Page 10 There are many words for it— summer learning gap, summer brain drain, the learning slide . Throughout the school year, children are learning and practicing new skills and concepts and then in an instant, summer comes and everything is put on hold, pushed way to the back burner. Out come the Wii and video games, swimming, TV and Netflix. And suddenly, there went the summer. Fall comes, and teachers must revisit what they already taught months earlier. What can parents do to help with this dilemma while letting their children have a fun break from the rigors and schedule of daily school? “Summer can be a fabulous time for parents to allow kids access to learning in different modalities,” says Stacey Greene, teacher at Hopi Elementary. “Discussing books, hiking and observing the world, going to new places, and practical problem solving, math skills in family games and cooking.” With these simple tasks and techniques, Greene feels learning may not be substantially lost. “Learning and having a fun summer don’t have to be two separate entities,” says Kari Kling, longtime educator and founder of Education Expertise Comes Home. local cultural events and expose our children to them. The Greene family gets away in the summer visiting U.S. national parks. It’s easy to load up on books about the parks, nature and fauna they will see. Local residents, Steve Desch and Aida Hatem, have set a goal to see every state in the country with their family. Two summers ago they drove their three children cross- country to explore New York City — listening to various audio books along the way. Two of their favorites were Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain and A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck. We can incorporate learning even before going to the beaches of California or Mexico, by getting books on oceans and sea life subjects. Visit a historic naval vessel in San Diego. Or check out astrology books from the library prior to taking a trip to Flagstaff ’s Lowell Observatory. There is so much to see, learn and do in the Phoenix area, all within a day’s drive. People come from across the world to see the Native American monuments as well as many other sites Arizona possesses that many Phoenicians have never even visited. “Visiting places children have previously studied has a great impact on learning,” says Kling. This summer the Kling family will study Frank Lloyd Wright. They will visit Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Wright’s winter home, studio and architectural campus. “It’s very impor- tant for children to learn about the world they live in by experiencing it”, says Kling. “For example, we can observe Wright’s influence over local structures like the Arizona Biltmore and houses in Arcadia.” The Chinese Cultural Center is a nearby gem of a teaching tool. “Last month we learned about the Chinese New Year and took our kids to the Festival,” says Carrie Inge. It’s easy to take advantage of similar Greene believes that reading during school breaks is one of the best ways for children to increase learning and retention. The Phoenix and Scottsdale public libraries have summer reading programs with small gift incentives to help encourage kids to become dedicated readers. Debi Cummings, owner of Tech2Learn Learning Center agrees that just because the school year is nine months long doesn’t mean that learning should happen for only nine months. “Summer is the perfect opportunity for students to work individually on what they haven’t mastered,” said Cummings. “Just as our kids have coaches practically all year long, Tech2Learn offers a brain coach all year long, where it’s fun!” In Arcadia, Tech2Learn offers students individualized computer software with academic tutors to teach math, reading comprehension and typing skills. Kids feel like they’re playing video games while they’re actually being drilled with math facts. The key to summer learning is allowing children to explore, imagine and understand their surroundings. Keeping the brain alert and active is a sure fire way to avoid the summer slide. Avoiding “Learning Slide” the By Margaret Ann Lippincott Summer Reading Favorites ❤ Heidi Heckelbeck is back again! The school talent show has just been announced, but cursed with absolutely no talent, Heidi is resigned to the fact that she won’t perform. When a pair of special shoes is found in the attic, however, a little magic and talent can’t be far away. ❤ ❤ ❤ Th Heidi Heckelbeck Is Ready To Dance By Wanda Coven Illustrated By Priscilla Burris Perfect for Beginning Readers 128 pages ❤ Max is a good kid. The boring summer camp his parents have dragged him to however, is making him desperate for excitement. There he develops an alternative persona, “Mad Max,” who gains a bad-boy reputation for being daring, cool, and fearless. But when suddenly forced to merge the “Mad Max” he’s become with the nice guy he really is, Max must come to terms with those he’s hurt and the many mistakes he’s made. ❤ h m d w anyway By Arthur Salm Ages 8-12 194 pages ❤ Alice, Summer and Tiernan were once best friends brought together by a boy band infatuation. Now four years later, after just graduating from high school, the boy band announces a one-time reunion show. On impulse the three former friends come together for a road trip that will test the friendship they once treasured and remind them of the bond they shared. ❤ b b a b Reunited By Hilary Weisman Graham Ages 12 and up 336 pages ❤ Barney Willow wishes he were a cat. His life is upside down and the school bully won’t leave him alone. None of the things ruining his life would ever bother him if he were a cat. Or would they? ❤ a t a h To Be a Cat By Matt Haig Ages 8-12 Years 304 pages ❤ Boxing is part of the family. George knows all too well how brutal and unfair the sport can be, after all it did kill his father. Now Monty, his younger brother, is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, finding passion in his father’s legacy. Terrified that his brother will see the same fate as his dad, George makes himself the “man of the house” and promises to find a way to protect his brother. ❤ k t h b Shadow Boxer By Chris Lynch Ages 12 and up 192 pages ❤ Twelve-year-old Kendall Williams can’t get dead people to stop talking to her, no matter how politely she asks. Now her friends and family all think she’s going nuts. So, to keep these ghosts from constantly disrupting her life, Kendall decides to help them get closure and move on, far from her preteen existence. ❤ c t N s Girls Meets Ghost By Lauren Barnholdt Ages 9-14 224 pages

directory of listings Ultimate camp AKF BLACK BELT CAMP A camp with core principles like: discipline, humility and self control. Your kids will learn great values while having fun. Game time, field trips to the Science Center, movies, bowling and more! 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday all summer long. From June 3 – August 2. For more information, call 602-955-1030. akfblackbeltacademy.com ARCADIA ICE DAY CAMP Come skate with us this summer at the coolest day camp in town. We offer ice skating lessons, arts and crafts, on-ice and off-ice games, broom ball, movies and so much more. Our day camp is 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday, May 27 – August 9. Before and after care are available on request. If you want your child to have a blast this summer learning new skills and making new friends, then call to register them today. Call 602-957-9966 or visit our website. arcadiaice.com CLS/CCL SUMMER CAMP CLS/CCL Summer Camps have something fun for every age – for 8 to 9 weeks starting June 3! Taught by our certified teaching staff. Enroll in Preschool Camp for children ages 3 – 5 (visit our website www.clsphx.org). Day Camp is also available for students in grades K – 8. For information, visit www.cclphoenix.org. Come for the week or drop in for the day! For more information, call 602-957-7010 or visit our website. clsphx.org CRAZZY’S WASEWAGAN CAMP & RETREAT Unforgettable Experience! Minutes from Big Bear. Nestled in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains. Family owned and operated. Originally established in 1933. Kids ages 5 – 16. 1 or 2 week options. EXCITING ACTIVITIES offered: ropes course, river rafting trips, zipline adventure, horseback riding, riflery, archery, swimming, fishing, canoeing, fencing, hiking, river walks, arts and crafts, karaoke, campfire & s’mores, beach volleyball, mountain biking, climbing wall, basketball and more. Campers earn a trophy or ribbon for activities and achievements. Dates: June 16 – August 10. For more information, call 909-794-2910. wasewagan.com CAMELBACK DESERT SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP ZONE Camelback Desert School Summer Camp is the best summer day camp around! Since 1950, we have been providing a wide variety of engaging and fun summer activities. Children from age two through eighth grade love swimming, gymnastics, chess, sewing, sign language, Spanish, crafts, cooking, science, magic, animal care, field trips, and more at Camelback Desert School. Call 480-451-3130 or visit camelbackdesertschool.com for more information. Register as soon as possible; our summer camp is very popular! camelbackdesertschool.com CHILDSPLAY ACADEMY Kids work with top local actors, directors, choreographers, music directors and professional teaching artists. Classes focus on age-appropriate topics, musical theatre, popular children’s literature and more. All classes work on acting techniques and are a great way to gain skills while developing confidence, making friends and, most importantly, having fun! For more information, call 480-921-5751 or visit our website. childsplayaz.org FRIENDLY PINES CAMP – PRESCOTT Nestled in the tall, cool pines, Friendly Pines offers 30+ activities: horseback riding, swimming, waterskiing, rock climbing, ropes course, archery, sports, hiking, pets and more. Excellent campers to staff ratios. Professional background checks and drug tests on staff. ACA accredited. 72 years of experience. An Arizona tradition since 1941. Overnight camp. Ages 6 – 13, co-ed. Session 1: June 16 – June 29; Session 2: June 30 – July 13; Session 3: July 14–July 28; Trailseekers: July 14 – July 21 and July 21 – July 28 (8 day sessions only available to first-time campers ages 6 – 10). 928-445-2128 or 1-888-281-CAMP or email info@friendlypines.com friendlypines.com HUBBARD FAMILY SWIM SCHOOL Hubbard Sports Camp, established in 1998, is a co-ed, multi-sport, summer day camp. Hubbard offers ten one-week sessions to campers 4-1/2 to 13 years old. Campers play soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball, archery, swimming and other field games. Campers build character, self-esteem and confidence. They leave with new skills, great friendships and awesome memories. Extended care is available. Multiple locations with The Phoenix Swim Club location serving the Arcadia/Biltmore area. For more information, call 602-971-4044, ext. 218 or visit our website. hubbardswim.com IMAGINE THAT SUMMER CAMP Celebrating 35 years of fun! Over 30+ specialty camps for ages 3 –11. GI Joe, Summer Time Sisters, Digital, Culinary, American Girl, Indoor Sports, Sciences, Arts, Photo Art, Campus News, Mind Games, Shark Tank, Mission Impossible, Minute to Win It, Super Sleuths, Gymnastics, Showtime, Creepy Crawlies, Magic School Bus, Kitchen Tales, Mixtures, Pirates/Princesses, etc. plus camps for 3 and 4s. 3 week sessions Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., $250 or 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., $468. Early care available. 4455 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley. For more information, call 480-570-5234. imaginethatsummercamp.com KINGDOM ROCK VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Kingdom Rock, “Where kids stand strong for God”. Join us for a great week June 3 – 7 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. VBS runs from 9:00 a.m. – Noon and is open to kids age 5 through entering 5th grade and the cost is $50 for a week of fun. To register, call the church office at 480-945-9537 or online at popphoenix.org. We are located at 3641 N. 56th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018. Don’t forget to ask about our Activity Camp, June 10–13. popphoenix.org