Our 2012 Summer Camps & Learning Guide

Officially it’s still winter, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about summer camp! In fact, many local camps are already accepting applications for summer 2012, and some of the most popular ones will fill quickly. Luckily, we’re here to help, with our 2012 Summer Camps and Learning Guide , available now. Inside, you’ll find loads of information about local camps and other summer learning opportunities. In addition to a comprehensive list of local camp options, we’ve got a feature on camps that will keep kids active all summer and one on academic camps . Our Summer Camp Survival Guide includes articles about helping kids overcome homesickness, how camps promote healthy lifestyles, and how you can stop worrying about your kids when you send them off to camp! Pick up a copy today, or check it out online for all the information you need to make this summer a success! Oh, and by the way, you can now pick up your copy of Metro Parent at Fred Meyer and QFC in the area!

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Our 2012 Summer Camps & Learning Guide

Portland celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

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Portland celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

Shamrock Run in downtown Portland Sunday

More than 30,000 participants were expected for the 34th annual Portland Shamrock Run, scheduled for Sunday

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Shamrock Run in downtown Portland Sunday

Spring Break Fun!

Staying in town for Spring Break? Here’s a roundup of area activities for school age kids during the week of March 26-30 to help you make the most of your extra family time! (As always, check our online calendar for more listings every day.) MARCH 26 Spring Break Around the World. Activities and crafts from a different country every day this week. Best for ages 4 to 12. 10 am to 3 pm. Free with museum admission. World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, 4033 SW Canyon Road. 503-228-1367. worldforestry.org . Mad Science. Fire and ice science, including demonstrations, for grades K-8. 11 am. FREE. Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. 503-691-3016. ci.tualatin.or.us . LEGO Lab/Intro to Robotics. Take a day trip to Salem for a special LEGO designing and building event in the morning and a robotics workshop in the afternoon. Both are open to kids between 8 and 12 years old. LEGO Lab is from 9 am to noon; Introduction to Robotics is from 1 to 4 pm. $31/each workshop, member discount. Reservations required. AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org . (For more activities and attractions in the Salem area, see our Family Resource Guide .) MARCH 27 Very Hungry Caterpillar Collage. Make tissue paper art. 2 to 3:30 pm. FREE. Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate Blvd. 503-988-5389. events.multcolib.org . Garden Treasure Hunt. Search for clues in the garden. Dress for the weather. Ages 8 to 12. 1 to 2:30 pm. $6, member discount, reservations required. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122d Ave. 503-823-1671. leachgarden.org . Sweater Sleeve Puppets. Make a puppet; materials provided. FREE. 1 to 3 pm. Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave. 503-988-5235. (Also 1:30-3:30 pm March 31 (reservations required) at Gregory Heights Library, 7921 NE Sandy Blvd. 503-988-5386.) events.multcolib.org . Nature Illustration. Art activity for ages 9 to 14. 10 am to noon. $15, member discount. Reservations required. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122d Ave. 503-823-1671. leachgarden.org . A Balancing Act! Learn about the science of balance. FREE. 1 to 3 pm March 27 at Troutdale Library, 2451 SW Cherry Pk RD. 503-988-5355; 3 to 5 pm March 29 (reservations required) at Woodstock Library, 6008 SE 49th Ave. 503-988-5399. events.multcolib.org (search “balancing”). Owls and Other Predators/ Micro Detectives. Take a day trip to Salem to learn about owls, bats, spiders and more in the morning and/or to work with microscopes in the afternoon. Both are designed for kids between 5 and 7 years old. Owls and Other Predators is from 9 am to noon; Micro Detectives is from 1 to 4 pm. $31/each workshop, member discount. Reservations required. AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org . (For more activities and attractions in the Salem area, see our Family Resource Guide .) MARCH 27 & 28 Preschool Play & Skate. Skate rental, lesson, games and a snack every Tuesday and Wednesday for kids ages 6 and under. 10 to 11:30 am. $5.50 per child ages 1 and older, parents skate or walk on the rink free. Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way. 503-233-5777. oakspark.com . MARCH 27, 28 & 29 Henna for Teens. Learn about henna and get a design. FREE. 2 to 3:30 pm March 27 at Capitol Hill Library, 1073 SW Capitol Hwy. 503-988-5385; 6 to 7:30 pm March 28 at Kenton Library, 8226 N Denver Ave. 503-988-5370; 2 to 3:30 March 29 at Troutdale Library, 2451 SW Cherry Park Rd. 503-988-5355. events.multcolib.org (search “henna”). MARCH 28 Desktop Ballistics. Learn how to make your own desktop catapult to hurl tiny erasers across the room. 3 to 4 pm. FREE, registration required. Hillsboro Main Library, 2850 Brookwood Pkwy. 503-615-6500. evanced.info/hillsboro . Fun with Fiber. Learn about dyes, wool and other fibers and make a project. Ages 6 and older, with grown-up. 1 to 3 pm. $34, member discount, reservations required. AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org . (For more activities and attractions in the Salem area, see our Family Resource Guide .) Milagros Jamboree. Lorna Miller performs, with help from the audience. Ages 8 and under. 10:30 am every Wed. $3 donation. Milagros Boutique, 5433 NE 30th Ave. 503-493-4141. littlekidsjamboree.com . MARCH 28 & 29 Do You See What I See? Explore the wonders of light. FREE. 2 to 4 pm March 28 at Capitol Hill Library, 10723 SW Capitol Hwy., 503-988-5385; 2 to 4 pm March 29 at Hollywood Library, 4040 NE Tillamook St., 503-988-5391. events.multcolib.org (search “do you see”). MARCH 29 Spring Break Puppets. Dragon Theatre presents The Reluctant Dragon. 2 pm. FREE. Ledding Library, 10660 SE 21st. Ave. Milwaukie. 503-786-7580. milwaukie.lib.or.us . The Bug Chicks. Fun with insects! All ages. 10 to 11:30 am. $8, $24/family of 4 or more. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122d Ave. 503-823-1671. leachgarden.org . Science Fiction Fair. Study stars and make aliens. Grades K to 5. 3:30 to 5 pm. FREE. Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. 503-691-3016. ci.tualatin.or.us . Nature Bingo. Take a walk, make a craft, play bingo and more. Dress for the weather. Ages 6 to 10. 1 to 2:30 pm. $6, member discount. Reservations required. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122d Ave. 503-823-1671. leachgarden.org . The Clumsy Ballerina. Penny’s Puppets perform. FREE, get tickets 30 minutes prior. 10:30 to 11 am at Hollywood Library, 4040 NE Tillamook St., 503-988-5391; 3 to 3:45 pm at Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset Blvd., 503-988-5388. events.multcolib.org (search “clumsy”). Dance Party. Rock out, with refreshments. Ages 2 and older. 10 to 11 am. FREE. Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. 503-691-3016. ci.tualatin.or.us . Ice Age Discoveries. Paleontology lab for ages 5 and older, with a grown-up. 1 to 3 pm. $3 plus admission. AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org . (For more activities and attractions in the Salem area, see our Family Resource Guide .) MARCH 30 Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest OPENS. Over 40 acres of flowers, a play area, pony rides ($5, weekends only), entertainment and more. 9 am to 6 pm March 30 through April 30. $10 car weekends, $5 car M-F. 33814 S Meridian Rd, Woodburn. 503-634-2243. woodenshoe.com . Don’t forget to check our online calendar for more listings, including live theater and activities for younger kids, every day!

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Spring Break Fun!

Oregon Symphony building national reputation

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Oregon Symphony building national reputation

Win a Family 4-Pack to Cirque du Soleil!

If you’ve never experienced Cirque du Soleil, you have seriously been missing out! And if you have experienced their unique and awe-inspiring performances, you’re sure to want to see them again! OVO — the latest Cirque du Soleil show, opening April 5 at the Portland Expo Center — is sure to be a hit with kids and parents alike as it centers around the “energetic world of insects!” This month, we’re giving away a family 4-pack of tickets to see the amazing new show, and we’re offering discounted family packs as well. Enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets on our contest page . Contest ends March 31. Please limit entries to one per family. Can’t wait to get your tickets? Visit our ticketing page on their website and get a specially priced family 4-pack for as little as $170! Learn more about OVO at cirquedusoleil.com .

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Win a Family 4-Pack to Cirque du Soleil!

Nuclear Cowboyz – Motocross

I’m giving away 4 tickets (adult or child doesn’t matter) to this motocross stunt show! You’ll need to become a fan on Facebook and leave me a comment saying you want the tickets…. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Nuclear Cowboyz – Motocross

March Coupons & Deals

Have you seen the coupons and deals in our March issue ? Here’s what you’ll find: North Clackamas Aquatic Park: Buy one get one Big Surf admission. (Page 41) Hollywood Bowl: Sunday bowling is only 99 cents per game, and kids bowl free every Saturday from noon to 6 pm. (Page 47) Rose Bowl: Sunday bowling is only 99 cents per game, and kids bowl free every Saturday from noon to 6 pm. (Page 46) Play Boutique: Take $25 off your party package. (Page 47) Sylvan Learning: Get a free assessment for your child ($195 value). (Page 21) Bob’s Red Mill: Buy two Bob’s Red Mill products at the Mill Store, get a third one free. (Page 17) Pearl Women’s Center: Free varicose vein screening ($300 value). (Page 19) Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Free initial exam for children under 3. (Page 13) Sprout Pediatric Dentistry: Free exam for children under 3. (Page 15) World of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Complimentary dental exam for children under 2. (Page 17) Learning Palace: Take 15 percent off your entire purchase. (Page 32) Tidee Didee: Get one week of diaper service free with four pre-paid weeks. (Page 35) And here’s a handy PDF version of the magazine , perfect for clipping coupons!

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March Coupons & Deals

Cooper Spur: A Family Resort

What’s to Love:  In my opinion, taking into account all the factors of “family value,” Cooper Spur Mountain Resort (CSMR) is the best option for families looking for a night (or… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Cooper Spur: A Family Resort

Families Against Hunger

Oregon now tops the nation in child food insecurity. What can we do to help? In southwest Portland, the annual SW HOPE community food and fundraising drive is running through April 1, bringing together more than 60 faith communities, businesses and community groups to help feed hungry people in the area. The goal is to raise 150,000 pounds of desperately-needed food, or the cash equivalent, to support Neighborhood House’s Emergency Food Box Program, the largest on Portland’s west side. The program currently serves about 500 families each month, nearly twice the number served before the recession hit. To educate the public about the need for food assistance, SW HOPE organizers are launching a Families Against Hunger Weekend March 9 to 11 . The event is designed to create an opportunity for parents to talk with their kids about the complex issues of poverty and food insecurity while supporting SW HOPE. The first step in getting involved is to make a commitment to talk with your kids about hunger sometime during the weekend –- and about how your family can make a difference for those facing food insecurity. Tips for talking with your kids are available at nhpdx.org . You can help further by making a donation to SW HOPE and by sharing your experience on Neighborhood House’s Facebook page . Everyone who donates during the March 9 to 11 weekend and/or posts about their experiences on Facebook will be entered into a drawing for a family-friendly prize package. To offer ongoing support, consider donating food, money and/or your time to local hunger relief program like those listed below: Neighborhood House: Families are invited to work in the food pantry every first and third Tuesday evening of the month. 7780 SW Capitol Hwy. 503-246-1663 x2118. nhpdx.org . Oregon Food Bank: Numerous volunteer opportunities for families throughout the area. 503-282-0555. oregonfoodbank.org . Clark County Food Bank: 360-693-0939. clarkcountyfoodbank.org . Sunshine Pantry: 7795 SW Cirrus Dr., Beaverton. 971-506-7827. sunshinepantry.org . Do you know of another way to help? Please post it in the comments below!

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Families Against Hunger

Parent & Child Yoga

Before I get into this yoga business, I have to mention Shine Integrative Physical Therapy (SPT). For 20+ years, I’ve experienced chronic neck pain, and I’ve tried about everything to fix… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Parent & Child Yoga

Celebrate Reading!

On March 2, book lovers everywhere will celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday by participating in Read Across America Day , an annual event sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA) to encourage children and families to discover the joy of reading. This year the Read Across America theme centers around The Lorax -– the beloved book by Dr. Seuss and the movie, which opens nationwide March 2. For more information about celebrating Read Across America Day -– and promoting reading in our community year round –- check out Seussville , the Read Across America Facebook page and the official pledge site (where you share your plans for celebrating). You can even post your own Read Across America video at SchoolTube ! As Dr. Seuss said, “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.”

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Celebrate Reading!

Academy Awards parties in Portland

Several theaters and pubs in Portland are hosting screening events for the 84th Annual Academy Awards.

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Academy Awards parties in Portland