Thursday, May 17, 2012

Parenting in the Gorge Guide for Hood River and Wasco Counties

It's everything you'd like to know about opportunities & resources for parents - welcome baby resources, library story times, playgroups, wonderworks playstation, parenting classes for toddlers to teens!

Summer Art Experiences!

The Columbia Center for the Arts is offering visual art and theatre classes for elementary, middle and high school students featuring new outdoor experiences this summer! Glass mosiacs, Chalk Art Extravaganza, Recycled Art Camp, Plein Air Painting and lots of other opportunities. Register Online.

Babysitter Training Class

This class provides training in many aspects of babysitting including first-aid, baby care, toddler care, healthy snacks and easy meals for kids to cook and eat, business tips, age appropriate games and safety. Students who comple the training will receive a certificate and a wallet sized completion card. The class will be held on June 5, 6, and 7 from 4:00-6:00pm in the OSU Extension Conference Room. For more information please contact Dani Annala at OSU Extension Service at 541-386-3343

Hood River Valley Eagles Soccer Camp

HRV High School Soccer coaching staff and current student-athletes will share their approach to the game including: safe and healthy training routines, proper warm ups, individual work ethic, team work, decision-making and of course we won't forget to have a little fun! The first 25 players to sign up will receive a free Eagle soccer ball, shin guards and socks! Happening June 18-21 and July 9-12.

Register online at Hood River Community Ed (Classes > Sports and Rec > Soccer > Eagle Soccer Camp) or in person at 1119 Eugene St. in Hood River. See Gerry Murray or Cindy Willaims.

Sensory Friendly Films

On the Second Saturday of every month at 9:30am, come to Hood River Cinemas for Sensory Friendly Movies. The lights are turned up so the movie isn't so bright, the sound is turned down so it's not so loud. G and PG Movies, siblings welcome.
In order to avoid crowds, the movie is shown early in the morning before the theater is open to the general public.  Call Kidsense at 541-386-0009 for more information.

The Power of Parenting - It Starts with a Dream

May 23, Swindells Resource Center has a speaker event next Wednesday at Pine Grove Elementary in Hood River. The topic is "The Power of Parenting" and the presenter is Roberta Dunn, the mother of a child with Downs Syndrome. She will be sharing her stories about parenting a child with special needs. This is a FREE event and childcare is provided!

Being Absent from School Doesn't Add Up, Saving Money on Food, Local Health Fairs and more...

The Skamania County Parenting Network Newsletter has a ton of great info on Learn and Play Programs, Toxin Free Cleaning and some fun science projects!

Recommended Websites for Kids

The Hood River County Library announces that the Association of Library Services to Children has created a guide to parents for their child’s online use.  See their recommended websites for kids.

Tempering Temper Tantrums

Temper tantrums can be miserable for the child, the parents – and every passenger on the crowded airplane. Is there any way to stop a meltdown mid-stream?

Read more on the Providence ''To Your Health' Newsletter.

Wonderworks Museum's Family Festival!

Saturday May 19th, 10am - 3pm. Come join us for this amazingly fun event! There will be live entertainment, tons of fun and creative kids activities, games, prizes, and much more! Your kids won't want to miss this fantastic Family Festival!

Gromb Bomb Kids' Bike Meet

Saturday May 19th, 9am registration at the Hood River Skate Park - Races for age groups 4 & under up to 12-13yrs. Free Event - donationsto HRATS and NWTA encouraged. Raffle and root beer floats after the race!

The Parent Network Newsletter

Internet safety tips, power words for parenting, learning from arguments, free parenting resources and more. Download and read the Skamania County Parent Network Newsletter, from the Skamania Klickitat Community Network.

Parent Connections Group at KidSense Pediatric Therapy Center

Parents share their personal experiences related to Sensory Processing Disorder. Meetings will take place the 2nd Monday of Every month.

Parent Involvement = Future Success

Parents are the most influential people in their children's career decisions. The Oregon Career Information System features this website just for Oregon parents of elementary, middle, high school and college students. It provides info on providing the tools you can use to act effectively on behalf of your children.

Open Enrollment Parenting Classes

Can't seem to get signed up for parenting classes by the time they start? New Parent Services has a more convenient class for you! Enroll anytime for either Hood River or The Dalles classes, get started anytime. This class series focuses on children ages 0-8.

Chatting with Kids about Being Online

This publication was put together by OnGuardOnline.gov which provides “practical tips from the federal government and the technology community to help you guard against internet fraud, secure your computers, and protect your privacy.

Good Parenting Support

Here are a few excellent places to check for information or to call when you, a parent or a teenager you know needs some quick support and help. Parent Trust for Washington Children.

Parent Trust Family Help Line: 1-800-932-HOPE (4673) - Toll-free in Washington State.
Washington State Teenline:1-800-562-1240