It's been a long winter, eh? Ready to get the kids out and about again? We know. And we've got ideas. We've got trails, we've got shoes, we've got a super list of Western North Carolina summer camps — camps we bet are some of the best anywhere. These days, it's not just adults who … Read more
Public-school lunch programs have come a long way from mystery meat and green gelatin squares. In the 21st century, students have more choices, and fresh fruits and vegetables are de rigueur. Keeping the students fed: Workers in the Asheville High School cafeteria. More and more, school-lunch programs offer healthier alternatives. But will the kids eat … Read more
Western North Carolina's wild byways offer unsurpassed opportunities for family treks — a chance to expand relationships with one another and the environment, with no admission fee required. Follow the trail: Riley Parker, 4, of Weaverville, at Mile Marker 384 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, guiding a family hike using his hide-and-seek brochure. The brochures … Read more
Now that we've been sprung from our seemingly endless winter, it's somehow easier to focus on fitness — both physical and mental — when we don't have to try so hard just to stay warm. The same goes for our kids — who, in their off time, can use a bit of inspiration to keep … Read more
1. Keen Newport H2 Sandal in Moonlight Mauve The budding naturalist and the blossoming fashionista need not part ways when it comes to these hiking sandals, available in a rich bouquet of spring hues. Or maybe she's a tomboy and would rather be skipping rocks than selecting shoes. In any case, parents are sure to … Read more
Western North Carolina's abundant summer camps are keeping up with the techie times. Some offer up-to-the-minute instruction in rocketry, robotics, Web design and music production, among other lucrative subjects. But an even stronger trend cresting the ranks of day and overnight programs is the summer adventure camp that emphasizes fresh-air fitness — and takes natural … Read more
