washingtonFAMILY.com T $ O S C O RT S TH OF E APRIL 2020 P Kid in QUARANTINE SEE PAGE 14 camps directory PAGE 26 May 4 – 8 Teacher Appreciation Week The Virginia Lottery invites Virginians to send thank-you notes to as many Virginia public school teachers as possible! Visit thankateacherva.com through May 8 to send a thank-you note and learn how two lucky teachers will each win a Virginia-themed trip. Discover your capable, confident Montessori child. From infancy through elementary school, children learn best when they’re working with activities they love. At Guidepost, your child will enter the wonderful world of Montessori lessons and learning materials, designed to captivate and inspire. Now Enrolling! 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Beauregard Street Suite 301 Alexandria, VA 22311 (571) 206-1687 Spanish and Mandarin Immersion programs available at selected campuses Infant • Toddler Preschool • Kindergarten Elementary CONTENTS APRIL 2020 Baseball stadiums offer amenities just for kids.  Page 16 14 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A QUARANTINED COLLEGE STUDENT When her study abroad program was cut short, Maria Chiaramonte went into self-quarantine. 16 TAKE KIDS OUT TO THE BALLGAME Family-friendly ways to enjoy local baseball. 19 CUTTING COSTS FOR OUR 20 LITTLE COMPETITORS How to save money on sports equipment. SIDELINES SNAPS Photos of your little athletes at play. 24 WHEN YOUR CHILD WANTS TO WEAR THE SAME CLOTHES EVERY DAY Should you let them repeat outfits? READERS’ RESPONSES WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK We welcome your feedback on specific articles, overall themes and anything else related to editorial content. Enter your comments on the Feedback tab of our website, WashingtonFAMILY.com, or email us at info@washingtonfamily.com. Please note we reserve the right to edit or refrain from publishing comments we deem inappropriate. 4  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 DEPARTMENTS 8 CALENDAR 11 FAMILY FUN Bring spring inside with a DIY Butterfly Sensory Bin. 12 36 AT A GLANCE Local news and notes. EDITOR’S PICKS Fan favorites. 40 HEALTHY FAMILY Two Maryland women write book about motherhood after 35. 42 YOUR SPECIAL CHILD The benefits of occupational therapy. 44 BOOKMARKED Inspiring Earth Day reads. 46 MOM LIFE Meet Tianna Hawkins of the Washington Mystics. DIRECTORIES 26 SUMMER CAMPS 38 MONTESSORI SCHOOLS GETTY IMAGES/E+: ; BASEBALL: PEEPO; DANCER: MUSTAFAGULL FEATURES SAVE UP TO 35 % on tickets Online Only FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE KID-FRIENDLY FUN AT 2-PARKS This is the year to make forever memories. Enjoy thrills for all ages and experience Finnegan’s Flyer™ Screamin’ Swing at Busch Gardens®. Even our youngest guests can enjoy fun at Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™ or Land of Dragons®. Then head over to Water Country USA® to explore the new Cutback Water Coaster™. VISIT BUSCHGARDENS.COM/VA FOR BEST OFFERS ©2020 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. OUR TEAM APRIL 2020 WashingtonFAMILY.com • 301-230-2222 Craig Burke, Publisher ADVERTISING Account Executives Kim Coates, Tamara Morris, Mary Ramsdale, Stacie Shapero, Sylvia Witaschek BUSINESS Kris Ries, Accounting Coordinator • 443-471-5355 • kries@midatlanticmedia.com EDITORIAL Jessica Gregg, Lifestyle Editor • 410-902-2319 • jgregg@midatlanticmedia.com PJ Feinstein, Managing Editor • 301-230-6696 • pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com Adranisha Stephens, Staff Writer • 410-902-2328 • astephens@midatlanticmedia.com Contributors Adora Brown, Marina Chiaramonte, Gina Gallucci-White, Courtney McGee, Ivey Noojin, Lindsay Ponta, Jennifer Marino Walters CREATIVE Lonna Koblick, Art Director Jay Sevidal, Graphic Designer James Meskunas, Digital Media Manager David Stuck, Staff Photographer MID-ATLANTIC MEDIA Tickets Start at $20! Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher • cburke@midatlanticmedia.com Jennifer Perkins-Frantz, Director of Production• jperkinsfrantz@midatlanticmedia.com Bill Sims, Director of Circulation & Audience Development • bsims@midatlanticmedia.com Jeni Mann Tough, Director of Marketing & Custom Media • jmann@midatlanticmedia.com Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. Subject to availability. Purchase tickets at venue box office or ticketmaster.com. EAGLEBANK ARENA Table of Contents Single Page Design Calendar of Events MAY 2 – 3 SesameStreetLive.com © Washington Family. Washington Family is published 12 times a year by Mid-Atlantic Media, and is distributed free of charge throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Correspondence and editorial submissions from our readers are welcomed. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment on all editorial and advertising material submitted. We are not responsible for the return of any unsolicited materials. The acceptance of advertising by Washington Family does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, is strictly forbidden without expressed written permission. 11900 Parklawn Drive, Suite 300 | Rockville, MD 20852 | 301-230-2222 or 703-318-1385 | washingtonfamily.com 6  Washington FAMILY  MARCH 2020 FIRST WORD Keep Calm and Stay Active PJ Feinstein Managing Editor pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com Facebook @WashingtonFamilyMagazine​ Twitter @FAMILYMagDC Pinterest @familymagazine Instagram @washingtonfamilymag Email us Let us know what’s on your mind. info@washingtonfamily.com THEY SAY TO WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. Well, I don’t know anything about living through a global pandemic. The speed at which COVID-19 is spreading and the growing number of people it is affecting has left me at a loss for words. Not being able to articulate my thoughts is an uncomfortable feeling for an editor; worrying about the health and safety of my family and friends is even worse. As I struggle to write this editor’s letter from my bedroom, my children are downstairs in the kitchen attempting some schoolwork. Today is the first day of statewide school closures, one way local govern- ments are trying to mitigate the spread of this new coronavirus. Events have been cancelled. Birthday parties are being postponed. We’re all hunkering down at home, as we’ve been asked to do. When we started working on our April issue, which is all about sports, we never could have imagined that instead of driving our kids to soccer practice, we’d be practicing social distancing. That instead of being concerned about our favorite team not having the home-field advantage, we’d be wondering how to homeschool our kids for the foreseeable future. That gyms, karate studios and community pools would be shutting their doors and professional sports leagues would be postponing their seasons. Sports may not be happening at the moment, but that doesn’t mean we have to sit still. We shouldn’t be visiting playgrounds right now, but we can take walks around the neighborhood with our family. We can have a catch in the yard or do yoga with our kids. Physical activity increases serotonin in the brain, leading to feel- ings of happiness and well-being, which is exactly what we all need during this scary and stressful time. Inside this issue, you’ll find stories about sports, including an article on family-friendly ways to enjoy local baseball. Clip it and save it for later. Hopefully we’ll be able to root, root, root for the home team sometime this season. Until then, keep washing your hands, practicing social distancing and getting some activity into your day. Stay healthy, friends. ■ WashingtonFAMILY.com  7 CALENDAR {  april } WEDNESDAY 15 As we went to press, many organizers were starting to cancel events in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. As such, we only included events from April 15-30. However, please check websites before you go. MOMS Intro to Breastfeeding Get instruction, guidance and support on breastfeeding and pumping at this introductory workshop led by a lactation consultant. Birth Club, Alexandria, VA. 6:30 p.m. $20 per mother, $10 for support person. thebirthclub.com FAMILY Craft Swap Trade your new or slightly used craft supplies and spring clean your art stash. Central Library, Arlington, VA. 7 p.m. FREE. arlingtonva.libcal.com KIDS Junior CEOs Teens will become CEOs, learning to address real business problems in a four week workshop presented by Spark Business Academy. Registration required. Ages 11-14. Chevy Chase Library, Chevy Chase, MD. 4:30 p.m. FREE. mcpl.libnet.info FRIDAY 17 KIDS Feeling Antsy Children will embrace ant life by following trails, digging tunnels and lifting objects bigger than themselves. Registration required. Ages 6-10. Gulf Branch Nature Center and Park, Arlington, VA. 4 p.m. $5. parks. arlingtonva.us SATURDAY 18 FAMILY ‘The BFG’ Great Works Theatre brings an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “The BFG” for young audiences to Saturday Morning Live! At The National. Ages 4-10. The National Theatre, Washington, DC. 9:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. FREE. thenationaldc.com KIDS Portrait Party Practice museum manners while learning about the stories and techniques behind portrait paintings on this Young Learner Tour. Registration required. Ages 3-6. National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC. 10 a.m. $5 for children, free for adults. nmwa.org FAMILY Living Earth Festival In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, explore the contributions of Indigenous environmental knowledge and the importance of water to those communities. Through April 19. Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, DC. 10 a.m. FREE. americanindian.si.edu. PARENTS Art Festival Discover made-in-the-USA artwork across a variety of mediums, including paintings, jewelry, pottery, photographs and more. Through April 19. Shops at Wisconsin Place, Chevy Chase, MD. 10 a.m. FREE. artfestival.com SUNDAY 19 FAMILY Nutritional Health Learn how to incorporate healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes into your family routine. Ages 12 and up. Locus Point Wellness, Silver Spring, MD. 10:30 a.m. FREE. lotuspointwellness.com FAMILY GreenFest Join Montgomery County in celebrating the journey to a 8  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 greener life with live music, children’s activities, drum circles, food trucks, educational workshops and more. Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD. 11 a.m. FREE. montgomerycountygreenfest.org Through April 26. Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC. 10 a.m. $15. atlasarts.org THURSDAY 23 FAMILY FAMILY ‘Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs’ A hilarious, symphonic retelling by Mo Willems of the classic fairy tale featuring three visiting dinosaurs from Norway with original music by Ben Folds. Ages 5 and up. The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC. 2 p.m. (sensory-friendly) & 4 p.m. $25+. kennedy-center.org TUESDAY 21 Virginia Fishing Learn how to catch and clean the Northern Snakehead as well as the ecology within Virginia waterways. You will receive a Snakehead recipe to try at home. National Sporting Library and Museum, Middleburg, VA. 6 p.m. $10 for nonmembers, free for members. nationalsporting.org FRIDAY 24 FAMILY KIDS Homeschool Day Gain an understanding of how babies move their bodies by comparing their gross motor development to art. Ages 1 and under. Natural History Museum, Washington, DC. 10:15 a.m. $15 for nonmembers, $10 for members. naturalhistory.si.edu Join other homeschool families for hands-on learning opportunities while exploring the importance of gardens as food, medicine and recreation. Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, Alexandria, VA. 10 a.m. $3 for adults, $5 for students, free for children under 3. leefendallhouse.org FAMILY FAMILY Friday Morning Music Club performs an eclectic repertoire of classical music with a small group of instrumentalists and singers. Dumbarton House, Washington, DC. Noon. FREE. dumbartonhouse.org Immerse yourself in everything French at the 12th annual French Food Festival, with authentic cuisine, entertainment and children’s activities. Through April 25. Little Sisters of the Poor, Alexandria, VA. 4 p.m. FREE. rvafrenchfoodfestival.com Bring Your Own Baby Chamber Music Concert WEDNESDAY 22 French Food Festival FAMILY ‘Paper Dreams’ FAMILY A collaboration with a Spanish dance company, this interactive performance tells the story of two delightful creatives who live in a wastepaper basket. Ages 1-5. When a crocodile turns up in New York City, he befriends everyone in an Upper East Side apartment building—except Mr. ‘Lyle the Crocodile’ e t d c e E n very Day n o C y t S a with Washington Family Receive our weekly letter at: Post your event to our free online calendar at: washingtonfamily.com/signup washingtonfamily.com/submit-event Reach our managing editor PJ Feinstein at 301-230-6696, pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com Join the Conversation Washingtonfamily.com WashingtonFamilyMagazine @FamilyMagDC washingtonfamilymag To advertise, please call 301-230-2222, ext. 4 or email advertising@washingtonfamily.com CALENDAR Grumps. Lyle the Crocodile tries to prove his worth to Mr. Grumps in this children’s production. Through May 31. Adventure Theatre, Glen Echo, MD. 7 p.m. $20.50 adventuretheatre-mtc.org ‘WILD KRATTS LIVE 2.0’ APRIL 26 | 1 P.M. & 4:30 P.M. | $45+ SATURDAY 25 KIDS Touch-A-Truck Wow your little ones with real-life police cars, construction trucks and buses and enjoy food, music and face painting. Lake Braddock Secondary School, Burke, VA. 10 a.m. $5. spring-mar.org FAMILY Georgetown House Tour Stroll down the cobbled streets of Georgetown for the 89th annual tour of beautiful homes, breaking in the afternoon for Parish Tea. St. John’s Episcopal Church, Washington, DC. 11 a.m. $55. georgetownhousetour.com KIDS Brothers Chris and Martin Kratt bring their animated show to the stage, teaching children about ecology and the animal kingdom in a high-energy show. Warner Theatre, Washington, warnertheatredc.com Camp Congress for Girls Starting with a lesson on the structure of the U.S. political system, girls will learn how to create a Congressional campaign, introduce a bill and lobby legislators. Ages 8-17. 999 9th St. NW, Washington, DC. 8 a.m. $140. girlsinpolitics.com SUNDAY 26 FAMILY Bag of Books Sale Fill a paper bag full of books for you and your family for one low price at this semi-annual sale. James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, Alexandria, VA. 1 p.m. $5. alexlibraryva.org FAMILY 5th Annual Earth Day Picnic Experience the beauty of the outdoors with a garden picnic and take some plants home to add to your own. BYO basket and blanket. Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, Washington, DC. Noon. FREE. Iris Krasnow will discuss her tudorplace.org new book, “Camp Girls: Fireside Lessons on Friendship, Courage and Loyalty” about her own time MONDAY 27 at summer camp and its influences KIDS on her life. Young Portrait Explorers Politics and Prose, Washington, DC. Get to know the environmental 7 p.m. FREE. politics-prose.com philosopher and author John Muir through storytelling. Registration WEDNESDAY 29 required. Ages 5 and under. National Portrait Gallery, Washington, FAMILY DC. 10:30 a.m. FREE. npg.si.edu Trading Card Game Night Play Pokémon, Magic and other trading card games with fellow TUESDAY 28 enthusiasts. Ages 6 and up. MOMS Shirlington Branch Library, Arlington, Prenatal Yoga VA. 6 p.m. FREE. Connect with your baby—and arlingtonva.libcal.com your intuition—through the ancient practice of yoga. KIDS EKOE Health, Falls Church, VA. Stuffed Animal Sleepover 9:45 a.m. $20. iekoe.com Children can wear their pajamas and enjoy story time before leaving FAMILY their toy for a night at the library. ‘Camp Girls’ Book Talk Come April 30 to pick up your New York Times bestselling author child’s toy. 10  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 James M. Duncan Jr. Library, Alexandria, VA. 6 p.m. FREE. alexlibraryva.org THURSDAY 30 FAMILY Jazz Day Concert Celebrate International Jazz Day with a concert by the Mason School of Music. George Mason University Center for the Arts, Fairfax, VA. 8 p.m. $12 for adults, $5 for students. cfa.calendar.gmu.edu MOMS Mom Prom Dress up and relive high school at a prom just for moms, including food, drinks and a swag bag. Proceeds benefit the YMCA Youth and Family Services. Silver Spring Civic Building, Silver Spring, MD. 7 p.m. $50. yfs.ymcadc.org  n Own Butterfly Sensory Bin FAMILY FUN Make Your BY LINDSAY PONTA A HANDS-ON LEARNING ACTIVITY FOR LITTLE ONES THAT’S FLUTTERING FUN It may finally be spring, but there’s still a chance rainy weather will keep us indoors, going a bit stir-crazy with our kids. If that statement resonates with you on a deeply personal level, then I have just the activity to help pass the time: Butterfly Sensory Bin. Activities that stimulate a child’s senses are important for the development of important skills, such as motor skills, social skills and even language, math and science skills. And this Butterfly Sensory Bin stimulates lots of senses— perfect for little hands and growing minds. Picking up beads with tweezers and then threading them onto the butterflies, for example, helps build fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Since there are so many ways to play with this sensory bin, it can grow right along with your child. With toddlers, you can talk about colors and the differences between textures. Older kids might be interested in learning more about butterflies and other insects and how pollination works. This sensory bin is also a fun way for siblings to play together. Older brothers or sisters can play the teacher role, helping younger siblings explore tougher concepts. n Lindsay Ponta created the DIY and lifestyle website Shrimp Salad Circus in 2009 to inspire busy women to live perfectly imperfect creative lives. Find easy DIYs and recipes at shrimpsaladcircus.com. SUPPLIES 2-pound bag of white rice Green food coloring Large plastic bag Baking sheet or casserole dish Bin or tray Artificial flowers Yellow beads Toy butterflies Butterfly net Tweezers Optional: Printable question cards from shrimpsaladcircus.com INSTRUCTIONS First, we’re going to make “grass” for the butterflies to live on by dying white rice. 1. Pour 2 pounds of white rice into a large plastic bag. 2. Squeeze a generous amount of green food coloring over the rice. 3. Seal plastic bag, then shake and squeeze the rice until it’s all green. 4. Pour green rice onto a baking sheet or casserole dish, and set it out to air dry overnight. Note: Don’t skip this step or your little ones will end up with green fingers and clothes! Now it’s time to assemble the butterfly bin. 1. Pour the fully-dried green rice into a bin or tray. 2. Arrange a few artificial flowers on top of the rice. 3 Sprinkle a few yellow beads onto the centers of the flowers to make “pollen.” Optional: Download butterfly question cards from shrimpsaladcircus.com (search “butterfly”), print and cut out. You can use the question cards to keep bigger kids engaged in this butterfly activity. They can help start discussions and create further opportunities for enrichment. 4. Place some butterflies around the flowers. 5. Add the tweezers and butterfly net to the bin. You can also find the questions below, along with ways to incorporate them into sensory activities. Q: WHAT DO BUTTERFLIES EAT? A: Butterflies sip nectar from flowers using their tongues. Demonstrate a butterfly landing on a flower and using its tongue like a straw to drink the sweet nectar. Q: WHERE DO BUTTERFLIES SLEEP? A: Butterflies can sleep just about anywhere. Put your butterflies to bed somewhere in the bin, and then wake them up in the morning to play again. Q: HOW DO BUTTERFLIES GET AROUND? A: Butterflies can walk on their six legs, but they love to use their wings to fly from flower to flower. Pick up a butterfly and let it fly all around, landing on flowers along the way. Q: HOW MANY BODY PARTS DO BUTTERFLIES HAVE? A: Butterflies’ bodies have three major parts: a head, a thorax and an abdomen. They also have two eyes, two antennae, two wings and six legs. Investigate a butterfly to find and count all these body parts. Q: HOW DO BUTTERFLIES HELP FLOWERS? A: Butterflies are great pollinators. They pick up pollen as they drink from flowers, leaving some behind each time they land on a new flower. Thread some yellow beads from the center of a flower onto a butterfly’s legs to demonstrate how it picks up pollen. Drop a few beads at the next flower, showing how pollination works. Be sure to share pictures of your Butterfly Sensory Bin on social media with the hashtag #washingtonfamilymag so we can see (and share!) your creativity. WashingtonFAMILY.com  11 AT A GLANCE Bottom: Arlington Public Library / Top: Courtesy of National Building Museum, photo by Allan Sprecher LEARNING STEAM Building Creativity It’s Back! Early learners can enjoy some new and redesigned programs this spring at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., which reopened in March after a three-month-long renovation to its historic Great Hall. For the first time, the museum is offering a free interactive story time to promote early reading skills. Children ages 5 and under are invited to participate every other Tuesday in exploratory activities related to a featured book plus reading with music and movement. This month, Story Time will take place on April 14 and 28 from 10-10:30 a.m. and 10:30-11 a.m. The much-loved “Play Work Build” exhibit, which introduces children to the work of architects and engineers, received a deep cleaning and fresh coat of paint during the closure. The play table has been replaced with a light table, and new sets of Big Blue Blocks are ready to be stacked— and knocked down—in the hands-on play area. Additionally, some never-before-seen No, you aren’t dreaming. D.C. finally has a children’s museum again. However, dreaming is exactly what the National Children’s Museum, now open at Woodrow Wilson Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, wants you to do. “We wanted to have the overarching theme of dreams and dreaming that really connects, subtly, all of the experiences to another,” says Elise Lemle, vice president of exhibits and education. The Dream Machine, a three-story climber and slide, greets visitors at the plaza level and takes them down to the 20,000-square-foot concourse, where the museum’s exhibits are located. At the bottom of the climber, wheelchair- accessible “pods” allow children who can’t or aren’t interested in climbing to control the LED lights inside the structure. Nearby, kids can try to form a person-sized bubble around themselves, a nod to the beloved bubble room at the museum’s original location on H Street, which closed in 2004. But that’s not the only throwback. Original artwork from the old Mexico exhibit now hangs in the Tinkerers Studio, a 21st-century learning lab. A combination children’s museum and science center, the new museum focuses on STEAM—science, technology, engineering, art and math. “We champion a constructivist approach for learning, which is really learning by doing and learning through experience,” says Lemle. There are high-tech exhibits in partnership with Nickelodeon, Amazon and even the Washington Nationals. A highlight is Weather Worlds, an immersive digital experience where kids can make it rain, summon rainbows and shoot lightning bolts from their hands. The open-concept museum also has a movement space for infants and toddlers, a low-sensory hideaway and quiet room and, soon, a café offering healthy food and drinks. The National Children’s Museum is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10.95 per person; children under one are free. For more information, visit nationalchildrensmuseum.org.   T toys from the museum’s archives have been added to the Architectural Toy Collection. With the opening of the new The Wall/ El Muro exhibit in May, parents can have open discussions with their kids about border walls and their impact on individuals and their families. The exhibit will include a reading area with picture books to help younger children understand the subject matter in a more age-appropriate way. For more information, visit nbm.org.   T —ADRANISHA STEPHENS COMMUNITY Books on Wheels What’s turquoise and white, has four wheels and is filled with hundreds of books, games and DVDs? Meet “The Truck,” Arlington Public Library’s splashy new bookmobile. The mobile library, a redesigned Ford Transit van with a pass-through window, allows residents of Arlington County, Virginia, who may not live near a local branch to sign up for a library card, check out and return books and take advantage of free WiFi. Outside the bookmobile, kids and adults can participate in a variety of programs, including story time, crafting classes and technology tutorials. The Truck will be cruising the streets of Arlington twice a week for the first few months, connecting with residents at community centers, schools, local businesses and parks. Here’s where it will stopping in April: 4/11 Thomas Jefferson Community Center 4/14 Fairlington Community Center 4/18 Arlington Farmers Market 4/19 El Día de los Niños Celebration at Central Library 4/21 Woodland Hills 4/23 Rosslyn Reads Pop Up 4/24 Gates of Ballston, Suite 100 4/25 Bonder and Amanda Johnson Community Development Corporation 4/28 Arlington Free Clinic Please check the library’s website at library.arlingtonva.us/services/the-truck/ for exact times and future dates. And for additional updates, follow the Truck on Instagram at instagram.com/apl.thetruck.   T —PJ FEINSTEIN 12  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 —PJ FEINSTEIN FREE FUN WITH A PRE-K PASS W NE When your kids play for free all year long, it’s amazing. With the Pre-K Pass, kids ages 3–5 enjoy free admission all season in 2020. Laugh and play at the world’s largest PEANUTS ™ themed kids area: Planet Snoopy, cool down and splash at Soak City water park featuring the all-new play area Coconut Shores, and celebrate the seasons at events like The Great Pumpkin Fest and WinterFest. Register online, activate at the park and it’s play time. Register by June 14th at kingsdominion.com. © 2020 Peanuts Worldwide LLC | peanuts.com A Day in the Life OF A QUARANTINED COLLEGE STUDENT by Marina Chiaramonte Editor’s Note: Marina Chiaramonte is a graduate of Friends School of Baltimore and a current student at Barnard College. This semester, her studies at University of Bologna were cut short when the coronavirus spread through northern Italy. She returned to the United States where she went into self-quaran- tine for two weeks. This is the diary of one day during that time. 10:30 a.m. I wake up, roll over to grab my phone and mindlessly scroll through TikTok, Instagram and Facebook for about an hour. I can hear Molly, my fellow quarantiner, rus- tling around downstairs. For two months, she and I were college students doing a semester abroad in Bologna, Italy. As COVID-19 began to spread, Molly and I watched northern Italy slowly descend into chaos from our little apartment. Three weeks ago, when the CDC issued a Level 3 travel warning for Italy, our program was canceled and we were forced to return to the U.S. Unfortunately, Molly and I were not able to return home immediately as both my parents work in hospitals and her father is immunocompromised. Therefore, we could not spend our two-week self-quarantine near our parents. Fortunately, we were able to rent an Airbnb in Baltimore (my hometown) for two weeks before returning home. 11:00 a.m. I’m bored of my phone at this point. I start to stare at the ceiling and my mind begins to wander. I remember how naive I was two weeks ago. Sitting on the plane back from Italy, I brainstormed doz- ens of things I could do while in quarantine. 14  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 I wanted to read so many books, finally start doing daily yoga, learn to actually cook some- thing besides pasta, start journaling every day, research future graduate school pro- grams and finally finish a game of Monopoly … the list went on and on. In reality, aside from catching up on some much-needed sleep (I’m talking 10-12 hours a night), my days are generally unproductive, monoto- nous and tinged with sadness for what was, but no longer is. Each day I convince myself that tomorrow will be the day I finally do something productive (spoiler alert: it never is). Most days, the most interesting thing I do is go for a long drive. Thankfully, I have been able to use my beloved car, “Percy,” an aging light green 2007 Prius with a barely functioning sound system. If I wasn’t able to escape the house and go on drives these past two weeks, I think I actually would have actually lost my mind. 11:30 a.m. I hear my phone buzz and I see a text from Molly saying that she talked with her parents and decided to fly home to San Diego tonight, instead of Thursday like originally planned. Given the rumors of domestic travel restrictions, this makes total sense, but the thought of Molly leaving is overwhelming. Since the beginning, she and I were in this together. 1 p.m. I sit on an unmade bed watching Molly hastily pack up all of her things in the room she and I have been sharing for the past two weeks. With her half of the unworn clothes, dirty socks and random moisturizer bottles packed up, the room looks bleak. A selfie from quarantine 4 p.m. I realize just in time that today is my first day of online classes. I scramble to fig- ure out how Microsoft Teams works, and once I figure it out, the system crashes from overuse. Take two. After five minutes, I real- ize how rusty my Italian is. I’m frustrated because I haven’t been able to practice Italian consistently since I got back to the U.S. The reason I chose the program in Bologna was for the intensive immersion experience of living in an Italian-speaking city with Italian roommates and being directly enrolled in classes at the Università di Bologna with other Italian students. In Baltimore, no one speaks Italian fluently, and Duolingo just doesn’t cut it. However, considering that there was a possibility at one point that I wouldn’t be able to con- tinue classes or receive any credit for the semester, I’m grateful for every class I’m able to be enrolled in, regardless of the subject matter. 7 p.m. I finish eating dinner. It wasn’t any- thing fancy, just some pasta and vegetables. I obviously drank a Corona beer for the meme. After eating, I sit in my usual spot on the couch to try to read a book I’ve been ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS / OLEKSANDR SIEDOV meaning to get to for months. I turn on my Spotify playlist as background music and “Rollercoaster” by the Jonas Brothers comes on. I get sad all over again because three weeks ago, before all of this started, I was at the Jonas Brothers concert in Paris with my roommate and best friend from college, Megan. We had that trip planned since last October. She and I spent the day exploring Paris and ended the trip with the concert. It was a perfect day, and we had no idea it would be the last fun trip of our time abroad. 9 p.m. I decide to FaceTime Megan. She is also in quarantine, but in her hometown in South Carolina, after being sent back from studying abroad in London. She and I rem- inisce about how amazing that weekend in Paris was and how bizarre it is that things have changed so quickly. Megan and I talk about meeting up once we’re both out of quarantine but are hesitant to solidify any plans or book any travel given how rapidly the situation is evolving. 10 p.m. Every night Molly and I would watch a movie because, according to the internet, it is very important to have a routine when in quarantine. Our most recent movie was “World War Z” (a cin- ematic “masterpiece”), which honestly felt a bit more uplifting than our current situation (thanks, Brad Pitt). Tonight I didn’t feel like watching a movie by myself, so I re-watched an episode of “Baby,” an Italian drama, to keep up with my Italian. 12 a.m. I retreat to my bed. With not much else to do, I end the day how I started it, scrolling through my phone. I start to get overwhelmed by the constant COVID-19 reporting on Facebook, so I switch to TikTok. 2 a.m. I’m on TikTok so long that I get a noti- fication from the app asking if I wanted to take a water break. At this point I realize it’s 2 a.m. and TikTok will still be there tomorrow. I turn my phone off and call it a night. Thankfully my quarantine is essen- tially over. But, as I’m coming out of quarantine, the rest of the world is starting to implement intense social dis- tancing. I was so excited to celebrate my quarantine ending by sitting down at a Starbucks like I normally do. Sadly, that is no longer an option. This experience has reinforced to me how crucial it is that we all quickly implement social distancing procedures to protect not just ourselves, but those around us who are more vulnerable. I may feel young, invincible and desperate to go back to living a normal life, but we all need to be mindful of the safety and wellbeing of the greater community. I’ll see you in a few weeks’ time.  n WashingtonFAMILY.com  15 IDS OUT TO T K E K HE TA BY JENNIFER MARINO WALTERS HERE’S THE SCOOP ON BRINGING YOUR FAMILY TO ROOT, ROOT, ROOT FOR DC-AREA HOME TEAMS B aseball season is here, and what an exciting time it is to be a local baseball fan. The Washington Nationals are the reigning World Series champions, and their Class A Advanced affiliate—formerly the Potomac Nationals—will play at a brand new state-of-the-art stadium in Fredericksburg, Virginia, as the Fredericksburg Nationals. If the thought of attending a baseball game with little ones seems overwhelming (not to mention pricey), have no fear. Baseball stadiums across the area offer plenty of kids’ ticket deals and family-friendly amenities to make enjoying a day at the ballpark easy for families—and they all allow strollers inside. Here is a breakdown of what the Nationals and their two minor-league affiliates—as well as the nearby Baltimore Orioles—offer for children. WASHINGTON NATIONALS NATIONALS PARK 1500 S Capitol St. SE Washington, DC 20003 Tickets: mlb.com/nationals/tickets; Ages 2 and under don’t need a ticket. Kids’ Ticket Deals: Jr. Nationals MVP members earn a free ticket after attending three Saturday or Sunday games. Kids Club: A free rookie membership in the Jr. Nats Kids Club for kids 12 and under includes a lanyard, meet-and-greet opportunities and special offers. For $20, kids can become MVP members and get loads of free souvenirs, a free welcome or birthday message on the big screen, opportunities to view batting practice and participate in pregame ceremonies, concession and team store coupons and more. Kids Run the Bases: After select Sunday home games; ages 4-12 Fun for Kids: The PenFed Kids Fun Zone includes a jungle gym for kids ages 3-8 and other activities for young fans. Nursing Space: Nationals Park has a spacious air-conditioned nursing lounge with comfortable chairs, diaper-changing stations, electrical outlets, televisions and a toddler play area. 16  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 BALL & BATTERS: GETTY IMAGES/VETTA/CSA IMAGES FREDERICKSBURG NATIONALS NATIONALS‘ CLASS A ADVANCED AFFILIATE (FORMERLY THE POTOMAC NATIONALS) FREDERICKSBURG STADIUM 42 Jackie Robinson Way Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Tickets: milb.com/fredericksburg/tickets; Ages 2 and under don’t need a ticket. Kids Club: For $15, kids 12 and under can join the FredNats Kids Club and receive a free standing-room ticket to every Sunday game (with an option to upgrade to a seat), a t-shirt and lanyard, invitations to special events, opportunities to participate in in-game experiences, a team store discount and more. Kids Run the Bases: After every Sunday home game; ages 12 and under Fun for Kids: The stadium has a playground for kids. Nursing Space: None HAGERSTOWN SUNS NATIONALS’ CLASS A AFFILIATE PLAYER: GETTY IMAGES/E+/PEEPO; TICKETS: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/CMANNPHOTO; BOYS: PHOTOOBJECTS.NET/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/ JUPITERIMAGES MUNICIPAL STADIUM 274 E Memorial Blvd. Hagerstown, MD 21740 Tickets: milb.com/hagerstown/tickets/ single-game-tickets; Ages 2 and under don’t need a ticket. Kids Club: A free kids club membership includes access to on-field games and activities and a special post-game activity each month. For $20, kids can become Kids Club VIKs, which includes free general admission tickets to all 10 Sunday home games. Kids Run the Bases: After every Sunday home game and select other games Fun for Kids: The stadium has a bounce house and speed pitch for younger kids. Nursing Space: None BALTIMORE ORIOLES ORIOLE PARK AT CAMDEN YARDS 333 W Camden St. Baltimore, MD 21201 Tickets: mlb.com/orioles/tickets; Ages 2 and under don’t need a ticket. Kids’ Ticket Deals: Kids 9 and under can attend home games (excluding Opening Day) for free through the Kids Cheer Free program. For each regularly-priced Upper Deck ticket purchased, adults can add up to two additional free kids’ tickets. Join a Kids Club RECEIVE DEALS ON TICKETS, INVITATIONS TO SPECIAL EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN IN-GAME EXPERIENCES AND MUCH MORE. Kids Club: For $30, Kids 14 and under can join Kids Cheer Free Plus and receive four free lower-level tickets to a game, a limited-edition cap and lanyard and more. Kids Run the Bases: After every Sunday home game; ages 4-14 Fun for Kids: The Kids’ Corner features an interactive treehouse activity center and jungle gym, a moon bounce, skee- ball, a throwing inflatable and kid-friendly concessions. Adults can buy alcoholic beverages and watch the game on TV while their kids play. Nursing Space: The stadium offers private air-conditioned nursing rooms. WashingtonFAMILY.com  17 coupon, invitations to special events and more. FREDERICK KEYS ORIOLES’ CLASS A ADVANCED AFFILIATE HARRY GROVE STADIUM 21 Stadium Drive Frederick, MD 21703 Tickets: milb.com/frederick/ tickets/single-game-tickets; Ages 2 and under don’t need a ticket. Kids’ Ticket Deals: Athletes 12 and under in uniform will be admitted free to any Sunday through Thursday regular-season home game with the purchase of a regularly priced adult ticket at the box office on game day. ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS: MOONBOUNCE: SINENKIY; FACEPAINTING: WAVEBREAKMEDIA; STITCHING: OLEKSANDR HRUTS Kids Club: The free Junior Keys Kids Club for kids 12 and under incudes free tickets to a regular-season home game, a free hot dog, a team store WANT MORE BASEBALL? Check out the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League (pointstreaksites.com/view/calripkenleague), a wooden-bat summer league for college players with six teams in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. The 40-game regular season, plus a League Championship Series, offers plenty of opportunities to cheer for the major league stars of tomorrow. Stadium Activites for Kids CAROUSELS • MOON BOUNCES SPEED PITCHING • INFLATABLE BATTING STATIONS JUNGLE GYMS • FACE PAINTING • SKEE-BALL KID-FRIENDLY CONCESSIONS 18  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 Kids Run the Bases: After every home game; ages 12 and under Fun for Kids: At the Giant Eagle Fun Zone, kids can play games and win prizes, bounce on inflatables and ride a carousel for a fee. Nursing Space: None  ■ Jennifer Marino Walters is a freelance writer specializing in parenting and lifestyle topics. She is also the author of 12 books for children, with two more on the way. Jennifer lives in Burke, Virginia with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing, she loves to explore the D.C. area with her family! Cutting Costs FOR OUR LITTLE COMPETITORS BY JESSICA GREGG | PHOTO BY DAVID STUCK ports are expensive. Over the course of their childhoods, my two kids participated in soccer, ice hockey, snowboarding, baseball and cheerleading. My youngest is a real jock who currently takes two gym classes (living his dream) and has a weekend job coaching. And he’s growing. Like all the time. So naturally it feels like there is something to buy all the time as well. When we lived in Montana, I discovered Play It Again Sports which kept my family from going bankrupt or stir crazy during the nearly eight months of winter sports. A nationwide retailer, Play It Again has locations in Ellicott City, Maryland, and another in Leesburg, Virginia. When we asked parents on social media where they bought used sports equipment, Play It Again came up again and again. Parents can shop for used items in good condition, such as ice skates and hockey pants (or what we called “breezers” out west) without investing too much money for a pastime their kid may give up next year. And if their child does put down his or her hockey stick, parents can trade it in at Play It Again for a tennis racket or other items. playitagainsports.com   ■ ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/RASHADASHUROV WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE? Ski swaps were another big thing out west and often take place within any ski community, again, because of the high cost of equipment. You can find DC Ski Swap on Facebook. In Northern Virginia, NOVA Hockey Swap on Facebook is a Buy and Sell group specifically for hockey gear like skates, sticks, gloves and blockers. You can also check out Facebook Marketplace for families in your area selling lacrosse sticks, baseball gloves and more. There is also TotSwap in Maryland, one mom reminded us. TotSwap hosts sale weekends each spring in Gaithersburg, Frederick, Timonium and Howard County. The Gaithersburg sale runs June 24-28 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. totswap.net   ■ WashingtonFAMILY.com  19 By WF Staff Hey, sports parents, we want your photos! Got a lacrosse star? A bigtime base runner? A cheerleader? A karate champ? We want to see them all! Throughout April, we will be sharing sports photos on our website and social media. Send one picture per child to editor@washingtonfamily. com, and be sure to include your child’s first name, age and the city and state where you live. ASA, 5, from Potomac, MD, takes a turn at bat last spring during T-ball season. MYLES, 10, from Kensington, MD, crushes it in orange as a member of Bethesda Lacrosse. LEVI, 8, from Potomac, MD, breaks a board at his karate belt test. 20  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 CARTER, 6, from Falls Church, VA, loves playing flag football. GABRIELLE, 7, from Kensington, MD, chases the soccer ball down the field. FELICITY, 18, coxswain for the men’s 1st varsity boat at TC Williams High School in Alexandria, VA, at the Head of the Potomac Regatta in Georgetown last September. WashingtonFAMILY.com  21 Art © Mo Willems NSO Family Concert Performance for Young Audiences Theater for Young Audiences Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs Pokon: An unstoppable game of growth The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus The legal line “Art © Mo Willems” must always accompany the above graphic / logo, in at least 5pt type, but no larger than 15pt type where indicated. In either the font Gotham Book, or Avenir Regular. When resizing the graphic, the size of the © line will need to be adjusted. PLEASE CROP OUT ALL OF THIS INFORMATION IN MAGENTA BEFORE USING THE GRAPHIC. a Symphonic Spectacular Apr. 24–26 | Family Theater Apr. 30–May 2 | Family Theater Apr. 19 | Concert Hall Three performers storm the stage whirling, twirling, hiccupping, tumbling, and singing. Dutch dance company De Dansers presents this mesmerizing performance for children and grown-ups who can’t keep still. The desert will come to life in surprising new ways when Sheila meets wild animals who share their story. This one-woman show returns after being workshopped at the Kennedy Center’s New Visions/ New Voices festival in 2018. Age 5+ Age 7+ Don’t miss this new classic performed by favorite performers and the NSO, featuring featuring book and lyrics by Mo Willems and original music composed by indie pop icon and NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds. Age 5+ Limited availability! Major Supporters: David M. Rubenstein and the U.S. Department of Education Additional Supporters: The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation 22  WashingtonFAMILY  APRIL 2020 2 0 2 0 SUMMER @ HARMONIA SPECIAL O WHE FFER MENTIO N N YOU ADVERTISE THIS MENT! CAMPS FOR AGES 4-14 SUMMER MAIN STAGE 1 & 2 Week Sessions Sibling & Multi-Session Discounts Full & Half Days THEATER ACTING MUSIC ART Cast Placement Auditions May 29th & June 9th Rehearsals July 13-24th | Performances July 24th & 25th MUSIC LESSONS Year Flexible Round Summer Registration! Schedules! Private & Group Lessons | Nurturing & Experienced Teachers Traditional & Suzuki Methods | Recitals & Competitions 703.938.7301 | WWW.HARMONIASCHOOL.ORG | VIENNA, VA THE WORLD’S LARGEST PROVIDER OF CHILDREN’S SWIMMING INSTRUCTION Dynamic sales professional needed to join our growing media company! ® Mid-Atlantic Media (MAM), publisher of Baltimore Jewish Times, Baltimore’s Child, Baltimore Style and Consumer’s Eye among others, is seeking a new business development advertising sales professional to join our team of revenue hunters. GIVE THE GIFT THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME! Teach a child to swim at KIDS FIRST Swim Schools! Responsibilities and Duties Primary objective will be to acquire new advertising customers for our publication’s print and digital platforms. Secondarily, the advertising sales professional will be expected to manage an active book of advertising customers to reach established budgets. The advertising sales professional will have the opportunity to cross sell into MAM’s other publishing titles, including Washington Jewish Week, Frederick’s Child, Montgomery Magazine, Washington Family and Home Services Magazine. Qualifications and Skills • Motivated to make money • Competitive • Excellent communication • High energy • Works well under pressure • Technical competencies including typing and familiarity with Outlook, Excel and CRM’s • Minimum two (2) years experience in advertising sales • Strong understanding of digital media • Familiar with building customer relationships and cross selling techniques Please send cover letter and resume to hr@midatlanticmedia.com. No phone calls. Vi sit ou r face bo ok page fo r a lis t of ou r loc at ion s We Offer: • Group or Private instruction • Mommy & Me Classes • Developmental Swim Team • Homeschoolers Programs • Birthday Parties M A R Y L A N D $10 OFF NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY TO RECEIVE DISCOUNT PRESENT COUPON AT REGISTRATION. www.kidsfi rstswimschools.com facebook.com/kidsfi rstswimschools Bowie: 301-262-SWIM Columbia: 443-755-0111 Germantown: 301-540-SWIM Laurel: 301-725-SWIM North Bethesda: 301-984-SWIM Rockville: 301-217-5910 Waldorf: 301-638-SWIM V I R G I N I A Chantilly: 703-488-9800 Falls Church: 703-534-SWIM Manassas: 703-392-SWIM Midlothian: 804-744-6513 Springfi eld: 703-321-SWIM Sterling: 703-444-9673 WashingtonFAMILY.com  23 sun tue mon when your child wants wear THE SAME CLOTHES EVERY DAY BY GINA GALLUCCI-WHITE Some kids have an outfit or two that they just feel good wearing.­ y 9-year-old daughter usu- ally gets dressed for school about 10 minutes before we have to leave the house. Sometimes she leaves herself even less time to get ready. Luckily, getting dressed requires lit- tle effort on her part. My daughter has a few favorites she’ll wear once or twice a week, including her “Art is my favorite sport” and “Waiting on my Hogwarts let- ter” T-shirts. As soon as I put them away in her closet after doing laundry, she takes them back out again. So my daughter was confused when her best friend recently asked her why she wears the same clothes all the time. Repeating outfits never mattered to her— or to me. But should it? “I would think the general rule of thumb is that if it is not harming the child then we should let it go,” says Brian Corrado, PsyD, co-owner of The Bethesda Group in Bethesda, Maryland. A child might wear the same items of clothing multiple times a week—or even every day—because they are trying to understand who they are. “That article of clothing is in some ways part of their identity,” says Corrado, explaining that some kids have an outfit or two that they just feel good wearing. While teens and tweens like my daughter may seem unfazed by their wardrobe choices, parents might bris- tle at seeing their child wear the same items over and over again. They may be concerned that other parents will think they don’t buy their kids new clothes or feel frustrated that they wasted money on t-shirts, pants and shorts that were never worn. Corrado encourages parents to ask their children directly why they like to wear the same items over and over. If they are concerned that repeating outfits might mean something more, they should look at the child’s behavior for a pattern of inflexibility beyond getting dressed that affects their functioning. If there isn’t one, “parents are probably better off just ensuring the child’s clothes are clean,” says Corrado. That said, parents may want to draw the line if the family is attending an event with a dress code, such as a wedding or holiday party. “This is normative and important to conform to some kind of societal expec- tations and family expectations,” he says. When meeting with his clients, Dr. Daniel G. Shapiro, a developmental- behavioral pediatrician in Rockville, Maryland, doesn’t spend a lot of time GIRL: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/LIGHTFIELDSTUDIOS; BOY: GETTY IMAGES/E+/JALLFREE 24  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 thu sat wed focusing on a child’s wardrobe preferences. “If a parent comes to me and says, ‘My kid dresses the same way. How worried should I be?’ I don’t ask a whole lot of questions about their clothing choices,” explains Shapiro, creator of Parent Child Journey, a parent training and support program. “The bigger issue for me is: Do they have the friendships that they want to have? How do they feel about them- selves? Is the clothing issue part of a larger package or not?” Shapiro often works with children on the autism spectrum, and while dress- ing in the same clothing every day can be a sign of the disorder, there are other indicators as well. However, in typi- cally developing kids, wearing the same clothing repeatedly is fine, he says. After my daughter told me what her best friend said to her, I reminded her that it doesn’t matter what a person wears—it matters how they treat others. She agreed but I knew it still bothered her. Soon after, there was a sale at a depart- ment store. My daughter and I looked through their online selection together and she picked out a few new outfits. After wearing them a handful of times, she grav- itated back to her old favorites, and quite frankly, I am OK with that. They’re always clean when she wears them, and they really do represent her. That friend hasn’t brought up my daughter’s t-shirt choices again but recently started asking why she wears the same jacket all the time. (Who knew you needed multiple jackets now?) Thankfully, my daughter doesn’t seem as bothered by the comments this time. She likes herself, and that is what truly matters.  ■ fri tips from parents WHO’VE BEEN THERE “If we’re going out to a nice dinner or it’s freezing, I start the conversation early with my 8-year-old son, and we discuss options. He’s generally compliant. I also allow him to change out of said ‘uncomfortable’ clothes immediately.” “I buy multiples of the same thing and do laundry frequently.” —DEBRAH, POTOMAC, MD —JENNI, BETHESDA, MD “My daughter is 14 now and wears soccer clothes 24/7. I tried fighting it but then realized I have a great kid. She is kind, a great student, loves to help others and just an awesome human being. I had to let go of my own opinions.” —JULIE, HAYMARKET, VA “My kindergarten son refused to wear anything with buttons for an entire winter. Finally I asked him to think of the top three reasons why he hated buttons so much. Once he was put on the spot to pinpoint exactly why he hated buttons, he began to realize how silly it would be to spend his whole life hating buttons.” —MARISA, WASHINGTON, DC “My 3-year-old is into unicorns and has one dress that she wants to wear every day. If it’s not stained, I’ll put it in the dryer for a few minutes to freshen it so she can wear it the next day, but if it’s visibly filthy, I’ve had some luck showing her the stains and explaining that she’ll get to wear it again when I can wash it.” —SIMONE, WASHINGTON, DC “I let them wear what they want (leggings and sweatpants), and we all move on with our lives. #aintnobodygottimeforthat” —KAREN, WASHINGTON, DC WashingtonFAMILY.com  25 CAMP DIRECTORY CAMP ACCOMPLISH Ages: 5-18 melwood.org/recreation- programs/camp recreationcenter@melwood.org 301-870-3226 9035 Ironsides Road Nanjemoy, MD Categories: Day Camp, Residential Camp, Boys & Girls, Teens, Sibling Discount, Transportation, Arts and Crafts, Cooking, Drama/Theatre, Educational Activities, Field Trips, Horseback Riding, Music, Overnight Camping, Special Needs, Sports, Swimming, Yoga 2020 Summer Camp Directory W ith each new milestone that our children reach comes the need for information to guide them (and us) through this stage. This is particularly true when our children are old enough to attend summer camp. How do we know which camp is right for them? In an education-centered community like ours, there can be a lot of options—where do we even get started? Right here, actually, with these listings. Read about these camps, what they offer and the ages they serve. Then visit their websites to learn more. On our website, WashingtonFamily.com, you can find even more listings to help you in your search. Be sure to check back on our website and in our magazine in upcoming months for more stories and helpful tips. Good luck! Here’s to a great summer. CAMP RIVER’S BEND Ages: 6-15 campriversbend.org 804-314-6656 Cowpasture River Highway Millboro Springs, VA Categories: Residential, Teens, Horseback Riding, Boating, Arts and Crafts, Sports, Hiking, Overnight Camping, CIT Program DAY CAMPS WASHINGTON, D.C. CAMP HALF-BLOOD, DC Ages: 7-14 camphalfbloodbklyn.com info@plato-learning.com Rock Creek Park, Picnic Area 13 Washington, DC Categories: Day Camp, Sports, Drama/Theater, Educational Activities Theatre, Music ID TECH Ages: 7-19 iDTech.com 888-709-8324 150 Prestigious Campus Locations iD Tech is the world leader in STEM education, with 450,000 alumni and over 20 years of experience. Students build in- demand skills for futures in coding, game development, robotics, and creative arts. THE THEATRE LAB Ages: 1st-8th grade theatrelab.org/camp contact@theatrelab.org 202-824-0449 733 8th St. NW Washington, DC Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Teens, Extended Day, Drama/Theatre 26  WashingtonFAMILY  APRIL 2020 DAY CAMPS MARYLAND BARRIE CAMP Ages: 4-14 barrie.org/camp camp@barrie.org 301-576-2818 13500 Layhill Road Silver Spring, MD Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Transportation, Arts and Crafts, Boating, CIT Program, Computers Cooking, Dance, Drama/Theatre, Educational Activities, Field Trips, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Martial Arts, Swimming BETHESDA BIG TRAIN BASEBALL SUMMER CAMP Ages: 5-12 bigtrain.org/summercamp davids@bigtrain.org 301-365-1076 10600 Westlake Drive Bethesda, MD Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Extended Day, Sports CAMP ACCOMPLISH Ages: 5-18 melwood.org/recreation- programs/camp recreationcenter@melwood.org 301-870-3226 9035 Ironsides Road Nanjemoy, MD Categories: Day Camp, Residential Camp, Boys & Girls, Teens, Sibling Discount, Transportation, Arts and Crafts, Cooking, Drama/Theatre, Educational Activities, Field Trips, Horseback Riding, Music, Overnight Camping, Special Needs, Sports, Swimming, Yoga COMMOTION DANCE DAY CAMPS Ages: 3-6, 5-14 commotiondance.com info@commotiondance.com 301-515-8908 13097 Wisteria Drive Germantown, MD Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Teens, Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Arts and Crafts, CIT Program, Dance, Drama/Theatre PHOTO AND ART COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES OVERNIGHT CAMPS Congressional Camp CAMPERS AGES 4-14 JUNE 15 TH TO AUGUST 28 TH 40 ACRE CAMPUS SWIMMING, HORSEBACK RIDING, ARCHERY AND MORE... FALLS CHURCH, VA LUNCH AND SNACKS PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE A DIVISION OF www.congocamp.org CAMP DIRECTORY FLYING KICK SUMMER CAMP Ages: 4-16 flyingkicktkd.com mail@flyingkicktkd.com 301-951-0543 6050 Wisconsin Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 4711 Chase Ave. Bethesda, MD Our Summer Camp is a fun and safe way for children to learn Tae Kwon Do and spend their time in a productive atmosphere. Our campers will have a great time! We offer Tae Kwon Do every day! We will have fun tournaments, dodgeball, board games, swimming, team sports, playground time, arts & crafts, weekly field trip to Shadowland and other fun activities. GLEN ECHO PARK AQUARIUM Ages: 4-7, 8-12 gepaquarium.org info@gepaquarium.org 301-955-6256 7300 MacArthur Blvd. KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS Ages: 2 months-adults kidsfirstswimschools.com ID TECH contact@kidsfirstswimschools.com Ages: 7-19 Check our website for a list of all iDTech.com 35 locations. 888-709-8324 Categories: Educational Activities, 150 Prestigious Campus Locations Sports, Swimming iD Tech is the world leader in STEM education, with 450,000 MATER AMORIS alumni and over 20 years of SUMMER PROGRAM experience. Students build in- Ages: 3-12 demand skills for futures in coding, materamoris.com/ game development, robotics, and summerprogram creative arts. office@materamoris.com Glen Echo, MD Categories: Arts, Educational Activities, Hiking INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC Ages: 3-12 ismw.org info@ismw.org 301-365-5888 11325 Seven Locks Road, Suite 255, Potomac, MD 301-320-4400 4701 Sangamore Road, Suite LL-03, Bethesda, MD Categories: Drama, Music (301) 774-7468 18501 Mink Hollow Road Highland, Maryland Categories: Day Camp MID-ATLANTIC SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE/MASDI Ages: 9 and up commotiondance.com info@commotiondance.com 301-515-8908 13097 Wisteria Drive Germantown, MD Categories: Residential Camp, Boys & Girls, Teens, Sibling Discount, Dance SPRING BILINGUAL MONTESSORI SUMMER CAMP Ages: 2.5-6 spring-bilingual.org info@spring-bilingual.org 301-962-7262 3514 Plyers Mill Road Kensington, MD Categories: Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Arts, Educational Activities SUMMER AT SANDY SPRING Ages: 3-Grade 12 SASS.Camp@ssfs.org 301-774-7455 x167 16923 Norwood Road Sandy Spring, MD Categories: Traditional Day, Day Camp, Coed, Swimming Daily, Custom Schedule Extraordinary Environment for Learning School Extraordinary Environment for Learning Camp Now Enrolling for Fall 2020! Summer Program • Discover Montessori: 12 mos - Grade 5 • Project-Based Learning: Grades 6-12 Admission Open House Saturday, Apr. 25 | 10 to 11:30 am admission@barrie.org • 301.576.2800 g Join us in 2020 for a summer of June 15 to Aug 14 Ages 4-14 Children ages 3-12 years old ✦ 13-acre Barrie Camp Open House Sundays, Apr. 19 & May 17 | 1 to 3 pm camp@barrie.org • 301.576.2818 13500 Layhill Rd. , Silver Spring, MD Minutes from ICC & Glenmont Metro Bus Transportation and Extended Day Available 28  WashingtonFAMILY  APRIL 2020 barrie.org country campus ✦ Outdoor fun ✦ Weekly themes For additional information, 301-774-7468 email: office@materamoris.com Ashton, Maryland Serving Montgomery, Howard, & Prince George’s Counties CAMP DIRECTORY KALI9 / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS TEENS TO GO SUMMER CAMP Ages: 8-16 TeensToGo.org manish@teenstogo.org 301-540-4356 14 Flints Grove Drive North Potomac, MD Director: Manish Shah Enjoy a fun, exciting, adventure, EVERY DAY! Multi-day excursions, Theme Parks, Water Parks, and many more great trips. Now in our 33rd year! VALLEY MILL CAMP INC. Ages: 4-14 valleymill.com valleymill@valleymill.com 301-948-0220 15101 Seneca Road Darnestown, MD Category: Day Camp, Teens, Extended Day, Transportation, Arts, Boating, CIT Program, Drama, Educational Activities, Field Trips, Gymnastics, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Sports, Sports Extreme, Swimming THE #1 WHITMAN SUMMER CAMP Ages: 5-14 whitmansummercamp.com whitmansummercamp@gmail.com 301-820-8008 14131 Seneca Road Darnestown, MD Categories: Day Camp, Teens, Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Transportation, Arts and Crafts, CIT Program, Cooking, Dance, Drama/Theatre, Educational Activities, Field Trips, Sports, Travel, Yoga TECH CAMP FOR AGES 7-19 Coding. Game dev. Robotics. Digital arts. This isn’t just a camp. It’s an experience unlike any other. Here, you push past the boundaries of school, finding your squad and bonding over the latest tech. Led by expert instructors, you will build the skills needed to forge a brilliant future. HELD AT 150+ ELITE CAMPUSES INCLUDING: Georgetown | American | Marymount University | UMD Johns Hopkins University - Rockville | Caltech | NYU | Carnegie Mellon Request your brochure today! iDTechCamps.com | 1-888-709-8324 WashingtonFAMILY.com  29 CAMP DIRECTORY ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO – STAGE DOOR & TECH CAMP Ages: 11-15 encorestage.org info@encorestage.org 703-548-1154 Kenmore Middle School 200 S. Carlin Springs Road Arlington, VA Categories: Day Camp, Teens, Extended Day, Dance, Drama/ Theatre HARMONIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ART Ages: 4-18 harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org 703-938-7301 204-F Mill St. NE , Vienna, VA Categories: Teens, Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Arts, Drama, Music DAY CAMPS VIRGINIA PEOPLEIMAGES / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS ART CAMP AT THE ART LEAGUE Ages: 5-teen theartleague.org/classes school@theartleague.org 703-683-2323 305 Madison St. Alexandria, VA Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Teens, Arts and Crafts, Boating, Educational Activities, Photography BASIS INDEPENDENT SUMMER Ages: 2-18 Affiliation: BASIS Independent McLean basisindependent.com/summer mclean-summer@ basisindependent.com 703-854-1253 8000 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Teens, Arts and Crafts, Dance, Drama/Theatre, Educational Activities, Field Trips, Music BROOKSFIELD SUMMER CAMP Ages: 3-10 brooksfieldschool.org camp@brooksfieldschool.org 703-356-5437 ext. 2 1830 Kirby Road McLean, VA Categories: Extended Day, Arts, CIT, Cooking, Dance, Educational Activities, Field Trips, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Music, Sports, Swimming, Yoga CAMP GRIFFIN AT WESTMINSTER SCHOOL Ages: 3-14 westminsterschool.com campgriffin@westminster- school.com 703-340-7268 Westminster School 3819 Gallows Road Annandale, VA Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Arts and Crafts, Cooking, Dance, Field Trips, Music, Sports, Swimming, Travel CAMP KAY AT KAY SCHOOL Ages: 2.5-12 kayschool.org info@kayschool.org 703-264-9078 3005 Dower House Road Herndon, VA Categories: Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Transportation, Arts, CIT Program, Cooking, Dance, Drama, Educational Activities, Field Trips, Hiking, Music, Sports, Extreme Sports, Swimming, Travel, Yoga 30  WashingtonFAMILY  APRIL 2020 CONNECT CAMP Grades: current K-8th grade connectcamps.com/Annandale CapitalKids@capitalbaptist.org 703-560-3109 x118 3504 Gallows Road Annandale, VA Categories: Science Lab, Archery, Basketball, Soccer, Flag Football, Girls Club, Man Cave, Painting, Crafts, Tumble, Great Outdoors Date: July 27-31, 2020 Discount: 10% off with code MM10 for first 50 registrations ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO – IT’S ELEMENTARY Ages: 4-9  encorestage.org  info@encorestage.org 703-548-1154 Swanson Middle School 5800 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Extended Day, Drama/ Theatre ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO – SCENES FOR TWEENS Ages: 8-12 encorestage.org info@encorestage.org 703-548-1154 Encore’s Main Campus 4000 Lorcom Lane Arlington, VA Categories: Day Camp, Extended Day, Dance, Drama/Theatre ID TECH Ages: 7-19 iDTech.com 888-709-8324 150 Prestigious Campus Locations iD Tech is the world leader in STEM education, with 450,000 alumni and over 20 years of experience. Students build in- demand skills for futures in coding, game development, robotics, and creative arts. KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS Ages: 2 months-adults kidsfirstswimschools.com contact@kidsfirstswimschools.com Check our website for a list of all 35 locations. Categories: Educational Activities, Sports, Swimming PINECREST PAVILION – PINECREST SCHOOL Ages: 4-12 pinecrestschool.org camp@pinecrestschool.org 703-354-3446 7209 Quiet Cove Annandale, VA Categories: Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Arts, Computers, Cooking, Drama, Educational Activities, Field Trips At Camp River’s Bend, campers spend the summer living in a community dedicated to character development and living by timeless values such as gratitude, humility, sportsmanship, resilience, and teamwork. These values are not only taught by our talented counselor staff but modeled at all times. Through developing relationships based on these core values, campers create strong bonds and grow immeasurably as they gain confidence in their ability to solve problems and overcome obstacles in many exciting activities. Ages: 6-15 years old Camper:Counselor Ratio: 4:1 Camp Sessions: 6 weeks • June 20th – August 1st • $6000 3 weeks • June 20th – July 11th • $3300 3 weeks • July 12th – August 1st • $3300 1 week • August 2nd – August 8th • $1300 PO Box 210 Manakin Sabot, VA 23103 804-314-6656 www.campriversbend.org CAmp hAlf-Blood DC Calling all Demigods They’re baaackkk! Despite valiant efforts to contain the forces of chaos at Rock Creek Park last summer, monster sightings continue unabated. There’s only one cure for more monsters. MORE DEMIGODS! Brave children of the DMV, we need your help to battle these forces. We hope you join us this summer at Camp Half-Blood to train as heroes and quest for answers because we can’t do it without you. CUPPETT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SUMMER CAMPS PRINCESS CAMP Five weekly camps July 6 to Aug. 8, 2020 CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS CAMP Variety of camps for all ages July 6 to Aug. 8, 2020 Question. Are you brAve enough? INTENSIVE BALLET PROGRAM Summer 2020 $450 per week* | You choose your weeks! Camp Hours 9:00am - 4:00pm WAshington DC: Rock Creek Park, Picnic Area 13 June 29th - July 24th For more information: www.camphalfbloodbklyn.com, info@plato-learning.com, (929) 397-9393 AND DAILY CLASSES IN BALLET Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Acro and Musical Theatre All levels of dance, ages 3-93! July 6 to Aug. 8, 2020 REGISTRATION STARTS MARCH 18, 2020 OFF your registration fee! * Present this ad to receive $ 15 *NEW FAMILIES ONLY 135 Park St., S.E., Vienna, VA 22180 | (703) 938-9019 CuppettPAC.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  31 CAMP DIRECTORY Ages 4-14 Valley Mill Day Camp Open House Dates @ www.valleymill.com Spring & Summer Transportation Provided PRINCESS DANCE CAMP Ages 3-6 Affiliation: Cuppett Performing Arts Center CuppettPAC.com CuppettPACdance@gmail.com 703-938-9019 135 Park St. SE Vienna, VA Categories: Day Camp, Girls only, Sibling Discount, Arts and Crafts, Dance, Drama/Theatre, Music. RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ages: 3-9 restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com 703-481-2922 1928 Isaac Newton Square W Reston, VA Categories: Extended Day, Arts, Field Trips THE ST. JAMES SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS Ages: 3-15 camps@thestjames.com 703-239-6870 6805 Industrial Road Springfield, VA Categories: Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Teens, Sibling Discount, Extended Day, Transportation, Dance, Gymnastics, Sports, Swimming, Yoga SUMMER DANCE CAMP/ INTENSIVE AT THE CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS Ages: 3-adult thecenterforballetarts.com ctrbalarts@aol.com 703-273-5344 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA Categories: Teens, Sibling Discount, Arts, Dance, Drama TINY DANCERS Ages: 3-8 tinydancers.com Alexandria: 703-729-0900 Fairfax: 703-385-5580 Mosaic: 703-280-5000 Categories: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Wiggletoes  ■ Your Needs. Our Strategy. MANY of the most respected names in town rely on us to produce creative, results-driven content solutions for their brands. Whether you’re looking to design a custom publication, refresh your website or find other innovative and affordable ways to engage your audience, make us your go-to marketing gurus. Let’s make something great together Please contact Jeni Mann, Director of Custom Media, for more information. 410.902.2302 / jmann@midatlanticmedia.com midatlanticmedia.com We are an integrated marketing firm from the publisher of Baltimore Jewish Times, Baltimore STYLE magazine, Baltimore’s Child magazine, Consumer’s Eye magazine, Home Services magazine, Washington Family magazine and Washington Jewish Week. 32  WashingtonFAMILY  APRIL 2020 Big Train Baseball Summer Camp Ages 5-12; All Skill Levels Welcome Free Admission to Big Train Home Games Weekly Camps: Weeks of June 15 - July 20 Before and After Care Available Learn from Collegiate All-Americans & Future Pros! B e u s mm t er S v er E “My daughter had the best time and the staff are fantastic. We will be back next year ! ” - Camp Parent USE CODE “FAMAD” TO GET 10% OFF! Discount code valid for any single summer 2020 Big Train Camp session. register today at whitmansummercamp.com 14131 Seneca Road, Darnestown, MD 20878 FOLLOW US ON BALLET, HIP-HOP, JAZZ/TAP CAMP & MORE! $50 OFF FOR NEW MEMBERS @WashingtonFamilyMagazine 301-515-8908 -16 s 8 Age Ou Sum r 33rd mer What Kids Want To Do!! Join Teens To Go and enjoy a new adventure EVERYDAY! info@commotiondance.com commotiondance.com GERMANTOWN, MD @FAMILYMagDC @familymagazine Sign-up for our e-letter! washingtonfamily.com/signup @washingtonfamilymag NEW MULTI-DAY EXCUSIONS!! Cedar Point, Kings Island, Carowinds, Dollywood, Busch Gardens, WCUSA, KD • Amusement Parks • Water Parks • Zip-Line Adventures • Rafting/Tubing • Overnight Trips • Beach Trips ...& Much More! Anybody can come up with a set of trips, but our EXPERIENCE cannot be matched! WWW.TeensToGo.ORG 301.540.4356 WashingtonFAMILY.com  33 A note to our readers... We are committed to serving our readers and community during this time of uncertainty. Washington Family magazine will be available on open newsstands during the COVID-19 crisis. Find our newsstand locations at washingtonfamily.com/rack-locations/. Please note that the public library and school locations are currently closed. Join the Conversation Washington FAMILY From your home join us online! Read the Digital Edition: digital.washingtonfamily.com/issues/library/ Washingtonfamily.com WashingtonFamilyMagazine @FamilyMagDC washingtonfamilymag Sign up for our e-letter: washingtonfamily.com/e-newsletter/ Stay in Touch Reach our managing editor PJ Feinstein at 301-230-6696 or pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com To advertise call 301-230-2222, ext. 4 or email advertising@washingtonfamily.com See how far your heart can reach this year! See how far your heart can reach this year! Join a community of your neighbors to enrich and share! Volunteer with Join a community of your neighbors to enrich and share! Meals on Wheels of Volunteer with Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland. Call Emily Trotter at: 443 573-0925 Central Maryland. 0($/6 OF CENTRAL MARYLAND ™ More than a meal ^^^TLHSZVU^OLLSZTKVYN 34  WashingtonFAMILY  APRIL 2020 Call Emily Trotter at: 443-573-0925 2 019 W IN N ER EXPLORE • WONDER • GROW Washington FAMILY The Area’s Leader in STEM Education Winner for Best STEM Program for the 2nd consecutive year Please call 301-770-4370 to learn more! Now Enrolling Ages 2 to 6 Toddler Program • Before & After Care NEW Outdoor Education Classroom Montessori Kindergarten & Preschool Preschool-8th Grade Advanced Academic Curriculum Flying Kick Summer Camp www.feynmanschool.org June 29 – August 28, 2020 TM McLean, VA • 703-356-5437 • www.brooksfieldschool.org We provide a fun and safe environment where each camper can grow and achieve according to his or her ability “Happy. That’s just how I roll.” –JOSH Flying Kick Summer Camp TM Struggling to Find Great Summer Activities For Your Kids? June 29 – August 28, 2020 We provide a fun and safe environment where each camper can grow and achieve according to his or her ability Flying Kick Locations Concord Hill School 6050 Wisconsin Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Weeks of June 29 - August 7 Coming to Flying Kick Fitness SUMMER CAMP TM 4711 Chase Avenue Annandale, Va // July 27-31 Bethesda, MD 20814 Weeks of August 10 - August 28 JUNE 29 – AUGUST 28, 2020 Ages 4-16, beginners through A black WE PROVIDE FUN belts AND SAFE 8:30-3:15 pm (Aftercare available till 5:30 Extra Fee) Child Cut $13 ENVIRONMENT WHERE EACH CAMPER CAN GROW AND ACHIEVE ACCORDING LOTS OF FUN!!! TO HIS OR HER ABILITY Our Summer Camp is a fun and safe way for children to learn Tae Kwon Do and spend their time in a productive Our 4-16, campers will have a great black time! belts We offer beginners through SHAMPOO INCLUDED WITH atmosphere. Ages Tae Kwon Do every day! We will have fun tournaments, dodgeball, board games, 8:30-3:15 pm EVERY HAIRCUT swimming, team sports, playground time, arts & crafts, weekly field trip to Shadowland (Aftercare available till 5:30 Extra Fee) Valid at Wintergreen Plaza only. coupon per person. and other fun One activities. Not valid with any other offers. care and WF20-04KHC safety of each Valid The 4/1/20-4/30/20. Locations camper is our concern. staff to DAY! camper ratio is TAE utmost KWON DO Our EVERY typically 1:6. It is our goal and responsibility that your children have a safe, enjoyable, Hill School board Concord games, certified swimming, Adult Cut $18 and productive camp experience!! Our Dodgeball, camp is County/State Summer Camp. SHAMPOO www.flyingkicktkd.com INCLUDED WITH EVERY HAIRCUT Valid at Wintergreen Plaza only. One coupon per person. Not valid with any other offers. Valid 4/1/20-4/30/20. WF20-04AHC 6050 Wisconsin team sports, playground time, arts Avenue & Chevy Chase, MD 20815 crafts, weekly fi eld Weeks trip to of Shadowland mail@flyingkicktkd.com June 301-951-0543 29 - August 7 and other fun activities Flying Kick Fitness 4711 Chase Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 Weeks of August 10 - August 28 835H Rockville Pike, Rockville MD (301) 762-5554 Participating salons only. Valid through 04/30/20 Most salons independently owned and operated. ©2018 Fantastic Sams Franchise Corporation. FantasticSams.com friendships. Register Now Ages 4-16, beginners through black belts LOCATIONS 8:30-3:15 pm (Aftercare available till 5:30 Extra Fee) CONCORD HILL SCHOOL 6050 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815 LOTS OF FUN!!! Weeks of June 29 - August 7 Wintergreen Plaza Connect Camps is a Remarkable One-Week Day Camp Experience where your child can enjoy non-stop fun & activities, daily faith-based lessons, and make long lasting connectcamps.com/Annandale A SUMMER YOUR KIDS WILL NEVER FORGET Registration is live! Our Summer Camp is a fun and safe way for children to learn Tae Kwon Do and spend Our campers will have a great time! We offer Tae Kwon Do every day! We will have fun tournaments, dodgeball, board games, 4711 swimming, Chase Ave., team Bethesda, MD playground 20814 sports, time, arts & crafts, weekly field trip to Shadowland Weeks August fun 10 activities. - August 28 and of other their KICK time FITNESS in a productive atmosphere. TM FLYING 10% Discount for the fi rst 50 registrations. Use code MM10. Contact Michel Eicher for more information: meicher@capitalbaptist.org or (703) 560-3109 x118. The care and safety of each camper is our utmost concern. Our staff to camper ratio is typically 1:6. It fl is yingkicktkd.com our goal and responsibility that your children have a safe, enjoyable, 301-951-0543 and productive mail@fl camp yingkicktkd.com experience!! Our camp is County/State certified Summer Camp. www.flyingkicktkd.com mail@flyingkicktkd.com 301-951-0543 WashingtonFAMILY.com  35 Editor’s Picks FAN FAVORITES BY PJ FEINSTEIN April is the start of many youth sports leagues. But even if your child isn’t into team sports, they’ll still want to run around outside now that the weather is warming up. That means you’ll also be spending more time outdoors, whether that’s cheering from the sidelines or having a catch in the backyard. Of course, games require gear—for both the players and the spectators. We’ve rounded up seven fan favorites guaranteed to make the spring sports season more enjoyable for everyone. plus access to a free virtual coach. Pickup Sports; $45 per kit or $250 for all six. pickup- sports.co Choose your FAVORITE HANDBAG design, avail- able in gray and natural, then add a shoulder strap in your team’s colors for a stylish way to comply with stadiums’ clear bag policies. Gloss Game Clear Handbag; $154. Glossgame.com Little ones can learn a new sport, such tennis, soccer or volleyball, by following the colorful step-by-step guide in their SPORTS STARTER KIT. Each box also includes age-appropriate equipment, books and other surprises, filters out lead and other toxins for thirst-quenching water that doesn’t tastes like it came from the tap. Astrea ONE Filtering Water Bottle; $45. astreawater.com balance and agility out- side the gym. Playzone-Fit Balance Blox Slackline Kit, $78. target.com When showers bring indoor play, this lightweight iNFLATABLE BALL can be tossed around the house with- out any risk to your windows or walls thanks to its pat- ented shock-absorbing core. Ollyball; $15. ollyball.com Don’t let a drizzle dampen your sideline experience! When the clouds roll in, attach this PACKABLE HOOD to the collar of any shirt or jacket using the inte- grated magnetic lock system, and stay dry while the game plays on. SHUX Hood, $40. myshux.com HARDWORKING Athletes need to stay hydrated. This refillable stain- less steel WATER BOTTLE 36  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 Like a PORTABLE BAL- ANCE BEAM, this 5’ slackline lets gymnasts or American Ninja Warriors- in-training develop their Sunscreen is a must-have for both kids on the field and parents on the sidelines. Designed with athletes—and the environment—in mind, this MINERAL SUNSCREEN dries quickly and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. CōTZ Sport SPF 45, $27. cot- zskincare.com Your best friend is waiting... Montgomery County Humane Society is a private, non-profit, no-kill cat and dog rescue that does not receive any operational funding from the government or from national humane societies. It relies on the support of the community to keep its doors open. Cats and dogs available for adoption today. Come meet your new best friend. ® 601 S. Stonestreet Ave. Rockville, MD 20850 240-252-2555 mchumane.org MONTESSORI DIRECTORY Discovering Montessori MARYLAND THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL bethesdamontessori.com admissions@ bethesdamontessori.com 7611 Clarendon Rd Bethesda, MD Ages: 3-6 301-986-1260 VIRGINIA Montessori School Directory BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL brooksfieldschool.org brksfield@aol.com 1830 Kirby Rd McLean, VA Ages: 2-6 703-356-KIDS COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL cmsreston.com bonnieredcms@gmail.com 1700 Reston Pkwy Reston, VA Ages: Infants-6 years 703-478-3656 HOLLY BROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@hollybrookmontessori.com 2455 Gallows Rd Dunn Loring, VA Ages: 3-5 703-573-7800 THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL FRENCH • • • SPANISH 20 Spring Bilingual Montessori Academy Established in 1967 Open House: December 6th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. “We plant seeds that spring to life!” Accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year RUNNER-UP RUNNER-UP 1 8 For 37 years, teaching ages 3-6 ENROLLING NOW Extended Day 8am – 6pm 7611 Clarendon Rd. Bethesda, MD 20814 301-986-1260 September 2019 admissions still available, email admissions@bethesdamontessori.com today for a personal tour. www.bethesdamontessori.com FOLLOW US ON C OMMUNITY M ONTESSORI S CHOOL 6 years CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! ➾ ♦ STEM ♦ Music ♦ Spanish ♦ PE & Yoga ♦ Infants to ENROLLING NOW 7:30am to 6:30pm 1700 Reston Parkway, Suite 1, Reston, VA 20194 703-478-3656 ♦ cmsreston.com Email bonnieredcms@gmail.com to schedule a tour. 38  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 What makes Spring unique among Montessori schools? Bilingual Montessori environments with immersion classes for ages 2-6 HALF DAY • FULL DAY BEFORE CARE • AFTER CARE 3514 Plyers Mill Rd., Kensington, MD www.spring-bilingual.org 301-962-7262 admissions@spring-bilingual.org FACEBOOK: @WashingtonFamilyMagazine TWITTER: @FAMILYMagDC PINTEREST: @familymagazine INSTAGRAM: @washingtonfamilymag Montessori School of McLean HUNTER MILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@huntermillmontessori.com 2709 Hunter Mill Rd Oakton, VA. Ages: 2 years, 9 months-5 years 703-938-7755 MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CEDAR LANE preschoolmontessori.com info@cedarlanemontessori. com 3035 Cedar Ln Fairfax, VA Ages: 3-6 703-560-4379 MONTESSORI SCHOOL AT GOOSE CREEK PRESERVE goosecreekmontessori.com 42470 Rosalind St Ashburn, VA Ages: 16 months-6 years 571-417-3999 Exceptional Montessori Education for Toddlers through Upper Elementary: Ages 2-12 RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com 1928 Isaac Newton Sq Reston, VA Ages: 3 months-Grade 6 703-481-2922 SPRING BILINGUAL MONTESSORI ACADEMY spring-bilingual.org 3514 Plyers Mill Rd Kensington, MD Ages: 2-6 301-962-7262 Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.  ■ Cultivating each child’s unique ability to flourish in mind, body and spirit ENRICHMENTS • Science • Technology • Spanish • Outdoor Classroom • Library • Music • Drama • Art • Physical Education Aftercare • Transportation • Summer Camp 1711 Kirby Road McLean, VA 22101 703-790-1049 Accredited by www.mcleanmontessori.org ALL THE RIGHT RESOURCES … AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! WashingtonFamily.com/guides Back-to-School • Education • Theater & Arts Party Extravaganza • Private Schools • Special Kids Welcome to Washington • Baby & Maternity Camps • Dentist & Orthodontist • Entertainment Indoor Play • Preschool & Child Care Private School Open House Spring Break Camps/Holiday Camps Tutoring, Therapy & Special Needs Virtual Camp Fair A parent’s resource for Education, Special Needs, Party Planning, Arts, Music and Sports Programs … and more! WashingtonFAMILY.com  39 HEALTHY FAMILY New Motherhood After 35 Our writer discovers a helpful book from Maryland authors Yes, there are risks with any pregnancy, and for an older mom- to-be, those risks can create even more fear and uncertainty for the pregnant woman and also for those who surround her. 40  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 bout 11 years ago, after having had two great kids, resulting from smooth-sailing pregnancies at ages 2 9 and 31, my husband and I realized we wanted a third child. Pregnancy at age 37 actually came easily again but didn’t stick— and we struggled through two miscarriages. I went from having been blissfully unaware of how common miscarriage is to thinking about it almost obsessively. I doubted a third child was really in the cards for us, convinced another pregnancy would surely end in more heartbreak. When I became pregnant again at nearly 39, I had a hard time wrapping my head around it. I didn’t announce my pregnancy for fear of “jinxing” it. I just couldn’t seem to allow myself to relax and enjoy the pregnancy, and I regret that now. I kept the frustrations and worries bottled up, because I didn’t think anyone would understand. If only I had known then how many women share these common struggles, particularly as we approach motherhood after 35. I recently read “Beyond the Egg Timer: A Companion Guide for Having Babies in Your Mid-Thirties and Older” by Maryland authors Sharon Praissman Fisher and Emma Williams. I wish I had been able to read this book a decade ago. Williams is a public health researcher and Fisher is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and Buddhist lay teacher, and both experi- enced their own struggles with pregnancy after age 35. They decided to write “Beyond the Egg Timer” to help other women. The book draws upon a dozen real-life, personal sto- ries from women in varying situations who found themselves navigating the challenges of pregnancy over 35. The narratives are honest, vulnerable and inspiring. And they are super easy to connect with—so many parts of each story rang true as I considered and compared our experiences. Camaraderie in a book Fisher and Williams thoughtfully reflect on each account from their professional perspectives, offering advice and evi- dence-based coping skills that readers can apply in their own lives. The book is divided into three sections to reflect recur- rent reasons why women are having babies later in life: indecision, infertility and sim- ply life’s way of not always working on your intended schedule. In 1970, the average age of new moms was 21. Today, it’s nearly 30. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, birthrates for women ages 15 to 39 were decreasing, but the number of women ages 40 to 44 giv- ing birth has been increasing by 3 percent each year since 1982. There are many ben- efits of having children later. Older women may have had more time to build careers, gain financial security, travel and become wiser and more confident, allowing them to feel more grounded, prepared and ready to tackle parenthood. That said, parenthood after 35 also comes with additional challenges. For starters, the term “advanced maternal age,” and the much worse “geriatric pregnancy” or “elderly primgravida,” are pretty darn off-putting, aren’t they? There are certainly more precautions that health-care provid- ers would like patients to take, including more screenings, more frequent checkups and perhaps stricter attention paid to stress factors. Yes, there are risks with any preg- nancy, and for an older mom-to-be, those risks can create even more fear and uncer- tainty for the pregnant woman and also for those who surround her. Changing attitudes There are also societal judgments and pressures, and there’s simply never a shortage of people who want to take the MOFLES / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS BY COURTNEY MCGEE HEALTHY FAMILY opportunity tell you the worst possible stories about what can go wrong, is there? One day, I was in the locker room after a swim, at age 39 and at 39 weeks pregnant. A woman at a nearby locker asked when I was due, and I said in one week. She said “Oh, do not let them let you go overdue! That happened to my husband’s first wife and the baby died!” I was dumbstruck. Then a sweet, wonderful little old lady jumped in and said, “How dare you say that? Get out of here! Out! Out!” and literally chased her from the room. (OK, that part was actually pretty awesome.) Unlike the Negative Nellies and Debbie Downers of this world, “Beyond the Egg Timer” maintains a positive energy, aiming to inspire and motivate women embarking on an uncertain pursuit of childbearing a bit later in life. Fisher and Williams reinforce the importance of connections, flexibility, humor and acceptance. They also coined the term “pregtiquette,” offering helpful lessons on how to address the social awkwardness and “icky emotional and interpersonal situations that can arise” What’s the What’s big deal? the What’s big deal? the What’s the Stuttering affects big deal? only 1% deal? of affects the big Stuttering world population only 1% of affects the Stuttering Stuttering affects world population (that’s 70 1% million of people) only the only 1% million of people) the world (that’s 70 population Every day, 70 million people around the world world have population difficulty ordering a (that’s 70 million people) meal, talking the telephone, or Every day, 70 on million people around just world saying their name. you’re a the ordering (that’s have 70 difficulty million Maybe people) one them. 70 on million meal, the telephone, or Every of talking day, people around just world saying have their difficulty name. Maybe you’re a the ordering Since 1947, the Foundation has Every 70 million people around one of day, them. meal, talking the telephone, or to have help on difficulty those who ordering stutter. the sought world just name. Maybe has you’re a Let saying us 1947, help their you. Since the Foundation meal, on the telephone, or one of talking them. sought to help those who stutter. just Let saying name. Maybe you’re THE help their you. Since us 1947, the Foundation has one sought of them. S TUTTERING to help those who stutter. ® OUNDATION Let us 1947, help THE F you. Since the Foundation has while trying to conceive and being pregnant. For example, pregtiquette vignettes demon- strate how to handle common scenarios, such as unsolicited advice, nosey questions about fertility, intrusive opinions on birth plans and how to respond to a pregnancy announcement from a friend or relative when wrestling with your own fertility-re- lated issues. Another section explores self-care and mindfulness to manage stress and cre- ate healthier relationships with our own thoughts, reminding us that “we cannot control when we will conceive or if we encounter major health issues along the way. We can only control our response.” There’s even some handy basic instruction on how to meditate. If stress is more per- vasive and becomes anxiety, the authors note that talking to a therapist and pur- suing help such as cognitive behavioral therapy can be empowering and ease suf- fering. Plus, the book outlines a host of recommended additional resources on fer- tility and conception, mental health, mom blogs, pregnancy and parenting. Puppet Shows For All Occasions (703) 444-9426 • Large and colorful marionettes and hand puppets • Lively music • Audience participation • Puppet-making workshops • Goody bags Susan Wall's www.carouselpuppets.com FOLLOW US ON TUTTERING A S Nonprofit sought to help those Organization who stutter. ® Since 1947— THE F you. OUNDATION Those Who Stutter Let us help Helping S TUTTERING A Nonprofit Organization ® Since 1947— 800-992-9392 F OUNDATION THE Helping Those Who Stutter S TUTTERING F OUNDATION www.StutteringHelp.org A Nonprofit Organization www.StutteringHelp.org Since 1947— 800-992-9392 Helping Those Who Stutter ® A Nonprofit Organization 800-992-9392 Since 1947— www.StutteringHelp.org Helping Those Who Stutter 800-992-9392 www.StutteringHelp.org FACEBOOK: @WashingtonFamilyMagazine TWITTER: @FAMILYMagDC PINTEREST: @familymagazine INSTAGRAM: @washingtonfamilymag We’re not alone The personal stories are the heart of the book, presenting different perspec- tives and giving new ways to think about things. Fisher says the goals of “Beyond the Egg Timer” are to normalize hav- ing children later in life and to give you a chance to better understand your own feelings and concerns. She says: “Maybe you’re like me: ambitious, goal-oriented and experienced at working really hard and really smart toward something and achieving it. I give a lot, expect a lot and, at the core, attempt to control a lot. But here is the thing: Pregnancy is not like that. Parenting is certainly not like that. Life is not like that.” If you or a loved one would appreciate some compassion, comfort and coping skills for the unpredictable journey to motherhood in later years, this book has much to offer. Yes, there are risks with any pregnancy, and for an older mom-to-be, those risks can create even more fear and uncertainty for the pregnant woman and also for those who surround her.  n The Center for Ballet Arts Summer Dance Camps Summer Intensive Programs Ballet . Pointe . Modern . Jazz Tap . Pilates . Kinderballet Ages 3 thru Adults 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA 22030 • 703.273.5344 • thecenterballetarts.com YOUR FAMILY RESOURCE ┊ washingtonfamily.com ┊ WashingtonFAMILY.com  41 YOUR SPECIAL CHILD The Jobs of Childhood How OT helps kids socialize, learn, play BY PJ FEINSTEIN 42  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 Skill-building To qualify for occupational therapy services, your child has to be struggling with a func- tional skill. OT works on the underlying defi- cit that’s impacting a particular skill, not the specific diagnosis. According to Rosner, “autism spectrum dis- orders are really prevalent;” however, OT can also address orthopedic injuries, neurological or brain injuries, mental health issues, sen- sory processing disorders and developmental delays. Because of this, occupational therapy doesn’t fit neatly into a “medical box,” she says. “We’re much more holistic than that.” Not sure whether your child could ben- efit from OT? The best thing you can do is to ask an occupational therapist, Rosner says. “If you’re having consistent behavioral issues, deficits that are impacting func- tion—especially if they’re not able to play, socialize, engage with school or academic tasks or engage in that social emotional piece at home—then it’s worth coming in to talk to us,” she says. However, occupational therapists are not allowed to make any kind of medical diag- nosis. “That all comes from the physician,” says Rosner. “We can tell you about your child’s functional deficits, and we can assign what we think is an appropriate [ICD-10 diagnosis] code.” Rosner explains that it’s common for occupational therapists to work with chil- dren under the age of 3 who have been assigned with a general developmental delay but then start to show signs of autism spec- trum disorder. Parents would then take that information back to a physician or neuropsy- chologist to assess. Therapy or play? If you decide to move ahead with an evalu- ation, you may wonder why it looks like the therapist is simply playing games with your son or daughter. What the occupational therapist is actually doing is looking at spe- cific activities or movements to determine whether they are being impaired. “As much as we can, we try to make it engaging and fun so that we can see the best performance and a range of performances for that child,” says Rosner. Even after the initial evaluation, OT sessions look a lot like play. “It can be really confusing to send your child into therapy and be like, ‘they’re playing Connect 4, or they’re running around an obstacle course,’” says Rosner, explaining that play is how the brain devel- ops. “Motor planning, coordination, cognition or language—all of those are brain-based skills—and play is a way for the child to auto- matically access the parts of their brain that work on developing those skills,” she says. Plus, you can get more endurance, focus and repetitions from a child in a playful set- ting. “If I want a child to do 25 squats, and I say, ‘Hey, do 25 squats,’ they’re going to look at me like I have three heads,” Rosner says. “But if all of a sudden there’s an alien lifeform in the tiny ping pong balls all over the obsta- cle course, and we have to pick them up very carefully, I’m going to get 25 squats.” ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/FATCAMERA / SDI PRODUCTIONS Those unfamiliar with the profession may be confused by the recommendation, perhaps getting tripped up by the word “occupational.” What does therapy relating to a job or occupation have to do with kids? WHEN a child is struggling with social interactions, schoolwork or playing at a deve- lopmentally-appropriate level, occupational therapy (OT) is often the recommended course of treatment. But those unfamiliar with the profession may be confused by the recommendation, perhaps getting tripped up by the word “occupational.” What does therapy relating to a job or occupation have to do with kids? However, if you swap the word “occupa- tional” for “daily activities,” the idea of occu- pational therapy makes a lot more sense, especially when it comes to children. After all, what are some daily activities of childhood? Socializing, learning and playing. To help us gain a better understanding of occupational therapy and how it can help kids with disabilities, Washington FAM- ILY talked to Taryn Rosner, OTR/L, OTD, director of occupational therapy at Moco Movement Center in Kensington, Maryland. Here’s what we learned. YOUR SPECIAL CHILD Just as evaluations and therapy sessions can look different from child to child, there is no standard length of time for a kid to be in OT. A child with an orthopedic injury might require a shorter plan of care than someone with a neurological injury. And a child with a developmental delay may need ongoing therapy in spurts or a long course of therapy at different times during their development. “Someone with Down syndrome might need several years of support as they’re developing because we want to make sure to support their physical and cognitive develop- ment as the bar raises. So every year, the bar for them raises up a little bit, and we want to be there to support them in reaching that next goal,” Rosner says. While there’s no minimum—or maxi- mum—age requirement for occupational therapy, Rosner believes kids are starting younger and coming more frequently than ever before. “There’s definitely been a huge increase in education about early and consis- tent intervention for delays,” she says.  ■ NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR Kay School summer Offering preschool, prekindergarten, kindergarten and School Age before and after care options. A NATURE BASED AND ARTS INTEGRATED PROGRAM IN HERNDON, VA b Schedule a Private Tour a Please email director@kayschool.org www.kayschool.org • 703.264.9078 3005 Dower House Dr. Herndon, VA June-August Grades 1-8 drama camps theatrelab.org · 202-824-0449 733 8 th St NW, Gallery Place Metro WashingtonFAMILY.com  43 BOOK MARKED Inspiring Earth Day Books for Kids Spring is in the air and the natural world is waking up from winter. With Earth Day just around the corner, this is the perfect time to share a book about nature with your child. Celebrate the return of the flowers and warm weather while teaching your child about the importance of taking care of the marvelous planet we call home. JULIA PFLAGER, INTERIM READING PROGRAMS COORDINATOR, DC PUBLIC LIBRARY PICTURE BOOKS the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in sci- ence. After moving to San Diego, she single- By Zoe Tucker Illustrated by Zoe Persico handedly started the movement to turn the In this allegorical story about Greta Thunberg, dry, desert town into the lush, leafy city it the Swedish teenager leading a global move- is today. ment to raise awareness about the world’s cli- mate crisis, giants are destroying the forest to EARLY READERS build cities. To save the animals who call the ‘Dragons and Marshmallows’ forest home, Greta must come up with a plan. (Zoey and Sassafras Series) ‘Greta and the Giants’ ‘Thank You, Earth’ By April Pulley Sayre A love letter to the Earth, this book of stun- ning photos and poetic text introduces con- cepts of science, nature and language arts while exploring the beauty and complexity of the world around us through images of ani- mals, oceans, moutains and more. ‘Lola Plants a Garden’ By Anna McQuinn Illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw Book-loving Lola is inspired by a collection of garden poems that she reads with her mommy to grow her own. While Lola waits for her gar- den to grow, her mother helps her create a flower book as an activity. The acrylic illustra- tions show Lola’s garden in all its stages. ‘The Tree Lady’ By H. Joseph Hopkins Illustrated by Jill McElmurry By Asia Citro Illustrated by Marion Lindsay Zoey, a resourceful, budding scientist, learns that her mother has been secretly reha- bilitating magical animals from the forest nearby. While her mom is away, a sick baby dragon shows up needing help, so Zoey uses research, past experience and the scientific method to learn how to care for it ‘Springtime Blossoms’ (Bradford Street Buddies) By Jerdine Nolen Illustrated by Michelle Henninger Best friends Jada, Jamal, Carlita and Josh are all searching for signs of spring. But the most surprising sign of spring awaits them at school the next day—a surprise that blos- soms into a colorful plan to beautify the schoolyard just in time for Earth Day. ‘10 Things You Can Do to Reduce Reuse and Recycle’ An inspiring biography about Kate Session, By Elizabeth Weitzman 44  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 Happy BOOK Birthday, MARKED Beverly Cleary! Young readers discover how they can do their part to help the environment by recycling bottles and cans or bring- ing reusable bags to the grocery store. “Make a Difference” is a super fun sci- ence series focused on how ordinary kids can have a positive impact on the world around them. MIDDLE GRADE ‘Survivor Girl’ By Erin Teagan When a wildfire strikes on the set of her dad’s reality show, “Survivor Guy,” the cast and crew is rescued—but Ali and two other kids get left behind. In this funny, action-packed middle grade novel that incorporates STEM themes, Ali will need to muster the self-confidence to help get the three of them to safety. ‘Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas’ By Jim Ottaviani Illustrated by Maris Wicks This nonfiction graphic novel explores the field of primatology and the groundbreaking work of three of the most successful women primatologists of the 20th century. ‘Chomp’ By Carl Hiaasen Wahoo Cray’s dad is a professional ani- mal wranger on a reality TV show. When its boneheaded star gets bitten by a bat and goes missing in a storm—and then the search parties get lost, too—Wahoo must use his knowledge of animals and science to navigates the Everglades with a new friend. YOUNG ADULT ‘The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim’ Each month we celebrate a birthday of literary significance. Beverly Cleary was born on April 12, 1916, which means she is celebrating her 104th birthday this year! Cleary began her journey in Yamhill, Oregon, a town so small that it did not have a library. Cleary’s mother had books shipped in through the state library system, and Cleary fell in love with stories. But when she moved to Portland and began elementary school, she struggled to read. When Cleary finally mastered the skill, she could always be found at the public library. Cleary graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and continued her education at the School of Librarianship in Seattle. She became a children’s librarian in Washington, where she married her husband, Clarence. Together, they moved back to California and became the parents of twins, Malcolm and Marianne. Cleary wrote her first book, “Henry Huggins,” in 1950. Since then, more than 91 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. Her most popular series is “Ramona Quimby,” which follows the life of a kindergartner and her big sister, Beezus. Cleary has earned many awards for her work, including the 2003 National Medal of Arts, the 1984 John Newbery Medal for “Dear Mr. Henshaw” and two Newbery Medals for her Ramona Quimby books. Cleary’s beloved stories even earned her the title of “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress. Since Cleary’s 100th birthday in 2016, April 12 is now celebrated worldwide as D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) Day.  ■ –ADORA BROWN By E.K. Johnston Set in a present-day parallel universe where industrialization has created a problem with dragons (they love fos- sil fuels), a 16-year-old boy who is hope- less at algebra and last in a long line of legendary dragon slayers must suddenly save the town of Trondheim.  ■ WashingtonFAMILY.com  45 MOM LIFE Meet Tianna Hawkins BY PJ FEINSTEIN What do you love about your job? I love the fact that I’m able to wake up every day and do something I love. It doesn’t really feel like a job. I get paid to play with a basketball! The grind is always tough but it’s worthwhile just to see the results when you’re playing out there on the court. The regular season runs May through September, so it’s coming up soon. How have you been keeping busy during the off-season? I’ve been working out. Also, I’ve been doing an apprenticeship with Microsoft to help build my resume for life after basketball. I want to go into the cybersecurity world. Right now I’ve been working on software engineering, which includes programming, coding and stuff like that. Normally what I’ll do is send my son to day care in the morn- ing, then I’ll go train and then it’s all Micro- soft in the afternoon. Forward, Washington Mystics OCCUPATION: LIVES: Upper Marlboro, MD WORKS: Congress Heights, DC CHILD: Emanuel, 4 How will your schedule change once the season starts again? Of course, Microsoft won’t be there. It’ll be like any other day: I wake up in the morning, take my son to day care and go straight to practice. Practice for a little bit, and then by the time I finish and get myself together, I’ll go pick him up from day care. What’s something that makes juggling all of your priorities a little easier? I think the easiest thing is that I have him to motivate me. He’s my biggest motivator because I’m no longer living for myself; I’m living for him now. And I know that I have to make sure that I have everything in order, all my business in order, to give him the life that I didn’t have growing up and to put him in a position to become a success- ful young boy and grow into a successful young man. What’s something that you and your son love to do together? We just love to get together. We do a lot of bonding over dinner, and we’ll go out to some of the museums and some of the local sporting events in the area. I mean, it’s never a dull moment! He likes the National Build- ing Museum because it’s interactive. He can go and build stuff. He’s a fan of the Redskins. He knows football, he likes football. And I would say he’s definitely a fan of mine! What are five things that you can’t live without? My phone, music, family, my Carmex chapstick and my phone again! What would you do if you had one hour without any responsibilities? What do you love about I would be on an island somewhere listening being a mom? Just being able to watch him grow up. Every to music by some type of water. When I’m day he’s doing something new, and the most stressed out I like to just be near water.  n rewarding thing ever is being able to watch your creation and help build that. He’s a Read our extended interview with Tianna smart little boy, and it’s pretty cool. Hawkins at WashingtonFAMILY.com. Do you know a local mom or dad in our readership area who juggles multiple priorities and manages to make a positive impact in her/his community while doing so? Nominate her or him as a subject of our Mom/Dad Life column by filling out an entry form on WashingtonFAMILY.com/feedback. 46  Washington FAMILY  APRIL 2020 2020 IT’S TIME TO VOTE FOR THE WINNERS! Nominations have closed and it’s time to vote for the winners! Remember, the winners are voted on and are chosen by popular vote, so let your friends know it’s time to cast their ballot. As a business, share with your audience to help you win the title of “Best” in your category! Voting closes May 15th! Winners will be contacted in June and the results will be in the July issue of Washington FAMILY magazine. Go to washingtonfamily.com/bestforfamilies and VOTE TODAY! Contact Jeni Mann for more information at jmann@midatlanticmedia.com washingtonfamily.com Everything Mom Wants, Everything Baby Needs Whether you’re a new or experienced mom. • Breastfeeding help • Inpatient Pediatric services • Discovering Motherhood Support Group • An emergency room just for children ShadyGroveBaby.com