Shooting Star Farms 702-0429

SUMMER CAMP FUN
For your Horse-loving
Honey (or You!)...
Shooting Star Farms offers horseback riding lessons for all ages and all skill sets ("just for fun" or to show). They encourage a true love and bond between horse and rider and are outstanding at working with people who have anxiety about riding. Right now they are offering a no-obligation $25 first lesson with the coupon on page 59. You'll love relaxing at the beautiful Castaic location - and fulfilling a dream that's now affordable! 702-0429

For your Future Broadway Star...
ESCAPE's two-week Broadway Summer Camp runs July 9 through July 20. Your little stunner will learn singing, dancing, acting, hip hop and more. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is open to children entering first through sixth grades. Get a sneak peek of what's in store by checking out their Summer Teen Show, "Little Shop of Horrors" June 22 to June 24 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at COC. ESCAPE's Theatre Studio is conveniently located on Valley Center Drive. 299-5264

For your High-energy Kid...
Have a summer filled with "flips with friends" at one of two summer GymJam camps. Both are seven-week day camps offered Monday through Friday beginning June 18. During their Summer Camp your kids will have the time of their lives learning gymnastics, fun activities and arts and crafts. GymJam Accelerated Camp is geared towards kids who can't get enough gymnastics! Campers need to be an advanced Level 2, up to Level 4. This is more like a team training camp, where they focus on skill, strength and flexibility. www.gymjamacademy.com

For your Favorite Foodie...
Bring out your child's inner chef with chef classes for kids and teen chef classes. Your children will learn to cook and create culinary masterpieces. Little Chefs and Teen Chefs Cooking Camp welcomes your child or teen to go on a culinary adventure for one or more fabulous summer cooking sessions taught by a highly-skilled professional chef who is truly passionate about passing their love of cooking onto the next generation. When you sign up now online and enroll for five weeks, you only pay for four! Enroll at www.chefsclassesforkids.com.

For your Speed Racer...
MB2's Summer Karting Kamp & Racing Academy is a three-day camp offered weekly at the Sylmar and Thousand Oaks locations on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Instruction, coaching, games and lunch are included for only $90. August 7 is Super Karting Kamp day, where participants compete, win prizes and have fun. Junior Kamp is for those over 48 inches but less than 58 inches and Summer Racing Academy is for those 58 inches and over. 818-364-8000

Transitional Kindergarten Program
Now Available at Creative Years
Creative Years Preschool will be offering a Transitional Kindergarten Program starting school year 2012-2013. The curriculum used at Creative Years is based upon specific learning goals and objectives designed to give your child success in kindergarten. The goals and objectives are based upon prevailing early childhood theory (Erickson and Piaget), experience of the teachers and sound child development principles. Teachers take the individual goals and objectives and translate them into activity plans that are posted throughout the school. Because we learn more when we are having fun, these activities are exciting, challenging and often appear as "just play" to your child. 254-0718

Kid in High School?
Start Prepping for the PSAT, SAT and ACT
The SAT or ACT score is one of the primary factors used by colleges and universities in granting admission, while the PSAT score can qualify your child for certain scholarships. Math Support Services' strategic approach to preparation will strengthen your child's skills and maximize his or her score. When you register for test-prep workshops you're invited to a free two-hour "Parent Night: Roadmap to College" workshop that covers financial aid, timelines, how much math your child needs, info on the SAT II, framing a personal statement, volunteer work and much more. It's highly recommended that parents attend this workshop as early as the ninth grade. 255-1730

The Duncanson Family

Double-whammy for the Duncanson Family
"The last year has been tremendously successful for the Duncanson family. We owe much of that success to Mike and the Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts (222-7910). When my son told me he was interested in learning how to be an actor I was pleased to find that Santa Clarita has one of the best schools for acting, modeling, dancing and singing. Mike even convinced me to take classes. Within a a few months my son and I secured an agent. Since then, Connor has been featured in a national television commercial for Chevrolet and I completed a national television commercial for Hallmark, not to mention various modeling and film opportunities. We never dreamed we would experience such success in such a short period of time but SCSOPA has given both of us skills and confidence," ~ Tara Duncanson
Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts 222-7910 www.scsopa.com

This Month, Why don't MOMS...
Treat themselves to some Fourth of July bling for a good cause?
Cobblestone Cottage loves more than America; they love 23,000 local students, too! For every Brighton "American" bracelet sold, half of the $48 sale price will go to the Hart School District's Education Foundation. That's a $24 donation per bracelet! 253-0209

Go "green" with super-durable recycled leather furniture?
We're swooning over the kid-and-pet-friendly recycled leather sofas at Suburban Chateau. This mom-owned company is only open limited hours per week so that Kathy, the owner, can cut down on costs and pass them along to you. Drop in on Wednesday or Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and get ready to drool (Which is now a "no-harm, no-foul" move; this stuff cleans up easy!). 775-2980

Get crafty with the kids?
The new Creative U studio has more than twice the square footage than before, with two classrooms, one being a sewing studio. They offer many classes for both adults and kids. Children can enjoy Handwork and Sewing classes in the evenings and Saturdays and Craft Camp in July. Private lessons in knitting, crochet and sewing for adults are available, too. New classes and events are added weekly for your crafting pleasure! If you've ever said, "I wish I knew how to make curtains/pillows/gifts/clothing/etc.," this is the summer - and the place - to learn it. 250-4600


Summer can be Dangerous for Pets
You know that it's a bad idea to leave pets in the car (Even on a 70-degree day, a car can heat up to over 100 degrees when left in direct sunlight. It just takes minutes!) - but there are other summer hazards to look out for, too. Many of your neighbors may be using fertilizers and pesticides on their lawns this season. Encourage your furry friends to roam elsewhere. Prevent heatstroke by providing plenty of shade and water to pets while they play outside - and don't presume that their water bowl is tip proof. Outdoor animals have died from heatstroke because rambunctious play lead to a tipped-over water bowl.

Your pets need check ups just like you do. Canyon Country Veterinary Hospital (424-9900) offers free exams (not good for emergency services) and provides services like acupuncture, dentistry, laser therapy, ultrasound, spay/neuter and low-cost vaccines daily. They're conveniently located in the Edwards Theater center in Canyon Country. If your pet is injured, showing obvious signs of discomfort, or is displaying labored breathing, vomiting, blue or white gums or bleeding, they could need emergency care. All Creatures Emergency (291-1121) is conveniently located on Lyons Avenue in Newhall.

Wallers' GymJam Academy Students Flip Over Competitors at National Competition
Morgan Tolman and Jasmine Holmes (graduating seniors!) couldn't have finished their club career any better. Morgan won Floor, was second in the All Around (AA), seventh on Bars and 10th on Vault. Jasmine was third on Vault and in AA, eighth on Floor and ninth on Bars and Beam. Jessy MacArthur was fifth on Vault, sixth on Bars and the AA and 10th on Beam and Floor. Alex Waller was fourth on Beam (just .05 away from first!), eighth on Floor and ninth in the AA. Alya Turcotte took eighth on Floor. Alicia Gallarzo, who competed in one of the toughest divisions, ended up 20th in the AA.