The Fourth of July is coming — and with it comes a ton of fun family-friendly events in and around Champaign-Urbana! This guide will include events including parades, craft days, festivals, fireworks and more. (For your convenience, we’ve made a fireworks-only guide too!)

You never know what's around the corner with the great line-ups in Champaign-Urbana area parades. Credit: Flickr, chefranden

June 25:

Build and Grow at Lowe’s: Independence Day is right around the corner! Your child can show their patriotism with a cool Waving Flag. Recommended for first through fifth graders. Free. Register ahead of time. Starts at 10 a.m.

Arcola: Get ready for the Pop the Top Festival in historic downtown Arcola. The festival will feature live entertainment, a car show on Oak Street, an antique tractor show on Locust Street, and craft and food booths. A bag toss tournament will be held at the corner of Main and Oak streets. The day will be concluded with fireworks in at Moore Park in the evening.

Ice Cream and Independence: Concert and fun at the Virginia Theater in Champaign. Start celebrating early, doors will open at 5 p.m. for the pre-event music and ice cream, and all ticket holders receive free ice cream courtesy of Marble Slab Creamery. The Concert Band of Central Illinois, conducted by Peter Griffin, will take the stage at 7 p.m. This year’s concert will highlight Stars and Stripes and Sousa! Tickets are available online or at the Virginia Theatre Box Office, 703 W. Park Ave, Champaign. Reserved seating: $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $8 for children under 12.

June 29:

Star-Spangled Craft: Head to the Champaign Public Library’s Douglass Branch at 3 p.m. and make a craft using red, white and blue stars to celebrate Independence Day. Geared towards school-age kids. Free.

June 30:

’1787: We the People’: This original and locally-written musical about the writing of the U.S. Constitution makes its world debut at the Virginia Theatre. Repeats every night from June 30-July 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on July 3. Tickets range from $10 to $18; family pack available for $45. Families are encouraged to attend.

July 1:

’1787: We the People’: This original and locally-written musical about the writing of the U.S. Constitution makes its world debut at the Virginia Theatre. Repeats every night from June 30-July 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on July 3. Tickets range from $10 to $18; family pack available for $45. Families are encouraged to attend.

Tuscola Sparks in the Park: Tuscola’s festivities takes place July 1 and 2. Friday’s festivities include swimming, baseball, bands and inflatables. A parade kicks off at 5 p.m., going from the corner of Main Street and North Central Avenue and running north on Main, then through Ervin Park. Cap off the day’s events with fireworks at dusk.

Monticello Freedom Celebration: From July 1 through July 3, experience three days of fun. On Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. in Downtown Monticello, check out Chow on the Town, Car Show, First Friday on the Square, Monticello Movie Night and more.

July 2:

Gussy Up Your Bike: Free! Head to the Urbana Free Library at 11 a.m. Get your bike ready for the Fourth of July with streamers and more when you come to Cherry Alley! In the case of rain or excessive heat, meet in the library’s Lewis Auditorium.

’1787: We the People’: This original and locally-written musical about the writing of the U.S. Constitution makes its world debut at the Virginia Theatre. Repeats every night from June 30-July 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on July 3. Tickets range from $10 to $18; family pack available for $45. Families are encouraged to attend.

Tuscola Sparks in the Park: Tuscola’s festivities wind down July 2. Saturday’s festivities starts the day off with an American Legion pancake breakfast and 5K run/walk. The rest of the day includes mud-volleyball and basketball tournaments, a kiddie tractor pull, and lots more. Wrap up the day with a show from the Tuscola Community Band.

Rantoul: Join the Rantoul Chamber of Commerce for the “best post-race party ever” with the 5K Rockin The Runway 2nd Annual Firecracker Classic at the Rantoul National Aviation Center’s Frank Elliott Field. Before and after the race there will be inflatables for the kids, games, food, bands, auto-cross races, a car show, and, of course, fireworks. Admission is $5 per person for ages 14 and over, with runners, walkers and veterans receiving free admission.

Arthur’s Freedom Celebration: Estimates had the 2010 fireworks crowd for this small-town celebration at more than 30,000 spectators! But first, check out the parade, which steps off from the Mennonite Church Parking Lot on East Illinois St. at 1 p.m. Then head out to the fairgrounds for food stands and a baseball tournament. Be sure to check out Central Illinois Air from Mattoon offering the ever popular Helicopter rides on site beginning at approximately 4 p.m. with a cost of $ 20 per person. Finish the day with that fantastic display of pyrotechnics, one of the largest in central Illinois with some of the biggest shells available in the country.

Monticello Freedom Celebration: From July 1 through July 3, experience three days of fun. On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Downtown Monticello, take part in the Taste of Monticello, Antique Tractor Show, Monticello Back in Time Games, vendors and displays.  See live performances by The Brass Band of Central Illinois and II Ton Heavy Thing. And don’t forget the Celebration Parade at 2 p.m.

July 3:

’1787: We the People’: This original and locally-written musical about the writing of the U.S. Constitution makes its world debut at the Virginia Theatre. Repeats every night from June 30-July 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on July 3. Tickets range from $10 to $18; family pack available for $45. Families are encouraged to attend.

Monticello Freedom Celebration: From July 1 through July 3, experience three days of fun. On Sunday, from noon to 11 p.m. at Lodge Park, look for vendors, games, bands and more. Come spend the day at the park leading up to the greatest fireworks around closing out the day!

July 4:

Champaign pools: Head to Sholem Aquatic Center (1- 8 p.m.) and Spalding Pool (1-6pm) on July 4 for festive games and activities throughout the day at both locations, including watermelon eating contest, cannonball contest and trivia games. Regular admission fees apply.

Champaign County Freedom Celebration: Parade and Fireworks! More details: Parade starts at 1:05 p.m near First and Kirby in Champaign, and continues east on Kirby/Florida and turns north on Lincoln. The evening program at Dodds Park, near Parkland College in Champaign, includes musical entertainment, food vendors and children’s activities both before and after the fireworks, which start around 9:20 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Freedom Fest, Lake of the Woods Park, Mahomet. Kids’ activities, food, live entertainment, fireworks at dusk. $1 per person, children 5 and under free. (Rain date is July 5.)

Bement: The Bement Community Council’s 4th of July Freedom Celebration’s theme is “Supporting the Military Community”. Parade at 2 p.m; games and vendors at Forest Preserve following parade until dusk; fireworks begin at dusk. Live DJ 9 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. at Forest Preserve park.

Clinton Fourth of July Celebration: Near Clinton High School/Junior High School, Clinton; fireworks at dusk; free.

Homer Fourth of July Celebration: Near Village Hall. Parade at 5:30 p.m.; The “carTunes” Community Summer Band and the “Singin’ in the CAR-us” Community Summer Chorus concert from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; and Fireworks at dusk. Free.

Rantoul: The Chamber of Commerce will present a holiday parade at 10 a.m.; parade route will start at the corner of Maplewood Drive and U.S. 136.

Paxton Old-Fashioned July 4th Celebration: Day of fun events (including children’s parade) at Pells Park with fireworks at dusk; free.

Send us your Fourth of July-related event – email editor (at) chambanamoms.com or use our contact page.

Related posts:

1. 2011 Champaign-Urbana Halloween and Fall Events Guide
2. 2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: December
3. 2011 Champaign-Urbana Winter Holiday Fun Guide: November

By Daniele Frerichs

So maybe you won’t run a marathon after baby, but a vast majority of new moms seek out exercise routines post-baby in order to shed the unwanted pounds. I struggled with this after my first daughter was born, and it wasn’t until I started a running routine the pounds disappeared. Although, I started running again for this reason (I ran religiously in my youth), I discovered the amazing benefits and sanity a regular exercise routine has brought to my new life as a mother.

Daniele Frerichs ran the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon eight months after giving birth to her daughter. Credit: Bruce Frerichs

Now, I did run the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon when my second daughter was only 8 months old, but it does not have to be a marathon or even running that you add into your daily grind. While I encourage new or veteran moms to add ANY exercise routine into your schedule, this article focuses on running.

Be sure to check out the local resources that you can take advantage of this summer to start or enhance your running!

Never run before? Start with the Couch to 5K, otherwise commonly known at C25K! This is a program that a handful of my new mom friends have started and conquered this spring by successfully completing the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon 5K after never running before. It literally allows you to go from sitting on the couch to running 3.1 miles. You start out by running one minute and walking one minute, and you ease up from there. Get a group of friends together and train on the same schedule. I don’t mean you have to run together — you can, but you could schedule to run a 5K together at the end of the training session.

In C-U and surrounding area, there are 5Ks weekly to pick from and run. I have posted a brief list below. This is a fun way to start exercising. Plus, signing up for a race and having a date on the calendar to work toward — Race Day — keeps you accountable.

For the more experienced runners, I know you know what it is like to work and train for Race Day, but challenge yourself to a half-marathon or marathon this summer. Experienced runners are disciplined and dedicated, so no need to instruct you on training, but I posted some longer races below for you all to check out and challenge yourself to train for this summer. And, of course, some of you C25K beginners will soon find yourself in the experienced runners category.

Lastly, keep in mind that you can make this a family event. Make running or any exercise routine something you can do with your family. And you might just find that once you start running, you kids might want to run with you?

Happy running!

Running clubs

• Kennekuk Road Runners. This is my running club, and I would like to highlight the Wednesday evening runs at Kickapoo State Park near Danville. They are free to anyone. You can run 1, 2, or 3 miles, every Wednesday in the summer at 6:15 p.m.
• Second Wind Running Club

Upcoming 5Ks/3.1 Miles

• July 2:Rockin’ the Runway, Rantoul
  Contact office@rantoulchamber.com
• July 4:Freedom Run, Champaign
  Contact info@bodynsolesports.com, 356-8926 or 531-3777
  4th of July Run, Paxton
• July 16:Fisher Fair 5K, Fisher
  Contact Dinis52@aol.com or 897-1682
• July 23:Run for the Bagel 5K, Mattoon
• Aug. 13:SJO 5K, St. Joseph
  Contact kelly@sjo5k.com or 217-531-3755
• Aug. 20:Mahomet 5K, Mahomet
  Contact 217-766-9008
• Aug. 27: Staci’s Country Miles 5K, Royal
  Contact stackie05@yahoo.com

Up for more than a 5K?

• June 25:5 Hours for Dogs and Cats, Danville
  Kennekuk Road Runners members only
• July 4: Staley Firecracker Road Run/Walk 4 or 8 miles, Decatur
  Contact recintern@decparks.com
• July 23:Run for the Bagel 10K, (6.2 miles), Mattoon
• Aug. 20: Mahomet Half Marathon (13.1 miles), Mahomet
  Contact 217-766-9008
• Sept. 3:Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon (13.1 miles), Indianapolis
  Contact klong@indywomenshalfmarathon.com or 317-884-4001

Daniele (Cox) Frerichs is the proud mother of two beautiful girls: Lyla, 3, and Isabella, 1. She and her husband, Bruce, have been married for five years. Frerichs grew up outside of Rantoul, has lived within a 30-miles radius of Chambana her entire life, and now calls Royal home. She was educated at and now works full time for the University of Illinois.

Related posts:

1. Vegan Mama: Dispatches From the Veggie Wars
2. The Wannabe Mom: Happy Mama

What: Monticello Railway Museum

Where: Nelson Crossing Depot, 992 Iron Horse Place, Monticello, Ill., (off Interstate 72 at the Market Street Exit 166) and Wabash Depot, downtown Monticello

The Wabash Depot. Photo by aka Kath on Flickr

Description: All aboard! Here’s your chance to ride on a real train through the Illinois countryside and step back in time to explore different types of historic cars used in the railroad heydays. Riders can travel from the Nelson Crossing site, the museum’s main campus, to downtown Monticello’s Wabash Depot and back — or vice versa. Explore the inside of a rail car or enjoy the fresh air in the open-top car. You can even climb up to the top of the caboose and get a bird’s eye view of the journey. At each stop riders can peak into the history of trains with hands-on exhibits and materials, complete with mail and sleeper cars, model trains, a telegraph and a railroad crossing sign.

Hours: The museum’s depots are open from mid-May to mid-October. On Saturdays, trains depart from the Nelson Crossing museum site at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; and leave the Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. On Sundays and holidays, trains depart the Nelson Crossing museum site at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; and leave the Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. (Note: There is no return trip with the 4 p.m. rides.) Special event holidays include Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Fourth of July fireworks, Ghost Train for Halloween, and the Polar Express and Lunch with Santa around Christmas. Get updated times and fare prices at their official site.

Good For: The train lover in everyone, big and small. Little kids, especially those who are enamored with “Thomas and Friends,” will be awed with the up-close view and size of the trains, not to mention the ability to actually touch and climb around on one. Bigger kids, 10 or older, will enjoy the historic aspect. Adults who have never had the opportunity to breath in the countryside while hearing the clickety-clack of the rails might find a calming peace as well.

Aubrie’s Take: As someone who had never taken a train ride before, I was just as interested in what was going on as my children. We stepped out of the van at Nelson Crossing as a towering yellow engine pulled into the station. My 2-year-old daughter stopped dead in her tracks and wistfully whispered, “Choo-choo,” and it was magic from then on.

Take the time during one of your trips to ride in the open-top car — and don’t forget your sunscreen! You’ll get a better view of the yard and its treasures as well as get some beautiful views. The closed cars had all their windows open, but be aware that there are many seats that might have you traveling backward. Not a great thing if you get motion sick like I do. Also, if you don’t enjoy tight spaces, sit out the walk through the trains on site.

The train travels into residential areas of Monticello, which made for some cheery sights. Families were having afternoon picnics in their backyards, and almost everyone we came across stopped what they were doing to wave to the children. Kudos to Monticello citizens for taking the time to make those kids’ days. (Like seeing a bunch of trains in action wasn’t enough!)

While downtown, there are a couple of other sites to check out. The Dairy Queen, located at 101 W. Main St. off the square, is one of the best in the area. It’s a quaint space, which lends well to its small-town atmosphere. It was almost entirely high school students working the counter when we were there, and it made me feel like I was in my hometown. Also check out Nick’s Community Playground, southeast of the Wabash Depot at Buchanan and Livingston streets. The site feels like you’ve stepped into a secluded cove of fun, with a castle-like playground structure for all kids to enjoy.

Aubrie Williams is an all-around journalist, Chambanamoms managing editor, and University of Illinois graduate who is happy to have gotten “stuck” in Champaign-Urbana. She is the doting mother of three daughters, dutiful wife of one lucky husband, and loving caretaker to two cats and one insanely messy house.

Related posts:

1. C-U Essential Toolkit: The Orpheum Children’s Science Museum
2. C-U Essential Toolkit: Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch

by Laura Weisskopf Bleill

The Champaign Park District‘s Touch a Truck event, an annual highlight for toddlers and preschoolers all over Champaign County, is already upon us.

On Wednesday, May 18, a bevy of vehicles that children love will be in the circle drive by Sholem Pool. All the old favorites will be there, including a cement truck, a street sweeper, an ambulance, a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a side car, a Champaign Police Department squad car, a Champaign Fire Department truck, a MTD hybrid bus, a Raminator monster truck, a school bus, a NASCAR simulator from Worden Martin, and a flatbed from Reynold’s Towing.

Children ages 2 to 5 are invited to crawl around the vehicles, honk the horns, sit in the driver’s seats, run up and down the flatbed. The people who drive the vehicles on a regular basis will be on hand to answer questions and show the kids around.

“Little kids love to play with trucks and imitate driving the trucks and having the sound,” said Lisa Sprinkle, marketing coordinator for the Champaign Park District. “This is a way that their imaginations can come to life.”

In addition to the trucks, there will be free ice cream provided courtesy of Marble Slab Creamery in Savoy; inflatables with a transportation theme; and child-friendly music. Also, kids can get their “driver’s license” photo taken; they will be available for download from the Champaign Park District’s website later in the week.

This is the 11th year for the event, which attracts more than 1,000 children. Many daycares and preschools circle it on the calendar for an annual field trip.

“It’s a fun event for them because they can go and explore,” Sprinkle said. “They’re not being told not to touch something or they are being too loud. It’s their time to touch things.”

What: Touch a Truck
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 18
Where: Centennial Park, by the picnic shelter and Sholem Pool, Champaign
How much: FREE!
Appropriate for: 2- to 5-year-olds. Be advised that there is a lot of noise at this event.

(In case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled, and there is no rain date.)

No related posts.

I would love for this to be the “Runner’s Guide to the Illinois Marathon,” but there’s just one thing: I don’t run. Or jog. I’ve been known to walk at moderately brisk clip, but that’s about it.

Cheer on the marathon runners April 30.

Come April 30th, however, I will be supporting my husband as he completes his first ever half-marathon (personal note: YAY!), and I want to do my bit the right way. To find out how I can, I contacted Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Co-Director Jan Seeley to get some tips on where to park, where to be, and how to do justice to the role of marathon supporter.

She passed along information about the various parking/staging areas and gave me permission to reprint the following article, which says it all.

Keep in mind, if you want to take your involvement a step further–without breaking a sweat–there’s still a need for race day volunteers.

The Spectator’s 4-3-2-1
What Every Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Spectator Needs to Know

4 Best Places to Watch the Race

• Start Line—2,500 runners will start the Marathon/Marathon Relay at 7:00 a.m.; 2,000 10K runners will start at 7:22 a.m.; and 7,500 half marathon runners will start at 7:30 a.m. You’ll be able to cheer on a sea of people! The 5K is Friday night at 6:30 p.m.

• Green Street—Every runner (except the 10Kers) will run at least from First Street to Wright Street on Green; it’s the start of their second mile. Marathoners will return to Green Street for their 13th mile.

• Finish Line—The first runners will enter Memorial Stadium by 7:50 a.m. (wheelchair half entrants) and they’ll keep coming for hours, so find a spot in the stands on the east side and enjoy the show! (Spectators should enter the stadium through the Great East Hall).  The first marathoner will finish between 9:15 and 9:20. A rush of marathoners will enter the stadium at 11:00 a.m. The average half-marathoner will finish around 9:30 a.m.

• Anywhere—If the route runs close to your neighborhood, walk out to the course and cheer! Organize a marathon lawn party for you and your neighbors to kick off your summer in style.

3 Ways to Support the Runners

• Bring something that makes noise, such as a bell, horn, or boom box.

• Wear something that stands out, such as a colorful wig or a costume.

• Make a sign. Cheer on your friend (“Go Jill!”) or cheer everyone  (“Way To Go,” “You Can Do It!”).

2 Things to Yell at Runners

• “You’re doing great!”

• “You’re looking good!”

Note: This year, most runners will have the FIRST NAME on the front of their race bib.

1 Thing to Avoid on Race Day

• Don’t shout, “The _____ is just up ahead.” To a runner struggling, “just up ahead” means within the next 10 feet. No matter how close you are to a hydration station or the finish line, you’re still too far away.

Rachael McMillan is a former high school teacher, social worker, cake decorator, and just about any other profession you can think of do-er. In addition to writing, tutoring, and giving talks about fair trade, she is currently staying home with the highly entertaining Jack and Kate.

Related posts:

1. University of Illinois Offers Spanish Classes For Kids
2. Celebrate Your State: Illinois State Fair 2011 Preview

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of four posts by the authors of “Good Enough Is The New Perfect: Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood,” Becky Beaupre Gillespie and Hollee Schwartz Temple.

Becky and Hollee will be joining us for a special chambanamoms.com event, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, at Class Act in downtown Champaign. Please join us for the “Good Enough is the New Perfect Mom’s Night Out” presented by Tim Noice and Terri Wetzel, associates at Chesser Financial.

We’ll have food, fun and girl talk, along with remarks from the authors on achieving that elusive goal — work/life balance — and the first 100 guests will receive a free copy of “Good Enough Is The New Perfect: Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood.” Mark your calendars!

_____________

Welcome to The New Mommy Wars

Becky and her girls. Credit: Susan Ryan Photography

by Becky Beaupre Gillespie and Hollee Schwartz Temple

Categories are a big issue for the women of our generation. Many of us entered motherhood thinking it would be easy to stick ourselves — and the women around us — into groups with neat little labels.

“I’m a working mom. She’s a stay-at-home mom.”

The problem, of course, is that a lot of gray area has emerged in recent years. A lot of the women we interviewed for Good Enough Is the New Perfect: Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood (Harlequin Nonfiction, April 2011) failed to identify with a specific category, often because they were straddling two worlds at once. (“I’m a part-time pediatrician, part-time stay-at-home mom,” one woman told us.) Some women identified with a label, then bristled when others tried to claim it, too. “She’s not really a working mom,” one woman told us about a friend. “She works from home.”

But none of this was as heartbreaking as the phrase we heard over and over and over again in interviews: “I feel so alone.”

Courtesy of Hollee Schwartz Temple

We heard it from moms who worked part time in offices, and from moms who worked full time at home. We heard it from executives, and entrepreneurs, and lawyers. Repeatedly, women told us that they felt misunderstood or alone in their challenges, as if they were navigating a path that nobody else had chosen. (“I’m the only mom in this town who works,” several women told Becky. Funny thing was, these women all lived in the same town.)

In some ways, it isn’t surprising that it’s come to this. For years, we’d been hearing all about those Mommy Wars, the ones between “working moms” and “stay-at-home moms.” When we entered motherhood, some of us assumed that all we had to do was pick a side. At least then we’d have the camaraderie of other women who were just like us, and we’d have the validation that comes with belonging.

But then the boundaries separating those “sides” turned out to be fuzzy, and we were thrown into a different kind of battle. And this one was far more isolating and emotional — largely because it existed inside our own heads as we struggled to figure out where we fit in. The Mommy Wars, as it turned out, weren’t about them, they were about us.

To win this battle, we need to know and accept ourselves and our priorities. We need to steel ourselves against all those outside messages about what we should want, and fight off competitive urges to pursue other women’s ideas of success. The New Mommy Wars exact their greatest toll when they prevent us from creating the path that best fits our own needs and passions.

But all this takes courage. Especially when our path doesn’t fit anyone else’s category.

Becky and Hollee’s new book, Good Enough Is the New Perfect: Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood, is available at Amazon. They blog about parenting and work/life balance at TheNewPerfect.com.

Related posts:

1. Vegan Mama: Dispatches From the Veggie Wars

Find things for your children to do this summer at the Summer Resource Extravagaza on April 14. (Photo by Tony Crider on flickr)

Summer is around the corner, and many parents are scrambling to find summer camps, daycare, and other ways to keep active children busy, happy and safe this summer. (Of course you have looked at our camp list, no?)

If that describes your family, then you might want to head out to Thursday night’s Summer Enrichment Extravaganza. This free, community-wide resource fair will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Urbana Middle School Cafetorium. All are welcome.

This is the third year for the event, and it has grown in size and scope each time. Representatives from more than 30 programs will be on hand to meet families and discuss the merits of their various summer options. From preschoolers to teenagers, there will be something for everyone.

The Fair is sponsored by I-Parents, a collaborative effort spearheaded by the University of Illinois and includes local schools, parent-teacher organizations and community groups. I-Parents “seeks to improve the lives  of area children through collaboration of time and resources in the support and education of parents and families.”

Although organized by a University group, the fair is not limited to University-affiliated organizations and spans the gamut of available activities in Champaign-Urbana and beyond.

Lila Moore, Coordinator of the UI Center for Education in Small Urban Communities and a member of the iParents Advisory Group, said parents requested that the event return. Watching children leave last year’s event excited about upcoming summer activities was especially gratifying to its organizers, she said.

“It fits a need in the community because a lot of parents and caregivers are looking for ways to keep kids engaged and active over the summer,” said Moore.

The following is a list of campus and community organizations that will be represented at the resource fair:

4-H Illini Summer Academies, UI Extension
4-H Youth Development Programs, UI Extension, Champaign County
Amara Yoga & Arts
Art Lab
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Champaign County
Boy Scouts of America, Prairieland Council
Champaign County YMCA
Champaign Park District
Champaign Public Library
Child Care Resource Service
Class Act
College for Kids, Parkland College
Community Center for the Arts (C4A)
Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club
E.nopi Learning Center
Fighting Illini Camps and Clinics
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
The I.D.E.A. Store
Illinois Summer Youth Music
Indian Acres Swim Club
Kinesiology Sports Fitness Program
Japan House
La Petite Academy
Language & Literacy Development, UI Dept. of Speech & Hearing
Orpheum Chidren’s Science Museum
The Reading Group
Savoy Recreation Center
Spanish Summer Camps, University Language Academy for Children
The Spurlock Museum
Summer Arts Camp for Youth, UI Art Education Program
Summer Writing Camps, U of I Writing Project
TAP in Leadership Academy
Upward Bound College Prep Academy
Urbana Free Library
Urbana Park District
World Percussion Classes/Drums Lessons

Related posts:

1. Let’s Keep Champaign-Urbana Kids Warm This Winter

Just a reminder – we hope you’ll stop by Findings Boutique (1741 West Kirby Avenue, Champaign, in Old Farm Shoppes) on Monday, April 11 for the Chambanamoms/Findings Boutique Mother’s Day Wish List Event. Get what you really want for Mother’s Day!

The event will feature one-night-only storewide promotions with the focus being on the  special 15-percent discount for custom personalized Anna Bee jewelry (perfect gift for moms, grandmas, aunts, etc.) orders placed at the event – or put on a wish list and later ordered.

No related posts.

Related posts:

1. Get Ready for One Week Boutique’s Fall Sale!
2. Meet the Mompreneur: One Week Boutique’s Donna Pepper

by Rachael McMillan

See—what did I tell you? These October weeks have flown by, and Trick or Treat time is now upon us.

Did you forget to buy a costume for your child? Never fear; you probably have the makings of a really clever get-up lying around your house. So, save your pennies (and the environment) by re-using what you’ve already got to deck out your little treat-seeking monkey.

These costumes should take little to no time to come together, so your child could even be ready to show off at the Downtown Champaign Trick-or-Treat on Saturday, Oct. 30 (participating businesses will hand out goodies between 12 and 6 p.m.) or at any of these other local Halloween happenings.

This is just a jumping off point, folks. Your ideas make the list complete, so be sure to add them!

Gardener
Put an apron over your child’s clothes (be sure to tape seed packets so they are visible coming out of a pocket, and/or stash a few safe-to-carry tools). If you’ve got a short hose or one that has run its course and can be cut smaller, add it as a sash. A floppy hat, gloves, and a clean watering can-turned treat bucket complete the look. Additional touches include fake flowers sticking from a pocket, dirt rubbed on the face, and so on. Use your imagination to come up with chef and handyman variations.

Business Person/CIA Agent
If you’ve recently purchased a suit for your son’s first communion/cousin’s wedding/insert-formal-event-here, get some extra mileage out of it by having him wear it to be a secret agent (add sunglasses, a badge, a walkie-talkie, etc.). Sweater dresses are all the rage these days, and girls could do the same thing. Or, have him/her wear your old bluetooth, use makeup (give him an eyeliner goatee and her a grown-up look), and have him/her use mom or dad’s briefcase as a candy tote to be a wheelin’ dealin’ businessman/woman. Look around town for free copies of Central Illinois Business magazine’s “Forty Under Forty” list for to carry.

Your child doesn't have a costume yet? Don't worry, we're here to help! Photo by papofatticus on flickr

Miss Something-Or-Other
Your daughter may be happy to put on one of her super-pretty frocks and get all dolled up (to the degree with which you are comfortable…) to be a contestant in a beauty pageant. The key to this costume is the sash, which you may need to purchase: You’ll need a wide, stiff piece of ribbon you can write on to indicate what her claim to fame is. She can dress with an international flair and you can write the name of her country on the sash (glitter/puff paint are good for this—writing in cursive helps give it a professional look). Or, you can add some corn stalks to her outfit and declare her Miss Illinois, or write something silly on the sash like “Best Knock-Knock Jokes” and arm her with a few good ones. Possibilities abound here.

Twisted Sister or Mister
If your little one insists on doing something a little spooky, suggest this: Put an oversized button-down shirt on him or her backwards, attach gloves to the ends of the sleeves, and stuff the sleeves and gloves to make it look as if something has gone monstrously wrong. Putting the pants on backwards is optional; if you do that, you’ll have to do something about the shoes (eh…or not). Wild hair and ghoulish make-up are also optional. A suggestion for the treat bag: hot glue the handles to the glove “hands” to help give the impression that something is amiss.

Winner!
Do you have one of those gigantic, red plastic holiday bows lying around somewhere? Unravel it, and it can become the “finish line” for your little marathoner. Have him/her wear sweats, tennis shoes, a headband, etc., and print out a runner’s number card to pin to the shirt. You can add the name of the race, such as the “Monster Marathon.” Attach the finish line tape to the front of the shirt (be sure that it’s not tripping length) and borrow someone’s finisher’s medal to complete the look.

Rachael McMillan is a former high school teacher, social worker, cake decorator, and just about any other profession you can think of do-er. In addition to writing, tutoring, and giving talks about fair trade, she is currently staying home with the highly entertaining Jack and Kate.

No related posts.