If you've been following my "Where in the world?" posts on social media, you know that I am an experience enthusiast. I want to do what I can to foster curiosity and creativity in my kids to help them grow into well-rounded, relatable, equipped individuals. Summer is full of possibilities for both planned and unplanned growth. Read on for 5 experiences I want for my kids and all kids this summer. Warning: I am a known research geek, so you'll find links that expand on the topics as you read. My son, Leo, getting his wings on his first flight at age 2. Get out of town- An overlooked way to improve students’ academics is to travel. When students can make connections with what they learn, it instantly affects their understanding and motivation to learn. When kids are about to picture a setting or scenario described in a math word problem or science experiment in connection to an experience they’ve had, the hurdle of making sense of it is removed. Exposure to various environments and experiences increases vocabulary and helps new friends relate to one another.  Tips: Take the train! Pop over to the next town and discover it together.  Greensboro's nickname is the 'Gate City' because of its historical role in connecting cities via the rails. You don't have to go far to gain a new outlook. What experiences are new for your family? Maybe visit a new park, a farm, or take the bus downtown and hop on the free trolley. Looking for a bigger adventure? Perhaps taking advantage of some of the lower-cost airfares in Greensboro to places like NYC, Orlando, or Connecticut could offer a novel experience for the whole family. Don't be afraid to take the little ones internationally too. There is a whole world out there, and the value of immersing yourself in another country's language and culture is life-changing. Skill development - Summer Slide is a term used to describe the loss of learning over the summer months because, if you don’t use it, you can lose it. Have no fear! Summer Slide can be avoided and even turned into a Summer Climb!  Use the summer months to fill in learning gaps so your child can kick off the next year with confidence. Some families like to keep skills fresh through new experiences, others prefer to delegate learning fun with academic coaching , which, when done right, involves fun games that incorporate academic skills.  Check out what our friends Dr. and Dr. Dovico have to say on the topic! Unstructured play - Many families, especially those with working parents, fill their summer with camps, many of which are highly structured and scheduled.  Camps are wonderful, and my kids are signed up for several. To balance it out, kids also need to have time to learn how to entertain themselves.  Kids, like grown-ups, need downtime. Often, parents feel the urge to squeeze as much as possible into summer vacation.  The next time you feel obligated to add more, more more... remind yourself that when kids get time to be bored, it opens the door to creativity and innovation.  Give yourself permission to think ‘Less is more’ and see unscheduled days as valuable as days with a plan.  Tip: Resist the urge to solve your child’s boredom for them. Make some materials available, suggest a couple of choices, and let them take it from there. Check out this blog post I wrote a couple of years ago called Embrace Boredom for more information.   Talent Discovery- The best way for students to figure out what they are good at is to be exposed to various hobbies.  Sports are great for staying healthy and valuing teamwork, but kids need more than sports to remain well-rounded.  Their undeveloped or undiscovered talent could be art, learning an instrument or language, acting, working with animals, cooking, gardening, learning a game like chess or Mahjong, Lego building, sewing, or even entrepreneurship.  The only way to find out is to explore and try them out! It’s not uncommon for kids to tie their identity to their sport, but this can be limiting socially and is more likely to end abruptly due to an injury, unsuccessful tryout, or, for most, graduation.  Arboro coach and counselor, Christine-Evette Ngeve shares her experience with an athletic identity in this blog post. Family Bonding- Put away devices and plan time to be present. Make eye contact, give your full attention, and give kids a choice about how you spend time together. You might take a hike in the woods, enjoy a picnic at the park, or even discover a talent together! Take time to give individual, uninterrupted attention. Kids are constantly evolving, so think of your time together to get to know them in this stage of their life. Ask questions. Be curious.  Skip judgment and critiques. Show them that they can trust you and count on you as they navigate their ever-changing development.  Adolescence is an especially challenging time for many parent-child relationships. This article offers helpful tips for navigating this stage of parenting such as : "When appropriate, it’s helpful to include adolescents in decision-making about family rules, such as discussions to decide on a reasonable curfew." Thanks for geeking out with me! Imperfect in Arboro, Jenna Jenna Giilfillan, Co-Owner of Arboro What else would you add to this list? What unplanned (neighborhood fun, at-home project, family bonding...) summer experience do you still remember from when you were a kid? Comment below!

Research Snapshot by, Jenna Gilfillan, M.Ed. My first teaching job was at Brooks Global Studies. At the time, it was "Brooks Global Studies Extended-Year Magnet School." A mouthful, I know. We had about a month off in the summer, and the point was to minimize the "summer slide." No, it's not a type of warm-weather playground equipment. This slide is a regression, or sliding back, of learning that can take place over the summer. When students are keeping their skills fresh every day in class, they are making tangible progress in their achievement. When summer hits, the way they spend their time makes all the difference in what happens to that progress. The good news is that students can flip the slide into a climb! Experiences that create memories students can use to make connections when they read are endlessly valuable. There are plenty of ways to keep skills fresh in fun ways using everyday experiences like cooking, discussing schedules, and exercising. Summer is also the perfect time to seamlessly practice academic skills in authentic ways - think about all the math and writing that can go into setting up a good old-fashioned lemonade stand! Read on for a three-part research collection related to the topic of Summer Slide. If your child ended the last school year a bit behind, we recommend academic coaching (tutoring) to set them up for success as they kick off the next school year. Don't worry- at Arboro, it's lots of fun thanks to our amazing team. Fill out this form to get started. Sprouts and Buds: Ages 5-Teens 1.  Summer Learning Loss: What We Know and What We're Learning This article from NWEA provides a comprehensive overview of recent research on summer learning loss.  2.  Tips for Preventing 'Summer Slide' Practical advice for parents to keep their children academically engaged during the summer.  3.  Beware the Summer Slide Two University of Miami professors provide tips on how parents can help their children continue to learn during the summer and be ready for the school year. Sooner is always better! What are some fun ways your family keeps academic skills fresh over the summer? Comment below!

Hi! I’m Bridgette Clyne, founder of Mahjong Mingle. I can’t wait to teach you American Mahjong at Arboro Empowered — whether you’re a total beginner or know a bit about the game, you’re in for a night of fun! Mahjong Mingle in Action About Bridgette: When I'm not talking tiles with new friends or playing a game of Mahj with old ones, I'm busy as a mom to three precious boys. As a twin mom and an active member of Greensboro Mothers of Multiples, life is never dull! A dear friend and fellow twin mom, Erica Castillo, introduced me to the game — and it was love at first “Mahjong!” I adore how Mahjong brings friends together and keeps us present in the moment. Mahjong brings friends together and keeps us present in the moment. Once I was hooked, I did what any Millennial would do — fell down the Instagram rabbit hole! I saw Mahjong lessons, parties, leagues, and tournaments popping up all over the Southeast. That’s when I knew I wanted to help bring the joy of Mahjong to Greensboro. The History Behind Mahjong: As a lifelong student, I love hobbies that give me lots to learn about. The history and culture behind Mahjong provide just that for me. Mahjong has deep, winding cultural roots that originated in China in the mid-to-late 1800s, around the Yangtze River Delta. In her best-selling book Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture , Author Annelise Heinz says there are more than 40 iterations of the game worldwide.  My focus is on American Mahjong, which traces its unique identity to the Jewish American community. In 1937, a group of Jewish American women in New York City founded the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) to standardize the game’s rules and scoring. It is important to me to teach with authenticity, and I am committed to respecting and acknowledging the history behind the game.  About Mahjong 101 & 102: The mission of Mahjong Mingle is to spread the love of Mahjong around Greensboro, NC & the Triad area. I could not be more thrilled to do that next at Arboro Empowered. If you’ve ever stepped foot in Arboro Empowered, you know how cozy and inviting it feels — warm lighting, comfy seating, and a relaxed vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. You’ll be welcomed with light refreshments and beverages — grab some snacks, settle in, and get ready to have fun! Mahjong 101 is perfect for beginners — no experience needed! The environment is relaxed and fun (no pop quizzes here!). You'll learn about the tiles, how to read the NMJL card, how to pick a focus/line, and the steps of the Charleston. We’ll also cover how to set up a game and deal out the tiles. You will complete a full game by the end of the lesson. Mahjong 102 builds on what you learned in 101. We will take a deeper dive into the NMJL card — exploring patterns and specifics — and practice building hands. We’ll spend time doing Charleston drills to speed up your decision-making. You’ll finish feeling more confident after playing 2-3 full games. This class does require some prior knowledge — either from Mahjong 101 or independent play. Come Learn & Play: I am teaching two Mahjong 101 sessions, 3/26 and 4/2 at 6:00pm. Mahjong 102 will follow on 4/9 at 6:00pm. Spots are limited to 12 for each session, so text a friend and grab your seats now! Choose your date and buy your tickets here: https://www.arboroempowered.com/book-a-class   What is your favorite game and what do you love about it? Comment below!

Christine-Evette Ngeve, MSW, LCSWA, LCASA, Owner of Peak Potential Journey and soon to be: Dr. Ngeve! Written by Student Blog Contributor: Bea Woods Bea is a student, leader, and multi-sport athlete at Page High School. Bea interns at Arboro Empowered and serves as an ongoing teacher assistant for Arboro's Workday and Summer Camps. As a student athlete, I find it hard to show weakness because weakness leaves you vulnerable to rejection. Throughout my life, I have dealt with the struggles of showing vulnerability, and it has affected my communication with coaches and my ability to give myself a break. I recently had an opportunity to interview Christine Ngeve, the owner of Peak Potential Journey and a PhD student for Sports Psychology. She helps student athletes out with balancing both their sports and school life, and also helps student-athletes understand who they are outside of their sport through her workbook and one-on-one sessions with the student athletes. During the interview, she taught me many important lessons about the importance of knowing when to give yourself rest and the struggles of admitting when you are hurt. For ten years of my life, I did gymnastics. I started when I was two, and when I was six, I was enrolled in the TOPS program at my local gym. TOPS is a program where the best gymnasts on the team go through harder training to reach higher and higher levels of competition. There, in order for me to fit in, I had to deny both pain and fear. Gymnastics is a sport built on having to be the best version of yourself, on weeding out the weak, and receiving constant critique of failure. Constantly being around people who would never show fear or admit when they needed to stop made me adopt that samehabit quickly in order to fit in. One of the earliest memories I have of gymnastics continued to teach me that it was not okay to show vulnerability. When I was six years old at practice, I remember I broke down into tears and headed straight to the lobby. An 8-year-old girl with poofy hair followed me out. “You’ve got to man up,” she said in her high, squeaky, but very bossy voice. When she was eight, she seemed very big and important, so that’s exactly what I did. I stifled my tears, put on a brave face, and continued to project invincibility for a very long time. Ten years later, showing vulnerability is something that I am much better at, but I know that there are many student athletes that are still afraid to show any signs of weakness. One part of showing vulnerability is admitting when you are hurt. I had a stress fracture and was out of sports for four months, and when I had to tell my coaches I had gotten a stress fracture, I was very afraid. Christine understands how this feels after competing for her college in three different sports. She said, “It is very hard to tell your coaches about injury, but you have to think about the longevity of it. If you were to have kept going and you did not feel 100%, would that really help with your long-term goals?  No! Injuries are part of the game and are not something that you did on purpose. They are part of being an athlete. You need to advocate for yourself and know that there are other people on the team.” This advice is something that I wish I had been told sooner, and I think many athletes need to be told this advice. It might be scary and hard to tell your coaches that you are injured, but learning how to be vulnerable is crucial and will make speaking with them much easier. Christine also gave some important advice about knowing when to stop versus when you need to push through. Sometimes, struggling with vulnerability means denying yourself rest. Knowing when you really need rest vs when you are just being lazy is a difficult skill to master. “I like to call it 'reading your gas tank,” says Christine. “I put it in perspective that if you are at 'empty' with five miles left in you, and you try to study, you will not retain anything. It is best to give yourself that break and come back to it. However, if you are really at half a tank, give yourself a basis of what that means. Do you have 30 minutes left or 45? You need to understand where you are in order to know how much you can keep going.” Christine also has advice about burnout. She says, “ Burnout is real. You need to know how your body feels physically and how you are doing mentally and emotionally. Know that sports will always be there. I stopped sports back in 2019, but now the door is opening back to sports as I am a coach. Stopping is just part of your fingerprint; it isn’t your whole general makeup. You need to listen to your body to know when it is time to take a break.” The most important thing that I learned through my journey of vulnerability was that even though it felt scary and intimidating to admit I needed help or needed to rest, every time I asked, there were always people there who were willing to help me. My friends, family, and coaches were always there for me throughout the good and the bad. I know that many other student athletes also experience the struggles of being vulnerable, so I wanted to share that even though it is hard to open up, you will benefit so much by doing so. “To share your weakness is to make yourself vulnerable; to make yourself vulnerable is to show your strength.” -Criss Jami, author Interested in partnering with Christine for your student-athlete, yourself, or your team? Email us at hello@arboroempowered.com , and we will get you connected with Christine for a consultation! Readers- In the comments, respond to a connection you have to this post or one of the prompts below: About a time you would have benefited more from allowing yourself to be vulnerable rather than 'toughing it out.' About a way you plan to practice vulnerability How you model vulnerability for your family What you remember about life as a student- athlete

That don’t involve screens... plus two that do. By Jenna Gilfillan, M.Ed. Little Leo and Little Harper on a snow day back in 2018- Jenna and Lindsay's kids - who are now in 3rd grade! Tent Takeover- I have yet to meet a kid who doesn’t love building tents. The best part of tent-building is that it takes forever to build and they play inside the tent afterwards!  Worth taking over a room for the day. Be the hero and give the kids extra sheets, clothespins, and cushions. Watch out though, it might be too fun not to keep building it with them.  Science Experiments-  There are plenty of fun projects with immediate results and wow factors.  However, there are even more lessons to be learned from long-term experiments including a much-needed skill- patience! Try out a gross-out experiment such as putting 3 slices of bread into individual plastic bags, then placing them in three different environments- perhaps one goes in the refrigerator, one goes in a cabinet, and the third goes outside. Which grows mold fastest? Why? Not into the ick factor? Try planting seedlings and doing the same process as the bread! Schedule weekly check-ins either way. Kids can chart and draw the changes they notice!  Flashlight Fun-  Bundle up and venture outdoors! Send those kids outside with headlamps and flashlights in the backyard, even after sunset. Have you ever heard the phrase “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”  This Scandinavian mentality originates from places where it’s colder and darker than what we are used to! Imagine the memories they will make, not to mention the much-needed physical activity.  Chances are you’ll be able to supervise them (depending on the kids) from the warm side of the window by watching their lights!  For more ideas of screen-free inspiration, read Jenna’s book Rain, Rain You Can Stay- available on Amazon . Email hello@arboroempowered.com  for a personalized, autographed copy!  Sometimes screen time is more for us adults than it is for the kids (shhh- don't tell them that!). If the screen is what we need, here are two ways to make the most of it. Stick to the slow-paced shows. Avoid rapid scene changes. Here are some shows that pass the slow-pace test. According to a 2011 study in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, " Just 9 minutes of viewing a fast-paced television cartoon had immediate negative effects on 4-year-olds' executive function. Parents should be aware that fast-paced television shows could at least temporarily impair young children's executive function." The same is true for screen-based apps and games. Try Khan Academy Kids for a slower version. PBS Kids has some great skill-based apps as well! Interactive channels for the win! Here is a favorite that Lindsay introduced us to a few years ago- Mo Willems Lunch Doodles Give the kids a marker and plenty of paper for these episodes. It's fun to do with your kids too! Pretty please monitor and supervise any time on YouTube- ya never know what might pop up. Gift Shop Items Perfect for Cozy Winter Play - Hand-selected by our specialists! Order online and pick up at Arboro or ship to you. Valentine's Day is in one month by the way... Crayon Rocks- Selected by Rachel Burgess, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist specializing in Fine Motor Development Pick your puzzle from this awesome collection! USA, World Geography, Periodic Table, or Art History (the Periodic Table is about 50% finished on my kitchen table right now). Like Magnatiles, but better. This STEAM toy was our biggest hit this year! Choose from the big pack or a small pack. Tip: The big pack can be split into two smaller ones easily for a better deal. Elevate (wink wink) your Floor is Lava game with these aesthetically pleasing stepping stones, stack them to make a stool, and flip them over to become bowls for playing restaurant. We have 3 more sets in stock! What are your favorite winter weather tools, hacks, and activities? Comment below!

Thank you to Jaimie Irvan for being a part of our parent interview. We are so thankful for your family to be a part of our boro' ! Read on to learn how Arboro empowers their family. How did you learn about Arboro Empowered? A friend told me about Arboro when it first opened, but I didn't research it right away. A few months after that, another friend was raving about how great it was, so I decided to try out a class for my 6-year old. It was the best decision we made! Arboro has been his favorite place to go ever since.  What has been your experience at Arboro Empowered? I'm a homeschool mom of 2 boys (plus a baby), so I'm with my kids A LOT. I love how Arboro gives me the chance to drop them off and be assured that they are receiving quality instruction, being challenged academically, and making lots of new friends. Out of all the activities we participate in, Arboro has always been the favorite with my kids. They think about things, they create, they discuss, and they also give me a little time to be alone. :)  What three words describe the culture and community at Arboro? Open, engaging, honest   What skills or experiences is your child gaining in their classes at Arboro? Learning to think critically, deal with new situations, disagree respectfully, and make friends  How do you feel empowered as a parent at Arboro? I feel some of that homeschool burden of "doing it all" lifting away because I know I have a community of people who are dedicated to teaching my children.    What’s your favorite way to spend your time while your kids are in classes? Before the baby was born, I would curl up and read a book, or go run errands without distraction. Now that the baby is here, I spend time with her! There's a nice trail near Arboro that we like to walk in. I also use some of the time when one child is in Arboro to work individually with the other one.   What would you say to a parent who is on the fence about signing their kid up for their first class? Do it! There are lots of options for all age groups, and everyone is so nice! Try out one class one day a week, and see how it goes. No pressure . . . but you'll love it!   Interested in signing up your child for a class... email us at hello@arboroempowered.com to schedule your first free class! Also, check out our events page for more empowering events at Arboro you can sign up for!

by, Chloe Greenfield Mandel, MS, AL-P Owner of Mandel Fitness Hi everyone! I am thrilled to get started working with the families of Arboro and getting to know you all in the kitchen and on the field.  As a personal trainer, I have always been passionate about how fitness and wellness can fit into a person's life no matter their age, ability or experience level. In high school, I played volleyball, basketball, soccer and ran track. This love for movement translated into teaching group fitness at East Carolina University while completing my bachelor's in Health Fitness. While there, I managed a gym for kids with a focus on making exercise fun and teaching them the importance of nutrition and how to healthily fuel their bodies. Research indicates that the more involved children are with preparing their own foods, the more likely they are to consume it. I witnessed this firsthand teaching kids how to make silly face sandwiches, build-your-own trail mix to learn the food groups and portion sizes, as well as exploring new fruits and vegetables at the grocery store.  After graduating, I went on to work at a wellness resort in Western NC where I met people from all over the world who wanted to experience wellness and fitness holistically. I lead fitness classes, educational seminars, meditations and hikes. The skills that I gained from there directly translated into my approach for coaching clients. It is most important to me that individuals understand how movement and exercise fuels their brain and body and should not be experienced as a chore.  From there, I moved to Buffalo, NY to get my Masters in Exercise Science and complete research regarding workload capacity. Through my research project and TA position for undergraduate students, I knew I had a love for educating. This gave me the insight that my true passion is working with individuals seeking autonomy, education and freedom of movement. I relocated to Greensboro after graduating and worked at a local gym until I had my sweet baby boy. After having Oliver, I realized that my priorities had shifted and I wanted to train and educate clients while still being able to be home with my baby.  That is why I started Mandel Fitness. I offer remote and in-person training sessions for women at every stage of life. I am here to be a reliable and safe resource to women whether they are pregnant, postpartum, going through menopause or simply wanting to feel healthier and more confident in their own skin.  I am so excited to work with all of you at Arboro and provide a safe and fun environment to exercise and teach your kiddos how to prepare yummy simple snacks! I hope to see you all at the Grown-Up & Me Snacks and Circuits event or the Grown-Ups only Workout!  What is your favorite healthy snack? Comment below!

From a Pediatric Feeding Therapist Post by: Amanda Flowers, MOT, OTR/L; Empowering Early Eaters, LLC Whether you start with purees or follow baby-led weaning (spoiler alert: either, both, or a combination is fine!), follow these tips to help make your transition to solids easy peasy.  Want to learn more? Let’s meet! KNOW WHEN TO START Look for these readiness signs (usually around 6 months): Interest- signs of curiousity about food Ability- Able to reach and grasp objects and bring them to their mouth Strength- Strong head control and able to sit upright with little support GIVE BABY INDEPENDENCE If you are spoon feeding: Wait until baby gives you eye contact and opens their mouth to accept the spoon. Sit so you are eye level in front of your baby. NEVER force feed. Let baby bring a loaded spoon to their own mouth. Small silicone spoons work well. Bring extra spoons to the table! Leave foods directly on their tray for self-feeding MAKE SURE BABY IS SUPPORTED BY THEIR CHAIR Use a supportive feeding chair that allows me to sit completely upright and easily reach their tray. Opt for high chairs with an adjustable footrest.   LET THEM BE MESSY Messy hands and faces are good for the development of their sensory systems. INTRODUCE FOODS THAT REQUIRE CHEWING BY 9 MONTHS Reflexes are present to help baby learn to chew safely. So even if you start with puree, start solids by 9 months. Start with soft foods that mash easily between your fingers. *Always follow the nutritional and readiness guidelines recommended by your pediatrician **Be aware of the signs of an allergic reaction. Remember, reactions don’t typically occur until a food is eaten more than once! ***Know what to do if your baby begins to choke. Make to sure to be CPR trained and ready to respond if baby needs you. Learn more and try new foods under Amanda's guidance! Sign up for our Baby Brunch today. Just in time for holiday meals! Grown-Up and Me Snack Lab- a Friday Snack Club facilitated by Amanda Flowers. The perfect chance to gain confidence and ask questions in a safe and supportive group environment! Click, "Request to Join" to let us know you're interested. New baby and caregiver friends included! Interested in booking a consultation with Amanda? Email hello@arboroempowered.com and we will get you connected! Stop by Arboro Empowered to shop for feeding products hand-picked by Amanda Flowers herself. Coming soon to our online store! 5415 Old Lake Jeanette Road, Greensboro, NC What questions do you have about starting solids? Comment below!

by, Amy Garcia-Andino, Arboro Intern Ana Velas is Arboro's beloved lead Spanish coach. Questions Answers by Ms. Ana What is one positive change you’ve seen happen at Arboro in its first year? The growth in children that attend Arboro by that I mean, seeing them actually enjoy learning.  What do you hope to see in Arboro’s future?  Many more children come through the doors and discover this amazing place. What are three words you would use to describe experiences at Arboro?  Exciting, Engaging, and Learning Why is Arboro a good fit for you? Arboro is set up in a way that you can use your creativity in just about any way possible to engage the children to learn. To me, there's nothing better.  If you could change one thing about the Arboro experience, what would it be?  Funding for every child that wants or needs to come to Arboro.  What aspect of Arboro services do you think makes the most significant impact? The arsenal of resources that Arboro has to help children achieve their maximum growth. How does Arboro empower you personally or professionally?  Personally, I just feel like it is priceless to be around children as they grow and learn all while having fun.  Can you tell us about a positive experience you’ve had at Arboro? I'm telling you the truth when I say I've had so many. But one that sticks out is when a child who didn't speak looked me in the eye with a big smile and said clearly, “Hola Miss. Ana.” There are just no words.  Ms. Ana works her magic every Wednesday at Arboro Empowered. She is a source of joy for our students who adore her and love the way she incorporates Spanish language learning through student-centered play. She also goes above and beyond to take care of her colleagues, regularly insisting on preparing everyone a home-cooked lunch! Registration for Ms. Ana's winter and spring classes is coming soon. Email hello@arboroempowered.com if you would like to pre-register or learn more about Spanish immersion opportunities at Arboro. Help Ms. Ana's dream for Arboro come to life by contributing to our Empowered Community Fund . Comment, Inspired by Ana when you donate and100% of those funds will go towards financial aid for families who need it!

A few questions for you... Comment with ideas, suggestions, and if we must have childcare....

Why we're not throwing a party Even though it's our first birthday. Arboro is our DIY labor of love. We Choose You We had big party plans in the works. It was going to be called 'Electric Garden Party' and feature a gorgeous glowing botanical theme complete with signature cocktails, flowers galore, live music, and a massive charcuterie table.   It would have been fun. Someday we will bring it to life and it will be a blast.   But we are entrepreneurs, who were formally teachers and are only one year into our small business. Our labor of love involved literal blood, sweat, tears, and a ton of new gray hairs (or as we call them, fairy hairs). It has been worth every pulled muscle, sleepless night, and every penny we've spent.   21.9% of small businesses fail before they hit their first birthday. We are thrilled to be celebrating continued growth on our first birthday! 50% of small businesses don't make it to their fifth birthday. We have plans for Arboro that go well beyond 5 years.   At Arboro Empowered, we help individuals and families thrive by equipping them with empowering experiences and resources. We know that when Arboro succeeds, our community succeeds. Not just because we are creating jobs and partnering with other local small businesses. But because the services we provide change lives, and there is nothing more motivating and important than that.   That's why instead of the party, we are investing in our community, Our Boro. How you can help Forward this to your network of friends and family. Tell them about Arboro and invite them to support our fundraising efforts. Click the image below or this link to enjoy a video telling the story of Arboro Empowered's first year! Thank you for being part of our journey. It means the world to us. Imperfect in Arboro, Jenna and Lindsay Comment below with other ideas to provide relevant and useful experiences for families in our second year and beyond.

Pictured: Arboro kids playing "Not a Box" and making memories. By, Maggie Grimes Growing up, like most kids, I always looked forward to summer.  Summers meant sleeping in, spending long days by the pool, beach trips, and summer camps.  Out of all of these, summer camps were my favorite!  I remember one in particular that I loved.  It was a sleepaway camp in the mountains of NC where you were able to pick electives to participate in during the week(s) that you were there.  Among the electives were swimming, archery, crafts, and high ropes - just to name a few.  I always loved the many options and the fact that I was going to be able to try something new. Although devices/screens weren’t as easily accessible back then as they are now (I’m an 80’s baby), I would’ve chosen camp over screens simply for the experience.  Camp introduced me to many things - sports, adventures, friendships - that I may not otherwise have experienced.  Screen time is something that is, in some cases, taking the place of these interactions and experiences. According to an article in the online journal, Cureus (June 2023), “. . .screen time reduces the amount and quality of interactions between children and their caregivers. . . Additionally, excessive screen usage has detrimental effects on social and emotional growth, including a rise in the likelihood of obesity, sleep disorders, and mental health conditions including depression and anxiety.” As children settle into summer with more free time on their hands, consider how much time they spend on screens, whether at home or camp, and what effect it has on their behavior and/or mood.  If you feel your child is spending too much time in front of a screen, consider setting a timer to let them know when their time on the screen is up.  Before signing your child up for camp(s), ask if the campers have access to screens, and if so, what their policy is so you can be sure it's a good fit.  What other things can we try at home to limit screen time for children? This summer and fall, look to Team Arboro or Camp Arboro for screenless inspiration- from STEAM challenges, outdoor exploration, art projects, team-building activities, mindfulness, and literacy integration. In the end, choose experiences over screens.  Interactions with others and experiences are what shape us into the adults that we become. About the Author Maggie Grimes is a wife, mother, and former elementary educator of 11 years.  She lives in Wilmington, NC with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family by the pool, beachcombing for unique finds, and reading.  She hopes to continue to inspire and encourage a love for learning in all children. We want to hear from you! Comment below and keep the conversation going. What other things can/do we try at home to limit screen time? When we do offer the screen (no judgment- it saves the day sometimes), what digital resources offer open-ended creativity rather than passive consumption?