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Archive for the ‘Guides’ Category

Homeschooling in the Wild: Offerings of the Greenville Zoo

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Have a homeschooler and need a little time outside, away from all the books and computers? Pick a day and make an educational adventure out of a trip to the Greenville Zoo. They have lots of special events to help your family learn and enjoy the zoo like story time or with the zoo keepers for questions. They even offer special classes just for homeschoolers. KAG Contributor and local mom Maria Bassett is sharing some of the educational opportunities you’ll find at the Greenville Zoo. 

Be sure to check out our Homeschool Guide for tons of idea, resources and more!

Sure a trip to the zoo is fun any day, and it can be an educational adventure. Sometimes, though, my kids run from exhibit to exhibit and we never really take the time to read the signs, observe and learn. That’s frustrating, and doesn’t feel very educational. Sometimes we bring along some animal classification work (if you’d like some freebie worksheets checkout this homeschool giveaways site for some options.)  But sometimes, it’s really just more fun to listen to the great folks at the zoo, than it is to listen to mom!  That’s why I am so thankful for the many educational gems that the Greenville Zoo offers.  They have so many educational programs, and many of them are completely free with admission.

Greenville Zoo homeschool programs

Homeschool programs at the Greenville Zoo

Homeschool class

The zoo offers a homeschool class once per month for K5- 8th grade students. The classes are broken down into smaller age groups and are on a variety of topics.  My two oldest boys love these classes! They get some hands on time with various animals and critters. (After the class that featured a number of invertebrates, I heard a lot about how they got to touch the hissing cockroach.  Yuck!) And they really learn lots of neat facts. Each class costs $10 for members and $15 for non-members. The dates vary each month and the class requires registration you can complete online. You can find the registration and dates here.

Tell Me About it Tuesdays

Free! (with admission) At 10:30 am and 12:30 pm on Tuesdays you will find zoo staff at specific exhibits talking about and answering your questions about the animals they highlight.  Tell Me About it Tuesdays is a great opportunity for homeschool students to get answers straight from the source.

Learning Safari Thursdays

Free! (with admission)  Want to see some zoo creatures up close?  Check out the Learning Safari Thursdays in front of the Buck Mickel Education Building on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 3:30 pm. These are fun, hands on exhibits. What a great chance for homeschoolers to learn from zoo staff, without the added cost!

Wild for Reading Wednesdays

Free! (with admission) The younger homeschool kiddos might enjoy reading a book with a zoo staff member and a live animal friend at Wild for Reading Wednesdays every Wednesday at 2:30 pm.  You’ll find this event near the farm yard exhibit.

Note: All three of the above free programs meet September through May.

Family Workshops

Looking for an activity the whole family can enjoy together? The zoo offers Family Workshops on a variety of topics through the year. You need to register in advance for these programs!

Conservation Lectures

Families with older children might enjoy the zoo’s free conservation lecture series. The zoo has partnered with Furman to bring educational lectures about conservation efforts for specific animals. Lectures take place at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate or a Greenville Library and are scheduled in the evening. These lectures are totally free!

Plan your own trip to the Greenville Zoo

150 Cleveland Park Drive, Greenville
864.467.4300
www.greenvillezoo.com

Adults $9.75; kids 3 – 15 $6.50; under 3 free. Members: free

What is your favorite program for your homeschooler? Tell us in the comments!

You Can Hunt for Treasure at Bon Ami Mine in Emerald Village

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Are you looking for a day trip that combines a history lesson, beautiful scenery and fun for the whole family? Whether you are looking for activities for a day along the Blue Ridge Parkway or just wanting a quick respite from the city, this day trip is the answer! Local mom Melanie shares her review of Emerald Village in North Carolina’s  Little Switzerland, including all the information you’ll need to make the most of your day in this “Hidden Gem” off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

About Emerald Village

Set just a few miles off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the picturesque town of Little Switzerland is so small that most mapping systems don’t recognize it. This resort community was founded in 1909 by a Supreme Court justice. Included in this town’s history is a fight against the Blue Ridge Parkway, which resulted in the narrowest part of the Parkway in North Carolina being found here at just 200 feet wide.

The highlight of a visit to the town of Little Switzerland, and what draws most of its visitors, is the Emerald Village Mine. I learned about this place while browsing through Groupon. I’d been to a ruby mining attraction in Franklin, North Carolina pre-children and husband, and it sounded like a fun day trip adventure to enjoy with the family. The season runs March through November, and we went the last weekend of the 2017 season. It was a cold and rainy day. Luckily most of the Emerald Village activities are indoors or under some sort of cover.

When you first arrive at the Emerald Village, you’ll want to stop at the building on the right where the entrance to the Bon Ami mine is located. This tour includes a history of the mine and access to the mouth of the mine. Bon Ami scouring powder is an all-natural, scratch-free cleaning agent that was made from feldspar, mined here until the mine was closed and production was moved to Illinois.

I have to admit, not having any experience with actual gemstone mines or tours like this, my expectation was very different from what was actually there. The descriptions I’d read led me to believe that the tour included actually going into a mine. This is not the case. The mouth of the mine, just a few hundred feet, is what is accessible. Inside of this area are boards set up with information about the history of the mine along with some of the equipment that was used.

There is a blacklight tour that would definitely be more fun for children. It is conducted several times a year and the current dates can be found here.

The mine tour is not stroller friendly and I suggest wearing your infant (that’s what we did).

A short drive or walk up to the building on the left, will bring you to the Discovery Mill building.

Emerald Village mine in Little Switzerland, NC

Mining at Emerald Village

The Emerald Village also offers two different types of mining depending on the age of your children and the energy level of your group.

For families with younger children or those less adventurous types, the “gemstone mine” will be where you’ll want to head. With the purchase of a bucket (starting at ten dollars) you can have a seat at one of two different covered water flumes to sift for treasure from the contents of your bucket. Most of the buckets, with the exception of the “native bucket”, are peppered with gems from other mines. This insures that  no one leaves empty handed.

We split two ten dollar buckets between the four of us and came  away with more beautiful gems than I could count. Unfortunately, we were there right up until closing time, so we weren’t able to utilize the free gem identification service they offer. They will also cut down and set a gem for you on the spot.

A trick that I learned from past gem mining adventures that I taught  my son on this trip, was to keep an eye out for what other people discard at the flume. Whether it be impatience, lack of knowledge or just people being in to much of a hurry – you’ll be amazed by what you’ll find other people let wash down the flume. We sat at the very end of the flume for this reason. We could have had a nice little souvenir collection without even purchasing a bucket, although I don’t recommended that. With assistance, even our two year old was having a fun time looking for “beautifuls.”

gem mining in North Carolina at Emerald Village

Gold panning is also available at this location, although I was unaware of that until I recently stumbled across that information on their website.

For families with children over twelve and a more adventurous spirit, the Crabtree Emerald Mine option is for you!

In the entire United States there have only been two significant sources of emeralds. At Crabtree mine, you’ll be at one of them. For only twenty dollars a day, you can search the dump piles from the mine that for just under 100 years supplied emeralds to jewelers which include Tiffany & Co of New York.

The task of unearthing gems in the mine piles is not for the faint of heart or casual adventurer. The day permit doesn’t include the tools you’ll need to break rocks and move earth. They are available for rent, however the task at hand is still not an easy one. The hard work could definitely pay off with the pride of being able to find an heirloom quality gem, that will have an exciting origin story!

Housed in the Discovery Mill building is a small mineral exhibit and different gem related souvenirs for sale. The exhibit is up a flight of stairs, so it is not stroller accessible.

There is an outdoor picnic area and snacks and refreshments are available. Packing a picnic with you is welcome and most likely your best option.

If dining at the mine doesn’t sound like a good fit, back towards the Parkway you will pass several of Little Switzerland’s country dining choices.

While In the area we had planned to also visit the Orchard at Altapass. Unfortunately, the inclement weather prevented this from happening. There are tons of family friendly events held here. It’s also, a location of a Kids in Parks Trail Track!

Emerald Village in Little Switzerland North Carolina

Plan a visit to Emerald Village in Little Switzerland

331 McKinney Pine Road
Spruce Pine, NC
828.ROK.MINE

Open daily until November 4th. Follow this link to see hours.

Would your family enjoy a visit to Emerald Village in Little Switzerland?

7 of the Best Companies in Greenville for Working Parents

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If work isn’t stressful enough, parenting probably is, or vice versa. Between the two, it’s a perennial challenge for new or working parents to make the most of both worlds. Luckily, some companies in Greenville are going above and beyond to support their employees who also happen to be parents. We spoke with a number of companies to see who offers the best perks and policies for new parents. Here’s what we learned!

Thank you to GVLToday for providing this content!

NOTE – This content was written in 2018, so policies may have changed since publication.

Best Companies for Moms in Greenville

EP+Co

Leading off, EP+Co promotes a balance of work and life that focuses on the personal and professional commitments of modern-day families. Their family policy was developed after reviewing best-in-class policies across a several industries. To name a few:

12 weeks paid maternity and 2 weeks paid paternity
4 week phasing back into work after leave with the option of reduced hours and work-from home
State-of-the-art mother’s room in the office
Milk Stork shipping service, paid for by EP+Co
Adoption Assistance Programs
‘EP Cares’ program that reimburses parents up to $150 for services like babysitting and house cleaning
Annual paid-time-off for family obligations

Elliott Davis

Along with EP+Co, Elliott Davis has a fully-paid 12-week maternity leave, and a two week paternity leave. A spokesperson for the company noted that they are currently reviewing their paternity leave policy to consider expanding it in the future. In the office, there are multiple private rooms with refrigerators for nursing moms. Employees can work from home as needed to allow for greater flexibility in balancing work and life. Overall, the company is committed to a “family first” culture that promotes the ability to pursue a career without sacrificing time for family.

Michelin

We’re not too surprised to see Michelin as a top contender. They are Forbes’ No. 1 Large Employer in 2018, and they too offer a full 12-week paid maternity leave. For any employee who is the spouse or certified domestic partner to a new mom, they too get two weeks leave with full pay. Michelin has a business resource group that provides support for parents, managers, and peers of parents. And going further, they have an Employee Assistance program that helps working parents identify counseling and childcare services as needed. Employees with a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account receive a company-paid match up to $500 to assist with childcare costs.

Brains on Fire

Bring your baby to work?! Yep! The creative minds at Brains on Fire have some of the more creative policies that we’ve seen. While they only cover 40% of salary during a 6-week maternity leave, they allow new mom’s to bring their baby to work until they’re 6 months old or crawling. This especially helps mom’s who are nursing. The office offers a range of options for private and clean areas to use for pumping. Brains on Fire’s maternity leave doesn’t include vacation time, which can be used to extend leave if applicable.

Palmetto Technology Group

PTG provides a fully paid maternity and paternity leave for all employees. The biggest area where they shine though, is a company-wide focus on work/life balance. Overtime is very rare, and the company offers a generous paid-time-off policy — and somewhat uniquely, employees are expected to actually use their time off. When you’re not working, you are not expected to do or think about work. We also have an employee assistance program that includes family support.

Chartspan

If you’ve worked at Chartspan for one year or longer, you get a full 6-week paid maternity leave. But the real kicker is that on average they cover 90% of medical, dental, and vision for their employees AND their full families as well. Big perk? Chartspan is located in the heart of downtown Greenville on Main Street.

DOM360

DOM360 offers a 6-week maternity that covers up to 60% of an employee’s salary after their PTO is exhausted. The company has private nursing rooms for new moms. Beyond that, they emphasize flexibility for parents, even adjusting work arrival and departure times if needed. Plus, Friday afternoons are work from home. WOOHOO!! Overall, DOM360 believes that having a happy and successful workplace means that the employees are happy and successful in other parts of their lives, including their family life.

Is there a local company you think should be on this list? Add it in the comments!

Your Kids Can See Elk at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee

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Did you know there are elk in the North Carolina Smoky Mountains? We didn’t! After hearing in passing about the elk herd, we decided to load up the kids and set off on an adventure to see what we could find. And find them we did at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, along with some other great educational gems.

Elk were originally native to the Smoky Mountains, but over 200 years ago the population died off to extinction in the area. However, back in 2001 a project was begun to reintroduce the elk to the Smoky Mountains. Since then, the herd has multiplied. Cherokee, NC offers excellent viewing of these impressive animals in their wild habitat.

You can find more day trip ideas on our Day trips in Western NC page.

Find a place to stay near Oconaluftee. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

One great place to view the elk is the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. This spot offers a wealth of opportunities for homeschool students. The field next to the visitor center is known for elk viewing. In addition, the center boasts a small indoor museum about the history of life in the Smoky Mountains and an impressive outdoor museum consisting of original farm buildings built in the early 1900s.

There is no admission fee.

The best time to observe elk

First, observing the elk. We arrived at the center around 10 am, and we were disappointed to hear from the rangers that the best time to view the elk in the field is either first thing in the morning, about 7 am, or in the evening, approximately 6 – 7 pm, as elk prefer the cooler temperatures.

Walk along the Oconaluftee River

However, determined to enjoy our day anyway, we walked on the easy trail along the Oconaluftee River. The river was crystal clear and we enjoyed skipping stones and our leisurely walk. After walking a short while, we turned around to head back to the car to pick up our picnic basket. But our walk was interrupted by a few large park natives, elk. We were treated to a small group of 14 elk. One of them was a large bull with an impressive set of antlers.  They were just a few feet off the trail! It was thrilling.

The bugle sound the bulls make to attract the females is unforgettable. This occurs mostly in September and October.

Be careful to view the elk safely

We climbed down the river bank to avoid getting too close to the bull. However, other walkers did not make the same decision. Another walker decided to approach the bull to take a picture and we watched the him rear up and toss his antlers. Fortunately the bull turned and ran, leading small herd away. (Note that especially in mating season, bull elk can be very aggressive. Approaching them closely is NOT recommended. It is actually illegal to approach them willfully within 50 yards. Stay on the trail and be mindful of getting too close. The Smoky Mountains National Park has some information about viewing the elk safely, you can find that here.)

Mountain Farm Museum

While the elk were extremely exciting to see, we also really enjoyed the small museum in the visitor’s center and the Mountain Farm Museum adjacent to the center. Both of these places allowed us to get a glimpse of what living in the mountains in the early 1900s was like. At the entrance to the Mountain Farm Museum (outdoors) look to the right of the opening in the fence and you will find a covered box with self-guided tour booklets. This will give you a lot of information about the individual buildings themselves, as well as their role on mountain farms at this time. We really appreciated that the buildings in the farm museum were original and not replicas, so we were able to examine the construction and see elements like pegs used as nails, and the dovetail construction of the cabin walls. Here we viewed a cabin, chicken coop, meat house, wood shed, pig pen with pigs, apple house and many other buildings utilized by mountain farmers in the 1900s.

Admission to this site is completely free, and the travel time is a little over 2 hours from Greenville, making this a really fantastic day trip.

Homeschool Field Trip Expansion Ideas for Elk

This section contains affiliate links.

As a homeschool trip, this site offers both science and history opportunities. If you’d like to augment the trip, check out some books or search the internet for information about elk or mountain farm life in the 1900s. You might also enjoy the following:

Read Little Farm in the Ozarks, by Roger Lea MacBride. This story is a continuation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series, focusing on her daughter, Rose. It is set in Laura’s mountain farm in the Ozarks, in the same time frame as the buildings viewed at the Mountain Farm Museum.

Read Little House in the Ozarks: The Rediscovered Writings, by Laura Ingles Wilder. This is a collection essays Laura wrote for a newspaper during the late 1800s and early 1900s about her life as a farm wife on an Ozark Mountain farm. This is NOT a Little House series story and was not written for an audience of children, so parents may wish to read through first and make sure it is accessible and acceptable for their children.

This article from American Forests offers a lot of information about the project to reintroduce elk to the area. It contains a lot of information, but is quite long, so parents may want to go through it with children and select a few points to focus on.

For an alternative view, read this article about the struggle farmers in the area have with damage caused by the elk (you can view an example of this damage on the farm museum’s apple trees). Consider holding a mock debate in your home between siblings, or kids vs parents, about the benefits to the elk and the park vs the viewpoint of the farmers and the damage the animals cause.

Here is a brief minute and a half long video showing the elk at Oconaluftee with a little bit of information about the herd from the wildlife biologist for the Smoky Mountains National Park. You can hear the male elk bugle at the beginning of the video.

Oconalufee Visitor Center

Oconaluftee Visitor Center
1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC
828.497.1919

Open every day except Christmas Day

How do you think your kids would feel about a road trip to visit elk?

Don’t Miss Spartanburg Philharmonic’s Kid-Friendly Performance

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Thank you to Spartanburg Philharmonic for sponsoring this giveaway (note: giveaway over).

This performance by Spartanburg Philharmonic is the perfect way to introduce your kids to the orchestra.

Imagine the flash of light sabers as they clash together while the triumphant sound of the iconic Star Wars theme plays on.  Now, are you thinking you’re at the movies? You would be wrong. You’re actually at the Spartanburg Philharmonic’s The Music of John Williams Concert.

Lightsabers at an orchestra?

Yes, you got it. The Spartanburg Philharmonic is performing the music of John Williams, from Indiana Jones, to Star Wars and Harry Potter.  Better yet, they are performing it in a super kid-friendly concert where costumes, lightsabers, wands, lassos and the like are not only welcome, they are encouraged!

What could be better, you ask?  We have an exclusive discount code to help you get your tickets for an even better price. Use discount code Kid20 for 20% of tickets, Sunday only.

 

The Music of John Williams

The Spartanburg Philharmonic will perform The Music of John Williams on April 14th and 15th at Twichell Auditorium on the beautiful campus of Converse College. The program will consist of some of John William’s most memorable music, including music from Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones and Star Wars.

The Music of John Williams

Saturday, April 14th at 7pm

OR

Sunday, April 15th at 2pm

Twichell Auditorium, Converse College

www.SpartanburgPhilharmonic.org/Tickets

A 5 time Academy Award winner, John Williams has composed more than 100 film scores. He is known for the use of the full symphony orchestra in his scores, bringing the sounds of the symphony well beyond the concert hall and into theaters, cinemas and homes around the world.

Wear Your Costumes and Take a Selfie with Star Wars Characters

The Spartanburg Philharmonic will be selling, red, green and blue lightsabers in the lobby before the performance. They’ll be pre-loaded with fresh batteries and ready for adventure when the program begins. Yes, the lightsabers are welcome IN the auditorium, throughout the performance. Harry Potter glasses will also be available for purchase.

Bonus: Musicians will also be dressed up and Star Wars characters will be hanging out in the lobby for high-fives and pictures.

5 Tips and Tricks

  1. Performances are April 14 at 7 pm and April 15 at 2 pm.  The 2 pm performance was added especially with the nap times of young children in mind.
  2. It can be hard to judge when a child is old enough to attend something like an orchestra concert. This performance will have an intermission, so children will have an opportunity to get up and stretch their legs. And due to the nature of the event, seat wiggling (and light saber dancing) is completely acceptable. So, if your child can sit for a movie, they’ll probably be just fine here.
  3. One little thing to think about is how your child does with costumed characters.  Will he or she be frightened if they catch a glimpse of Darth Vador? Maybe a little talk about characters and costumes before you hop into the car will set your child’s mind at ease.
  4. Shorter children may prefer a seat in the balcony where they can get more of a birds-eye view of the performance, rather than trying to peek around the backs of heads on the bottom level.  However, you should note that the auditorium does not have an elevator going to the balcony. So if stairs are a problem, you’ll need a ground floor seat.
  5. Please note that food and drinks are not allowed in the auditorium. If your child is thirsty you may offer them a drink in the lobby area of the auditorium.
  6. You can pre-order tickets online. Tickets for youth under 22 are 50% off, making tickets for youth $13-23 and adults $26-46.  Groups of 10 or more can receive 10% off when booking advance. Tickets will also be available at the door.

The Giveaway – Closed

One lucky Kidding Around reader will win 4 tickets to see Spartanburg Philharmonic’s The Music of John Williams. Valid on the April 15, 2018, 2 pm performance.

This giveaway starts now and ends on April 4, 2018 at midnight.

  • You must be 18 or older and live in the USA to enter this giveaway.
  • You must use a valid email address to enter this giveaway.
  • One entry per person per day.
  • We will contact the winner via the email address provided within three [3] days of the giveaway ending. The winner will have three [3] days (72 hours) to respond via email. If the winner does not respond within the three [3] days (72 hours), the prize will be forfeited and another winner chosen. Directions for claiming the prize will be given via email. A valid photo ID and/or mailing address may be required.
  • For a complete list of Kidding Around Greenville SC’s giveaway policies and terms and conditions, see the Kidding Around Greenville SC policy page. By entering this giveaway, you agree to comply with Kidding Around Greenville SC’s terms and conditions.

Have your kids ever attended an orchestra concert before?

Pigtails & Crewcuts Is a Pro at Kids’ Haircuts, Ear Piercing, and even Birthday Parties!

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Thank you to Pigtails & Crewcuts for sponsoring this giveaway.

Bringing your child for a haircut can be really fun if they not only enjoy it because of the atmosphere but if the hair stylist is fun and engaging. Pigtails & Crewcuts in Greenville is that place. The salons are adorable and have plenty of entertainment for kids and the staff is very kind, thoughtful, and accommodating for any child. Plus, the stylists at Pigtails & Crewcuts are all knowledgeable about lice and the salon has a multitude of products to prevent the dreaded infestation.

Fun Stuff– Haircuts, Birthday Parties, Nail Polish & Up-Dos

Pigtails & Crewcuts is first and foremost a place for kids to feel comfortable getting their hair cut or trimmed. The salon is super kid-friendly, with a train table, bright colors, televisions playing cute cartoons, and adorable seats that look like cars. The stylists are fun and engaging and help any child feel comfortable, whether it’s their first or fifth time getting their hair cut.

I went with my daughter for her second haircut ever. She has really long hair and the stylist, Aaron, was great about talking to her about what she doing and helping my daughter feel okay about doing something she hasn’t done often in the past.

A child’s (or dad’s!) haircut is $18.95. And if mom needs a haircut too, they do those for just $23.95.  They also do bang trims for $6.95. Shampoo and hair cleaning is an extra add-on service. The stylists can also do cool braids.

Pigtails & Crewcuts is a walk-in only salon but does offer a 15 minute call ahead service.

Birthday Parties

An easy and fun birthday party for kids is definitely right up the alley of Pigtails & Crewcuts. For girls, they host a diva party, a princess party or a spa party, complete with spa robes. For boys, they have an awesome pirate party or a superhero-themed bash. For up to 10 children, parties are $300. Additional guests are $15 per person, with a 15 child maximum.

Parents can bring in cakes or snacks for the kids and have fun instead of worrying about entertainment. Totally stress-free.

Read about local mom, Elizabeth, and her daughter’s super fun birthday party at Pigtails and Crewcuts!

Up-Dos

For those special occasions, Pigtails & Crewcuts offers up-dos for girls. This is perfect for homecoming or daddy daughter dates and dances. What little girl wouldn’t want to look amazing for her night out? Pigtails & Crewcuts can help. Up-dos start at $19.95. They can also do flat ironing or curls.

Nail Polish and Ear Piercing

For an extra treat, the salon will do the nails of a child for $6.95 during their visit. They also offer an array of nail polishes that parents can purchase for home spa day. And ear piercing is also offered (seriously, girls can get an entire makeover walking through those doors) for $40 in a safe and sterile environment.

Lice Prevention and Treatment

The four-letter word no parent wants to hear when their child is in school is lice. It’s fear-inducing. I’ve heard complete horror stories and get itchy at the mere mention of the word. Pigtails & Crewcuts has an entire line of products for lice prevention that include mint, rosemary, citronella and tea tree oil – all-natural oils that help keep lice away.

The stylists will also do a check for lice during a haircut just to be sure nothing is lurking on the scalp o f your child. For prevention, it’s key for parents to do a few things:

Avoid hair-to-hair/head-to-head contact during play and other activities.

Don’t share items like hats/caps, scarves, coats, hair accessories, etc.

Don’t share brushes, combs, or towels.

Avoid contact with items like beds, couches, carpets, pillows, and stuffed animals if they have recently been in contact with an infested person.

Vacuum the floors and furniture, especially where an infested person sat or lay.

Teach kids to avoid activities that spread head lice

Parents can also purchase a lice prevention spray, which the salon sells. As a parent, I’d buy almost anything to prevent lice in my home!

Overall, going to Pigtails & Crewcuts was a blast for my daughter and me. She loved it and had fun and I felt comfortable as a parent knowing she was in good hands.

Pigtails & Crewcuts-Greenville
2222 Augusta Street, Suite 10, Greenville
864.248.4844
Facebook

Pigtails & Crewcuts-Five Forks
2815 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville (in the Lowes Foods shopping plaza)
864.626.3338
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Giveaway~ Win a free haircut AND some lice prevention products!

One lucky Kidding Around reader is going to win a free haircut for their child and a lice prevention package!

This giveaway starts now and ends on March 6, 2018.

  • You must be 18 or older and live in the USA to enter this giveaway.
  • You must use a valid email address to enter this giveaway.
  • One entry per person per day.
  • We will contact the winner via the email address provided within three [3] days of the giveaway ending. The winner will have three [3] days (72 hours) to respond via email. If the winner does not respond within the three [3] days (72 hours), the prize will be forfeited and another winner chosen. Directions for claiming the prize will be given via email. A valid photo ID and/or mailing address may be required.
  • For a complete list of Kidding Around Greenville SC’s giveaway policies and terms and conditions, see the Kidding Around Greenville SC policy page. By entering this giveaway, you agree to comply with Kidding Around Greenville SC’s terms and conditions.

Have you ever taken your child to Pigtails & Crewcuts?

Shannon Forest Christian School Provides An Exceptional Education for Students in K3 – 12th Grade

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Thank you to Shannon Forest Christian School for sponsoring this content.

Choosing how to educate your child involves making important decisions. Thankfully there are many options available which can make these decisions even more overwhelming.

While there are a multitude of stellar schools in the Upstate, Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS) is one that stands out for their academics, athletics, and the encouraging atmosphere of a Christian education experience. Shannon Forest is always near the top of any list of reader-recommended schools that Kidding Around Greenville has compiled. Families truly love this school.

Academic Environment

SFCS offers Shannon Beginnings for K3 and K4, in both full and half day options for the smaller ones. The program helps to prepare young children for an easy transition to Kindergarten which includes lots of guided play and nurturing care from loving teachers.

If some children are not ready for Kindergarten, Shannon Forest offers a unique Transitional Kindergarten Program.   The Lower School includes Kindergarten 5 through 5th Grade.  Students also enjoy time in the Innovations STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Lab.

Entering the 6th Grade can be a difficult transition for many students.  SFCS conducts a specially designed Crusader Crossroads program to ease students through this big step, plus classes, study sessions and one-on-one tutoring options are targeted at student success.

The Upper School at SFCS encompasses students in 7th-12th Grade and focuses on Math, Science, Hstory and English. Several Advanced Placement (AP) courses like English, Calculus, U.S. History, European Biology, Music Theory and Biology are available for qualified students. The SFCS Director of College Counseling assists students and their families as they apply for college and explore career options.

Learning How to Pay for College

Higher education is not cheap, even for state schools. Some families will send a child to college next year, while others may have 12 years to plan.  SFCS is offering a one-night workshop on Tuesday, March 13th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm entitled “Little Known Secrets of Paying for College.”  Parents will learn ways to send their child to the college of their dreams without breaking the bank!

Parents will also discover strategies that may enable to them to qualify for financial aid, sources for scholarships, and strategies for maximizing your wealth and minimizing your tax exposure, giving you greater cash flow for funding a college education.

It’s free, open to the public and for families of ALL ages!  The workshop takes place at Eastside Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 829 Garlington Road, Greenville. Register here.

Athletics and The Arts

On the athletic field, students in 6th through 12th Grade are able to participate in a variety of sports teams including soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, cheerleading, soccer, golf, baseball, and track & field.

The school has no shortage of creative outlets for the students. SFCS offers Foreign Language, Drama, Choir, Yearbook and Visual Arts. They also perform concerts and theatrical productions for the school and community.

Christ-Centered Values

Shannon Forest is unapologetic about its worldview; it is distinctly Christian and rooted in discipleship. Every member of our faculty and staff understands that their calling, as teachers, is to teach in a way that is Christ-centered, academically excellent, and designed to move students into higher categorical thinking. They also understand that teaching is discipleship, by its very nature. Words like concern, family, love and truth sit at the heart of what your student and family will experience once you set foot on the Shannon Forest campus.

SFCS develops these role models by requiring a certain number of service hours from each student where they are able to demonstrate their Christian faith and values in the real world.

The Vision and Mission of the school are:

Vision: Educating and equipping students to pursue excellence and impact the world for Jesus Christ.

Mission: We are a Christian community providing a comprehensive college-preparatory education rooted in the truth of a Biblical worldview and marked by wisdom, excellence, and purpose.

Take a Tour

Interested in Shannon Forest Christian School and want to learn more? The school offers Tour Tuesdays on February 20th, 7th, March 6th, 13th, 20th, April 3rd, 10th, 17th, and May 1st. No reservations are needed for any of the Tour Tuesdays. If you’d like a different time and date, email or call the Director of Admissions, Candace Kurtz at ckurtz@shannonforest.com or call 864.678.5113.

Shannon Forest Christian School
829 Garlington Road
Greenville, SC
Main number: 864.678.5107

Would Shannon Forest Christian School be a good fit for your child?

Did You Know that the Upstate Is Home to Highlights Illustrator Tim Davis?

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You do not need to read this article to know that Greenville and the town of Travelers Rest are on the map. I’m not speaking geographically. We have ‘arrived’ folks! Greenville has landed in National Magazines while Travelers Rest appears on USA TODAY’s “Top 10 Best Southern Small Towns” list.

Something you may not know, we are home to a handful of prominent artists. For years, we’ve watched our children muse over Hidden Puzzles in Highlights magazines while waiting for the dreaded doctor or dentist appointments. The brightly colored pages provided an escape for the kiddos and moments of peace for mommies and daddies everywhere.

Tim Davis, Highlights Illustrator

About Tim Davis

Illustrator Tim Davis began drawing Hidden Pictures for Highlights Magazine in 1994. He has created over five hundred puzzles. Today, you will likely find him tucked in the corner of his favorite TR coffee house. Good luck finding him. Much like his Hidden Pictures, he’s not so easy to see. It’s almost become a game on social media. You’ve heard of Where’s Waldo? It’s like that, only we’re looking for Tim!

In addition to his work with Highlights, he has authored seven children’s books. If you’ve not introduced your young readers to his two series, “Mice of the Herring Bone” and “Tales from Dust River Gulch”, there’s no time like the present!

A lover of small towns, Davis spent days interviewing and gathering information from Travelers Rest’s most seasoned residents. As a result, Swamp Rabbit Tales, a collection of short stories, was born. Visit Tim’s website for these and other treasures.

As if illustrating and writing isn’t enough, he speaks in schools and teaches writing and illustration to children and adults across Greenville. Follow his Facebook page for the most up-to-date information regarding class times and locations. On a personal note, yours truly has taken numerous writing classes from Tim. Each time, I’ve walked away with invaluable information and an abundance of inspiration.

Head to TR Makers Company on Main Street Travelers Rest to purchase your copy of “Highlights Hidden Pictures Coloring Book for ‘Grown-Up’ Children.”

Do your kids love Highlights magazines?

Meet Local Author Melinda Long of How I Became a Pirate

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Ever wonder where the words come from? Children’s books have always been my passion, so I was excited to sit down and chat with children’s author, Melinda Long. As the author of many wonderful books for kids, including How I Became a Pirate, she’s someone you’ll want to learn more about too.

Meet Melinda Long

KAG: Where are you from and what led you to Greenville?

ML: I am originally from Spartanburg, SC. Growing up, my family lived in Tennessee and Columbia, to name a couple. We moved to the town of Travelers Rest when I was ten years old. Once I met Tom and got married, we moved closer to Greenville.

KAG: At what point did you decide you wanted to be a children’s author?

ML: I’ve been writing since I was six years old. I would make up stories and write on anything I could get my hands on. I remember my mother buying me a typewriter to “keep me company!” In elementary school, I was always making up stories and telling them to my friends. The teacher even allowed me to perform puppet shows for my classmates. When I was in college, I had a professor at Furman University who loved Children’s Literature. She encouraged me and that’s when I decided I wanted to pursue children’s writing as a career.

*Melinda’s first children’s book, When Papa Snores, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2000.

KAG: What made you decide to write a series about Pirates?

ML: Believe it or not, I loved to play pirates when I was a kid. I’m no artist, but I would draw pirate hats on paper. Mom’s earrings were the perfect “treasure” to hide in the backyard! After I finished my first book, I remember walking through Barnes & Noble with Tom, envisioning the exact spot where my books would be placed on the shelf. A sales lady walked up and we began chatting. At some point in our conversation, she told me that “there aren’t many books written about Pirates…” And the rest is history.

*Fun Fact: How I Became A Pirate is being performed around the world as a play. There’s even a Christmas musical with the same characters based on a short story written by Melinda (Jingle “Argh” the Way).

KAG: What was your favorite children’s book – what did you read to your children?

ML: When I was growing up, all we had was Little Golden Books (insert a few chuckles here). One of my favorite authors is C.S Lewis.  I loved reading The Chronicles of Narnia to my kids.  A Wrinkle in Time is another great one, by Madeleine L’Engle.  I love her too. Of course, my favorite children’s book is probably Where the Wild Things Are.

 

KAG: How do you balance writing and speaking in schools with being a wife and mom?

ML: I set my own hours so I can be as flexible as I need to be. When my children were younger, it was more difficult because I wanted to be involved in everything they did.  I had to schedule my work around their activities. Now that they’re grown, it’s much easier.

KAG: What is your favorite part of being an author?

ML: I love creating stories. I get so excited when one of my books is about to come out. I also love traveling around to schools. I taught school for twenty three years, so speaking to students is my way of staying connected.

KAG: Let’s change things up a bit and find out a little bit about Melinda on a non-professional level.  What does a typical Friday night look like for you?

ML: There’s so much to do around our town. We love the live music during the warmer months and the Shakespeare in the Park series. Although it’s not uncommon for my husband and I to enjoy one another’s company and relax in front of the TV, either!

KAG: What is your favorite thing to do in Greenville?

ML: Tom and I really love the Greenville Drive games. A lot of times our kids will give us suggestions of things to do. It’s always fun to try things out that they’ve enjoyed. Greenville is growing so much!

KAG: Which of your books would you say is your favorite?

ML: Probably Pirates Don’t Change Diapers. Honestly, it changes. I’ll really be hung up on one, but when a new one comes out, it’ll be my favorite for a while.

KAG: If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?

ML: Actually, I’m a homebody. I love everything about where we live and I’m content to stay around home. Wait… I do want to see New Orleans at some point.

KAG: Do you like to read in your spare time? (Insert more chuckles at the word “spare time”), If so, what genre is your favorite?

ML: Yes! I love to read when I have time. Anything filled with suspense. I love a challenge – putting pieces of a story together. Character development is important to me, I want to get to know the characters. I love to read young adult suspense novels because I’m interested in writing for young adults, too. I love reading novels by Janet Evanovich. And, of course, it’s always nice to read funny stories – you know, just enjoy the ride of a book without having to think too hard.

KAG: Is there anything you would like to share? Something you’d like our readers to know about you?

ML (without hesitation): I love to act. I’m a member of a theatre group at my church, St. Peter’s Episcopal on Hudson Rd. We typically perform two plays a year.

Learn more about Melinda Long

Visit her website here. Learn more about (or purchase) her books here.

This interview was so much fun for me! The only thing I value more than the words is the writer. Now that you have the low-down on Melinda Long, check out her website and be on the look- out for her next book, Mates!

Learning Opportunities for Teens in the Upstate

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Ready or not, your teenager is heading out into the real world soon! Fortunately, the Upstate provides teenagers with learning experiences all year long outside of the general education classroom. If your teen is interested in a career in science, government, or the arts, there are several local options for teens to gain experience.

General Learning Experiences in the Upstate

The Upstate is home to multiple museums that offer teenagers the chance to learn more in-depth information and opportunities to volunteer for a behind-the-scenes look at what these museums and centers offer. For example, Roper Mountain Science Center allows teens to volunteer where they will get first-hand STEM learning opportunities. Plus, places like the Spartanburg History Museum, offer summer camps just for teenagers.

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Learning Opportunities Galore at the Library

The first place to begin searching for learning opportunities for your teen is the local library. Spartanburg County Public Libraries offer educational programs for teens (how to get a job programs, test prep courses, etc.), volunteer programs, and internship opportunities. Plus, the Headquarters Library has recently the SPARKspace, which is a public makerspace with librarians who will teach your teen everything from 3D printing to sewing. Greenville County Public Libraries also offer teen programs and homeschool programs.

Life Skills and Career Preparation Opportunities

If your teen has not decided on a career path, look for learning opportunities that open the doors to multiple careers and teach life skills. For example, the Benjamin Franklin Experience in Greenville is a summer program that is designed to help teens consider different careers.

If you are looking for leadership experience, there are several options. Both the Spartanburg Parks and Greenville Parks systems offer different teen leadership and scholastic programs.  The YMCA of Greenville hosts SC Youth in Government and Y-Corps. Additionally, teens can become a part of Junior Achievement of Upstate South Carolina.

Test Preparation

For those parents looking for test preparation courses, consider Sylvan Learning Centers, which has locations throughout the Upstate. Sylvan offers test prep courses all year, but they also offer a variety of STEM courses and camps during the summer. SC Test Prep is another test prep program based in Spartanburg.

Lifeguard and Boater Certification

Teenagers wanting lifeguard certification can take a course at their local YMCA. If your teenager wants to have his/her boater certification, you can find information about the process here. In South Carolina, those under 16 years of age are legally required to pass a boating education course before operating a personal watercraft (including jet skis).

Language Learning Opportunities

German School Upstate offers classes in Spartanburg (Spartanburg Day School) and Greenville (Shannon Forest Christian School). Additionally, Spartanburg Country libraries has a teen program called “Language Learning Teens.”

Learning About Animals

For teens interested in animals, they can volunteer at either the Greenville Humane Society or the Spartanburg Humane Society. In addition to volunteering, Greenville Zoo hosts career day events for teens throughout the year.

Learning the Arts

There is an abundance of learning opportunities in the arts in the Upstate. Your teen can take acting classes at Spartanburg Youth Theatre and South Carolina Children’s Theatre, as well as take classes during the summer at USC Upstate. For the musicians, Lawson Academy offers several courses to help individuals perfect their skills.  For the aspiring artists, Spartanburg Art Museum, Creative Soul, and Greenville Center for Creative Arts offer classes just for teens.

These programs are all specially designed for teens ensuring they will have fun and learn at the same time. What’s even more exciting? Many of these places offer flexible scheduling, homeschool classes, and a wide variety of summer camps just for teens!

Do you have a learning opportunity for teens to add to our list? Add it in the comments!