See our calendar for 218 July events!

JULY 2016

FAMILY FUNat RIVERSPORT Rapids

OUTLAW ADVENTURE

Plan a trip to Robbers Cave

page 8

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10RIVERSPORT RAPIDSEverything you need to know before visiting this impressive attraction with your family.

guide...goThe ultimate OKC family fun

48PREVENTING FOSTER CAREDiscover how one non-profit is keeping kids at home.

14ROBBERS CAVESet out for a summer adventure to this ancient outlaw hideout.

All things child care

22

8 Editor's Picks: Top Splash Pads

20 Mom Humor: Good Times

32 Calendar of Events

62 Kid Review: Harkins Bricktown

PLUS... DON’T

MISS ALL THIS

HAVE A STORYOR BIG EVENT?We are all about family activities and fun in the OKC metro. If you have a

story to share, let us know!

CONTACT THE TEAM AT 405-601-2081 or email

sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com.

EDITORIALSarah Taylor–Publisher

Hannah Schmitt–Managing EditorLindsay Cuomo–Assistant Editor

Heather Davis, Erin Page, Lindsay Cuomo & Kathleen Shannon–Contributing Writers

Emily Hart and Mark Doescher–Contributing Photographers

Brittany Viklund–Contributing Illustrator

DESIGN & SALESStacy Noakes–Art Director

Callie Collins–Marketing Director Athena Delce, Dana Price &

Jessica Misun–Sales Kathy Alberty–Office/Distribution

Shelly Sanderson–Business Development

Circulation - 35,000 Also available as a digital edition at

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Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Inprint Publishing, Inc. We do not

assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The

acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products,

services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is

fraudulent or misleading in nature.

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Inprint Publishing, Inc. Address: 318 NW 13th St Ste 101

OKC OK 73103

Phone: 405-601-2081 Fax: 405-445-7509

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©Inprint Publishing, Inc. 2016, All Rights Reserved.

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE | JULY 2016

Volume 19, Number 7

MYRIAD GARDENS PHOTO BY SIMON HURST

Still three months away from giving birth to my first baby, I'm already discovering parenthood is a series of experiences for which you never really feel prepared.

About the time I thought I was supposed to just relax and relish early pregnancy, I started putting together this issue which is all about child care. Whether I was in a brainstorming meeting or an interview with a source, it started to become clear that while I thought my most immediate concerns were morning sickness and picking out a crib, experienced parents warned it was actually the time to be considering maternity leave and narrowing down a day care.

Parenthood comes with a lot of tough choices, child care being one of them. It's a dividing issue, too, with plenty of outspoken parents on both sides of the day care dilemma. But I believe our staff has managed to put together some helpful resources in this issue for parents who have determined they're going to need some outside help with child care.

On page 25 find an honest essay about how one local business owner and mom decided day care was right for her family. On page 27 we break down some myths about hiring a nanny and on page 24 we delve a little

deeper into the recent news about legislation changes to safe sleep practices in Oklahoma child care centers. Even if you've already selected a day care facility, we've got some helpful tips on making your first drop-off smooth on page 22.

I'm still hugely unprepared for all the parenting decisions and experiences ahead, but I hope this issue will help parents feel better about their child care choices. Deciding who to trust your children with, where and for how long are never easy choices. But I'm confident the mom-approved options in our Child Care Guide (on page 30) and the advice we have sprinkled through the issue will help guide you to the best choice for your family.

Hannah SchmittEditor

WOW!

WelcomeFROM OUR EDITORThis month we break down child care in OKC, highlight new attractions at the Oklahoma River and share tips for a summer drive to Robbers Cave.

Beat summer boredom!

We're adding new guides to our website all summer! Keep the kids busy with these exciting web features:

• Summer Bucket Lists for Teens & Toddlers• Top Spots for Horseback Riding• Oklahoma Swimming Holes• 50 Things to Do This Summer Under $5• Top Trips on a Tankful• Kids Pass of Exclusive Coupons

Find them all at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/summer.

• Web Exclusive: A growing number of teens and their parents are choosing nontraditional ways of learning. Online high schools can be a great alternative for many families. Valor Online High School shares the advantages and why it might be the right choice for you. Learn more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/valor.

CELEBRATE

SUMMER

WITH HUNDREDS

OF JULY EVENTS

Calendar starts on page 32 PHOTO TAKEN BY EMILY HART WWW.NINAANDBPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

THIS MONTH’S COVER:Cover Kid Search winners and 1-year-old quadruplets Levi, Maximilian, Jacob and Alexandra live in Oklahoma City with parents Amanda and Bryan and sister Samantha.

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 6 JULY 2016

The Cost of Child Care

$47,199:25.24%

An average of

of the median household income goes to childcare for two children and 14.38

percent for one child.

Of the majority of U.S. employers, just offer fully-paid maternity leave.5%

BY HANNAH SCHMITT

family buzz

Starting June 1, the Department of Human Services put a freeze on the program that helps low-income families in Oklahoma pay for child care. Prior to June 1, low-income families that can't afford quality child care could apply for assistance from OKDHS to make care more affordable. Here's what you need to know about the changes:

• People already enrolled in the program won't be impacted but OKDHS isn't taking any new applications for their child care subsidy program.

• The eligibility for the child care subsidy depends on the income of the family and how many children need care. The federal government considers a family of five earning $2,370 or less a month under the poverty line. At that income level, a family with three children needing care in Oklahoma's child care subsidy program would pay just $287 a month for care.

• Child Care Aware reports the average cost of full-time care for an infant in

Oklahoma is $623 per month and $467 for full-time care of a 4-year-old. With the OKDHS program on hold, thousands of families will have to pay full price for child care regardless of their income.

• An average of 32,336 children in Oklahoma currently receive a subsidy to help provide them with quality child care. The average monthly subsidy is $334.

• Between 22,000 and 26,000 families apply for child care assistance annually in Oklahoma.

• It is unknown when OKDHS will start accepting new applications again.

We understand many Oklahoma families will be financially burdened by these changes and we're devastated to think our readers might not be able to find quality care for their children without the subsidy. Please check out our Child Care Guide on page 30 for more information on child care providers or call Rainbow Fleet, a nonprofit child care

referral service for Oklahoma families, at 525-3111, for tips on finding care that fits your family's needs.

[Editor's Note: Stats about subsidy program provided by OKDHS Communications Manager Mark Beutler.]

We’re buzzing about Child Care

Statistics: Child Care Aware of America 2015 Report on Parents and the High Cost of Child Care

65%Over a six-month period,

of parents are absent from work at least once due to childcare breakdowns.

of parents' work schedules are affected by child care challenges an average of 7.5 times over a six-month period.

45%In Oklahoma, where the

median household income is

$7,480$5,610

The average annual cost of child care in Oklahoma for one 4-year-old is

The average annual cost of child care in Oklahoma for one infant is

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 7 JULY 2016

W e're looking for Oklahoma City area kids with lots of personality to

help us review local businesses. Our Kid Reviewers should be between the ages of 5 and 13 with a passion for all things local. If you'd like us to consider your child as a MetroFamily Kid Reviewer, please have them review one of their favorite attractions or restaurants and send us their review.

Questions we need answered in each review:

• What is the name, age and city of residence of the reviewer?

• What is the name of the venue being reviewed?

• What made the experience stand out?

• What was the best part?

• What was the worst part?

• Will other kids enjoy it and why?

• If you could do this again knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?

• Does what you saw match up with anything you're learning in school or have seen before in a book, on TV, etc.?

• What do you think you'll remember most about having done this activity?

Please have your son or daughter complete the Kid Review questions on a favorite venue and send your answers along with a photo of the child enjoying the reviewed

attraction or restaurant to hannah@metrofamilymagazine.com with the subject line "Kid Review."

To see examples of previous Kid Reviews, visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Kid-Reviews.

Seeking: Kid Reviewers

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 8 JULY 2016

Andrews Park Splash Pad201 W. Daws, Norman

Why We Love It: Beautiful shade trees surround this Norman splash pad that offers guaranteed squeals to visitors of all ages. The splash pad is free and open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 5. The Norman Public Library Central (225 N. Webster Ave.) is just a three-minute walk away, so make a day of it and visit both.

Myriad Gardens Thunder Fountain & Seasonal Plaza301 W. Reno

Why We Love It: Thunder Fountain has become one of the most popular places in Oklahoma City to get wet. The festive

pavilion over the fountain not only provides some shade for playing, but its sound and water effects mimic a rainforest storm that thrills kids. If you're looking to get wet but not get caught in a downpour, the Seasonal Plaza nearby offers small fountains that bubble up from the ground. Both are free and open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer months.

Parmele Park Pavilion and Splash Pad1308 N. Janeway, Moore

Why We Love It: This sprawling Moore park and splash pad could easily entertain all day. Kids love to go back and forth between the dry jungle-themed playground and the water features of the

splash pad. Parents love the covered picnic tables and restrooms that make it easy to pack a lunch and stay all day. The park is free and open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day.

Lions Park Splash Pad2201 S. Midwest Blvd., Midwest City

Why We Love It: Lions Park is a great attraction for families with children of varying ages. Older kids love the nearby skate park, boasting 10,000 square feet of half pipes and quarter pipes to practice boarding skills. Family members of all ages enjoy the splash pad's unique water features like the Water Wicket, Over and Under and Baby Long Legs. The free park is open daily from 10 a.m. to dusk through Labor Day.

Top Splash Pads in the Metro

editor’s picks

When temperatures climb to uncomfortable levels in Oklahoma, there's no relief like getting wet. Oklahoma City is packed with opportunities to cool off under some refreshing

water. Here are some of our favorite splash pads and fountains throughout the Oklahoma City metro area.

PHOTO BY CARL SHORTT JR COURTESY OF MYRIAD GARDENS

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 9 JULY 2016

Wiley Post Sprayground2021 S. Robinson

Why We Love It: The City of Oklahoma City operates almost 20 spraygrounds but the one at Wiley Post Park is a hit because of its proximity to the Oklahoma River. Families can enjoy the pirate-themed splash pad before setting off to explore the beautiful trail system along the river. The sprayground is free and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through July 31 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays only from Aug. 1 to Sept. 5.

Reno Swim & Slide101 S. Douglas Blvd., Midwest City

Why We Love It: This enormous water playground features a 500,000-gallon pool surrounded by features like slides, an aqua climbing wall, a pirate ship and a playground with zero depth beach entry. A snack bar is available on-site, making it an excellent place to spend the entire day. Admission is $3 for kids 5 and under and $6 for ages 6 and up. The facility is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 5.

Children's Zoo Water FeatureOklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Pl.

Why We Love It: On hot summer days, kids flock to the Oklahoma City Zoo's water feature like the animals flock to their watering holes. The Oklahoma City Zoo recently put in a unique waterfall feature to help patrons stay cool and comfortable on hot summer days. Water flows through a portion of the Children's Zoo that's perfect for a splash mid-way through your next visit. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $8 but children ages 3-11 are admitted for $5.

Earlywine Family Aquatic Center3101 S.W. 119th St.

Why We Love It: This family-friendly aquatic attraction boasts zero-depth entries, oversized slides and all the favorite features from a standard splash pad. This center is great for families with kids of varying ages as it truly has something for everyone. The facility is open Sunday-Wednesday from

noon to 8 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. through Aug. 14. The facility opens noon to 6 p.m. on Aug. 20 and 21, 27 and 28 and Sept. 3-5. Admission is $6 per person under 48", $7 per person over 48" and $4 for non-swimming observers. Save a little money by visiting during twilight hours, where admission is discounted after 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

[Editor's Note: Find a complete guide to all the splash pads, pools, water parks and lakes in Oklahoma City at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/swim-fun.]

RIVERSPORT RapidsA Destination Unlike Any Other

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 11 JULY 2016

Arcadia

lake sweep

Join Us and HelpKeep Arcadia Lake Clean.

Saturday | August 6 | 7 to 10amFree T-shirt & Brunch

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Trashy pick-upline #34

“You look a little tire-d, can I give you a lift?”

BY LINDSAY CUOMO, PHOTOS BY MARK DOESCHER

Oklahoma City, like many other metropolitan areas, has burgeoning urban

neighborhoods defined by their own unique personalities. Our downtown neighborhoods’ once decaying streets and buildings have now been transformed into hubs of culture, each serving up a diverse variety of family fun. As the older parts of the city get a facelift, exciting newly-developed areas are taking shape as well.

The Boathouse District on the Oklahoma River has received a lot of attention over the past few years. The banks of the river have been shaped into a main destination for thrill-seekers in the metro. RIVERSPORT Adventures opened four years ago offering extreme adventures. Still holding its place as the tallest adventure course of its kind in the world, RIVERSPORT Adventures’ SandRidge Sky Trail lets you climb rope bridges, balance beams and more on your way up to the tallest dry slide complex in the United States before returning to the ground via the 80-foot free fall or the zip line across the full width of the river.

A recent addition to the adventures is the Subaru Momentum Pump Track, a fiberglass mountain bike and BMX style course. Berms, bumps and bank turns twist along the longest composite bike pump track in the U.S.

“It’s pretty hard to do but once you get the hang of it, it’s really fun,” shared Greg Newby, Marketing coordinator with the OKC Boathouse Foundation. “It’s a really popular attraction.”

The Boathouse District just opened another one-of-a-kind attraction, RIVERSPORT Rapids, completed as part of MAPS 3, the one-cent sales tax initiative dedicated to metro area projects. The state-of-the-art aquatic facility lets families experience an adventure of an entirely different kind. Nine million gallons of water powered by up to six 23,000-pound pumps create 2,900-feet of raging rapids coursing through two white water channels. One of only three man-made whitewater venues in the nation, the 11-acre center was designed by the same team that designed the whitewater facilities for the 2012 London Olympics.

Oklahoma has a rich Olympic history (see more at the end of this article) and the Boathouse District has served to strengthen the connection to this tradition. Oklahoma City is the permanent home for USA Canoe/Kayak and has hosted the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Canoe/Kayak for the last three Olympic games. US Rowing frequently uses the Boathouse District as a training site as well. RIVERSPORT Adventures’ whitewater facility adds another exciting facet to Oklahoma’s Olympic and sports culture.

Designed to accommodate all skill levels, RIVERSPORT Rapids continues the goals set forth by the Oklahoma Boathouse Foundation and their vision to see people of all ages take part in river sports. This was eloquently demonstrated during the Grand

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Opening weekend in early May. Taking turns over the two-day event, recreational rafters tackled the water alongside the nation’s top whitewater slalom athletes vying for spots with Team U.S.A. at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

The public can enjoy the new attraction in several ways: group rafting, whitewater kayaking, whitewater tubing and also using inflatable kayaks known as duckies. No experience is necessary to participate in the group rafting. Professional guides will teach you everything you need to know. They break down the proper way to paddle and demonstrate important safety skills in an easy-to-understand orientation session. They will also guide you throughout your entire experience.

There is a bit of prep work required to tackle the rapids in a kayak, however. Most will have to take a couple of courses to ensure they have all the necessary skills to navigate the waters safely. The center provides all the equipment you need including life jackets and helmets and safety is a high priority. The course is designed for safety with inlets, stairs and professional river guides with swift water rescue training strategically placed throughout the facility.

Group rafting is a team endeavor. Rafts hold up to six paddlers as well as a guide who all work together to navigate the rapids. Camaraderie and teamwork are an important part of the fun! The course is meant to be challenging and the better your team works together, the more times you’ll be able to make it around. Each session lasts about 90

minutes, so you’ll likely get several runs down the channels to perfect your skills.

Plan to bring all the things you’d bring to the pool like sunscreen, towels and a change of clothes. You are going to get wet, so dress comfortably in active wear. Shoes with back straps are required and those with good traction are recommended.

RIVERSPORT Rapids is included with an All Access Pass, as well as the flatwater and land activities. Annual and day pass options are available for $179 and $49, respectively. Depending on the size of your group, ages 8 and up can ride the rapids. Call ahead to determine age availability.

[Editor’s Note: The minimum age for many of the activities at RIVERSPORT Rapids is 8, but please call the facility directly to inquire about age requirements.]

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 13 JULY 2016

SUMMER FUN HAPPENS HERE

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors

to make sure that everyone, regardless of age,

income or background, has the opportunity to learn,

grow and thrive.

13 METRO LOCATIONS FIND YOURS AT YMCAOKC.ORG

Bring your family to the Y and see what we have to offer.

John Smith, a two-time Olympic medalist captured golds at the Barcelona 1992 Games and the Seoul 1998 Games in featherweight freestyle wrestling. Smith is currently the wrestling head coach at Oklahoma State University.

The Smoke Sisters, Marcia Jones Smoke and Sperry Jones Rademaker paddled together in the Mexico City 1964 Games. Marcia would go on to win bronze in the 1964 Olympics and her son, Jeff, competed in Athens in 2004.

Michael Theimer, a 1976 Olympian, holds national records in shooting and

collected 20 gold, six silver and four bronze national medals during his career.

Other athletes include: Wayne Baughman (wrestling), Ed Caruthers (track and field), Shane Hamman (weightlifting), Dick Howard (track and field), Kent Massey (sailing), Joe Patterson (track and field), Janie Speaks (gymnastics) and Anthony Watson (track and field). Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier, Stephen Lambdin (taekwondo), currently

lives and trains in Edmond.

Oklahoma City also has Paralympic ties, as well. Our city is to home to the men’s and women’s Paralympic sitting volleyball teams. Both teams have qualified for Rio, a first since 2004. The women have medaled at every Games since the sport’s debut in 2004.

Information provided by www.teamusa.org

Oklahoma City has been the birth place to 13 Olympic athletes!

BY ERIN PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRITTANY VIKLUND, WWW.BRITTANYVIKLUND.COM

Preventing foster care by saving families in crisis

For the past year, MetroFamily has been running a series of articles about foster care. In addition to printing spotlights on foster care topics, we have local foster parent bloggers posting personal experiences on our website and we’ve put together a directory of services available to area foster families. We’re dedicating the last two months of our series

to preventing foster care altogether. This month, learn about a local organization called Safe Families that works to prevent neglect or abuse

to keep children out of the foster system.

Next month, we’ll feature a unique program called CarePortal that connects biological and foster families with people in their own

communities who can help them meet basic needs.

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 15 JULY 2016

Like many moms in the Oklahoma City metro, Sarah Blood has an invaluable network of

family and friends who have been instrumental in her and husband, Brian’s, parenting journey. When Blood quit her successful career as a mechanical engineer, she started all over again as she learned how to survive arguably the hardest job on the planet: mom.

Three kids later, Blood has much joy in her daily life, but she still experiences the typical trials and tribulations of parenthood. When she considers what she would do without her village of family and friends to support, encourage and guide her, she can’t fathom the loneliness and desperation.

“It breaks my heart that families are in a situation with no support,” she said.

That tug on her heartstrings is what led the Blood family to become volunteers with Safe Families, an organization supporting families in crisis. Safe Families utilizes volunteer families like the Bloods to house and care for vulnerable children while struggling parents get back on their feet, which may mean finding a safe place to live, going to rehab, getting help for a mental illness, undergoing a medical procedure or securing a job. The organization is preventative in nature, meaning it supports families in distress before neglect or abuse occurs in the home, thus keeping children out of the foster care system.

“What hits the paper isn’t that a family didn’t get services but that someone died,” said Dr. Deb Shropshire, pediatrician and

deputy director of child welfare community partnerships for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. “If you go three steps backward, you see that a mom lost a job and didn’t have support.”

When Sarah’s husband needed an emergency appendectomy, she reached out to her family and friends to care for her children so she could be at his side. As the Bloods explained to their three young girls about why volunteering with Safe Families is an important mission for them, not every family is so lucky. The parents Safe Families supports have no neighbors, relatives or friends who could safely care for their children while they focus on getting the help they need.

“They are doing this on their own,” said Blood. “I completely understand that something has to give. Sometimes you need help. Everybody does.”

Blood has a passion for children and babies, but for her, it’s the parents she’s most invested in serving.

“I hope I provide the parents with encouragement and peace of mind,” said Blood. “I want them to be comfortable with my family so they know their child will be okay and they can work on what they need to work on.”

For Safe Families executive director Jon Hocker, who also has served as a foster parent, that focus on serving families is what makes this organization different.

“We come alongside these families and create a support system for them,” Hocker said. “We’re keeping families whole.”

Preventing foster careFounded in Chicago in 2003, Safe Families now has locations in more than 80 cities around the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Kenya. The Oklahoma County branch opened in 2014, brought to fruition by the collaborative group Count Me in 4 Kids (CMI4K). Consisting of foster care agency workers, judges, senators, state representatives, OKDHS workers, attorneys and others providing services for children and families, the group saw the need for a solution to keep families together whenever possible.

“I sometimes see children in foster care who truly do not need to be here,” said Jennifer Abney, executive director of Angels Foster Family Network, a board member for CMI4K and a board member and volunteer for Safe Families. “If there was a solution and support before children came into

“No one is getting paid, there is no expectation for

adoption. The reason we are doing this is to help and

support families.” Jon Hocker, Safe Families

executive director

custody and DHS didn’t have to work a case that likely stretches out for a year, then so much less trauma occurs with the children and the parents get the support they need to correct a problem on their own.”

As Safe Families founder Dave Anderson points out, state governments have to wait until harm occurs, but Safe Families can intervene before situations escalate to requiring DHS’s involvement.

“The families that come to us for help are in a different place than the ones DHS works with to remove kids from homes,” Hocker said. “They might be on a path to abuse and neglect based on their circumstances, issues or crisis they are in. But they want to work to keep their kids.”

Unlike the foster care system, participation on both sides is completely voluntary. Biological parents maintain custody of their children and can reunite with them at any time.

“You don’t have the animosity that you might in the foster care system,” Hocker said. “No one is getting paid, there is no expectation for adoption. The reason we are doing this is to help and support families.”

More than 90 percent of the families helped by Safe Families nationally are reunited with their children, compered to closer to 50 percent of kids in state custody. The majority of the remaining 10 percent move to a relative’s home; less than three percent move into DHS custody. Shropshire said that in Chicago, Safe Families claims a reduction in the kids in state custody by half. While she is hopeful Safe Families will have that kind of an overwhelming impact in Oklahoma City, what she really hopes is that this type of preventative services keeps those kids out of state custody whose parents simply lack resources.

“I want to have the right kids in care,” said Shropshire, “those whose families persisted in making bad choices, not those whose families wanted to be better but they didn’t have any other options.”

The parents Safe Families serves can self-refer or they can be referred by community members or DHS. When Safe Families receives a referral, the board convenes to ensure the organization’s ability to help that family reset and recover. If it’s determined to be a proper fit, the board meets with the parents to gather more details, such as how long the child would need a home and how the organization can help the parent.

“Sometimes their needs are so simple that by gathering community resources we can fix a problem and no child needs to leave their family,” said Abney. “It is eye-opening and heartwarming to see lives change from such simple outreach.”

For families that do need childcare, the parents and Safe Families volunteers agree to goals the parents want to reach before bringing their children back into their home. But because the parents maintain custody and the arrangement is voluntary, they can make the decision to take the child home at any time. While it has not been an major issue for Safe Families, the organization does have a process by which it would notify DHS if there were ever an indication a child was in danger.

Volunteering to keep families togetherVolunteers like the Bloods are known as host families and are thoroughly screened and trained before providing children a respite in their homes. In an effort to make children as comfortable as possible, Safe Families carefully considers which of its host families is best equipped to care for each child, seeking host families in the same geographic location and school when possible.

Host families receive no compensation and focus on the end goal of reuniting children with their parents. On average, children are with a host family for four to six weeks, though they can remain for up to a year. The children served are all ages, through 21, but the majority of the children served are under age 6.

In addition to caring for the child’s everyday needs, these host families also support the parents in getting the help they need and maintain open communication at all times. Host families assume power of attorney for education and medical situations for the children in their care, but they must involve biological parents when possible. According to Abney, that inclusivity can mean biological parents join in family meals, outings, school activities and tucking children in at night. By

sharing life together, host families have an opportunity to be the parenting role models the biological parents have often never had.

“Because we are encouraging contact, we find that there’s more interaction,” said Hocker, in comparison to foster parents relating to biological parents. “We want them to feel supported, to know they still have their kids and that we’re trying to help them in their time of need.”

Family coaches are volunteers who serve as a liaison between the host family and biological family. Coaches help keep the lines of communication open between the two families, develop appropriate boundaries and find biological families the resources and support they need to meet their goals and provide a safe home for their children.

Safe Families volunteers are primarily recruited, trained and supported by partner churches. Locally, Crossings Community Church and Council Road Baptist Church have been instrumental in incorporating Safe Families into their ministries. Both already had ministries related to foster care and adoption in place, so the addition of Safe Families as a mission was a natural one.

“This is true Biblical hospitality,” said Clint Chamberlain, executive pastor of outside the walls ministry for Council Road Baptist Church. “We have the opportunity to get involved in these biological parents’ lives. The relationships we’re building is how we’re going to fix families.”

Chamberlain has been involved with Safe Families for two years and said at first he noticed a lot of distrust and leeriness on the part of biological parents, who often can’t believe someone is willing to help them with no expectations, money changing hands or eventual plan to remove their children from the home. He said the voluntary nature of Safe Families is what makes the relationships eventually flourish, and even lead biological parents to refer friends to Safe Families.

“This is true Biblical hospitality.”

Clint Chamberlain, executive pastor of outside the walls

ministry at Council Road Baptist Church

“I hope I provide parents with encouragement and

peace of mind.” Sarah Blood, Safe Families

volunteer

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 17 JULY 2016

Our MissionA Christ-centered ministry devoted to providing safe and stable families

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LILYFIELDChristian Adoption and Foster Care

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405.216.5240

“We still have to gain trust, but there haven’t been lines drawn in the sand,” said Chamberlain, comparing the often tumultuous relationships between foster and biological parents. “There is a lot more flexibility to build relationships and minister to people.”

In addition to mobilizing volunteers, churches wrap a circle of friends around host families to support them. Often a Sunday School class or small group creates a network upon which host families rely to meet physical needs, like clothing, car seats or beds, provide meals, get kids to school or athletic practice, and source health care and counseling needs. Crossings offers a weekly support group for foster, adoptive and host families, equipping them with parenting tools, resources and encouragement. The church also works with biological parents to create a more stable home environment, even putting on various recovery groups and a providing a medical clinic. Staff at both churches stresses that restoring families by developing long-term supportive relationships is key to this ministry.

“When we make it a program, we’ve missed the mark,” Chamberlain said. “It’s about relationships. That’s why as much as the government and the state want to fix this, they can’t. But the church can.”

Volunteer training at participating churches includes topics like childhood trauma, grief, loss and generational poverty. Blood appreciates what she’s learned about how children coming into her home will likely feel and act and how to help them adjust accordingly. Volunteer Paige Henderson said she has most appreciated that Safe Families staff has been available to her 24/7 when she has a question or concern during a hosting. Blood already feels that reassurance.

“When we have a child placed with us, we will have all the help we need,” said Blood. “That has helped alleviate some anxiety for me.”

Hosting in actionHenderson is a mom of three with a passion for kids who don’t have families. She and her husband have considered adoption and foster care, but the timing has never been right. When she heard about Safe Families from a friend, she jumped at the chance to volunteer.

“This is the way I believe it should be done,” said Henderson of the church leading this mission to keep families together. “I wanted to be a part of loving a child and a family.”

After completing the necessary background check, home inspection and training, Henderson got the chance to do just that. Her family’s first hosting experience was for a little boy and lasted about four months. His mother grew up in the foster care system and has always had to do everything on her own.

“A lot of these people are alone,” Henderson said. “That’s why they get in such a bind. They’re isolated and don’t have a great support system. We all need someone to just lift us up and cheer us on.”

Still, Henderson said the decision for the mom to entrust her child to Safe Families was a very difficult one. Her reluctance stemmed from a lifetime of broken relationships and disappointments.

“She was bounced around to many homes,” Henderson said. “She doesn’t like anyone telling her what she should do. It was very hard for her to do this and I’m so proud of her.”

Henderson focused on building trust by consistently sending photos of the boy to his mom, putting herself in the mom’s shoes to understand her way of thinking and becoming the family the mom never had. The boy and his brother call the Hendersons “aunt and uncle,” and Paige tries to babysit at least once a week. The Hendersons will consider hosting again but Paige said her relationship with this mom is her priority right now.

“In terms of prevention, Safe Families is one of the

only solutions there is.”Joe Hocker, Safe Families

executive director

“It breaks my heart that families are in a situation

with no support.”Sarah Blood, Safe Families

volunteer

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 18 JULY 2016

“When I do something, I do it whole heartedly,” she said. “She’s not ready on her own yet. She needs me too much right now.”

Restoring families Henderson’s long-term commitment to the family she is supporting is exactly what Safe Families wants from its volunteers. In fact, Safe Families encourages host families to only serve an average of four families total so they can maintain those support systems as long as necessary.

“If you’re really investing in a family as a host family, that relationship continues beyond hosting,” Hocker said. “Eventually, your relational capacity gets maxed. That’s why we need to keep recruiting host families.”

Safe Families has a goal of recruiting 100 new host families by the end of 2016. Because the organization is committed to matching children to host families who will look and feel like their own families, it’s imperative to recruit more diverse families from all parts of the city. Those involved have big hopes for how these volunteers will impact foster care in Oklahoma.

“I would love for us to grow to such a level that the [foster care] waiting list goes away,” Chamberlain said, “for families to be made whole and be ministered to so that reconciliation and healing can happen.”

To move in that direction, Safe Families also continues to grow its partnerships with key community agencies like OKDHS, Stand in the Gap, Positive Tomorrows, NorthCare and local churches, as both referral and volunteer sources. OKDHS has been involved with Safe Families since the beginning, and the organization is asking DHS employees to identify families they already work with who could benefit from what Safe Families offers.

“DHS knows this is a huge need and a solution for them,” said Hocker. “In terms of prevention, Safe Families is one of the only solutions there is.”

Not so dissimilar from the goals of foster care, DHS has been instrumental in reviewing Safe Families’ processes for safety checks, background checks and training. Streamlining a referral process is one of the next steps. Currently there isn’t a well-developed system by which caseworkers or community members can report a family who isn’t at the threat level it takes to get child welfare involved but decisively needs help, according to Shropshire. For now, DHS is encouraging its caseworkers in both the family services and child welfare divisions to consider Safe Families as an option when

they are developing a safety plan for a family, when a family is about to lose housing, a parent will be in the hospital for an extended period of time or a parent is going to jail for something not related to child welfare.

“If we don’t help a family get a safe place for their child to be, they could have to resort to an unsafe situation, and then child welfare has to get involved,” said Shropshire.

For Hocker, the motivation to keep families together whenever possible starts in his own home every morning. He and wife, Amber, have three sons whom they fostered and adopted. They were firsthand witnesses to the animosity of biological parents toward DHS, and sometimes to foster parents as an

extension. That tumultuous dynamic from the get-go kept them from developing and maintaining the type of inclusive, supportive relationship they would have liked to with their boys’ biological family. As overjoyed as they are to have their boys as part of their forever family, they grieve for the parents who couldn’t keep them.

“If Safe Families had been around when our kids were first removed, we feel like this could have been a great solution,” said Hocker. “If that had been the case, maybe they could still be with their biological mom and dad.”

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 19 JULY 2016

If you are interested in becoming a Safe Families host family, visit www.safefamiliesok.org to complete the host family application and background check consent forms.

Every potential host family will also need to submit three letters of reference. Once the application and letters have been screened and background check approved, a home assessment will be scheduled and host families will complete a half-day training session. For more information, call (405) 418-3825.

There are other ways to help local kids besides getting involved with Safe Families. While we hope you'll consider becoming a foster parent yourself, we've outlined an assortment of other ways you can help area foster children on our website.

If you're interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, we've outlined 10 simple steps to take at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/10-steps.

We've also rounded up a list of about a dozen area non-profits seeking volunteers to help with foster-related efforts. Find the list at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/foster-help to select the volunteer opportunity that's right for you.

[This feature is part of a year-long series on foster care. Find the rest of the series at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/foster.]

Get Involved

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 20 JULY 2016

I grew up in a middle, working-class neighborhood in the 70s and 80s. Most of the moms still stayed home, usually, as was the case with my mom, keeping the kiddos of

the working moms. So, our neighborhood friends were still a well-manicured lawn away from us at all times.

One week of summer was devoted to Vacation Bible School at the neighborhood Methodist church that housed the community VBS for the neighborhood Christian church and the neighborhood Baptist church as well.

The little development also had a convenience store, a community pool and a car wash (this would be really important in our summer time plans). In the heart of the neighborhood was our beloved elementary school, which was not gated or locked, so we could play on the playground at any given time—day or night.

The area was located approximately five miles from town and three miles from a lake. There was nothing more glorious than my old neighborhood when summer rolled around.

From the time school let out at the end of May until school started up the week before Labor Day, kids ruled the neighborhood. Once school was out, I remember my friends and I hopping on our bikes, checking in with our moms, then meeting back at school to decide who was going to host that night’s sleep over. Once the pool was open, we’d race down there until the lifeguards kicked us out, then we’d go buy candy for pennies at the little store. If the pool wasn’t open for one reason or another, we’d head to the car wash and for fifty-cents, we’d spray each other down in the name of good summer fun.

I haven’t always sounded like a crotchety old man, telling “In My Day” stories to youngins of today, wondering where the future generation went wrong. But I do know that, ahem, in my day, children’s programming on televisions was limited to Saturday mornings and the only screen we stuck our face into was the screen door on rainy days.

Ahhhh … they were good times. Good times, indeed.

Last summer, I set out to give my kids the kind of summer I grew up loving. We made sure their bikes were ready to roll and that their helmets still fit. We turned off the television and computer. We put our phones on the charger and away we went.

ILLUSTRATION BY BRITTANY VIKLUND, WWW.BRITTANYVIKLUND.COM

mom gets the last laugh

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 21 JULY 2016

We do not live in the neighborhood of my childhood, and it’s changed quite a bit, so I knew their experiences wouldn’t be the same. But, we were close to a Walmart and there was a private pool we could sneak into with some friends who were members on their open swim days.

And the closest car wash was across two major thoroughfares which made it a big fat no as far as I was concerned. But, the neighbor on the corner had a sprinkler system we could ride through as long as he didn’t catch us.

We would also have to substitute the run-off drain between a couple of houses for our lake and possibly swimming pool depending on what kind of rains we got and how often we could sneak into the Elks pool. Of course the local school’s playground was under lock and key, so the trampoline in our backyard would just have to suffice.

Quite frankly, if I’m being honest, I wasn't exactly willing to let them be the free-range children my mom was willing to let us be. When I was their age, I would leave after breakfast and show up when the sun started

to set. Maybe I’d be home for lunch, maybe dinner—if not, my mom just knew that I was eating with a friend. There really wasn’t any need to call her; she just knew.

I was not content with just knowing. Thanks to the internet, I knew the world was a scary place. Plus, a friend of a friend’s aunt’s sister knew someone who used to live in the big

city just south of us, and they reported that there was a van driving around with the driver looking at kids and dogs. I couldn’t confirm this via any reliable news source, but it had been shared close to 300 times on Facebook. Pretty much that’s all the confirmation I needed.

So, I sent my kids out to have the same type of summer I’d had … only I joined them. It would be fun!

Except that by lunch, I was begging them to let us just go home and sit in the air conditioned house that I loved so and eat some kind of frozen meal that would be ready in less than three minutes. Plus, I needed some aspirin to stop my back from aching and some aloe vera for my sunburned nose.

When they’re mommas they’ll understand. They’ll also probably start their stories with “In my day, our momma couldn’t even hang with us for a whole day without collapsing.” Good times.

Heather Davis is a momma, a writer and a lover of lazy summer days. Her latest book, "Sundays At The Fields," is a devotional book for busy softball families.

“From the time school let out at the end of May until school started up the week

before Labor Day, kids ruled the neighborhood. Once school was out, I

remember my friends and I hopping on our bikes,

checking in with our moms, then meeting back at school to decide who was going to

host that night’s sleep over.ˮ

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 22 JULY 2016

BY ERIN PAGE

The drop off dilemma: 5 steps to an easier exit

W hether you are contemplating leaving your infant in child care for the first time

or taking your preschooler to his first day of school, the anticipation of your baby’s cries or toddler begging you not to leave is enough to weaken the knees of even the most experienced moms.

But, as Shannon Schultheis, director of Oklahoma City’s Warm World school, often reminds parents: “It’s part of the developmental process to expect separation anxiety at some point during childhood.”

Like many child care providers, Schultheis said a big part of her job is helping parents adjust to that developmental milestone.

“It takes guts to leave your most important possession with anyone outside of your home,” said Schultheis. “I never want a parent to feel bad that they are emotional or worried about this.”

While the emotions can be tough to manage, there are six steps parents can take to make the dreaded drop-off easier to endure.

Tour the facility ahead of time.Tynell Mitchell, owner of Momma Bears Child Care Home LLC, asks parents to bring their children to tour her home before their first day. Parents’ anxiety is quelled as they see her home is a safe, healthy environment for their children and the child feels more comfortable after meeting the caregiver and seeing where he or she will be spending time.

Look for a daily schedule posted for children to see; once your child begins attending, that visual reminder of routine and consistency can help alleviate separation anxiety.

Have a plan.Even if your child isn’t yet verbal, plan your drop-off routine and discuss the plan with your child multiple times beforehand. For example, just saying “Mommy will take you to see Miss Tynell, we’ll hang your bag on the hook, I’ll kiss you and then you’ll get to go play with puzzles and sing songs until Mommy comes back to pick you up” can provide a lot of comfort.

Children find comfort in routine, and familiarizing your child with what to expect

can alleviate some drop-off anxiety. Even if you’re talking to an infant, verbalizing the plan ensures you remember and execute it.

“The idea is that the child will come to trust the routine of drop-off, trust that the parent will come back when they say they will and therefore trust that it's okay to stay and have fun,” Schultheis said.

Be positive and consistent.Understandably, that carefully crafted plan often goes out the window when tears emerge at drop-off. Work with your child care facility to help you execute your drop-off plan. Remember, they are used to dealing with separation anxiety and can help with distraction techniques.

It’s important for parents to stay positive during drop-off, said Director of Trinity Child Development Center Amanda McDaniel, even when they are feeling apprehensive themselves. Children of all ages are extremely perceptive and if they sense that you are afraid or nervous, they will be, too.

Dropping kids off and picking them up at the same time each day will also make the transition into child care easier, says

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METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 23 JULY 2016

McDaniel. Consistency and praise at pick-up is just as important as drop-off.

“Parents should reassure their children that Mommy will always come back to get them,” said McDaniel. “And give lots of attention and praise for doing a great job at school.”

Say goodbye and leave quickly.While it may be tempting to get your child through the classroom door and leave undetected, that can impede the transition.

“I always encourage parents to say goodbye before leaving the classroom and not sneak out,” said McDaniel. “Sometimes this causes more stress to the children when they realize the parent is gone.”

Once you’ve executed the plan, make good on your promise to leave, even if your child is in tears.

“It seems hard to believe, but the best thing the parent could do for the child is to leave so progress can be made,” said Schultheis. “Usually within 20 minutes, the child has consoled themselves and begins enjoying themselves.”

After saying goodbye, it’s okay to watch out of your child’s sight for a few minutes. But don’t reemerge if your child keeps crying. Instead, call your child’s caregiver later to see how he or she adjusted.

Schultheis and her team often text photos of kids having fun during the day to reassure parents that all is well. Mitchell does the same.

“Throughout the day, I text my parents to let them know how their child is doing,” said Mitchell. “My parents can come and go as they please and can call or text me anytime.”

Expect the unexpected.Most children work through drop-off anxiety in a few weeks’ time. However, there are developmental stages and events in children’s lives that can cause anxieties to reappear. Schultheis sees spikes in drop-off anxieties after long holidays, like Christmas break. Illness, transitions between households, mom being at home with a sick sibling or grandparents visiting from out of town can all prompt difficult drop-offs, even for kids who usually bound into child care without

looking back.

Developmentally, Mitchell sees babies start showing signs of separation anxiety around 7 to 8 months.

“This is a very normal pattern of human development,” she said. “It’s just the point at which they really begin to see there is a difference between familiar people and unfamiliar people.”

For all ages, parents should be patient with their child’s individual needs as they adjust to a new environment and occasionally revert back to separation anxieties.

“A child's brain is constantly changing,” said Schultheis. “As a child changes and grows to understand the world around them, new vulnerabilities will sneak in where they once felt safe. As parents, we should stay ready to have open conversations about feelings.”

Above all, McDaniel encourages open communication with child care providers to alleviate your own anxieties and ensure your child is happy and healthy.

“Quality providers will be open to your concerns and help establish the best plan that meets the needs of your child,” said McDaniel.

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 24 JULY 2016

Earlier this spring, a new bill became law that impacts how your children are laid down

to sleep when they're at day care. SB 1273, also known as Shepard's Bill, became law earlier this year. The law aims to make sleeping conditions at day cares safer by making it illegal to put a baby to sleep in an unsafe sleep environment with toys, blankets or other loose fabrics.

The law was prompted by the death of Shepard Dodd, an 11-week-old who suffocated at his day care last April. He was laid down to nap swaddled in an unbuckled car seat and he lost his airway and suffocated.

Since then, his mom, Ali Dodd, set out to put Shepard's Bill in action and work to educate child care providers throughout Oklahoma and beyond about safe sleep practices.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies always sleep alone, on their backs and in a crib. Dodd wants to make sure every child care provider in Oklahoma understands how important the recommendation is. She's working with Rainbow Fleet, a local non-profit that works to improve child care by educating parents and care providers, to spread knowledge about safe sleep practices.

In addition to being a referral service for parents seeking child care, Rainbow Fleet contracts with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to provide enrichment, education and training to child care providers in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas. Because of Dodd's influence, one of the newest trainings Rainbow Fleet provides is all about safe sleep.

Child care providers in the state are required to take 12 hours a year of formal, state-approved training. None of the training has to be about safe sleep, but Dodd is hoping to change legislation this fall to make at least two hours of safe sleep training required for all providers in the state.

"The reason we started doing safe sleep

training here is because of Shepard," Williams said. "We heard his story and reached out to Ali and said we wanted to find a way to help."

The Oklahoma City-County Health Department also recently started offering safe sleep training to parents and child care providers.

"It's been a really neat and rewarding experience," Dodd said of speaking at the training sessions. "The providers who came are fantastic. They're truly shocked by safe sleep recommendations and I'm so grateful they're brave enough to ask the hard questions about sleep. This is their profession and they're always looking for ways to do it better and I'm just proud I can help provide that for them."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report there are about 3,500 Sudden Unexpected Infants Deaths in the U.S. each year. These deaths occur among infants less than a year old and have no immediate obvious cause. However, the CDC attributes 69 percent of them to either Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or accidental strangulation or suffocation in bed.

Although it was once widely believed acceptable to put a baby to sleep on his or her stomach, the American Academy of Pediatrics began recommending back sleeping about two decades ago. The message has been slow to catch on, Williams said,

but she believes thanks to parents like Dodd people are finally beginning to realize the dangers in unsafe sleep environments.

"The best thing we have going for us in the trainings is that Ali speaks to the providers about why they should care about it," Williams said. "We want to make sure what happened to Shepard never happens again in another child care facility. The more training the providers have, the less likely it is to happen again."

Choosing a child care provider can be a daunting task, but Williams and Dodd both agree asking some key questions can help ease the mind of the parent and ensure children are in a safe environment. Here are some questions Dodd recommends asking specifically about safe sleep:

• Ask to see their latest certificate on a safe sleep course they attended within the last year.

• Ask what they have done to improve the safety of their day care based on what they learned.

• Ask if they have basic business liability insurance. Ask if and how they track injuries and complaints.

• Ask to review their public licensing website and have them explain all violations.

• Compare day cares. Think about what you are getting for your money. Is your child as protected as they should be?

BY HANNAH SCHMITT

Safe Sleep: New Legislation Making Oklahoma Day Cares More Safe

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 25 JULY 2016

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Play • Learn • Thrive

I became pregnant with my baby boy, Fox, when I was 31 years old. I had a successful branding and consulting business with creative clients from all over the world. I often traveled for work and was making really great money, especially for the amount of freedom and flexibility I had in my schedule. During my pregnancy, I became obsessed with the philosophies of what I now know as “attachment” parenting. This included everything from home birthing, to co-sleeping and baby-wearing, to exclusively breastfeeding, followed by baby-led weaning. The parenting experts I trusted were telling me how important mother-baby bonding was for the first couple years of life and I believed them. I often felt resentful that growing my family and growing my career were happening in tandem, and I secretly hoped that I would want to sacrifice my growing career for domestic bliss. But at six weeks postpartum I started missing my work. I loved my little bundle of joy but I also loved my work and missed feeling like a boss.

I decided that I did in fact want to work and that I couldn’t juggle the roles of mom and boss at the same time. I found myself Googling things like “why day care is amazing.” I read article after article that assumed most moms would prefer to stay at home with their child and shared tips for moms on how to find a day care that wouldn’t kill their child or spouted off developmental facts to ease the fears of reluctant moms. But what was missing from these articles was acknowledgment that moms are human beings with complex needs and emotions when it comes to childcare – facts are great but a little bit of authentic support would have been helpful too. At the same time I had well-meaning friends and peers asking me if I was going to work from home with the baby or quit work altogether. (I think it’s fair to note here that nobody was

asking my husband about his career plans now that he had a baby to care for – but that’s another column for another day). So not only was the internet telling me how sad day care was, but there were subtle social cues at play sending me a nuanced message that day care was the least desirable of all my options. I was confused and full of self-doubt.

I realized if I was going to find the permission and validation I craved, that day care was a right choice for me and my family, it wasn’t going to happen via Google. I knew if I wanted to find the article on why day care is amazing I would have to write it myself. So here we are. My son is now 2.5 years old and I genuinely love day care. My son goes to a facility that is pretty typical of a reputable childcare center. While I might prefer something a bit more “crunchy hippie” (the food is far from organic, the books are weathered around the edges and the toys are 100 percent plastic), the love and care my son receives from his tribe are beyond words.

I’m writing this column for the mom who is craving the time and space to learn a new skill, go back to school, explore a talent she has a knack for, use an expertise she already has, or simply wants to work and is thinking about day care as an option to carve out that time and space. Speaking as a new mom who’s figuring it out as she goes, just like you, here are just a few reasons why day care is awesome:

Day care is an investment. I know a lot of women who get frustrated that day care eats up a large portion of their earnings and ask themselves “why bother?” There are a couple points I think are worth mentioning here. First, unless you are a

One OKC Mom's Child Care Journey

BY KATHLEEN SHANNON, PHOTO BY GREER INEZ

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 26 JULY 2016

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single mom day care is a shared household expense between both parents. Second, think of day care as an investment rather than an expense. If your job makes you happy, you will see a return on the cost of childcare – at work and at home.

It takes a village. But, no really.We’ve all heard the proverb it takes a village to raise a baby. But it’s just another cliché until it comes to actually trusting your village and asking them for help, whether that’s friends, family or a day care to share in bringing up your baby. Look, I had very clear ideas of how I wanted to raise my baby and I assumed, as his mom, I knew best. But it turns out my tribe also knows what’s best. Letting go and giving my community the opportunity to step-up in raising my baby has taught me so many lessons. Not only has it given me the opportunity to see other ways of child-rearing that work just as well, if not better, than my own limited views, it has also eased the unfair pressure of having to be everything, including the perfect mom, to my child.

It’s actually awesome having someone else raise your baby! “But I didn’t have a baby so someone else could raise it.” This is something I hear from a lot of stay-at-home moms (especially in the comment section of the aforementioned articles I Googled) and I totally get it. But the truth is, for those of us who need or want to choose an alternative, no matter who takes part in helping you with childcare, you are still the mom. Nobody will love your baby like you love your baby. Nobody will replace the bond you have with your child no matter how long your workday is. Besides, it’s actually awesome having someone else help you raise your baby! My son’s day care teacher, Miss Ashley, spends her day painting, dancing, reading, and playing with the children. And you guys, she’s even potty training my kid! I feel like I’ve won the lottery.

Your day care providers are real people who really

love your kid too. When you’re thinking about day care it’s easy to think of it as this nameless, faceless facility void of the love you have for your child. But the truth is – your child’s day care provider is going to form their own special bond with your baby. Fox’s teacher often sends me texts throughout the day with updates or pictures of what my kiddo is up to (especially if he’s had a “first” moment – like when he pooped in the potty the other day). She misses him on the weekend and he’s always excited to see her on Monday morning. What I’ve learned through the experience is that my son’s love for his teacher doesn’t negate or take away from his love for me. There is enough love to go around and in a lot of ways, I believe that by sending my kid to day care I’m increasing his capacity to love and be loved.

It’s not always perfect and that’s okay too. I mean, even parenthood has its days where you’d rather be 24 years old and backpacking Europe again. So, there are days or seasons where day care isn’t great. Like maybe your kid has a teacher he doesn’t connect with. Or maybe you feel like your child is a petri dish of illness and is snotty more often than he isn’t. Maybe there are days when your babe cries for you when you leave. Even worse is when your child saves his hard emotions, bad moods and total meltdowns just for you. Sometimes I get resentful when my life isn’t a perfect picture I can post to Instagram but … that’s life! The fact that I can teach my child at a young age that it’s not always easy but we’re resilient and choose gratitude over guilt… well, that makes me feel like a good mom.

In closing, day care is awesome. Having the opportunity to build my creative career while my child is thriving with his tribe … it's a win-win situation. The last thing I want to share is that no decision is permanent and no choice you make has to be black and white. A growing child is constantly evolving, as are your needs as a parent. You can try different things and see what works! The main thing I want you to know is that day care is an awesome option and if you’re interested in trying it, choose gratitude over mom-guilt. Kathleen Shannon co-hosts Being Boss, a podcast for creative entrepreneurs, and owns Braid Creative & Consulting. She currently lives in OKC with her husband and their two year old son, Fox.

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 27 JULY 2016

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For many families there comes a point where consistent child care is needed. There are many child care options to choose from whether it be traditional day care, reliance on relatives or less traditional methods such as alternating shifts. Finding the right option for your family can be a challenge. To help, we are breaking down the nanny option, an option likely unexplored by most. While the word ‘nanny’ might conjure images of Mary Poppins or Maria from "The Sound of Music," many modern families have found nannies to be exactly what their family needs. We talked with some local nanny professionals and a local mom to help separate fact from fiction when it comes to nannies.

Myth: Hiring a nanny isn’t an affordable financial option. Let’s face it, child care is expensive. In many communities across the nation, child

care cost can soar to more each month than rent! But when you consider the value of quality care and the benefits that care offers families, it’s an essential expense worth the investment.

However, when crunching the numbers, alternative care options like hiring a nanny might actually be more affordable than you think. Traditional care options like centers usually have one pay option no matter how frequent or infrequent your child attends. If your family needs care occasionally throughout the week or outside the traditional 9-to-5 workday, you might be paying more money than you would with other options.

A nanny service or a nanny-share arrangement, where a nanny cares for children in two or more families, could be a cost effective option and can be tailored to meet your needs. It can be customized to include transportation to and from after school activities and more.

Hiring a Nanny: Myth vs Fact

BY LINDSAY CUOMO

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 28 JULY 2016

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EDMOND - NORTH • 405-715-1111775 W. Covell Rd., #150, Edmond, OK 73003

EDMOND - WEST • 405-216-9800245 South Santa Fe Ave., Edmond, OK 73003

NORMAN • 405-364-16001320 N. Interstate Dr., Norman, OK 73072

OKLAHOMA CITY - NORTH • 405-752-20009494 N May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73120

OKLAHOMA CITY - NORTHWEST • 405-721-73236220 Northwest Expy., Oklahoma City, OK 73132

OKLAHOMA CITY - SOUTH • 405-691-890010600 S. Pennsylvania Ave., #5, Oklahoma City, OK 73120

YUKON - SOUTH • 405-265-0075501 S. Mustang Rd., Yukon, OK 73099

FOR AGES

Since your family’s needs set the schedule, the flexibility a nanny offers can be a cost-saver. If your work schedule has you frequently late for pick-up deadlines, those additional fees can really add up! Andrea Palmer, an ob-gyn with Lakeside Women’s Hospital, chose to hire a nanny for this very reason, and a few others.

“Day cares open and close on a set schedule and there are so many days that just would not work for (our family),” Palmer shared. “The flexibility (our nanny) provides with arrival and departure times is key for our busy household.”

Marti Carpenter, the Palmers' nanny, helps bridge the gaps for the Palmers.

“I think everyone knows that arriving just minutes after a child care center closes could be very hard on a families’ budget,” Carpenter explained. “A nanny can also offer a wider range of flexibility such as picking up sick children from school or reporting for duty when the weather might cause school to be cancelled.”

Part-time nannies as well as a nanny-share situation can be a cost effective child care option for many families. Nanny services are also an affordable option since they can help facilitate some of the overhead costs in comparison to employing a full-time nanny. The additional costs, such as transportation, meal service and additional staff, can also be negotiated.

Myth: Nannies aren’t professional child care providers. A nanny and a sitter are not the same thing. Both offer families very important services but they each have their own purpose. As with any profession, there will be a variety of experience levels and aspirations. However, for many, being a nanny is a career choice.

“I know people are curious and I welcome questions all the time about what I choose to do,” Carpenter said. “It’s tough, it’s not for everyone, but it is our real job.”

Meghann Shetley with College Nannies and Sitters of Edmond assures parents their nannies are trained and must follow their high standard of care.

“Training includes child safety and basic child development which encourages them to stay engaged with the children throughout the day,” Shetley explained. “We also have a strict no cell phone policy.”

When hiring a nanny, you get to do the

screening. You have control over the level of education and experience you require as well as the developmental philosophies and care qualities you want for your child.

Beyond the flexibility a nanny can offer, families also get benefit of a low child-to-caregiver ratio and children get to be in their own home. Additionally, a nanny can increase an important commodity for you and your children: time.

“I don't have to get the kids up, dressed and dropped off somewhere before I get to work,” Palmer said. “On my earliest mornings, my kids are often asleep when I leave, and it's nice to be able to let them get their rest and wake up later.”

Nannies can also offer a consistent caregiver across your children’s ages and developmental stages. Carpenter is quite proud of the bond she has with the Palmer family.

“The consistency of being cared for by the same person is very important to children,” Carpenter said. “It’s a unique relationship. We get to be as close as parents, but also be friends. We know our charges inside and out. We celebrate their ups and we are hurt when they are hurt. There will be times when the kids are waiting at the door for Mom or Dad to get home and there will be

“It’s a unique relationship. We get to be as close as parents, but

also be friends. We know our charges inside and out. We celebrate their ups

and we are hurt when they are hurt. There will be times when the kids are

waiting at the door for Mom or Dad to get home and there will be times that we

have to shake the kids off our legs to get out the door.”

Marti Carpenter, nanny

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 29 JULY 2016

times that we have to shake the kids off our legs to get out the door.”

“Our nanny offers our kids the ability to have a stay-at-home mom when both parents work,” adds Palmer. “She loves our kids and treats them like her own.”

Myth: Finding a qualified nanny is hard to do. The idea of having a complete stranger in your home to care for your kids can seem overwhelming. The fear of choosing the wrong person might add some sleepless nights. However, with a nanny, you are the person making the hiring decisions. If this appeals to you but you don’t know where to start, there are local services that can help your family learn more about using a nanny.

The selection process takes time. College Nannies and Sitters of Edmond starts the process with an in-home meeting with the family to discuss past child care experiences and their needs. Whether using a service or not, these are both important things to have written down. A successful nanny-family relationship depends on open communication and clear expectations.

“Communicate your needs and expectations clearly,” Carpenter advised. “If you have three children in car seats and your newly-hired nanny shows up in a sports car or if a nanny has never picked up a pot or pan and you want your children to eat fresh organic food prepared at home then everyone is set up to fail.”

If you feel the potential cost and availability of a qualified nanny is a possibility for your family, there are still a few things to take into account. The up-front costs of a nanny can be straightforward but when deciding if a nanny is right for your budget it will require some number crunching.

“There are book-keeping expenses, tax liabilities, insurance liabilities and the need to be consistent,” Carpenter said. “If you are employing a full-time nanny and need him or her to be fully available to you, you will need to understand that your nanny also has living expenses and a budget.”

You should then carefully consider what arrangement would work best for your family. Take the time to discuss what you are seeking. If you are in need of part-time care, a nanny service or nanny-share situation might be important options to consider.

“Be picky and don’t hurry, if it doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t,” Carpenter advised.

Thorough screening is very important. The Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation is a good resource for a background check.

“We begin the screening process by checking several character references, their past work experiences and a premier background check,” Shetley explained of recruitment through College Nannies and Sitters of Edmond. “The potential candidates must complete training.”

All this must be complete before Shetley even sets up an interview with the family.

“It is a tedious process and can take time,” Shetley said. “But that's what the College Nannies staff is here for to ensure the process is easy and simple for our clients.”

During an interview, both the nanny and the family should spend time exploring the fit.

“Find someone who aligns with your philosophies of care and discipline,” Palmer said. “We found our nanny through a site called www.nannies4hire.com and interviewed probably eight or nine people.”

But, they knew right away that Carpenter was the right choice for their family.

“She was an instant fit for our family,” Palmer recalled. “My kids have had the same loving nanny for seven years now.”

Common reasons a nanny might be right for you:

• Demanding profession

• Non-traditional care hours

• Kids with active schedules

• Desire to have in-home or one-on-one care

• Consistent caregiver for a variety of ages

Online and local sources to help your family find the right nanny:

• www.care.com

• www.nannies4hire.com

• College Nannies and Sitters of Edmond, 513-6060, www.collegenanniesandtutors.com/edmondok

• www.sittercity.com

• OKC/Edmond Area Nannies Facebook group

Childcare Network is made up of six child development centers in the Edmond and Oklahoma City area. Facilities are three-star and nationally accredited. Childcare Network uses HighReach Learning curriculum and all facilities adhere to the USDA food program so children are provided with healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. Part-time care not available. Before & after care available.Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years

4500 East I-240 Service Rd.886-521-5437

www.childcarenetwork.com

Primrose's exclusive Balanced Learning curriculum provides children with great early childhood education. Primrose is the first educational child care company to achieve accreditation by CITA. The school’s balanced approach has earned high marks for carefully blending child-initiated and teacher-directed activities. The methodologies used help guide and improve instruction for each individual child. Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Ages: 6 weeks to Kindergarten; before and after school care for 1st - 6th grades; Summer Adventure Club for ages 5-10.

Primrose School of Edmond15000 N. Western Ave., Edmond

405-285-6787www.primroseschools.com/

schools/edmond/

Spontaneity Kid Care is OKC's only drop-in babysitting center. The facility is an eco-certified and organic center trained in baby wearing and cloth diapering. There are separate rooms and activities for kids ages 6 weeks up to 12 years, and the facility has webcams parents can watch from anywhere. There is a maximum of six hours per day and 24 hours per week time limit per child. Stop in any time for a tour.Hours: 8 a.m.-midnight Monday-Saturday. Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years

Chase Plaza at Portland & Memorial

405-541-9072www.spontaneitykidcare.com

The YMCA OF GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY is the area’s largest provider of before and after school care for ages 5 to 12. Children are given the opportunity to express their individual talents in a safe and well-supervised atmosphere. The children’s experience is built around activities that challenge them to demonstrate the Y’s values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. There are many branches throughout the area offering services. Call your local branch for more information. Hours: Vary by location Ages: 5 to 12 years

YMCA OF GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY After-School

Care ProgramVarious Metro Locations

www.ymcaokc.org

The YMCA OF GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY Child Development Center offers full-day preschool and kindergarten programs in addition to caring for infants as young as 6 weeks old. Staff are selected for their educational background, teaching experience, early childhood training and sensitivity to the individual needs of the children. Each staff member undergoes a thorough background check and all personnel are trained in CPR, AED, First Aid and Supplemental Oxygen.Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years

EL Gaylord Downtown YMCA Child Development Center

1 N.W. 4th St.405-297-7760

www.ymcaokc.org

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 30 JULY 2016

The Child Care DirectoryThis month, as part of our closer look at child care in the Oklahoma City

area, we're including some mom-approved child care options here. To find an extensive list of all child care options in the metro and to get

referrals for your family, contact Rainbow Fleet at 405-525-3111.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

For nearly 30 years, The Goddard School® has been a trusted name among parents and families. Classrooms are designed to be safe, nurturing environments for children, offering age-appropriate opportunities to explore and discover. Their play-based F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) is grounded in research on how children learn best: children experience the deepest, most genuine learning when they are having fun. It’s designed to help build each child’s emotional, academic, social, creative and physical skills to provide a well-rounded experience and ensure each one becomes confident, joyful and fully prepared in school and in life. Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ages: 6 weeks to 6 years

The Goddard School of Edmond17440 N. Western Ave., Edmond

405-348-4442

The Goddard School of Edmond (Northeast) 6001 E. Covell Rd.,

Edmond, 405-330-1313www. goddardschool.com/

oklahomacity

The Early Childhood Program at QSUMC offers a MDO/Preschool using multi-sensory curriculum as well as Handwriting Without Tears and Get Set For School. Teachers in the Preschool classrooms are certified early childhood educators. All teachers are trained in child development, CPR and first aid.Hours: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Ages: 2 months to 5 years

Early Childhood Program at Quail Springs United Methodist Church

14617 N Pennsylvania Ave 4405-755-3258

www.qsumc.org/ecp

North Penn Creative Kids Learning Center programs offer early literacy and numeracy skills, logical and problem solving skills, cooperation, respect and positive character, physical coordination and personal social and health education. They also have several companies come to the center to deliver enrichment programs weekly.Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years

North Penn Creative Kids Learning Center2000 N.W. 150th St.

405-254-3147www.northpenncreativekids.com

Licensed, certified and trained professional home childcare providers in Oklahoma and surrounding areas. Full-time and part-time and before and after care available.Hours: Varies Ages: All

Edmond Home Childcare AssociationPO Box 8231, 405-922-9566, www.

edmondhomechildcare.com

Since 1972, Rainbow Fleet has served children, families, child care professionals and communities in central Oklahoma. They provide innovative child development programs and services that enhance the quality of life for residents in Oklahoma and Cleveland Counties. Rainbow Fleet links families and the community to child care that best meets their needs. This is accomplished through consultations with their Resource and Referral Specialists. Consultations are available in both English and Spanish.Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday

Rainbow Fleet Child Care Resource and Referral

3024 Paseo405-525-3111

www.rainbowfleet.org

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 31 JULY 2016

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

July

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 32 MAY 2016

10FREE Summer Breeze

Concert Series at Lions Park in Norman at 7:30 p.m.

11Harkins Bricktown

Summer Movie Fun Series presents Hotel Transylvania 2 all week

12Lyric Theatre presents

Wizard of Oz at Civic Center Music Hall at 7:30 p.m.

17Happy National Ice Cream

Day!

18FREE Story Time at Green

Bambino at 11: 30 a.m.

19 Full Moon Bike Ride and

Run at Myriad Gardens from 7-9 p.m.

24Chaparral Family Sundays

at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark at 5:30 p.m.

25 The Youth National

Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show at State Fair Park all week

26FREE Mad Science Fit

Kidz Show at the Edmond Library from 3-4 p.m.

perfect for preschoolers

great for teens

date night idea

fitness event

worth the drive

3FREE Red, White &

Boom! Independence Day Concert at State Fair Park from 8:30-10:30 p.m.

4Happy Independence

Day!

5FREE Red vs the

Wolf Performance at Metropolitan libraries all week

Find all these July events and hundreds more at

www.metrofamilymagazine.com/calendar

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 33 MAY 2016

28 Annie, Jr at the Oklahoma

Children’s Theatre at 10 a.m. & noon

27Fiddler on the Roof

presented by Lyric Theatre at Civic Center Music Hall at 7:30 p.m.

1Food Truck Triple Play

Food Truck Fest in Bricktown from 6 -11 p.m.

2Dollar Days of Summer at

Gaylord-Pickens Museum every Saturday all summer from 10 a.m-5 p.m.

6FREE SONIC Summer

Movies presents The ¡Three Amigos! at Myriad Gardens. Activities at 8 p.m., movie at 9 p.m.

7FREE First Thursdays On

the Lawn behind Whole Foods from 5-8 p.m.

8FREE 2nd Friday Art Walk

in Norman from  6 -9 p.m.

9 Nature’s Fireworks: Firefly

Hike at Martin Park Nature Center from 9:15-10:30 p.m.

13Okietales at the Oklahoma

History Center at 10:30 a.m.

14FREE Take pART in the

Fair Art Classes at State Fair Park from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

15FREE Screening of

Minions at Andrews Park in Norman from 7-11 p.m. 

16Porter Peach Festival all

weekend

20FREE Kids Spa at the Downtown Library from 2-3 p.m.

21FREE Ping Pong Mania at

The Station at Central Park in Moore from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

22Upstage Theatre presents

Bye Bye Birdie at the Mitch Park Amphitheater at 8 p.m.

23FREE National Day of the

Cowboy at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

29FREE Fiesta Fridays in the

Historic Capitol Hill District from 7 - 11 p.m.

30Slide the City in Downtown

OKC, sliding starts at 9 a.m.31 FREE Family Sunday

Film at District House at 1 p.m.

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 34 JULY 2016www.okortho.com

Don’t let an accidentspoil your summer

fun!

John W. Anderson, M.D.Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

Fellowship Trained in Pediatric Orthopedics

If you or your child has to wear a cast this summer,

make sure it is a water cast so that swimming or

bathing is not a problem!

405-947-0911 ext 270

JULY 1 • FRIDAYFREE Food Truck Triple Play at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark Joe Carter Parking Lot (Reno & Joe Carter Ave) is a family-and pet-friendly event featuring live music, over 35 food trucks and cold drinks. 6-11pm. www.okcdodgers.com

FREE Independence Celebration in Blanchard (10th & Hwy 62, Blanchard) features fireworks, food, live music and special activities just for kids including a petting zoo, pony rides and inflatables. Begins at 6pm; fireworks, 10pm. 485-9392, www.cityofblanchard.us

FREE First Friday Gallery Walk in the Paseo District (NW 30th & 27th St, Walker & Hudson Ave) features special themed exhibits, refreshments, guest artists, a variety of entertainment and food trucks. 6-10pm. www.thepaseo.com

JULY 2 • SATURDAYCajun Festival at the Grove Civic Center (1702 S Main St, Grove) features Cajun music, food, dancing and vendors. Free admission. 10am. 918-786-8896, www.grandlakefestivals.com

FREE Find Your Park Saturday with the National Park Service Series: The National Mall and Memorial Parks at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd) features an informational and educational look at our country's parks. At the campfire circle, rangers will discuss park history, conservation and the importance of parks. 11am. 609-8855, www.okc.gov

FREE Freedom Festival at Elmer Thomas Park (501 NW Ferris Ave, Lawton) features live music, bounce houses, car show, fireworks and more. 10am-11pm. 580-357-8386, www.cityof.lawton.ok.us

FREE Storybook Hour at Cuppies & Joe (727 NW 23rd St). Children listen to a story while parents enjoy coffee and conversation. 10-11am. 528-2122, www.cuppiesandjoe.com

FREE Red Brick Nights Street Festival in Downtown Guthrie (Oklahoma & Wentz Ave, Guthrie) features fireworks, rotating pop-up shops, food trucks and live music, on the first Saturday each the month. 5pm. 282-1947, www.guthriechamber.com/red-brick-nights/

Oklahoma City Energy FC vs Rio Grande Valley FC Toros at Taft Stadium ( NW 27th St ). $14-$46. Tail Gate Party, 5:30-7pm; game, 7:30pm. Also held: 7/16 vs Orange County Blues; 7/23 vs Tulsa Roughnecks; 8/2 vs Sacramento Republic FC. 235-KICK, www.energyfc.com

FREE Gospel Concert Series at Inspiration Hill (880669 S. 3330 Rd, Wellston) features a variety of gospel music artists on the first Saturday of each month from May to October. Donations accepted. 7pm. 356-4051.

Rayo OKC vs FC Edmondton at Miller Stadium (1777 S Yukon Parkway, Yukon). $12-$40. 8pm. 232-RAYO, www.rayookc.com

JULY 3 • SUNDAYFREE Sunset Cinemas at Charles J. Johnson Central Park Town Center (7209 SE 29th St, Midwest City) features free, family-friendly movies on Sundays in July. Movies begin at dusk. Also held: 7/10, 17, 24 & 31. Lawn chairs, blankets and refreshments welcome. 8pm. www.midwestcityok.org

FREE Red, White & Boom! Independence Day Concert at State Fair Park (3001 General Pershing Blvd) features a free OKC Philharmonic concert followed by a spectacular fireworks display. Bring lawn chairs to enjoy the show. Entry & parking are free. Concert begins at 8:30pm; fireworks, 10pm. 842-5387, www.okcphilharmonic.org

JULY 3 & 4Freedom Fest 2016 at Chisholm Trail Park (2200 S. Holly Ave & 500 W. Vandament Dr, Yukon) features a veteran's tribute, live music, kids craft area, parade, free ice cream & watermelon, sand volleyball tournament and fireworks. Activities, 5pm; fireworks, 10pm. 350-8937, www.cityofyukonok.gov

JULY 4 • MONDAYFREE Blue Star Museums provides free admission for active military members and their families to more than 2000 participating museums across the country from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Available to military ID holder and immediate family members. See www.bluestarfam.org for details and full list of participating locations.

LibertyFest in Downtown Edmond (various locations) features a parade, carnival rides, food, music, free watermelon and fireworks synchronized to music. Most activities are free. 9am-10pm. www.libertyfest.org

FREE First Mondays for Kids at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman) feature free admission for kids 17 years old and under. General admission applies to guests 18 and older. Adults (18-64), $8; seniors (65+), $6; kids (17 & under), free. 10am-5pm. 325-4712, www.samnoblemuseum.ou.edu

events thisjuly

EdmondOK.comC O N C E R T S I N T H E P A R K

2016CONCERTS IN THE PARKEDMONDHAFER PARKT H U R S DAYSJ U N E 2 — A U G . 46: 15 TO 8:45 PM

FREEZero 2 Sixty and Nasty WeatherClassic RockThursday, June 2

Juliana JohnsonPhil Smith & The Blend ProjectCountry/JazzAccoustic Rock/JazzThursday, June 9

Out of the Box andSqueeze BoxJazz/Pop CountryClassic/ Modern RockThursday, June 16

Gotcha Covered Bandand Mike Black and the Stingrays50’s, 60’s & 70’s RockOld Rock-n-RollThursday, June 23

Lincka andKerry Wayne’s BandPop/ChillR&B/Pop Rock/JazzThursday, June 30

Red Dirt Road Bandand Wild HeartChristian Southern RockCountry/Classic RockThursday, July 7

Michael Fresonkeand Claire PeirsolJazzThursday, July 14

Bonham Revue and and Howard Brady Band BluegrassBlues/Rock/Home GrownThursday, July 21

Souled Outand Mystery DatesClassic Pop/RockVariety/Pop/RockThursday, July 28

Champaign Jam and 949R&B Variety Eclectic Top 40’s/Pop/Classic RockThursday, August 4

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 35 JULY 2016

A Celebration in the Heartland at Buck Thomas Park (1903 NE 12th St, Moore) features live entertainment, vendors, food, inflatables, children's activities, music, car show and more. Free admission. 10am-10pm; fireworks, dusk. 793-5090, www.cityofmoore.com

Bethany Freedom Festival at Eldon Lyon Park (7400 NW 36th, Bethany) celebrates our nation's independence with a parade, pony rides, inflatables, carnival rides, games, festival food, car show, shopping, live music and fireworks. Free admission. 10am-11pm. 789-5005, www.cityofbethany.org

FREE Norman Day Celebration at Reaves Park (2501 Jenkins Ave, Norman) features fun activities like a doggie parade, inflatables, food vendors, live music, fireworks and more. Activities, noon; fireworks, 9:45pm. 366-5406, www.normanfun.com

FREE 4th of July Stars & Stripes Funfest Celebration at the Expo Event Center (4500 US-270, McAlester) features live entertainment, games, fireworks and more. 5-10pm. Fireworks at dusk. 918-420-3976, www.cityofmcalester.com

FREE Tribute to Liberty at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park (8700 E Reno Ave, Midwest City) is an annual family-centered patriotic celebration featuring musical concerts, food trucks and a fireworks display. Activities, 6 p.m.; fireworks, 9:45 p.m. www.midwestcityok.org

FREE 4th of July Festival at Magnolia Park in Seminole is a day of family fun including food, games, inflatables, entertainment and fireworks. Festivities, 4pm; fireworks, 9pm. 382-3640, www.seminoleokchamber.org

FREE 4th of July Celebration & World Champion Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest at Wacker Park (Park Rd & N Ash St, Pauls Valley) features food, live entertainment, watermelon seed spitting contest and fireworks. See website for complete schedule of events. 238-3308, www.paulsvalley.com

FREE Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration at Red Bud Park (Main St, Marlow) features a parade and all-day festival with fireworks. 9am-10:30pm. 580-658-2212, www.marlowchamber.org

JULY 4-6Oklahoma City Dodgers vs Colorado Springs Sky Sox at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (2 S. Mickey Mantle Dr) $8-$24. 7:05pm. Also held: 7/7-10 vs Omaha, 7/22-25 vs New Orleans. 218-1000, www.okcdodgers.com

JULY 5 • TUESDAYFREE Taekwondo for Kids at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore). Learn skills like self control, determination and coordination through games. Best suited for kids in 2nd-6th grades. A signed release form is required. Space is limited to first 100 participates. 2-3pm. Also held: July 19. 793-4347, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

events thisjuly

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 36 JULY 2016

Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954). L’Algérienne, 1909. Oil on canvas. Collection Centre Pompidou, Paris. MNAM-CCI. Legs du Victomte Guy de Cholet aux Musées nationaux, 1916, 2009. AM 2009-214. © 2016 Succession H. Matisse/Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

Every Saturday from 1-4 pm join us for come-and-go art making activities. All summer long, projects will be inspired by artwork in Matisse in His Time.Free with admission!

NOW OPEN

FREE ZOOmba with the Oklahoma City Zoo at The Village Library (10307 N Penn). Learn the move-it and groove-it secrets animals use to stay healthy in a fun, music-filled workout. Program will include live animals from the zoo. 2-3pm. 755-0710, www.metrolibrary.org

FREE Science of Sports Program at the Norman West Library (300 Norman Center Ct, Norman) features an oxygenation scavenger hunt, heart pump model build and a working lungs model. Preregister.2-3:30pm. 701-2644, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

JULY 5 & 6FREE Monthly Mini Model Build at the LEGO Store in Penn Square Mall (1901 NW Expressway) features a LEGO Frog build for kids ages 6 -14 who are LEGO VIP members. Membership is free. Preregister, quantities are limited. 5pm. 840-9993, shop.LEGO.com/Minibuild-Registration

JULY 5-8FREE ComputerCraft for Teens at the Norman Central Library (225 N Webster Ave, Norman). Learn how to make programmable bots carve out space, build things or even perform tasks. Best suited for ages 12 & up. Preregister. 5-7pm. 701-2696, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

JULY 5-15FREE Cimarron Opera Princess and the Pea performances at the Metropolitan Library System (various locations) features an operetta re-telling of an old tale, where the princess has a great palate and can taste the peas in the soup. See website for times and locations. www.metrolibrary.org

FREE Red vs the Wolf Performance at Metropolitan Library System (various locations) features an Oklahoma Children’s Theatre production of a children's fairytale with a twist. Audiences hear a humorous retelling from the wolf’s point of view. See website for times and locations. www.metrolibrary.org

JULY 6 • WEDNESDAYFREE ZOOmba with the Oklahoma City Zoo at the Newcastle Library (705 NW 10th St, Newcastle). Learn the move it and groove it secrets animals use to stay healthy in this fun, music-filled workout. 2-3pm. All ages welcome. 387-5076, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

JULY 7 • THURSDAYFREE Live Action Clue Game at the Midwest City Library (8143 E Reno Ave). Test your

sleuthing skills and explore different areas of the library to find clues in this live game of Clue. Best suited for ages 12 and up. 3-4pm. 732-4828, www.metrolibrary.org

FREE First Thursdays On the Lawn behind Whole Foods (6233 N Western Ave) features food trucks, live music, yard games, dazzling cars, beer for the adults and more. 5-8pm. www.visitwesternavenue.com

FREE Marvel Afternoon Movie at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore) features a screening of Thor: Dark World. 2-4:30pm. Also held: July 14, 21 & 28. 793-4349, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

JULY 7-9Just Between Friends Consignment Sale at the Market Plaza Shopping Center (6925 NW Expressway) features new & gently-used children’s clothes, toys, furniture & accessories, up to 90% off retail prices. Free to attend. 10am-6pm. www.edmond.jbfsale.com

JULY 8 • FRIDAYFREE ZOOmba with the Oklahoma City Zoo at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore). Slither, soar, and stroll as you explore the way animals move and stay active. Best suited for kids in grades 2nd-6th. Space is limited. 11am-noon. 793-4347, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

FREE Homeschool Open House at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2101 NE 50th St). Get a sneak peek of upcoming programs offer at the Zoo and meet instructors. Attendees have the chance to win prizes. Pre-registration required. 1-3pm. 425-0218, www.okczoo.org/programs

FREE Stop Motion Film Making Workshop at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore) features a 3-hour workshop to learn how to plan, film and edit your own stop motion film. Films created will be shown during the 2nd Annual Stop Motion Film Festival that evening. Best suited for teens in grades 6th-12th. Preregister. 2-5pm. 793-4349, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

FREE 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk in the Norman Arts District (downtown Norman) features a monthly celebration of the arts in Norman. 6-9pm. www.2ndfridaynorman.com

FREE LIVE on the Plaza in the Plaza District (1700 block of NW 16th St) features artists, live music, special events, local shopping and more on the second Friday of the month. 7-11pm. www.plazadistrict.org/live/

RIVERSPORT Run Series in the Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln Blvd) features a series

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of timed runs throughout the summer along the Oklahoma River running and cycling trails. Race, $30; series, $150. 6pm. Also held: July 22. 522-4040, www.riversportokc.org

FREE South OKC Treat Food Truck Fest at Oakcrest Church of Christ (1111 SW 89th St) features an evening of family-friendly fun including food trucks, live music, family games and more on the second Friday each month from May to October. Proceeds from soda and water benefit Sky Ranch Elementary. 6-10pm. www.facebook.com/southOKCtreat/

FREE Dancing in the Gardens: Line Dancing at Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features a dance demonstration followed by a FREE lesson and music provided by a DJ. All ages welcome. No registration required. 7-10pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

JULY 8 & 9Festival of Quilts at Memorial Road Church of Christ Summit Building (2221 E Memorial Rd, Edmond) features quilts on display and an artisan marketplace as well as door prizes and a variety of vendors of traditional, modern, scrappy and vintage treasures. Proceeds benefit the Edmond Quilt Guild’s outreach programs. $7. 9am-5pm. 348-3373, www.edmondquiltguild.us

JULY 9 • SATURDAYFREE Hooked on Fishing Lessons at Edwards Park Lake (1515 N Bryant). Young anglers learn fishing basics including knot-tying, casting, fish identification, angler ethics and fishing regulations. Open to ages 5-15. Preregister. 8-10am. Also held: July 16 & 23. 297-1426, www.okc.gov

FREE Doctor Who Comics Day at The Village Library (10307 N Penn Ave) features Doctor Who-themed door prizes, a trivia contest, costume contest, a photo booth and DIY activities. Best suited for teens but all ages are welcome. 1-3pm. 755-0710, www.metrolibrary.org

FREE Family Make + Take at Oklahoma Contemporary (3000 General Pershing Blvd) features a paper mache bowl art making inspired by the works of art on display at the museum. Projects are designed to be accessible and fun for visitors of all ages and all levels of art-making experience. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 1-4pm. 951-0000, www.oklahomacontemporary.org

Special First Saturday Activities at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zudhi Dr) features historically-based crafts and activities with an ice cream theme. July’s activities are sponsored by SONIC America’s Drive-in. All ages welcome. Free with admission. 1-4pm. 522-0754, www.okhistory.org

FREE Saving the Universe Program at the Downtown Library (300 Park Ave) features a video game-inspired, save-the-world challenge for teens, presented by Science Museum Oklahoma. 2-3pm. Also held: 7/12, 14, 20, 28 & 29 at other metro libraries. 231-8650, www.metrolibrary.org

Princess Pajama Jam at St. Mary's Episcopal School (505 E Covell Rd, Edmond) features Princesses, singing, dancing, royal games, snacks, a craft and more. Guest are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas, bring a blanket, pillow, and favorite stuffed lovey. Best suited for ages 3-10. $40. 5:30-7:30pm & 8-10pm. 693-1937, www.smesedmond.org

FREE Beats & Bites at Riverwind Casino (1544 W State Hwy 9, Norman) is a monthly, family-friendly outdoor music and food truck festival featuring live entertainment, local food trucks and an assortment of vendors. 6-10pm. www.facebook.com/RiverwindCasino

Greater Oklahoma Bluegrass Music Society Concert at the Oklahoma Country-Western Museum & Hall of Fame (3925 SE 29th St, Del City) features three professional bluegrass gospel bands playing a 45-minute set each. Also held: 7/30. Adults, $8.00; Members, $5.00; 12 and under, free. 6:30-9:15pm. 677-7515, www.gobms.org

events thisjuly

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 38 JULY 2016

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FREE Summer Sounds Concert Series at Veterans Park (705 NW 10th St, Newcastle) features live music, food trucks, inflatables and more. 6-9:30pm. 443-1604, www.facebook.com/events/187693194961970/

Twenty One Pilots Emotional Roadshow at the Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre (2101 NE 50th St). $29 & up. 7-9pm. 602-0683, www.21pilotstour.com

FREE Movies @ Mitchell Hall Theatre (100 N University Dr, Edmond) features a screening of the classic film Annie. 7:30pm. 974-3375, www.mitchellhalltheatre.com

Nature’s Fireworks FireFly Program at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd) features a special nighttime hike to scour the woods in search of a favorite childhood light source. Preregister, best suited for ages 6 & up. $8. 9:15-10:30pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov

JULY 10 • SUNDAYChaparral Family Sundays at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (2 S Mickey Mantle Dr) features mascot meet & greets, player autograph sessions, inflatables, face painting, craft stations, train rides and photo stations. Kids also get to run the bases following the game. $8 & up. 4:30pm. 218-1000, www.okcdodgers.com

Faith Night Concert at the Bricktown Ballpark (2 S Mickey Mantle Dr) features Contemporary Christian music band Finding Favour in a post-game concert. Ticket includes concert, game and a hat. $15. 5pm. 218-2100, www.okcdodgers.com

FREE Summer Breeze Concert Series at Lion’s Park (400 S Flood Ave, Norman) features Kyle Reid and the Low Swingin’ Chariots. Bring seating, refreshments and enjoy the live music provided by top artists. 7:30pm. 301-9320, www.pasnorman.org

JULY 10-15International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center (1700 W Independence, Shawnee) features the best in up-and-coming cowboy and cowgirl talent. Events include barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding. See website for complete schedule. Adults, $12; kids (3-11), $6. 275-9780, www.ifyr.com

JULY 11 • MONDAYFREE Teen Quidditch at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore). Learn the basics of how to play the game the muggle way from the OU Quidditch Team. Open to kids grades 6-12.

Space is limited to first 30 participants. 2-4:30pm. 793-4347, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

JULY 11-19FREE The Magic of the Story Show at the Pioneer Library System (various locations) features Michael Corley, a Magical Master Storyteller, who will entertain and surprise young audiences with his captivating skills of narrative and high energy stunts and mystifying tricks. See website for show times. www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

JULY 12 • TUESDAYStory Time Science at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52nd St) features a story and corresponding activity in various locations throughout the museum. Free with admission. 10am. 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org

FREE ZOOmba with the Oklahoma City Zoo at the Edmond Library (10 S Boulevard St, Edmond). Learn the move-it and groove-it secrets animals use to stay healthy in a fun, music-filled workout. Program will include live animals from the zoo. 3-4pm. 341-9282, www.metrolibrary.org

JULY 12-16The Wizard of Oz by Lyric Theatre at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) features a production of the classic tale with Dorothy, Toto, munchkins and magic by Lyric Theatre. $36 & up. Tuesday - Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2 & 8pm. 297-2264, www.lyrictheatreokc.com

JULY 14 • THURSDAYFREE Take pART in the Fair Art Classes at State Fair Park (3001 General Pershing Blvd) features lessons in basket weaving, cooking, fabric weaving, ceramics and photography. For ages 9 - 15. Preregister. Some classes do require a $5 supply kit. 10am-3pm. 948-6731, www.okstatefair.com

FREE Milk and Cookies Story Time at Panera Bread (6410 SW 3rd St) features a fun story time, hosted by the Downtown Library and delicious Panera cookies. 3:30pm. 627-1417

FREE Marvel Afternoon Movie at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore) features a screening of Captain America: Winter Soldier. 2-4:30pm. Also held: July 21 & 28. 793-4349, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

FREE Family Game Night at The Station at Central Park (700 S Broadway Ave, Moore) features a variety of different games like Monopoly, card games, ping pong and more.

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 39 JULY 2016

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FREE Movie at the Bricktown Beach (2 S Mickey Mantle Dr) features a beachy screening of Finding Nemo. 9pm. www.downtownokc.com/bricktown-beach

JULY 14-16Porter Peach Festival (Porter) features arts and crafts, games, a parade, car show, 5K run, peach auction, music, food, tractor pull, carnival, pet show and, of course, plenty of peaches. Free to attend. See website for a complete schedule. www.porterpeachfestivals.com

JULY 15 • FRIDAYFREE Where the Wild Things Are Ballet at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore) features an interactive performance of Where the Wild Things Are Ballet by the students of the Marjorie Kovich School of Ballet. Best suited for kids in 2nd through 6th grade. Space is limited, signed release form required. 11am-noon. 793-4347, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

3rd Friday Block pARTy in Downtown Shawnee (Main St, Shawnee) features shopping, live music and more. 5-9pm. www.seffshawnee.org

FREE Fridays, Food Trucks & Tunes in Downtown Stillwater (E 7th Ave & S Main St, Stillwater) feature family-friendly fun, inflatables, live music and plenty of food served fresh out of the kitchens on wheels. 6-10pm. 533-8585, www.downtownstw.com/fridays-food-trucks-tunes

FREE Exchange on Film Row (Sheridan & Lee Ave) features an array of local pop-up shops as well as live music and food trucks as well as a children's activity area. 6-10pm. www.facebook.com/ExchangeFilmRow/

FREE Kylee Laynee’s First Step EP Release Show at ACM@UCO Performance Lab (329 E Sheridan Ave) features rising local country music artist Kylee Laynee as well as local artist Grant Adams. All ages welcome. 6:30-9pm. www.facebook.com/ACM.UCO/

FREE Outdoor Movie Series at Andrews Park (201 W Daws, Norman) features a screening of Minions as well as fun pre-movie activities. Activities, 7pm; movie, sundown. 366-5472, www.facebook.com/normanfun

FREE Floating Films in the Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln Blvd) features a water-side screening of Oxford Blues. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and watch the water-themed film from the banks of the lower pond or rent a tube to watch from the water. Tubes, $10. 8:30pm. www.boathousedistrict.org/floating-films/

JULY 16 • SATURDAYYMCA of Greater Oklahoma City Youth Triathlon Series at Mitch Park YMCA (2901

Marilyn Williams Dr, Edmond) offers four competitive events, each featuring swimming, biking and running. Kids ages up to 15 years old can participate in varying distances. Members, $35-$40; non-members, $50. 7am. 330-4016, www.ymcaokc.org/children-youth/youth-sports/triathlon

FREE Hooked on Fishing Lessons at Metro Tech Springlake (NE 36th & Springlake Dr). Young anglers learn fishing basics including knot-tying, casting, fish identification, angler ethics and fishing regulations. Open to ages 5-15. Preregister. 8-10am. Also held: July 23. 297-1426, www.okc.gov

FREE Find Your Park Saturday with the National Park Service: Washita Battlefield National Historic Site at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd) features an informational and educational look at our country's parks. At the campfire circle, rangers will discuss park history, conservation and the importance of parks. 11am. 609-8855, www.okc.gov

World Snake Day Celebration at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd) features snake speakers, snake crafts, a snake-painting demonstration and a naturalist herp hunt hike. If going on a hike, wear clothes you can get dirty, and close-toed shoes suitable for wading. Preregister, best suited for ages 6 & up. $5. 2-3:30pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov

FREE Heard on Hurd Street Fest in Downtown Edmond (Broadway between 1st & Hurd, Edmond) features local food, unique shopping and live music. 6-10pm. ww.citizensedmond.com/heardonhurd.htm

FREE Movies @ Mitchell Hall Theatre (100 N University Dr, Edmond) features a screening of the classic film Mary Poppins. 7:30pm. 974-3375, www.mitchellhalltheatre.com

Time Out at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) features the story of Mary after losing her beloved husband Patrick. This play is based on the book written by Author, Dana Mobley-Hammett. $27. Show times are 3 & 7pm. 297-2264, www.okcciviccenter.com

JULY 17 • SUNDAYFREE Sales Tax Appreciation Day at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2101 NE 50th St) features free admission for everyone. 9am-5pm. 425-0262, www.okczoo.org

JULY 18-24Anniversary Celebration at Eskimo Joe’s (501 W Elm Ave, Stillwater) features a week-long party with food and drink specials, costume contests, special events, concerts and fun for the whole family. Free to attend. Monday & Tuesday, 11am-10pm; Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-2pm & Sunday, 11am-9pm. 372-8896, www.eskimojoes.com

events thisjuly

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 40 JULY 2016

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JULY 19 • TUESDAYFREE Oklahoma Animals Presentation by the Oklahoma City Zoo at the SOKC Library (2201 SW 134th St). Explore Oklahoma habitats and meet the animals who call them home. All ages welcome. Preregister, including parents. 2-3pm. www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

FREE Taekwondo for Kids at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore). Learn skills like self control, determination and coordination through games. Best suited for kids in 2nd-6th grades. A signed release form is required. Space is limited to first 100 participates. 2-3pm. 793-4347, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

Full Moon Bike Ride & Run at Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features a leisurely hour’s ride through Downtown, as well as free timed runs. All ages welcome. $5 suggested donation. Runs, 7pm; bike ride, 8pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

JULY 20 • WEDNESDAYFREE Kids Spa at the Downtown Library (300 Park Ave). Kids can make lip balm and sugar scrub and create relaxing bath bombs using all-natural ingredients, dried herbs and essential oils. Best suited for ages 5 & up. Preregister. 2-3pm. 231-8650, www.metrolibrary.org

JULY 21 • THURSDAYFREE Marvel Afternoon Movie at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore) features a screening of Avengers: Age of Ultron. 2-4:30pm. Also held: July 28. 793-4349, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

FREE Shop Hop on Automobile Alley (Broadway Ave. between NW 4th and 10th St) features shopping, live music, street artists and performers, kids' activities and more. 5-8pm. www.facebook.com/events/614335912048701/

FREE Ping Pong Mania at The Station at Central Park (700 S Broadway Ave, Moore) features a family friendly evening of ping pong. Best suited for ages 6 & up, all experience levels welcome. Kids 6-11 must be accompanied by an adult. 7:30-9:30pm. 793-5090, www.cityofmoore.com/classes-and-programs

JULY 21 & 22FREE Quadcopters for Teen Class at the Norman Central Library (225 N Webster Ave, Norman). Build a Crazyflie Nano Quadcopter, a miniature quadcopter that fits in your hand, and then program it to fly. Best suited for ages 12 & up. Preregister. 10-11:30am. 701-2696, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

JULY 21-30Upstage Theatre at the Mitch Park Amphitheatre (1501 W Covell Rd, Edmond) presents Bye Bye Birdie. Adults, $18; students, $12; kids (4 & under), free. Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 8pm. 285-5803, www.upstagetheatreok.com

JULY 22 • FRIDAYFREE Tween Quidditch at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore). Learn the basics of how to play the game the muggle way from the OU Quidditch Team. Open to kids in 3rd through 6th grade. Space is limited to first 30 participants. 11am-1pm. 793-4347, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

RIVERSPORT Run Series in the Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln Blvd) features a series of timed runs throughout the summer along the Oklahoma River running and cycling trails. Race, $30; series, $150. 6pm. 522-4040, www.riversportokc.org

JULY 22-24American Cowboy Trade Days at Whitaker Park (Coo-Y-Yah & Park St, Pryor) features live period reenactments, stage coach and buggy rides, food, entertainment and more than 70 western period merchandise vendors selling all types of cowboy wares including handmade quilts, soaps, beads, guns, ropes and more. Free admission. 10am-5pm. 918-825-0157, www.pryorchamber.com

JULY 23 • SATURDAYFREE Hooked on Fishing Lessons at Crystal Lake (6625 SW 15th St). Young anglers learn fishing basics including knot-tying, casting, fish identification, angler ethics and fishing regulations. Open to ages 5-15. Preregister. 8-10am. 297-1426, www.okc.gov

National Day of the American Cowboy at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features hands-on activities including steer roping, a pool noodle stick pony craft, a stick horse rodeo, giant puzzles, cowboy dress-up and selfie stations. Free with admission. 10am-noon. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

FREE National Day of the Cowboy at Chisholm Trail Heritage Center (1000 Chisholm Trail Parkway, Duncan) highlights cowgirls and their many roles in the industry. Kids of all ages can rope a longhorn, ride a buckin' bronc, create your own brand and more. Art lovers can enjoy the Garis Gallery of the American West. 10am-5pm. 580-252-6692, www.onthechisholmtrail.com

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 41 JULY 2016

OKC.GOV/PARKS @OKCPARKS

SUMMER STARTSWITH OKC PARKS!

SUMMER DAY CAMPS

NATURE CAMP at the Will Rogers Gardens and Martin Park Nature CenterGo WILD this summer during our hands-on nature camps. Two distinct camp environments maximize fun in nature, wildlife, gardening and fishing.

Will Rogers Gardens, 3400 NW 36thLearn plant life, gardening fun, nature crafts, tree climbing and moreTwo sessionsJuly 11-15, August 1-5

Martin Park Nature Center, 5000 W MemorialLearn nature conservation, wildlife,archery, outdoor skills, fishingTwo sessionsJuly 18-22, August 8-12

Register online at www.okc.gov/activeFor more information, call (405) 297-1392 or (405) 297-1429

Summer Day Camps for all ages and interests

SPORTS CAMPS, OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, MAD SCIENCE, MOREFor more information, visit www.okc.gov/parks or call (405) 297-2211

FREE Hip Hop 4 Kids Class at the Southern Oaks Library (6900 S Walker Ave). Learn the latest moves from the SO Southside Hip-Hop Dance Duo. Preregister. Best suited for ages 5 & up. 2-3:30pm. 631-4468, www.metrolibrary.org

Color Fun Fest 5K & Carnival at Remington Park (1 Remington Pl) features a day-time and night-time color run as well as music and carnival attractions including jugglers, face painting, balloons and an inflatable village. Proceeds from the carnival attractions benefit the Just Care More Foundation. $10-$30. 4-10pm. www.colorfunfest5k.com/oklahoma-city/

Bowling for Rhinos at Heritage Lanes (11917 N Penn Ave) features a family-friendly bowling event including shoe rental, three games of bowling, door prize opportunities and a t-shirt. Benefits rhino conservation in Asia and Africa. $30. 6-9pm. 425-0298, www.okczoo.org

FREE Movies @ Mitchell Hall Theatre (100 N University Dr, Edmond) features a screening of the classic film The Wizard of Oz. 7:30pm. 974-3375.

Spider Sniffing at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd) features a flashlight hike through the woods to look for what wily web weavers leave behind. Best suited for ages 6 & up. Preregister. $8. 9:15-10:30pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/active

Kellie Pickler in Concert at Frontier City (11501 N. I-35 Service Rd.). Free with park admission. 478-2140, www.frontiercity.com/entertainment/concerts/

JULY 23-30FREE Youth National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show at State Fair Park (333 Gordon Cooper Blvd) features youth exhibitors as they compete for national titles in a variety of classes as well as a free trade show and Total Arabian Interaction Learning tours. Preregister for tours. 10am-7pm. 303-597-8251, www.arabianhorses.org/YNL

JULY 24 • SUNDAYChaparral Family Sundays at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (2 S Mickey Mantle Dr) features mascot meet & greets, player autograph sessions, inflatables, face painting, craft stations, train rides and photo stations. Kids also get to run the bases following the game. $8 & up. 5:30pm. 218-1000, www.okcdodgers.com

FREE Summer Breeze Concert Series at Lion’s Park (400 S Flood Ave, Norman) features Brave Combo. Bring seating, refreshments and enjoy the live music provided by top artists. 7:30pm. 307-9320, www.pasnorman.org

JULY 26 • TUESDAYFREE ZOOmba with the Oklahoma City Zoo at the Downtown Library (300 Park Ave). Learn the move-it and groove-it secrets animals use to stay healthy in a fun, music-filled workout. Best suited for ages 12 and under. Program will include live animals from the zoo. 1-2pm. 231-8650, www.metrolibrary.org

FREE Mad Science Fit Kidz Show at the Edmond Library (10 S Boulevard St, Edmond). Watch oozing slime, rainbow color reactions and other exciting experiments to learn how nourishing our minds and bodies can make us fitter, healthier and happier. Best suited for ages 5 & up. 3-4pm. 341-9282, www.metrolibrary.org

JULY 26-30Fiddler on the Roof at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) features one of the most beloved musicals of all time and classics like Sunrise Sunset and If I Were A Rich Man. $30 & up. Tuesday, Wednesday& Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday 2 & 8pm. 297-2264, www.lyrictheatreokc.com

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 42 JULY 2016

American Indian Expo at the Caddo County Fairgrounds (1019 E Broadway St, Anadarko) showcases the arts, crafts and traditions of 13 Plains Indian tribes with a carnival, parades, dance contests, pageants, games, a fry bread contest, talent presentations and archery competitions. Tuesday, 8am–10pm; Wednesday, 10am–10pm; Thursday & Friday, 10am-midnight; Saturday, 8am-midnight. Free admission. 580-483-5095

JULY 27-30Research Center Book Sale at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr) features books on a variety of topics including genealogy, Oklahoma history, US and military history, education, biographies and more as well as vinyl LPs, prints of historic photos and maps and periodicals. Benefits the OHS Research Center.

Wednesday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday, 10am-3pm. 522-5225, www.okhistory.org

JULY 27-31Annie, Jr at the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder Ave) features a youth ensemble production of an adaptation of the musical based on the popular comic strip. Adults, $10, kids (2-12), $8. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 10am & noon; Saturday & Sunday, 2pm. 606-7003, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org

JULY 28 • THURSDAYFREE Nature Play OKC at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd) features a morning for outdoor fun for the whole family, rain or shine. Best suited for ages 1-7, all ages welcome. 10:30-11:30am. www.facebook.com/NaturePlayOKC

FREE Marvel Afternoon Movie at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore) features a screening of Ant-Man. 2-4:30pm. 793-4349, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

FREE Kids Olympics Day at the SOKC Library (2201 SW 134th St) features a fun Olympic experience for all ages. 3-4pm. 979-2200, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

JULY 28 & 29FREE Quadcopters for Tweens at the Norman Central Library (225 N Webster Ave, Norman) Build a Crazyflie Nano Quadcopter, a miniature quadcopter that fits in your hand, and then program it to fly. Best suited for ages 8-12. Preregister. 3-4:30pm. 701-2696, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

events thisjuly

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 43 JULY 2016

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JULY 29 • FRIDAYFREE Thunder Bus Visit at the SOKC Library (2201 SE 134th St). Kids in kindergarten through 5th grade can go aboard the Thunder Bus and get a free book. Registration required. 10-11am. 979-2200, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

FREE Choice Remark’s Ice Cream Party at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (1401 N Lincoln Blvd) features treats from Roxy's Ice Cream Social and a few remarks from Oklahomans for Educational Choice. Noon-2pm. www.choiceremarks.com

Eats on 8th & Harvey Food Truck Festival & Night Market in Midtown (NW 8th & Harvey Ave) features unique pop-up shops, live music, live entertainment, community resources, a Kidz Zone, informational booths and more. Free to attend. 6-11pm. www.facebook.com/Eats-on-8th-Harvey-484846148346074/

FREE Fiesta Fridays in the Historic Capitol Hill District (SW 25th between Harvey and Robertson) features hot food, cold beverages, live music, dancing, shopping and activities for kids, on the last Friday of the month all summer long. 7-11pm. 623-0133, www.historiccapitolhill.com

FREE Outdoor Movie Series at Andrews Park (201 W Daws, Norman) features a screening of Zootopia as well as fun pre-movie activities. Activities, 7pm; movie, sundown. 366-5472, www.facebook.com/normanfun

FREE Floating Films in the Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln Blvd) features a water-side screening of Jaws II. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and watch the water-themed film from the banks of the lower pond or rent a tube to watch from the water. Tubes, $10. 8:30pm. www.boathousedistrict.org/floating-films/

JULY 30 • SATURDAYDehydrator Bicycle Ride at the Simmons Center (800 Chisholm Trail Parkway, Duncan) features recreational, non-competitive rides with distances ranging from 10-80 miles over rolling hills, plains and areas of Stephens County, including a stretch across the Waurika Lake Dam. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Duncan High School band. $25 & up. 7am. 580-439-4827, www.thedehydrator.org

FREE Industry Flea in Midtown Oklahoma City (10th & Hudson) is an open-air market featuring food trucks, live music and a variety of artisans and shops offering vintage clothing, furniture, art, locally-made food and more. 9am-3pm. www.industryflea.com

Slide the City in Downtown (Shartel Ave) features a one-of-a-kind slide and block party with food, music, vendors and street entertainers. All those over 5 years of age and 46 inches tall are welcome to slide. $10 & up. Sliding starts 9am. www.slidethecity.com

Krazy Daze in Downtown Edmond (Broadway north of 2nd St, Edmond) features a themed shopping event that supports shopping local with vendors, entertainment & more. 10am-5:30pm. 249-9391, www.downtownedmondok.com

FREE An Urban Escape at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd). Join Ranger Gonzalez with the National Park Service to learn more about Martin Park Nature Center and what makes it a great escape. 11am. 609-8855, www.okc.gov

FREE Movies @ Mitchell Hall Theatre (100 N University Dr, Edmond) features a screening of the classic film The Wizard of Oz. 7:30pm. 974-3375, www.mitchellhalltheatre.com

American Authors in Concert at Frontier City (11501 N. I-35 Service Rd). Free with park admission. 478-2140, www.frontiercity.com/entertainment/concerts/

Find more ideas for summer

fun at www.

metrofamilymagazine.com/summer

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 44 JULY 2016

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JULY 31 • SUNDAYFREE Family Film Sunday at District House (1755 NW 16th St) features a family friendly film. 1pm. 308-2930, www.facebook.com/familyfilmsundaydh/

In My Life - A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles at the Rose State College Hudiburg Chevrolet Center (6420 SE 15th St, Midwest City) is an award-winning multi-media musical biography of The Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein and features the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road. The show is appropriate for all ages. $43-$63. 7-10pm. 287-2264, www.okcciviccenter.com

AUG 1 • MONDAYFREE First Mondays for Kids at Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman) feature free admission for kids 17 years old and under. General admission applies to guests 18 and older. Adults (18-64), $8; seniors (65+), $6; Kids (17 & under), free. 10am-5pm. 325-4712, www.samnoblemuseum.ou.edu

AUG 2 & 3FREE Monthly Mini Model Build at the LEGO Store in Penn Square Mall (1901 NW Expressway) features a LEGO build for kids ages 6 -14 who are LEGO VIP members. Membership is free. Preregister, quantities are limited. 5pm. 840-9993, shop.LEGO.com/Minibuild-Registration

AUG 5 • FRIDAYRIVERSPORT Run Series in the Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln Blvd) features a series of timed runs throughout the summer along the Oklahoma River running and cycling trails. Race, $30; series, $150. 6pm. 522-4040, www.riversportokc.org

AUG 5-7Oklahoma Tax Free Weekend (various locations). Retailers won’t collect state and local, sales or use tax on most footwear and clothing that are sold for less than $100 during the holiday. www.tax.ok.gov

AUG 6 • SATURDAYFREE Annual Arcadia Lake Sweep at Spring Creek Park (9000 E 2nd St, Edmond). Volunteers help clean up the shoreline and surrounding areas. Bring gloves and sunscreen. Volunteers receive free brunch and a t-shirt while supplies last. 7-10am. 216-7471, www.arcadialakeok.com

Oklahoma City Pet Expo at the State Fair Park (3001 General Pershing Blvd) features pet-friendly exhibitors and rescue groups, live demonstrations in Obedience Training, pet care, giveaways and prizes, free nail trims, talent and costume contests and discounted vaccinations. Free to attend. Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-4pm. 800-977-3609, www.okcpetexpo.com

FREE Ice Cream Social for the Hearing Loss Association of America Central Oklahoma Chapter at Lakeside Methodist Church (2825 NW 66th St) features free cake in celebration of 25 years of service. The event is open to the public. 2-4pm. www.OKCHearingLoss.org

Bug Collecting at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd). Learn to collect and study bugs using easy how-to techniques. Bring a plastic water bottle. Best suited for ages 4 and older. Preregister. $5. 3-4pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/active

FREE Internet Cat Video Festival at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features a 75-minute collection of the internet's finest cat videos as well as food trucks, live music and more. Pre-show fun begins at 7:30pm; movie, 9pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

events thisjuly

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 45 JULY 2016

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JULY 7-23Scenes from an Execution at Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park (2920 Paseo Dr) explores the space between artistic freedom, when a painter follows her creative conscience and autonomy against the demands and expectations of a wealthy patron. $20-$25. Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm. 235-3700, www.oklahomashakespeare.com

THROUGH JULY 30O. Gail Poole: Rediscovered Oklahoma Master at Gaylord-Pickens Museum (1400 Classen Dr) celebrates a fourth-generation Oklahoma and an American master who influenced generations of artists with his shifts in style from Impressionism to Modernism and all points in between. Free with admission. Tuesday- Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday,10am-5pm. 235-4458, www.oklahomahof.com

THROUGH AUG 12Summer Wheat: Pry the Lid Off at Oklahoma Contemporary (3000 General Pershing Blvd) explores the portrayal of what Oklahoma-born artist Summer Wheat imagines behind the wall in Vermeer’s The Milk Maid. Monday-Thursday, 9am-10pm; Friday & Saturday, 9am-5pm. 951-0000, www.oklahomacontemporary.org

THROUGH AUG 21A Tribute to America’s Combat Artists and Fighting Forces: Art from the U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (1900 W MacArthur Dr, Shawnee) features artwork from 26 artists depicting wartime and peacetime military activities. Free with admission. Tuesday- Saturday, 10am-5pm. Sunday 1-4pm. 878-5300, www.mgmoa.org

THROUGH AUG 28Our City, Our Collection: Building the Museum’s Lasting Legacy at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) tells the story of the museum’s history as it explores the rich permanent collection and some of the world’s most significant artists. Free with admission. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Thursday, until 9pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

THROUGH SEPT 11FREE IKBI Build Brick Art Exhibit at the Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial Rd, Sulphur) features art created entirely out of toy bricks including Chickasaw designs alongside adaptions of famous characters as well as many hands-on activities. The exhibit

is free and open to the public. Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. 580-622-7130, www.chickasawculturalcenter.com

THROUGH SEPT 14FREE Vision Revision at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm Ave, Norman) explores how photographers have examined individuality through portraiture and, in many cases, shaped the presentation of identity through pose, props and lighting and compositional choices. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Thursday, until 9pm; Sunday, 1-5pm. 325-4938, www.ou.edu/fjjma

THROUGH SEPT 18Matisse in His Time: Masterworks of Modernism from the Centre Pompidou, Paris at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints, dating from the late nineteenth century to after World War II by Matisse as well as Picasso, Renoir, André Derain, Georges Braque, Joan Miró, and Amedeo Modigliani. Adults, $12; kids (6-18), $10; kids (5 & under), free. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Thursday, until 9pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. 278-8237, www.okcmoa.com

THROUGH OCT 1Ben Johnson: Cowboy, Rodeo Champion at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) is a tribute to the native Oklahoman, cowboy, rodeo champion and film star featuring biographical history, artifacts and a bronze sculpture by Mehl Lawson. Free with admission. 10am-5pm. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

THROUGH DECEMBERDa Vinci – The Genius at Science Museum Oklahoma (2020 Remington Pl) features an interactive experience of some of da Vinci’s most notable works. Visitors will be able to push, pull, crank and interact with many of the exhibits for a hands-on understanding of the scientific principles behind them. Tickets in addition to regular museum admission are required. Adults, $9.95; kids (12 & under), $5.95. Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday, 9am-6pm; Sunday 11am-6pm. 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org

THROUGH JANUARY 2017The Banjo World of Steve Martin at the American Banjo Museum (9 E Sheridan Ave) features memorabilia, rare photos and an exclusive interview where Martin discusses his love for America’s instrument. Free with admission. Tuesday – Saturday, 11am-6pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. 604-2793, www.americanbanjomuseum.com

events thisjulyONGOING EVENTS

events thisjulyWEEKLY EVENTS

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 46 JULY 2016

Summer Movie Fun Series at Harkins Bricktown 16 (150 E Reno Ave) features popular kid-friendly films like Home and Minions, every weekday all summer long. Season tickets, $5; individual tickets, $2. 9:45am. www.harkinstheatres.com/smf

Weekly Walk-Ups at Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno) features fun, themed activities that explore and celebrate the plant world. $2 suggested donation. Every weekday, 10am-noon. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

FREE Art Moves at various locations in Downtown Oklahoma City offers a free hour-long lunchtime art experience every weekday. Events run every weekday, noon-1pm (unless otherwise noted), and are free and open to the public. 270-4848, www.artscouncilokc.com/art-moves

FREE Story Time at Green Bambino (5120 N Shartel Ave) features readings of favorite books in the Green room. Participants get 10% off all books during story time. Mondays, 11:30am; Wednesdays, 4pm & Thursdays, 10am. 848-2330, www.green-bambino.com

FREE Art Adventures at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman), for ages 3-5. Young artists are invited to experience art through books. Tuesdays, 10:30am. 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma

Summer Kids Series at Warren Theatres (1000 S Telephone Rd, Moore) features kid-friendly screening of fun movies including Space Jam and Shrek 2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Season passes, $15; individual tickets, $2. 10am. 735-9676, www.warrentheatres.com

Tuesday Night Classics at Harkins Theatre (150 E Reno) features special presentations of classic films on the big screen every Tuesday. $5. 7pm. 231-4747, www.harkinstheatres.com/TNC

FREE Wheeler Criterium in the Wheeler District (1701 S Western Ave) features some of Oklahoma’s top riders in fast-paced, flat track races, live music & food trucks. Tuesdays, 5-8:30pm. www.facebook.com/wheelercrit

Toddler Story & Craft Time at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise, Edmond) features a different story each week & a related craft time. Free with admission. Wednesdays, 11-11:30am. 340-7584, www.unpluggits.com

FREE Wacky Wednesdays at Yukon Parks (various locations) feature fun activities for kids ages 5-11 including Touch a Truck, kickball, soccer skills challenges and hot shot contests every Wednesday all summer long. 10am. 350-8937, www.cityofyukonok.gov

Nature Play Group at Martin Park (5000 W Memorial Rd) introduces children ages 2-6 to nature using nature-centered play activities. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. $2. Preregister. $10/month. Wednesdays, 10am. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/active

Way Back Wednesdays at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2101 NE 50th St) features $1 admission every Wednesday in July & August. $1, kids (2 & under), free. 9am–5pm. 425-0298, www.okczoo.org

FREE SONIC Summer Movies at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno) features outdoor movies, film-related crafts, characters, story time and more every Wednesday. Activities, 8pm; movie, 9pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

FREE Bringing Books to Life Story Time at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno) features a weekly nature-themed story time and coordinating craft. Best suited for ages 2-5. Wednesdays, 10-11am. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

Family Night at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36th St). Families can enjoy admission for up to five people, pizza and drinks using the MetroFamily Family Package (coupon available at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/coupons). $29. Thursdays, 6-9pm. 602-2758, www.skategalaxyokc.com

FREE Whole Kids Club Story Time at Whole Foods Café (6001 N Western Ave) features story time hosted by a librarian from the Metropolitan Library System as well as crafts and snacks. Thursdays, 10-11am. 879-3500, www.wholefoodsmarket.com

FREE Concerts in the Park at Chisholm Trail Park (500 W Vandament Ave, Yukon) features a series of FREE concerts of a variety of musical genres including country, classic rock, patriotic, classical and pop. Thursdays, 7-8:30pm. 350-8937, www.cityofyukonok.gov

FREE Nature Tales at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd) introduces young adventurers to the world of nature using stories and themed, hands-on activities. Best suited for ages 3 – 7. Preregister. Thursdays & Saturdays, 10am. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/parks

FREE Summer Concert Series at Hafer Park (1034 S Byrant St) features local bands performing in the park every Thursday in June, July & August. See website for a schedule of bands. 6:15-8:45pm. 359-4630, www.edmondok.com/concertsinthepark

events thisjulyWEEKLY EVENTS

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 47 JULY 2016

FREE Connie & the Cow Story Time at Chick-fil-a (1210 E 2nd St, Edmond) features a reading time every Thursday as part of the Chick-fil-a Kids Club. Thursdays, 10-11am. www.cfarestaurant.com/northedmond/home

FREE Family Story Time at the Edmond Library (10 S Boulevard, Edmond). Pajamas welcome. Preregister, best suited for families with kids ages 1-5 years old. Thursdays, 6:30-7:15pm. 341-9282, www.metrolibrary.org

FREE Play in the Park in Moore (various locations) features fun games and activities at a different Moore park every Friday throughout the summer, except July 1. Best suited for ages 6-14. Parents must accompany children. Fridays, 9:30-10:30am. 793-5090, www.cityofmoore.com/fun

Dive-in Movies at White Water Bay (3908 W Reno Ave) features outdoor movies shown in the water park including Jurassic World, The Good Dinosaur and Woodlawn. Free with admission. Fridays, dusk. 943-9687, www.whitewaterbay.com

FREE Friday Fun Days in Yukon Parks (various locations) features fun activities for kids including a turtle race, art in the park and a magic show. Fridays, 10am. 350-8937, www.cityofyukonok.gov

FREE Children’s Story Time at Full Circle Books (1900 NW Expressway). Saturdays, 10:15am. 842-2900, www.fullcirclebooks.com

FREE Storytime with Mr. Steve at Barnes and Noble (540 Ed Noble Parkway, Norman) features a extremely silly story time and coloring activity. Saturdays, 11am. 579-8800

FREE Children’s Story Time at Edmond’s Best of Books (1313 E Danforth, Edmond). Saturdays, 11-11:30am. 340-9202.

Dollar Days at Gaylord-Pickens Museum (1400 N Classen Dr). Enjoy $1 admission to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame every Saturday in June, July and August. 10am-5pm. 235-4458, www.oklahomahof.com

FREE Crafts for Kids at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May Ave) features a hands-on craft time for kids ages 3 & up. No reservations necessary. Saturdays, 11am-3pm. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com

Roller Skating Lesson at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36th St) offered each Saturday. Noon-12:45pm. $2 skate rental. 605-2758, www.skategalaxyokc.com

All Star Bowling for Differently-Abled Individuals at AMF Windsor Lanes (4600 NW

23rd) invites differently-abled individuals and their friends and families to bowl on Saturdays. $8. Noon-1pm. 942-5545.

Drop in Art at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features hands-on art activities for all ages. Free with paid admission. Saturdays, 1-4pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

FREE Super Hero School at New World Comics (6219 N Meridian Ave) features an appearance by a different an amazing super hero each week. Occasionally, a villain or two might show up, too. All ages welcome. Saturdays, 10:30am-noon. 721-7634, www.facebook.com/newworldcomicsokc/

FREE Crafts at Forever Young Toy Shoppe (7835 NW 23rd St, Bethany) features a FREE craft activity for kids. Saturdays, noon-2pm. 212-6242, www.facebook.com/foreveryoungtoyshoppe

FREE RIVERSPORT Ride in the Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln Blvd) features a FREE all inclusive ride around the Oklahoma River. Riders can choose to begin at Schlegel’s Bicycyles or at the Chesapeake Boathouse. Schlegel’s, 8:30am; Boathouse, 8:50am. 552-4040, www.boathousedistrict.org

FREE Oklahoma Bicycle Society’s Donut Ride at Will Rogers Park (NW 36th & Portland) features a 14 - 25 mile ride starting at Will Rogers Park Tennis parking lot and rides to Browns Bakery or Kamps 1910. Riders can return on the same route or join groups for longer return ride. 9am. www.oklahomabicyclesociety.com

Summer Saturday Activities at the Museum of Osteology (10301 S Sunnylane Rd) features a selection of special activities including making recycled bird feeders, creating clay animal tracks and more every Saturday. All ages welcome. Free with admission. 1-4pm. 814-0006, www.museumofosteology.org

FREE Sunset Cinemas at Charles J. Johnson Central Park Town Center (7209 SE 29th St, Midwest City) features an outdoor screening of family-friendly movies including The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars The Force Awakens and more. Lawn chairs, blankets and refreshments welcome. Sundays, 9pm. 739-1293, www.midwestcityok.org

FREE Summer Twilight Concert Series at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno). Enjoy a free concert every Sunday on the Grand Lawn. Bring your family and a picnic and enjoy the great music. 7:30-9pm. 270-4848, www.artscouncilokc.com

exploring oklahoma with children

BY LINDSAY CUOMOPHOTOS BY MARK DOESCHER

The Land of the Outlaws

Robbers Cave State Park

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 49 JULY 2016

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Tucked in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, past the beautiful vistas of Lake Eufaula is a

peaceful, yet adventurous place. Described as a relaxing hideaway in the land of the outlaws, Robbers Cave State Park gets its name from the hideout for a notorious group of bandits storied to be led by the outlaw Jesse James and other desperados in cahoots with local outlaw Belle Starr. The park’s legendary history blends the myths of the Wild West, tales of the Civil War and the saga of America’s westward expansion among the breathtaking landscape of the Sans Bois Mountains, a frontal belt of the Ouachita Mountains in southeast Oklahoma.

Almost as if ripped straight from the pages of a classic western, the park’s secluded location, wooded pathways and proximity to historic Texas and California roads paved the way for the tales surrounding the park’s infamous beginnings. While no documented evidence exists, many travelers on local roads often reported robberies during the post-Civil War era. During this period, James’ activity in the area was at its height and Belle Starr, who was known for harboring outlaws, lived in a cabin about 20 miles north of Robbers Cave. The combination of fact and fable shrouded the area in the legends that exist to this day.

However, the area’s origins date much further back in time. Long before the likes of Belle Starr and Jesse James roamed the park, the mountains were home to Native American tribes linked to the Spiro culture and later to Plains Indians. Taking advantage of the meandering streams and sheltered valleys in the region, the Osage and Caddoan tribes are known to have used the region as a seasonal home and bison hunting ground.

As native America and the time of the cowboy outlaw passed, more permanent settlers came to the area and made their homes among the lake and pines. By 1926, the area had begun its transformation into what it is today, a hub for recreation and nature exploration. In 1935, Robbers Cave officially became a state park. Today, the park combined with an adjoining wildlife management area offers more than 8,000

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 50 JULY 2016

Titanoboa: Monster Snake is a collaboration of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the Smithsonian Tropical Research

Institute, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and the

Smithsonian Channel.

© 2012 SNI/SI Network, LLC. All rights reserved

July 2 – September 25, 2016

The University of Oklahoma is an equal oppor tunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo. For accommodations on the basis of disability,

please call (405) 325-4712.

Sponsored locally by

2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, OK 73072-7029(405) 325-4712 | samnoblemuseum.ou.edu

acres of a wealth of outdoor discovery and fun. A favorite of rock climbers, equestrians and hikers, adventure abounds including trout fishing, hunting, miles of hiking and equestrian trails and rugged cliffs for climbing. Visitors can take a naturalist-guided cave tour or hike or can simply choose to head out alone. For hikers or anyone visiting the park, trails are clearly indicated by color-coded markings to direct your path.

Though paths are typically well within the park’s borders, many are readily accessible from the main road. A must-see trail leads visitors straight to the park’s most popular feature, Robbers Cave. There are three routes to choose from, so hikers can tackle the pathway that best fits their abilities. The red path is the most direct approach to the cave but requires the most skill as the steep grade can be physically challenging at times. For less seasoned climbers, the blue and orange routes offer an adventurous trek up a moderate grade. The entire trail takes about an hour to hike, making it a perfect family excursion. The rocky terrain and

Fun Fact:

Robbers Cave State Park is home to the

second largest pine tree in Oklahoma!

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 51 JULY 2016

For those who go to theend of the earth for their kids.

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sandstone cliffs provide an amazing view of the gently rolling forest covered mountains. While on your way to or from the cave, be sure to keep an eye out for the Stone Corral where the gangs were rumored to stow their horses while they hid in the cave itself.

Robbers Cave State Park offers a plethora of activities to keep the whole family entertained from mountain biking, canoeing, paddle boats, aqua cycles, hayrides, playgrounds, pony rides and equestrian trails as well as swimming, bird watching, miniature golf, disc golf and more. Most of the paid activities are $4 a person but there is plenty of free fun to be found.

Fishing enthusiasts have three lakes to cast their lines into and can even enjoy a naturalist-guided Hillbilly fishing activity. The activity is $3 per person and a naturalist will show visitors how to rig a pole and reveal a prime fishing spot.

A naturalist-guided cave tour also is available for $3 per person (kids under 5 are free). Tours reveal information about the plants, geography and history of the area. A canoe tour at Lake Carlton is available for $4 per person (kids under 5 are free).

The Belle Starr Express is a trackless train that takes riders on a 30-minute scenic trip through the park with a stop at the old generator building that used to power the entire park until the 1970s. Late winter is a perfect time to catch a glimpse of the majestic bald eagle nesting at the park. Horse, boats and bike rentals are available seasonally. The Nature Center staff will educate your family about the local fauna and the gift shop is stocked with unique items to commemorate your trip from miners’ helmets to pressed pennies and shirts. A small grocery store and concession stand are stocked with necessities and treats. The rangers are very knowledgeable about the area and are very happy to share little-known features, park secrets and additional details of the park’s legends. Learn more about all the park activities by calling 918-465-2562 or stopping by the park office when you arrive.

In addition to tent, RV and equestrian camp sites, the park has the 20-room Belle Starr View Lodge and 26 single and duplex cabins as well as two group camp facilities, allowing for year-round stay opportunities and comfortable amenities. Each room of the lodge features an impressive view of Coon

Creek Lake and the forested valley below, two double beds, a coffee maker, microwave, mini-refrigerator and satellite television. The cabins offer similar perks and have additional amenities such as a fireplace and cooking utensils.

While Robbers Cave State Park has a wonderfully-secluded feel, it’s easy to extend your trip with the numerous nearby attractions including several museums, other state parks and even a ghost town in the former coal mining settlement named Adamson, located between McAlister and Wilburton. In fact, Wilburton is just five miles from the park and quickly accessible if the need arises.

[Editor's Note: Many thanks to our sponsor, Bob Moore Subaru, for providing a vehicle for our writer and her family's trip to Robbers Cave.]

Community Sponsor of Exploring Oklahoma:

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 52 JULY 2016

GOT CHILDREN? THEN YOU NEED LOTS OF RESOURCES! INTRODUCING THE “YELLOW PAGES” FOR OKC AREA PARENTS.

resourcedirectoriesFrom pediatricians to special needs therapy, birthday party

ideas and private schools, our resource directories—both

here and online—provide local parents with the information

they need to help their families and children thrive.

Check out these businesses and those you find at www.

metrofamilymagazine.com/directories/ and be sure to tell

them you found their business via MetroFamily Magazine.

Find more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/directories/

Party Guide (pages 53-54)Allison’s Fun Inc.Dust Bowl LanesForever After PartiesFrontier City/White Water BayJump!ZoneMad Science of Central OklahomaMobile Laser ForcesPaint Your Art OutSkate GalaxyWater-Zoo Indoor Water Park

Foster Care (page 55)Bair FoundationCircle of CareSAFY

Retail/Restaurant (page 55)Jimmy’s EggOnce Upon a Child

Summer Camps & After School Activities (pages 56-58)Cadence EquestrianCamp Fire USA Camp DakaniThe Dance DepartmentFine Arts InstituteGirl Scouts Western OklahomaLittle Spanish BridgeOCU Community Dance

Rose State CollegeSoccer City OKCStudio J School of DanceThe Studio of the Sooner TheatreVelocity Dance Center

Family Fun (pages 58-59)Dodge City Paintball & Outdoor Laser Tag of OKCOklahoma History CenterPaint ’N StationSt. Mary’s Episcopal Church VBSStafford Air and Space MuseumUnpluggits Playstudio

Special Needs (pages 59-60)Brain Balance Center of OKCSkills for LivingTOTAL POSS-ABILITIES

Child Care (pages 60-61)Childcare NetworkEdmond Home Child CareNorth Penn Creative Kids Learning CenterPrimrose School of EdmondSpontaneity Kid Care

Family Services (page 61)Avenge Pest ControlDr. Laura Ballinger, DDSJust Kids Pediatrics

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METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 53 JULY 2016

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METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 54 JULY 2016

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Try it today at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/okcmarketplace!

Check out MetroFamily’s OKC Marketplace, a FREE business concierge service. Just plug in your family’s resource needs and

get bids back from local businesses to choose from.

It’s simple, FREE and helps you find what you need for you, your children, your home, your event and more!

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We buy & sell gently used kids stuff! No appointment necessary & cash on the spot! Kids clothing, toys & equipment, all priced at up to 70% off mall prices!

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METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 56 JULY 2016

Turn up the FUN at Girl Scout camp

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METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 57 JULY 2016

The Dance DepartmentThe Dance Department

Classes for all ages.Please call for more information.Classes for all ages.

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History Pioneers Junior Curator Camp

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METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 58 JULY 2016

Now Enrolling!

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EXPERIENCE AN ACRE OF HISTORY IN ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S F INEST AEROSPACE MUSEUMS

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METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 62 JULY 2016

What made the experience stand out?We walked around Bricktown before the movie and saw all that there is to see in the center of the city. My Mom talks to me about why it’s important to know where you’re from and what’s going on there. Taking a walk let me see what people mean when they talk about Bricktown. We saw a little yellow water taxi and my brother said “Hello!” and everyone on the taxi said “Hello!” back. Then, we went to the theater and it felt larger than the one I usually go to in the mall. The experience felt more special because it was just my Mom and I and we weren’t there to do any shopping.

What was the best part?The concessions were the best! I got to use my own money and it cost about $5 to get an ICEE drink, a popcorn and a package of fruit gummies.

What was the worst part?The movie had to be restarted because the 3-D glasses they handed out to everyone didn’t work with the film that was played. That was kind of funny, though. Other than that, it started to rain after the movie and we had a long walk back to our car. We made it just in time but I wish we had been able to park closer.

Will other kids like the attraction and why?There’s a "Transformers" arcade game outside that kids will want to play. I didn’t have any quarters to play it but I liked just looking at it. If their parents take them on a walk first, that’s a good way to get their energy out before sitting still for a few hours. Not having to go shopping before or after is something kids will also like because that way, the visit is just about seeing the movie together instead of also doing errands like buying shoes or trying on clothes, which I don’t think are very fun.

Would this attraction be enjoyed by your siblings? Why or why not?Yes! My brother, Isaac (age 4), also likes to come to this theater. Our baby brother can’t come yet because he’ll cry during the movie.

If you could do this again knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?I would bring quarters for the "Transformers" arcade game and not worry about eating dinner because the popcorn was so big, I had to share it with my brother when I got home.

Does what you saw match up with anything you,re learning in school or have seen before in a book, on TV, etc.?I’ve been to other movie theaters but because the movie had to be restarted, it made me wonder about how the movie is projected on the screen and what happens with the film in that tiny window up there. If you look up and behind you during the movie, you can kind of see a person sitting there but I would like to go on a field trip or a tour and see how they play the movie.

What do you think you,ll remember most about having done this activity?I’ll remember the walk around Bricktown, the rainstorm and the movie itself. I like it better when just my Mom and I go to the movies than when we take Isaac too. Is that okay to say? I remember more when it’s just her and I together.

[Editor's Note: Read all our Kid Reviews at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Kid-Reviews/]

Kid Review:Harkins Theatre

Venue name:Harkins Theatre 16, Bricktown 150 E. Reno

Kid reviewer’s name:Samuel RoldánAge: 9

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