42 MARCH 2020 By Amanda Savage Xavier College Preparatory Cross- Country and Track Coach Dave Van Sickle has earned some impressive accolades over his 40-year career. And this year he can add to that list after being named the 2020 National Girls’ Cross-Country Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations – the governing body of high school sports in the United States. Van Sickle was chosen by a panel of judges from the roster of coaches of the year from all 50 states. Van Sickle attributes his longevity as a coach, community service to the sport and a number of championships and wins as factors that led the judges to choose him. “Coaching defines me; it’s what I am and what I do,” Van Sickle said. Whether he’s at work or at home, Van Sickle says he is always running. His wife runs every day, and his friends are all runners to some degree. When he’s not at track practices or meets, he’s teaching physical education and weight training, or speaking at running clinics and attending running events. Van Sickle’s love of running started when he got a stopwatch as a child and also when he had to start training for football. “I participated in track in 7th grade to get in shape for football and have been involved every spring since. However, when I was 10, I fell in love with a stopwatch someone gave me, so I timed myself running different loops in my neighborhood,” Van Sickle said. As for turning his passion for running into a career of coaching, it was always a no-brainer. “I never considered anything else. Both of my parents were career educators. I told my friends in high school, my goal in life was to have keys to a gym,” Van Sickle said. When he was 18, he got a summer job working with his college track coach, coaching in Iowa. Since then he has coached for 42 consecutive seasons and has been at Xavier for over 30 years. Van Sickle has also worked at McClintock High School, Mesa Community College, Yavapai College, Bradshaw Mountain High School and Go the Distance Track Club. After four decades, Van Sickle is still as enthusiastic about coaching as he was on his first day at work. “Teaching kids what it takes to get better, then seeing them follow the plan and get better; I still get a thrill out of kids getting personal records,” Van Sickle said. Van Sickle believes every good coach should possess seven important qualities, including holding kids accountable athletically and academically, leading kids through example, good sportsmanship and positive life skills, being able to process not winning in a positive way and being able to laugh at yourself in front of your athletes. Van Sickle said watching his athletes grow has been the highlight of his career experience. “Seeing the kids that I coached growing up into outstanding men and women. To think that I may have had some part of their maturation is really rewarding,” Van Sickle said. Xavier Prep coach wins national award Dave Van Sickle has been part of the Xavier team for 30 years. PHOTO: DOMINIQUE PAPLACZYK WE’RE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY S C O T T S D A L E | 4 8 0 . 8 5 0 . 7 7 7 7 | C A S I N O A R I Z O N A . C O M Locally owned and caringly operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. We’re Your Casino, Arizona. Casino Arizona is more than a casino. It’s familiar faces, unparalleled levels of comfort and it’s always here when you’re ready. No one knows you like we do. 21959-5_CAZ_5x9.indd 1 2/14/20 2:43 PM

43 MARCH 2020 ROBIN’S ADVENTURES By Robin Sewell Just west of Flagstaff on I-40 is an area often referred to as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. If you are making your way through it to see the beautiful, breathtaking, giant hole in the ground, I suggest you make a pit stop at a neighboring town that’s part kitsch, part nostalgia and even a little adventurous. Williams is a small town nestled beneath the towering trees of Arizona’s pine country – a reflection of the Route 66 days paved with soda fountains, neon lights and classic cars. There are more than six blocks of historic buildings and shops filled with memorabilia and trinkets of a time gone by. The storefronts on Main Street are preserved as a designated National Historic District. And some of those same motor hotels from back in the day have been revitalized with all the comforts expected by modern-day travelers. Given that Williams is located on a railway line, it seems only fitting that you can spend the night in your very own red caboose. The authentic 1929 Santa Fe Cabooses at the Canyon Motel and RV Park have all the modern comforts of a hotel room yet allow you to pretend to be one of those well-heeled travelers taking time to enjoy the journey traversing the country by rail. Once you’ve had a good night’s sleep, you can enjoy a high-flying adventure over Grand Canyon Boulevard in downtown Williams. My friend and I buckled in for a ride on the Route 66 Zipline, which was short but worth a few screams. If you are looking for something a little tamer, I suggest the Grand Canyon Deer Farm. It is ten acres of an animal wonderland where you can get up close and personal with wallabies, llamas, coatimundi, bison and peacocks. You can also feed deer, pet a goat and even kiss a camel. If you haven’t experienced enough of the animal kingdom, then head over to Bearizona. Visitors can take a three-mile drive to see free-roaming bears, wolves, bison and sheep. Or, you can take a casual stroll in a more zoo-like setting. Whether on foot or by car, big and little kids alike can enjoy Bearizona against the backdrop of the magnificent Kaibab Forest. If you are too tired to drive up to the Canyon after all this fun, you can hop aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. The train takes two hours each way, 45 minutes faster than when it made its first trip in 1901, and in between, you’ll have three hours to spend soaking up the splendor of the Grand Canyon. You can stop by the historic El Tovar for lunch, take pictures from the photogenic South Rim, visit the Hopi House and Kolb Studios, then let someone else handle the ride back. Aside from peering out the window at the scenery, there’s also entertainment on board the train. Americana, specialty rides, animal kingdoms and one-of-a-kind accommodations: Who needs an amusement park with a mouse when you have Williams? — Robin Sewell is the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award winning Arizona Highways Television . Williams: more than the Gateway to the Grand Canyon 2020 Direct-mailed to households in 85018, 85016, 85251 and 85253, the Arcadia News targets affluent families with our trusted and award-winning monthly publication. RESERVE YOUR SPACE BY MARCH 13 AT NOON. Contact Roni Mier at roni@arcadianews.com or call 602-840-6379. Display Ad + Listing • 1/4* Page Print Ready Color Ad in the APRIL Issue ($775 value) Need help with ad design? We can help! • FREE Summer Camp Directory Listing in the APRIL Issue ($130 value) Want to reach more happy campers? CLS/CCL SUMMER CAMP CLS/CCL Summer Camps have something for every age! Preschool Camp, taught by our certified teaching staff, is for children from ages 3-5 and runs for six weeks, starting June 4! Visit www.clsphx.org for more information. Day camp for students age 5 and going into kindergarten through grade 6 is available for 9 weeks, starting on May 29-July 27. Visit www.cclphoenix.org, for more information. Day campers can come for a week or drop in for the day! Call 602-957-7010. clsphx.org D-BACKS BASEBALL ACADEMY YOUTH CAMPS D-backs Baseball Academy Youth Camps, presented by Phoenix Children’s Hospital are for boys and girls ages 6-14. Camps include baseball/softball fundamentals training, a D-backs T-shirt and hat, and free ticket to a 2018 home game with the opportunity to purchase additional tickets at a discount. For more information, visit dbacks.com/academy. dbacks.com/academy FLIP DUNK CAMP Not only are we the BEST trampoline park in town, but we also offer a one of a kind camp experience for ages 3 and up. Whether you choose our “Wiggles and Giggles” camp for 3-5 year olds or our “Going Bananas” camp for 5-up, your kids will enjoy a wide selection of activities. Activities include rope swing, open jump, scooter races, tug of war, obstacle courses, board games and much more!! Call 602-277-0067 or visit Flipdunksports.com. flipdunksports.com ALL SAINTS’ EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL All Saints’ Episcopal Day School offers a four-week summer camp experience for kids entering grades pre-K–8. There are a wide variety of classes; each class is one week in length 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. A variety of themed classes are offered to enrich learning, promote physical activity, encourage creativity, and explore technology! Enrollment at All Saints’ is not necessary; students from all area schools are encouraged to join us June 4 – June 29, 2018. For more information, please visit www.aseds.org/Summer-Camp. aseds.org/Summer-Camp ARCADIA YOUTH BASKETBALL Arcadia Youth Basketball is offering basketball camps, skill sessions, and summer leagues throughout the summer. We provide a basketball program that focuses on skill development, team training, and league games all while providing a fun and safe environment. Our program is located at Monte Vista Church, 3313 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85018. Please visit our website www. arcadiayouthbasketballaz.com for more information and registration. arcadiayouthbasketballaz.com CAMP DAISY & HARRY STEIN Camp Daisy and Harry Stein is Arizona’s premier Jewish overnight summer camp. Located in Prescott, AZ and owned and operated by Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, AZ, Camp Stein infuses Jewish living and learning with the fun and excitement of overnight camp. Activities include horseback riding, zip line, rock wall, archery, overnight trips, sports, drama, music, ceramics, arts & crafts and much more! 1 week, 2 week, 4 week and 8 week session offerings for kids grades 2-10. Call 480-951-0323, email camp@cbiaz.org or visit our website. campstein.org CAMPS AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX Give them a summer packed with hands-on learning and fun! Each unique camp includes games and activities designed to cultivate the minds and muscles of children ages 5-8. Campers will also have plenty of time to play within all three floors of the Museum’s imaginative exhibits. Here they’ll build confidence and self-esteem, make friends and lasting memories. Extended care available. Call 602-648-2777 or register online at www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org, click Exhibits & Experiences. childrensmuseumofphoenix.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 and more. Excellent campers to staff ratios. Professional background checks and drug tests on staff. ACA accredited. 77 summers of experience. An Arizona tradition since 1941. Overnight camp. Ages 6-13, co-ed. Session 1: June 10-23, Session, 2: June 24-July 7, Session 3: July 8-21. We also offer 6 one-week sessions. Call 928-445-2128 or visit friendlypines.com. friendlypines.com COVENANT SUMMER CAMP Join us for a fun filled, educational summer camp adventure! Preschoolers through 4th graders will experience arts and crafts, science, water days, and vacation bible school with optional gymnastics and soccer classes. Additionally, school age children are invited to participate in exciting off campus field trips, including swimming, bowling, and more! Camp runs May 29-August 3. Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Located 4601 N. 34th St. Call 602-955-5728 for information. cccckids.com CACTUS DAY CAMP A “traditional” summer program five days a week for 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks where safety is the priority, friendships are fostered, healthy lifestyles are encouraged and your child’s fun is unlimited. Each day is filled with many of our over 20 activities including archery, swimming, gaming, team sports, tumbling, crafts, climbing, gaga, dance and more. Fridays culminate each week with a special camp-wide event. Transportation options available to/from camp. Accredited by the American Camp Association. Email info@CactusDayCamp.com or call 480-836-CAMP (2267) for more information or to set up an appointment with the director. cactusdaycamp.com CAMP HUBBARD - Celebrating 20 years! We offer Kids Summer Day Camp and Teen Leadership Camp. Each day we focus on fun, games, and building life skills and confidence through PLAY. Campers will enjoy a wide variety of games and activities. Small group ratios, different themes each week, and amazing, engaged, certified staff make the days safe and fun! All skill levels welcomed! Locations: Thunderbird Academy - Scottsdale Rd., south of T-Bird; Sunnyslope High - 3rd Ave. & Dunlap: check our website for more locations. Weeks run May 29-Aug. 3 and vary by location. Kids Day Camp (ages 4.5-12) and Teen Leadership Camp (ages 13-16). hubbardsports.com PHOENIX CENTER FOR THE ARTS CAMP Your child will receive a well-rounded arts experience while engaging in music, dance, drama, and visual arts classes. Children receive full-day instruction in visual and performing arts from professional local artists. Campers are grouped by age; grades K-6. Materials are all included! Family and friends are invited to the Center on the last day of camp for a fun performance. Call 602-254-3100 or visit phoenixcenterforthearts.org. phoenixcenterforthearts.org PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Our 6-week program runs to June 11 to July 20 in two-week sessions for grades K-12. Through grade 8, students create their own half-day or full-day schedule with academic classes, and enrichment options in technology, music, sports, theater, and art. High school students register per class. Facilities include swimming pools, tennis courts, art studios, and computer labs. Full-service lunch and extended day available. View the full schedule and register online at pcds.org/summer. For more information, call 602-955-8200. pcds.org LITTLE BIG MINDS PRESCHOOL We don’t teach Spanish, we teach IN Spanish! Little Big Minds Preschool is offering a Spanish Immersion camp for children ages 3-5 from 9a.m.– 1p.m. Before and after care is available. Uptown and Scottsdale campus only. Weekly themes include Lego Lands, Mad Science, Flavors of the World and Water Fridays. Kids learn Spanish through play, music and movement, games, special events and crafts. Weekly enrollments from June 4 to July 23. No Spanish experience necessary. Call Uptown 602-900-0404, Scottsdale 602-900-0403 or visit our website. littlebigmindspreschool.com IMAGINE THAT SUMMER CAMP! Celebrating 39 years of fun! 30+ specialty camps for 3-11 year-olds. American Girl, Dance: High School Musical 2, Sports, Fine Arts, Sciences such as Yg Mad Scientist, Kids’ Concoctions, Star Wars, Xtreme Games, Mission Impossible, Dr. Seuss, Invention Tinkering, Play-Well TEKnologies, Gymnastics, Hogwarts, Showtime, STEAM: Dinosaurs, STEAM: Fairy Tales, Pirates, Princesses, Crazy Cup Cake Wars and more plus theme based preschool camps for 3 & 4 year-olds. 3 week sessions, Mon.-Thurs., 9-12 $275 or 9-3 $489. Call 480-570-5234 or visit www.imaginethatsummercamp.com. Professional staff, low ratios! imaginethatsummercamp.com PARADISE VALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH “Experience the Ride of a Lifetime with God” at PVUMC’s Rolling River Rampage Vacation Bible Camp, July 16-20, 9 am-12 noon. Children age 3 (by 9-1-18 and potty-trained) through entering 6th graders are invited on a weeklong adventure that includes crafts, music, games, science, missions and storytelling, in a safe, cool environment. Camp fees are only $35/child if you register by June 30, 2018. Optional afternoon sports camp, 12:30-3:30 pm ($99/camper). Visit our website at pvumc.org to register (search “VBC”) and pay online. Questions? Call 602-840- 8360. pvumc.org ArcAdiA News ULTIMATE CAMP DIRECTORY OF LISTINGS 2018 ArcAdiA News ULTIMATE CAMP DIRECTORY OF LISTINGS 2018 AS YOU WISH POTTERY SUMMER CLASSES Our rainbow of classes will color up some fun each week as your child paints their way through a kaleidoscope of color with creative tools like bubbles, q-tips, and more! Kids will be saturated in color as they brush, flick, splatter, sponge and paint pottery while capturing the rainbow with expert step by step instruction to guide them on their Artistic Adventure! Take a summer class at any one of our 6 valley locations! Classes are offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-10:30am, June 4-July 20 for $20 each and encouraged for ages 5 and up. asyouwishpottery.com AUDUBON ADVENTURES Explore the exciting world of Sonoran desert wildlife! Choose from our day camp only options or our mixed day/overnight weeks where campers spend the first half of the week at the Audubon nature center and end it with an overnight camping trip to Mingus Mountain Camp and Retreat Center in Prescott! Experience nature hikes, archery, science experiments, solar snacks, themed games and activities, and more! Ages 8 - 12. Camp runs June 11- July 27. Mon - Fri, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit http://bit.ly/Audubon_Adventures or contact Emily Martell at emartell@audubon.org, 602-468-6470 ext. 125. riosalado.audubon.org IGNITE DAY CAMP Spark your child’s creativity and interests in the summer at Ignite Day Camp! Powered by New Way Academy, Ignite offers academic programs, sports, recreational activities, fine arts, and hands-on learning experiences designed for a variety of learning and ability levels for students in grades K-12. Flexible two week options from June 4th to August 3rd. Phoenix campus. Before and after care available. Call 602-389-8600 or visit www.ignitedaycamp.org. ignitedaycamp.org MORE THAN MODELING SUMMER PROGRAM Learn life skills through modeling and fashion classes in a week long day camp for 5-15 year olds. We teach posing, runway walk, fashion and beauty. Lessons in nutrition, science, geography, math and etiquette are integrated in the curriculum. Our mission is to build confidence and prepare children for their futures, whether they become models or not. Our classes are fun, educational and affordable. After and before care available. Monday - Friday, 9am-3pm. Weekly enrollment from May 28th - August 3rd. Please visit MoreThanModeling.com to enroll. morethanmodeling.com GREASEPAINT YOUTHEATRE SUMMER CAMPS We offer a LOT of EVERYTHING! Winner again of Best of the Valley in AZ Foothills Magazine (2018), are always filled with professional directors and educators and the best kids around! Great TRAINING and great FUN - just what you want for YOUR kids. Open to ages 6-13, there are one and two week camps beginning June 5th - July 27th! Plays include “FairyTale Courtroom” and camps built around The Wizard of Oz, Improv and Sketch Comedy, Disney Animals and numbers all about Best Friends. All camps run Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. with late pickup available until 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday Register at www.greasepaint.org or call 480-949-7529. greasepaint.org PRINCE OF PEACE VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL SHIPWRECKED, Rescued by Jesus. Join us for a great week of Vacation Bible School, June 4-8 from 9 a.m-Noon. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. VBS 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. popphoenix.org LIL’ MUSTANGS SUMMER CAMP Each week children experience a different vacation adventure through arts & crafts, imaginative play, story time and more! Open to children ages 3-6 (Children must be able to use bathroom INDEPENDENTLY). Mondays - Thursdays; 9a.m. – 1p.m. Extended day (1p.m. - 3p.m.) available. Morning snack provided. Children bring lunch. Register for individual week sessions ($140/week) or save $40 by signing up for all 4 weeks ($520.00) Extended day add-on available for $15.00/day. Registration fee is $25.00 (non-refundable). 602-954-9088. ONLINE REGISTRATION OPEN! staphxschool.org PRINCE OF PEACE PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP Summer Camp for Preschoolers ages 2-6 runs from June 4-July 27. Your preschooler will enjoy a fun filled summer of learning and playing with friends! We will have fun activities, including a petting zoo, the Arizona Puppet Theater, bouncy water slides, and more! We will also host great activities such as a water day, a Patriotic Parade and Vacation Bible School. This year’s VBS theme is Shipwrecked! Weekly enrollment and flexible scheduling options give you added convenience in planning your summer. For more information, please call Courteney Greenwell at 480-947-5645 or visit poppreschool.com. poppreschool.com Our comprehensive summer camp advertising program offers a multi-media approach to reaching 50,000+ potential campers in an affordable way. Camp Directory is also published online at arcadianews.com Camp Directory Listing • Promote your camp with a full-color listing in our APRIL Camp Guide OPTION ONE Display Ad + Listing OPTION TWO Camp Directory Listing TWO ONLY $ 595 ($905 value) ONLY $ 130