Growing Up in Santa Cruz, April 2020 by Growing Up in Santa Cruz

APR 2020

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APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

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29 Photo Story Ask Nicole.....................................5 Local News....................................6 Local News....................................7 Local News....................................8 Family Law...................................9 Get Organized..............................10 Youth Writer.................................11 Birth Matters................................12 Teacher’s Desk...............................13 Career Pathways...........................14 Extremely Sports..........................15 Earth Day......................................16 Parenting......................................18 Parenting......................................19 Summer Camps............................20 Always Amused.............................21 Your Health..................................22 Local Artist...................................23 Shelter in Place Resources.............24 Summer Activity Guide................28 Photo Story...................................29 Coloring Page...............................30

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EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford, Steve Dinnen ART DIRECTOR

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Zelzi Belle

DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTIONS

Susan Bernstein

Children exposed to violence in the home are 15 times more likely to be assaulted than the national average.*

CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. Nichole Brooks, Lisa Catterall, Erik Chalhoub, Bob Derber, Jhoneé Fillmore, Mary Gaukel Forster, Zach Friend, Karen Kefauver, John Koenig, Jennifer Mahal, Paul Marigonda, Laura Maxson, Jan Pierce, Bob Pursley, Ramona Pursley, Suki Wessling, Nicole M. Young PHOTOGRAPHER

Kevin Painchaud

Tell us what your mother means to you in a letter (250 words) Email editor@growingupsc.com

Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center can help. No cost parenting classes Domestic violence crisis intervention and advocacy Safety planning services for children and youth

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Ann Fitts  ann@growingupsc.com Linda Kay  linda@growingupsc.com Sophie Veniel  sophie@growingupsc.com CONTACT US

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For more information, call our main office at (831) 426-3062. 24-hour domestic violence hotline: 1 (866) 269-2559 303 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA - 95060

P.O. Box 3505, Santa Cruz, CA 95063

APRIL 2020 | VOL. 25 NO. 4

Printed lovingly by Fricke-Parks Press. Growing Up in Santa Cruz copyright 2019. Printed in the U.S.A. All views expressed represent those of the individual authors. The contents of this publication are meant as information only and should not take the place of a medical doctor’s recommendations. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part, in any form, electronic or otherwise is prohibited without permission by the publisher. This publication does not knowingly accept deceptive or misleading advertising. Growing Up is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.

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Editor’s Note With a virus ripping through the world and symptoms of a financial collapse following it, we are in unchartered territory. The rules are changing so fast, no one can keep up. Everything we’ve known for decades is different and we are facing the kind of crises we’ve read about in history books, but have never before crept through our front doors into our living rooms. Growing Up’s goal in confronting this madness is to try and bring you needed information, especially those of you who are locked in your homes with your kids. Luckily, we have plenty of local experts with suggestions for how to get through these times. We are still printing hard copies and distributing them for now at places that are still open: drug stores, supermarkets, post offices. They are handled with gloves, carefully. We are also beefing up our Internet presence, with daily stories and news coverage related to families at www. growingupsc.com, and our Growing Up in Santa Cruz pages on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks to a site called Issuu, you can flip through the pages of the magazine online on your desktop of phone, at our site, as if you have the paper in your hand. You can also sign up for our newsletter at www.growingupsc. com for news and fast-moving changes. Some of the things you’ll want to check out this month include summer camp listings to help you plan your kids’ vacation, if things get better. We’ve got several articles that will help you find Internet education and play for your kids while they are stuck at home. Professional home organizer Jhoneé Fillmore gives you 10-minute tips to organize your homes while we are all shut in. Schoolteacher Lisa Catterall documents the switch from teaching behind a desk to teaching online. It’s something all teachers are learning right now. Suki Wessling talked to our local small businesses and how they are facing the quarantine and what we can do to

help them. She also took on nonprofits and how their struggles have suddenly become more difficult. Our most positive story, written to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, shows how important Santa Cruz has been in making reforms that have spread across the world. We take great hope in that one, which really shows what a community can do to change the world. Is there a good side to this quarantine? We can think of two. First, being home with the kids for all this time is something hard working parents can only dream about. Now we really have to be all things to them, teachers, chefs, after school innovators. It certainly makes us appreciate the other people who do these things for us in normal times and gives us a chance to bond, learn, educate and have fun with those who are most important to us. That’s a blessing, despite the cabin fever it brings with is sometimes. The other positive is that we can see the Earth healing with all of the shutdowns. Pollution is disappearing from bad areas of China, fish are navigating back to the canals in Venice, people are realizing there are things they truly need and other shiny things that we can do without. Maybe this lockdown will help us appreciate things and change behaviors. We will certainly appreciate congregating in large groups again for concerts, movies, meetings and classes! But maybe we’ll realize a lot of them can be done online in the future and save gas. Maybe we’ll also start listening more and realizing that climate change is as visceral a problem as the coronavirus. The same people who told us the pandemic was a hoax claim climate change is also a hoax. Maybe we will realize we’d better listen science and start making the changes we need to make to save the planet before it is ravaged. Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford, Steve Dinnen and Barb Dinnen

About the Cover The Vandermeer boys training for upcoming triathlons. Ages 13, 11, 8 and 5, these brothers all compete in swimming, biking and running events. Read more about their journey inside. Insert Image: Brody McIntyre starts his first day of school from home!

APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

About the Photographer Kevin Painchaud is a professional photographer located in Aptos. Kevin has been taking photo for over 30 years. Please feel free to contact kevin at kpainchaudphotography@gmail.com

ASK NICOLE Small Steps, Big Changes BY NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW April is the Month of the Young Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is a good opportunity to remind ourselves that 1) raising happy, healthy children is both exhausting and rewarding, 2) every parent struggles, feels unprepared, or worries they’ve failed at parenting at some point, and 3) everyone in the community can play a role in making sure children and families have the resources and support needed to thrive. This monthly article provides tips for families raising children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, please email me at triplep@first5scc.org. Dear Nicole, My family needs help. My partner and I both work two jobs but can barely make ends meet. We’re constantly stressed and hardly spend time together as a family. Whenever we’re together, we end up arguing. My kids fight with each other, I lose my patience and yell, and then my partner yells at me for yelling at the kids. It’s become a daily pattern that we can’t seem to stop, even though we all love each other and want to have good communication and relationships. What can we do to change this? Ronnie Dear Ronnie, First, you’re not alone! Many families experience similar types of stress and conflict. Second, it’s great you’re reaching out for help. Parents are often embarrassed or afraid to talk about parenting and relationship difficulties out of fear of being judged as a “bad parent.” The good news is that there are small steps you can take that can have a big impact on your family’s communication and relationships.

Here are 30 small steps to try – one for each day of the month: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Do something just for you. Read, meditate, exercise, socialize, or do nothing. You choose. Go for a walk or hike. Go alone (see #1) or with your family. Make a meal together. Let your children pick the food and help make it. Go to a beach or park. Fresh air and physical activity can work wonders. Do a chore together. Turn it into quality time by talking or listening to music together. Play games – cards, board games, video games or make up your own game. Eat together. Turn off electronic devices and talk about how everybody’s day went. Volunteer together. Teach your

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

children to help other people, animals, or the planet. Explore together. Go somewhere local that you’ve never been before. Tell stories. Share true or makebelieve stories. Look at family photos and videos. Talk about your favorite memories. Plant a family garden. Let each child pick something to plant. Read together out loud or silently while sitting next to each other. Give each child quality time before bed. Snuggle, read, or hug before the lights go out. Have an indoor or outdoor picnic. All you need is a blanket and food! Teach each other something new. Share a fun fact or special talent. Listen. When your child needs something, stop what you’re doing, make eye contact, and give your full attention. They’ll learn to do the same. Color together. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but art activities can be very soothing. Play music. Sing and dance together (or alone, see #1). Attend community events. Look in local newspapers and calendars to find fun, free events. Go on “dates.” Do something special (and simple) with each child. And your partner. Write notes or draw pictures that show you care about each other. Visit your local library for books, story time, or homework help. Have a family movie (or TV) night. Relax and laugh (or cry) together. Go on a walking tour. Pick a few local places, then go on a walk to find them. Look at the stars. Watch the stars appear, then look for shooting stars. Read maps together. Share your dreams about where you’d like to travel. Have a family meeting. Resolve problems or talk about everybody’s plans for the week. Hang out. Just sit, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. Give affection every day. Give hugs, high 5s, or pats on the back to show you care.

Go for a walk or hike. Go alone or with your family. Make a meal together. Let your children pick the food and help make it. world’s leading positive parenting program. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz

County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit triplep.first5scc. org, www.facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.

Final Thoughts Remember that raising children isn’t easy, but no one should have to struggle alone. Small steps make a big difference. Try these ideas and add to the list!  Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 16 and 20, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, the

GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

LOCAL NEWS Nonprofits Struggling As Virus Spreads BY SUKI WESSLING This interview took place on March 14, when we had very little sense of where our county, our country, and the world would be by April. I wanted to find out what was happening with local nonprofits that work with kids. Through the confusion of the first days of quarantine, Kate and Angela took the time to express the state of volunteerism in Santa Cruz and their hopes for how we might rise out of this mess in the end. KP: Hi, this is Kate Pavao, Executive Director of the Live Like Coco Foundation. Our mission is to help kids in Santa Cruz County grow up healthy and with opportunities to pursue their dreams. AF: Hi, this is Angela Farley from Teen Kitchen Project. We engage young people in the preparation of meals that are delivered to people in crisis due to illness in Santa Cruz County. Growing Up: Even though very few people are currently diagnosed in Santa Cruz, we’re being advised to practice social distancing. How has this affected your current operations? Nonprofits are more important than ever in tough times. Kids at Teen Kitchen make food for people in need.

AF: If my team gets sick they can’t cook. We’ve had to remove the in-kitchen volunteers, but that puts more on my team because they have to work a little bit longer to do all the jobs that were previously done by volunteers. If any one of us gets sick, we have to shut down operations. We’re trying to prolong the time before that happens. KP: Our big spring fundraiser is a fun run that we do. It’s always in April and it’s looking like we’re going to cancel. We’re so tied in with PVUSD (Pajaro Valley Unified School District). Our foundation was paying for buses to bring kids into our fun run from several different PVUSD schools. The other big project we’re working on is bringing kids on field trips to Nisene Marks. It’s like a year’s worth of volunteer work is going down the drain right now. Growing Up: So it seems like there are two sides to this: there is all the good work that nonprofits do in our community, which right now they’re having to pause or cancel, and then there’s all the support that the community gives to the nonprofits. How are we going to get through this? AF: Last week we lost $10,000 in catering income from UCSC, just like that. We were getting ready for a capital campaign for our Aptos kitchen which would be our hub. But we canceled our donor brunch and that’s probably at least $50 to $100,000 in total loss. KP: We always involve the people that we serve in our fundraising. So the kids are not only helping with fundraising but also having this amazing day, connecting with other kids, making free smoothies, getting their face painted. Our spring fun

APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

run is one of the two biggest fundraisers of the year. We’ll see if businesses will be in the position to donate to the auction this fall to make up for our losses. SW: Neither of your organizations has given up. What are you doing in the meantime? KP: We’ve been able to regroup a bit. Our mission is to help support kids and families in this community and we’re not able to do what we’d planned. So we started working with the County Park Friends for Virtual Park Story Hour. Not only to promote books and getting outside, which are two of the biggest values of our foundation, but also to provide community connection. AF: Something I ask myself a lot is, ‘How do we make the world the kind of place where Teen Kitchen Project isn’t needed anymore?’ It seems like something as scary as a virus can help you realize how important it would be to be aware of who your neighbors are, who might need food, who might need your help. The illness is making us more aware that we’re all in it together. It doesn’t take that much to cook an extra meal for someone and bring it to them and I hope there are enough eyes in our neighborhoods that somebody would notice who needs help. Growing Up: What do you hope we might learn from this? KP: It’s going to be interesting to see what’s going to happen here as far as fitness is concerned. It’s great that people are out walking and saying hello to each other. AF: If we were to snap and go three weeks ahead and there’s no more quarantine, I think of people coming into this reality that we need each other. Hopefully this will have a lasting impact on how we judge each other. I think it’s helping to build a more connected community in the long run, but right now it’s pretty scary. KP: Nonprofits are going to have to remind people to not only keep supporting the people they support. We should be highlighting the businesses that support us, too, so people don’t forget local business is how we keep our programs running. We need to make sure people remember how the ecosystem works as we keep telling our stories. We have no idea what will be happening in a few weeks when you open up GUiSC and read this conversation. We hope that you are safe and healthy, and are starting to look around for ways you can help rebuild our community by supporting local business and local nonprofits that help the most vulnerable members of our community.

LOCAL NEWS Small Businesses Serving Families Feel the Pinch BY SUKI WESSLING A lot of us are feeling fear and uncertainty because of the incursion of COVID-19 into our community. Local small business owners, however, are worried about more than getting sick. “Our business is our livelihood, and if people don’t sign up for lessons, we can’t pay our employees and that creates a stress on its own,” explains Emily Zimmel of Adventure Sports in Santa Cruz. “I will try to employ my people as long as I can.” Raising children in Santa Cruz involves an interconnected network of local families, businesses, nonprofits, and government services. Small businesses are at the center of this, providing our community with goods and services, and often operating on the edge of solvency. ‘Business as usual’ is hard enough in a county with a high cost of living, and the arrival of self-quarantine is definitely unusual. “We are concerned for our employees, who are compensated hourly based on the number of student sessions, as well as the financial health of the business as a whole,” says Rebecca Hoover, Assistant Director at Steps to Success Educational Therapy in Santa Cruz. “Rent and utilities must still be paid, whether or not there are Educational Therapists and Specialists working with students in their respective offices.” Our small businesses are inextricably

woven into the fabric of the whole community. Emily Zimmel explains how the shutdown of UCSC has sent shockwaves into her business, which doesn’t even directly serve UCSC students. “[One employee’s] two roommates are leaving for home and she is left with the rent to herself. Unless she can find two people to move into her house or find another place to live, she’ll also have to move home. For us that means losing an employee that we value.” Linnaea Avenell, who runs an after school program called Little Garden Patch Farm out of her home, describes confusion and contradiction as she called multiple agencies to get guidance on what she should do. “It was really scary to experience how long it was taking for any official guidance to come out about what we would need to do once the virus began to spread in the community,” she explains. “Information about what would happen at that stage was aimed at schools and businesses, not daycares.” Avenell had to depend on parents in her community—including an epidemiologist and a public health worker—for guidance. She ultimately decided to close the business well before licensing agencies made the recommendation. “I must say that although we are extremely worried about finances—March is the

month when all of our big advertising bills have already come due—I’m at the same time relieved to only be responsible this week for the welfare of my own household.” Businesses that serve children are serving a low-risk population as far as COVID-19 is concerned. But humans are connected in a complex web that links small children to more vulnerable populations. Providers are having to balance concerns of public safety with concerns about the stability of their businesses and also the mental health of their target population. “The most concerning aspect of this is the possible decrease in educational and emotional support for our students and families, who really could use more support than ever during this period,” Rebecca Hoover says. “Online learning is just not a feasible option for some of our students.” “We have been very worried this past week about how children are being affected by all of this,” Avenell says. “Even two or three weeks ago they were becoming fearful, presumably overhearing parents talking at home and perhaps hearing the news.” Lizz Hodgin Weihrauch’s business, MusicalMe, serves preschool-aged children, and she points out the irony of having to distance small children when connection is what they need most. “Now is when what we at MusicalMe do is

most needed,” she says. “Have you seen the viral video of an empty street in Siena, Italy where everyone is at their window, singing their town’s song? It’s heart-wrenching. Music soothes us, music unifies us. Music is a necessary part of life, especially during the hard times.” All of our local businesses are trying to adapt as best they can. Some, like Little Garden Patch Farm, will have to wait for life to return to normal. Others are seeking out ways to serve their population as best they can. “Our teachers and students are all looking forward to classes starting again in April, if health concerns permit,” Weihrauch says. “We’re also looking into the possibility of offering online, virtual classes. These in no way will replace the visceral, in-person experience we share in our classes, but at least it will give home-bound families with young children something special to share together.” Growing Up in Santa Cruz, a small, local business itself, encourages you to reach out to the businesses that are suffering the effects of this devastating change. Santa Cruz has nothing if we don’t have community.  Suki Wessling is a local writer and the mother of two grown kids. Read more at www.SukiWessling.com.

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LOCAL NEWS Making Pupusas with Abuela Queer Elders Project Fills in the Holes BY SUKI WESSLING

The Queer Elders Project fills the nurturing and mentorship roles that many LGBTQ youth are lacking in their families. She can’t ask her parents to call her the name she prefers. His aunt and uncle refuse to let him join family gatherings. They had to go live with Grandma after they were kicked out of their home. She’s living in foster care and can’t see her old friends. Even in liberal Santa Cruz County, gender diverse teens suffer when they come out to their families and

communities. Whether the teens are coming out as gay or lesbian, deciding to live as the gender they feel inside, or asking to be called with the pronoun that fits them, families often respond with less than full support. Ashlyn Adams, Youth Program Coordinator at the Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County, says that the problem can be as simple as getting from one place to another.

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APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

“Our public transit system is not the easiest,” Adams points out. “One family from Aromas, their student comes to our Watsonville group. His parents not only bring him to youth group and events, but they also give other students rides. To have somebody to drive so far for kids they don’t even know, that’s just awesome.” This sort of support is important when some of the students may not have come out to their families. Adams points out that most families support or at least “tolerate” their gender diverse students . But even teens in supportive households are navigating difficult years without an elder who shares their life experiences. That’s where the Teen Eders Project at the Diversity Center comes in. “In talking to youth and adults all over the county, it became clear to me that there were a lot of things that were missing from people’s adolescence,” explains Adams. “The queer experience is having all the normal puberty experiences in your twenties or thirties because you didn’t get to openly feel all those feelings when you were a teenager.” Adams organized a group of teens who take part in the Santa Cruz and Watsonville youth groups to come up with a project where they would fill in the holes left by the lack of elders in their lives. “It’s a sort of ‘Queer Wikipedia’ where you can teach each other and learn from each other,” Adams explains. “Things as simple as ‘I learned how to make this recipe from my grandparent and you would have learned it too if you hadn’t been kicked out of your parents’ house’.” The teens are driving the project from the ground up, locating elders who are willing to share their knowledge, writing interview questions, setting up the location, filming, editing, and sharing their projects with the world. “It’s been pretty cool seeing people being able to share their stories and learn how personal stories can have an impact on other people who are strangers,” Adams says. One such story comes from Malena G., a trans woman who was born and raised male in Mexico. She literally didn’t have the words for what she knew about herself. Perceiving her difference from an early age, her socially conservative family punished her for “feminine” behaviors. Eventually she found a personal outlet in making and selling pupusas. Although making pupusas at home is a “female” activity, her work was accepted because it brought money to the family. One day an American couple approached her stand and they struck up a conversation. Malena still presented as male at this time, but the conversation with two gender diverse Americans

opened her eyes. “They gave her language that she hadn’t been familiar with before,” Adams says. Malena moved to the United States and transitioned to female—but never lost her love of making pupusas. One day in January, she stood in front of a group of gender diverse teens and taught them the skill that had gotten her through those years of suffering. The information being imparted could certainly have been learned from a recipe or Youtube video. But the experience was much deeper than how to mix flour and water. “We filmed her teaching us how to make pupusas and telling all of the stories that she learned as a little kid,” Adams remembers. “It was an incredible experience for the young people to see coming out on the other side of the struggle and also to learn this old form of art.” Adams is also meeting her digital teens where they thrive. “Young people now have enormous power, especially when it comes to communication,” she says. “There are a lot of ways they can employ that. If you’re a meme lord on Instagram now you could be changing public policy in 15 years!” Michelle Brandt of the TransFamily Support Group experienced the need for elders while raising her trans son. She now supports parents who are struggling to understand the best way to meet their transgender children’s needs. “Family and community support directly impact our children’s mental health and quality of life,” Brandt explains. “Gender diverse kids, even when supported by their families, face a lack of the community support that children need to thrive.” It may be something as simple as having another trans guy to give advice on how to get a good-fitting suit for a body with hips and breasts. Maybe a teen’s school counselor can’t give advice on being a gender diverse person on a college campus. Many teens hear the scary stories but don’t know queer elders who have come out from the struggle to live happy, fulfilled lives. “Our elders could have been legally fired and family rejection was very common,” says Sharon Papo, Director of the Diversity Center. “I think it’s important for young people today to understand whose shoulders they stand on and the incredible strength and courageousness of the trailblazers of our movement.” Brandt sums up the value of the Queer Elders Project by reminding us that community needs to be nurtured. “Queer elders are an integral part of the village that we depend on to help nourish our children and help them live their fullest lives.”

FAMILY LAW These Judges Judge Your Kids BY BOB DERBER In a January GUiSC article, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Judges Matterâ&#x20AC;?, author Annrae Angel was spot on: our Family Court judges impact Santa Cruz every day and in significant ways.Â Their decisions touch our basic fabric - family structure and the protection of our children when parents are in conflict. We are fortunate to have two â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bench officersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; who are not just legal scholars.Â They bring significant life-experiences to the court.Â They are judges Paul Marigonda and Kim Baskett. Most divorcing parents donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hire attorneys, and they often appear before these judges to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;make a callâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; when they cannot agree upon a matter. The two parents also often present very different pictures of the same circumstance.Â Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great deal at stake, and they know the judge may ask them questions when they are in court. But aside from being judges, who are these individuals?Â Â Firstly, both judges are parents themselves.Â Like us, they navigated their own children throughÂ our Santa Cruz school system and dealt in their homes the same issues that we face. They are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and sons and daughters themselves. Both

judges are now at or over 60 years of age and have a bundle of life-experiences that can help you understand where they are â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;coming fromâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Do you recall Pacific Pack and Pants on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the Mallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in Santa Cruz.Â Do you remember the tent it occupied when the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;89 quake destroyed so many mall buildings.Â Well, it was Judge Baskett managing the business as her father could not.Â Â And while she ran the business, she was raising three children, attending night school and carried the worries of a mother whose husband, as a Santa Cruz Sheriff, faced danger daily.Â Keep this in mind if you appear before her. And Judge Marigonda?Â Perhaps he cleared your table at his parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Italian restaurant while he was in high school. And before he became a judge, he served us as a team-member of the Santa Cruz District Attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office for years.Â Scotts Valley residents will recall when he was a city councilman and mayor some 20 years ago.Â All the while, his shepherded with his wife their two boys through the Scotts Valley schools.Â Yes, the Marigonda names on the Scotts Valley High Falcon Football roster were his boys - and not all that long ago either!Â Â We are fortunate.Â Our Family Court

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We hope you never have to deal with the court system, but if you do, you should know all about family court. judges are parents themselves.Â They know Santa Cruz and have faced many of the parental challenges we have.Â When you appear before either, keep this in mind. I can personally attest both judges are extraordinary legal scholars and bring

significant professional skills to the bench.Â But first and foremost, they are personally vested in our community and to our families.Â Â When you need it most, they are there to help, and they have been there themselves.

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@ www.scottsvalley.org and follow the links to Parks & Recreation or call us at (831) 438-3251. GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

GET ORGANIZED Got Some Time? 10 Minute Organization Tips BY JHONEÉ FILLMORE glove box is a great start. Create a tidy space so you can easily locate your registration and insurance. I like to keep these items in a large, clear Ziploc bag with my list of emergency contacts. I also keep the vehicle manual as well as car seat manuals in this spot for easy reference.

Bedroom Closets

This is a great time to do all that household organizing you’ve postponed. Send your photos of completed projects to editor@growingupsc.com and we’ll print them.. Do you have some free time in your house? Here are some areas of your house that you can tackle within about 10 minutes. This is 10 minutes well spent.

right person who would like to read one of your books whether it be a loan or a give. You probably know of a specific organization that could benefit from some of your books. Your public library will let you know what items they can accept, including magazines. Magazines are also a great for collaging and craft projects.

Books & Magazines

It seems that for most of us we have books and/or magazines stacked places or overflowing on our bookshelves. Take a minute and sort through them. Just the mere sorting may inspire you to revisit a book. You may know just the

Glove Box

If you want to tackle the entire vehicle go for it, but simply tidying up your

You don’t have to give your closet the ultimate overhaul to feel some relief from the chaos. The most simple thing you can do is to pull out items that are no longer needed. Be honest with yourself about how often you wear your items and how long it has been since the last time you wore them. A fast way to revive some closet energy is to then group alike items. I like to group hanging items by sleeve length such as long sleeve, short sleeve and sleeveless. Then in each of these categories I sort them by color. This is an eye pleaser!

Linen Closet

Quickly sort through your towels, hand towels, wash clothes, bed sheets, etc. and determine what you still use and how any unused linens can be repurposed. I typically will place some of these unwanted items in my paint bin or

keep one in my car. They may not be nice enough for guests but they will definitely serve a purpose some other way.

Junk Drawer

Has this drawer alone been haunting you? Take about ten minutes and give this drawer the love it has been craving. Most likely half of the drawer are items that will not be needed into your life. For the remainder of the items, give them some separation. Use small containers inside of the drawer.

Vanity

Take a look around your bathroom vanity to find products that you no longer use or are outdated. I find that I normally know someone who still currently uses a product that I no longer have interest in. This is an awesome way to reuse. Grouping items into categories makes the vanity refreshed. Categories may look like: first aid, beauty, hair, cleaning, kids, etc. Discovering some items that you are still willing to use but haven’t seen in awhile will also save you a few dollars on your next store visit.  Jhoneé Fillmore, Owner, Missplaced Organizing / www. thedavenportcompany.com/missplaced

Empowering Students to Shape Their Futures with Confidence.

SUMMER DAY CAMPS Ages 4-12 (Camper)

Half & full availabled! ay

Ages 13-15 (Jr. Counselor)

Acting, dancing and vocal training, crafts, games, and lots of fun!

Aptos July 6-10

Scotts Valley July 13-17

For more information and to register visit

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Continuity of education is a top priority for Kirby. Ask us about our increased commitment to Tuition Assistance. Contact our Admissions Office to help you through the application process. (831) 423-0658 x 202 or email admissions@kirby.org. 425 ENCINAL STREET SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060

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10 APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

YOUTH WRITER Positives of Video Games BY ZACHARY LIVINGSTON SHULTS

Many parents believe the internet is a treacherous place that burns kids' brain cells, but most of the time this is just parents only believing what they hear on the news or by fellow parents. Many games can help out with everyday activities and certain skills. Another found rumor is that violent video games result in violent kids, this is not such a true fact, rather an excuse for some parents and their kids behavior. Many video games can also help kids feel better about themselves or become more social. I think parents just need to take a look at the games their kids play and maybe spend some time with them digitally and get to know the games so you have a good estimate before you estimate how long they can spend, and I guarantee some parents will change their mind.

Games can help with certain skills

Many games can help kids with certain skills and activities, let's talk about that. A lot of parents think that many games distract students but actually a lot of games can help with that. Have you heard of tetris? Well chances are you have, because it’s the number one sold game ever! Tetris requires lots of focus and quick thinking, both of these things can very much so help out with school and everyday activities. Or when gaming on basically any console or computer you are getting a finger workout, and you may not realise this, but anybody who wants to play almost any instrument will need to develop good dexterity and finger and eye coordination. So by gaming you are basically becoming a slightly better musician. And as many people know, guitar and piano are the kings of carpal tunnel.

aren't sure of themselves or have social anxiety. Many games help kids become more social and can help them make more friends. I find it essential to become a social person at a young age before it becomes too difficult in later years. In conclusion, video games are not the worst thing in the world, and maybe parents should try to understand what their kids are doing in games and get used to it with them so that you have a good understanding and can at least think about it before you judge video games and write them off as some brain

cell burner that is corrupting kids for eternity. I do not think that somebody who does write games off as terrible things is a bad person, I just think they need to at least try to acknowledge the positives about video games.  My name is Zachary Livingston Shults and I just turned 10 on March 25, I love to cube, by cube I mean solving different types of Rubik’s cubes but primarily 3x3 the standard cube most people think of. I love gaming and I play a lot of krunker.io and roblox. I love to write about large problems like factory farms and climate change.

Violent Video Games Are Not The Cause Of Violent Kids

Ya know what really catches me, the belief that violent video games are the reason why parents have bratty kids that throw pencils at teachers. Maybe I am dumb, maybe video games cause violent kids, ya know. Maybe it isn’t parents letting their kids be wild and disrespectful to people. Have you realised the issue with those two sentences? Hmmmmm… (5s pause) There are so many reasons besides fortnite that are making your kid rampage on you and at school! Firstly, parenting. Many parents let their kids do whatever they want, stay up all night, yell at teachers, throw things at people. And overall just be violent and reckless. Or maybe a kid has been under a bad influence. There are misbehaved students at almost every school, who knows, your kid might be under the impression that they have to do what these kids tell them to do. Another reason could be that the kid could be very stressed and anxious about something, maybe it’s an upcoming test and they can't sleep because of it and it causes them to act in an enraged manner.

Positive Parenting: It Works! Got kids? Triple P classes and one-on-one meetings offer tools to strengthen your relationship with your child or teen. Triple P is a scientifically-proven, world-renowned positive parenting program available to families in Santa Cruz County. Find a class or practitioner at http://triplep.first5scc.org.

Games Can Help Out With Social Anxiety and Personal Image

Many kids have an unpleasing personal image and or social anxiety, but many games help people be more confident in themselves and outgoing. One example of this is a youtuber KonekoKitten, roblox helped him through many stages in his life and has made him a more confident person. In his videos he has talked about not being a very social person as a kid and not being sure of who he was. This is just one of millions of cases for people who

This program is made possible through a partnership between First 5 Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (MHSA – Prop 63 funds) and Santa Cruz County Human Services Department

GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

BIRTH MATTERS Planning for the Unimaginable BY LAURA MAXSON, LM The COVID19 pandemic is in its initial rise as this article is being written. Life is changing with shutdowns, shortages, social distancing and more. It is hard to know exactly where we will be in a few weeks when this article is published. However, it seems likely that normal life will be quite altered, as everything is put on hold. Childbirth, however, is one thing that is not going to be put off, pandemic or not. Planning for birth and postpartum can feel pretty unsettling with the current state of affairs.

Home birth midwives will come into the home for labor and birth, plus provide home visits for mother and newborn after birth. Staying away from the hospital, unless a higher level of care is indicated, may feel like the right choice for many families. No one really knows how this will play out. There may be more inductions offered to get babies born while moms are still feeling healthy. Or, as hospitals get more impacted, perhaps there will be fewer inductions as hospital beds become more in demand. Recommendations and directives are changing day-to-day and hour-by-hour. Take a breath and remember that your body knows how to give birth. It is time to be flexible. Most childbirth classes have been cancelled. Double-check with local childbirth educators and doulas to see who are now offering private or online classes. There are online options from national childbirth organizations as well. Do your own search, but here are a few to get you started: • Lamaze International (lamaze. org/lamaze-classes-online) • Birth Boot Camp birthbootcamp. com/online-childbirth-educationclasses

Here are some considerations for this challenging time:

A labor tool kit packed full of options is going to be extra helpful in this time of uncertainty. Planning on an epidural as soon as possible is fine, but perhaps you’ll want to stay home longer than you had anticipated. Hospital visiting restrictions will likely extend to doulas in the very near future, leaving partners with more of the hands-on support responsibilities. Birth doulas can provide plenty of education and tips before labor begins and attend parents in early labor at home. Care will continue with on-call support through phone calls, texts and virtual support during labor.

It’s a tough time to have a baby, but there are plenty of places to do the research and you now have more time to do it. •

Evidence Based Birth evidencebasedbirth.com/ resources-for-parents

You don’t need a class to read a book, order from a local bookstore or try a Kindle or audio book. Or ask around; once the baby is born many people are happy to pass on their books.

Here are a few suggestions:

Meet the Doulas

Saturday, May 16, 4pm 1307 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz

Learn more about how doulas support families through the birth and postpartum experience. BirthNetSantaCruz.EventBrite.com

One-stop-shopping for pregnancy, birth & parenting services

www.BirthNet.org

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin, Birthing from Within, by Pam England, The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin. Social distancing places a roadblock in the path of those craving connection and support in the postpartum period. Many breastfeeding and parenting support groups have gone on hiatus, so it is important to find other support. Do call to find out what services may be available from local hospital programs and WIC. Luma (lumayoga.com) is going online with their classes and postpartum support; it seems likely others will, too.

Tried and true breastfeeding support can be found here: • • • •

Kelly Mom: (kellymom.com) a wealth of resources for specific breastfeeding issues. Nursing Mothers Counsel: (nursingmothers.org) phone help and more. La Leche League: (LLLI.org) resources and info on getting help, including facebook groups. Breastfeeding USA: (breastfeedingusa.org) – information and support.

Be sure to take care of yourself. Childbirth relaxation techniques can help with stress before and after birth. Check in regularly with friends and

APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

family who may also be feeling isolated.

There are lots of ways to video-chat; here are a few: • • • • •

Zoom offers a free basic plan (zoom.us) Facetime offers group video chatting for those with Apple iOS 12.1.4 operating systems Skype offers free group video calling (skype.com) Facebook messenger has group video chats Check your apps, there must be more.

If isolation and stress lead to feelings of depression, there is support for that, too. • Postpartum Support International: (800) 944-4PPD (4773) offers a warmline for anyone experiencing postpartum depression (or for concerned family members) with calls returned by trained volunteers. • Online resources are also available locally from the Perinatal Mental Health Coalition of Santa Cruz at SpeakUpSantaCruz.org. Finally, if not washing cloth diapers at home, check in with Tiny Tots (tinytots. com) or Earth Baby (earth-baby.com) diaper services about their compostable diaper delivery services. Diapers (and wipes, too) can be dropped off and picked up weekly, without needing to go out. As an essential service, they should continue delivering through the shutdowns. At this time we can be thankful that it appears this virus is not a serious problem for most babies.  Birth Network of Santa Cruz County offers listings of local providers including doulas, childbirth educators, midwives, breastfeeding support, therapists and more birthnet.org.

TEACHER'S DESK Teaching from a Distance BY LISA CATTERALL Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. -SĂ¸ren Kierkegaard

procedures down, we trust each other, we know what we have to do to learn things. And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re starting to understand the bigger picture, or the arc of the storyline of the curriculum. We are buzzing toward the home stretch. Closing the door of a classroom in the middle of March, wondering when it would open again, was eerie. Then suddenly there are my students, in tiny little boxes on my computer screen.

Every day we wake up and there is nothing but time. My body jumps up thinking Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m already late. Late to make lunches, make breakfast, find their shoes. Did I lay out their clothes? Are their drawers full or will I be digging in the dryer? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the bag of supplies for my teaching day. Go, go, go. Where are my keys? Are the car seats in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;I miss the times when we would just be car? Teaching and parenting has been a in class and suddenly start joking around.â&#x20AC;? marathon for 12 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I miss the breaks when we were all But now we have nowhere to go. I turn together.â&#x20AC;? on the weather and hope the news is pushing the hopeful stories of the day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I miss the campus, just being there We make breakfast, late, and ponder. Are up on the mountain. I miss taking walks we feeling happy or sad? Should we make together.â&#x20AC;? plans? To do what? Is there anything we â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like I am missing so much of actually can do, to help, to keep sane, to this year, my sixteenth year, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll feed ourselves, to stay healthy? We bake never get it back.â&#x20AC;? the bread. We water the garden. We clean No one is saying they are having everything up. We find new ways to laugh trouble learning. What we all miss is and connect. our community, the little ones in each Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new world. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s slow. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full of class and the big one that was the entire thoughts and time. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full of learning. school. We cheer up as our cats and dogs In springtime at school, each class appear on the computer screens and are is at a high pitch of happiness and introduced. It would seem that animals productivity, just like the flowers Registration canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t resist teleconferencing. and animals around us. We haveis ournow open!

From a teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desk to little boxes on a computer screen. If this is the future, we hope it passes fast. Classrooms are better. Meanwhile, small panics fly by as teachers and students realize that we do not yet know how to do this perfectly. Some of the stories I tell in the spring Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been telling for years, and now I need to tell them over the internet instead, with an audience that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all in one place. My students have learned the skill of being students for all the life they can remember, and now they have to do it differently. What will happen if we get

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ď ˝ Lisa Catterall teaches STEAM, math, science, and art at Mount Madonna School and is a senior associate of the Centers for Research on Creativity. She lectures and trains teachers and administrators on innovation in education in Beijing, China. Lisa has five children and lives in Santa Cruz County.

ay camps!

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really good at this, and what will happen if we never get good at it? We have plenty of time to wonder.

GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

CAREER PATHWAYS It's Not All Hard BY MARY GAUKEL FORSTER Last month’s article defined hard skills, their connection to specific careers, and how they can be encouraged and taught. Hard skills are important such as knowledge of anatomy for a doctor or building codes for an architect. A parent can do much to teach or foster the growth of a child’s hard skills but the majority of child development studies indicate that the parent plays an even more important role in developing a child’s soft skills. The top 10 soft skills include communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem solving, creativity, work ethic, interpersonal skills, time management, leadership, and attention to detail. For most careers, soft skills are considered just as important and necessary as hard skills for employment and job success. How a parent helps their child develop and strengthen soft skills can be fun, bonding, and rewarding for both the child and the parent. Below are sample activities and practices you can use with your child to help them develop and strengthen soft skills.

paying full attention. For young children the traditional game of “I spy with my little eye” begins with back and forth communication. The parent or child is “it” and chooses an object and states, for example, “I spy with my little eye something green.” The parent or child makes guesses based upon observation of the environment until the correct object is identified. For older children, draw a simple picture or pattern. Without letting them see the diagram, tell them what they need to do so they can draw a picture that looks as similar to yours as possible. After giving detailed instructions, without naming the shape or object, see how accurately the pictures match up. Trade and have your child draw and give directions.

Teamwork and Problem Solving:

Non-competitive games where players work together to meet a challenge can develop both teamwork and problem solving. “Hoot Owl Hoot” has three different levels, which encourage conversation and teamwork to solve how to move six little owls to their nest before sunrise. Adults in our family have enjoyed the game as well preschoolers

Communication

This one starts with the parent modeling no technology, eye contact, and

and up. Look for ways to increase teamwork for all ages by asking for help when completing a task. End with, “nice teamwork” to increase your child’s awareness of the importance of teamwork.

Adaptability:

Adjusting to the unexpected can easily be developed throughout a child’s day while also including the important soft skills of communication and problem solving. The ice cream shop is closed, becomes, “What can we do now?” As your child answers prompt with “or we could...”. After several suggestions you can ask your child which one would they choose, which one would “work.” Reflect back that finding and “doing” a solution when something changes is called adaptability. When the Lincoln Log cabin topples what can be changed or “adapted” in the design? Opportunities to foster adaptability are endless.

Attention to detail:

If you need to change a light bulb, share out loud each step you are taking: “I think I should turn off the electricity to safely change this light bulb. Let’s go and find the switch in the breaker box. This is a 50-watt light bulb, I am going to check and see if I have any 50-watt

bulbs in the cabinet. This light bulb isn’t coming out, am I unscrewing it in the right direction? There is a little poem to help me remember: Rightie tightie, lefty loosie. Now that it is out and I put back on the electricity, I want to recycle the bulb. I better check the hours at the dump.” Once you get started you will become more and more aware of how you can help your child build and improve their soft skills through everyday and intentional actions. In next month’s article, I will share real world practice for those soft skills, “Getting the First Job”.  Career questions have been a part of Mary’s life since she was first asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. She began teaching elementary school, had her own children, taught in middle school and high school, became a high school principal, finally a grandparent, and currently, the executive director for the non-profit organization, Your Future Is Our Business. Your Future Is Our Business partners with schools to link students to career explorations. Reach Mary at marygaukel@gmail.com

Santa Cruz County Parks SUMMER SWIM LESSONS Simpkins Family Swim Center - 6/8-8/15 Excellent Instruction Small Classes Daytime & Evening Lessons Lessons for all swim abilities

SUMMER CAMPS Zombie Camp and Science Sleuths at Quail Hollow Ranch. Explore, discover, and learn in these fun-filled, hands-on educational day camps for ages 6-12. La Selva Beach Summer Camp for ages 6-12. Arts & crafts, cooking, games, sports, local & out-of-county field trips. Full- and part-time registration options available. Zombie Camp at Aptos Park for ages 11-14. Learn valuable survival skills while having fun! Baseball Camps at Polo Grounds County Park. A variety of week-long camps for ages 6-14. All skill levels welcome. Art & Science Camp at Aptos Park for ages 6-12. Skateboarding Camp at Seacliff Park for ages 5-13. Hawaiian Camp at Seascape Park for ages 7-17.

For more information or to register online, visit www.scparks.com or call 454-7901. 14 APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Tuition includes: • Supervised fun on an organic farm for one full week— Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Already a bargain! • Cool TF Films T-shirt • Hands on filmmaking education making a supercool short film to be proud of • All summer camps films will be screened together at the THOMAS FARM FILMS SUMMER CAMP 2020 FILM FESTIVAL in early Fall 2020. Invite all your family and friends. Fancy dress and Red Carpet. An incredible and memorable event! 20% sibling & multiple week registration discounts We now offer payment plans Partial and full scholarships available to those in need

EXTREMELY SPORTS Meet the Four Iron Men Triathlon is a Family Affair BY KEVIN PAINCHAUD

The family that does a run together, has fun together. The Vandermeet family is stretching the bounds of togetherness and taking on huge challenges together. Meet the Vandermeer family. This is not your typical family. Yes they have four boys. Yes all four boys have a lot of energy. But what really separates this family from all the rest is that the entire family competes in triathlons. All of them! Every single one of them competes in swimming, biking, and running for miles. Not only that, but they all typically win medals in their own classes. How did this start? I’ll let their amazing mom, Candi tell the story. Before the kids came along: Dennis and I both were triathletes before we met (I was in Hawaii and he was in CA). We started dating and living a triathlon lifestyle together in California. Within a year and half, we completed Ironman Korea and Western Australia, then got married, pregnant, and decided to start a family in Santa Cruz. Looking back, the boys --Kees 13, Nico, 11, Louie ,8, and Thys, 5-- doing triathlons seems like a very natural progression. As each child was added to the family, they were just along for the ride in those early years-- they’d get up early to spectate at races from the baby carrier, watch one of us leave the door for a workout or Dennis would often push them in the stroller for training runs. Since Dennis still trains longer distances, they have had the opportunity to very much be a part of his training. As they got older, they would bike with Dennis while he was on long runs, carrying his nutrition. From the time our oldest was 7 months old, he has watched Dennis race the Ironman World Championships in Kona nine times. All the boys have had the experience of watching their father in Kona. There are so many lessons in this sport. I guess they were sort of “in training” in some way or another right from the get go. It is very much the fabric of our family and we feel very fortunate that we have the opportunity to expose them to this sport as more of a healthy lifestyle.

They all started triathlon around 3-4 years old. The boys were always excited to start because they watched us (and their older siblings) do it for so long and now it was their turn. Especially in the early years, there were never any structured training plans, just getting out there and swimming, biking, running and having fun whenever we could. The local Super Kids Triathlon was the first race for Kees, Nico, and Louie.. Eventually they also started doing the NorCal Kids Triathlon Series over the hill, which is now the Bay Area Kids Triathlon series. All the boys regularly finish on the podium at the series races. They also cheer for each other on the course since they race by age group. Thys races last, so the older brothers always run with the younger ones. Since Kees is getting older, he is transitioning to the adult sprint races. In 2018 and 2019 he raced Tri Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Triathlon with podium finishes at all four races. Also, during Ironman Kona race week they do the Keiki Dip and Dash, a fun swim/run with a finish at the Ironman arches. As the boys get older, there has been a natural progression to workouts. Kees, Nico, and Louie swim year round with the Aptos Cabrillo Swim Club (ACSC) and Thys will join soon. They all love to swim and the excellent training they get with ACSC makes them super confident with a solid swim start. For biking they mostly mountain bike at Wilder Ranch. The older boys ride up Twin Gates, and if a younger one is not quite ready for all the hill climbing, Dennis tows them up with a rope but they at least have to help. Kees runs cross country at Mission Hill Middle School and the younger ones just run around for fun. During the summer months, Santa Cruz Junior Guards acts as a built-in training program since they get in open water swims and running.

Kees, 13, Nico, 11, Louie, 8 and Thys, 5, train and compete together. It’s a real family affair. You can try it too.

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GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

On April 22, 1970, a year after a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, 20 million Americans — 10% of the total population of the U.S. in 1970 — rallied coast-to-coast channeling the energy of the era’s anti-war protests to raise public awareness about the deterioration of our environment and corporate pollution of air and water. We can thank those original Earth Day protesters for the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. On April 22, 1990, 200 million people in 141 countries mobilized as Earth Day became a global protest in defense of our planet. Sadly, many of the environmental wins inspired by the original Earth Day have been rolled back, diluted, and dismantled by the current U.S. Administration. Our planet is once again in peril and our Golden State is on the front lines of the climate and environmental crisis: 1970

1990

2000

2010

2020

Earth Day goes global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries.

Earth Day leverages the power of digital media to build millions of local conversations across more than 180 countries.

Earth Day Network launches A Billion Acts of Green® and The Canopy Project. Earth Day 2010 engages 75,000 global partners in 192 countries.

Earth Day will mark 50 years with global activations that aim to mobilize a billion people worldwide for transformative action for our planet.

On Earth Day 50th Anniversary, Santa Cruz Leads the World BY TIM GONCHAROFF, ZERO WASTE PROGRAMS MANAGER FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY & GAIL MCNULTY, SR MANAGER FOR COMMUNICATIONS, YOUTH LEADERSHIP, & CLIMATE ACTION FOR SAVE OUR SHORES

In September 2019, Global Climate Strikes drew an estimated 6 million people worldwide, including impressive local turnouts in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, to focus attention on the United Nation’s warning that the window of opportunity to protect people and the planet from unmitigatable impacts of an escalating climate crisis is rapidly closing. Since September, global organizers including Youth for Climate Justice and the Sunrise Movement in Santa Cruz and Regeneración in Watsonville have been working to plan the biggest ever climate/ environmental justice mobilization on the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. Now, in response the the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers have pivoted and hope to flood the Internet with with #DigitalStrike(s) and #ClimateStrikeOnline creating a tremendous new opportunity for youth and families to get involved. Children who grow up enjoying Santa Cruz’s redwoods, mountains, hiking and biking trails, and of course, our glorious Monterey Bay, are incredibly fortunate. This good fortune comes with responsibility. From Junior Guards to Junior Rangers to Save Our Shores, O'Neill Sea Odyssey, and Watsonville Wetlands field trips— Santa Cruz County kids learn to love and care for these unreal surroundings. Nonetheless, many may be surprised to learn the extent to which Santa Cruz’s often groundbreaking environmental protections have improved things at state, national, and even global levels. Our county’s reputation as an innovator in creative new environmental protection laws and programs keeps many eyes focused on the area. Our local environmental ordinances have

16 APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

been duplicated more than 100 times, across California and beyond. County ordinances have been adopted in San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Boulder, Colorado, Miami and New York City. The County has also had a profound impact on the corporate world, encouraging more sustainable practices in many giant companies. A few examples: Santa Cruz County and local cities were among the first to ban styrofoam in food service (later expanded to a ban on retail sales). Most businesses adjusted quickly but large chains had more trouble. Coldstone Creamery, the ice cream store, was reluctant to do something different in just their one local store. After a lot of back and forth with local government representatives, Coldstone decided to give up styrofoam – in all 1,400 US stores. Safe recycling of electronic waste is a big problem. Too much of it goes to Third World countries where it is melted down over open fires, polluting the air and water and sickening local people. A program called e-Stewards offers certification for electronic waste recyclers who can demonstrate that they use all proper health and safety measures and don’t ship their e-waste overseas. Santa Cruz created the first ordinance of its kind requiring that all e-waste collected in the county go only to an e-Stewards certified recycler. This created a problem for the country’s largest electronics retailer, Best Buy, which has a store on 41st Ave. Best Buy hosts its own in-house recycling program for e-waste, but it wasn’t certified. Notified of the county’s new requirement, the company hemmed and hawed for a while, but then decided to get with the program – and certified 1,150 stores across the country.

However, they let that lapse and the county is working to get them back in the program. The local program allowing people to drop off leftover medicines and used needles at any local pharmacy was the first of its kind in the United States. Widely emulated, it inspired a new state law that will soon offer the program across California and is prompting similar new laws all across the US. Santa Cruz County has taken numerous steps to reduce waste and litter, including the world’s first ban on plastic straws. As of 2017, everything used in food service businesses has to be washable, recyclable or compostable. As always, local businesses were quick to adjust, while some of the chains struggled. But the changes worked. After several months of experience, Starbucks sent out a press release announcing that based on a successful trial run in Santa Cruz County, they were rolling out more sustainable products to more than 28,000 stores around the world. In addition to the devastating impacts plastic pollution is having on our marine ecosystems, a 2019 WWF study concluded that we may all be eating, drinking, and breathing about a credit card’s worth of plastic a week further vindicating the plastic measures Santa Cruz County has pioneered and highlighting the need for our county to continue pushing for bold reforms. The County has enacted numerous measures to limit plastic waste. Last year it passed another first-in-the-world law banning the tiny bottles of lotion, shampoo, etc. from hotel and motel rooms, encouraging the businesses to switch to refillable containers. Hotels were enthusiastic, not just at being more

sustainable, but because the measure saves them money. Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton have announced plans to expand the practice to more than 10,000 hotels around the world. The County and local cities are far from done. In the next few months, new rules will kick in requiring, among other things, a charge for all disposable cups to encourage customers to bring their own, a requirement that all businesses provide recycling bins for their customers, and that all food-service businesses provide compost bins and sign-up for food waste collection. Meanwhile, Save Our Shores will soon launch a countywide petition supporting a ban on single-use plastic beverage bottles—another step in the effort to “lead the way as we protect our Bay.” Never underestimate the impact of the “Banana Slug Effect” or our county’s passionate and determined youth leaders. From youth-led climate strikes and rallies in Santa Cruz and Watsonville to Pajaro Valley High School’s Decolonization Garden to the young leaders who successfully advocated for a Santa Cruz County School Board Resolution protecting their right to protest in defense of their future—it’s clear the legacy of environmental protection in Santa Cruz will be in good hands. As shelter-in-place rules keep your family home in the coming weeks, we invite you to transform anxiety into action. Consider posting your family’s art, poems, videos, and other creative climate and ocean awareness communications with the hashtag #ClimateStrikeOnline to make the Earth 50 #DigitalStrike a powerful, world-changing movement and/ or take on one or more of our Earth Day 50 Action List ideas.

Make & share Earth Day 50 Climate Strike signs! Submit photos of your signs to Save Our Shores’ online gallery at bit. ly/OnlineClimateStrikeSigns Post your climate strike signs to social media sites with the hashtags: #ClimateStrikeOnline, #schoolstrike4climate, #fridaysforfuture, and/or #DigitalStrike

California’s 2018 wildfires, while much smaller in scale, had more than twice the human casualties.

Hang the real sign(s) in your window or yard!

2019-20 Australian bushfires burned a total area nearly half the size of California killing an estimated one billion animals and 34 people. As much as 90% of the bull kelp in California has been decimated by an out of control purple urchin boom and warming waters California’s coastal waters are acidifying twice as fast as the rest of the oceans

Write a letter our federal officials to tell them to prioritize people, animals, and our planet over profit. Visit usa.gov/ elected-officials for contact information Make a video, write a poem, or create art to show your love to our ocean and planet and the need to protect what we love. Post to social media with the hashtags: #ClimateStrikeOnline, #schoolstrike4climate, #fridaysforfuture, and/or #DigitalStrike AND tag @ SaveOurShores! Learn more about how environmental activism has changed our world, ongoing challenges, and where we go from here. Visit EarthDay.org/history to read about The History of Earth Day. Take a hike or walk with a bucket and clean up trash as you go.

Our sardines, red abalone, spiny lobster, market squid and Dungeness Crab are disappearing

Share your Earth Day Action Activites on Social Media and tag @GrowingUpSC Visit GrowingUpSC.Com to see how the Santa Cruz community is taking action against climate change for Microplastic has been found, surface to seafloor, throughout the Monterey Bay

Earth Day! GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

PARENTING Dear Parents, Your Computer is Your Quarantine Friend BY JAN PIERCE

We spend so much time complaining about kids and screen time…well, now the screens can be used for good during the quarantine. Here are some great sites.. The kids are home unexpectedly. There are hours to fill and learning to do. You’ve got this. Here is a list of online resources to ensure your kids are busy and happy during this “mini-vacation.”

Good Kids’ Websites

A great website for children will offer quality content and lots of interactive choices. More than just color pages, these sites will have interactive games, downloadables and will relate to real learning. Take a look. sesamestreet.org Pre-schoolers love Sesame Street and always will. The online site continues with early learning

18 APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

fun and games. pbskids.org is already anticipating the need for new and fun games and videos for kids. They have an additional daily activity for kids during the break in regular classroom learning. scholastic.com has provided a free daily learning curriculum for pre-school through sixth graders. This free resource will keep your kids thinking and learning about the world around them. A real gift. khanacademy.org This remarkable free resource has special lessons and activities for continued learning during this corona virus quarantine. Just go to the site, sign in as a parent and create an

account for each of your children. You’ll find tons of learning opportunities and easy to follow lessons there. howstuffworks.com is a wonderful science, technology and culture site for older kids. Each article explains how something works with words, videos and illustrations. projectgutenberg.org is a library of over 60,000 free e-books. This is the world’s greatest literature available for free at your fingertips. kids.nationalgeographic.com The usual wonderful content about animals, culture, science and more with videos, games and lots of fun as they learn.

Great Reading Websites

Reading websites abound. Check out some of these and challenge your children to listen and engage with wonderful kids’ literature. storylineonline.net Your child can listen to wonderful children’s literature read aloud by celebrated actors. readtomely.com Mrs. Read for Fun has some reading surprises in store for young readers. oxfordowl.co.uk This wonderful educational site from Oxford University Press will fill hours with learning and fun. abcya.com offers lots and lots of

online games designed to support learning in reading and math for Pre-K through sixth grade. storynory.com offers free audio stories for learners of all ages.

Great Author Websites

Many authors maintain websites to help kids interact with their stories and characters. Check out the ones below and have some fun. mowillems.com You gotta love Mo with his pigeon stories and all. He currently has a fun activity for kids called Daily Doodles. kevinhenkes.com You’ll find lots of fun activities, videos and games. Choose your favorite Kevin Henkes book and play the games with those characters. janbrett.com Everyone loves Jan Brett’s beautifully illustrated stories for kids. Check out her latest and don’t forget the old favorite stories as well. ericcarle.com Choose downloads and activities under resources and away you go. rosemarywells.com Want to make some cupcake toppers or play Pin the Tail on Max? You’ll find the downloads here. Why not ask your kids about their favorite authors or book titles? Chances are they will show up in an online search and take your kids deeper into the world of reading.

PARENTING With Schools Closed, the Internet Saves the Day BY SUKI WESSLING Arabic online with a teacher in Egypt when he was in high school. My online students share passions with kids around the globe. They take part in anime appreciation groups or are fans of obscure books they found through online contacts. If they want to set a story in a particular city, they call up a satellite photo to study it. I remember when I first installed Google Earth on my computer; we looked at it with literal tears in our eyes. I was so amazed that I could visit my childhood home. For kids growing up now, this is the everyday world. They see through the widest angle lens imaginable.

The Greater Access to Support

So many of my students take online classes for less happy reasons than the fact that their families travel or live in out-of-the-way locations. I have students who have debilitating special needs, both physical and psychological. I have students who have experienced horrible bullying in their local schools. When my students come to class, the most important thing they bring is their brains. No one knows if my kids are overweight, have a different skin color from the others, or were assigned a

different gender at birth. There has been a lot of press about the dark side of the social aspect of the Internet, but I can assure you that I see the bright side each and every day. I teach kids who in my day would have been the outliers, the victims, or the lonely kids. Regardless of what their IRL lives are like, their online lives are a happy spot for them.

It’s a Dangerous Web Out There, But…

The Internet is a tool and tools can be used for good or ill. But I choose to focus on how it has been an incredible gift for our kids, and how we can use it as a tool for good in years to come. Yes, be vigilant. Yes, teach your children how to be aware and be good online citizens. But also, enjoy the gift that is the Internet.  Suki Wessling is a local writer, musician, and teacher. She homeschooled her children and became a teacher at an online school for gifted learners in 2013. She admits that when her computer scientist husband showed her the Web in 1991, she was not impressed. Later, she changed her mind. Read more at SukiWessling.com.

Tools can be used for good and ill. Here are some tips on using computers for good! What a difference a virus makes. I wrote this article in January, while doing research on the effects of Internet and device use on kids and family relationships. There was a lot of concern out there that our kids were being negatively affected by excessive screen use, by online bullying, by video game addiction. No one was talking about the benefits of this brave new world. Now I find that I am hearing a new refrain: Thank goodness we have the Internet. I’m so glad my student can communicate with his friends online. Can I please please please enroll my child in your online course? I wrote this article to focus on something that has become readily apparent in the age of school closures: What an incredible gift the Internet age is to our children.

The Democratization of Knowledge

When I was growing up and I had a question when I was at home, I had an Encyclopedia Britannica, or I had my older siblings and parents. Sure, I could pick up the phone and ask other people, but I don’t remember ever doing that. The high bar to getting answers was also a curb on creative thinking and investigation. When I was first homeschooling I got the advice to be “the stupidest parent ever.” When my kids asked questions, I’d say, “Well, I don’t know. Let’s look it up!” Modeling how to solve one’s ignorance

was an important lesson, and my kids had the tools at their fingertips to find out the answer to any question. My online students are similarly motivated to seek out knowledge. In some cases I have to preface a question with “and don’t go look this up on Google!” because students often find, copy, and paste an answer before I’m even done with the question. I acknowledge all the problems that have come with this democracy, including uneven lack of access by different socio-economic groups, the ubiquity of misinformation, and the tendency away from deep learning that teachers are seeing in some kids. But overall, our kids own the entire body of human knowledge. What a gift.

The Widening of Their Lens

I grew up in a small company town in the Midwest. As Midwestern towns go, we had more interaction with the outside world because we had scientists from all over who were living and raising families in our town. But it was still a small town, and we were many miles from nowhere down a straight and monotonous highway. My children and students have access to...everything. Sure, if they want to really understand a different place they still have to visit there. But they are able to see so much more before they go. My older son studied GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

SUMMER CAMPS Camps Offer Unplugged Summers BY KAMI PACHECO

Some of the best times of our lives were spent in nature at summer camp. We hope and pray we’ll have that experience again soon. Ahhhh, the freedom of summer! Every year I count down the days to my favorite season, where memories of worry-free, open-ended, play-filled times bring nostalgic feelings of warmth, peace, contentment, and joy. I picture myself lying on my back under a shaded redwood tree, gazing up into the wide blue expanse of limitless sky. I’m not sure if I actually ever did this, as my personal energy level has consistently been on the upward scale of “always moving,” but even if I never laid still under a tree, this is still my fondest

memory of summer. What I do remember most is freedom. Freedom from the structure of daily schedules. Freedom from the stress of the morning rush out the door. Freedom from the need to be indoors and plugged in. Freedom from the night sky creeping in too early and the daylight fun to end. Life was more relaxed and outdoor play became a priority where friendships formed with whomever was available in each moment, no matter their age or gender. We didn’t rely on entertainment from

mobile devices, nor did any electronic device dictate the rules of our games. We were challenged to be the creative thinkers we were meant to be. I was so fortunate to have grown up in the Los Gatos mountains with redwood trees in my backyard. What we found in the forest became the necessary supplies needed for our made-up games: sticks, branches, stumps, rocks, leaves, acorns, ferns, pinecones, feathers, moss, and even slimy banana slugs. Everything we did led us to new adventures and new rules and new games. Playing in and exploring our natural surroundings always seemed limitless, without fences, without boundaries. Our creativity and imaginations soared. I wish I could return to that childhood time of unlimited creativity, curiosity, and outdoor adventures, the time before technology seemed to dictate my fast-paced life. Instead my attachment to mobile devices has me shackled to emails, texts, calls, alerts, and updates and continuously diverts my attention away from the present moment of what is happening in my world to the worries of unnecessary urgency in the digital realm. I am highly aware of this unhealthy habit, but haven’t found a cure to break

the habit of constantly looking down at my phone instead of up at the big blue sky. What I really need is...summer camp in a redwood forest. My ideal summer camp for children, when not forced to be sitting at a desk or in front of a computer, is to be “unplugged” and outdoors playing and creating adventures with other children of all ages. Their active, growing bodies need fresh air and outdoor exercise, just as their minds need empty space for creativity and imaginative play. We want our children to have meaningful and memorable experiences and the natural environment is the perfect backdrop to create these lasting memories. Fortunately we live in an area surrounded by redwood forests where these unique summer camps do exist. I wish all children get to experience an outdoor, unplugged summer making memories in the magic of the redwood forest.  Kami Pacheco is the director of lower school and Mountain of Fun summer camps coordinator at Mount Madonna School. A former resident of the Los Gatos area, Kami now lives with her husband and animals in San Martin, enjoying more of a farm life. She continues to enjoy her daily commutes into the redwood forest.

WIN TICKETS

to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Sign up for the Growing Up Newsletter and you will be entered to win a pair of day passes for you and a friend! Visit us at GrowingUpSc.com to sign up now!

20 APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

ALWAYS AMUSED Proper Theme Park Hygiene Ways to Stay Healthy During Your Visit BY ERIK CHALHOUB gentle, such as an observation tower. Browse a store. There are plenty of other things to do. Your stomach and park patrons will thank you. It’s everyone’s responsibility to help stop the spread of deadly viruses. Stay healthy out there.

LEGOLAND center opening

. Just think, right now, these weeks, so many of us would have been at amusement parks if not for the quarantine. We’ll sure appreciate them when they open again.

Can you stay healthy and germ free at an amusement park? Writer Erik Chalhoub has some tips on how to do that.

March was a rough month.

With spring pushing winter out of the way and Daylight Saving Time making the days last longer, it should’ve been a great month. But there was something big missing. When Disney announced it would close all its parks at least until the end of the month, the dominoes began to fall. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk not only shut down its rides, but also the arcade, Boardwalk Bowl and Cocoanut Grove. California’s Great America delayed its traditional March opening. Six Flags closed all of its parks nationwide. Just about every other theme park chain — big, small or independent — followed suit. Nothing is immune to the widespread outbreak of COVID-19. It’s difficult to keep up with the rapidly changing situation. If you plan on visiting any theme park in April, please check its website before making the trip. It’s unknown whether these temporary closures will be extended. Once the parks do reopen, you can take steps to protect yourself and others. We all (hopefully) know the basics: wash your hands, don’t touch your face, sneeze inside your elbow, etc. But what more can you do when visiting your favorite park? Stay off the handrails — Handrails are to theme parks like bread is to a sandwich: you can’t have one without the other. But unlike a sandwich, you don’t need to constantly caress a handrail as you are waiting in line. Everybody, sick or not, has touched them (regardless whether or not they washed their hands after going to the bathroom), and I’ve seen children wrap

their mouths around them. Disgusting. Yes, park employees do clean these handrails, but not constantly throughout the day. If you need to take a breather while waiting in line, gently lean on the handrails without using your hands. But do not sit or stand on them. That is a story for another time. Keep your face away from shoulder restraints — Most rides, especially roller coasters that go upside-down, have what are called OTSRs, which stands for “over-the-shoulder restraints.” As such, most of these bulky bars cover the sides of your head, and everyone else’s before you that day. Remember what I said above about children and handrails? The same applies here. While it’s inevitable your ears and hair will touch the restraints as the ride travels its course, those should be the only parts of your body that do touch it. There’s no need to sharply turn your head to talk to the person sitting next to you — they can still hear you if you speak straight ahead. Don’t spit — This should be a nobrainer. But it’s not. I’ve seen everybody, children and adults, spit while they are on a coaster or try to hit unsuspecting park guests with a loogie from above while on a sky ride. Needless to say, if you spit while on roller coaster or any other ride, the speed and force of the ride will spread your saliva to those around you and propel it to those behind you. Not only is this extremely unsanitary, it can also get you ejected from a park. So, don’t do it. Wait awhile after lunch to continue riding — Spinning rides, roller coasters

and others do not mix well, or at all, with undigested food. Nobody in line wants to see you vomit all over their seat before they get on the ride. I have nothing but respect for those ride operators who must don their gloves, grab those hoses and disinfectant bottles and get to work. After a meal, give yourself at least 30 minutes before getting on any intense ride. Watch a show. Go on something

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area was set to open April 2 at the Great Mall in Milpitas, but it has been postponed due to the virus. The center features more than 31,000 square feet of interactive and educational attractions geared toward children ages 3–10 and their families. It includes themed build stations, master classes in the Creative Workshop from LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area’s Master Model Builder Sam Suksiri, an Imagination Express train ride, an earthquake table, a 4D cinema, special party rooms for birthdays and other celebrations, a café, a LEGO retail shop, and the MINILAND area featuring models of San Francisco Bay Area iconic landmarks. For information and tickets, visit bayarea.legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

AT THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS ART CENTER I SUMMER 2020

Art in the Redwoods

sculpture • drawing • painting • mosaics • mixed media • bookmaking • comics

Three amazing, week-long sessions:

July 13 – 17 July 20 – 24 July 27 – 31

Kids Ages 7 – 11: Two morning classes, 8:30 – 11 & 12:00 – 2:30 (with a supervised lunch break) 9341 Mill Street, Ben Lomond, CA 95005 Partially funded by grants from

Tweens & Teens Ages 12 – 17: Late afternoon class, 3:00 – 5:30

GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

YOUR HEALTH A Naturopathic Perspective BY DR. TONYA FLECK AND DR. JESSICA BERNARDY At the Santa Cruz Naturopathic Medical Center, we have heard statements in regards to the coronavirus, such as “There’s nothing we can do to protect ourselves — there’s no vaccine.” This statement is disheartening to us. In naturopathic medicine, we have many tools to prevent and treat illness. While it is true that there isn’t a vaccine, there are many things we can to do to keep ourselves healthy and treat viral infections naturally. Prevention, as always, is the best way to address illness. The best prevention is to have a healthy and robust immune system.

What It Is

This is a great time to think about building your immunity. It’s something you should do all year long for the rest of your life, but it’s never more important than right now. Many patients and friends have been asking what we as naturopathic doctors suggest for protecting ourselves and our families against this potential threat. There are thousands of studies on the effective use of natural agents for

antiviral properties, yet nothing is being said in the news about them. People are dying and public health officials and conventional medicine still resists acknowledging these agents in preventing and treating viruses and other illnesses.

Coronavirus, aka. Wuhan virus (scientific classification SARACoV-2 causing CoVID-19) is a new virus never before seen in humans. It originated in the Wuhan province of China in December 2019 from a yet-to-be determined animal vector. Unfortunately, due to lack of quick government response and no quarantine of sick individuals in that area, it spread beyond the region. We are in the first wave of the illness and will likely see another wave later this year.

Our Area

As you know, we are seeing more and more cases every day in our county, our state and countrywide. As for global numbers, they have been as of this writing misreported and we are still waiting to get true numbers out of many countries that saw the virus earlier than the US. We don’t know the true fatality rate but it’s estimated to be 0.2% - 1%. The death rate for the average flu virus that we see each year is approximately .1%. That means that if the actual death rate from this virus is 1%, that’s 10x greater.

The Illness

The illness appears similar to the flu or the common cold. You may start to experience symptoms 2-14 days after exposure. It causes no or mild symptoms in most individuals exposed. The most common symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Unfortunately, the most vulnerable population is in the elderly, where we are seeing the highest death rates.

What You Can Do

Important ways you can protect yourself: • Wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water - count to 25. Soap works better than hand sanitizer. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible! The virus is spread through respiratory droplets and it is estimated that if you’re within six feet of an individual, you’re at higher risk. If you’re near anyone with flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath), move

22 APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

• •

•

• •

away quickly and go immediately to wash your hands. If you do have a cough, only cough into your elbow or into a tissue. Cook with spices/foods that have antiviral and immune-boosting activity such as garlic, ginger, thyme, oregano, honey, bone broth and medicinal mushrooms. Avoid refined sugar - this lowers your immune system! Stay well hydrated and if you live in a dry climate, use a humidifier in your bedroom at night. The virus doesn’t replicate as well in heat and humidity. STAY HOME if you’re sick and rest, rest, rest, talk to your SCNMC doctor and follow the below recommendations . Keep stress to a minimum - stress lowers your immune system! Get good quality sleep and spend time in nature, both ways to boost your immunity.

Natural Immune Support 1.

Probiotic: 50-100 billion CFUs per capsule, taken before bed 2. Vitamin C: 4000-5000 mg daily 3. Elderberry syrup: 1 TBLS daily 4. Garlic extract: 1-2 capsules daily or if you’re willing, eat 1 raw clove daily 5. Quercetin: 1500mg daily 6. Vitamin A: 10,000 - 50,000iu daily 7. Vitamin D: 5,000iu daily 8. Immune support tinctures that contain herbs such as echinacea and goldenseal. Remember, stay calm. The CDC estimates that 56,000 people die yearly of the flu or a flu-related illness. So far, the Coronavirus death count is less than 4,000 people. Thankfully, the flu season is going to be coming to an end soon. Be smart and use the tools listed above.

Our Office Can Provide Assistance

We offer comprehensive naturopathic care and are offering telemedicine visits during the shelter in place. We also have high quality supplements and herbs available if needed. Please feel free to call us if we can support you in anyway.  Dr. Tonya Fleck holds a doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine. She is the owner & medical director of SCNMC. She has been practicing medicine in Santa Cruz for over 15 years. Dr. Bernardy also holds a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. She is fiercely committed to guiding people looking for true health, disease prevention, and living a life free from illness. Together we are committed to powerfully supporting our community in optimal health and vitality.

LOCAL ARTIST Artist Spotlight Bliss Gervais

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Bliss Gervais and Santa Cruz is the town I grew up in, so I am delighted to be in this magazine! My husband, Peace, was also born in Santa Cruz.Our parents gave us our unusual names and we happened to meet eachother and instantly felt a strong connection. Now we are raising our wonderful son here. His name is Chakra and he is almost 7 years old. I have been creating art for as long as I can remember. My family is very creative in many ways and I tried a wide variety of art forms at an early age. Pen and paper has always been my favorite medium, although there are many others that I enjoy. When I make my art, I do not usually have a plan and I let the art emerge on the page and become whatever it is. Sometimes I do have an idea in mind and I have had friends comission me to design things for them. I have had a few casual art shows and festival booths and I really enjoy showing my work. I have sold several peices. Currently, I am focusing my energy on expanding the scope of my creative endeavors and getting more exposure. I am a prolific artist and now it is time to do something with the portfolio I have accumulated. If you would like to see more of my art, follow blissgervais on Instagram.

GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

SHELTER IN PLACE RESOURCES

Local School Sites Offering Free Meals To All Kids Under 18

Santa Cruz City Schools

Live Paint with Sarah Jane

20 Virtual Filed Trips

Tour 12 Famous Museums Online

Explore Nature Live Cams

Josh Glad Read Stories Mo Williams Teaches Kids to Draw 25 Exercises and Indoor Activites NASA Space Station Tours Buzzfeed's 18 at Home Activities Science Mom–New Videos on Wednesdays Metropolitan Opera Live Streaming New York Library–Download books for Free

Children's Authors Read Aloud Kid's Tech Classes Online YouCubed–Math Resources and MORE! Resources added every Thursday. Do you have a resource you would like to submit? Visit our Online Resource Page, GrowingUpSC.com/online-resources, and click on the submit button.

Free meals will be available from 11-1 at the following sites in the parking lot. If you are driving, please stay in your car and meals will be provided based on the number of children in the car. All families are eligible for meal services and may pick up meals at any of the following locations: • Harbor High School- drive up in the parking lot • Branciforte Middle School- drive up in the cut out in front of the school • Gault Elementary- drive up drive up on Effey St. • Bayview Elementary- drive up in the parking lot near the kindergarten classrooms • DeLaveaga- drive up to the parking lot adjacent to the cafeteria • Mission Hill- drive up in front of the school • Soquel High- drive up in the circle in front of the school These programs will be solely for the pickup of meals and families must leave campus once they have their meals. We encourage families to continue to be proactive in reducing risk of COVID-19 by not congregating at the school site once meals have been distributed, continuing to wash your hands often, sneezing or coughing into a tissue, and staying home if you are sick.

Live Oak Schools

All children age 1-18 can receive a daily breakfast, lunch and supper in a bag from 7am-9am Monday- Friday at: • Green Acres Elementary • Del Mar Elementary • Live Oak Elementary • Shoreline Middle School

SLV District

Visit Our Website GrowingUpSC.com 24 APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

The SLVUSD Student Nutrition Services program will provide an opportunity for families to drive through and pick up meals for the children in their familyThe schools will provide breakfast and lunch for that day. Meals will be served between 8 am and 11 am, Monday through Friday, in the parking lot or bus lane at each participating school. Please stay in your car. • Boulder Creek Elementary • Cafeteria located in the

SLVE parking lot (for SLVE,SLVMS,SLVHS, and SLVUSD Charter). The program will be solely for the pick-up of meals and meals will not be consumed on site. We encourage families to continue to be proactive in reducing risk of COVID-19 by not congregating at the school site once meals have been distributed, continuing to wash your hands often, sneezing or coughing into a tissue, and staying home if you are sick.

Pajaro Valley District

Sixteen schools in the district will distribute meals and groceries for free to all families impacted by school closures due to the coronavirus. • Alianza Charter 7am- 9am • Ann Soldo Elementary 7-9am • Hall District Elementary 7-9am • Pajaro Middle 7-9am • Rolling Hills Middle 7-9am • Amesti Elementary 8am-10am • Calabasas Elementary 8-10am • Freedom Elementary 8-10am • Landmark Elementary 8-10am • Mar Vista 8-10am • Ohlone Elementary 8-10am • Radcliff Elementary 8-10am • Starlight Elementary 8-10am • EA Hall Middle 9am-11am • Renaissance High 9-11am • Watsonville High 9-11am

Soquel District

Meals available 10-12 M-F in the bus lane or parking lot: • New Brighton Middle School • Soquel High School • Offsite at Emerald Bay Apartments.

Resources for Adults • • •

Second Harvest Food Bank community food hotline: (831) 662-0991 8am-4pm Mon-Fri communitybridges.org for info on more food programs for all ages Operation Feed The People offers a free weekly meal every Wednesday from 5-7 at the OddFellows Hall in Boulder Creek. (152 Forest St. Boulder Creek) plus1catering.com for more info

*Please visit our website for updated information. There will be no lunch services during Spring Break.

SHELTER IN PLACE RESOURCES Santa Cruz County Students and Families Update on Services Through School Closures UPDATED MARCH 20, 2020, 4:21 P.M. Dear Families of Santa Cruz County, School Districts and the County Office of Education continue to work together to provide our students and families with essential services throughout school closures due to COVID-19. Though our county’s school districts vary in size and resources, we are equally committed to the success and wellness of our students, and are sharing expertise and resources between districts whenever possible. March 19, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statewide Shelter in Place order to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This order does not change directions previously issued to Santa Cruz County residents, but rather only directs other California counties to adhere to the same restrictions. The Governor has not specified an end date to the order, but anticipates school closures to continue into the summer months. It is our responsibility as a school community to be prepared for the possibility of a long closure. In a previous communication, we shared that schools will be closed through April 10, 2020. We will continue to work with public health authorities to determine the appropriate length of school closures across Santa Cruz County as more information becomes available. Teachers throughout Santa Cruz County have been working diligently to prepare and plan for distance learning. We intend to provide all students from Transitional Kindergarten to 12th grade with learning materials that ensure their access to high-quality education

throughout the closures. We recognize the challenges distance learning poses for families and are committed to supporting parents in helping their children access education from home. We are currently in the planning stages of how services specific to Special Education students will be delivered based on individual student needs. For students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP), our Special Education staff or classroom teachers will be in contact with parents to review what to expect in the upcoming weeks. This may include, but is not limited to, virtual service delivery and/or consultation with providers via phone, email, or other use of technology in order to supplement packets or materials sent home, as appropriate. We are working to help ensure all families have equitable access to internet services at home. Several internet service providers in the community are now offering free or low cost internet service to low income families. Internet access is key to help facilitate our efforts to offer engaging distance learning opportunities for students and help families learn about how they can access essential services in the community. Please visit sccoe.link/internet to learn how your family may qualify for free or low cost internet services. School Superintendents continue to work closely together and with the Department of Public Health to share information and make informed decisions on behalf of our school community. We ask that parents adhere to the “Shelter in

Place Order”, practice social distancing, and proper personal hygiene practices to minimize the risks of exposure and transmission of illness at home. Parents are encouraged to call or email their child’s school or district prior to visiting the site in person if they have questions or need services beyond the food programs available to their student or to pick up distance learning materials. Schools will observe the routinely scheduled break in services to students during the week of spring break. During this time, schools will not be offering food services nor distance learning. Pajaro Valley Unified School District, spring break will take place from March 31 through April 3. All other districts will observe spring break from April 6 – April 10. • We are working diligently to ensure our online resources are updated regularly with the most accurate information from public health authorities. Please utilize the following resources: • Available community resources: sccoe.link/community_resources • Activity Ideas for parents: sites.google.com/pvusd.net/ pvusdparentideas/home • Centers for Disease Control website at: cdc.gov/COVID19. • The Santa Cruz COE web page including an interactive map of food services distributions: sccoe. link/coronavirus. • Public Health santacruzhealth. org/coronavirus • The Santa Cruz County has

recently launched a Call Center to answer questions about COVID-19. Please call (831) 4544242 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday-Friday • In addition, residents may visit, call 211 or text “coronavirus” to 211211. Now more than ever, the continued education of our students despite school closures represents a strong partnership between teachers, classified staff, and other educators and parents and guardians. We commend our school community for the flexibility, commitment, and resilience they have demonstrated to make continuity of these vital services possible. Sincerely, Laurie Bruton, Superintendent, San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Lorie Chamberland, Superintendent, Live Oak School District Eric Gross, Superintendent, Pacific Elementary School District Mike Heffner, Superintendent, Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District Tanya Krause, Superintendent, Scotts Valley Unified School District Michelle McKinny, Superintendent, Happy Valley Elementary School District Diane Morgenstern, Superintendent, Mountain Elementary School District Kris Munro, Superintendent, Santa Cruz City Schools Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Faris Sabbah, County Superintendent of Schools For updates please visit santacruzcoe.org

Cabrillo College Status Stay Enrolled, Succeed from Home Cabrillo College is in session with classes and services being provided in an online format. We will operate in an online format at least through April 7, and will follow the direction of the Governor’s Shelter In Place Order, along with the CDC, California Department of Public Health, and Chancellor's Office in determining when to resume in-person operations. While the campus remains open, most on-campus offices are closed. Services are available online and via phone. Spring Break will occur as scheduled, from March 23 - 28 It is important to check your email and Cabrillo’s website daily for updates during this time. We are here for you!

GENERAL RESOURCES Food Resources

For Food support, students are encouraged to call 831-662-0991 for the food resource hotline. This provides days, locations, and hours of operation for food

pantries in the county. Students can get information and assistance with the CalFresh food program at CalFresh or Karen Reyes at kareyes@cabrillo.edu

Housing Resources

Please visit Cabrillo’s Food and Housing Resources page on the Cabrillo website, cabrillo.edu/services/matriculation/ food-and-housing-resources.html, or call Robin West, Cabrillo Retention Program Coordinator, at 831-477-3382

Santa Cruz County Resources

For the most up to date information on county services that are open, call: 211 can help you find food, housing, health care, senior services, child care, showers, legal aid and much more. Call 211. Free, Confidential. Multilingual. Available 24/7. 211santacruzcounty.org/about-us

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES Free Internet

Charter, Spectrum and Comcast are offering two months of free internet to

low-income households. WiFi hotspots will also be open for the public. Please direct students or anyone in need to the numbers below to arrange services: Charter and Spectrum: 1-844-488-8395 Comcast: 855-846-8376 for English or 855765-6995 for Spanish

Computer Technology Center (CTC) Help

Students who use the CTC for support, CTC and CABT faculty and staff are still around to help! They put together a page today to help support students who usually come to the CTC via Zoom. CTC tutors, faculty, and staff, will have live links available when they are on Zoom, so that they can support students. cabrillo.edu/services/ctc

LIBRARY & TUTORING RESOURCES

Do you need to more units? Register Now for CyberSession - Online and Short-Term Classes Start March 30

SUMMER SESSION ONLINE

Continue your education online over summer. The summer class schedule will be available online April 15. Registration for continuing students begins April 27. New student registration begins May 19. This is the perfect opportunity for your high school student to take advantage of FREE dual enrollment! For current updates please visit cabrillo.edu and click on the top yello bar to access our COVID-19 website

24/7 Online Library Resources

Book, Article, and Film collections are available anytime from off-campus. Use your WebAdvisor/Canvas login for access! cabrillo.edu/services/library GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

Lichen Oaks Adaptive Riding Center Dedicated to the Healing of Body, Mind, and Spirit

Summer Camp

Underwater Explorers We introduce kids ages 8-13 to the wonders under the water during a surface SCUBA dive around our Great Tide Pool. They get a fisheye view of marine life and smiles that last for days. No experience or equipment necessary â&#x20AC;&#x201D; only a sense of adventure!

For more information, visit

MontereyBayAquarium.org/UnderwaterExplorers

Join us for some horsin' around at LOARC! Weeks available for the Summer of 2020: June 15th - 19th July 20th- 24th 9am- 1pm Each day a lesson is included along with other horse related activities. Riders will be grouped according to individual abilities under the supervision of Camp Leaders with extensive experience working with individuals with special needs. Snacks will be provided . Please send a lunch for your child each day. The cost is $550 for the week RSVP to Caroline by Feb 17th at caroline@loarc.net A $50 deposit is due to reserve your child's spot . The balance is due 1 week before the start of camp.

serious fun Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a girl thing.

26 APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

NIKE SPORTS CAMPS AT UC SANTA CRUZ BASKETBALL

VOLLEYBALL

TENNIS

SWIM

SOCCER

WATER POLO

TRAIN. COMPETE. IMPROVE. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER: 1.800.NIKE CAMP | USSPORTSCAMPS.COM

Monthly book & baking subscrip�on box for kids. Available as 1, 3, 6 and 12 month packages. Come see what we’re mixing up!

www.BookakeryBoxes.com Coupon a good for any length subscrip�on. Renews at standard rate. Expires 12/31/2020

GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

SUMMER ACTIVITY GUIDE

So many peoples’ lives were changed by summer camps. They are places not just to get away from parents and make new friends, but to try new things, enjoy nature and learn crafts. We canoed, made lanyards, caught frogs and snakes, learned guitar, made fires in the wilderness and cooked and cleaned up afterwards. Those were timeless experiences that gave us a lifetime of memories. *Please check with the camps to make sure they are operating this summer.

DAY CAMPS

than in CYT’s positive and encouraging atmosphere. July 6-10 Aptos, July 13-17 Scotts Valley.

Animal Training & Research International

Four Points Youth Camp

Science, Learning and Exploration With The Help of Sea lions 7544 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing (831) 771-4191 animaltraining.us/junior-trainer Exclusive Jr. Trainer experiences including hands-on discovery with sea lions for ages 9-16 (or as young as 7 with a parent)! Come have fun and learn with our rescued animal ambassadors at Moss Landing Marine Labs. Participants receive one-onone personalized attention designed to give them a feel for what it’s like to actually care for, work with, and train sea lions and other animals. Available 7 days/week and year-round, kids learn animal care, feeding, husbandry skills, and much more. Nurture your child’s love of animals with the animal professionals you can be proud of. Limited availability for the summer – book your special sea lion summer now! Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District

15685 Forest Hill Drive Boulder Creek CA 95006 831-338-4144 bcrpd.org Boulder Creek Recreation offers a variety of fun play-based summer activities. Younger children will enjoy a 3-week session of camp at our downtown facility which includes indoor and outdoor learning and socializing for the little ones. This program offers water play, gardening, outdoor play, indoor games and reading time for ages 2-4.5 years. For children 5-12 we offer a variety of actives at our Bear Creek Community Center with river play, swimming pool, basketball court, playscape, tennis, hiking, outdoor fort building, music, crafts and more. We hope you will join us this summer. Christian Youth Theater Santa Cruz

804 Estates Dr #210, Aptos Camp info (831)539-6448 Register at cytsantacruz.org CYT Santa Cruz “Find Your Character” summer camps are a week-long musical theater day camp for students ages 4-18. Camps are designed to create a hands-on theater experience, and are focused on building performance skills, self-confidence, and teamwork. The program includes drama, dance, and music, team activities like water day and a petting farm, a daily devotional, and a concluding showcase where every camper performs for family and friends. There’s no better place for kids to learn about theater and have fun

28 APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Locations: Pacific Cultural Center, Veteran’s Memorial Building, Orchard School, Aptos kaseylindemann@fourpointsyouthcamp.com fourpointsyouthcamp.com Four Points Youth Camp is a new summer day camp with activities designed to broaden every camper’s horizon. Serving campers in grades K-8, our activities include sports, arts and crafts, technology, and traditional camp games. These activities are designed to cater to each age group. With new unique themes each week, every camp session is a fresh experience. Little Garden Patch Farm

LittleGardenPatchFarm.com 4635 Fairway Drive Soquel CA 95073 (831) 476-0964 At Little Garden Patch Farm children aged 5-8 make memories to last a lifetime as they learn through hands-on play and discovery, arts & crafts, active play and imagination plus gardening activities and encounters with our many farm animal friends. Whether outdoors in our beautiful gardens and play area, or indoors in our whimsical playroom or our farm kitchen, children experience a community of joy and friendship that supports them as they learn and grow. Exciting weekly themes, a cozy home atmosphere, cooking experiences, a nurturing staff, and special guests round out an exciting, joyful experience families will never forget. Monte Vista Christian School

2 School Way, Watsonville 831-722-8178 mvcs.org/camps MVC is excited to offer a full docket of athletics and fine arts summer camps for grades K-12 this June and July. Check out mvcs.org/camps for more information on all of our offerings, including optional transportation to/from Monterey and Morgan Hill each day. Summer days on our gorgeous 105-acre “mountain view” campus are not to be missed! Mountain of Fun – Mount Madonna School

491 Summit Road, Mount Madonna 408-847-2717 mountmadonnaschool.org/summer Be Unplugged, Outdoors and Active with Mountain of Fun summer day camps! Featuring redwood horse camps, performing arts and nature crafts. Give your child a summer rich with outdoor exploration and imagination through forest play, garden time, fiber arts, games and

new friends. Details and registration online at mountmadonnaschool.org/summer. Camps are offered for the weeks of July 13 and July 20, with an additional full-day Horse Camp starting August 3. Open to children entering kindergarten through 5th grade, with transportation available. Pathways Dojo

2724 Soquel Ave Ste D, Santa Cruz 831-465-8236 pathwaysdojo.com Pathways Dojo has a unique approach of combining martial, healing, and nature arts as paths to self-improvement and personal development. We offer specialized programs for men, women and children in ninjitsu (the art of the ninja) and the healing arts of qi gong and tai chi. Mark Roemke, a 15th Dan in Bujinkan, leads our dojo. We teach our Ninjas in Nature program monthly in the forests of Felton, at after school programs, at in-school programs, and with summer camps. Our vibrant and welcoming Santa Cruz community is one of our treasured assets. City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department

831-420-5270 santacruzparksandrec.com City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department 831.420.5270 Online registration opens Saturday, April 11 and Monday, April 13 for in person and phone registration for Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation summer programs. Register for our popular summer camps and junior guards for an active, fun-filled summer. For the adventure-seekers, there’s stand up paddling, kayaking, and rock climbing. Nurture your creative side with dance and art camps or expand your knowledge with science and LEGO camps. Go to santacruzparksandrec.com to view our activity guide or call 420-5270. From the beach to parks and everywhere in between, there’s something for everyone! Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

1305 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 420-6115 info@santacruzmuseum.org santacruzmuseum.org Explore nature with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History! Featuring family-friendly events, free admission for youth under the age of 18, and weeklong day camps, the Museum offers many ways to explore, both through interactive exhibits and experiences outside in nature. Camps for youth entering Kindergarten through 6th grade are offered June 29 through August 7 and scholarships are available!

Santa Cruz SPCA

(831) 465-5000 spcasc.org/events/spca-summer-kidscamp-2020/ The Santa Cruz SPCA is offering eight full weeks of Summer Camp in 2020. The dates are June 15-19 (students going into 1st through 3rd grade) June 22-26 (students going into 4th through 6th grade) June 29-July 3 (students going into 1st through 3rd grade) July 6-10 (students going into 4th through 6th grade) July 13-17 (students going into 1st through 3rd grade) July 20-24 (students going into 4th through 6th grade) July 27-31 (students going into 1st through 3rd grade) Aug 3-7 (students going into 4th through 6th grade) This camp fills up quickly so sign up asap on our website. The camp will take place at our new location 2601 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz. The cost for one week of camp is $275. See our website to sign up and for more information. Scotts Valley Parks & Recreation

361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley (831) 438-3251 scottsvalley.org Licensed Program #4407.103.04 Summer registration is almost here for City of Scotts Valley Parks & Recreation! Summer Camp (license #4407.103.04) is 11 one-week sessions/full and part-time at our Vine Hill site in Scotts Valley. Registration for begins April 14th. Enroll early – we fill up fast! Registration for classes/activities begins April 20th. So many fun activities for all ages. Gymnastics, Parkour, dance, swim lessons, soccer camps, tennis and much, much more. Summer at Santa Catalina

1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey, CA 831.655.9386 summercamp@santacatalina.org santacatalina.org Summer at Santa Catalina is a place filled with fun, joy, and learning. From arts and athletics to yoga and marine biology, we offer attention-grabbing classes that spark curiosity and build confidence and independence. Our teachers and counselors are committed to the growth of every camper and dedicated to the values of honesty, respect, and kindness. Located on the Monterey Peninsula, we are dedicated to serious summer fun! We laugh hard and we make friends and memories that last a lifetime. Come see why families have been a part of this all-girls tradition for 67 years! Director: Ange Atkinson. Resident and Day Camp for Girls, ages 8-14. Tara Redwood Summer Camp 5810 Prescott Rd, Soquel 831-462-9632 tararedwoodschool.org

Tara Redwood School’s summer camp, Into the Heart of Nature, is located in an extraordinary

SUMMER ACTIVITY GUIDE setting nestled in the redwoods of the Nisene Marks Forest. We will offer cooperative games, creek exploration, habitat studies, animal observations, skits, nature art, yoga, capoeira, parkour, sports and explore the various elements that support all life. For children 10 years old and up, we will offer a junior counselor program for skill-building leadership. Our summer camp educators are highly experienced in outdoor activities and wildlife studies. At Tara Redwood’s Camp, children learn social skills and kindness through developing a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of nature to all parts of life. The program is an extension of Tara Redwood’s CCC pedagogy in which practicing mindfulness, developing empathy and exploring ways to help others, children are guided to feel empowered and how to make a positive difference in the world. Tara Summer Campers want to return year after year to participate in this engaging, fun, and unique values-based environmental program for 3–5 years & 6–10 and older. Find out more at tararedwoodschool.org

CLASSES Teach Me French

831.295.3556 sophieveniel@hotmail.com I offer Customized French tutoring for elementary, middle school, high school students, homeschoolers and adults. Learning French can be one of the most rewarding educational opportunities. As a French native, I am passionate about teaching and sharing my language skills. I offer simple steps to understand grammar, pronunciation and build vocabulary to gain confidence in speaking. I can teach at any level. I offer private lessons in person and online. Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center

303 Walnut Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831- 426-3062 wafwc.org Positive Discipline Parenting Classes. English and Spanish, free for all caretakers of children and youth! A 7-week course offering a participatory, co-creative approach to parenting from Positive Discipline based on the principle that discipline can be kind as well as firm, supporting your child in healthy emotional and social development. Classes begin July 7th. Sign up by calling our front office at (831) 426-3062.

FINE ARTS Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center

9341 Mill Street, Ben Lomond 831-336-3513 mountainartcenter.org Fill your summer with art! The Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center offers the premier Summer Art Camp in the San Lorenzo Valley. Our goal is to provide campers aged 7–17 with opportunities that build self-esteem through art and friendship. Students work on individual and collaborative projects in disciplines such as painting, drawing, cartoon art, ceramics, printmaking, and art-meetsscience (STEAM) classes. Students will learn to feel comfortable expressing themselves artistically and within a group setting. Campers will have an opportunity to participate in critiques and learn how to present and discuss their work. WEST Creative Performing Arts

831-425.9378 Santa Cruz westperformingarts.com Summer 2020...create….INNOVATE! Ever dreamed of sword fighting epic villains, flying in Neverland, casting spells, or capturing your favorite Pokémon? Then get ready for a summer full of imagination and fun with West Creative Performing Arts! Join us for our unique process-based theatre arts classes, camps, and conservatory-style studies, where actors use their imagination to craft their own play experience full of innovation, creativity, and fun! From immersive theatre-based day-camps to original plays, classic productions, and an opportunity to hone your funny bone, we have it all so come PLAY! All of our classes, training programs, and productions are process-driven, believing that the creative journey is what matters. We build confidence, communication, and community. Ages: K-12

SPORTS

can experience a fun-filled adventure in movement. We have a caring, respectful, and supportive staff that encourages every child in their growth of large motor skills and gymnastics along with social, emotional and cognitive development. Our goals for our students are to help them feel control and empowerment in their bodies, to build self-esteem through success, to open up imaginations, and to feel confidence and joy in their exploration of movement. Nike Sports Camps at UC Santa Cruz

1-800-NIKE-CAMP (645-3226) ussportscamps.com Train with Division III UC Santa Cruz and top local coaches on the UCSC home turf in summer 2020. Improve your skills, make new friends, and experience what it’s like being a student-athlete at one of California’s top summer camp destinations. Youth, adult, day, overnight, week, and weekend programs offered. Pacific Edge Climbing Gym

303 Potrero Street, #15, Santa Cruz 831.458.3648 asudoit.com Adventure Sports Unlimited (ASU) is Santa Cruz's premier swim school. We teach infants through adults the joys of water and adventure. Our Ocean programs introduce families to our magnificent marine environments through the Big Sur Camping Trip and Kelp Pickling Class. We explore the world-renown underwater landscape of Monterey Bay through our Open Water Scuba courses. It all starts in our custombuilt aquatics facility with our tropically heated pool. We want to make your entry into the water world truly enjoyable. ASU Come Play With Us!

104 Bronson St. Suite 12, Santa Cruz 831-454-9254 pacificedgeclimbing.com At Pacific Edge we strive to create a safe, welcoming and fun community. We offer a variety of Afterschool Programs for children and youth ages 6 – 17. Our highly skilled instructors and coaches engage students with various games and activities that impart climbing skills in a fun and supportive environment. Our programs challenge students to reach their full potential through the sport of rock climbing. Programs include: Jr. Rock Stars – Kids 6-7. Rock Stars – Kids 8-10. Youth Introduction to Climbing – Youth 11-17. Youth Core Climbing Class – Youth 11-17. Team Edge (Youth Competitive Team) – Ages 7-17. For more information please call us or visit our website.

Community Boating Center, UCSC

Radical Movement Factory

Adventure Sports Unlimited

790 Mariner Park Way Santa Cruz, CA 95062 831-425-1164 boating.ucsc.edu The UCSC Community Boating Center has been teaching local juniors how to sail for over 30 years. All classes are hands-on, coed classes, ages 8-16 and are taught in RS Quests, RS Visions, and Lasers. Students learn the basics in the protected Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and progress to the beautiful Monterey Bay. Enjoy sailing in a safe, fun, and supportive environment with knowledgeable, experienced staff. Sign up today! (Adult classes are also available!) Cougar Swim School

SLV High School Pool 7105 Hwy 9, Felton 831-239-4228 cougarswimschool.com At Cougar Swim School we believe that “teaching a child how to swim and be safe in the water is the greatest gift you can give your child”. We offer morning and afternoon swimming lessons for swimmers from the age of 2 and up. Our experienced staff always provides gentle positive encouragement to each swimmer. Along with our swimming lessons Cougar Swim School offers: Board Diving, Jr. Life Guard Academy (Ages 10 to 14), Water Polo (Ages 8 – 17) and the popular Aquatic Day Camp (Ages 7 -13). June Bug’s Gym

3910 Portola Drive, Suite 2, Santa Cruz 831.464.BUGS (2847) junebugsgym.com/ June Bug’s Gym is a place where your child

2855 Mission Street Extension (in the Wrigley Building) 831-531-8407 radicalmovementfactory.com The Radical Movement Factory offers week-long day camps in circus and aerial arts for kids ages 6-12. Sessions run Monday-Friday 10am-2pm and include a beach day! Cost: $325. Register before April 15th for Early Bird rate: $285. Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center, Inc.

2750 B Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz 831.462.0655 scgym.com During the summer we will be offering themed Preschool and Recreational Gymnastics Camps at the same time to give parents a safe place for children ages 4 & up. Our camps will be offered all summer long starting in June. Beginning through advanced gymnasts will participate in all Olympic gymnastics events as well as daily trampoline, tumbling, strength, fitness and flexibility exercises. We’ll be filling our camps with lots of other out of the sun fun!!! Visit our website or contact our office for complete details & registration. Come flip with us! Santa Cruz Soccer Camp

831.246.1517 santacruzsoccercamp.com For over 30 years our vision of joy and adventure remains. Almost all coaches have been young players who joined the harmony and magic of the camp, and have graduated through our Leadership

Development Program. From the inspiration and resonance experienced at Delaveaga Park during 10- week-long summer camps, the coaches and directors are in service to the new paradigm celebrating the Evolution of competition. SLV Swim Center

9050 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomond 831-278-0139 slvswimcenter.com SLV swim center in Ben Lomond offers swimming lessons, swim team, pool parties, and lifeguard classes. All our Instructors are certified, and we keep our pool temperature at 86 degrees. We have added ultraviolet light to our filtration system. Call or text Donna to schedule.

SUMMER EATS Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar

1100 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-469-4400 kiantis.com Party at Kianti’s with our Kids Pizza Parties. This fun experience includes all you can eat pizza, a kitchen tour, learning to spin pizza dough, an activity sheet, a performance from pizza spinners and a free kids meal on your next visit. Great for birthday parties as well as school field trips. Party at your venue with Kianti’s catering. Let Kianti’s do all the work for you with easy to order food that is a breeze to pick up. Our catering menu is great for gatherings such as birthdays, graduations, rehearsal dinner, parties and meetings.

SUMMER HEALTH Nannette Benedict DDS & Associates

5015 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley 831.440.9214 ScottsValleyDentist.com Babies, toddlers, teenagers and their parents will enjoy our newly opened up space. We are very family oriented: I even practice with my son! We have the latest in high-tech instruments which we enjoy showing to everybody, including CAD/ CAM crowns with 3-D imagery and a 3-D printer. We offer Invisalign to teenagers and adults. You can bring your own playlist and can use our headphones or watch programs on the IPAD mounted over the chair. To better accommodate families, we are open 5 days a week and have two specialists: a periodontist and an endodontist. Go to our website and you can book your next appointment online. Ultraderm | California Skin Institute

Address: 3311 Mission Dr., Santa Cruz 95065 Phone: (831) 272-0936 californiaskininstitute.com/locations/ ultraderm-santa-cruz/ As the days get longer, sunnier and filled with outdoor activities you need to protect your family’s skin from UVA/UVB rays. Remember to apply a sunscreen with SPF 30 or more and reapply every 2 hours while outdoors.If you have any concerns about the health of your child’s skin, Ultraderm | California Skin Institute is a premier dermatology practice in Santa Cruz with board-certified dermatologists and specialists helping families with their skin health. We are accepting new patients. Visit our website or call to make an appointment. GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

SUMMER ACTIVITY GUIDE SUMMER ENRICHMENT Animal Training & Research International

BookakeryBoxes.com Looking for activities to do with your kids at home? Have a kid that always wants to help in the kitchen or curl up on your lap to hear a good book? Love getting packages? The Bookakery has just the thing: Bookakery Boxes, a monthly subscription box for kids aimed towards fostering a love of reading and baking. Each Bookakery Box comes with a hardback picture book, kid-friendly recipe card, baking item and activity, all based around a theme of the month. Order yours today! Use code GUISE10 for 10% off any subscription length (renews at standard rate). Expires 12/31/2020 Monterey Bay Aquarium

886 Cannery Row, Monterey montereybayaquarium.org Our mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean. 831-647-6886 or toll-free in the U.S. and Canada 866-963-9645 montereybayaquarium.org/visit/ admission-tickets/tours/aquariumadventures-information Come dive with us! Underwater Explorers in a unique program (summer only) where kids ages 8-13 are introduced to the underwater world through surface scuba diving. Kids are safely guided by Aquarium leadership level dive staff in our Great Tide Pool, where they’ll meet amazing animals while getting a fishes’ eye view of the wonders of the bay. No experience or wet suit is necessary, only a sense of adventure! montereybayaquarium.org/ underwaterexplorers Music Together & Canta y Baila Conmigo w/MusicalMe, Inc.

Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County 831.438.3514 MusicalMe.com Discover your family’s rhythm! Make music an exciting & enriching part of your child’s life. In our weekly classes, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grownups who love them come together for 45 minutes of funfilled, learning-filled, bonding-filled family

30 APRIL 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

time. You’ll have so much fun singing, dancing, playing, and laughing that you may not realize just how much learning is taking place. We can help your child grow into a confident music-maker while also tapping into all the developmental benefits that music brings. As you discover fun ways to play with music and rhythms both in & out of class, you’ll be supporting your child’s music-learning and overall development. Classes are offered throughout the year, with a new song collection each season. NEW: All babies up to 4 months attend for free! Santa Cruz Public Libraries

224 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-427-7713 santacruzpl.org Imagine Your Story is the SCPL Summer Reading Program for all ages, where you can earn books, attend events, and win prizes. Reading just 5 books over the summer helps prevent learning loss in students. Kids can continue learning while having fun at programs such as coding, robotics, craft and other STEAM activities. Amazing performers and events are scheduled all summer long. Sign up at any branch or online at santacruzpl.org\ srp starting June 1st. You can also check out Discover and Go passes to explore museums in our area and beyond for free or at a discount. santacruzpl.discoverandgo. net/

TEENS Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center

303 Walnut Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831- 426-3062 wafwc.org Warriors Group provides youth aged 12-18 the support they need during their teen years. Through workshops, games, and discussions we explore healthy relationships, communication, and self-care while having fun. Once a month, we host a dance class, movie night, and a culture night! Warriors youth group meets weekly from 5:30 – 7:00 PM. You can earn books, attend events, and win prizes. Reading just 5 books over the summer helps prevent learning loss in students. Kids can continue learning while having fun at programs such as coding, robotics, craft and other STEAM activities. Amazing performers and events are scheduled all summer long. Sign up at any branch or online at santacruzpl. org\srp starting June 1st. You can also check out Discover and Go passes to explore museums in our area and beyond for free or at a discount. santacruzpl. discoverandgo.net/ Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center

Color this local drawing and enter our drawing to win three free tickets to the Boardwalk. Send entries to editor@growingupsc.com or to Box 3505, Santa Cruz, 95063

Thank you to this month's coloring image contributor Mountain Flower 831. You can follow her on Instagram @mountainflower831 and shop her designs on Etsy etsy. com/shop/MountainFlower831

Learn to Sail this Summer! UCSC Community Boating Center at the Santa Cruz Harbor

NOW is the time to register your child for TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN or KINDERGARTEN

Junior sailing classes for ages 8-16

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! For a complete schedule of classes and registration information visit

Boating.ucsc.edu or call (831) 425-1164

“Engaging students’ hearts and minds – every student, every day.”

TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN ELIGIBILITY

Your child must be turning 5 years old between September 2 through December 2. KINDERGARTEN ELIGIBILITY

Scholarships available thanks to a grant from the Div. of Boating and Waterways

Your child must be 5 years old on or before September 1 of the year in which the student enters kindergarten. Please register at your neighborhood school or contact us

Santa Cruz City Schools 133 Mission Street, Suite 100 | Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 429-3410 x 215 | www.sccs.net

GrowingUpSC.com | APRIL 2020

WEST