West Newsmagazine 5-1-24

More documents

Recommendations

Info

28 I SUMMER CAMPS I May 1, 2024 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE Nature’s impact: benefits of time spent outdoors @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM By LAURA BROWN In a digital age where screens dominate young lives, the mental and physical benefits of being outdoors is more important now than ever. Mental health experts tend to agree that being outside is good for overall health. The National Institute of Health published a study in 2018 that showed, in addition to other benefits, simply being outdoors lowered stress hormone levels in individuals. Nicole Buesse, LPC, a mental health counselor in Wildwood, agrees and said she encourages her patients to spend time outside to help with anxiousness. “In the society that we live in today with so much technology, we really are inside a lot more than we ever have been,” Buesse said. “It’s good for kids to get out of their rooms; open their blackout curtains. It’s good for kids to see some sunlight.” Buesse said just 20 minutes a day outdoors can have profound effects on mental health. The time doesn’t even need to be spent exercising because the benefit of sunlight is enough, she said. Vitamin D comes from sunlight exposure and Buesse mentioned that as people age they can become deficient in the vitamin due to spending less time in the sun. Vitamin D has been found to have several health benefits including improving mood, strengthening bones and improving heart health. “Obviously more is great, but if you can fit in 20 minutes, you’re in a really good spot for promoting overall mental health,” Buesse said. “I would say in addition to that, if you can, do any sort of exercise outside. And by exercise I don’t mean it has to be something super strenuous. But even just doing some walking is something that increases your heart rate and increases your blood flow so that you are processing stress hormones better and increasing dopamine levels in your body, promoting overall improved health.” For kids who are resistant to spending time outdoors, Buesse recommends starting with short amounts of time, increasing it gradually each day. Another tip from Buesse is that parents can lead by example. Parents can make spending time outdoors a family activity that everyone does together each day. During the summer when kids might be left home alone during the day while parents are working, Buesse recommends making going outdoors in the evening a routine. “It’s good to have it as a family activity when parents get home from work,” Buesse said. “As parents ourselves, we need to get outside and need to have some positive mental health promotion in our own bodies. And to have that shared time with our kiddos as well can be really impactful. It’s not just about the kids, but also as parents we need to keep our mental health and struggle in mind as well.” One reason kids resist going outdoors is because when they watch a screen they don’t have to be creative to entertain themselves, Buesse explained. There are almost unlimited amounts of entertainment available when it comes to screen time. “There’s more competition for their attention,” Buesse said. “Video games are fun. There’s a lot of programming that kids can watch online. So (going outside) is not always the first thing they think of to do, but usually once you get them outside they do have fun. And they get to use their imagination and create their own entertainment, as opposed to having it just presented to them.” Time outside can be as simple as going for a walk around the neighborhood or playing in a sprinkler on a hot summer evening. Another option is signing children up for an outdoor summer camp. Outdoor camps give children of all ages the opportunity to unplug and reconnect with nature. Tracy Bono, of St. Charles County, is a (Adobe Stock photo) mom of three and is passionate about getting kids back into nature. She has been a Missouri Master Naturalist for five years and worked in field development for the Greater St. Louis Region Boy Scouts of America last year. She said she began working for Scouts because of her passion for its mission. Bono’s youngest son is autistic and loves the outdoors. “I noticed that being outside and having nature-based play and learning for him has been huge,” Bono said. “He’s so much more regulated and develops skills from the outdoors that he can’t in a classroom. Many times children who were troublemakers in the classroom became leaders in nature.” Central to Bono’s efforts is scouting, a structured yet adventurous platform that See CAMPS, next page Ages 5-12 May 28 - Aug. 9 9am - 3pm Lunch & Snack Included. Before/After Care available. Activities: • Tennis • Swimming • Tae Kwon Do • Soccer • Basketball • Volleyball • Zumba • Arts & Crafts Summer Membership Available Memorial Day to Labor Day Only $595* *plus tax Register online: ChesterfieldAthleticClub.com/kids-camp 16625 Swingley Ridge Road Chesterfield, MO 63017 ChesterfieldAthleticClub.com
FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Ridgefield Arena 1410 Ridge Road • Wildwood (636) 527-3624 s• www.ridgefieldarena.com Celebrating over 50 years in business, Ridgefield Arena is a wonderful horse facility with beautiful grounds and amenities including three lighted arenas (one indoors for all-year riding), six wash racks, tack room, bridle trails, viewing patios and a lounge to watch the indoor ring. In the winter, Ridgefield is heated. They offer horse boarding, sales and a great riding academy. Summer camps, horse clinics and shows are scheduled. Spring Break Camp is March 16. Summer Camps are June 13, 29, July 13 and 18. The Advanced Clinic is June 19-21. Intermediate Camp is Aug. 15-16. Horse Shows are April 27-28, June 1-2, July 27-28 and Sept. 28-29. For details, call or visit the website. STAGES St. Louis 1023 Chesterfield Parkway East • Chesterfield (636) 449-5775 • StagesStLouis.org STAGES Performing Arts Academy offers an exciting variety of musical theatre camps, workshops and productions for students of all ages and abilities. Act, dance and sing all summer long while learning new skills and techniques. Classes include Musical Minis, Improv, Act It Out, Musical Theatre Exploration, Ace Your Audition and more! And don’t miss out on the Broadway Performance Workshops of Disney’s “Frozen Kids,” “13: The Musical Jr.,” “Madagascar Jr.” and the new musical, “Between The Lines.” It’s all at STAGES Performing Arts Academy this summer. Register today at www.stagesstlouis.org/summer or call 636- 449-5775. St. Louis Learning Disabilities Association 13537 Barrett Parkway Drive, Ste. 110 • Ballwin (314) 966-3088 • www.ldastl.org St. Louis Learning Disabilities Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the understanding and acceptance of learning disabilities. They provide a comprehensive range of services and academic tutoring programs to children with learning disabilities and/or ADHD, learning differences and Asperger’s Syndrome, as well as their parents and teachers. Their onsite learning specialists are certified in special education and are highly experienced in helping each child adapt to their specific abilities so they can learn, develop, and achieve their goals. To learn more about summer programs and options for each child’s needs, visit ldastl.org. May 1, 2024 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I SUMMER CAMPS I 29 St. Louis Learning Disabilities Association changes the lives of children from preschool through college ! We can help your child! We offer the following services... • Tutoring • Testing • ACT/SAT Prep • Educational Coaching & More Call today at 314-966-3088 or visit www.ldastl.org Grades 2 - 8 • June 9 - August 9 • 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Make it a Mathnasium Summer Now Enrolling! Mathnasium of Wildwood (636) 875-1175 mathnasium.com/wildwood CAMPS, from previous instills leadership, resilience and a deep connection to nature. She said just two years of scouting can positively impact a child’s life, equipping them with skills and experiences that pave the way for success. Through sponsorships and outreach programs, Bono said Scouts ensure that children who may not otherwise have access are able to participate, breaking barriers and building stronger communities. “I always say, think about some of the best memories of your childhood. I bet they were an outside experience,” Bono said. “Building a fort or playing in a creek. Outdoor play creates executive functioning skills that are superior to classroom learning. We are missing this when it comes to more child-led, nature-based activities.” Bono believes that children should be allowed to experiment and play how they want, and even fail sometimes, learning from that experience without adult intervention. “So much of what Scouting does is childled, Scout-led,” Bono said. “We will give opportunities, but you are in charge of your choices. Opportunities to try new things help kids figure out where they fit in this world.” While Bono admits that she believes there is a place for electronics in the world, she believes more emphasis should be placed on nature. “It’s an idea of empowering our youth and getting them reconnected with the natural world because it’s not separate from us,” Bono said. “We are instilling a sense of empowerment into our children. They can be responsible for themselves, and make valuable contributions to our society.”
Page 1 and 2: Vol. 29 No. 9 • May 1, 2024 MASTE
Page 3 and 4: FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTN
Page 7 and 8: THE POWER OF PURPOSE CERTIFICATE SP
Page 11 and 12: It’s Not Paint...It’s BETTER! 2
Page 17 and 18: Left: Associate Medical Director Dr
Page 21: WELCOME TO ZICK’S GREAT OUTDOORS
Page 26 and 27: 26 I SCHOOLS I BULLETIN BOARD Growi
Page 30 and 31: 30 I SPORTS I May 1, 2024 WEST NEWS
Page 32 and 33: 32 I SPORTS I By WARREN MAYES May 1
Page 34 and 35: 34 I MATURE FOCUS I May 1, 2024 WES
Page 36 and 37: 36 I HEALTH I May 1, 2024 WEST NEWS
Page 38 and 39: 38 I May 1, 2024 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
Page 40 and 41: May 1, 2024 40 I BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Page 42 and 43: 42 I EVENTS I May 1, 2024 WEST NEWS
Page 44 and 45: 44 I EVENTS I May 1, 2024 WEST NEWS
Page 46 and 47: 46 I May 1, 2024 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
Page 48: DURING THE BMW POWER THE MISSION SA

West Newsmagazine 5-1-24

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?