Private group wants to promote Wash. state tourism
This summer cash-strapped Washington became the only state in the nation to close its tourism office.
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Private group wants to promote Wash. state tourism
Tag Archives: summer
Still Time for Summer Fun!
So far this summer, my son and I have been perfect slackers! We’ve been to the neighborhood pool several times and even made it to the coast for a few nights with friends, but other than that we’ve pretty much just been lazing around the neighborhood, playing with friends and generally slacking off. Now, with only a few weeks left of our precious unscheduled summer –- and with the weather doing its part to make it feel like summer, finally! –- I’m determined to venture a little farther from home for some once-a-year summer fun. My list of potential activities includes berry picking and swimming on Sauvie Island; hikes in Forest Park, Tryon Creek and other nearby nature areas; possibly a day trip to Mt. St. Helens (although that seems awfully ambitious); and the Oregon State Fair. I’d like to add a few more items to the list -– while still leaving us plenty of time for summer slacking. Can you help? What are your family’s “must do” summer activities? Please share your recommendations in the comments below. But hurry -– the back-to-school clock is ticking!
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Still Time for Summer Fun!
Water, Water Everywhere!
Summer’s prime time for water play, and we’re fortunate to have plenty of options –- both indoors and out -– throughout the metro area. From water parks to fountains to swimming holes and outdoor pools, there’s always somewhere you and your kids can splash and play! INDOOR WATER FUN: Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark : The new water park next to McMinnville’s Evergreen Aviation Museum features over 70,000 square feet of spurting, waving, shooting, streaming water play fun! Crowned with a Boeing 747 on the roof –- the starting point for the park’s four largest water slides -– it’s the area’s largest waterpark and the only one that combines traditional slides, pools and water play features with an interactive children’s museum and a cosmic outer space theme. 460 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville. 503-434-4185. evergreenmuseum.org/waterpark . You’ll also find big slides, lazy rivers and other water play features at many public pools around the area. Here are a few of our favorites: North Clackamas Aquatic Center : 7300 SE Harmony Rd., Milwaukie. 503-557-SURF (7873). clackamas.us . Portland Parks & Recreation Pools : Specifically, check out the pools at the East Portland Community Center (740 SE 106th Ave.; 503-823-3450); Mt. Scott Community Center (5530 SE 72nd Ave.; 503-823-3183); and Wilson Pool (an outdoor option; 1151 SW Vermont; 503-823-3680). portlandonline.com . Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center : 9985 SW 125th Ave., Beaverton. 503-629-6313. thprd.org . Firstenburg Community Center : 700 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver, Wash. 360-487-7001. cityofvancouver.us . PUBLIC FOUNTAINS: Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden : Grant Park, NE 33rd and US Grant Pl. 503-823-PLAY (7529). portlandonline.com . Blue Lake Park Spray Ground : 20500 NE Marine Dr. 503-797-1850. oregonmetro.gov . City Park Fountain : Fifth and Hall, in front of the library, Beaverton. Esther Short Park : West Columbia and 8th Sts., Vancouver, Wash. Forecourt and Lovejoy Fountains : Between SW 3rd and 4th, at Market (Forecourt) and Hall (Lovejoy). Jamison Square Fountain : Between NW Kearney and Johnson and NW 10th and 11th. Rivercrest SprayPark : 131 Park Drive, Oregon City. 503- 496-1546. orcity.org . Salmon Street Springs : SW Salmon at Waterfront Park. Tanner Creek Park : 3456 Parker Rd., West Linn. 503-557-4700. westlinnoregon.gov . Tualatin Commons : Tualatin-Sherwood Road in Tualatin City Center. NATURAL “SWIMMING HOLES”: Blue Lake Regional Park : Includes a swimming beach for ages 5 and up, a water play area for children under 5, fishing and playgrounds. Boat/canoe rentals on weekends. Off Northeast 223rd Avenue between Marine Dr. and Sandy Blvd., Gresham. 503-797-1850. oregonmetro.gov . Frenchman’s Bar Park : Beach access to the Columbia River, picnic sites, play equipment and more. 9612 NW Lower River Road, Vancouver Wash. 360-619-1111. ci.vancouver.wa.us . Glen Otto Community Park : Sandy River access with swimming beach, picnic areas, and children’s playground. 1102 E Historic Columbia River Hwy. 503-666-8303. ci.troutdale.or.us . Salmon Creek Park : Swimming pond with a lifeguard on duty during the summer. 1112 NE 117th St., Vancouver, Wash. 360-619-1111. ci.vancouver.wa.us . Vancouver Lake Park : Swimming allowed in one section of the lake. 6801 NW Lower River Road (3 miles west of Vancouver on SR-501), Wash. 360-619-1111. ci.vancouver.wa.us . OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOLS: Check out our Family Fun editor’s roundup of outdoor pools around the area. Where does your family like to splash, float, swim and slide?
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Water, Water Everywhere!
Fairs & Festivals
July and August are prime time for fairs and festivals! Today, you can catch the tail end of the Waterfront Blues Festival or Estacada’s Big Bang , or check out any number of rodeos around the region. As the summer continues, you’ll find plenty to see and do at the Great Oregon Steam-Up , the 50th anniversary of TurkeyRama , the Robin Hood Festival , da Vinci Days , the West Linn Old Time Fair and more. And then of course there are all the county fairs coming up around the greater metro area! How’s a family supposed to keep track of all this fun? Never fear! We’ve put together a roundup of Fairs & Festivals to make scheduling your family’s summer fun as easy as possible. (And don’t forget to take a peek at our Family Favorites listings for fireworks fun , too!) What’s your family’s favorite summer fair or festival? Are there any fairs or festivals you hope to check out for the first time this year?
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Fairs & Festivals
Cool Summer Savings
Once again, we’re happy to share the coupons and deals in our current issue , as well as a few other family-friendly, budget-friendly summer deals: Coupons and Deals in Our June Issue: John’s Incredible Pizza: Free $10 FunCard with purchase of buffet and beverage. (Page 33) Sunriver Resort: Rates starting at $159 during their Endless Adventure offer. (Page 21) EcoMaids: 10 percent off any service. (Page 15) Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Free initial exam for children under 3. (Page 5) World of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Complementary dental exam for kids under age 2. (Page 9) Tidee Didee: One week free with four paid weeks of diaper service. (Page 31) Learning Palace: Get 15 percent off your entire purchase. (Page 41) Plus Two Hot Summer Savings Programs for Families: Regal $1 Movies: Regal movie theaters are showing G and PG-rated movies at 10 am every Tuesday and Wednesday, from June 21 through the end of August, for only $1. Visit their website to find participating theaters in the area and the schedule of movies. Kids Bowl Free: Kids can receive two free games of bowling every day all summer long at participating bowling centers. (Does not include shoe rental.) Visit the website find participating bowling centers, including dates and age limits at each location, and to register your kids for free.
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Cool Summer Savings
Win Tickets to Day Out with Thomas!
When my son was younger, he was a huge fan of Thomas the Tank Engine! One of the highlights of his summer (several years in a row) was Day Out with Thomas at Mt. Hood Railroad, where you get to ride on everybody’s favorite little blue engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy a train-themed day of fun! And this year, Metro Parent is happy to be offering one lucky reader a Family Four-Pack of tickets for free! On June 18, 19, 25 and 26, the Mt. Hood Railroad will be transformed into the Isle of Soder — Oregon-style — with Thomas himself pulling a passenger train, Sir Topham Hatt mingling with the crowd, storytelling, arts and crafts and more! Check out thomasandfriends.com/dowt for more info. Purchase tickets at ticketweb.com/dowt . And don’t forget to enter to win the Family Four-Pack of tickets before the contest ends on June 15! After all, little engines can do big things! Contest ends June 15. One entry per household.
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Win Tickets to Day Out with Thomas!
Kids Bowl FREE!
If you’re looking to expand your repertoire of fun and affordable family activities, especially during the summer, the Kids Bowl Free program could be just what you’re looking for! The program provides coupons for kids to bowl two free games every day this summer (most programs have already begun) at participating bowling centers. All you pay for is the shoe rental. And if bowling is a family affair at your house, for a one-time fee of $24.95, you can register up to four adults in your household (this can include teens who are too old to qualify for the free program) to receive the same benefits as the kids -– two free games of bowling every day throughout the summer. My family has already been using the coupons for a few weeks at Hollywood Bowl in northeast Portland. Even though we usually bowl on Sundays, when games are only $2.50 each, we saved a whopping $15 on each of the past two Sundays. The next time we use the coupons, our Family Pass will have paid for itself, and summer hasn’t even started yet! To get started, just find your nearest participating bowling center and register online . You can print your coupons from the website each week, and they’ll send you a reminder email in case you forget. With the forecast for rain this holiday weekend, it seems like the perfect time to start bowling for free! Here’s a list of participating local bowling centers with dates and age limits. (If no beginning date is indicated, the program is already under way.) Portland: Hollywood Bowl : Runs through August 31; ages 15 and under. Rose Bowl : Runs through August 31; ages 15 and under. Beaverton: Valley Lanes : Runs through September 5; ages 15 and under. Hillsboro: Park Lanes Family Entertainment Center : Runs through September 30; ages 15 and under. Milwaukie: Kellogg Bowl : Runs through September 6; ages 15 and under. Milwaukie Bowl : Runs June 1 through September 7; ages 15 and under. Gresham: Mt. Hood Lanes : Runs through August 31; ages 18 and under. Tigard: Tigard Bowl : Runs through September 5; ages 15 and under. Wilsonville: Wilsonville Lanes : Runs through August 31; ages 18 and under. Molalla: Molalla Bowl : Runs through September 5; ages 18 and under. Vancouver, Wash: Husted’s Hazel Dell Lanes : Runs through September 5; ages 15 and under.
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Kids Bowl FREE!
April Deals & Coupons
Once again we’re happy to share the great deals and coupons you’ll find in our current issue . So without further ado, here they are, in order of appearance: Learning Palace: Take 15 percent off your entire purchase – Page 8 Little Smiles Pediatric Dentisty: Free initial exam for children under 3 – Page 10 Bob’s Red Mill: Buy two items, get the third free, at the Bob’s Red Mill Store in Milwaukie- Page 23 Tidee Didee: : Get one week of free diaper service with four paid weeks – Page 25 Sunriver Resort: Save 20 percent off their best available rates – Page 27 Our World Learning Creative Play Center: Get $2 off a JJ Jump/Our World Open Play Session – Page 27 Christian Youth Theater Summer Camps: Register by June 1 and get $10 off; first time campers get $25 off – Page 29 Club Sport: Free guest pass (restrictions apply) – Page 33 Lakeshore Learning Store: Get 20 percent off any single item – Page 49 PLUS , enter to win a diapering basket worth more than $150! – Page 26 Happy saving!
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April Deals & Coupons
Our Annual Summer Camps Issue
Your furnace might still be screaming winter chill, but we’re here to remind you it’s time to start thinking summer — Summer Camp, that is! Many local camps are accepting applications for Summer 2011, and some of the most popular ones are already filling up. But don’t panic! Our 2011 Summer Camps and Learning Guide is hitting the stands this week, with loads of information about local camps and other summer learning opportunities. In addition to a comprehensive list of local camp options, you’ll find features on nature camps and camps for kids with special needs , as well as a Summer Camp Survival Guide with articles to help you choose the right camp(s) for your kids, keep your kids healthy at camp, and understand how camps foster independence — and how you can help. Pick up a copy today, or check it out online beginning March 1 for all the information you need to make this summer a success!
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Our Annual Summer Camps Issue
Free Parenting Workshops at IKEA
If the holidays are stressful and overwhelming for you, just imagine how a child — especially one with sensory integration challenges — must feel. There’s the excitement of opening presents, the hubbub of visiting relatives, chaotic schedules and deviations from the familiar routine. It’s no wonder so many children become overstimulated and act out. But help is on the way, and it’s coming from an unexpected source. IKEA is hosting a free Sensory Integration workshop for parents on Nov. 17 from 10 am to noon, in conjunction with the Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) Early Childhood Program. During the workshop, an occupational therapist will share tips, tools and activities to help children process the often overwhelming sensory stimulation that comes with the hectic holiday season so everyone can enjoy the celebratory time together. This workshop is just one in a series presented by the Portland IKEA store — along with their MESD partners — to support local families. The series grew out of the IKEA staff’s desire to offer training related to autism, Asperger’s and general early childhood development for employees working in their free childcare area, Småland. After their first staff workshop, says Marketing and PR Specialist April Minister, “We said, ‘Hey, this is all great information. It’s wonderful that our co-workers have this training but wouldn’t parents really want this as well?’” They held their first free workshop for parents in May, focusing on Positive Parenting, and have since expanded the program to offer an ongoing series of workshops for local parents. It all fits IKEA’s mission to be “The Life Improvement Store,” says Minister, adding, “What’s more fundamental to improving life at home than improving the relationship between parents and children? That’s really how the positive parenting series of classes came about.” Upcoming IKEA Positive Parenting Workshops: Nov. 17, 10 am to Noon: Sensory Integration. Jan. 12, 10 am to Noon: New Year’s Resolution – Being a Better Parent in 2011. Mar. 14, 10 am to Noon: An Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Apr. 9, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm: Free Developmental Screenings. MESD developmental specialists will offer free assessments; no appointment necessary. May 2, 10 am to Noon: Back to School – Get Ready, Get Set, Get Organized. Learn some tools you can implement over the summer to make sure your kids are ready in the fall! Jun. 11, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm: Free Developmental Screenings. MESD developmental specialists will offer free assessments; no appointment necessary. Jul. 11: It Takes Two – Strategies for Communicating with Your Child. All workshops are held at the IKEA store, 10280 NE Cascades Parkway, and are free. Space is limited, so sign up early by visiting Småland, the in-store free childcare play area, or by sending an email to lifeimprovement.portland.us@ikea.com . Free childcare is available at Småland with pre-registration for children who are between 37 and 54 inches tall and are potty trained. More cool kid-friendly happenings at IKEA: Every Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 pm kids can enjoy special activities in Småland . Free Gingerbread House Decorating Workshops will be offered from 4 to 5 pm on Nov. 16 and 18 and Dec. 14 and 15. (Space is limited. First come, first served. Limit one gingerbread house per family.) Can’t make it? Pick up an Anna’s Gingerbread House Kit at IKEA’s Swedish Food Market to create at home ($4.99). For more information, visit ikea.com/us/en/store/portland/activities .
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Free Parenting Workshops at IKEA
Back to School
My son went back to school yesterday – fifth grade – and although our neighbors started school last week, I know this week marks the beginning of a new school year for many area families. As I sit at my desk in my unusually quiet house, sipping my second cup of coffee, I can’t help but reflect on the summer that’s just ended and the new year ahead. This summer went by so fast – Do they all? I can’t remember! – but we definitely enjoyed ourselves while it lasted. We took a few road trips, visited OMSI and Oaks Park and our local swimming pools and playgrounds, and had plenty of good old-fashioned down time at home reading books, playing board games and hanging out with our wonderful neighbors. But now it’s back to school for him, back to work for me. (I work at home, so I never stopped, but I definitely slowed down while my son was home.) I’m looking forward to having more time to focus on my work, more mental bandwidth to take on new projects and more uninterrupted blocks of time to actually start and complete a task in one sitting. I’m looking forward to taking my morning walks up Mt. Tabor more regularly and meeting friends and colleagues for coffee and the occasional lunch. And I’m looking forward to seeing my son’s smiling face after school every day and reconnecting with him as he tells me about his day, his friends and his triumphs and challenges. If your kids are back in school, what are you looking forward to most? What will you miss most about summer?
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Back to School
Are You Having a Science-filled Summer?
In our July issue , we ran an article called Cool Science for Hot Summer Days offering simple ways to infuse your summer fun with scientific exploration. In our upcoming September issue, we’re featuring an Ages & Stages article about raising kids who are scientifically literate. (Are you sensing a theme?) It’s not that we think all kids should aspire to have careers in science. It’s just that we think all kids (and all adults!) should be enthusiastic about exploring the world and drawing their own, well-reasoned conclusions. How have you and your kids explored the world this summer? Stargazing? Bird and/or bug watching? Cooking? Gardening? It’s all summer science! There’s still time for more! If you need inspiration, check out these three Summer Science Experiments from Mad Science of Portland and Vancouver. And if you have any fun family science activities your family loves, please share them below!
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Are You Having a Science-filled Summer?
Starting a New School?
If your child is starting a new school this fall – whether preschool, kindergarten, middle school or high school – now is the perfect time to start preparing him for a smooth transition. Here are some simple ways to help kids feel comfortable and familiar with their new school before the first bell rings: Visit the school with your child during the summer. Play on the playground. Look into classrooms, walk down the halls and check out the cafeteria if you can. Get together with other families whose children will attend the new school. If your child sees a few familiar faces on his first day, he’ll feel more at home there. If your child is starting middle school, find out if you can walk around the school and find her locker and classes prior to the first day. That will alleviate the anxiety of trying to navigate unfamiliar halls crowded with excited teens and ‘tweens. If your child is interested in sports, music, dance or theater, find out if he or she can get involved in school activities during the summer. Many organized clubs and teams begin practicing before school begins. Talk with your child about what to expect – what will be similar to what they’re used to and what will be different. Acknowledge their concerns and remind them that everyone feels a little nervous on the first day. Show them you have confidence in them and in their ability to succeed in their new school. For more tips about smoothing the transition to a new school, read Smooth Moves in our August issue .
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Starting a New School?
