4th of July Fun 2016

Lorton Workhouse- July 2nd
5pm Galleries and artist buildings open, food trucks and refreshments available around the quad.  6:30 highlands dance demo, 7pm concert, 9:15pm fireworks.  Admission is free, parking is $10, shuttle service is available from the Vulcan Materials lot. 

Old Town Manassas- July 4th
Check out the fun between the Harris Pavillon and Manassas Museum. There will be rides for the kids starting at 3 p.m. Food concessions and novelty vendors will begin at 4 p.m. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets and come early to get the best seats on the Manassas Museum Lawn for the firework display at 9:15 p.m.! These fireworks are also visible from the hill at Grace UMC on Wellington Road. For more information: http:// visitmanassas.org/event/celebrate-america-2/?instance_id=109052 

City of Manassas Park - July 4th
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Signal Hill Park, Monday, July 4. There will be free shuttles from the VRE Station and City Hall starting at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free. Parking is $5 beginning at 5 p.m. 

Woodbridge- July 4th

The 48th annual Dale City Independence Day parade on Dale Boulevard begins at 10 a.m. near Beville Middle School and ends at the Center Plaza commuter lot, where a Family Fun Festival will take place after the parade. The Family Fun Day festivities run until 2 p.m. For more information: http://www.dalecitycivic.org/pages/ events.html. 

The Potomac Nationals Fourth of July fireworks show after the baseball game on Monday at Pfitzner Stadium begins at 6:35 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the game and attendees can purchase $16 tickets to a Fourth of July picnic with all-you-can-eat hot dogs, hamburgers and sides. These fireworks are also visible from the Ruby Tuesday's parking lot, and from the hills outside the softball fields at Pfitzner Stadium. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.potomacnationals.com   

Montclair- July 4th

Montclair's fireworks are restricted to residents, but you guys always notice them and ask me about them.  If you're an HOA member you can watch from Dolphin beach.  If you're not, you may be able to see them from surrounding communities. 

Guest Post: Grab the Kids and Go Make Some Summer Memories

Grab the Kids and Go Make Some Summer Memories

Summer is almost here. The kids have less than 1 week left and then the 5am morning alarm clocks get turned off. I just realized that this is the final summer I will have with my eldest. Next summer we will be getting ready to send him off to college. Years ago I ran a marketing campaign that we only have 18 summers with our kids so we should make the most of it. Now I am having to live that reality myself.

I have two very busy teenage boys who have already filled our summer calendar up with camps, activities and a vacation with extended family. I would like to say we can slow down during the summer months but my calendar says otherwise. But we still try to have dinner together every night. Every Tuesday night we head to a local restaurant for $5 burgers and fries. That is a better deal than some fast food chains. It is just so nice to slow down and spend time with each other. We all have to put our phones in a stack in the middle of the table. Whoever reaches for their phone first has to pay for dessert. Try this game the next time you are out to dinner with teenagers. Trust me they love their allowance money more than checking their latest text.  

There are so many great museums and activities in and around the metro DC area that cost little or no money. I encourage you to pick a few and enjoy with your family. As a family we like to try new activities together. From an early age we have included our kids in the planning of summer activities. We ask each family member to write down 3 summer activities they would like to enjoy together. Then we put them on our calendars and make them a priority. The activity must be local or a day trip and everyone must participate. So yes Mom has had to go fishing and my boys have gone to a cooking class. We have had lots of fun and made so many memories.

Here is a small list of some of our favorites over the years:

• Visit the Smithsonian
• Mini Golf
• Make Homemade Ice Cream
• Cooking Lesson
• Photography Scavenger Hunt
• Nationals Baseball Game
• Drive In Movie
• Hike in Shenandoah National Park
• Paddle Boarding
• Water Mine Water Park
• National Zoo
• Fishing
• Shakespeare in the Park
• Navy Band Concert
• Old Town Alexandria Walking Tour
• Make and Fly a Kite
• Nighttime ride to view DC Monuments
• Paint a picture
• Pizza at the Pool

Try to make the most out of the time spent with your kids this summer.  Relax and don’t over schedule. Let them sleep in till noon. Serve them ice cream sundaes for dinner. Throw water balloons when they jump off that final school bus ride. Build a fort in the family room. Pitch a tent in the back yard and sleep under the stars. Whatever you decide to do as a family make sure to take lots of pictures because childhood summers go by way too fast.

Patricia Mickus lives in Bristow, Virginia with her family. She is a Co-Owner of Simple Luxuries Travel. Follow her Facebook page for more great memories with your children.

Giveaway: Waterworks Dale City

It's that time of year again!! Our friends at Waterworks want to celebrate the end of the school year with you by giving your family a 4 pack of tickets to enjoy the park! With slides, obstacle courses, a tot area, and more, Waterworks is a great place to kick off your summer vacation!!

Bonus- they do parties and swim lessons, too!

Enter using the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Waterworks is the sponsor and provider of this prize.  PwcMoms is not liable for your experience or safety should you choose to visit the park.  As with all of our giveaways, this one follows our complete giveaway rules, which you agree to by entering to win. http://www.pwcmoms.com/?tab=Giveaway%2520Rules

Weekly Summer Library Calendars 2016

I absolutely adore this organization of the Summer Reading events for summer 2016 from Prince William Public Libraries.

I'll share these each week, as well, but as many of you know THESE EVENTS WILL FILL UP QUICKLY!! If there is something you absolutely want to take your children to, I suggest giving yourself a calendar reminder for the day that tickets become available.  Also, if you can, be open to the idea of going to another branch.  Maybe Chinn is full, but Nokesville is offering the same event on a different date- you probably have a better shot of getting tickets at a smaller library.

For events with online registration available, visit HERE. 

And now, on to the good stuff!

Summer Memberships at Freedom

We love Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center on the Manassas Campus of George Mason University. My husband works out daily, and I love the track and Zumba classes for days I can't run outside.  My oldest does swim team there, and we've had a lot of fun playing adult volleyball for date nights.  I know that for some people a school year membership doesn't make sense- but over the summer it totally can! The indoor pool is great (whether you're sun-challenged like me or whether you don't want to weather the weather #homophones), and the fitness classes are super fun! 

If a summer plan makes the most sense for you, Freedom offers two options.  You can customize a family plan, or you can take advantage of a student/teacher discount.  Details on both programs are below! 

See you at Zumba! 

Dream it, Plan it, Do it, Own it at Camp SheEO

Is your daughter a boss? Has she organized her Barbies into a corporate hierarchy? Does she win cookie sales every year? Do her lemonade stands rival someone on Shark Tank? If so, you should definitely check out Camp SheEO!

With four camps in Prince William County (Manassas and Woodbridge NOVA Campuses) and additional locations all over the region, Camp SheEO exists to empower the CEO inside every girl and to encourage girls to take steps toward business and community leadership.

Each week of camp, trained Success Coaches will help girls at Camp SheEO enrich their ideas about what it means to be a business owner and leader.  They will also host a guest speaker from the local business community.  There are two levels of the camp, First Steps and Next Steps, both of which run for one week from 9am-4pm and are $290. 

Both First Steps and Next Steps are intimate enrichment experiences, which means that space is LIMITED.  If you know that this would be a perfect opportunity for your daughter to explore her passion and interests, then sign up today! Owner DeShawn Robinson-Chew explains the program like this- “We really want to introduce and encourage entrepreneurship in girls and show how they can have a leadership role in their community.  We are hyper-focused on business, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.  This is the only program doing this” 

Camp Dates in Prince William County Are:

Week of 7/18/16 First Steps

Woodbridge NOVA CC

Week of 7/25/16 Next Steps

Woodbridge NOVA CC

Week of 7/11 First Steps

Northern VA CC Manassas

Week of 7/25 Next Steps

Northern VA CC Manassas

Find out more information about Be a SheEO or register for one of their amazing camps today by visiting them at:

Website

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Summer Camp at Animated Child

BONUS! Use code PWCMOMS for a $60 off each full day summer camp!

Summer Reading 2016

Prince William Libraries has revamped Summer Reading again.  You may remember last year's program included various options for points that you logged online, but that system is totally gone, and this year there's a passport program.

The 2016 Summer Reading theme is "Stay Local, Read Global" and includes programs for children through adults.  There is a paper reading log available per parent requests to have something to turn into the schools, but it is not a program requirement. Starting June 1 you'll be able to sign up online for the program.

YOUNGER CHILDREN
Younger children will receive a paper passport, but you will still need to register them online. You will have to pick up the passport in the library you register with.  Every week, parents will be able to set a goal for their children, and then once a week the child can come in and tell the volunteers at the library how they met their goal and get a stamp.  Any child who collects five stamps on their passport will be able to choose a book to take home to keep.  There are no weekly coupons for everyone, but there will be chances to complete weekly challenges to possibly win a coupon or prize.  You might want to ask your child's teacher for input on realistic goals for how to divide up summer reading for your child.

MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
Older children will also be able to come in for weekly check-in entries.  At the end of the summer, those entries will win a special prize valued at $100 or more.  There will be two prizes per branch awarded. Students can receive extra entries by writing book reviews for use on the library website and Good Reads.

ADULTS
Adults can enter to win a $15 Target gift card per branch per week.

Summer Programs at the Academy of Russian Ballet 2016

Summer Bowling Options

The popular website "Kids Bowl Free" offers free games of bowling all summer long for your registered children.  There aren't any bowling centers near us that participate, but if you know the kids are going to be spending some time at Grammy's house or with the cousins, you can check to see if the bowling center near them is participating.

The AMF Summer Games program isn't completely free, but for just $4.95, kids ages 15 and under can bowl three games per day all summer long.  Add an adult summer games pass for $14.95 and you can bowl with your kids, too.  

For either program, make sure that you sign up online before summer begins and passes run out.

Summer Camp at Daytime Playtime 2016

This summer, Daytime Playtime is happy to offer some very unique camps for their students. They have a variety of camps for different age groups. They are offering half-day camps and full day camps. These camps are entertaining, informative and the children will have lots of fun.  Daytime Playtime camps are focused on engaging students to explore, discover, work in teams, imagine and experience in a fun and creative way so they won’t even notice they are learning new skills and facts!  

Daytime Playtime summer camps offer the most flexible schedule you will find in this area. You can choose how many days, what days, AM/PM session, in whichever weeks works for you. 

There is a registration fee of $25

Cost of Summer Camps at DTPT:

5 days a week am or pm sessions:  $185.00 a week.

3 days a week am or pm sessions:  $125.00 a week.

1 day a week/droop in session am or pm: $45.00 a day

Full day camps are available for 5 days a week:  $255.00 a week (Parent must provided Lunch)

Discounts: Daytime Playtime offers a 5% discount for any family enrolling two or more children as well as a 5% discount for enrolling a child for two or more camps. The discount will be applied to the second and consecutive camps.  Please note you must register for all camps at the same time to receive the discount.  No discounts will be giving if enrolling in multiples camps separately.

Referrals: If you refer a friend you will get a $25 credit in your account. 

Outside play: The children will be having outside activities everyday and water will be part of the fun, so please make sure they apply sunscreen before coming to the camp and always bring an extra set of clothes, bottle of water and a towel. All items need to be label with name and last name.

 Come join Daytime Playtime to have a great fun summertime!

Summer Camps!!!

Golf Camp at DPGolf Academy
Location: Bristow
Days: Monday-Friday throughout the Summer
Times: Select all day (9am-4pm), morning (9am-12pm) or afternoon (1pm-4pm)
Cost: $399 (full day), $210 (mornings), $199 (afternoons)
Ages: 6-12
Description: We use the highly successful U.S. Kids Golf teaching model in our Junior Golf Camps, providing young players with a structured, kid-friendly road map for having fun while learning to play golf. All of our Junior Golf Programs, including Summer Camps, offer 3 levels of learning.
Each level includes instruction and check points in five areas: Putting, Around the Green, Full Swing, Knowledge, and Scoring Your child’s progress is checked and evaluated in a relaxed and fun environment. Each child receives a U.S. Kids Golf Hat. Achievement pins are earned and added to their hat when a skill component is completed.
https://dpgolfacademy.com/broad-run-golf-lessons/junior-lessons/virginia-junior-golf-camps/

Camp at Daytime Playtime
Location: Haymarket
Days: Select 1-5 days all summer long
Times: Select half (AM or PM) or full day camps
Cost: Ranges from $45 (one day drop in) to $255 (all day all week)
Ages: 3 to 5 years
Description: Each week will include a fun theme like "Blooming a Garden" or "Fun with Dr. Suess" or "Children's Book Club".  Parents may select the number of days and whether they would like AM, PM, or all day camp for their child.
http://www.daytimeplaytime.com/summercamp.html

Camp at Showcase Dance Studio (Younger kids)
Location: Manassas
Days: 1 Day Mix and Match Classes July 11-August 3
Times: Vary by class
Cost: $10 per class or bundle 12 for $110
Ages: 4 and up
Description: Pick from fun, themed, half hour classes including Pom Pom, Hoppin to the Beat, Tappin Beach Party, Be My Ballerina and Jazzy Jungle
http://www.showcasedancestudio.net/

Camp at Showcase Dance Studio (Older Kids)
Location: Manassas
Days: Select the days/intensives that work for you
Times: Vary by class
Cost: Vary by class
Ages: 7 and up
Description: Pick from jazz intensives, master classes, stay strong classes, and more to keep your dancer in tip-top shape this summer
http://www.showcasedancestudio.net/

Music Camp at Bach to Rock
Location: Bristow
Days: Mon-Fri throughout June, July, and August

Times: 9am-5pm
Cost: Prices range from $80-$400 depending on full/half day and number of days camp is
Ages:4 and up

Description: Become a rock star for the week at one of our spring break music camps here at Bach to Rock in Bristow. Choose between Glee (Vocal), Rock Band (Instrumental), or Recording arts camps! Students will be split into groups and instructed on how to sing/play the instrument of their choosing. They will come together to create a band name, design t-shirts, and record a cd together in our state-of-the-art studio. The bands will come together to put on a special performance at the end of the week! Choose half day or full day options! Read more about pricing and details / Enroll online at https://bristow.b2rmusic.com/ .

Golf Camp at General's Ridge
Location: Manassas
Days: Monday-Friday June 27-July 1 OR July 18-22 OR August 15-19
Times: Choose Full or Half Day (9am-12pm or 9am-4pm includes lunch)
Cost: $149 (half) or $249 (full)
Ages: 6-17
Description: http://www.generalsridge.com/store

Camps at Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center
Location: Manassas
Days: Monday-Friday throughout June, July, and August
Times: Choose full or half day camp options starting as early as 6:30am
Cost: Prices range based on selected camp and length
Ages:5.5-15 years old
Description

Visit http://www.freedom-center.com/camps/summer-camps/ to register or for more details.

Edgemoor Art Studio Camps
Location: Lake Ridge
Days: Monday-Friday throughout the summer (choose your week)
Times: Ages 3-6 from 9am-12pm, ages 7 and up from 1pm-4pm
Cost: $195 including all materials and a snack
Ages: ages 3 and up
Description: http://www.edgemoorartstudio.com/CAMPS.html

Adventure Links at Hemlock Overlook
Location: Clifton, VA with Pick-Up Locations in Manassas, Gainesville, Centreville and many more.
Days: Monday-Friday for Day and Residential Camp, Sunday-Saturday for Expeditions
Times: 8AM to 5PM
Cost: $495-$1995
Ages: 7-17
Description: Adventure Links at Hemlock Overlook has been providing summer camps in Northern Virginia since 1997. We offer adventure-based day camps, residential camps and traveling expeditions for rising 2nd - 12th graders. Our activities include canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, caving, outdoor living skills, sailing, mountain biking, and many others. Our summer camps focus on challenging campers, creating lifelong bonds, and playing with purpose.

Check out our camp schedule and website! For more information, contact us at summer@adventurelinks.net or (571)281-3556.  

Chip Rohr Soccer Camp

Location: Linton Hall School campus, Bristow, VA

Days: Mon-Fri, July 18-22, July25-29, Aug. 1-5, Aug 8-12

Times: 9 AM-4 PM

Cost: $195 per child per week. Discounts for multiple children or multiple weeks

Ages: 6-13

Description: Soccer fun for kids! A Day Soccer Camp for boys and girls with emphasis on kids having fun through age-appropriate soccer activities and games. A day at camp includes morning skill & tactical activities, lunch break, daily swim period, soccer videos, indoor and outdoor small-sided games, popsicle break!   www.chiprohrsoccer.com