washingtonFAMILY.com APRIL 2023 Smart. Local. Parenting for  the DMV. 5 Sp Outin r g ing Famili s for es Gwyneth and Fletcher of Bethesda Spring into Action! KIDS’ FITNESS AND MORE SPRING ACTIVITIES 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 CONTENTS YOGA: ADOBE.COM GWYNETH AND FLETCHER AT KICKS KARATE (POTOMAC VILLAGE) PHOTO PROVIDED APRIL 2023 Kid- and family-friendly workouts Pg. 12 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 12 6 19 FITNESS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY What can kids do while Mom and Dad are at the gym? How about at home, or together as a family? Here are some functional movements all can enjoy. CLEANING COOPERATIVE Working hard on a project isn’t so bad when everybody pitches in. Learn ways you can divide spring cleaning tasks together as a family. 8 10 11 DIRECTORY 15 CAMPS AND SUMMER PROGRAMS 22 24 26 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: info@washingtonfamily.com. Please note we reserve the right to edit or refrain from publishing comments we deem inappropriate. 28 30 TOP 10 CALENDAR Family events in April EDITOR’S PICKS Top picks from the National Parenting Product Awards DIY 40+ Ways to fill Easter eggs (without using candy) FAMILY FUN Family activities to put a ‘spring’ in your step INCLUSIVE FAMILY Sports as a safe space for kids and teens BOOK MARKED Seasonal reads for the spring HEALTHY FAMILY What do we know about youth diabetes? PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW Meet Lindsay Gill, founder of D.C.-based nonprofit The Napkin Network MY TURN Essay writing helps teens discover their stories. WashingtonFAMILY.com 3 OUR TEAM ADVERTISING EDITORIAL Lindsay VanAsdalan, Editor lvanasdalan@midatlanticmedia.com Staff Writers Jillian Diamond, Sasha Rogelberg Heather M. Ross, Jarrad Saffren APRIL 2023 VOL. 31, NO. 4 WashingtonFamily.com/ 301-230-2222 Contributing Writers Jonetta Rose Barras, Elena Epstein, Joanna Harris, Christina Katz, Sarah Lyons Craig Burke, Publisher Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher cburke@midatlanticmedia.com Sales Consultants Alan Gurwitz, Robin Harmon, Pam Kuperschmidt, David Pintzow, Sara Priebe, Sharon Schmuckler, Samantha Tuttle MARKETING Julia Olaguer Audience Development Coordinator BUSINESS Pattie-Ann Lamp Accounting Manager 410-902-2300 plamp@midatlanticmedia.com Jeni Mann Tough, Associate Publisher Sarah Appelbaum Accounts Receivable Specialist sappelbaum@midatlanticmedia.com CIRCULATION 410-902-2300, ext. 1 CREATIVE Steve Burke, Art Director James Meskunas, Digital Media Manager Ebony Brown, Graphic Designer Lonna Koblick, Graphic Designer Frank Wagner, Graphic Designer Carl Weigel, Graphic Designer MID-ATLANTIC MEDIA Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher cburke@midatlanticmedia.com Jeni Mann Tough, Associate Publisher jmann@midatlanticmedia.com © 2023 Washington Family. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with this publication’s standards. All rights reserved. 9200 Rumsey Road, Suite 215, Columbia, MD 21045 2022 General Excellence 2022 Family Fun 2022 Q&A Interview 2022 Use of Stock Photo 2022 Single- Page Design 2022 2022 Personal Essay Non-Traditional Story Form 2022 Service Feature 2022 Overall Design EXPLORE • WONDER • GROW Now Enrolling Ages 2 to 6 Toddler Program • Before & After Care Outdoor Education Classroom Montessori Kindergarten & Preschool Advanced Academic Curriculum McLean, VA • 703-356-5437 • www.brooksfieldschool.org 4 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 FIRST WORD All the Right Moves Lindsay VanAsdalan Editor LVanAsdalan@ midatlanticmedia.com Facebook @WashingtonFamilyMagazine Twitter @FAMILYMagDC Pinterest @familymagazine Instagram @washingtonfamilymag Email us Let us know what’s on your mind. info@thefamilymagazine.com W ith the arrival of spring, many outdoor activities are starting up again, and kids and families have the opportunity to get out and get moving! Staying active is part of a healthy family lifestyle year-round, but in our April issue of Washington FAMILY , we are celebrating sports, fitness and all manner of spring fun. First, when planning your next family outing, consider spring favorites that only come once a year, including seasonal events, community blooms and opening day at the ballpark (pg. 11). Our Family Fun roundup, plus our Top 10 calendar of events (pg. 6) and DIY (pg. 10) have all the Easter egg joy your little treasure hunters could hope for— including fun ways to repurpose your plastic eggs for learning! Never fear if sugar is not your friend. This month’s craft also highlights ways to fill your eggs without using candy, which is especially important for teens like Hakeem, featured in our health story on youth diabetes (pg. 26). This month, stay healthy with family fitness. What can your kids do while you’re at the gym? How about during a home workout? Local experts share their tips and tricks to ensure no busy parent has to give up their exercise routine (pg. 12). Maybe your crew can break a sweat with some spring cleaning! (pg. 19) Or if your child would rather get their exercise in with sports, there are plenty of spring sport options to explore, including programs and organizations that make sports an inclusive, safe space for all (pg. 22 ). No matter what you and your family do this spring, get out there and enjoy it! 1 U LT I M AT E S P O R T S C A M P ADVENTURE & GAMING CAMP S P E C I A LT Y S P O R T S C A M P S REGISTER TODAY JUNE 5–AUGUST 25 | AGES 6–15 T H E S TJ A M E S . C O M / C A M P S WELCOME TO SPORTSTOPIA WashingtonFAMILY.com 5 TOP 10 CALENDAR Family Events for April Explore these fun spring activities in and around the DMV APRIL 1-2 & 4-9 | 11 A.M. – 4 P.M. POTOMAC OVERLOOK EASTER EGG HUNT Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington, VA. 22207 Look out! The Easter Bunny is on the loose at Potomac Overlook! Bring the family to the park any day during the hunt for an exciting eggs-perience. Participants collect their egg hunt sheet at the nature center, set out to explore the park and return the completed sheet at the nature center for a prize. $8 per participating child | novaparks.com 2 3 APRIL 1 & 8 | 11 A.M. – 4 P.M. EASTER EGG HUNTS The Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA. 22314 Find the hidden Easter eggs at Lee-Fendall Garden! Egg-hunting sessions will also include crafts, games and a visit from the Easter Bunny! The Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden also offers tours, special programs and exhibits to explore Civil War -era history. Reservations are required due to limited space. Tickets: $15 per child, $5 accompanying adult, infants age 2 and younger enter free | leefendallhouse.org APRIL 1-8 WAKE UP, BROTHER BEAR Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, MD. 10814 The bears are back from hibernation and ready to take your children on an adventure. Visit Imagination Stage as a family to meet a curious butterfly, play in a rushing waterfall and catch lightning bugs as bears frolic through the forest. This unique theatre experience ideal for ages 1 to 5 brings children to the stage! Tickets: $16.50 | imaginationstage.org 6 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 BOYS IN RAIN: ARTMARIE / E+ / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; EGGS: GOIR / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; BEAR: YAYAYOYO / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS 1 BY HEATHER M. ROSS 4 GIRL WITH EGGS: NICOLESY / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; SHOES: ALICE FOX / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; SCIENCE KIDS: ELIFLAMRA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; HANDS: ANNYKOS / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS. 5 8 APRIL 7 | 5 – 7 P.M. EASTER PARTY Beehive Indoor Playground, 13412 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Ste. J1, Woodbridge, VA. 22191 Get egg-cited for Easter with a party at Beehive Indoor Playground! Families can enjoy egg hunts, face painting, a live animal exhibit, snacks and drinks as kids play. The Easter Bunny will also be making a photo booth appearance! Registration is required. No more than two adults per family. Tickets: $25 general admission | facebook.com/beehivepark 7 Gesher Jewish Day School, 4800 Mattie Moore Court, Fairfax, VA. 22030 Make friends with other Jewish families who have young children in Fairfax. This fun playdate is best suited for kids ages 1 to 4. They will be introduced to Hebrew through play, craft and stories with one of Gesher’s own Hebrew teachers! Free | gesher-jds.org/gesher-chaverim APRIL 15 | 11 A.M. KIDS’ SHABBAT Kol Ami – The Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Community, 4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA. 22204 9 Join for a monthly kids’ Shabbat at Kol Ami with Jewish song, skits, storytelling and prayer. Program leader Ari Jacobson lives in Washington, D.C. and has a wide background as a teacher, music specialist and service leader. Kids in pre-K to second grade can learn the basics in a joyful environment! Free | kolamivirginia.org 6 APRIL 21, 10 A.M. GESHER CHAVERIM, A BABY AND ME HEBREW PLAYDATE APRIL 15-23 SPRING INTO THE GARDENS National Botanic Garden, 26320 Ticonderoga Road, Chantilly, VA. 20152 Witness the beauty of the changing seasons as the National Botanic Garden springs to life. Visit with your family to enjoy the brisk air and plan a picnic in the awe-inspiring living plant museum. With dynamic exhibits and an engaging educational program, it’s the perfect place to teach your kids about the joys of spring. Tickets: $18-24 per person | nationalbotanicgarden.org APRIL 16 | 8 – 10 A.M. ACTIVE FOR AUTISM 5K & KIDS DASH Main Line Boulevard, near George Washington Middle School, Alexandria, VA Tie your laces and head off to the races! The Organization for Autism Research is hosting its fifth annual Active for Autism 5K & Kids Dash to help spread autism awareness and raise money to fund new research. The funds will help award scholarships to students who are on the autism spectrum and provide resources to families and educators. Participants will be invited to enjoy family-friendly fun post- race festivities! The Kids Dash is open to children 5 to 12 years old. Register: $10-40 | researchautism.org APRIL 23 | NOON – 5 P.M. ROCKVILLE SCIENCE DAY Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville, MD. 20850 Encourage your junior scientist with hands-on discovery at the Rockville Science Center! Rockville Science Day will feature a variety of STEM topics with exhibitors from all around the region. Kids can look forward to microscopes, snakes, puzzles, chemistry, 3D printing, brain games and more brain-teasing fun. Free | rockvillesciencecenter.org/rscd 10 APRIL 30 | NOON – 7 P.M. FESTIVAL OF COLORS, HOLI D.C. Bull Run Special Events Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA. 20121 Join other families in celebrating spirituality, community, love and diversity! At this festival, you and your kids are actually encouraged to throw safe, powdered color on each other! Enjoy music, celebrity DJs, interactive dance by local and out-of-state dance schools, multi-cuisine, kids activities and more. Tickets: $10-15 general admission | facebook.com/festivalOfColorsDC WashingtonFAMILY.com 7    For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com Care Bears Dare to Care Bear A new friend who’s all about kindness, compassion and acceptance to all around her. This multicol- ored plush wants everyone to know that “it’s cool to be kind!” $14.99, ages 4+, basicfun.com Be Bright Lulu Doll Help your child discover their strength and courage with this unique doll whose lilac hair has a UV-activated blonde streak that turns pink in the sun. Kids can join five animal guardians and use their spirit to be confident, dream big and change the world. $49.99, ages 3+, adora.com Dino Super Dome Transform your little one’s playroom into a prehistoric playground. Dinosaurs roam all four walls of this play tent and can come to life with its lifelike roar button. Also includes six BONUS dino toys and LED lights with remote control. $44.99, ages 4-7 years, amazon.com 8 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 Make-A-Fort Explorer Kit Bring creativity and building together by making forts, mazes, houses and more. Let your child’s imagination run wild. Durable, reusable and “Made in the USA.” $94.99, ages 4+, makeafort.fun SKYPICSSTUDIO / ADOBESTOCK        Freshwater Tank Have you ever dreamed of making a fresh- water aquarium? Now you can with this fun and educational board game. With 155 differ- ent freshwater fish and 100 incidents, see for yourself what fish you could have and how to take care of them. The goal of the game is to become the first person to create a com- patible fish tank with 10 fish. $39.99, ages 6+, amazon.com Scenties Colorful accessories with a fun twist. The hair ties, headbands, scrunchies and face mask ear loops and mask bands are fra- granced with playful scents like Cotton Candy and Vanilla Cupcake. Stretch ’em, sniff ’em, wear ’em and share ’em. $8, ages 4-12 years, scenties.com “Messy Time” This book shows joyful, messy play in dif- ferent environments: with art materials; with mud, sand and water; in the kitchen; in the garden; in the bathtub. It’s messy play that provides rich sensory experiences and unstructured play. At the back of the book, a section for parents and caregivers has tips for making the most of messy play, includ- ing cleanup time. $8.99, ages 1-5 years, freespirit.com The Get Movin’ Activity Deck for Kids: 48 Creative Movement Ideas for Little Bodies A unique children’s movement and play deck with practices and activities for all ability levels. Through fun images and simple directions, kids will try different movements and challenge themselves in different categories. $19.95, ages 4–8 years, shambhala.com Snuggleluvs Soft and whimsical stuffed animals that are oversized and super fun, with long fluffy hair. They’re also specifically designed to provide comfort and ease anxiety with their added weight, extra softness and optimal cuddling size. $50, ages birth+, shop.wildrepublic.com LolliPost Grand Pen Pal Kit (for grandkids and their grandparents) Writing prompts give kids and adults clever topic suggestions, and a tracking postcard keeps the pen pal momentum going. An embossed folder and wax seal NAPPA Awards has been celebrating the best in add fun finishing touches. $29.99, ages 5+, family products for 33 years. For more product lollipost.com reviews and gift ideas, visit nappaawards.com 1 WashingtonFAMILY.com 9 How to Repurpose Your Plastic Eggs After Easter DIY Memory game to Fill Easter Eggs (Without Using Candy) Egg toss Glue or tape the eggs shut and set up Easter baskets or buckets. Have your kids take turns tossing the eggs, trying to get them into the baskets. Whoever can get the most eggs to land in the bucket or basket wins. Letter and word games ur family loves an Easter egg hunt, but as the mother of a child with food allergies, it is always a challenge to find items to fill all those plastic eggs with that are not candy. Whether, like me, your child has a food allergy, or you would just like to cut down on sugar overload, here are some non-candy items to fill all your eggs with for the annual hunt. For pre-readers, you can work on matching upper and lowercase letters by writing one of each on a half of the egg and then having kids match them up. For older kids, write common word endings on one half of the egg, such as “at,” “ot,” “all,” “ag,” etc. and common word beginnings on the other half of the eggs, such as “h,” “b,” “c,” etc. Have your kids put the eggs together to make as many words as possible. Small toys Shake it up Something practical Become an artist BY SARAH LYONS O There are numerous ideas for small toys that you could fill eggs with: bouncy balls, small craft items, Play-Doh, tiny cars like Micro Machines, mini kazoos, hand stamps, toy accessories, mini rubber ducks, fake bugs, pirate patches or just for fun—confetti! When choosing small toys to fill your eggs, please remember that small toys may pose a choking hazard for young children. Practical items can be fun, too. Try filling eggs with erasers, pencil sharpen- ers, key chains, magic towels, cute Band-Aids or travel-size lotion or hand sanitizer. My kids’ favorite practical Easter egg filler is money! Something to wear Your kids can have fun and accessorize with these ideas: barrettes, hair ties, socks, nail polish, ChapStick, lip gloss, silly shoe laces, bracelets, earrings, rings, temporary tattoos, zipper pulls or bead necklaces. Snacks If you are avoiding candy because of the sugar rush, try these little snacks that are the perfect size for Easter eggs: Goldfish crackers, pretzels, grapes, soup crackers, Cuties (mandarins), veggie straws, berries, animal crackers, bite-size graham crackers, nuts, raisins or other dried fruit. 1 10 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 Use the plastic eggs to make homemade instruments. Fill them with dried beans, rice or popcorn seeds and glue the eggs shut. Have your kids shake the eggs along to music. To make a maraca, glue plastic spoons, one on each side, for a handle. Put a small amount of paint on a paper for your child and allow them to roll the egg through the paint. They can also open the egg and use it as a stamp. Change the colors for variety. Sensory bin Fill a large plastic bin or water table with beans, rice or water and add some plastic Easter eggs and small containers. Some of the eggs may have holes, so kids will enjoy watching the water slowly pour out from the bottom. They love to use the eggs as scoops to fill up larger containers with rice and beans. TOXITZ/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS SPXCHROME/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS 40+ Ways Open the plastic egg and set each half on the table. Hide small items like paper clips, coins or erasers under each egg. (You will need two of each item.) Play memory and have your child pick two eggs to lift. They can collect them if they match. FAMILY FUN Family Activities BY HEATHER M. ROSS to Put a ‘Spring’ in Your Step DOGGIE BONDING TIME ORCHID EXHIBIT Bring every family member—yes even the furry ones—out to enjoy the spring weather and stretch their legs. Visiting a dog park or making stops at dog-friendly dining spots are great ways to make sure the whole family feels included. This year, join for the second annual ALX dog walk. The first drew more than 450 dogs and 700 people. The experience features goodie bags for each person, each with a T-shirt, dog bandana, sustainable treats and coupons! Visit the photo booth together and be sure to check out the Puppy PlayZone for kids! Register for $35 at alx alx- dogwalk.com. Take your family to meet one of the largest plant families in the world – orchids. Throughout April, the 27th annual joint exhibit between the U.S. Botanic Garden and Smithsonian Gardens will be on display at the U.S. Botanic Garden’s conservatory. Children and adults alike can learn about the diversity and conservation of these beautiful plants with the garden’s many orchid-themed educational opportunities. Learn more or plan your visit at USBG.gov. NATIONALS PARK/NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PHOTOS PROVIDED; BOTTOM BY JALEEL DAVIS GRAPHIC PATTERN: NATOUCHE; CHERRYBLOSSOMS: KSENA32/ADOBESTOCK; DOG: ERIC ISSELÉE/ADOBESTOCK April 29 | Oronco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., Alexandria, VA 22314 A s birds and other wildlife make their return this spring, it’s time for you and your family to get out of the den, too. Warmer weather, longer days and bristling naturescapes are all in the cards as you set out to make memories. Here are five unique adventures for your family to enjoy this spring. EASTER EGGS AND ANIMALS April 1-2, 6-9 | 10102 Fingerboard Road, Ijams- ville, MD 21754 Visit a petting zoo and partake in delightful spring programming like the Easter egg hunts at Green Meadows Farm. These Easter egg hunts are included with the $16 admission to the farm. Admission also includes a hayride, goat feed, pig races and more outdoor animal fun! Everyone can get excited for the chance to see the Green Meadows Farm Easter Bunny, Whiskers, and hunt cleverly hidden candy-filled eggs. Kids can bring their own basket to collect eggs or buy one for $5 on site. For more information, visit green green- meadowsevents.com. April 1-30 | 100 Maryland Ave. SW Washington, D.C. 20001 NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL April 1-16 | Washington D.C. and surrounding communities Celebrate the beauty of spring and the endur- ing friendship between the U.S. and Japan at the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The annual festival returns with its signature family-friendly programming, food, music, performances, fire- works and famous pink blossoms. If you can’t make every event, be sure to hold a spot for the April 15 parade from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information and a detailed guide to all the can’t-miss festivities, visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. BASEBALL SEASON AT NATIONALS PARK April – October | 1500 S. Capitol St. S.E., Washing- ton, D.C. 20003 Catch a game and grab your gear. The 2023 Major League Baseball season is up to bat, hav- ing opened for the season March 30. Nationals Park has been home to our very own Washing Washing- ton Nationals since its construction in 2008 and remains a bastion of the iconic American pastime. Even if baseball isn’t your sport, the concessions and atmosphere are worth the trip. mlb.com/nationals/ballpark. ■ Plan your visit at mlb.com/nationals/b WashingtonFAMILY.com FAMIL FAMILY.com 11 ly d en i r f - y il m a F For Kid- and , re he w y n A s t ou k Wor BY SASHA ROGELBERG Functional Movement 12 Washington F FAMILY APRIL 2023 YOGA: ADOBE.COM FOCUS ON W ith kids, it may already feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to balance your exercise needs with those of your children. According to Dr. Christi Hay, founder and pediatrician at Palisades Pediatrics in Washington, D.C., kids need at least an hour of exercise per day. Though recess and playtime count towards this hour, that’s still a big chunk of time where a child needs to be moving their body. “Good movement impacts good sleep,” Hay says. “Good movement helps in the classroom in terms of expending energy so that they’re able to focus in class, and… in terms of your physical health, in creat- ing good patterns and attitudes towards movement and exercise.” COURTESY FIT360DC While adults may not need to spend as much time being active each day, they still have exercise needs—about 150 minutes per week, according to Centers for Disease Control. The question that emerges then is how to manage those needs with kids bouncing off the walls. What can kids do while their parents get in their workout at the gym? What can parents and kids do together to make sure everyone gets moving? The good news is that there’s plenty of options. parents are working out. Baltimore Kettlebell Club offers similar programming, allowing kids to lift weights and use equipment with proper instruction and supervision. Movements such as dead- lifts with kettlebells simulate picking up objects, which is a natural inclination for kids, says owner Dan Cenidoza. “You can even imagine a toddler lift- ing a pumpkin...Picking things up off of the ground is a very fundamental movement,” he says. What can kids do at the gym? What about a fun home workout? Most of the time, gyms don’t permit kids to use workout equipment or free weights. In addition to many gyms not being insured to cover children younger than 18, many don’t have the ability to properly supervise children to make sure they’re using equip- ment in the appropriate way. “It’s hard enough to get grown adults to put weights back,” says Brian McGee, head trainer at FIT360DC, a Mount Pleasant- based fitness center. “It’d be much more difficult for children.” But there’s also no need for children to use equipment to get a good work- out. “Developmentally for a kiddo, they don’t need to use any equipment for their health and their movement,” Hay says. Dr. Katie Ryder, a family medicine specialist at Kaiser Permanente, agrees. “We want kids’ bodies to be strong,” Ryder adds. “But they can do that in their natural play rather than needing heavy weights to build extra muscle.” At gyms where children are permitted, designing a workout for your child could mean finding a basketball court or quiet CrossFit room where they can run around. Likely, unless the child is a tween, they will require supervision. Ryder suggests either letting kids run around or having them take instructions from adults for certain bodyweight exer- cises, such as pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups and jumping jacks. “Things that involve some play or com- petition, I think, are more engaging for kids: ‘Let me see how fast you can do this activity’; ‘Let me see how fast you can do 10 jumping jacks,’” Ryder says. “It’s also going to keep the kids engaged, focused on what you’re doing and hopefully out of the way, not left to their own curiosity in the gym.” Some gyms, such as Baltimore’s Push511 Fitness, which specializes in CrossFit, have separate classes and group activities for children which can offer structure while If you don’t have access to a gym that allows children or has specific kid-friendly programs, there are still plenty of ways for kids to get a good workout. Ardyth Hall, owner of PUSH511 Fitness, suggests that functional movements, which are at the core of CrossFit exercise, can be completed anywhere and simulate exercises completed in day-to-day activities. “Doing functional movements, you have to engage your whole body basically to do all movements,” she says. “So you’re going to have more compound movements…and that’s life.” These functional movements, which are appropriate for children because they don’t require special equipment, exercise 10 domains of fitness, according to Hall: accuracy, agility, balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, power, speed, stamina “ We want kids’ bodies to be strong, but they can do that in their natural play rather than needing heavy weights to build extra muscle.” — DR. KATIE RYDER Brian McGee from FIT360DC demonstrates a variation of a burpee. WashingtonFAMILY.com FAMIL FAMILY.com 13 14 Washington F FAMILY training for them,” she says. What can parents and kids do together? While it’s great to give your kids time and space to use up their energy, you’ll need to build in time to work out, too. If you’re pressed for time, there are plenty of ways to get good exercise side-by-side with your kid. Functional movement and bodyweight exercises can be easily adapted for difficulty and mobility, says FIT360DC’s McGee. Kids can do push-ups or assisted push- ups on their knees or on an incline, with their hands on a couch or chair, and par- ents can do the same, altering the number of push-ups or the speed at which they complete the exercise. “The faster the exercises, the more you’re going to elevate your heart rate and have it be more of something that’s gen- erally the conditioning part,” McGee says. “Where the tempo is a little slower is going to be more reflective of core and strength.” The same idea applies to squats or sit-ups. Adults can also add weights or resistance bands at home to add intensity to the workout. Side-by-side workouts also have another positive consequence for kids, adds PUSH511’s Hall: They get to be inspired by role models prioritizing physical health. “They [see] their parents consistently coming to the gym,” Hall says. “And they’re like, ‘Well, I want to do that.’” 1 CHILD AND PARENT: ADOBE.COM Working out next to their parents has a positive consequence for kids. They get to be inspired by role models prioritizing physical health. and cardiovascular endurance. These are big words, but they can really translate to basic movements: running around (speed), jumping over obstacles (agility) or throwing a ball to hit a target (accuracy). With groups of kids on play- dates, these activities can be gamified and can look like an obstacle course, races or even playing catch. These activities can be done anywhere and adapted to accommodate small spaces or furniture available for certain exercises, such as assisted push-ups or tricep dips. “They can go to the park, they can go to their backyard, they can do it in their liv- ing room,” Hall says. “I mean, in COVID, we were all doing stuff in our living room.” Quanteria Williams-Porche, director of New Orleans -based Split Second Fitness, a fitness center that serves people with disabilities, suggests getting creative with movements for kids who have physical disabilities. As the mother of a child with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair, Williams- Porche takes her son to the park and holds him as he tries to do pull-ups on the monkey bars or pushes against a climbing wall, which can help build good trunk support. Parents can also purchase resistance bands for their kids to pull to continue to build upper-body strength, depending on the child’s ability. “We’re just working in different ways to provide some resistance—some strength CAMP DIRECTORY OVERNIGHT CAMPS BURGUNDY CENTER FOR WILDLIFE STUDIES Ages: 8-15 burgundycenter.org bcwsdirector@burgundyfarm.org 703-474-2486 660 Margaret Sullivan Lane Capon Bridge, WV 26711 Hands-on workshops with art and nature themes CAMP HORIZONS Ages: 6-16 camphorizonsva.com camp@horizonsva.com 540-896-7600 3586 Horizons Way Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Residential camp, boys and girls, teens, sibling discount, arts and crafts, cooking, dance, drama and theater, hiking, horseback riding, music, overnight camping, photography and swimming CAMP KIRCHENWALD Grades: K-12 kirchenwald@lutherancamping.org 717-964-3121 1 Cut Off Road, Lebanon, PA 17402 Summer location: Lebanon County, PA Residential camp, outdoor adventures CAMP RIM ROCK Specialty: Overnight Camp for Girls Ages: 6 - 15 camprimrock.com info@camprimrock.com 347-746-7625 343 Camp Rim Rock Road, Yellow Spring, WV 26865 Operating for more than seventy years and regarded by campers and camp professionals as one of the finest camps for girls. Camp Rim Rock is more than a great place. It is an experience filled with tradition, character and friendship. CAMP TALL TIMBERS Ages: 7-16 camptalltimbers.com info@camptalltimbers.com 301-874-0111 1115 Reflection Lane,High View, WV 26808 Residential camp, sibling discount, transportation, aerial adventure park, archery, arts, canoeing, CIT program, dance, drama, educational activities, hiking, horseback riding, riflery, ropes course, swimming, tennis, tubing, zip line CAMP WACHUSETT FOR BOYS Ages: 8-15 campwachusett.com director@campwachusett.com 804- 438-6250 Lake Hortonia, Hubbardton VT Land sports and activities include: ARCHERY, BASKETBALL, CAMPCRAFT, RIFLERY, SOCCER, SOFTBALL, TENNIS, WOODSHOP Water sports and activities include: BOATING, CANOEING AND KAYAKING, SAILING, SWIMMING, WATERSKIING CAPITAL CAMPS Various ages capitalcamps.org 301-468-2267 11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 407 Rockville, MD 20852 (administrative office) 12750 Buchanan Trail East Waynesboro, PA 17268 (camp location) Capital Camps is all about providing children a fun, safe experience. The camp uses the best practices of informal Jewish education to strengthen identity, instill values and build community among individuals in the Capital Camps community. DAY CAMPS – WASHINGTON, D.C. ARSENAL SOCCER CAMP arsenalcampsus.com Georgetown Visitation 1524 35th St NW, Washington, DC 20007 July 24 - 28 Specialty: Arsenal Football Development camps are an exclusive opportunity for boys and girls ages 7 - 14 to experience the methodology of one of the world’s most successful clubs. Official Arsenal coaches conduct training sessions that come directly from the famed Arsenal academy at Hale End. Players enjoy insider access to the proven methods Arsenal use to develop its own youth talent. SMITHSONIAN SUMMER CAMP For kids entering Kindergarten - Grade 9 in Fall 2023 June 20-August 18, 2023 Smithsonianassociates.org/camp 202-633-3030 Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Drive SW Washington, DC 20560 During summer camp, kids explore, discover, create and go behind the scenes at the Smithsonian. Campers can blast into space, take center stage, create a masterpiece, invent a fantasy world, relive history or learn to shape the future of the planet. The rich and exciting world of the Smithsonian is theirs to discover. STEVE&KATE’S CAMP Ages: 4-12 steveandkatescamp.com letschat@steveandkate.com Check our website for Washington, DC locations. 415- 389-5437 Arts and crafts, coding, dance, extended day, sports, water play and more. WashingtonFAMILY.com 15 CAMP DIRECTORY DAY CAMPS – MARYLAND SILVER STARS GYMNASTICS CAMP SHEEO – SHEEO ACADEMY Ages: 7-16 beasheeo.com/camp contact@BEaSheEO.com Check website for locations in Maryland 866-697-4336 Girls only; educational activities IMAGINATION STAGE SUMMER CAMPS Ages: 3 ½-18 imaginationstage.org/camps/ summer-camps registration@imaginationstage.org 301-280-1660 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814 Drama, theater INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC Ages: 3-12 ismw.org; info@ismw.org 301-365-5888 10450 Auto Park Ave., Bethesda, MD 20817 Drama, music 16 Washington FAMILY Ages: 3 ½-15 gosilverstars.com classregistration@gosilverstars.com 301-589-0938 2701 Pittman Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-352-5777 14201 Woodcliff Court, Bowie, MD 20720 Gymnastics STEVE&KATE’S CAMP Ages: 4-12 steveandkatescamp.com letschat@steveandkate.com Check our website for Maryland locations. 415- 389-5437 Arts and crafts, coding, dance, extended day, sports, water play and more. DAY CAMPS – VIRGINIA ART CAMP AT THE ART LEAGUE Ages: 5-teen theartleague.org/classes school@theartleague.org 703-683-2323 APRIL 2023 305 Madison St. Alexandria, VA 22314 Day camp, boys and girls, teens, arts and crafts, boating, educational activities, photography BROOKSFIELD SUMMER CAMP Ages: 3-10 brooksfieldschool.org camp@brooksfieldschool.org 703-356-5437 ext. 2 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101 Extended day camp, 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 campgriffin@westminsterschool.com 703.340.7268 3819 Gallows Road, Annandale, VA 22003 Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Sibling and Military Discount Arts, Theater, Sports, STEAM, and Specialty Camps, Field Trips, Swimming CAMP MSNV - MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA msnv.org/page/programs/summer-camp 703-256-9577 6820 Pacific Lane, Annandale, VA 22003 Extended day camp CAMP SHEEO – SHEEO ACADEMY Ages: 7-16 beasheeo.com/camp contact@BEaSheEO.com Check website for various locations in Virginia 866-697-4336 Girls only, teens, educational activities CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY SUMMER CAMP Ages: 5-12 chesterbrookacademy.com/camp 877-959-3746 More than 20 convenient locations Sibling discount, extended day, arts, educational activities, field trips and sports CAMP DIRECTORY Friends & Fun. All summer long. June 26-August 4 Register today to ensure your space. theJ.org/camp In collaboration with: WashingtonFAMILY.com 17 CAMP DIRECTORY CHILDREN’S SCIENCE CENTER LAB Fair Oaks Mall 703-648-3130 Our campers will embrace science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to build the skills that will serve as their tool set for the future. We work with kids to ignite their curiosity and get excited about STEM in our everyday lives. With fun themes, new curriculum each summer and sessions for all interests, there is something for everyone. Give your child a camp experience that will unlock their potential! Visit childsci.org/camp for more information. Single day damps offered during Spring Break Week long camps offered Summer Single day camps offered July 3-7, 2023 CONGRESSIONAL CAMP Ages: 4-14 congocamp.org info@congocamp.org 703-533-0931 School Affiliation: Congressional School 3229 Sleepy Hollow Road Falls Church, VA 22042 Day Camp, Boys & Girls, Extended day, Transportation, Arts and Crafts, CIT Program, Computers, Cooking, Field Trips, Horseback Riding, Swimming MEDSTAR CAPITALS ICEPLEX Ages: 4-14 medstarcapitalsiceplex.com info@MedStarCapitalsIceplex.com 571-224-0555 627 N. Glebe Road, Suite 800 Arlington, VA 22203 Coed, sports programs PINECREST PAVILION pinecrestschool.org/our-summer-camp/ 703-354-3446 Pinecrest Pavilion offers rising K-6th grade campers a fun-filled day of in-person play and learning, with a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, arts and crafts, STEAM experiments and nature discovery, games and puzzles, making and building, and more! Preschool campers will enjoy a morning of in-person fun as described above (with after-care available as needed). POZEZ JCC’S CAMP ACHVA Grades: K-10 theJ.org/camp CampAchva@theJ.org 703-537-3092 4800 Mattie Moore Court, Fairfax, VA 22030 Following a traditional day camp model, campers and staff enjoy making friends in a safe & inclusive space where they can engage in fun and meaningful programming infused with Jewish culture. 18 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 STEVE&KATE’S CAMP Ages: 4-12, VA campers must turn 5 years old by Sept. 30th, 2023 to attend. steveandkatescamp.com letschat@steveandkate.com Check our website for Virginia locations. 415- 389-5437 Arts and crafts, coding, dance, extended day, sports, water play and more SUMMER @ BASIS INDEPENDENT MCLEAN Ages: 2 -18 mclean.basisindependent.com mcl-summer@basisindependent.com 8000 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA 22102 Day Camp, Arts and Crafts, Computers, Cooking, Dance, Drama/Theatre, Educational Activities, Martial Arts, Music, Photography, Sports, Sports - Extreme SUMMER AT MADEIRA Ages: K – 9th grades madeira.org Summer@madeira.org 703-556-8234 8328 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22102 We are excited to welcome families onto The Madeira School campus for summer 2023! Summer at Madeira has been a home for laughter, fun, adventure and friendship for decades, and we intend to continue making memories for years to come. With 3 high- quality summer camps to choose from and nearly 400 acres of land, there is something for everyone at The Madeira School. 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 22030 Teens, sibling discount, arts, dance, drama THE ST. JAMES thestjames.com/camps 703.239.6870 6805 Industrial Road, Springfield, VA 22151 703-239-6870 Break away from the basic this year with our sportstopia for all kinds of kids. We’ve perfected play with our all-in-one indoor camp experience! Editor’s note: Information provided for these camps is subject to change after this issue goes to press. Please contact the camps directly to confirm details and related COVID-19 protocols in effect at these camps. Look for more information about summer camps and camp programs for your child next month in our M ay issue and on our website at washingtonfamily.com. ■ BUBBLES: OLEXANDR / ADOBESTOCK FAMILY: MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES / ISTOCK / GETTYIMAGES Cleaning Cooperative RallY the FamilY To Tackle Chores Together BY CHRISTINA KATZ I f there is one major mistake most moms make, it’s obsessing about always having a clean home. Loosen up, Mom. If your home has to be perfectly clean all the time, guess who is going to have to keep it that way? Declare your home a cleaning cooperative instead. Maintaining a pristine lifestyle is no longer your job alone. Besides, a more cooperative approach gets the whole family on the teamwork track and sets a great example of how many hands make lighter work for all. WashingtonFAMILY.com FAMIL FAMILY.com 19 Work-together Strategies That Get Chores Done No mother should have to tackle all the chores alone. Try these strategies to get everyone in the family pitching in: • Fold laundry together while watching a lighthearted film or TV show • Prep meals for the week all at one time while listening to new music • Take it outside and mow, rake, weed and wash cars together • Rally the troops to tackle seasonal chores every three months • Offer rewards the whole family can enjoy like miniature golf or bowling • Take a break from family time for a couple of hours after intensive cleaning Solve Chaos By Flexing Your Sorting Systems If your teen’s dresser is always empty, with clothes strewn about the room, maybe that’s because they would prefer a more visual approach to sorting thir clothes. Why not try cubes in the closet instead of drawers? Here’s a list of sorting solutions that work for children of any age: • Furniture cubes • No-slip hangers • Shoe bucket or tub • Laundry hamper • Jewelry sorter • Shelves • Rows of hooks • Large and small bins • Hanging or back-of-door sorters If you work side-by-side with your spouse and family, you might even pick up a few chore shortcuts yourself by observing how others get things done. Instead of you doing all the dividing and conquering, let the whole family pitch in and transform chaos into coopera- tion. Here’s how: One for all And All For Clean! Share responsibility for chores throughout the entire family, remov- ing the lion’s share of the responsibility from your shoulders. You are the leader, and you and your spouse can co-lead when you are both home. But from this day onward, care of house and home is a group effort. Teach As You Go Put some energy into your demo the first few times you show kids how to do something. If you teach them with a flourish, they will likely remember what you said and did, even if they are trying to tune you out. Kids learn faster when they can watch and imitate. Younger kids can learn by watching older kids. Check Their Work With exposure to your methodology, your trainees will pick up on the most effective ways to clean, and with repetition what they try themselves will become habit. Train them once, and then follow up by checking their work twice. Then, check it another time in the future when they don’t expect it. If they pass muster all three times, then you are ready to teach them something new. Take It One Floor At A Time Rather than spread the family throughout the house, tackle one floor at a time with a couple of people in each room. There is something genuinely encouraging about watching the house transform quickly from chaos into order right before your eyes. Your team’s effective- ness will keep everyone focused and boost spirits. IMGORTHAND / E+ / GETTY IMAGES 20 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 Move Briskly When the troops are flagging, put on some upbeat music. If this doesn’t help, practice a little ready, set, go. Set a timer and see if you can beat your record from your last cleaning session. You’ll only be competing with yourselves. Tackle Tasks Together This means one person gathers the clothes, another sorts them, another runs the washer and dryer and everyone folds. When everyone is in charge of everything, kids learn to just jump in and do what needs to get done next, which will pay off now and in future teamwork situations. Try Temporary Amnesia. Rather than try to force squabbling siblings to get along, which will slow down the entire operation, why not teach them that they don’t always have to get along perfectly to work together and get things done? They can learn to put aside their differ- ences temporarily in service of a common cause. Let Someone Else Lead Maybe the fearless leader needs a reprieve. If you are tired, cranky or under the weather, why not appoint someone to lead the troops in your place? Rotate leadership on a regular basis, and watch your kids rise to the occasion. Forget Pristine Perfection. Imperfection is your new normal, so get used to more Wabi- Sabi standards of living. I doubt anyone is on the way over to photograph your home for a magazine shoot, anyway. Think of your home as cultivating a lived-in look. And if you don’t finish in one day, no big deal. Chores can re-com- mence when the whole crew returns home to help. So, when you have cleaning to do, Mom, stop taking it all on yourself and get ready to rally the family. 1 Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz got help tidying her home over the weekend and will watch it descend into chaos as the week wears on. Message To Work-At-Home Moms A cooperative approach works well even if Mom stays home to work. However, a mom who works at home is going to have to learn to tolerate more entropy than she did when a tidy house was part of her work description. Once you start working, your time, energy and attention are needed for your new job, not the dishes in the sink, the dirty laundry on the floor or the toys scattered around the front yard. You are going to have to learn how to say, “Oh well, we’ll all tackle this later,” and then stick to it, so you can concentrate on the tasks at hand. So, find yourself a pair of blinders and know when to wear them. Tackle Big Projects Separately When it’s time to spring clean your home, forget the garage, the attic, the shed and any porches or decks. Forget cleaning the refrigerator or organizing the kitchen cabinets. You can tackle those jobs later, when the timing is right. In fact, keep a list of intensive projects for down the road. For really big jobs like cleaning out an attic, schedule another half day or day when the weather will be best for the whole family to pitch in. Or commit a regular amount of time weekly, when the whole family can contribute, like two hours on Saturday mornings until the jobs are done. WashingtonFAMILY.com WashingtonFAMIL 21 INCLUSIVE FAMILY Being a Good Sport Making Sports a Safe Space for Kids BY HEATHER M. ROSS 22 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 FILIPPOBACCI/E+/GETTY IMAGES PLUS S competitive,” says Oni, who noted the cou- ple founded the nonprofit in 2020, which was “a really interesting year for a lot of reasons. It was the height of the pandemic, a lot of uprising in the country, the Black Lives Matter movement, the Black Trans Lives movement.” “When you grow up queer, you know you’re different. You may not know what to call it or how to describe it, but it played a role in my feeling like I couldn’t bond or build a sense of community because what if they found out?” Fair adds. Unmatched Athlete organizes weekend pickup games for youth to play, have fun and build community. Oni and Fair even- tually plan to feature leagues, tournaments and after-school fitness along with social outings like field trips. Fair, Unmatched Athlete’s vice pres- ident, says that as their organization continues to grow so does the need for it. “When we look at what’s going on in the country, at specific laws that have been passed specifically in rela- tion to trans youth, it’s more important now than ever to let parents know that there is a safe place for their child in sports,” he says. Currently, the American Civil Liberties Union is tracking 399 anti-LGBTQ bills in the United States. Many of these bills are applied to a pastime kids have long shared and enjoyed together: sports. The effects of intentional inclusion are already being felt and recognized accord- ing to Oni and Fair, who say their children are able to be around other children like them for the first time. “It’s really powerful. It shows something that’s been lacking. I truly believe that we Intentional Safe Spaces That’s why Olanrele Oni founded Unmatched will change sports, because it’s about time Athlete, a Maryland-based non-profit that we do it,” Fair says. works to encourage LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 5 to 18 to participate in sports and fit- Good for Mental Health ness activities, with his husband, Justin Fair. Sports are an opportunity to build a family “I’ve always loved sports. It’s always and social network, which many young peo- been something dear to me — I’m ple in the LGBTQ community feel excluded ports are a great way for kids to stay active, develop their social circle and gain confidence. And that can be especially important for kids and teens in minority groups who might not always meet peers who share their identities during school. Programs such as the Special Olym- pics are unique in that they allow kids who have developmental — and in some cases physical — disabilities to socialize together. “It takes kids with different abilities, kids like Lili, a long time to learn what society perceives as normal,” says Diany McLuckie, whose 7-year-old daughter has Down syndrome. McLuckie is head coach of the Spe- cial Olympics Young Athletes Program in Frederick. Since her daughter became involved in athletic programs at 14 months old, McLuckie has seen gymnastics change Lili’s life. Sports benefited Lili’s social skills, listening skills, patience, play and learn- ing skills. They gave her an environment where she was able to show her outgoing and friendly personality, even though she communicates differently. “As a community, I think we need to be more patient with all kids — understand that they’re kids.” Having a peer group is important for all kids because it helps them develop rele- vant problem-solving strategies, improves social and emotional skills, provides com- panionship and reduces stress. When kids are not forming peer groups, sometimes they need someone to intentionally create an inclusive space. WOODGROVE: PROVIDED from. According to an article pub- lished with the National Library of Medicine, LGBT youth are at an elevated risk for poor mental and physical health compared to heterosexual and cisgender (not transgender) peers. And mental health among chil- dren with disabilities can also be at risk. According to United Disability Services, some of the factors that negatively impact the mental health of people with disabilities include negative ste- reotyping, physical barriers and reduced access to their commu- nities. Programs like the Special Olympics provide a safe haven from bullying for children with disabilities. One way to help encourage understanding and acceptance is through Special Olympics unified teams like the one at Woodgrove High School in Pur- cellville, Virginia—where players with and without disabilities are on the same team. The unified program at Woodgrove has quadrupled in size since it started with a hand- ful of students last fall. For Coach Woodgrove High School’s unified basketball team in Purcellville, Virginia builds connections between kids with and without disabilities. Ben Bates—a 17-year special education teacher and 35-season coach—it isn’t all about winning, it’s about building lifelong con- nections between students of all abilities. “It’s been successful in bridg- ing those gaps,” Bates says, “Seeing the athletes and their partners high-five in the halls… before unified that wouldn’t have happened.” The best part of both coaching and teaching is seeing the kids’ progress and knowing you made a difference, he says. Since the first International Special Olympics Summer Games was held in 1968, the need for inclusive programs has only increased, but now, more than ever, these programs need volunteers to help make sure children have access to sports. 1 Volunteer at specialolympicsva. org/potomac-region/area-14 and unmatchedathlete.org. Track bills through the ACLU at aclu.org/ legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights THE PERFECT FIT. With hundreds of custom designs for showers or tubs, a one-day install † and a lifetime warranty ‡ ... it’s no wonder 2 million happy customers have trusted Bath Fitter with their bath remodels. Contact us today to book your FREE consultation! 24 SPECIAL OFFER MONTHS 0% INTEREST * OUR BENEFITS One-Day Install † TUB-TO-SHOWER CONVERSIONS TUB LINERS Easy to Clean Seamless Wall Lifetime Warranty ‡ TUB & SHOWER REPLACEMENTS 1-833-776-0518 | bath-fitter.com/local24 † ‡ Tub-to-shower conversions and fiberglass replacements typically require a two-day installation. Lifetime warranty valid for as long as you own your home. *Offer ends 7/31/23. All offers apply to a complete Bath Fitter system only, and must be presented and used at time of estimate. Minimum purchase required. Terms of promotional financing are 24 months of no interest from the date of installation and minimum deposit. See representative for details. Qualified buyers only. May not be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases. Valid only at select Bath Fitter locations. Offers and warranty subject to limitations. Fixtures and features may be different than pictured. Accessories pictured are not included. Plumbing work done by P.U.L.S.E. Plumbing. MD MPL #17499, NJ MPL #10655, DE MPL #PL-0002303, MD MPL #82842, VA MPL #2710064024, IA MPL #18066, OH MPL #37445, WV MPL #PL07514, MI MPL #8111651. PA HIC #PA017017, NJ HIC #13VH03073000, WV HIC #WV053085, MD HIC #129346, VA HIC #2705155694, MD HIC #122356, VA HIC #2705096759, IA HIC #C112725, WV HIC #WV038808, MD HIC #129995, VA HIC #2705146537, DC HIC #420213000044. Each Franchise Independently Owned And Operated By Bath Saver, Inc, LLC, Iowa Bath Solutions, LLC, Ohio Bath Solutions, LLC, Mid Atlantic Bath Solutions, LLC. WashingtonFAMILY.com 23 BOOK MARKED Springtime for Families 9 Books to Celebrate the Season BY JOANNA HARRIS, TEEN SERVICES COORDINATOR, DC PUBLIC LIBRARY PICTURE BOOKS “We’re Going on an Egg Hunt” by Martha Mumford, illustrated by Laura Hughes Go on an Easter egg hunt from the comfort of your favorite reading nook with this lift-the- flap story. A group of bunnies wander through charming, bucolic scenes searching for Easter eggs. This Easter twist on “Going on a Bear Hunt” will have readers encountering chicks, bees and other animals associated with spring. “Owen’s Marshmallow Chick” by Kevin Henkes Owen loves all the candy that the Easter Bunny left in his Easter basket. But which is his favorite? This short story is sweet in more ways than one. 24 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 “The Passover Guest” by Susan Kusel, illustrated by Sean Rubin Muriel is a young girl who lives with her family in Washington, D.C. in 1933, during the Great Depression, and Muriel’s family can’t afford to celebrate Seder like they have in the past. But when she shows kindness to a street performer at the Lincoln Memorial, a miracle follows shortly after. This book has beautiful watercolor illustrations that feature detailed scenes of Washington, D.C. “The Best Eid Ever” by Asma Mobin Uddin, illustrated by Laura Jacobson Aneesa is sad she will not be spending Eid with her parents this year, but her grandmother cheers her up with wonderful gifts and food. At GIRL READING: DOMONITE / ADOBESTOCK Spring is a time for celebration, whether it’s Easter, Passover or Eid, or just the excitement of warmer days and new things growing. Grow your child’s love of reading with these seasonal selections that highlight the joys and adventures of spring. BOOK MARKED the mosque, Aneesa meets two girls who are having an even less fortunate Eid than she is, and decides to embrace the holiday’s spirit of generosity and giving. EARLY READERS “Calendar Mysteries: April Adventures” by Ron Roy This mystery series is perfect for fans of “The Magic Treehouse” and Roy’s previous series, “A to Z Mysteries.” A seemingly impossible Easter egg hunt reveals that the eggs haven’t been hidden, but actually stolen. It’s up to siblings Bradley, Brian, Lucy and Nate to save the town’s egg hunt by cracking this case. “The Flower Garden” by Renee Kurilla A vibrantly colorful graphic novel about two friends who start a garden to help save bees but end up in way over their heads with… flowers that grow way over their heads! A garden gnome has shrunken them down to her size to show them the underground world of the gnomes. A dynamic book that celebrates both the beauty of nature and friendship. MIDDLE GRADE “Let’s Get Gardening” edited by Radhika Haswani A great “getting started” guide for kids and families to start their own garden this spring, whether they live in an apartment or a home with a yard. This book teaches young people not only how to grow their own food and herbs, but how to nurture a plant and the creatures in it. Filled with eye-catching layouts, easy-to-read diagrams and lush photography, this title is a fantastic companion for celebrating Earth Day with your young person. TEEN READERS “Dig” by A.S. King A family’s Easter egg hunt is an apt allegory for the dark secrets they must uncover in order for the newest generation to grow and heal. Four very different cousins living in very different circumstances grapple with who they are and what kind of legacy they want for themselves— and their family—going forward. This novel, based in reality but woven with elements of magic realism, was the winner of the 2020 Printz Award. 2 OPEN BOOK: KHWANCHAI / ADOBESTOCK “Green Angel” by Alice Hoffman The author of “Practical Magic” weaves another spellbinding tale about a girl with a supernatural green thumb. Set in a post-apocalyptic version of our world, Green loses her family in a horrible fire in the city while she stays at home. Green must rebuild her life from the ground up, but first she must rise from the ashes of grief. A quietly powerful tale about regrowth and new beginnings. WashingtonFAMILY.com 25 HEALTHY FAMILY Living with Youth Diabetes BY HEATHER M. ROSS What is diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic health condition in which the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it as well as it should. Insulin, a naturally occurring hormone made in the pancreas, helps the body use sugar for energy. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Risa Wolf, M.D., an associate profes- sor of pediatrics in the division of pediatric endocrinology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says that the incidence and prevalence of type 2 has been increas- ing over the past two decades. Specifically, doctors are seeing more diagnoses among children, and during the pandemic. According to the nonprofit American Diabetes Association (ADA), headquar- tered in Arlington, Virginia, DMV residents are feeling the effects of this increase more and more, as it is estimated that one in every three children born after 2000 in the U.S. will be directly affected by diabe- tes. The nonprofit helps to fund research for preventing, managing and curing the condition. Wolf says that the ADA is a good place to start in terms of family support, as the organization has a tremendous amount of resources and the largest network of diabetes camps nationwide. Finding Out Learning that your child has diabetes is never an easy process, nor is it always straightforward. During a routine checkup in 2021, Ellicott City teen Hakeem Shonubi, 15, presented a significant change in blood sugar rela- tive to his medical history. This sent him to the emergency room and led to a two-day stay at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center 26 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 in Baltimore, where he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. When he first heard his diagnosis, Hakeem was surprised—and devastated. He hadn’t felt ill at all. “I knew nothing about it,” he says. The fact that Hakeem’s condition was discovered by a routine visit shows how important seeing a pediatrician regularly can be. But there are also some symptoms to look out for that children commonly pres- ent prior to diagnosis, according to Wolf. These symptoms can include frequent uri- nation, drinking a lot, fruity-scented breath, confusion and fatigue. They can prove difficult for parents to spot, especially if they have multiple chil- dren. That’s why knowing the risk factors for diabetes is helpful. The risk factors for type 1 include a fam- ily history of type 1 diabetes and the right age, as the condition most commonly devel- ops in children, teens or young adults. Type 2 diabetes is more likely to develop if you meet any of the following criteria: age 45+, overweight, have a close relative with type 2, have a low level of physical activity, are a member of certain ethnic groups or have prediabetes. Prediabetes, as Wolf explains it, is when someone has a higher-than-normal blood sugar level, but not high enough to indicate type 2 diabetes yet. Parents should know that even if their child has prediabetes, life- style changes can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, according to Centers for Disease Control. Management Two years after his diagnosis, Hakeem has become something of an expert on han- dling his condition. He manages his diabetes with routine visits to the Children’s Center, healthy lifestyle choices, frequent visits to DAISY-DAISY/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS A DIABETES DIAGNOSIS CAN FEEL CRUSHING, especially when you aren’t expecting it. This is even more true when the diagnosis is for your child. But parents of children living with diabetes and doc- tors both have one clear message: the condition is manageable. HAKEEM: PROVIDED the gym, sports activities and including a healthy amount of vegetables in his diet. He also has the support of his mother, Nimota Shonubi. One way Wolf says parents can support their chil- dren is to highlight successful people and role models who have diabetes, such as Tom Hanks, Nick Jonas or Sonia Sotomayor. “A lot of people are very worried about complications,” Wolf says. “We tell our families and children that that doesn’t have to be them. ‘As long as you take care of your diabetes, that’s not going to happen’.” For managing type 2 diabetes, Wolf recommends planning balanced meals with a nutrition team, making sure to get enough fruits and vegetables, staying physically active and avoiding sugary beverages and unhealthy foods. Parents should look for local support groups, camps and programs. Wolf herself founded Camp Charm City, an annual five-day camp for children ages 6 to 12, on the cam- pus of Johns Hopkins University. Wolf, who remains the camp’s medical director, says the camp is a place where kids with diabetes can be kids while they learn to eat nutritious meals and monitor their glucose levels. The social benefits Wolf has observed from the camp have been huge. Prior to attending, many of the children had never met another child with their condition, but once they find themselves surrounded by a whole camp of these students, they start to feel like they aren’t so different after all. 1 ❝It’s important to understand that each condition is distinct❞ — RISA WOLF TYPE 1 DIABETES is caused by an autoimmune disease where the beta cells of the pancreas are attacked by a person’s own antibodies and can no longer produce insulin like they should. Hakeem - Before TYPE 2 DIABETES is generally described as a state of insulin resistance. This type of diabetes is most often seen in children who are overweight or obese, but there are other risk factors. GESTATIONAL DIABETES is typically a temporary condition that occurs while pregnant and usually goes away after the baby is born. Hakeem - After Summer Intensive Program July 10 - August 5 The Bethesda Montessori School since 1983 NOW ENROLLING Sign-up for our e-letter! washingtonfamily.com/enewsletter/ 3 - 6 year olds, Pre-K & Kindergarten 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 301.986.1260 W WI I N N N NE E R R WWW. BETHESDAMONTESSORI.COM Fully Licensed & Accredited WashingtonFAMILY.com 27 PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW Lindsay Gill BY SASHA ROGELBERG You began The Napkin Network at the beginning of the pandemic. Why? When COVID happened, I had two children at the time… I had to stop working full-time at Luke’s Wings (Gill's husband’s nonprofit providing free airfare for military families to visit their injured loved ones). And I just was seeing in the news how many moms really were struggling to take care of their children, whether it was financial, or providing basic baby needs, getting ready for daycare. Every day it was something bad, and the thing that I kept seeing most was that they’re struggling to afford basic essentials like diapers. I just reached out to some of my mom friends, and I actually did a diaper drive for the DC Diaper Bank. And I thought, 'Well, I could do that again, or I could make it into something that I oversee and make it a little more comprehensive.' The Napkin Network pivoted to help victims of the earthquakes in Turkey. How? is telling us they need. They need items like pre-made formulabecause access to water is difficult. They need warm clothes for babies, diapers, things like that. So we’re still within our mission. We’re just sending these items through the Turkish embassy internationally this time. What is the goal of the organization moving forward? Now, I want to really make sure that we’re helping moms in need in the DMV area because that’s where I’m born and raised, where my children are going to school and growing up. But I do hope the bigger picture will be that there’s chapters of The Napkin Network all over the country. There’s no reason why this model can’t be in every city in every state. What values do you hope your work in The Napkin Network will instill in your young children? My kids…their little brains—they didn’t necessarily know that [the Napkin Network deliveries] weren’t for them. It took a couple of times of saying, ‘These aren’t for you. These are for people who need them.’ Just trying to have that conversation that not everyone is lucky or blessed as they are. So Mommy and Daddy and our friends and our family are trying to help give stuff to people who can’t afford them or need them. And they’re starting to understand it, and it’s really special. How has your work at The Napkin Network influenced how you view your own experience as a parent? I started The Napkin Network to help other moms, moms ‘in need’... But I’ve also been raising a 1-year-old in the height of two really When I started The Napkin Network, I wanted major crises, basically: a formula shortage…and to be small enough to make decisions in real also we’re dealing with COVID, RSV and flu. I time, where the real needs were. Just seeing also became a mom ‘in need’, but just a different these terrible images and these heartbreaking sort of need. So it’s been really eye-opening for stories of moms and babies and Turkey, and me to go from helping others who couldn’t afford just the suffering — we’re just doing what things to really being a mom in need myself and we can by understanding what the embassy struggling to find basic baby essentials. 1 28 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 PROVIDED PHOTOS S ince the onset of the pandemic, The Napkin Network has collected more than 200,000 diapers and thousands of cans of baby formula. The nonprofit, committed to providing baby essentials to those in need, has donated 10,000+ diapers to local parents and distributed formula and diapers to four partner nonprofits in the Washington, D.C. area, such as Feed the Fridge. Behind The Napkin Network is founder and Bethesda mom Lindsay Gill, a 38-year-old who not only wants to make a difference in her community by helping moms in need, but also by teaching her three children — Fletcher Jr., 6; Gwyneth, 3; and Dane, 1 — about the importance of lending a helping hand. PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY’S FAVORITE … Meal We’re a big slow cooker family, but I would say we love home-cooked chili. That’s a favorite. Vacation spot We love the Finger Lakes, and we love the Outer Banks. Family Memory When we went to the Outer Banks. It’s just such a nice feeling to go somewhere as a family. We rent a house, everything’s quiet, we bring our dog — we have a husky — and just spend time together in a different environment. PARTY DIREC TORY INSIDE! P. 18 washing tonFAMI LY.com MAY 2022    Put thE in Kids’ FUN Party Activities Honoring Milita ry Moms The Art of the Thank -You Note Celebrating Excep tional Teachers Advertise in our May Issue! PARTIES, Teachers of the Year, Mother’s Day, Pets and more news that parents need. EMAIL us at advertising@ washingtonfamily.com OR CALL us at 410-902-2300, ext. 2 SMART. LOCAL. PARENTING FOR THE DMV. Print | Digital | WashingtonFAMILY.com 29 MY TURN Inside Job: The Elegance of the Personal Essay 30 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023 discovering what matters to them— how they feel about an issue or thing, or an expe- rience they have had. The Inside Job Institute, a four-week writ- ing program for girls ages 13 to17 presented by Esther Productions, Inc., attempts first to help participants find that experience that matters—a moment in family history; a relationship, whether with a friend, teacher or an accidental encounter, that has left an impression; or a public or civic episode that lingers longer than anticipated. Then, we encourage students through discussion to explore their feelings—their connection to that occurrence or event. One young lady, who subsequently entered our “Discovering Me…Without You” personal essay contest, wrote about the man who worked in a nearby grocery store: “I wonder whether he ever feels guilty for only being there to direct me towards the right aisle whenever I can’t find something in the store on my own,” she wrote. “We never talk about anything else. More importantly, we never talk about the reasons why we never talk about anything else. “My father is the man who works across the street from where I live,” she added. The writer deliberately—not accidentally—takes the reader to her interior landscape, expos- ing along the way anger, sadness, regrets, love and eventually the resilience that has allowed her to walk into that store at least once a week. She squeezes the last drop—bit- ter and sweet—from her experience of father absence, making it nearly impossible for the reader to look away, to mute her voice, to not con- sider how they might react under similar circumstances. Thus, the writer not only makes the connec- tion with the reader but takes that reader to a new, unexplored place in their own interior. Esther Productions Inc. hopes that Inside Job Writing Institute helps participants to appreciate the essay beyond the meager confines of five paragraphs. We students understand its power to give voice to their experiences and stories—many of which are frequently not presented in books. Ultimately, the intent of Inside Job is to ignite inextinguishable literary fires—one essay at a time. ■ Jonetta Rose Barras is the founder and president of Esther Productions Inc., a Washington D.C.- based nonprofit organization that uses the arts, including writing and literature, to heal, inspire and empower girls and women. With the Black Student Fund, Esther Productions Inc. presents writing institutes thorough the year focused on mastering the personal essay. PROVIDED PHOTO M ention the personal essay and immediately minds flash back, or maybe forward, to college admission applications. It seems forever imprisoned inside that box, consistently presented within the utilitarian standard structure of five paragraphs with an introduction, body and conclusion. I can hear it screaming, “Help me.” Too often the narrative or per- sonal essay is treated like the Cinderella of the American lit- erary canon. It’s seen as shabby and undesirous; after all, it is not a book. Its limitations are too numerous and, therefore, mostly incapable of exciting or satisfying a reader’s imagination, causing read- ers to leave unfulfilled. No one at Esther Productions Inc. shares that view. In fact, with our Inside Job Writing Institute, we and our partner, the Black Student Fund, are on a mission to grow more essayists. If it is executed properly, the personal essay can be an exquisite piece of literary art. We need only consider Joan Didion’s “Goodbye to All That” or James Baldwin’s “Notes of A Native Son” as exam- ples of its potential. How many times have critics cited both as among the best of American writing? More than a few high school or college English programs have them on the list of required reading. The messages we at Esther Productions Inc. have tried to convey is that if the essay is Cinderella, it’s Cinderella at the ball. It’s Cinderella when the lost glass slipper is placed on her foot. She is no longer covered in fireplace soot or looking at a life of pov- erty and servitude. Freedom and magic await. To achieve those results, we take stu- dents on a treasure hunt, exploring and BY JONETTA ROSE BARRAS VOTE F THE W OR INNERS MY TURN 2 0 23 Vote for your favorite people, places and things in the DMV! The winners 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 opens April 1st 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! Print | Digital | Contact Julia Olaguer for more information jolaguer@midatlanticmedia.com WashingtonFAMILY.com 31 MY TURN a i o at d n e Call now for your free estimate! Financing available 410-781-1141 20% off total purchase* Does not include cost of material. Offer expires 4/30/23 Receive a $25 Visa Gift Card with your free in-home estimate *All participants who attend an estimated 60-90-minute in-home product consultation will receive a $25 Visa gift card. Retail value is $25. Offer sponsoredd b y LeaffGuardd Holld ings Inc. Limit one per h ousehholld . Company procures, selll s, andd installl s seamlless gutter protection. Thhis offff er is valid for homeowners over 18 years of age. If married or involved with a life partner, both cohabitating persons must attend and complete presentation together. Participants must have a photo ID and be legally able to enter into a contract. The following persons are not eligible for this offer: employees of Company or af liated companies or entities, their immediate family members, previous participants in a Company in-home consultation within the past 12 months and all current and former Company customers. Gift may not be extended, transferred, or substituted except that Company may substitute a gift of equal or greater value if it deems it necessary. Gift card will be mailed to the participant via rst class United States Mail within 10 days of receipt of the promotion form. Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion or discount of any kind. Offer not sponsored and is subject to change without notice prior to reservation. Offer not available in the states of CA, IN, PA and MI. LeafGuard operates as LeafGuard of DC in Maryland under registration number MHIC License #116693 Expires 4/30/23. * Guaranteed not to clog for as long as you own your home, or we will clean your gutters for free. 32 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2023