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Hop, Skip & Jump
PlayOutdoors Fills Niche in Children's Gear
Story by VALERIE CLARK
Photography by LISA ARMSTRONG
Looking forward to its one-year anniversary as its sales and notoriety
continue to build, a Bend-based company has found its niche as a
supplier of outdoor apparel and gear for children not only in Central
Oregon, but around the country. Sarah Laufer, founder of PlayOutdoors,
had always dreamed of starting a family-owned business, and her
experiences working in the outdoor industry, as a raft guide, gave
her the idea for her business.
The concept was formulated about two years ago, but really started
to take off when the website playoutdoors.com became available.
“We wanted a name that we could grow with and go in a lot of different
directions,” Laufer explained. PlayOutdoors has a warehouse located
in Bend’s industrial park off Wilson Street at 840 Woodland Blvd.,
Suite 110. Given the economic climate at the time the company was
founded, Laufer wisely decided not to open up a retail location,
though customers are invited to shop at the showroom at the warehouse
during operating hours, from 11am-3pm Monday-Friday.
But the main thrust of the company is its website, where customers
can browse children’s clothing and gear from over 40 companies including
Patagonia, Spyder, Dakine, Sherpani, Naturino, Outside Baby, Kelty
Kids and Mountain Sprouts. “We’re like REI for kids in a way,” Laufer
said. She’s also proud of the website’s blog, which ties the outdoors
theme together with helpful articles and tips on fun and creative
ways parents can get their children outside. Because above all,
that’s PlayOutdoors’ goal. “It’s all about making the outdoors accessible
to families,” Laufer said. Watch in the coming months for PlayOutdoors
to add more products and brands. Plus, watch for their booth at
local festivals and events. Information: 1-866-608-2423, www.playoutdoors.com
Hop,
Skip & Jump
Working Wonders Children's Museum
Story by VALERIE CLARK
Photography courtesy of Working Wonders Children’s Museum
If you’re looking for a fun, educational place to take the kids
to cool off this summer, look no further than the Working Wonders
Children’s Museum in the Old Mill District in Bend. The non-profit
museum, which has been in Bend for almost four years, was founded
by a group of parents and educators who thought Central Oregon needed
an educationally based outlet for young children.
DeeDee Erhard, executive director of Working Wonders, cites the
importance of the “power of play” in young children’s development.
“When children play, they develop confidence and problem-solving
skills,” Erhard explained. “The exhibits are designed around letting
the kids make believe through that experience.” According to Dr.
Kenneth R. Ginsburg with the American Academy of Pediatrics, simple
children’s play has been curtailed by today’s busy lifestyle, but
it is critical to their normal overall development. Many kids’ lives
today are over-structured, but they need time for “open-ended play”
and make believe.
“Play is essential to development because it contributes to the
cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children
and youth,” Ginsburg says in a recent study. “Play also offers an
ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children.”
Ginsburg writes that the No Child Left Behind Act might have had
a negative effect on children’s playtime because many schools decided
to cut time from arts, recess and other free play to save more time
for the core subjects.
“This change may have implications on children’s ability to store
new information, because children’s cognitive capacity is enhanced
by a clear-cut and significant change in activity,” he writes. “We
need to allow their brains to have creative time to role play,”
Erhard said. This is the philosophy that Working Wonders used to
design its 12 exhibits. “It’s a little world just for them. They
run from one thing to the next,” Erhard said.
One of the most popular exhibits is Busy Bodies, which exemplifies
Central Oregon’s active lifestyle with a rock wall, a kayak, a bicycle
and a tree fort, all surrounded by a Central Oregon mural. Some
of the other exhibits include the WonderMart grocery store, a performance
stage, the MindStein’s science lab, a pizza parlor, a “kidstruction”
zone, an animal hospital and a TV news and weather station. Each
exhibit has been developed for children ages 10 and under. The exhibits
allow the children to role play and give them experience in real-world,
grownup situations.
“Our spaces are all very safe and creative,” Erhard said. “They
help kids through self-discovery and meaningful interaction.” For
the littlest guests of the museum, the Pitter Patter exhibit offers
a place for infants and toddlers to safely climb, crawl and explore.
This summer there’s no shortage of special activities and events
being offered by the Working Wonders museum.
There will be a summer reading program, and the third Thursday of
every month is Grandparents Day, with free admission for grandma
and grandpa. The first Friday of every month from 6-9pm is a Parents’
Night Out program, where mom and dad can drop off their children
for an educational evening while they get a break. Working Wonders
will host a Playful Parents Adult Workshop on July 8 from 6-7:30pm
that will focus on bringing play into everyday life.
The museum also will be involved in Bend SummerFest on July 11 and
12 with the Outdoor Summer Fun Extravaganza, featuring a water exhibit,
musical performances, art and science activities and building at
KidStruction. Don’t miss the Deschutes Dash Kids Splash ‘n’ Dash
on July 18 with a non-competitive obstacle course for children.
As active as Central Oregon residents are, Erhard pointed out, there
are few activities for very young children, and the Splash ‘n’ Dash
aims to fill that role.
And on July 25, kids can meet KOHD Chief Meteorologist Adam Clark
and train to become junior weather spotters. Contact the museum
for more details on these and other upcoming events. Museum hours
are Wednesday-Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 11am-5pm. Admission
is $6 per person and $5 for seniors over 60. Information: www.workingwonders.org,
541/389-4500
Hop, Skip & Jump
Teaching the Next Generation of Gymnasts at COGA
Story
by Valerie Clark
Photography by Lisa Armstrong
Sharman Watt, owner of the Central Oregon Gymnastics Academy, knows
the name of every leotard-clad, pony tailed mini-gymnast that walks
in the door of her building. A lifelong gymnast herself, Watt was
inspired to go into teaching the sport she’s passionate about, and
about 12 years ago invested in a local gym and made it her own. Though
it was a frightening prospect to go into business for herself, she
immediately got a great response from the Central Oregon public.
“On opening day, people were lined up to register,” said Watt, who
grew up in Texas and moved to Central Oregon for the lure of climbing
Smith Rock. “It’s quite the gymnastics community.” The hard work she
had put into her own gymnastics training, she said, paid off when
it came time to start COGA. “You get out of it what you put in,” Watt
said. “When I started a gym, the hard work came naturally because
it was ingrained in me from gymnastics. Life is rough. You’ll be sad
and frustrated, but you’ll learn to work through it instead of quitting.”
Along with teaching key values of discipline and hard work, gymnastics
builds character, Watt said. “The kids know right from wrong, they
know how to handle a situation. Kids can learn to be functioning adults.
I surprised myself with what I learned in gymnastics.” Even better,
gymnastics gives children an outlet for their never-ending energy.
“It’s hard work,” she said. “It’s really good exercise. It’s important
for your kids to do an activity. Gymnastics would be good if they’re
flipping all over the place.” Getting shape from gymnastics at a very
early age pays off even decades down the road. “It shapes a core muscle
that keeps you healthy for years,” explained the petite Watt.
Kids can enroll in gymnastics just as soon as they can walk, and many
of them form friendships that last a lifetime. “They grow up together,”
Watt said. “They’re little buddies, in the same gymnastics classes
from the time they’re two or three. It’s really special to see.”
One of the misconceptions she sees about the sport, Watt said, is
that once a child gets involved, gymnastics competitions will take
over their lives. Not true, she said, because kids and their families
can get just as involved as they want, from a casual level to serious
competition. “People think it can’t just be done recreationally, but
your daughter doesn’t have to be the next Nadia,” Watt said. “They
will gain strength and coordination, and it’s fun for them.” Gymnastics
usually costs about $50 or $60 a month for each child, Watt said,
which is about on par with any other sport kids can get involved in.
Most wear leotards, but for a first visit to the gym, they can just
wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move around in. Taryn Willman,
8, has been coming to COGA since she was 2 years old.
“It’s fun, and it helps me learn balance,” she said, adding excitedly
that she has an Olympics leotard. “I’ve made lots of friends.” Her
mom agreed. “The friendship aspect is a great part of it,” said Marcie
Willman. “They started off as little kids, and progressed into the
next difficulty level.” The balance beam is the hardest part, Taryn
Willman said. Suzi McConnell, 9, said she likes everything about gymnastics,
which she has been involved in since the age of four. “Suzi would
be bouncing off the walls without gymnastics,” said Suzi’s mom, Elisa
McConnell. “It really disciplines them, keeps them in shape.” “I think
it’s an awesome sport,” Watt said. “It taught me so much about myself.”
www.cogymnastics.com
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