☰

Spring Festivals in Birmingham

Posted on by Angie

Spring time is a great time to get out and enjoy the weather. There’s a lot going on in Birmingham and surrounding areas this time a year. Lots of food, music, dancing and just plan fun! The only problem you’ll have is trying to figure out how to fit them all in!

 

Spring Festivals in Birmingham

Mt. Laurel Spring Festival

Mt. Laurel Town Square
April 8th, 10am – 3pm

As the flowers bloom in the beautiful Town of Mt Laurel, the Mt Laurel Spring Festival returns, offering you the opportunity to soak up the sunlight, savor dishes from the best local food trucks, and enjoy a day strolling the idyllic streets of one of Birmingham’s best neighborhoods.

The Mt Laurel Spring Festival has something for everyone, including shopping the many artisans and crafts vendors and farmers in the Town Center; watching live music on the Bryson Square Stage sponsored by Mortgagebanc; and savoring delicious eats at Birmingham food trucks such as Jim N’ Nicks BBQ, Cantina on Wheels, and Urban Pops. Browse handcrafted artwork, home décor items, jewelry, and pottery from local artisans and pick up fresh produce from participating farmers.

In the middle of the Town Center, the Bryson Square Stage will host entertainment for the entire duration of the festival. Special thanks goes to Mortgagebanc for sponsoring the expanded entertainment on the Bryson Square stage.

Local Birmingham bands such as Good Fellows Jazz Duo, Steve Wingo and Melanie Rogers, and Fiddlers in the Park will perform. At noon, up and coming Nashville based singer-songwriter Andrew Tufano will take the stage presenting his blend of folk and pop melodies.

The festival now extends to Mt Laurel’s beautiful Olmsted Park to allow for an expanded Kid’s Park area. Children of all ages will love the petting zoo, face painting, inflatables, and rides in the idyllic Olmsted Park.

The expanded festival area will allow for more arts and crafts vendors, allowing visitors to shop from the best local vendors. From jewelry, art, and handcrafted goods to home décor, clothing, soaps, and more, every “locally-made enthusiast” will find something to take home. The season’s best produce will be available from area farmers, with baked bread and candies from mom-and-pop shops and homegrown bakeries.

Darter Festival

April 9th, 2pm – 6pm
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve

The Darter Festival has become a much-anticipated annual event in Birmingham, Alabama. It is a family friendly, festive way to support Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, so come out April 9th 2PM – 6PM to join us for BIG FUN! Good People providing Darter Ale and live music by Future Primitives and Dead Fingers.

IndiaFest Family Day

April 9th, 2pm – 5pm
UAB Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts

Bring the kids and enjoy an afternoon of fun for the entire family! Activities will take place between AEIVA and the Alys Stephens Center and will include visual arts projects for children, Indian mandala coloring for all ages, Indian rangoli making in the Art Plaza, Uma Srivastava’s “Hindu Culture Mythbusters” game, a film screening of Sita Sings the Blues, a violin and tabla demo by Ajay Patel, and an Indian dance demo, food trucks, and MORE! Full activity schedule: www.alysstephens.org/events/family-day

Spring Food Truck Rally

April 9th, 1pm – 5pm
Avondale Brewing Company

Please join B’ham Food Trucks for the second annual Spring Food Truck Rally at Avondale Brewing. More than 20 food trucks will gather for this family-friendly event featuring live musical entertainment, kid’s activities and more!

$5 in advance and $10 at the gate. Children ages 5 – 12 are $2 and children under 5 enter free.

12th Annual Gumbo Gala

April 22nd, 11am – 2pm
Sloss Furnaces

Join Birmingham’s best Professional and Backyard Gumbo chef’s as they compete for the bragging rights to the title of Birmingham’s Best Gumbo. Enjoy great music, a kids zone, incredible gumbo and a great time all for a great cause.

Episcopal Place provides seniors and disabled adults with restricted income a safe and affordable housing option and access to related services in a home-like environment.
Admission charged.

19th Annual Lebanese Food Festival

April 21st – 22nd, 10am – 9pm (both days)
St. Elias Maronite Church

Two day event featuring food and culture of Lebanon. Authentic food including kibbee, grape leaves, tabouleh, grilled chicken, homus, baklawa and more. Dancing by our children performed on stage throughout Friday evening and Saturday. For more information and a complete menu go to www.stelias.org
Free Admission

16th Annual Gardendale Magnolia Festival

April 21st – 22nd, 5 pm – 10 pm (Fri) | 9 am – 5 pm (Sat)
Gardendale Civic Center

150 booths, with 3 stages of live entertainment. Kids zone, Art classes, Food, Car show and much much more!

Feast of Saint Mark Italian Festival

April 29th, 3pm – 10pm
Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church

For years, many people in the community have hoped for such a “festa” or feast celebrating Italian culture in traditional Italian style. After the success of the inaugural event in 2012, anticipation and excitement for each year’s festival has continued to grow. Every year since, FOSM has been a sold out event to an overwhelming 3,000 Italian loving visitors!
Adults $25 | Children $10 | Ages 5 and Under, Free

Magic City Art Connection

April 28th – 30th, 10am – 6pm (Fri & Sat) | 10am – 5pm (Sun)
Linn Park

The 34th annual show and Birmingham’s largest festival will transform Linn Park with its blast of fresh artistic talent, sights, sounds, tastes, and aromas. #MagicCityArt spotlights 200 artists both locally and nationally and mixes in music, dance, kids art experiences, sculpture installations, plus food, special tastings & more. Livability.com honored Birmingham as one of the Top 10 Best Downtowns in 2014 where Magic City Art Connection was cited among the accolades. We are in awesome company and eager to keep a great spring tradition going strong.

Festival Admission: Adults $5, Kids 12 & under free
Pay at the Gate – No Advance tickets for the festival

8th Annual Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival

May 20th, 11am – 8pm
DeBardeleben Park in Downtown Historic Bessemer

Gates open at 11am. You can expect to hear talented award winning national and local blues musicians. Be sure to bring a chair or blanket and set-up your spot for the day.   Van Sykes, the festival organizer and owner of Bob Sykes Bar B Q says “We are looking forward to another successful year. Each year the festival grows and we couldn’t do it without our sponsors and the support of the community. We’ll also be celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Bob Sykes Bbq Restaurant!  Patrons come from all over the Southeast for a fun party. The festival was chosen by Al.com for numerous years as one of the top food festivals in Alabama.  There is something to do for the entire family including a large kids corner with activities and games. Children twelve and under are free with a ticketed adult. The festival offers a variety of booths including arts and crafts, outdoor exhibits, legendary Bob Sykes Bbq, and a diverse selection of food vendors offering tempting bites. General admission and VIP Tickets can be purchased at www.bobsykesblues.com or at Bob Sykes Bar B Q Restaurant. A portion of the festival proceeds will benefit Ady’s Army a non-profit organization that serves special needs families.

General Admission Ticket prices beginning at $15 | VIP Tickets available for purchase

Do Dah Day

May 20th, 11am – 7pm
Caldwell Park

he South’s craziest parade kicks off at 11:01 a.m. on the streets of Highland Avenue in Birmingham’s Southside. Then, spend the day in Caldwell and Rhodes Parks with friends, pets, arts & crafts, kid’s activities, and a lineup of great bands. Oh yes, we have plenty of food and beverages, and collectible Do Dah Day t-shirts. Free admission for spectators and festival attendees.

All proceeds benefit local animal charities.

23rd Annual Creek Bank Festival

May 20th, 10am – 5pm
Leeds Memorial Park

Join us for fun and fellowship for a full day of festivities with plenty of shopping at arts and craft booths, a full schedule of entertainment, and food provided by food vendors.

If you’re looking for another fun way to enjoy the beautiful spring weather, make sure to check our list of U-Pick Farms and Orchards.

 

Summer Camp Spotlight: Birmingham Zoo

Posted on by Angie

Zoofari Camp allows your children to have up close animal encounters, exciting lessons, splash fountains, guided tours, animal demonstrations, rides and so much more!

Primary Camps Include:
4k – 5th Grades: Pirates of the Zooribbean, Nature Detectives, and Freestylin’
Grades 3rd – 5th: Jr. Zoo Keeper
Grades 6th -8th: Cat Week

Specialty Camps Include:
5k – 5th Grades: Art Safari
Grades 6th – 8th: Zoo Keeper and Behind the Scenes
Grades 9th – 12th: Animal Wellness, Conservation Connections

May 30th – June 30th. Ages 4k – 12th grades
Click Here For More Information and to Register for Birmingham Zoo Camp
A day in the life of a Zoo Camper, Example Schedule:
What does a camper do? A lot! Check out this example schedule  to see how fun Zoo camps are!

(This is an example schedule  and does not guarantee that a camper will experience everything  on this schedule.)

8:30am – 8:40am: Camper Check-In
8:45am – 9:15am: Morning Rally
9:15am – 9:30am: Classroom Time

9:30am – 11:45am:
• Lesson
• Live Animal Demonstrations
• Snack
• Keeper Talk
• Animal Shows
• Zoo Hike

11:45am – 12:30pm: Lunch/Biofacts
12:30pm – 1:30pm:  Keeper Talk and Craft

1:30pm – 3:15pm:
• Carousel or Train Ride
• Play in the Splash Fountains
• Feed the Giraffe
• Zoo Hike
• Snack

3:00pm – 3:15pm:  Afternoon Rally
3:15pm – 3:30pm:  Pack-Up
3:30pm – 3:40pm:  Check-Out

Visit their Site for more information on Zoofari Camps or to Register.

For more options on keeping the kiddos busy this summer, check out our full list of Summer Camps

Severe Weather Tips for Families

Posted on by Angie

Severe Weather tips for familiesIf you’re from the south, you’re no stranger to severe weather, especially during the spring, but how prepared is your family to deal with a severe weather outbreak?

Here are some things to keep in mind and to have on hand and easily accessible in the event we are directed to our safe place.

First of all.. Have a safe place. Create a family emergency plan and sit down with your family to make sure they know what to do and where to go in the event of a tornado. If you can get underground in a basement go there, if you don’t have a basement take shelter in the lowest possible part of your home in an interior room. Stay away from windows and put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.

Use sturdy tables, bike helmets, and blankets to cover yourself and help protect you from debris.

For families with small babies, utilize your baby carriers. To keep infants safely-contained and leave you with free hands for your other children, use those wraps and strap them to you. Carriers are also a great idea for your child if he or she is still in one of those. Severe weather can scare the tiny humans, and they may not move very quickly. Putting them in the carrier will serve as extra protection and will also keep them easily next to you. Make sure everyone is wearing shoes and grab your wallet or purse.

Prepare ahead of time. It’s best, if you have the space in or near your safe place to stock a box with a few supplies. This way in the event of severe weather, the plan is for everyone to go straight to your safe place. No wandering around the garage looking for the helmet they were using while riding their bike the day before. Have an extra helmet along with a flashlight, batteries, blankets and weather radio. You will need another option for getting those weather updates.

Once you have your plan in place and you’re stocked up… Practice. Practice. Practice. Run through this drill just like the kids do at school for fires and tornadoes. The key to a great safety plan is making sure everyone in the family knows the plan and is ready to follow through, without having to think to much about it.

Does your family have a safety plan in place? Do you have any tips you can share that have worked in past severe weather situations?

Natural Ways to Dye Easter Eggs

Posted on by Angie

We’re all familiar with the store bought egg dye, maybe so familiar that you have flash backs of some seriously stained counter tops and fingers… If you’re looking to mix things up a little bit, try some of these natural ways to color your eggs this year!

Before beginning, make sure to boil all of your eggs, just the same as you would using any other coloring method. Allow to cool. Try the following to create certain colors (or experiment with your own combinations for more fun!):

Yellow: use turmeric. Boil 1 quart water, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon salt in a med. pan. Add 5 tablespoons of ground turmeric and stir well (remember this may dye your spoon yellow too!). Simmer until dissolved.

Red: use beets. Chop 1-2 beets into small pieces. Place them into a med. pan and add 1 quart water, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and use for dyeing.

Green: use spinach. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil. Put about 8 oz. of spinach leaves in the pot of water and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the water begins to turn the desired shade of green. Using frozen spinach will work just as well.

Blue: Use 2 cups of blueberries. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil, add blueberries and simmer for about 10 minutes. Cool and strain the liquid to use for dyeing.

Once all of the liquid has cooled, submerge the eggs into the chosen colors for about 30 minutes, or even a bit longer-depending on how deep of a color you want to achieve.  Remove the eggs and place them on a cooling rack to dry. Once dried, store them in the fridge until they’re ready to be used!

For some fun and easy tips on how to dye eggs with tiny humans, check out this post we did a while back.

Birmingham Barons 2017 Season

Posted on by Angie

The Birmingham Barons are getting ready to kick off their 2017 Season! The Barons continue to top their attendance record from the inaugural season and it’s no surprise when you consider what a fun family night out you can have by attending a game.

Each home game features a fun promotion and the festivities get underway with the opening homestand from April 12th-Sunday April 16th, with all fans receiving 2017 Magnetic Schedules for the first three games (April 12th-April 14th) presented by MINI of Birmingham. Jake the Diamond Dog will also be on hand for opening night to entertain fans, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Make plans to attend the Barons Bash on April 15th to celebrate the first Saturday home game. Railroad Park will host the third annual Barons Bash, with carnival games, inflatables, and rock climbing. Railroad Park’s community celebration will come to a close just before the Barons take to the field at 6:30pm against the Montgomery Biscuits. There will be a small fee for activities.

For a full schedule of games or to purchase tickets in advance, make sure to visit their website

Natural Remedies for Allergy Relief

Posted on by Angie

Spring has Sprung and while the flowers are pretty and the weather is warming, it can be less than ideal for anyone who suffers from Seasonal Allergies.

Your diet and overall health can play a factor in your allergy suffering. Here are a few things you can implement into your routine that will help and some of them you might have on hand already.

  1. Citrus Drinks: Citrus filled drinks contain plenty of vitamin C, which can provide relief from seasonal allergies. It has the incredible ability to nourish the immune system. When you’re struggling with Allergies, your immune system isn’t functioning correctly, it helps to give it a boost. Try this simple mix:-1/2 lemon
    -2 oranges
    -1 tablespoon of local, raw, organic honeySqueeze the juice from the lemon and oranges and chill for several hours. Stir in the honey, add some ice cubes, and drink daily.
  2. Local Honey: The theory is that consuming local honey from where you live will help your body adapt to the allergens in our area. This is supposed to work like a natural allergy “shot” and doesn’t seem to have a downside.
  3. Bee Pollen: If local honey hasn’t worked for you, try bee pollen. The same concept as the honey applies to the bee pollen. Starting in small amounts and gradually increasing the dosage daily will help build up your immunity to the pollen in your area.  Make sure that your pollen is coming from a good source, and free from insecticides. There are 3 forms (granules, capsules, and powder) Bee pollen is crunchy, musty, and very floral – you can simply of the granules or powder over yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast.IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure you are not anaphylactic or severely allergic to bees, or so allergic to pollen that you experience anaphylaxis.
  4. Apples and Walnuts: Walnuts are a great snack that you can enjoy to help ease allergy symptoms. They’re high in magnesium, and can help cut down on wheezing or coughing.  while The vitamin E content can boost immunity and protects your body from reacting to allergens. Apples contain quercetin, and naturally reduce the production of histamine.
  5. Quercetin: is a natural bioflavonoid that is said to help stabilize mast cells to keep them from releasing histamine. It is also a potent antioxidant that is said to help reduce inflammation. In addition to being found in Apples, it’s also naturally found in foods like citrus and broccoli. It’s very difficult to consume enough from food to help with allergies but supplements are available.As with any herb, you should check with your doctor before using, especially if you have a liver problem, are pregnant, or are on hormonal contraceptives.

 

 

Birmingham Summer Camps 2017

Posted on by Brittany Green

Summer Camps are a great way to keep kids busy during the break and to mix things up and give them the chance to try something new. The great thing about this list is that you are sure to find a camp that matches your child’s personality and interests. Being around other kids during the summer in a structured environment, getting fresh air, and giving you a little break? It’s a Win-Win

Birmingham Summer Camps

Acting Out Academy

AOA is the premiere on-camera acting academy in the greater Birmingham, Ala., area. Acting Out’s parallel mission is to provide quality performing arts education where it is most needed — namely, in communities where it is lacking. The core of all of our programs is designed to build self-confidence in young people through the performing arts.

June 5th – 9th and 12th – 16th
2 Week Movie Maker Camp. Ages 10 – 18. $500

June 19th – 23rd
Movie Camp Two. Ages 7-13. $325

June 26th – 30th
Movie Camp Three. (Teens Only, Ages 12 and Up) $325

July 10th – 14th
Movie Camp Four. (Ages 7-13) $325

July 17th – 21st
Film Acting Intensive (Ages 8 and up) $550

July 24th – 28th
Movie Camp 5 (Ages 7 and up) $325

Visit their site for more information or to register

Aldridge Gardens

June will be a full month long of excitement, entertainment and, of course, education at Aldridge Gardens. We have plenty of camps to choose from for boys and girls entering Kindergarten through 5th grades. Whether your little campers like American Girls, Art, or building and engineering, we’ve have something they’re sure to enjoy! See below for more on camps being offered this summer, details on registration, forms, and more.

Entering 5K – 3rd Grades:
June 5 – 9 American Girls in Aldridge Gardens
June 12 – 16 American Girls in Aldridge Gardens
June 19 – 23 American Girls in Aldridge Gardens
June 26 – 30 American Girls in Aldridge Gardens

Entering 5k – 2nd Grades
June 12 – 16 Engineering FUNdamentals: Create, Construct, Connect!
June 12 – 16 Observing your Observing: Using ALL your senses mindfully
June 19 – 23 Construction in Nature: Experimenting with Materials
June 26 – 30 Cool Art in the Gardens: Looking at the World differently!

Entering 2nd – 4th Grades
June 19 – 23 Cool Art in the Gardens: Looking at the World differently!
June 26 – 30 Construction in Nature: Experimenting with Materials

Entering 4th – 5th Grades
June 5 – 9 Cool Art in the Gardens: Looking at the World differently!
June 5 – 9 Paper Circuitry: Light up your life!

Day camps run from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, Monday through Friday. Mid-morning snacks and drinks are provided.

All teachers have Alabama Certification in Education.

Pre‐registration required. Register early. Camp enrollment is limited!

Cost:

Family Level Members of Aldridge Gardens: $115 per camp
Non-Members of Aldridge Gardens:  $135 per camp
Changes to registration (moving from one camp to another, etc) will cost an additional $35
Click Here to Register.

ArtPlay

The University of Alabama at Birmingham hosts several summer camps on campus each year. Presented by UAB departments and groups, the camps offer fun activities for children and easy and convenient choices for parents. Check this page for updates and camps added as they become available.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Programs are designed to actively promote your child’s natural sense of creativity and discovery with fun learning experiences in the unmatched setting at Birmingham Botanical Gardens!

June 5-9 Young Artists in The Gardens 9-1 p.m. [5K-2nd]
June 5-9 Young Artists in The Gardens 9-1 p.m. [3rd-6th]
June 5-9 Growing through Yoga 9-1 p.m. For children entering grades 5K-4
June 19-23 Let’s Get Growing: The Tiny Seed 9-1 p.m. For children ages 4-5 years
June 19-23 Microworlds in The Gardens: Creepy Crawlers & Insects 9-1 p.m.  Entering grades 5K-2
June 26-30 Summer Garden Chefs 9-1 p.m. [K-2nd]
June 26-30 Summer Garden Chefs 9-1 p.m. [3rd-6th]

July 10-14 Enchanted Garden Parties 9-1 p.m. For children ages 4-5 years
July 10-14 American Girl * Girls Just Like Me 9-1 p.m. For children entering grades 5K-2
July 17-21 Growing through Yoga 9-1 p.m. For children entering grades 5K-4
July 17-21 BBG Wonderland Explorers 9-1 p.m. For children entering grades 5K-2
July 24-28 Ahoy! Treasure Gardens 9-1 p.m. For children entering grades 5K-2
July 24-28 Young Builders: Legos in the Landscape 9-1 p.m. For children entering grades 3-6

Summer Camp Shirts included with each registration fee: To Register for one of their camps, Click Here

Birmingham School of Music

Summer Drum Set Camp: June 5th -9th. 8am – 3pm, ages 7 and up
Rock N Roll Band Camp: June 19th – 23rd. Ages 8 and up
Musical Theater/Voice Camp: July 10th – 14th. Ages 7 and up
Guitar Camp: July 17th – 21st.  ages 7 and up

For more Information or to Register visit their site

Birmingham Zoo

Zoofari Camp allows your children to have up close animal encounters, exciting lessons, splash fountains, guided tours, animal demonstrations, rides and so much more!

Primary Camps Include:
4k – 5th Grades: Pirates of the Zooribbean, Nature Detectives, and Freestylin’
Grades 3rd – 5th: Jr. Zoo Keeper
Grades 6th -8th: Cat Week

Specialty Camps Include:
5k – 5th Grades: Art Safari
Grades 6th – 8th: Zoo Keeper and Behind the Scenes
Grades 9th – 12th: Animal Wellness, Conservation Connections

May 30th – June 30th. Ages 4k – 12th grades
Click Here For More Information and to Register for Birmingham Zoo Camp

Camp Indian Springs

Camp Indian Springs is a summer day camp for kids ages 5-13 at Indian Springs School located on HWY 119. Campers will spend their summer engaged in on-campus activities including tennis, hiking, beach volleyball, gymnasium sports, outdoor sports, gardening and arts and crafts along with field trips such as bowling, movies, skating and more!

Week 1: Welcome to the Jungle
Week 2: Luau
Week 3: Decades
Week 4: Party in the USA
Week 5: Cowboys and Aliens
Week 6: Spy Kids
Week 7: Color Wars
Week 8: Carnival
Week 9: Hollywood

For more information visit their site. Open house April 26th and May 17th

The Dance Foundation

Summer Day Camps are led by by caring, enthusiastic professional staff in our studios in Downtown Homewood. Early drop-off option is available for full-day camps. All campers should bring a lunch each day.  Snacks provided for full-day campers. All campers receive a T-shirt.

Once Upon a Fairytale
entering 4K  | Tu-Th 9am-1pm  |  Cinderella, The Girl Who Wore Too Much, The Snow Queen  |  June 6-8 • June 20-22  |  $135/session

entering 5K  |  M-F 9am-1pm  |  Sleeping Beauty, Living Quan-Yin, Robin Hood, Twelve Dancing Princesses, Peter and the Wolf  |  June 12-16  • June 26-30 | $180/session

Imagination Lab
entering 1st – 3rd graders, half-day  |  “Land of Oz”  |  M-F 9am-1pm  |  June 12-16  |  $180

entering 1st – 3rd graders, full-day  |  “Fairies”  |  M-F 9am-4pm  |  June 19-23  |  $245

Shadow Play
entering 3rd-6th graders  |  M-F 9am-4pm  | June 5-9  |  $245

Dance Explorations
entering 3rd-6th graders  |  M-F 9am-4pm   |  June 26-30  |  $245

Theatre Explorations
entering 3rd-6th graders  |  M-F 9am-4pm  |  June 26-30  |  $245

Workshop for Dancers
entering 7th-12th graders  |  Tu-Th 4pm-7:45pm |  June 27-29  |  $135

For More Information or to Register, Visit their Website

Fresh Air Family

Gross Out Camps
This year we are offering 8 Gross Out Camps in Birmingham, six of those will be held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, our partner in education. One of our camps will be held at senior living centers with our partner, Nolan Health Services, located in Pell City. Join us! For more information on what wll be available at each location or to register, Click Here.

Girls Rock Birmingham

Two sessions of camp for you to choose from!
– June 12-16, with the camper showcase on the evening of the 16th
– July 24-28 with the camper showcase on the evening of the 28th

Camp is from 9 AM to 4 PM each day and all meals and snacks are provided! For more information or to Register, visit Girls Rock Birmingham

Highland School Summer Camp 

Dates: June 5th -August 4th including a three day week July 5th-7th

Hours: Morning Care: 7:15am – 9am
Morning Camps: 9am – 12pm
Traditional Day Camp: 12pm – 4pm
Afternoon Camps: 1pm-4pm
Full Day Camps: 9am-4pm
Afternoon Care: 4pm – 6pm

Highlands School’s Higher Degree of Learning does not end when the school year is over. We offer a quality summer program as well. Highlands summer camp offers challenging activities, talented teachers and the great variety that you have come to expect from Highlands School. Camp is open to all students entering Kindergarten through the 8th grade, regardless of the school they attend during the school year. We also offer a couple of options for rising 4K and a new Counselor-in-Training program for rising 7th through 11th grade.

Highlands, offers unique opportunities, some specifically tailored to your child’s age group. All camps indicate the grade the child will be attending in the fall. We strive to offer camps and activities that will enable your child to continue to learn while having a great time! Our camps include active, artistic, academic and just plain fun choices. Be sure to note that we offer morning sessions, some afternoon sessions and some full day camps!

This year most full day camps include hot lunch. As always we have some new camps as well. We also offer Traditional Day Camp in the afternoons for Kindergarten through 6th grade that includes a hot lunch, weekly themes, trips to the pool, outdoor play time, activities and exciting, creative projects. Morning and afternoon camps can be paired for full day care. Please look through the catalog for camp descriptions, ages, costs and dates. Please also note the times each camp begins and ends.

Contact Mrs. Gabe McCool with any questions about summer camp via email or at (205) 956-9731 ext. 105.

Kidcam Oak Mountain State Park 

Dates: May 30 – August 4th 2017

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Before & After Care: FREE before camp childcare available as early as 7:00am. After camp childcare is available at a rate of $2/half-hour (siblings $1/half-hour) as late as 6:00pm.

Fees: A non-refundable one-time Registration Fee of $50 for the first child and $35 for each additional child. Registration fees are subject to change after April 1st based on the camp enrollment.

About: For campers entering Kindergarten through age 13, Kidcam Summer Day Camp thrives in the heart of Alabama’s Oak Mountain State Park. Kidcam offers 9 weeks of summer fun with all the best activities offered at Oak Mountain State Park. Full summer and weekly camp sessions are available online now for registration. Purchase only the weeks you need and build your summer around you! Boating, Archery, Golfing, Petting Farm, Interactive Wildlife, Playgrounds, Sports Courts, Geocaching and Swimming will be a part of our weekly schedule.

Our theme for this summer is Mission Possible, a summer of thrills, suspense and amazing adventures. This summer, camp will be swarming with young “operatives” as we delve into the secret world of spycraft. Each week, Commander M will drop off a case file with a new code word for our recruits to explore. In order to conduct their mission campers will enjoy themed challenges, games, activities, technology, food, crafts, music and movies. This exciting program will teach teamwork, reasoning, agility, and resourcefulness while delivering a summer of top secret fun. Mission Possible? More like Mission Awesome! Are you in?

For more info, visit their site

LJCC

Camp LJCC offers day camps to the entire Birmingham community for kids entering grades K-8. We offer camps 11 weeks of summer and most importantly, our camp has a  “camp a la carte” system that allows you to plan your summer exactly as you wish – sign up for one week or all eleven.  You can mix and match weeks with Day Camp, specialty and/or sport camps.

Camp LJCC Day Camps offer something for everyone! For more information or to register, visit their website.

Mason Music

Singing Safari Preschool Music Camp
June 12-16, 2017: Mountain Brook Studio
June 26-30, 2017: Cahaba Heights Studio
July 10-14, 2017: Bluff Park Studio
July 24-28, 2017: Greystone Studio

Mason Music Camp for Beginners
For students 6-9 years old who have little or no experience with music and may be wondering which instrument is right for them.

June 5-9, 2017: Bluff Park Studio
July 17-21, 2017: Mountain Brook Studio
July 31-Aug. 4, 2017: Cahaba Heights Studio
July 31-Aug. 4, 2017: Greystone Studio

Rock Band Camp
Rock Band Camp is geared towards students 10-18 years old who already have a grasp of their instrument and are ready to take it to the next level.

June 19-23, 2017: Cahaba Heights Studio
July 10-14, 2017: Cahaba Heights Studio

Over Drive
For students who have at least 2 years of experience on their instrument or have been to our Rock Band Camps or Rock Band League.

July 24-29, 2017: Cahaba Heights Studio

For information or to Register, visit their site.

McWane Science Center

A week of fun and learning awaits your child at McWane Science Center Summer Camp. Weekly camps June 5th through July 28th. There will be no camps the week of July 3th-7th.

All new this year: All camps for students entering 1st through 7th grade will be full day camps. Pre-K-Kindergarten will remain half day camps from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM.

4k – Kindergarten Morning Camps: Astro Tots, Little Leonardos, Ocean Commotion, Prehistoric Pals, Storytime Science, Building Blocks, Animal Antics

1st and 2nd Grade Full Day Camps: Animals Far and Wide, Robots Rules, Creative Chemistry, Flight School, Rockin’ Dinosaurs, Mystery Science, Build it Better.

3rd and 4th Grade Full Day Camps: Science Fiction Science, Forces of Nature, Bits and Bytes, CSI McWane, Robot Engineers, Junior Veterinarians, Design Challenge.

5th – 7th Grade Full Day Camps: Tech and Tinker Lab, Biology Bound, Advanced Robotics, Storm Chasers, Engineering and Designs, Citizen Science, Land and Sea.

For More information or to Register for McWane Science Summer Camps visit their Website

Red Mountain Theatre Company

RMTC camps teach theatrical craft while providing performance opportunities for youth. The curriculum includes vocal, dance, and drama training and culminates in a staged performance, where students perform for live audiences.

Summer Blast Students Students learn a repertoire of musical theatre songs and dances during a weeklong workshop, culminating in a performance for family and friends. This opportunity is open (non-auditioned) to interested students ages 7-12.

For more information on the camps they offer, visit their website.

South City Theatre

The South City Theatre camp offers students a fun-filled program to help them develop:

Confidence, Imagination, Enthusiasm, Theatrical Skills, Vocal Ability, Self Esteem through the study of acting, singing, dance and more, students will work with professional performers and teachers to become better artists.

Tuition Cost for the two week camp is a low $325.00 (T-shirt included) of which $50 is non-refundable. Refunds are available up to two weeks prior to the start of camp. Registration is open until June 12 or until full.

Visit their website for more information or to register

Villager Yoga

June 5 – June 9 | Growing Through Yoga | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm |
Birmingham Botanical Gardens | Grades K – 4

June 12 – June 16 | A Week at the Spa | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Highlands School| Grades 1 – 6

Tuesday, June 20 | A Day at the Spa* | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
In-studio | Grades K – 7

Thursday, June 22 | Super You Camp | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
In-studio | Grades K – 4

Tuesday, June 27 | A Day at the Spa* | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
In-studio | Grades K – 7

Tuesday, July 11 | Super You Camp | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
In-studio | Grades K – 4

Thursday, July 13 | A Day at the Spa* | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
In-studio | Grades K – 7

July 17 – July 21 | Growing Through Yoga | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm |
Birmingham Botanical Gardens | Grades K – 4

July 24 – July 28 | Yoga Camp | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Highlands School | Grades K – 5

If you are interested in including yoga as part of your camp curriculum, please email us at info@villageryoga.com or call 262-2012.

*Each Spa-Day single camp will have a different focus

Weezie’s Candy Emporium

923 Oxmoor Road Homewood Alabama 35209

June 26-30 (Art + Science) 10a-2p

July 24-28 (Going Green + Animal Kingdom) 10a-2p

July 31-Aug 4 (Fashion Camp) 10a-2p

 

Reacting vs. Responding

Posted on by Brittany Green

Have you ever really taken the time to think about how you address your kids? Do you react or respond? Do you know the difference? Knowing the difference is crucial to improving your communication experience with your children. Reacting is what we do when we just want to get our kids away from us. I am so guilty of reacting. Right this minute I am trying to write this blog post, and if my son came up to me I would probably give him a reaction instead of a response. I wouldn’t be worried about WHY he needed me, I’d only be worried about getting him back involved in what he was doing before he came to talk to me. Here are some examples of reactions vs responses to prove my point- how many times have you said these today?

React:  “Stop crying right now!”         
Response: “You look upset, whats wrong?”

React: “What?! You spilled your drink again?!”
Response:   “Uh oh! Here, help me clean up that spill” 

React: “A D+? What is wrong with you?”
Response: “I can see you are struggling in math, how can I help?”

React: “Stop that whining!!”
Response: Use a calm voice when you ask for something.”

React: “I am finished with you. I have had it.”
Response: “I’m getting frustrated, I need to take a minute to calm down.”
I would be willing to bet at least half of us are on the “react” side of things. And that’s okay. Mom’s are learning too, and there are a million different ways to “mom” right. Take a little extra time this week and think about how you can respond instead of react to situations. The Child Mind Institute says that when we yell or react, we are missing out on the positive. “When yelling is the chronic mode of communication, both children and parents are missing out on the chance to form positive, affectionate bonds. And for kids predisposed to anxiety and depression, internalizing these negative interactions may be the tipping point. Meanwhile, blowouts can leave parents feeling guilty, frustrated and demoralized. Adults who express anger in negative ways increase their chronic stress, which contributes to health problems.”

Avoid the blowouts as much as you can, nobody is perfect, so don’t get discouraged!!

Happy Plates Restaurant Review: The Local Taco

Posted on by Angie

Happy Plates Restaurant ReviewOPEN: Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm – Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm

GOOD FOR KIDS: Yes. Kids Menu Runs $5 per

DATE NIGHT: Yes. Great for starter drinks on the patio or drinks and dinner.

PRICES: Appetizers up to $9.00.. Tacos starting at $3.25. Combos/Plates/Bowls $10-$13

PARKING: Plenty of parking, harder to find during peek meal times.

ADDRESS: 920 Lane Parke Court Mountain Brook, AL 35223 (205) 900-8672.

The Local Taco has quickly become my #1 go-to for Mexican Food. I could honestly eat Mexican Food every day of the week and I might have eaten here a few times in the same week. I’m slightly obsessed.

Known for diverse flavors, from the Tequila Lime Chicken, to the Portabella with Sage Goat Cheese, to the Korean Short Rib, The Local Taco menu has been described as “tapas on a taco.”

Nashville Hot Chicken Taco, Spicy Shrimp Taco. Mexi Tots.

Everything at The Local Taco is fresh and their taco combinations are creative, fun and delicious. My personal favorites are the Nashville Hot Chicken, topped with diced Wickles Pickles.. and the Spicy Baja Shrimp, it’s served with a slaw so good I could eat a bowl of it on it’s own. Grab a combo and make sure to get the Mexi Tots as your side… You can thank me later.

When I manage to pull myself away from the tacos, the Local Bowl with steak is my runner up. I get it with the black beans but I’ve heard their Borracho beans are amazing. I swear I’ll try those next time.

The full bar features fresh Hand-squeezed Lime Margaritas (so yummy, so yummy) Make sure to check out the flavors you can add for just .50. Whether stopping by for a quick lunch, bringing the family for dinner, or taking time to enjoy a pitcher of Fresh Fruit Sangria on the patio, The Local Taco will be a neighborhood favorite.

Everything is served al-a-carte, so you can run your ticket up quickly if you’re big on salsas and queso. But over all, I consider it to be fairly priced and the quality definitely makes it justified.

Give them a try and if you’re in the neighborhood on a pretty day, it’s a great place for a patio lunch.

Visit their site to see a complete menu of food and beverages

The Local Bowl with Steak.
Chopped Salad with Steak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get your Garden Started with these Easy Tips

Posted on by Angie

I’ll admit, gardening is something that intimidates me, but something I still find myself wanting to do every spring.. The weather has been perfect, the kids love digging in the dirt, so grab a shovel and follow some of these simple guidelines to get your garden started and you’ll have some yummy Summer Vegetables before you know it!

Find a spot for your garden

It will need to be a spot that gets plenty of sunshine during the day as well as have good soil and water drainage.  Don’t choose a huge space for your first time.  It’s so easy to jump in & go huge the first year.  It can quickly become overwhelming.

Gardening know how has a great article here that will help you find just the right spot.

Don’t have good soil? That’s ok.  You can build a raised garden & fill it in with soil.  Here’s an article that will help you set up your raised bed.

No room? That’s ok too!  Try container gardening.  A lot of people do it & it’s a great option for folks who have little or no yard space.  Here are some tips to help with starting your container garden.

Choose your plants

This step is going to be different for everyone.  What you decide to plant will have a lot to do with what your family likes as well as your garden conditions.

Use this resource to help you decide and tips here with planting guides for 58 different types of vegetables.

Make a plan & map it out on paper

Once you’ve decided how you want to build your garden and what you want to plant now you’re ready to map it out

Here’s how to choose the size of your garden and a resource to help you with the design.

You’ll also need to make a shopping list for all the supplies you’ll need.  You’ll need to consider if you’re starting with seeds or plants.  If you’re planning to build a raised bed or container garden you’ll also need to take that into consideration.  The staff at a local nursery or garden center can help with that.

Start your Seeds

If you’re going to start with plants then you don’t need to worry about this step, but if you’re planning to start with seeds you can go ahead & start them indoors.  You can find the seeds right now in most hardware stores as well as Walmart & Target.  You can also purchase them online. Burpee is a great source of seeds online.

Prepare for the Bounty

Once your garden starts producing you’ll not want to waste any of that good stuff you worked so hard for.  If your family can’t eat it all at once you can always preserve it in jars or in the freezer.

If you’re planning to do some canning  you’ll need a few things such as jars, large canner or pot and a few other things are helpful.  Try asking on Freecyle or Craigslist for canning supplies.  People often have them & are more than willing to share.

A great resource for canning & preserving is the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving.  It has great tips & recipes for putting up your fruits & veggies.

If growing isn’t your thing, check out this list of U-Pick Farms and Orchards around Birmingham. You can pick and enjoy fresh produce without all the work in your own yard.

A version of this article ran on BirminghamMommy.com previously. Original content was provided by Hollly Syx.

Advertisements