Graphics: JW Illustrations © JESSICAWEIBLE.COM
Looking for ways to entertain the kids this summer? The DMV has gazillions of family-friendly events and destinations all designed to keep boredom at bay.
Here’s a round-up from two great local blogs, Red Tricycle and KidFriendly DC. Continue reading
Image: www.GlynLowe.com (Flickr)
The DC Public Library offers loads of free classes for kids and families, but there are plenty of opportunities for adults too.
The Petworth Neighborhood Library and the Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Neighborhood Library are both offering FREE (!) yoga- a great way to stay in shape and cool off. More details below.
Presented by Jenny of Yoga Activist on Sundays at 1:30 PM at Shaw Neighborhood Library, this class is perfect for beginners, featuring soothing Hatha yoga and meditation. No one under 18. Please bring your own mat or towel. Session takes place in the sunny story time room on the first floor.
Yoga at Your Library is a beginner level yoga class for adults and teens on Saturdays at 11 am and Tuesdays at 7:30 pm at Petworth Neighborhood Library brought to you courtesy of Yoga Activist. No experience is required. The class is free. You can bring your own mat, but if you don’t have one, yoga mats are available for use during the class.
Image: Jeff Kubina (Flickr)
From riding a bicycle in seersucker to tasting the world’s best barbecue, take full advantage of the many, many great happenings in DC this summer.
Know of any other fun events in DC this summer? Share below in the comments!
No sold-out club gig or super-exclusive house show can drum up as much excitement as a summer mega-concert. You buy your tickets months in advance and load up the car with friends. You grumble about the parking, but as soon as you’re in, you make a beeline for the merch booth, hoping to pick up the one T-shirt that lets everyone know “I was there.”
We’ll start with an afternoon of pre-ride activities at the National Museum of African Art, followed by an early evening vintage-inspired bike ride that ends with a sunset stroll and picnic by the Potomac river, before we head to the post-ride party at Malmaison.
Bringing the music back again, the 11th Annual DC JazzFest is June 10-16! Don’t miss your chance to see renowned artists from around the world including, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, COMMON, Esperanza Spalding Presents: Emily’s D+Evolution, Snarky Puppy, and many more!
Now celebrating its 23rd year, The Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle has become one of the largest and most unique food & music festivals in the country. Celebrating the art of cooking and the joy of eating, the Barbecue Battle offers residents of the Greater Washington area and throughout the east coast, the chance to enjoy America’s favorite pastime in our Nation’s Capital.
WTT is tennis like you’ve never seen it, featuring the biggest names in the world playing together in an innovative co-ed team format that offers exciting possibilities for players, fans, communities
For 22 days every July and into August, the annual Capital Fringe Festival creates a city filled with non-stop theatre, dance, music, visual art, and everything in-between. Audiences enjoy non-stop, creative experiences and artists develop their artistic visions in total freedom without any curatorial barriers. Our city is enriched as art takes over neighborhoods, animating the spaces — from traditional theaters, to corner bars, to vacant storefronts.
Illustration: www.hikingArtist.com (Flickr)
Does it seem like the days are getting longer, but the hours are getting shorter? Too much to do and never enough time to do it all? You’re not alone- many host parents are struggling with the same challenges as school comes to a close for the year.
The flexible schedule is one of many reasons many families champion the Au Pair program. We all know that our au pairs can work no more than 10 hours per day and 45 hours per week. However, summer can be a real challenge for host parents who are working full-time. Once kids are out of school, an Au Pair’s regulation hours may not be enough time to cover all of your childcare needs.
Day camps are a great way to fill in the gaps, and there are many options in the DC area. Below is a list of camps not too far from our part of town. At posting time, all still had some availability. If you know of others your kids have enjoyed, please share on our private Facebook group page. Let’s work together to find options for our cluster kiddos– and make it a great summer for everyone!
*My children have attended these camps. Please reach out to me with any questions about them.
Illustration: MLARGE (clker.com)
If you ask my children what they think their parents’ most important job is, they’ll say “to keep us safe and healthy.” We use that phrase to explain everything from why our daughter can’t cross street alone to why our son needs to go to sleep at night. While our children have been known to roll their eyes when they hear it, this all-purpose phrase is one that explains a lot of our decisions as parents. We encourage our au pairs to use it as well.
Yesterday, my son was worried about his upcoming swimming lesson, and I heard our au pair tell him that he was going to be safe because that was her job. Immediately, he smiled and relaxed a bit, and while he was still worried, he knew that he was safe because his au pair was there to keep him out of harm’s way.
Summer can be a wonderful time of year full of adventure and fun, but it can also be a time when routines are unsettled and rules are relaxed. I encourage you to think about ways that you can keep your children safe and healthy. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Healthy Children website has many excellent articles on how you can help your family have a wonderful and healthy summer. Below are some highlights with links to the full articles.
Sara Segundo Lazaro shared how Catalonians celebrate Sant Jordi Day at National Presbyterian School in Washington, DC
Volunteering is an important part of American life. Au Pair in America encourages all of our au pairs to volunteer as a way to share your culture and learn more about American culture through the experience.
APIA’s Global Awareness program provides the opportunity for you to share your culture, customs, and language in DC-area classrooms through the “Meet Your Global Neighbor” project. Recently, Sara Segundo Lazaro taught a group of kindergartners at National Presbyterian School about Sant Jordi, a festival celebrating the patron saint of Catalonia. See the Global Awareness website for more details on volunteering through this program.
Xareny Segura Muniz is enrolled in the UCLA APIA Advantage Course, which requires au pairs to do a Global Awareness presentation, volunteer at a local organization, and participate in historical and cultural activities. Last month, Xareny visited a first grade class at Lee Montessori PCS, where she taught them about Mexican foods, holidays, and animals. The children also learned a few words in Spanish. Next week, Xareny will volunteer at the DC Central Kitchen to help fulfill the Community Involvement portion of her class.
There are many volunteer opportunities in the DC area. You are welcome to contribute your time wherever you like, as long as it does not interfere with your work or school schedule. Our DCC Cluster Facebook Group has a list of current volunteer opportunities under the files tab. Also, ask your Host Family for community service ideas with their children’s schools, their church, synagogue, or other house of worship, or neighborhood organizations.
Photo: Parvin (Flickr)
June is here and summer will be in full swing before you know it! Check out all of the great ways to celebrate the beginning of summer. Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of helpful information and fun activities for everyone in the family.
