This Week in Ogden

Of course, you already know that you can check my calendar anytime to find out what’s happening and plan your family days in Ogden. I plan on keeping you updated on Facebook and Twitter with daily events, but there are many classes and events that may require advanced registration, so check my calendar in advance to see if there is anything you or your family would be interested in, such as an African dance class at Eccles Community Art Center or Scout Saturdays at Ogden Nature Center.

Instead of relisting everything that is on my calendar, I decided to highlight the activities and events that my family wants to attending.

Here is my schedule of events:

Monday- Weather permitting, I’d like to go walk the trails at the Ogden Nature Center and maybe have a picnic. Eleanor loves seeing the owls, snakes, spiders and other creatures. It is nice to go to the lookout and view the beautiful scenery, also. Last time we spotted a mountain lion right in the Nature Center fields.

Tuesday- I have yet to take my daughter to Discovery Time at the Weber County Library. My husband usually takes her, but I want to check it out. It’s similar to the Treehouse’s On Track to Reading as it uses storytime, songs and activities to help prepare kids for reading, but this one is FREE.

Wednesday- The fam and I will be hiking up Taylor’s Canyon on a Weber Pathways guided family hike. We don’t have a child carrier, so I hope it isn’t too steep for Elle.

Thursday- Park day! There are so many wonderful parks in Ogden and I have a few favorites, but today I think I am going to check out a new one.

Friday- I have been wanting to go to Alphabet Soup at the Treehouse for some time now. They focus on a different letter each week and use songs, science, art, history and more to encourage literacy in young kids. If you don’t have a membership, you can get reduced admission to the museum during this time.

Saturday- The Pleasant Valley Branch is having a Memorial Day Tribute and I’d like to go, because their events are really cool and I’ve never been to this branch before. I don’t know if it will be kid appropriate, though.

That’s it for today. My next post will be about swimming lessons in the area, so check back tomorrow.

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Beyond the Ogden Marathon

The 11th annual Ogden Marathon is here and thousands of people will be running, volunteering or spectating at this major event. The full, half and relay marathon spots are all filled. That’s 6500 people right there! That number doesn’t include 5k and kids K runners or all the volunteers and supporters. There will be a ton of people downtown especially around 1pm when the race officially ends. The race finishes at downtown 25th St where there is usually live music, food vendors and other booths and entertainment.

Most people attending the marathon events are already there or plan on being there soon. Keep in mind that parking may be limited and some roads will be closed off in the morning and early afternoon near the marathon trail.

So, is that all that’s going on in Ogden today? Of course not!

Here’s a just a sampling of other events going on today:
Golden Spike Arena - Acorn Antique Show and Sale from 9am-6pm.

Ogden Nature Center- Have a picnic and check out the birdhouse exhibit and while you’re there inquire about their summer camps and scout programs.

Weber County Library- There is always something to do with the kids at the library. They have computers, games, toys and, of course, books in the children’s section. Today the Main Branch will have a free showing of Disney’s Bambi and an Intro to the Internet for Families class both at 10:30am. The Pleasant Valley branch is also offering the same internet class and will be showing The Spiderwick Chronicles at 3pm.

Eccles Community Art Center- Check out the Carriage House’s current photography exhibit. There will also be two showings of the local play “Bad Show at Boffington Hall” at 2pm and 7pm.

Borrowed Earth Emporium- Bring your kids, ages 4-8, to kids-only yoga @ 11:15am and enjoy a latte for yourself.

Treehouse Museum- Check out the museum and join them for Ramped-up Art and Step on Stage throughout the day.

If you aren’t attending the marathon, there are so many other things to do and see in Ogden this Saturday. If you attend any of these events, share by leaving a comment!

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A day in Ogden

Took some time to go out and enjoy some sun, bikes and O-town. Started at the at the Treehouse for On Track to Reading. On Track to Reading is all about preparing kids to learn to read and for school. The goal is to have them interact with the songs and then sit through a group story time for about 15 minutes. Unfortunately my daughter's not quite on track, more like derailed. She will not sit down for one second. It's OK though, she's a free spirit.

Next, we headed down Washington Blvd. to check out all the newish businesses downtown. We stopped at the BEE for coffee, then did some shopping at Urban Chic, Ogden Rox and Recreation Outlet. Elle was digging the hats at Urban.

We attempted to ride the parkway, but it happens to be about 8 feet under water!

Lastly, we stopped at the library for Children's Book Week. It was really neat. They had a volunteer from the Dinosaur Park who brought bones and fossils. Then we read a dinosaur picture book and made dinosaur masks. At the end, they passed out some treats and every kid got to pick out a free book. If you missed this, I highly suggest you check out it out tomorrow at the Pleasant Valley and North branches. You can get more info from my calendar.

Summer Camps

This post has been updated thanks to some great info from fellow blogger Jennifer Evans. I also did a little extra research myself.

It's almost summer break again when kids have nothing but time on their hands. Give them something to do by enrolling them in a summer class. There are quite a few options in Ogden to keep your kids busy and learning this summer.

Nature Center
Toddlers- For kids ages 2-3. Classes are held from 9-11am or 1-3pm. Cost is $10/member parent/child or $12/non-member parent/child.
July 5th- Nature's Palette let's kids create art with dirt, leaves, sticks and more.
July 7th- Music and Movement teaches kids about nature's rhythm and movement.
August 16th- Mudpuppies' let's you play in the mud, find worms and listen to stories about animals in burrows.
August 18th- Animal Superheroes teaches kids about animal survival tactics from falcons to beavers.
Preschoolers- For kids ages 4-6. Classes are from 9am-12pm Monday-Friday. You can come one day or all week. Price: Week-long camps are $70/member or $85/non-member. One day camp is $15/member or $18/member.
June 27th-July 1st- Animal Explorers teaches kids about reptiles, amphibians, birds, insect and more.
July 18th-July 22nd- Sense-sational Nature shows kids how to use their five senses like animals do to explore the world around them.
School-age children For kids ages 7-12.
Week-long adventures are 8:30am-3:30pm Monday-Wednesday and overnight on Thursday. Cost is $150/member or $185/non-member. Each class has a different age range. Check the Nature Center for additional details.
June 13th-17th- X-treme Eco-Expedition teaches kids about survival tactics from shelter building to compass skills.
June 20th-24th- Wild Things explores ecosystems and the different animals that inhabit them.
July 11th-15th- Creepy Crawly Critters allows kids to discover the many lizards, toad, insects and other animals the live at the Nature Center.
July 25th-29th- Stories of Utah's Past teaches kids about Utah's native people and how they lived.
Single-day adventures are from 8:30am-3:30pm. Cost is $30/member or $35/non-member.
July 6th- Nature's Invaders shows you how to identify what does and doesn't belong in nature.
August 1st- Eco-art is all about drawing, sculpting and painting things inspired by the natural world.
August 2nd- Ponds, puddles and pools explores water habitats.
August 3rd- Endangered Species teaches kids about animals who are threatened.
August 4th- Nature's Magic & Mysteries explores nature's wonders.
Family Camps
July 8th-9th- or August 5th-6th
Camps are overnight from 6pm Friday to 9am Saturday. Cost is $45/member family of four or $50/non-member family of four and $5/each additional family member.
Songs, Stars and S'mores is a camp-out complete with games, trivia, songs, food and more.
Call 801-621-7595 for more details or to register.

Eccles Community Art Center
June 6 through 10- Claws, Codes, and Constellations 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuition: $220/camper
Explore space, nature, secret codes and sports. How much better can it get? You’ll discover how to send secret messages to your friends. Get a taste for space as you become a young astronaut. Investigate the earth and nature. Discover the science of sports, plus many more exciting activities.

June 20 through 24- Crazy Chemworks! 9 a.m. to 12 noon Tuition: $140.00/camper
Hop on board the chemistry express for a high-speed science experience. Perform instantaneous experiments in this fast-paced camp on split-second reactions that go like mad! Crazy Chemworks lab ware, plus much more!

July 5 through 8- NASA: Journey Into Outer Space 9 a.m. to noon Tuition: $120/camper
From our earth’s atmosphere to the outer reaches of our solar system, this hands-on space program sends children on a quest for exploration! Comets, planets, stars and more are all waiting to be discovered. Learn about the four forces of flight, the challenges of space travel, and other cool space related activities. Includes many awesome science kits!

July 18 through 22- Chemicals, Cells, and Crime 9 a.m. to noon Tuition: $140/camper
Get ready for many exciting chemistry related activities from the Mad Science Laboratory! Use your skills as a chemist to make your own radical reactions with batteries, a chemical clock, and more. Team up with other campers to solve the "Great ice Cream Caper."

August 1 through 5- Secret Agent Lab 9 a.m. to noon Tuition: $140/camper
This camp is packed with secret spy gadgets and funky forensic gear. Attend Spy Academy. Study coded messages. Test fake blood and bag’n’tag evidence. Build and break into your own safe. Learn the science of security. Find the bad guys and put them away for good!

Discounts: $10 discount for multiple camps and/or multiple siblings.
Call 801-621-7595 for more information and to register.

Treehouse Museum
These camps are Monday-Friday workshops from 10am-12pm. Cost is $50/member or $100/non-member.
June 13th-17th- Art Adventures is for kids ages 6-10. Kids will make books, masks, collages and more based on different stories.
June 20th-24th- Theater Adventures teaches kids ages 7-11 about writing, costuming, staging and acting in a play that the kids will perform.
June 27th-July 1st- Theater Adventures teaches kids ages 7-11 about writing, costuming, staging and acting in a play that the kids will perform.
July18th-29th- Art Adventures is for kids ages 6-10. Kids will make books, masks, collages and more based on different stories.
Call 801-394-9663 for more details or to register.

Astro Camp
June 16th-17th- Cadet Camp
June 21st-24th- Astronaut Training Camp
June 27th-30th- Voyager Camp
July 11th-14th or July 11th-16th- Galaxy Camp
July 18th–July 22nd- Academy Camp
July 26th-29th- Physics Camp
Click here for more details.


The Front Climbing Club
June 13th-August 22nd- Ogden's very own climbing gym will be having rock climbing camps all summer long for kids age 6-14 years old. That is so rad and I can't wait until Elle is old enough to attend. Cost is $125/kid for a five-day camp that includes instruction, equipment, meals, and a t-shirt. Visit the Front's website for more info.

Dinosaur Park
June 22nd-August 10th- Let your child explore different art mediums from chalk to weaving at the Dinosaur Park's four-week-long summer camps. There are two different ages ranges and two different sessions to chose from. Cost is $60/non-member and $50/member. Check the website for more details.

Bravo Arts Academy
This art and music school with locations in Washington Terrace and Clearfield has an array of music, dance and art camps for kids ages 3-teen. Prices vary according to the length and type of camp. Check their website for more details.

Peery's Egyptian Theater
June 13th-24th- Kids Act UP is a summer theater camp for students age 7 - 14. Participants learn about "the business" - singing, acting, dancing - while rehearsing for a live performance for family and friends. Cost is $350 for 10 days and includes lunches each day, a Kids Act Up t-shirt and a special VIP tour of the theater. Peery’s Egyptian Theater is pleased to announce an incredible opportunity for your student to work with theater professionals at our intensive two week performing arts camp, KIDS ACT UP. Don’t miss this opportunity for your student to gain the skills and confidence it takes to perform. Contact: Becky Fenton 801.689.8700.

Also, check the local school districts, Weber and Ogden, for more summer programs like band camp at the Environmental Center, Start Talk and PAL camps.

Do you plan on register your children for a summer camp?