Tag Archives: family

HAWKs LA: Reconnecting Children With Nature 

March 5, 2024

Hey LA Parents!  Please check out this amazing Curriculum-Focused Day Camp With Programming Like Forest Bathing, Salad Foraging and Natural Art Dye:

HAWKs LA (Hiking Adventures With Kids) is an LA-based after-school program and day camp that is dedicated to reconnecting children with nature and away from screens. The company was developed by experienced educators, naturalists and parents and is offering a dynamic curriculum beyond traditional learning like Forest Bathing, Salad Foraging, Natural Art Dying and more. 

HAWKS camp

“HAWKs was created as an investment in our children’s wellness as much as an investment in the future or our environment,” says co-founder Emma Flanders.

As “explorers” (what the camp calls their campers) continue to navigate further into understanding the planet, they begin to earn more than just experience. HAWKs has a colorful badge system celebrating the kids’ accomplishments and learnings, helping to encourage excitement about the world around us. Plus, explorers can show off their creativity and personal style. 

Their mission continues to touch many families as there is growing evidence that links the lack of nature in a child’s life to the rise in obesity, attention disorder and depression. On average kids only get 4-7 minutes of outdoor free play and 1 in 3 children have never climbed a tree. HAWKs wants to change these statistics and with their robust programming, have started to make incredible strides. 

“One of the main things we teach students is how to identify native plants. It’s amazing to watch students, even as young as five, begin to see our beautiful chaparral not as a blur of brown and gray shrubs that might poke you or make you itchy, but as a complex and bountiful ecosystem full of unique plant life,” says Emma. 

 

You can find their full list of programming on the HAWKs site. You can register your explorers for upcoming school closures like Spring Break, April 24th, and of course, Summer Camp as well as Weekend Adventures like Natural Plant Dye workshops and Salad Foraging!

6 Tips To Make Online Teaching Easier Right Now

April 23, 2020

It is going to be a long time before we ‘Get Ready to Roll Back to School’, and for one group of people teachers – both at school and extracurricular – that means adapting to being a remote educator. Online teaching can be fun and convenient, but it can also be challenging. Not only do you need to have a level of proficiency in remote working technology, but you’ll also need to prepare a different way of teaching compared to your traditional arrangement. For those readers who are teachers we have compiled six tips to make your job easier and to ensure that you can continue working:

1. Learn the tech

First thing is familiarizing yourself with what you need to teach online, such as your computer, internet connection, and the software and platforms you will use. Your computer should be able to handle video software and several high-memory using applications at once. The internet connection must also be fast enough to let you stream videos and make video calls without any lagging as this will affect your ability to teach and host lessons. As for software, your school likely has its own recommendations. But if the choice is yours, either Google Classroom or Edmodo would be perfect, as both have everything you’ll need for an online classroom while being easy to use and understand.

2. Show yourself

One of the tips shared in The Conversation’s article on better online teaching is to show yourself to your students. That’s because lecture videos or discussions showing the instructor’s face has been found to be more effective as opposed to narrated slideshows or PowerPoint presentations. However, you can still intersperse presentations/slides with videos of yourself, as long as these videos are short and informative. Anything over 15 minutes can be slow to download, and even distracting, so make sure everything is “bite-sized” and easy to digest.

3. Leverage asynchronous learning

Harvard Business Publishing identifies asynchronous learning as one of the great benefits of online teaching. This simply means that students have the ability engage in their lessons even when your online class isn’t ongoing. With that in mind, record your lessons, provide the necessary resources, and then assign thought-provoking tasks. Give your students leeway, but do set “hard and clear deadlines.” This keeps you from micromanaging your online class, leaving you with more time to prepare your other lessons and activities.

4. Keep things simple

A drawback of distance learning is that your students will have to tackle things on their own. This will require a great deal of focus and self-direction on their part. So, to make things easier for them, Edutopia suggests keeping things as simple as possible. This means designing learning experiences with clear, specific instructions, utilizing one or two resources only, and providing easily accessible PDF files. It also means being lean and concise with how you deliver new information, as conveying instructions across a screen is very different to doing so face-to-face. In keeping things simple, you’ll avoid over-complicating your lesson plans and activities, as well as unnecessarily confusing your students.

5. Use a good screencasting software

Some teachers aren’t familiar with screencasting software, let alone screencasting itself. Don’t let that be the case, as screencasts can serve as great visual aids. The best in this regard is Screencast-O-Matic, which is #1 in HP’s feature on the best screencasting software for teachers. Affordable and easy to use, Screencast-O-Matic lets you record, edit, and share videos for free. It even has a full version (for a $20 annual fee) that lets you hide your wallpaper when recording giving you added privacy. For a free and equally easy to use alternative, you can try Loom. It is basically like Screencast-O-Matic, but sans the subscription and green screen option. With screencasting, you’ll have plenty of options when making informative and engaging presentations.

6. Stay fluid

Instead of teaching while sitting down, consider teaching while standing and setting your laptop on a higher platform. This way, you can still stay mobile. If you want to take it to the next level, check out our review of balance board FluidStance, an omnidirectional board that lets you tilt to every direction, causing just enough wobble for you to burn calories without getting distracted. The perfect way to teach from home and stay fit at the same time.

 

photo: Julia M. Cameron via Pexels

Dreamscape Immersive At Westfield Century City

February 27, 2019

We’re always on the lookout for ways to infuse adventure and play into our lives here in LA. Especially in the wellness world where things tend to get a bit dry and serious.

Enter a next level way to share levity and excitement with the  kids. Look no further than Dreamscape, the immersive VR experience like no other at Westfield Century City. Talk about a mini-vacation.

The experience is three original epic adventures, full sensory storytelling as viewers are transported to fantastic new worlds. It combines the emotional power of Hollywood storytelling, the visceral excitement of great theme-park rides, and proprietary full-body tracking technology to create stories and worlds that push the limits of virtual reality.

Walter Parkes, co-chairman of Dreamscape Immersive notes, “At its heart, Dreamscape is about merging the scope and emotional power of cinema with the pure visceral excitement of a great theme-park ride — all within a totally new VR technology that allows our audience to enter into and become part of the story.”

What’s to see:

Alien Zoo, which earlier this year had a sold-out, critically acclaimed six-week pop-up run, offers guests the opportunity to travel to a larger than life, intergalactic haven where they come face-to-face with endangered alien creatures from across the galaxy. Upon arrival, travelers will experience the exhilaration of being able to play ball with exotic frogcats, pet majestic creatures, and, by working together, even narrowly escape the galaxy’s greatest predator.

In Lavan’s Magic Projector: The Lost Pearl audiences are offered a fundamental wish fulfillment: to step through the screen and become part of a movie. Once inside this heart-pumping adventure, participants will be challenged to unlock clues, escape treacherous traps, and work together as they discover the secret of The Lost Pearl.

In The Blu: Deep Rescue, Dreamscape’s breathtaking co-production with WeVR, an epic descent into the ocean to explore dazzling underwater worlds and aquatic life soon becomes an urgent mission to rescue a trapped baby Blue Whale and unite it with its mother.

OMG – this was quite literally the most fun day I have had in years. I was totally blown away. We all were. It was the most unreal experience, I don’t even know where to begin. Run don’t walk and do all three. Yup – you need to do them all. All next level amazing!!

For more information about Dreamscape and to purchase tickets: dreamscapeimmersive.com

Westfield Century City

westfield.com
(310) 277-3898
10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067

 

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Let’s Talk Fall Rituals – LOS ANGELES HAUNTED HAYRIDE

October 11, 2018

FALL RITUALS: Sure, there’s your moon ceremony, fall equinox dance and organic apple picking to make whatever the latest adaptogenic, keto approved dessert is on the menu. But there’s a ritual in town, come Halloween, that I personally LOVE to celebrate, all in the name of fun – and isn’t that the most important health hack of all?

And that’s the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride.

Not familiar with this? Then you’ve been dipping into way too many CBD edibles. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is an immersive scary, hilarious night of entertaining live fun  and most importantly – it brings my fam together. Yup – you heard me. Anything where both of my kids (8, 12) and begging to go – together –  means they are amped for an adventure where we all can connect IRL (hard these days when we are buried into screens). Not to mention we are on all the hayride hugging “for dear life”  because it’s all with a clear understanding of the wink. That’s the good news. They understand it’s all entertainment…they are growing up in Hollywood after all. Here’s some info on the history of it – created by a bad ass woman entrepreneur – Melissa Carbonne (Shark Tank_) ( hail yes!) and more deets on how to get tix etc. We cannot wait to hit it this Saturday. See you there?!! BTW, her company is almost all women so hell yes!

The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is in the haunted Old Zoo area of Griffith Park and Tickets are currently on sale with limited pre-sale tickets available until September 1st. You can purchase your tickets here.

As this is Hollywood, you just might catch David Beckham, Pete Wentz, Katy Perry, Nicole Richie getting their spook on. You’ll want to Instagram the crap out of it.   You’ve got your heart-pounding House Of Shadows Dark Maze, the disturbed neighborhood of Trick Or Treat and everyone’s favorite haunted village, Purgatory.

Oh HEEYYYY!!     I can’t WAIT for my kid to freak our over this one
 Some carving inspo? You got a live jack-o-lantern Pintetest board right here.  Don’t forget the carousel. 

Some more history:

For fans that have been to every hayride, it will be an unforgettable ride through the nightmares the hayride has been inducing for years.  You will also be treated to new surprises and some larger than life additions that one would expect for a celebration as grand as a 10 Year Anniversary. For first timers, the experience will be a hayride on steroids as every memorable demon and apparition returns to say hello once again. Do you remember the demon church of “The Congregation”? Or the legions of psychopathic clowns from “Though The Eyes Of A Child”? Maybe you’d love to take a ride back through “The Rift”? Then, this is your year and then some! If you haven’t been to the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, you will not want to miss out on this limited run special edition.

“I can’t believe it’s been ten years!” said Los Angeles Haunted Hayride founder/creator Melissa Carbone (@MelCarbs). “I want to send out the biggest ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has bought a ticket, worked for us and given their blood to make LA Haunted Hayride the most popular independently owned Halloween attraction in the country. Bringing back the content that the fans have told us they love and want more of is my way of doing that. I’m so excited to see the incredible characters of the past. Oh how I’ve missed them,” Carbone smugly laughs.

When you visit the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride your evening will include a stop in Purgatory. The charm and magic of our old world ‘haunted village’ invokes the nostalgia of Halloweens past; smell the freshly cut hay and see the deep, rich, orange glow of jack o’ lanterns as you pass through our gates. Become a part of the show at Theatre Macabre, ride the ‘Scary-Go-Round’, enjoy fair food & drink faves at the Grub Shack, have a clandestine encounter with a psychic, and don’t forget to grab your limited run anniversary swag in the Bootique.

Returning for this massive anniversary, the park will bring back cult favorites House Of Shadows and Trick Or Treat. The legendary House Of Shadows sends you into complete darkness as you grasp onto your group and stumble through Southern California’s only true dark maze! It is a disorienting, claustrophobic experience where you might find yourself totally alone in the shadows. At Trick Or Treat, it’s Halloween every night. Check out our ALL-NEW ghoulish residents as we have amped up the fright factor for this annual freakish block party.

The terror of the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride begins on September 29th, 2018 and will be open select nights until October 31st, 2018. Operating hours are Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 7pm-10:30pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm-12am, with the exception of September 29th when we close at 11pm. General Admission and VIP passes that surpass the line are available, as well as a Platinum pass that includes VIP parking! There are also a limited number of Hayride Only passes starting at $26, all expected to sell out during the pre-sale. Pre-sale for tickets will end September 1st. Visit www.losangeleshauntedhayride.com for exact nights of operation and other details.

About Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Launched in 2009, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride (LAHH) is one of the most popular halloween attractions in the country. LAHH has quickly grown as one of the premiere horror genre attractions in the country being featured in Forbes, Fortune, Entrepreneur, The Today Show, The View, Bloomberg and many more.

Social Tags: #LAHH, #LAHH2018, #LAHH10Years
About Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group (13FEG) is the premier multi-state operator of theme park-quality haunted houses, escape rooms, and related immersive live-entertainment events. 13FEG’s platform includes 13th Floor, House of Torment, Fear Farm, Asylum, Terror on the Fox, Great Room Escape, Mind Spark Escape Games, and Zombie Apocalypse Live, among others. Headquartered in Denver, CO, 13FEG has offices in Austin, TX and production facilities in San Antonio, TX.
Photo credit: Scott Feinblatt

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WHAT’S NEW ON CATALINA ISLAND (Hint: I’m obsessed with them!

July 3, 2018

  Consistently named one of the best island getaways by media outlets nationwide, Catalina Island, located just 22 miles off the Southern California cost, is a unique blend of laid back vibe, rich and historic past, features water and land activities to suit any taste and modern-day amenities and services for every budget.

The island is constantly evolving to offer visitors the best experience, whether it’s to relax and rejuvenate or rev up the action. Following are a few of the new happenings on the island this year. What do you say? C’mon and visit!


photo credit @adventurpro

ESCAPE ROOMS

Ahoy…me hearties! Feel free to dress and talk like a pirate at Catalina Room Escape, one of two new Escape Rooms to open on the island. The Pirate Challenge allows participants one hour to solve a variety of riddles, discover clues and escape from the room. Info: 310.510.2777. CatalinaRoomEscape.

The rules are much the same at Escape Room Catalina. You and your group of two-to-eight confidants have one hour to crack the code, solve the mystery and escape the room. Room themes change with the season, so the company promises they always have fresh puzzles to solve. The company can set up a challenge at their location, or at a hotel room or vacation rental. Info: 310-510-8575. Escape Room Catalina

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

Catalina Aerial Adventure is flying high. Be sure to try it to get your adrenalin pumping. The new ropes-and-planks course weaves through a  grove of towering eucalyptus trees deep within Descanso Canyon. Other adventurous activities nearby include  Zip line Eco Tour and  Catalina Climbing Wall.

HIKING

You haven’t seen the real Catalina if you just visit Avalon. Take a hike into the backcountry on the new-and-rehabbed  Trans-Catalina Trail, part of a 165-mile system of recreational roads and hiking trails on the island. Catalina Conservancy has added 27 miles of new trails, refurbished restrooms and is eradicating non-native plants. In other big news for the Conservancy, the  Catalina Trailhead Visitor Center, being built in downtown Avalon, is expected to be completed in late 2018 or early 2019. Info: 310.510.2595 CatalinaConservancy.com

More good news for hikers and backpackers: Catalina Backcountry is operating a concierge service for outdoor enthusiasts. The company will take a load off your back by transporting supplies and equipment. It also offers a naturalist-led hikes, can set up comfort camping or create an adventure expedition. Info: 310.510.1212, Catalina Back Country

TWO HARBORS

Yes, there is a second city on the Island of Catalina. Two Harbors, at the island’s West End, is known for being low-key and rustic. But it has undergone a face-lift, with a new sandy beach, plush palapas, lounge chairs, a group gathering place, food and beverage service on the beach and a small business center. You can take a Catalina Express ferry from San Pedro to Two Harbors. Info: 800.613.1212 Catalina Express; 310.510.4205 Visit Catalina

TOURS

Hope on an eco-friendly bus to tour the island. The all-electric buses are operating on Catalina Island Company tours of Skyline Drive and on Inland Expedition tours. In addition to eliminating the need for diesel or gas, the buses have huge windows, air conditioning and quiet, smooth rides. Info: 877.778.8322, Visit Catalina

About Catalina Island and Catalina Express

Located 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is accessible by boat from three ports via Catalina Express: San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. Catalina Express offers up to 30 daily departures and year-round service to Avalon and Two Harbors, transporting nearly one million passengers annually. It offers comfortable airline-style seats and grouped table seating. Traveling to Catalina Island in as little as one hour, each vessel was designed and built/purchased specifically for comfort and speed. Catalina Express is an unparalleled resource in Southern California, and one of the world’s most respected ferry fleets. For information and reservations call 800.429.4601, or visit Catalina Express

Catalina Island’s clear blue waters and Mediterranean climate and ambiance are a Shangri-La. The laid-back island town is chock full of places to eat, drink, shop. Catalina has a wealth of natural and cultural resources, unique animals and plants found nowhere else on earth. Sightseeing opportunities are numerous and varied from escorted tours around town, adventure rides into the interior, jeep eco tours, hummer rides, to zip lines, rock climbing and undersea adventures. Independent activities are plentiful, such as camping, hiking, snuba, to diving, snorkeling, kayaking, spa treatments, as well as beach lounging, golf, motor boating, parasailing, fishing, boat rides down the coastline and more.