettable experience. My fam-ily and I view the world in a different way. It’s unavoidable!

Often, depending on the program, you have some say in who comes to stay with you. Our student, who only stayed a few weeks two summers ago, was matched with our family by the coordinators through our shared inter-ests. For our student currently staying with us, we chose her because we read her biography and out of the many, we knew she was the best fit for our family.

Some of the programs cater to students whose families pay to send their child on an exchange, like our French student. Others bring students to the U.S. on a full merit scholarship, like our student from Gaza. Either way, you normally do not get paid to host. Thank goodness. It is important to find homes that want the intercultural experi-ence for its own sake.

The programs recognize that American families come in all shapes and sizes. Single parent families host stu-dents as do those with small houses and modest means. Home is home.

I suggest looking into a program with a length of stay that will work for you. Our family read about the YES Abroad program and knew we wanted to get involved. This State Department sponsored program was created after September 11 to foster cultural exchange between the US and countries with significant Muslim populations. Our student from Gaza is here on this highly competitive merit scholarship. Also, our own daughter will live in Tur-key this coming fall through a YES Abroad scholarship.

Now there are three more countries with which we have close family ties.

That’s the power of cultural exchange.

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Feature

Listen to Your

Mother! Respect Your

Father!

Just be a good

Person

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BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 15

Jodi Groteboer, co-owner Palate Coffee(with husband, Jason Rhodes)What is the best advice your mom ever gave you?

The best advice given to me by my mama was, “It doesn’t matter what religion you are, just be a good person.”

What lessons from your parents do you use with your own parenting?

I try to make reasonable compromises with my kids. My Dad was very good about coming up with compromises, so we were not constantly hearing,“NO!”

Bend celebs pass down lessons and wisdom from their parents . . . to you!Interviews by Phil Busse, Photos by Lisa Armstrong

For Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Nest asked a few locals—elected officials, guitar makers, storeowners—about their moms and dads. Their stories are funny and touching, as well as affirming about the positive role hardworking and kind parents can play. And, if there was one shared piece of advise: Spanking doesn’t work!

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Victor Chudowsky, City of Bend, Councilmember Do you consider your mom/dad a role model? (How so?)

I had the worst, as well as the best, in terms of parental role models. My father was a raging alcoholic and a nasty one at that. I remember my mom having to call the police. At one point, when I was pretty young, we had to move out of our house and live with my grandparents for a while.

Despite the bad start, I had a pretty happy childhood. My two brothers and I were raised by my mom and my grandparents, and they were great role models. They were WWII refugees, and it took them a long time to make it to the U.S., so they appreciated this country and were always thankful for living here. Like many immigrants, they were impeccably honest and hard-working. My grandfather worked in a factory and made it clear to me and my brothers that we should not ever work in a factory. My grandmother was a gentle soul who was always around to help when my mom and grandfather were working.

What parenting lessons from your parents do you use with your parenting?My mom and grandparents led by example. They were strong, stable, responsible adults. They did not burden us kids

with their problems or anxieties, nor did they want to be our friends. It was always clear that they were in charge. On the other hand, they did give us a lot of freedom. They weren’t “helicopter parents” who hovered around all the time, trying to protect us from everything. They trusted us enough to know we would not get into trouble, and we didn’t, at least for the most part.

Also, their expectations of us were very high. There was never any question, for example, of whether my brothers and I would go to college. We all went.

I think this is what has rubbed off on me in terms of raising our daughter. Our expectations of her are high, but at the same time, we do give her the freedom to pursue the things that she is interested in, like music and dancing. So, she is starting to exercise her freedom in her own way. It’s a cool thing to see happen.

Feature

Freedom to

Pursue

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Harold Olaf Cecil, owner, Giant Loop (grandson of the Skjersaas!)

What is the best advice your mom/dad ever gave you?In high school, my mom told me to get a summer job as a life-

guard and swimming instructor at the city pool. I did, and I met my now wife of 24 years there. Pretty good advice, mom!

Do you consider your mom and dad a role model? My parents married while they were still students at Bend

High School, and against all odds, remained married for 53 years (until my mother’s death two years ago). They both are/were incredibly hard working people who never had it easy, raising my chronically ill brother, me and my sister to appreciate family, friends and life’s rich experiences, instead of focusing on mate-rial riches. My parents are absolutely role models, heroes and inspirations to me.

What parenting lessons from your parents do you use with your parenting?

Unconditional love. To me, this is the greatest gift a parent can give their kids. No matter what, I always knew, and I know now, that I am loved by my parents. I strive to share that incredible gift with own my kids.

What parenting techniques your parents used do you avoid?Spanking is something that just seems uncreative and un-

necessary for the most part. Same with the expectation that kids can’t leave the meal table until they’ve cleaned their plates.

Feature

Unconditional

Love

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Page 18: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

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Ray Solley, Manager, The Tower

What is the best advice your mom/dad ever gave you?My mother and father came from a long line of perfectionists who expected extra effort from their children. But, my parents

put a “twist” on those expectations. Their advice was: “If you’re going to do it, do it right.”

Do you consider your dad a role model? My dad was a Director of Christian Education (mostly in the Methodist church) for more than 40 years in the South. He had an

uncanny ability to get the most out of all types of personalities, especially with folks who were volunteers. There are many days at the Tower when I feel like I’m just channeling his way with words and people.

If you’re going to do it, do it

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Jason Graham, musician Mosley WoTTa

What is the best advice your mom ever gave you?My mom often says, always know the rule your breaking.

What advice from your mom do you wish you hadn’t ignored?

Take a deep breath.

What parenting lessons from your parents do you use with your parenting?

Acting like a goof ball, getting cozy, stroking your kiddo’s hair while you sing them to sleep.

Jayson Bowerman, Bowerman Guitars, Bend Paddle Trail Alliance Board member

What is the best advice your mom/dad ever gave you?They always encouraged me to be myself and follow my

dreams. What amazing advice! It’s incredible that they stuck to that point of view when my life took a left turn away from the super studious, engineering minded path I’d been on up until I was 16. Through lots of uncertain times, including dropping out of college to build guitars instead of widgets, somehow follow-ing my passions has led to a fulfilling life.

What advice from your mom/dad do you wish you hadn’t ignored?

The one piece of advice which I truly regret is not using medica-tion the first time I got poison Oak really bad, which even-tually landed me in the ER for a Cortisone shot after my legs swelled up to the point that I couldn’t really walk or drive a car.

Do you consider your mom/dad a role model?

Without doubt, my folks are hugely inspirational. My mom and dad were always volunteering, fundrais-ing and teaching for non-profit organizations and causes they believed in as long as I can remember. They consider it a privi-lege and responsibility to give back to the community which we are all a part of. My dad raised my sister and me in the bottom of a canoe on the waters of the Deschutes River, in appreciation of the natural environment we are all a part of, which formed the foundation for many of the directions we would follow later in life. She’s now a fisheries biologist, working to restore anadromous fish runs in the Columbia and Snake rivers, and I’m involved in efforts to combine recreation, environmental stewardship and urban renewal to restore access for fish and whitewater recre-ation to the Deschutes River, here in Bend, where it has long been dammed up.

Feature

Follow my

Dreams

Take a deep

Breath

Page 20: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

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Page 21: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

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It seems a common complaint that men are difficult to shop for, and fathers seem to be no exception. But, studies show that dads really aren’t that hard to please and most want simple things for Fathers’ Day, like spending some quality time with the family. Make a day of it with an adventure, such as renting a double kayak ($50 for two hours) from Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe (805 SW Industrial Way, Suite 6) or rock-climbing at Bend Rock Gym (1182 SE Centennial Ct.).

If giving a wrapped gift is more your style, consider sprucing up Dad’s wardrobe with a trip to Revolvr Menswear (945 NW Wall St. Suite 100), where they

Mother’s Day & Father’s Day Gift GuideBy Hayley Jo Murphy Mother’s’ Day

The rewarding, yet exhausting, job of being a mom often comes with the issue of being over-worked, with little time for oneself. This may be the reason that when asked, many mothers’ top choice for a Mother’s Day gift is a spa day. Bend has a number of great choices including Spa W’s (125 NW Wall St.) Cat Nap package, which includes a steam, herbal linen wrap, and sixty-minute massage ($155).

Flowers may feel a tad cliché, but they are still a classy gift. For a unique arrangement, go to Wild Flowers of Oregon (920 NW Bond St. Suite 103), where the florists work to create custom arrangements ($30-$45). Or, to mix up the usual bouquet, consider giving a plant that won’t wilt away, such as a succulent ($3.95-$9.95).

Lastly, just because you are shopping for Mom, don’t rule out tech gadgets, such as the new iPhone or tablet. From downloading books and snapping that great shot of the kids, the modern day mom is well-versed in the technological revolution. Connecting Point (514 NW Franklin) offers a nice variety.

Although it’s ideal to show appreciation for Mom and Dad all the time, it is nice to set aside a day to share the love. Nest has compiled a gift guide for Mother’s and Father’s Day to help.

Father’s Day have a large selection of stylish clothes, from socks and button-ups to jeans, ($12-$100). Men’s apparel sales outpaced women’s last year-which shows that men want what’s new, whether it’s the latest gadget or fashion accessory.

Speaking of new things, enhance dad’s outdoor gear cache-inspire him to get out and explore the Cascades with the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2 mtn GLO tent from REI (380 SW Powerhouse Dr.). It has built-in LED lighting and is light-weight for backpacking ($449.95).

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Calendar

Summer Camps

Bicycle Motocross CampMay 16-17, 12:30-4 pm

BMX—Grades 3-6. If you can ride a bike, you can ride BMX! Professional BMX coaches will introduce the sport. Camp is focused on the basic skills needed to safely navigate the track, the starting gate, corners and the bump section of the track along with racing skills. Bring your bike and helmet or we can provide equipment if needed. Wear closed-toe shoes, long sleeve shirt and pants.

High Desert BMX Track at Sports Complex, 21690 Neff Rd. $100.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Little Kids Pottery CampMon-Thurs, June 15-18, 12:30-3 pm

Mon-Thurs, July 6-9, 9:30 am-noon

POTTERY—Ages 4-6. Get creative with John Kinder to get little ones start early with clay! Fantasy sculptures, super heroes, and slab built castles are just a few fun projects. Every young artist gets to make a few pots on the pottery wheel.

Elk Meadow Elementary School, 60880 Brookswood Blvd. $85.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Camp InventionJune 14-19, 9 am-3:30 pm

SCIENCE—Ages 5-12. Camp Invention is where BIG ideas become the next big thing! Local educators lead a week of hands-on activities. Kids spend time pushing the limits during high-energy games, working with teammates to construct a freestyle racing cart and taking apart electronics to assemble something new. Lessons explore connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation.

Miller Elementary, 200 NW Crosby Dr. $265. www.bendparksandrec.org

RAD Camps—RAD KidsBeginning June 15, 8 am-5 pm

Ages 7-12, and 13 - 17. RAD Camps explores over 50 unique summer adventures in Deschutes and EXPLORE—Willamette National Forests and an occasional State Park. RAD Camps is designed to give kids the opportunity to explore pristine and exciting places while learning about their natural surroundings. RAD Camps emphasizes fun, free play, camaraderie, and an appreciation for the natural world.

Harmon Park, 1100 NW Harmon Blvd. $80/day. www.radcamps.com

Horseback Riding CampJune 15-September 4, M-F, 2-5 pm

HORSES—Ages 7-14. Experience hours of riding! Gain hands-on experience as you handle, groom and saddle your horse. Explore a variety of techniques and games to develop horsemanship and confidence. Includes t-shirt; helmet provided. Boots with heel required.

Seventh Mountain Resort, 18575 SW Century Dr. $295.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Little Dribblers CampJune 22-25, Mountain View High School, 9 am-noon

July 20-23, Cascade Middle School, 9 am-noon.

BASKETBALL—Grades 1-5. Directed by Mtn. View High School basketball coach Craig Reid and his staff, these camps offer a friendly environment to gain basketball knowledge and experience, develop individual skills and learn team concepts. Includes t-shirt.

Mountain View High School,

2755 NE 27 St., or

Cascade Middle School, 19619 Mountaineer Way. $75.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Family Summer CalendarThis summer is jam-packed with great camps, events, and classes for kids and families. BendNest has selected a few in each category for your family. For complete listings and more information, also check out these great resources:

Bend Park & Recreation Playbook High Desert MuseumArt StationJuniper Swim & FitnessChildren’s Forest of Central OregonCascade School of MusicCascade Middle School

BEAT StudioSylvan Learning CenterAthletic Club of BendThe Environmental CenterBig Sky Sports ComplexCascade Indoor SportsThe Source Weekly

Horseback Riding Camp

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BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 23

Continues on the next page

Kids Paddlesports Adventure CampsWeekly sessions beginning June 22-25, 9 am-4 pm

WATER SPORTS—Ages 8-16. This camp includes standup paddleboarding on Elk Lake, flatwater kayaking on the Deschutes, rafting on the McKenzie and sailing on Elk Lake.

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe, 805 SW Industrial Way. $395.

www.tumalocreek.com

Kids Whitefish Kayak CampJuly 6-9, 9 am - 4 pm

August 24-27, 9 am-4pm

KAYAK—Ages 10-16. If your kids are looking for a big time adrenaline rush this summer, sign them up! We will practice paddle strokes, introduce the kayak roll, meet new friends and run some easy Class II rapids by the end of the week. Geared to both beginning and intermediate paddlers with kids being grouped according to their ability. Taught by ACA Certified Whitewater Instructors.

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe, 805 SW Industrial Way. $395.

www.tumalocreek.com

Smith Rock Youth Climbing CampJuly 7-10, 9 am-4 pm

CLIMBING—Join our coaches for four days of fun and climbing at Smith Rock State Park. This day camp is geared towards the novice to intermediate climber ages 12-16 years of age that have had some previous exposure to rock climbing. Participants will be introduced to proper belay techniques, belay commands, knots, and basic climbing technique and movements.

Bend Endurance Academy, 500 SW Bond St. $350.

www.bendenduranceacademy.org

Eco Hero AdventuresJuly 20-23, 8:30 am-5 pm

ENVIRONMENT—Ages 10-13. Discover what it takes to grow food, harness solar power, fix bikes, conduct an energy audit, get around by alternative transportation and be an outdoor guide! Together with the Envi-ronmental Center, Commute Options will teach how to bike safely around town while learning about sustainable living. We will explore parks, play games and enjoy the river at lunchtime.

The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Ave. $175.

www.envirocenter.org

Mountain View Youth Soccer CampJuly 21-23, 9-11:30 am

SOCCER—Grades 1-5. Both the Mountain View High School boys’ and girls’ soccer programs will be hosting this soccer camp for players of all abilities. Campers will learn skills—dribbling, passing, shooting and de-fense—needed to compete at the next level. Bring soccer ball, appropriate clothing, water bottle and snack each day.

Big Sky Sports Complex, 21690 Neff Rd. $45.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Pretty Princess Dance CampJuly 28-30, 9:30 am-noon

DANCE—Ages 5-7. Featuring high-energy themes, sessions are filled with crafts, dance games, free movement, ballet, and rhythm dances. From students’ ideas their own dance story will be completed with a mini performance for friends and parents.

Academie De Ballet Classique, 162 NW Greenwood Ave. $75.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Classes

Summer Youth Mountain BikingMon-Thurs, 9 am-noon. Continues through Aug. 20

BIKING—Ages 6-8, and 9 - 12. Popular ability-based mountain biking skills progres-

sion with great coaches who make every ride a fun adventure. Choose 5 or 10 weeks; and one to four days per week. Transportation provided from office out to the trails each morning in the Adventure Bus.

Bend Endurance Academy, 500 SW Bond St. $120.

www.bendenduranceacademy.org

Mommy & Me at the FarmWednesdays, 10:30 am-noon Through May 27

GARDEN—For children ages 24-months to 4-years-old. Mommy & Me classes incorporate art, storytelling, animal demon-strations, games, movement, music, and literature into an enjoyable class for both children and adults! At Juniper Jungle Farm there are chickens, turkeys, a pond, a tipi, greenhouses, compost piles, a stream, and many other exciting places to visit. The class is for children accompanied by an adult (dads welcome!)

Juniper Jungle Farm, 22135 Erickson Rd. $33 for four classes. $10 drop-in rate.

www.wildheartnatureschool.com

Backpack ExplorersWednesdays & Thursdays, 9:30 am-10:30 am.

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BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 25

CalendarThrough May

EXPLORE—Pre-schoolers and guard-ian learn about nature, science, and art. Themes change weekly. Pre-registration required.

High Desert Museum, 59800 S Hwy 97. $10-$15.

www.highdesertmuseum.org

Puddle StompersMay 2 & June 6, 11-11:45 am

FUN—Ages 3-5 and family. Rain or shine, take a stroll through the park and explore nature up-close. Be a part of little adventure while looking for birds and bugs to stimulate a child’s sense of wonder.

May 2, Compass Park, 2500 NW Crossing Dr. June 6, Pine Nursery Park, 3750 NE Purcell Blvd. Free.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Seussical Jr.May 8, 9, 15, 16—7 pm

May 9, 16—2 pm

May 10, 17—4 pm

THEATER—Horton hears a Who and en-deavors to protect Whoville, whose citizen live on a speck of dust, featuring all sorts of

fun Dr. Seuss characters!

Summit High School, 2855 NW Clearwater Dr. Adult $15, students $10.

www.beatonline.org

Lil DragonsMultiple summer sessions, beginning May 26

KARATE—Ages 3-5. Beginning with the very basics of Tang Soo Do Karate, designed to help children learn disciplines, self-control, confidence and teamwork as well as develop motor skills. Uniform included.

Tang Soo University, 924 SE Wilson Ave. $59.

www.bendparksandrec.org

KindermusikJune 3-24, 9-9:45 am or 10:30-11:15 am

MUSIC—12 months-2 years. Sing, play, and move your little one in this high-energy music class designed to be just right for very young children. A focus on beginning movement, helping to build the muscles need to walk, run, and climb, as well as vocal development.

Cascade School of Music, 200 NW Pacific Park Ln. $75.

www.ccschoolofmusic.org

Strider & Balance Bike ExplorersJune 5, 4-5 pm, July 3, 4-5 pm, Aug. 7, 4-5 pm & Sept. 4, 4-5 pm

BIKE—For ages 2-4, riders must be able to do some striding on their balance bikes. We do not have any loaners so riders must have their own bikes. Our group will explore cool areas, play games and work on becoming a team under the direction of one of our awesome coaches. Price is for all four sessions.

Bend Endurance Academy, 500 SW Bond St.. $60 for all four sessions.

www.bendenduranceacademy.org

Lego Still Life: Build & PaintJune 6, 9:30-11 am

LEGO—Ages 4-6. Kids will build a Lego masterpiece and document their design! Spending the first part of the workshop as architects and builders, and the latter as artists capturing our creations with a fun crayon and water resistant paint technique. Harmon Park Hobby Hut, 1100 NW Harmon Blvd. $25.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Fun With ClayJune 22-25, Ages 6-8: 9 am-noon. Ages 9-12: 1-4 pm.

CREATE—Discover new ways of ex-pressing yourself in clay! Your theme is your choice. Construct and glaze a variety of clay projects from start to finish, stimulating your imagination.

Art Station, 313 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. $90.

www.artscentraloregon.org

For the most up-to-date calendar Bend Nest recommends checking out the Kids Stuff section of the Source Weekly

in print or online, bendsource.com. Have fun!

Continues on the next page

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CalendarSun Catcher WorkshopJune 30, 9 am - noon

ART—Ages 7-11. Let the sun shine through your art! In this workshop we will design a colorful glass sun catcher. Great as a gift or to brighten your bedroom. Cascade Middle School, 19619 Mountain-eer Way. $25.

www.bendparksandrec.org

WoodworkingJuly 1, 9 am - noon.

WOOD—Ages 7-11. Make toys, boxes and more out of wood! Learn how to safely use a hammer and nails to complete these fun projects. Cascade Middle School, 19619 Mountaineer Way. $25.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Backpacking BasicsMultiple summer sessions, begin-ning with July 1, 9 am-4 pm

BACKPACK—Ages 12-15. Learn the fundamentals as we teach about selecting equipment, loading a pack, using stoves, setting up tents, Leave No Trace practices, choosing a campsite and more. Once packs are loaded, we will take a short hike to get a feel for the pack and make adjustments. No previous experience necessary. Equipment available if needed (let us know in advance) or bring your own.

Harmon Park, 1100 NW Harmon Blvd. $46.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Dinosaur AdventuresJuly 6-9, 9 am-1 pm

DINOSAUR—Ages 5-10. Be a paleon-tologist! Explore the world of dinosaurs as we make and examine fossils to find out how they lived. Bring a lunch and water bottle. Brought to you by BPRD’s The Master and Dr. Nope.

Cascade Middle School,

19619 Mountaineer Way. $115.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Get Up & Move!July 6-9, 1:30-2:15 pm

ACTIVE—Ages 3-5. A fun way for young children to learn basic dance moves and have the opportunity to get their sillies out! They will utilize their bodies to move and burn energy while using colorful scarves, hula hoops, and other props.

Larkspur Park,

1700 SE Reed Market Rd. $30.

www.bendparksandrec.org

Plaster MasksJuly 13-16, 1-4 pm

MASKS—Ages 9-12. Work with a partner to create a mask from your face. Using plaster cloth, paper mache and photos, you will design a life-sized, three-dimensional mask expressing your theme of choice.

Art Station, 313 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. $90.

www.artscentraloregon.org

Cultural Happenings & Music

Sisters Poetry FestMay 1, 6:30 pm

POETRY—All ages. Sisters Middle School students perform their art-inspired original poetry.

Paulina Springs Books, 252 W Hood Ave., Sisters. Free.

www.paulinasprings.com

Walk+Bike ChallengeMay 1

BIKE—The Walk+Bike Challenge is a friendly competition aimed at encouraging more kids and families to walk and bike to and from school and throughout their neighborhoods. The Challenge is hosted by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) with support from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), our sponsors (Grouptrail and Chipotle), and other part-ners. The BTA will hold weekly prize draw-ings for schools that log trips each week to win extra incentives, gift certificates, and other great prizes.

Various locations. Free.

www. btaoregon.org/area/walknbike/#registration

Garden Work PartyMay 9, 10 am-noon

GARDEN—Community garden work party in the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden! Swing by for 30 minutes or the entire two hours as we continue to get the garden ready for spring.

The Environmental Center,

16 NW Kansas Ave. Free.

www.envirocenter.org

Youth Fishing Event—Learn to FishMay 16, 9 am-1pm

FISHING—Ages 17 and under. Join the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for a free youth fishing event. ODFW staff and

volunteers will be on hand to help young anglers learn how fish. Loaner rods, reels and tackle will be available. The pond will be stocked with rainbow trout before the event. NOTE: A juvenile angling license is required for teens 14-17. All state angling regulations apply.

Pine Nursery Park,

3750 NE Purcell Blvd. Free.

www.bendparksandrec.org

SHARC Annual Soft Opening WeekendMay 16-17, 10 am-4 pm

SWIM—Annual community weekend! Outdoor pools open: lazy river, waterslides, recreation pool, and tot wading pool. The Sunriver Care and Share food bank will be the recipents of the donated entrance food, which serves south Deschutes County communities.

Sunriver SHARC, 57250 Overlook Rd., Sunriver. $5, plus three nonperishable food items (per person four years and older).

www.sunriversharc.com

The Clarion CallMay 16, noon-2 pm, June 13, noon-2 pm, & July 11, noon-2 pm

PERFORMANCE—Come meet other students earnestly striving to become their “inner performer.” All instructors are encouraged to bring their students down for lunch and an engaging experience they will certainly enjoy. Full professional sound system that will bring ‘em back for more. Dare to be there.

Kelly D’s Banquet Room, 1012 SE Cleve-land Ave. Free.

www.kellyds.com

Kids Day in MayMay 23, 11am-4 pm

FUN—This event focuses on kids of all ages include numerous games and activi-ties for every kid. Enjoy the petting zoo; then jump until your heart’s content on the Inflatable Bounce Houses. Experience the challenge of a kid’s obstacle course or rock wall; then head over to the Fire Fighters and Police Officers to see the coolest service vehicles and learn about their jobs. The Village at Sunriver, 57100 Beaver Dr., Sunriver. Free admission.

www.villageatsunriver.com

High Desert Museum Open ‘Til DarkMay 29, 5 pm-9 pm

MUSEUM—Family-friendly evening event with live music from Truck Stop Gravy, food, and beer tastings from a variety of breweries.

High Desert Museum, 59800 S HWY 97. $8 adult, $5 child.

www.highdesertmuseum.org

Happy Little Kids RunMay 30, noon

RACE—This children’s race is part of the Happy Girls Run Bend. Open to both happy boys and girls, this event is a great way to give your little ones some inspirational exercise alongside mom!

Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St. $5.

www.happygirlsrun.com

Sunriver Solstice Family Tennis TournamentJune 18-21, various times

TENNIS—In its eighth year, this tourna-ment has something for everyone in the family! With different age group tourna-ments, as well as adult singles and doubles

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BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 27

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North Courts Complex, Sunriver. $20-$30.

www.sunrivertennis.com

Bite of Bend—Kids AreaJune 19-21, all day

EAT—The Healthy Kids corner is a family-friendly area within the Bite of Bend, featuring several healthy activities just for kids! Children can taste brand new foods and learn about the fun of being adventur-ous at meal times. Physical activities will be available including the Little Hopper ob-stacle run, face painting, bounce houses, games crafts, and other activities.

Located off of Oregon Ave.,

between Wall and Bond. Free.

www.biteofbend.com

Little Hopper Root Beer RunJune 20, noon

RUN—Ages 3-10. Little ones like to drink and run too—drink root beer, that is! Join us for another Kids Rock the Races event at The Bite of Bend, this time featuring root beer and ice cream! Participants will run the course while building key components of their root beer float. Troy Field, across from Bend Public Library, between NW Bond St. and Louisiana Ave. $5.

www.biteofbend.com

Balloons Over BendJuly 24-26, launch 6 am, festival 10 am-4 pm, nightglow at dusk

HOT AIR BALLOONS—Rise with the sun and venture to Riverbend Park for the stunning, memory filled balloon launches at sunrise on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Witness the magic of nightglow as balloons filled and lit up against the darkening sky Friday. Have tons of fun and get active during the Children’s Festival Saturday and Sunday with over 60 activities including bouncy houses, face painting, crafts, and education. Balloon Blast Kids Race on Saturday!

Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St. Bal-loon Blast Kids Race $5. Viewing balloons free. Kids festival price TBD.

www.balloonsoverbend.com

Kids Splash-N-DashJuly 19, noon

ACTIVE—Ages 3-10. This event is focused on fun with an athletic obstacle course designed for. The race will begin with a dash through pools of water and continue through a sea of tires, a slide under a moat, a traverse along a misty balance beam, and a final climb up the monkey bars to the water slide finish! Older kids get to find their stride with a

short run out to the river and back before sliding down the water finale.

Old Mill District, 450 SW Powerhouse Dr. $15-$30 depending one when you register.

www.deschutesdash.com

4 Peaks Music FestivalJune 19-21, all day

FESTIVAL—Intimate and family friendly music fest right outside of Bend! 2015 Line up: The Motet, ALO, Rusted Root, Melvin Seals and the JGB, Poor Man’s Whiskey, The Brothers Comatose, Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings. Polecat, Dead Winter Carpenters, the Pitchfork Revolution and many more! Children of all ages welcome. Tickets required for children over 10.

Rockin A Ranch, 19449 Tumalo Reservoir Rd. Ages 10 and under free. $60-$140 weekend pass.

www.4peaksmusic.com

Pickin’ & Paddlin’ 2015Demos 4-7 pm. Music—opener begins playing 5 pm, headliner is done by 9 pm

MUSIC & WATER SPORTS—Kayak, canoe, and standup paddle board demos throughout the late afternoon. Local and regional acoustic, bluegrass and Americana acts in the evening. Food carts, microbrews for 21 and olders, non-profit information tables, and more.

June 24—Polecat

July 29—Brothers Comatose

August 26—Rainbow Girls

September 19—Renegade String Band

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe, 805 SW Industrial Way, Suite 6. $5. Children 12 and under are free.

www.tumalocreek.com

Peak Summer NightsDoors open 5:30 pm

MUSIC—Longest running concert series in Bend’s rich music culture. The series has provided the community the oppor-tunity to experience some of the biggest names in the business. Shows held at The Athletic Club of Bend courtyard provide an intimate and up-close-and-personal experience.

June 30—Gregg Allman

July 22—Melissa Etheridge

September 4—Punch Brothers

The Athletic Club of Bend, 61615 Athletic Club Dr. $25-$30 general admission.

www.peaksummernights.com

Expert CompassionateHealth Carefor the whole family.

Open 7 Days • Urgent CareDoctors Byron Maas, Lauren Stayer, Erin Miller & Alan Kelley

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Page 28: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

28 | MAY 2015 | BENDNEST.COM

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Meet Bend’s best Pre and Postnatal Natural Health and Wellness Professionals for a day of learning and empowerment.

Saturday, July 18th 10am to 3pmSaturday, October 17th 10am to 3pm

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Page 29: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 29

It is 9 am sharp, and a pint-size teenager, barely larger than the Liberty Bell she approaches, grabs a rope and begins tugging. The bell rings out three times into the cloudy morning, and the remote woods just past

Suttle Lake, which were still and quiet just five minutes ago are transformed by a chattering group of teenagers, becom-ing as noisy as a high school pep rally.

Yes, it is summer camp.

But Caldera is unlike any other summer camp in the state, if not the country. Started 15 years ago, the camp matured quickly from an art program into something much more sig-nificant and sophisticated—a mentorship program for some of the most vulnerable middle and high schoolers in the state.

The program provides three 10-day sessions each sum-mer, drawing a mixed bag of teens—some from hard-luck families in Central Oregon, others from Portland’s poorer neighborhoods. It is a group of black, white and Latino teenagers decidedly more ethnically mixed than the state’s general population—and certainly more so than the nearby resort towns of Sisters and Black Butte. It is the demographic that child welfare workers, guidance counselors and juvenile court staff would label “at risk”—a term shunned at Caldera.

Established by ad executive Dan Wieden (as in Wieden+Kennedy, the powerhouse Portland-based agency that has built the Nike image and clever ads for the likes of Miller, Coke and Old Spice), Caldera started with a fairly sim-ple, but highly effective, calculation: Among Central Oregon’s towering ponderosa and pine trees, campers are paired with world-class artists in filmmaking, poetry, photography and car-tooning sessions; each class is

cleverly dis

CultureCaldera Proves That Art Can Save Lives Pairing world-class artists with teens is a winning combination By Phil Busse

The Book Shelf

100 Hikes: Eastern Oregon, Bill Sullivan

Not necessarily bedtime reading, but Bill Sullivan’s latest edition of his well-thumbed series of Oregon hikes is a great update of various hikes throughout the High Desert, the Wal-lowas and Steens. Sullivan’s guide

books make various locations accessible, with insider information about trailheads and suggestions about the best time of year to travel. The hikes range from easily-accessible to remote, and are a well curated set of 100 adventures waiting to happen.

Ghosthunting Oregon, Donna Stewart

Also not recommended for bedtime reading, but this book is a fun tour guide to some familiar spots around Oregon—and an engaging way to teach about history as ghost hunter, Donna Stewart, provides ad-

equate information about various time periods, like explaining Portland’s 1905 Lewis & Clark Fair and some of the 1920s lore around St Francis School.

These are not overly scary, but serve as light-touch and slightly chilling stories, enough to give a few goosebumps but not bad dreams—and also a great way to engage Oregon’s history.

Page 30: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

30 | MAY 2015 | BENDNEST.COM

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BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 31

Culture

guised to teach life lessons and provide gentle mentorship, along with campfire intentions and confidence-building sessions to reinforce these lessons, like a costume artist who worked on the “Lion King” set and teaches students about “masks”—both literally and figuratively.

Whether stemming from lack of finances, rickety family structures, drug abuse, domestic violence, or a combination of all-the-above, the attending teens generally are the ones most likely to lack mentorship at home—and subsequently often also lack confidence and opportunities. But at Caldera, these youth are not treated as statistic, but as individuals learning to define their strengths.

Oregon has some of the most troubling high school gradua-tion rates in the country, with only 58 percent of Latino and 54 percent of black students (the worst rate in the country) graduating in four years. According to the U.S. Department of Education, only 70 percent of white students, who traditionally graduate at higher rates, make it through high school in Ore-gon—a rate lower than that of any other state in the country and a number primarily hampered by children from working-class families in Central Oregon, where, in 2011, Redmond graduation rates dipped below 50 percent.

But the numbers for Caldera are remarkable, with nearly perfect graduation rates for the students who attend the sum-mer program throughout their high school years; numbers too convincing to be coincidence.

During the academic year, Caldera also runs an afterschool program that serves roughly 300 low-income students.

On May 30 and May 31, Caldera is sponsoring a professional development training for Central Oregon middle and high school teachers. To register, contact Alisha Orefice at 503-937-3062, or [email protected].

Photo submitted by Caldera

Caldera CONTINUED

Page 32: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

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Adult Time

As parents, we spend a good amount of time prepar-ing for the moment our child’s first date shows up on our doorstep. We craft the perfect threats, plan ways to secretly follow them, and research stats on what to

expect when the days of dating inevitably arrive. Getting ready for our children’s various ages and stages is simultaneously exciting and frightening.

But navigating our own dating lives after having children is rarely included on the list of things to plan for. Whether as a result of a partner’s death or—as Ms. Paltrow likes to call

it—“consciously uncoupling,” roughly half of parents find themselves

single and back in the dating pool again at some point.

The following are five easy-to-apply tips for modern-day dating as a single parent that will help you flirt and have some fun.

Let go of the guilt: You have made it

through the loss of a rela-tionship and the challenge

of reestablishing a healthy family life. You are rocking the

responsibilities of raising children, having a career, and managing a household. You deserve some you time and companionship. It’s time to let go of the past and get excited about what’s to come. Positive energy is good for both you and your children.

Change your focus: Many of us spent our early adult years looking for “the one” and dreaming about marriage and build-ing a family. Now, with your family life firmly in place, dating has changed. You have the opportunity to refocus your dating goals and first work on meeting new people, building friendships, and having fun. Take time to explore your options so that when you do decide to recommit, it’s because you know what and who works for you and your family and what and who doesn’t.

Don’t hold back: Single parents often fret over when they should let a person of interest know they have one, two, or three (more?) children. The answer to this question is the same ad-vice you’ve always given your children: Be honest! Withholding important information is the same as lying. No one wants to be

caught off guard with news of that magnitude half way through the first or second date; give it upfront. Besides, anyone worth sharing time with will value you for all of the facets of your life, and admire the pride you take in your parenting.

Telling the kids: So you’ve found love and your first instinct is to share, share, share! Our social networking feeds are filled with announcements of “So-and-So are now in a relationship!” followed by a lengthy list of congratulatory comments. You so want those comments to be for you! But you have to tell the kids first. More important than when the kids find out is how they find out, and they must find out from you and no one else. You may be able to tell your tween or teen that you’re dating sooner than you can younger children, who might find the news of a new “friendship” easier to grasp.

Sleepovers: Timing is a choice that each individual has to make based on his or her own beliefs and personal boundaries. But what child and family therapists overwhelmingly agree on is that children should not be subjected to sleepovers until you are ready to make your new partner a permanent part of your whole family’s lives.

In general, a good approach to take with your new dating life is to consider how you want your children to handle dating when the time comes. If they are already dating, perhaps it’s time to take your own good advice.

Flirt & Have Fun5 Dating Tips for Single Parents

By Annette Benedetti

Positive energy is good for both you and your children.

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BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 33

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Page 35: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 35

HealthI

magine the following scenario: A little boy walks up to a girl and asks, “What’s your name?” The girl stares down at her shoes. She doesn’t want to answer be-cause she’s self-conscious about the way she speaks.

Finally, she responds: “Lisa Wichards.”

Humans are social creatures. When children struggle to communicate, it can affect their social development. But early intervention can save time, money, and frustration—and prevent self-esteem issues.

“The earlier children can receive intervention the better,” explains speech-language pathologist Alicia Fox, with local nonprofit clinic KidTalk. “Treatment occurring earlier in a child’s life can be of shorter duration because issues are addressed before ingrained patterns and years of error practice occur.”

The first step is to under-stand the typical pace of childhood communication development. By the time chil-dren are 5 years old—prepar-ing to enter kindergarten— the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) says they should be able to tell a short story, respond to the question “What did you say?” and pronounce all of the sounds in words, even if they some-times stumble on toughies like l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh, and th.

“Without that early intervention, a child with speech or language concerns may enter Kindergarten and struggle to express himself or understand what is going on in class,” Fox says. As a result, she adds, “he may dislike school and start feeling inadequate. We’d all like to protect kids from that failure cycle that can damage their self-esteem.”

Aside from the more subjective reasons to nip communi-cation issues in the bud, ASHA notes that every dollar spent on early treatment saves $7 in education and treatment in later years.

Fox says the most common communication issues affect-ing children include difficulty with understanding what words mean and how to use them, saying the sounds of words correctly, using language socially, vocal hoarseness, stutter-ing, and hearing loss. Research shows that communication disorders affect anywhere from 2 to 25 percent of youngsters,

but after taking into account dif-ferent methodologies, ASHA states that 8 to 9 percent of children are likely affected.

While speech and language issues are often of unknown origin and may disappear as a child ages, Fox says they can also be related to Autism Spectrum Disorder or another underlying disorder.

But even if the child’s communication challenges aren’t a symptom of anything deeper, they can cause struggles all their own. Children who don’t feel heard and understood may become with-drawn or act out.

“Children get frustrated when they are unable to make their needs known. Often kids will at-tempt to communicate less if they feel it’s likely people won’t under-stand them,” Fox says. “Otherwise kids may become angry and act out their frustration behavior-ally by hitting or kicking, which impacts social success.”

So what’s a parent to do to prevent and appropriately ad-dress these challenges? Fox says it’s best to lead by example and give children plenty of practice

expressing themselves. “Read to your kids, talk with your kids, follow their interests and give young kids a chance to talk,” Fox explains, adding that it’s better to have a two-way conversation than to grill the child with questions or quiz them on letters and numbers. “Try to give them information by describing daily activities, more than asking questions to ‘test’ their knowledge.”

But talking and reading to a child isn’t always enough to prevent speech and language issues. Fortunately, Fox says, consulting with a speech language therapist—whether through the child’s school, a nonprofit like KidTalk, or a private provider—can yield impressive results.

“I have seen children receive services at age 2 or 3 and then enter kindergarten needing no additional support,” Fox says. “This success in class helps with positive self-esteem.”

Parents can access screenings at no cost at the upcom-ing Healthy Beginnings event in Bend, May 29 at Nativity Lu-theran Church. For more information, including other Central Oregon locations, visit myhb.org or call 541-383-6357.

Say What?Early intervention can boost language skills and self-esteemBy Erin Rook

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Outdoors

Climbing Over Obstacles Central Oregon’s World Class Rocks Offer Exciting ChallengesBy Taylor Thompson

photo by Chockstone Climbing

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BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 37

There comes a time in every parent’s life when that ever-mysterious cookie jar loses all of its—well, mystery…and distance from grabbing hands.

The back corner of your kitchen counter? Too easy to climb onto.

The highest shelf in your pantry? Amateur stuff.

The top of your refrigerator? Conquered!

So with such a natural tendency for kids to ascend, perhaps that curiosity and climbing energy could be, well, harnessed by harnessing up for some actual sport climbing. And unless you’ve been living under it for the last three decades, Smith Rock just happens to be one of the world’s most famous sites for this particu-lar activity.

“There’s no place quite like it,” says Bend dad Steve Hanes, who has made the 30-minute drive to Terrebonne dozens of times this past year with his son Matthew. “Climbing has been an incredibly beneficial experience for our family, and it all started at Smith Rock.”

It’s a special place, Hanes notes, because it’s where he first saw signs of improvement in Matthew’s behavior.

“He has struggled with emotional and behavioral disorders since he was four,” Hanes says of his now 12-year-old son. “But since he started climbing, I’ve seen both his mental and physical skills improve tremendously, and we’ve grown closer as a family because of it.”

And Matthew agrees.

“[Climbing] has made a huge difference,” he says. “Being out on the rocks makes me feel so much calmer and happier, and there’s nothing like the feeling of sending a new route.”

According to Hanes, Matthew showed an immedi-ate change in mannerism after his very first climb.

“He was focused and aware, as if his mind and body had suddenly connected for the first time. And then he was hooked.”

No surprise there, according to psychologist and climbing instructor Adrian Hurst. “In climbing, we learn how to apply our bodies to gain height up a section of rock,” Hurst says, “and we discover that applying good technique leads to improved outcomes.”

These outcomes can include increased self-aware-ness, better coordination and improved discipline, not to mention stronger muscles and enhanced flexibility.

“We’ve seen such an overall balance in Matthew since he started climbing,” Hanes explains. “It’s proved to not only help him overcome his anxiety and behavior issues, but it has set the stage for all sorts of valuable life skills.”

Brenna Thomas, a resident of Redmond, has also seen the positive effects of rock climbing for kiddos. Her son Aiden, who scurried up his first route at age seven, continues to beam about “going higher and higher” each climb.

“[Aiden’s] confidence has grown so much since he first started climbing,” Thomas states. “Just overcoming that initial fear of heights really proved to be a turning point for him. Now he’s actually excited about setting goals for himself and tackling challenges.”

Aiden, who recently celebrated his ninth birthday at Bend Rock Gym, says his favorite part about climbing is, of course, reaching the summit.

“I like to stop for a couple minutes when I get to the top,” he says. “It’s really cool to look down and around and think to myself, ‘I just did that!’”

A proud mama (and a climber herself), Thomas says she loves engaging with her son in such an excit-ing activity.

“Watching him grow as a climber has been magi-cal for me,” she says. “And it’s not a bad way for him to burn off all that excess energy, either!”

As for parental advice, both Hanes and Thomas en-courage moms and dads to simply let their kids climb.

“If you provide them with the proper gear and safety training,” Hanes says, “the rest is really up to them. Reaching higher just comes natural.”

“Being out on the rocks makes me feel so much

calmer and happier, and there’s nothing like the feeling of sending

a new route.”

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38 | MAY 2015 | BENDNEST.COM

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Page 39: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 39

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Page 40: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

40 | MAY 2015 | BENDNEST.COM

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Page 41: Bend Nest — Summer 2015

BENDNEST.COM | MAY 2015 | 41

Leavingthe Nest

When I grew up, summer time meant un-structured time; hanging

out with friends, riding bikes around town, swim-ming and having the kind of fun we made up on our own. No parents needed.

Fast forward to today, where kids seem to have schedules as structured as Fortune 500 CEOs—with, yup, parents act-ing as schedulers. It seems like “unstructured playtime” is as dated as sling shots and Big Wheels. Rarely do I see a pack of kids roaming the neighborhood just looking for something to do.

Remember the story a few years ago about a New York City mom who let her 9-year old son ride the subway home all alone? All over the news, involving child psychologists and panels of parents, the story led to her being known nationwide as the “World’s Worst Mother.” She appeared on television several times defending her decision to allow her very capable son the right to ride the subway without an adult.

Today, that mom, Lenore Skenazy, runs an organization called Free-Range Kids, whose mission statement goes like this: “Fighting the belief that our children are in constant dan-ger from creeps, kidnapping, germs, grades, flashers, frustra-tion, failure, baby snatchers, bugs, bullies, men, sleepovers and/or the perils of a non-organic grape.”

I love it. When I was growing up, I was exactly that: a free-range kid. My mother didn’t work; she spent her days taking care of all things domestic for our family. We always knew where to find her, but she didn’t necessarily know where to find us three. We lived in a world without cell phones and hovering mothers. And, that time of discovery, as well as self-responsi-bility, was critical for social development and a defined sense of self.

When I was in third grade, I first went to summer camp with my best friend. Although I wasn’t thrilled by the idea, it was a big-girl experience for sure. We lay awake every night missing our parents, sweating furiously in the South Georgia heat try-ing to ignore the buzzing nuisances that persisted into the wee hours. But once again, we had stories, albeit miserable ones, to tell when we returned home.

Things have really changed in the world where I am raising my own children. We over-communicate with our offspring; we wonder and worry about them constantly, even stalking them on Facebook.

Why?

What has changed?

Over the years,

I have found myself struggling to go against the grain, and allow them independence. I have certainly been over-

involved in my kids’ lives. As my sons are now teenagers, I am reluctant even to let an evening pass where I don’t text them a few times or inquire when they’re coming home. Yikes! That’s me?!

In many ways, today’s kids aren’t encouraged to be as independent as those from generations past. Perhaps mass media is to blame, with TV shows and movies abounding with child abductions, murders, and violence. (Can Liam Neeson have any more family members “taken”?) Suddenly tracking devices don’t sound out of the question with that type of a skewed reality floating around.But, according to the Christian Science Monitor, in reality, crime rates, including murder, rape and assault, in the United States have decreased significantly since the 1990s and are presently analogous to those from 1963.

As parents, I believe, it is absolutely crucial that we do all that we can to encourage our children to take the necessary steps toward becoming competent, fully functioning young adults. We can facilitate these steps by sharing our own con-fidence that we live in a safe world. We do not want to raise fearful kids, terrified at the thought of walking alone. More often than not, especially in Bend, Oregon, the community is a welcoming place for children to shed their security blankets.

You will know when your child is ready to handle some measure of independence. Trust your instinct, and don’t give in to the common thought that kids should never be without an adult nearby. Throw some caution to the wind. Let your child go into the store alone. Let him buy a gallon of milk for you. He’ll feel proud that he accomplished the task and contrib-uted to the family. My father tells the story of standing in an extremely long line to buy potatoes for his family in the very crowded streets of London. And he was only five!

When your teen flutters on the side of the nest, ready to take flight, will he be confident or will he fail to launch, choos-ing instead the security of his parents’ presence? Just as im-portantly, do you cling to him, fearful that he will plummet and never soar? Ask yourself each day, not what you have done to protect your child and keep him safe (which is certainly important), but what you have done to advance his capability and competence in the world.

Spreading WingsBy Angela Switzer

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42 | MAY 2015 | BENDNEST.COM

Bob ShawThings I’v’e

Learned Meteorologist, KTVZ

Both weather systems and children are very dynamic. You have to study them carefully and be ready to adjust to changing and developing conditions.

Neither my kids or the weather in Central Oregon is predictable. Deal with what comes one day at a time.

Go into the game knowing there will be both the up (high pressure) and the down (low pressure) days. Go in prepared for either, and know that the dynamics can change quickly.

If you are good at it, they will pay you.

Go after what you love; you won’t be disappointed.

At some point along the way, we graduate from parents to coaches. Then, you release them into the game and wait patiently on the sidelines to see how to help. When they need it, they will call “time out” and come ask for advice.

The one superpower that would have helped me as a parent is probably not the one I would have wanted: Being able to see into the future.

Rejoice in the good times, and forgive the mistakes.

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