Don’t miss the Maryland Youth Ballet’s beautiful Spring Concert performances this weekend, including a special Children’s Matinee on Saturday May 14 at 1pm.
All performances take place at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Cultural Arts Center, Montgomery College, 7995 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring.
Tickets may be purchased at MYB in downtown Silver Spring ahead of time, or the day-of at the performance site.
The special matinee for kids is called Caroline Goes to the Circus – it is a great way to introduce your young ones to ballet on their level!
By the way, the Maryland Youth Ballet is where my (oldest) daughter takes beginner ballet classes and we are so impressed by this mellow, sweet, yet classical program. I highly recommend!
Disclosure: MYB is an advertising partner of A Parent in Silver Spring. However, all MYB ballet class tuition and performance tickets are paid for completely by my family.
KidzRock at The Rooftop THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, May 15th 4-6pm
Featuring
HERE COMES TROUBLE
(Rain or Shine)
Featuring
Washington Talent DJs
Studio-310 Dancers
The Buffalo Wild Wings Mascot
A Special Demonstration by Kicks Karate Students
Proceeds benefit Rockville's Recreation and Parks Foundation.
Also, please note:
The Family Fun Day at Candy Cane City to benefit Eric Allen’s mission to raise funds for cancer research has been cancelled due to an unexpected death in the family.
To celebrate Disney Pixar’s “Cars 2”Lightning McQueen, Mater and new engine on the block Master British Spy Finn McMissile are in town, in person and our kids are invited to come meet them! It’s free family Cars fun on Sunday and Monday.
Life-sized remote-controlled models of Lighting, Mater and the new character will light up and rev around for fans at these events!
COOL FACT: The replica cars are the largest production radio-controlled replica cars ever built.
There will also be loads of “Cars 2”-themed activities for kids, including a video kiosk, e-photo opportunities, games and giveaways.
These Cars days are thanks to the State Farm “Agents on a Mission” tour, a 30-city tour of the Cars characters that stops in Sliver Spring, MD on Sunday, May 8 and Washington, DC’s International Spy Museum on Monday, May 9!
Date: Sunday, May 8, 2011 (Mother’s Day)
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Silver Spring Plaza
8525 Fenton Street Silver Spring, MD 20910
Corner of Fenton St. and Ellsworth Dr.
AND
Date: Monday, May 9
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Where: International Spy Museum: 800 F Street, NW Washington, DC. Gallery
Place/Chinatown Metrorail Station
Tickets: Free Event, $5 off Museum admission!
Presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D in select theaters, Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 2” hits the track on June 24, 2011. The film marks DisneyŸPixar’s 12th feature-length animated film and will be released as Pixar Animation Studios celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year. The Studio, founded in 1986, has earned 29 Academy Awards® and seven Golden Globes®. To date, its 11 feature films have grossed more than $6.5 billion at the worldwide box office.
For more information about the movie check out Disney.com/cars and Like “Cars 2” on Facebook, and follow “Cars 2” on Twitter.
Jennifer Chambers is the founder and leader of Hiking Along, a hiking and science program that “engages children in exploration of the natural world and encourages them to appreciate and learn about the environment and how humans impact it.” Jennifer leads groups of children, preschool to high school, on hikes of scenic trails around the Metro DC regionand in hands-on science activities.
Do these questions or thoughts enter your mind when you think of a “family hike?”
- How do I fit another activity into my overscheduled family calendar?
- There are dangerous things in the woods.
- I don’t know where to go hiking. Where are the closest and best trails for my beginning family?
- I have never been on a hike before. How do I start?
The word “hike” can be intimidating to parents. Some parents visualize scenes of skyscraper mountains, deep canyons and vast, never ending forests. Big scenes that can be a little scary. Some parents can’t visualize anything because they don’t have a point of reference or connection. Let’s break the word down and use the less intimidating word of “walk.” More parents can visualize this word – a walk down their neighborhood street (with or without the dog), in a neighborhood park, or along the beach. These are known, provide a point of reference, and create a connection. Now, think of a walk in the woods, along a stream, to a pond, in a wetland, or many other possible places.
A hike is synonymous with it takes a long time to do – an all day event. Whereas a walk means a shorter period of time – an hour. Add a family’s perceived notion that a hike is an all day event together with their overscheduled lives, this equals a barrier to hiking on a trail. Yes, families today are overscheduled but let’s dispose of the perceived notion that a hike lasts all day. Instead, insert the word walk and go for an hour long walk on a trail with your family. When does your family have an hour in its schedule? Where is the nearest trail to walk for an hour?
The nearest trail is one click away:
None of these sites or resources is geared to help families navigate which trails or “walks in the woods” are best for kids but below are some.
Don’t feel comfortable taking your family for a walk in the woods because danger lurks around the next tree or you have never taken a hike. Don’t fear, Washington DC and many major cities have organizations that guide families to explore and experience fun adventures on kid-friendly trails. These hikes provide opportunities for parents to feel comfortable in an unfamiliar activity in an unknown place and everyone can participate in unstructured play in a structured event. Check out this family hike opportunity.
Family Hiking 101: Exploration, Safety and Leave No Trace
Sunday, May 15, 2011
2:00 – 5:00 pm
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Monument
Join two expert guides from Hiking Along and The North Face on a two mile circuit hike around the perimeter of Theodore Roosevelt Island. The trail is natural surface and raised walkways through two ecosystems, a deciduous forest and wetlands. The hike is great for children of all ages with fun natural playgrounds: rocks for climbing, water for skipping rocks, and the monument plaza for a game of hide and seek. While hiking, learn about hiking safety, Leave No Trace, and the plants and animals surrounding the trail. Enjoy an afternoon in the middle of the Potomac River engaging in the great outdoors! The cost is $15 per family. To register, email jennifer@hikingalong.com.
This spring, make it a family goal to venture outside of your familiar comfort zone and embark on a hike or a walk, if that word feels more comfortable. Seek out the extraordinary amount of resources available both on the web and with organizations whose mission it is to get more people, including families, outdoors. Hiking isn’t a scary word in your family? Then, step it up a notch and venture to adventure on a new level or outdoor activity. Happy trails!
