My husband’s affair: How I’m doing seven years later

In 2018, I turned 40. For my birthday, I hiked myself to the top of Courthouse Peak. I paddled Silver Jack Reservoir. I took myself out to dinner and then I camped in my truck near Yankee Boy Basin. The next day, I joined several friends for an adventurous hike to the Opus Hut. We ended up lost, scrambled down a scree slope and collapsed at the hut with wine and birthday celebrations.

I just knew that 40 was going to be freaking fantastic.

I am now on the cusp of turning 43. I can attest that every year of my 40s, not just the first one, has been freaking fantastic. My 40s have been full of adventure and career changes and leaps of faith. Mostly though, as cheesy as this sounds, my 40s have been full of gratitude.

From 2014, when I discovered my husband’s affair until 2017, when I finally met the other woman, there were a lot of tears. There were many, many days spent hiding deep in the covers of my bed. For a year or so, I felt like I had fallen into a desperate, bottomless hole and there was no way out. I spent hundreds of hours sobbing and screaming in therapy, searching for some kind of rational explanation for why my husband hated me so much that he lied to everyone about so many things.

It turned out, there was no rational explanation. It just was.

I did not wake up one day and think to myself, “oh hey self. I have news for you today. Not everything that happens to you happens for a reason.” Instead, it took an obscene amount of crying, some really terrible depression and anxiety, and an incredible amount of support from my therapist and my friends and family for me to come to a slow and gradual acceptance that sometimes you just get dealt a really shitty and exceptionally painful hand.

In my 40s, things began to shift. I was grateful to survive. I was grateful to leave a toxic partner behind. I was grateful to regain my sense of self and to find parts of myself that I had forgotten existed. In the past three years, I started my own company. I reveled in sleeping alone in my own king-sized bed. I planned and executed a lot of adventures, some solo. I dated several men, most of whom were emotionally needy and/or broke.

At some point, after dating one too many men who weren’t right for me, I sat down and made a list of qualities I wanted in a future partner. I wrote down obvious things such as “financially stable” (surprisingly difficult to find in over-40 single men in mountain towns) but also small things like “avid mountain biker but not super competitive” and “kisses me on the back of my neck.” At the bottom of the list, I wrote, Not required but nice to have: “a six-pack” because hey. That seemed like a nice idea.

The list served to guide my dating life but it also served as a reminder to myself: I am just as happy alone as I can be with someone else. If I do let someone else in my life, I can hold on to my values and my sense of self. I can still take my solo trips and insist on spending hours in my king-sized bed watching Netflix. I can take myself out to dinner or say nope, I’m not doing that today because I’m busy riding my bike.

And I can feel good about all of that.

In 2020, I met someone who checked all of the boxes on my list. As I write this piece, he is moving into my house, along with his 3 children. I have 2 of my own so we now have 5. FIVE children. Back in 2014, I would never have seen this one coming.

Back in 2014, I didn’t see a lot of things coming. Now, I feel grateful that all of those things DID come. They were expensive and heart-breaking but those events were incredibly effective teachers. My wise friend, Carlie, told me that nothing is a waste of time if you can evolve from it.

In seven years, I discovered that I thrive on my own, that we accept the love we deserve and that damn. There is so freaking much to be grateful for.

Eryn lives in Carbondale, Colorado with her partner and their combined 5 kids. When she’s not staring at a computer for job as a Customer Success Specialist, you can find her skiing, mountain biking, and rafting, both with kids and without. You can find her on Instagram @bonedalebetty.

Mother’s Day in Denver: The Best Gifts and Events for Denver Moms

Mother’s Day in Denver is almost here! While Mother’s Day events have not yet returned to normal, we certainly have more options than last year and Mom is a reason to celebrate.

Kick off the day with a fragrant bouquet of freshly cut, elegantly arranged flowers. Colorado’s largest flower business, Lehrer’s Flowers, can help you find the perfect combination for your mom. Or order from Bouquets in Lower Downtown — they were named one of America’s top 10 florists by Bon Appetit Magazine.

If it takes a village to raise a child, why do we shame each other when we get help?

I have been mulling over this question for a while. In the age of social media, Colorado moms are expected to project a perfect facade or being able to do it all and these expectations leave many of us feeling guilty and overwhelmed.

If mom loves vino, get her a bottle of red, white or rose from one of Denver’s urban wineries, like Infinite Monkey Theorem , Carboy Winery or Bigsby’s Folly .

And of course, you can never go wrong with chocolate! Get her a sweet treat from Chocolate Lab , The Chocolate Therapist , Enstrom’s Candies , Temper Chocolates and Confections or Kilwins Chocolates & Ice Cream.

Here are some of our top picks for moms!

EVENTS

MOMS & MIMOSAS

WHEN: May 1, 2, 7, 8

WHERE: Outlets at Castle Rock

Join Colorado’s largest open-air outlet center for a day that’s all about celebrating Mom! Join Mom in the fun, or give her a special day to enjoy with her pals! This social-distance-friendly event will take place in suite 515 at Outlets at Castle Rock (on the west side of 3rd Street between Hot Topic and Norrona).

MOTHER AND ME MOTHER’S DAY THEMED EVENTS

WHEN: May 1, 10-11 a.m.

WHERE: Kendra Scott, 175 N Fillmore St, Denver, CO 80206

Join Curious Jane and Kendra Scott (Cherry Creek Location) Saturday, May 1st at 10 am for a FREE Mother’s Day Themed Event. Start off with a 30-minute outdoor bodyweight cardio workout suitable for all levels and ages followed by a Mother’s Day-themed craft activity sponsored by Curious Jane. Parents are not required to join the workout but are invited to. After the workout, parents can shop while kids craft out. Curious Jane is a girls empowerment program for kids ages 5-11, all revolving around science + engineering + design.

MOTHER’S DAY CUPCAKES CLASS

WHEN: May 8, 2021, 12-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: My Make Studio

Join instructor Chayla Turner in celebration of all things MOM. Get to decorate beautiful cupcakes for mom or with mom in this adorable cupcake decorating class. Cupcakes are pre-baked and Chayla will walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to decorate. Great for all ages and all skill levels. Reservations required. My Make Studio is located in Edgewater Public Market so you can grab drinks and food to bring into My Make Studio or enjoy in the market before or after the class.

FRIDAY NIGHT BAZAAR

WHEN: May 7, 2021
WHERE: Friday Night BAZAAR
Grab mom for an evening of shopping, sipping and mingling in the RiNo Art District! The Friday Night BAZAAR features more than 40 local vendors, food trucks, craft beer and cocktails and live music. Entry is free and everyone is welcome!

PAINT YOUR MOM A MASTERPIECE

WHEN: Saturday, May 8, 10 to 11 a.m.

WHERE: Majestic View Nature Center

Let your little artist paint for you as an instructor leads this kids’, step-by-step tutorial to create an acrylic-on-canvas masterpiece. No experience is necessary. Register kids online as space is limited-no need to register parents. Dress for the weather and bring painting clothes!

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL

WHEN: May 7, 8 and 9

WHERE: Downtown Aquarium Denver

Show Mom you care and take her on an underwater dining adventure with the family! (Reservations Required)

SPRING HORSESHOE MARKET

WHEN: May 8, 2021

WHERE: 48th and Tennyson

Denver’s premier indie craft flea market! Modern handmade, vintage and antiques, art, food trucks and more. Theme: KNOTS Custom Wooden Creations. Combining two of Nature’s best elements of domestic hardwoods and semi-precious stones, KNOTS creates hip and stylish, culinary, functional, art pieces! Cutting boards, with inlaid stones, double as cheese boards and or serving platters.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

RED ROCKS PARK & AMPHITHEATRE

Carved from towering red rock monuments, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison is one of the world’s most renowned concert venues. The surrounding park has hiking trails that weave in, around and over the colorful red rocks.

FARMERS’ MARKETS

The Mile High City’s more than 20 farmers’ markets aren’t just about locally grown produce, delicious baked goods and prepared foods — though you’ll find those in abundance! Each market is a festive, weekly street fair, many with live entertainment and family-friendly activities.

DENVER ZOO

With over 3,500 animals on 84 gorgeous acres, Denver Zoo is an amazing experience year-round. Your donation helps to provide world-class care for the lions, giraffes and elephants, as well as other wild animals and wild places, from the Rockies to Mongolia.

DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS

One of the top five botanic gardens in the nation, Denver Botanic Gardens is an oasis in the city, offering year-round events, a children’s garden, lifelong-learning opportunities and research to preserve Colorado’s precious natural resources. Meanwhile, Chatfield Farms, located in nearby Littleton, takes pride in its exemplary nature preserve and gardens. Located on 750 acres, this picturesque site includes display gardens and a historical farm with a rustic barn.

DENVER’S CITY PARKS

No matter where you find yourself in The Mile High City, you’re likely only a few steps away from a lush and relaxing green space. Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to explore Denver’s more than 5,000 acres of traditional parks and parkways, as well as an additional 14,000 acres of spectacular mountain parks in neighboring counties that are maintained by the City and County of Denver.

DENVER STREET ART

Denver street artists have been busy brightening (and enlightening) the urban landscape for decades by making canvases of the city’s alleyways, building exteriors, warehouses, garage doors and storefronts. Grab your camera and take a stroll past some of the city’s favorite murals.

MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS

BRANTLEY GILBERT

WHEN: May 7–8, 2021
WHERE: Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Is mom a country music fan? If so, she’ll love seeing country crooner Brantley Gilbert live at Red Rocks.

DISCO BISCUITS

WHEN: May 7–8, 2021
WHERE: AEG Presents – The Mission Ballroom
The Disco Biscuits are the trailblazers of “trance-fusion,” bridging the gap between electronic music and jam bands.

RAC

WHEN: May 8, 2021
WHERE: The Bluebird Theater
Join RAC and Hotel Garuda for BOY TOUR 2020 at The Bluebird.

THE GARDEN

WHEN: Apr. 22–May 9, 2021
WHERE: Wonderbound
With a soundtrack of 40s, 50s and 60s pop, Artistic Director Garrett Ammon’s newest creation takes us behind the garden wall, to a place of love, betrayal, passion and deceit. Snacks and beverages included with the price of admission!

DISTORTIONS MONSTER WORLD

WHEN: Thru July 31, 2021
WHERE: Denver Pavilions
Ready to get up close and personal with the things that go bump in the night? Come to Distortions Monster World (if you dare), where surprises will greet you around every corner on an out-of-this-world interactive adventure. This series of cinematic environments featuring immersive installations and infamous creatures and characters will truly transport you to another place!

LATE NIGHT STAND-UP

WHEN: Thru Dec. 25, 2021
WHERE: Colorado Sake Co.
The Denver Comedy Lounge features the best local and national comedians! Shows are indoors in the back of Colorado Sake Co. Enjoy full-service dining from Denver Sushi House and Colorado Sake!

ART & MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

TRANSLUCENT REALITY

WHEN: Thru May 8, 2021
WHERE: Walker Fine Art
The artists in this exhibition are striving for a sense of enlightenment by shining through the veil of translucent reality — where reality and fantasy overlap — to express their truths and mysteries. The featured artists in this exhibition utilize traditional and alternative photographic methods, in conjunction with Denver’s famous Month of Photography.

CROSS CURRENTS

WHEN: Apr. 15–May 15, 2021
WHERE: SYNC Gallery
In this series, fine artist Phyllis Rider has worked with colored inks on rice paper, allowing her to incorporate a vivid range of colors, vibrant washes and gestural lines and to combine them with images from stone stamps of her own design. Each piece is mounted on printmaking paper and run through an etching press to stabilize the delicate rice paper.

DREAMS IN BLOOM: PHOTOS BY FARES MICUE

WHEN: Thru May 16, 2021
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Photographer Fares Micue creates dreamlike self-portraits that integrate natural and surprising objects in vibrant hues. Set against a dark, mysterious ground, her images document the hope and positivity of the human spirit. Micue’s first solo exhibition, Dreams in Bloom celebrates the individual beauty of the human form and the universal creative optimism within.

DEER: EILID

WHEN: May 7–23, 2021
WHERE: Core New Art Space
Julie Vaught explores the sacred meaning of the deer in this immersive exhibit featuring paintings and video art. In many cultures, the deer is a powerful symbol representing and mirroring the deeper spiritual aspects of our human lives.

PERSONAL LANDSCAPES

WHEN: May 7–23, 2021
WHERE: Core New Art Space
Using a variety of materials, including beads, thread, photo snapshots, maps, and cloth, Kathy Mitchell-Garton explores her unique perspective on the natural world and the built environment of her Colorado home. Recently, she has begun incorporating fabrics handed down from her grandmothers, which she has dyed with plants grown in her garden.

GREGG DEAL

WHEN: Thru May 27, 2021
WHERE: east window, Boulder
Gregg Deal (Pyramid Lake Paiute) is a provocative contemporary artist who challenges Western perceptions of Indigenous people, touching on issues of race, history, cultural erasure and stereotypes. Through his work — paintings, murals work, performance art, filmmaking and spoken word — Deal critically examines issues and tells stories of decolonization and appropriation that affect Indian Country.

DEBORAH DANCY | A FAINT LIGHT

WHEN: Thru May 27, 2021
WHERE: Robischon Gallery
This extensive, two-part solo exhibition explores the fragile and nuanced space between defined and suggested structures. Dancy’s unapologetically political Oblivion series consists of works on paper and altered period porcelain figurines.

APRON CHRONICLES

WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Apron Chronicles features photography, personal narratives and one-of-a-kind aprons. While the storytellers’ recollections were each prompted by an apron, they’re not about fabric. Sharing a depth of emotion and social complexity both intimately personal and universally relatable, the exhibit reminds us that we’re all in this together and even lets visitors add their own stories to the experience.

SHANTELL MARTIN: WORDS AND LINES

WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
London-born, New York-based contemporary artist Shantell Martin has collaborated with iconic brands and artists from Puma and Nike to Max Mara and Kendrick Lamar. This interactive multimedia installation features Martin’s signature black and white drawings that explore intersectionality, identity and play.

JOHN GIBSON, STEVE MURPHY & RICHARD CARTER

WHEN: Apr. 23–June 5, 2021
WHERE: William Havu Gallery
The William Havu Gallery presents a solo exhibition by renowned painter John Gibson. Presented concurrently in the main gallery will be select works by Texas sculptor Steve Murphy, and on the mezzanine will be Aspen-based painter Richard Carter’s Erratic Series.

ARTEMESIA PRESENTS: MEETING WITH THE GODDESS

WHEN: Apr. 23–June 19, 2021
WHERE: Artemesia Galerie
Who or what is the Goddess? This show asks the artists directly about their own intimate encounters with the divine feminine within themselves or throughout the world as we know it.

PARIS TO HOLLYWOOD: THE FASHION AND INFLUENCE OF VÉRONIQUE AND GREGORY PECK

WHEN: Thru July 18, 2021
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
A selection of haute couture, fashion sketches, photographs, film clips, family snapshots, and documents will be exhibited publicly for the first time, providing a unique look into the style of one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples.

RADIANT SEASON: PAINTINGS BY KEVIN SLOAN

WHEN: Thru July 11, 2021
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Sloan’s paintings elevate the often-overlooked plants, animals and discarded objects inhabiting the edges of the urban landscape: thistles, traffic cones, sparrows and the like.

ENDURING IMPRESSIONS: DEGAS, MONET, PISSARRO, AND THEIR PRINTMAKER GEORGE WILLIAM THORNLEY

WHEN: Thru July 18, 2021
WHERE: Longmont Museum
Impressionism is one of the most well-known movements in the history of art. This unique exhibit features original paintings, charcoal illustrations and prints by iconic impressionists like Claude Monet, Edgar Dega, and Camille Pissarro. All three painters produced copious amounts of stunning lithographs in collaboration with printmaker George William Thornley. This exhibition is among the first to examine these remarkable relationships and to showcase the works that emerged from this influential moment in time.

GREGG DEAL: PYRAMID LAKE PAIUTE

WHEN: Thru July 31, 2021
WHERE: History Colorado Center.
What does America mean to a person whose ancestors were insulted in its founding document? Gregg Deal of the Pyramid Lake Paiute leads an Indigenous exploration of what democracy means in Indian Country through his unique, dynamic works.

EARTH ILLUMINATED

WHEN: Thru December 31, 2021
WHERE: Denver Pavilions
Earth Illuminated is an immersive experience where the natural world and digital media merge to take you on an ethereal journey. Wander through a 13,000-square-foot space showcasing our planet’s beauty from air, land and sea. Explore a series of immersive environments and large-scale interactive art installations that change the way you experience art and nature.

COLORADO IN THE PRESENT TENSE: NARKITA GOLD, RICK GRIFFITH, NATHAN HALL, AND MAIA RUTH LEE

WHEN: Thru Aug. 22, 2021
WHERE: MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
This exhibition of site-specific responses, large-scale projects, photography, sculpture, sonic movements and works that may live beyond the four walls of a museum centers on how artists in Colorado are absorbing, responding to, grappling with and reimagining the upended world in which we presently find ourselves, from COVID-19 to Black Lives Matter, climate change and beyond.

KEITH HARING: GRACE HOUSE MURAL

WHEN: Thru Aug. 22, 2021
WHERE: MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
Recently excavated from its original site, this site-specific mural that Haring executed in 1983/84 for those living at Grace House, a Catholic youth center in Manhattan, now exists as a series of 13 panels and additional ephemera, including the original plaque, mailbox and two doors that Haring integrated into his design.

JAIME CARREJO: WAITING

WHEN: Thru Aug. 22, 2021
WHERE: MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
This new installation by the Denver-based artist explores the relationship between confinement and duration. Through a layering of Southwestern symbolism, mid-century desig, and objects from his own domestic space, Carrejo offers an environment reminiscent of an interior waiting room and exterior courtyard. These settings intend to prompt reflection on various physical and psychological barriers experienced during the pandemic as well as also pose the question of what will come after this extended period of waiting.

SALVADOR DALÍ: GARDENS OF THE MIND

WHEN: Apr. 10–Aug. 22, 2021
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Salvador Dalí: Gardens of the Mind features two rarely seen series of fanciful color lithographs of flowers and fruits on loan from The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mixing flora with the artist’s signature motifs, these works underscore Dalí’s ongoing infatuation with his native landscape of Catalonia and the intriguing images of his Surrealist works.

STONEHENGE: ANCIENT MYSTERIES AND MODERN DISCOVERIES

WHEN: Thru Sept. 6, 2021
WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
After centuries of speculation, experts are finally starting to understand the mysteries of Stonehenge, thanks to archaeological excavations and advances in scientific techniques. Explore where, when, why, and perhaps most intriguing, how Stonehenge was built.

ALL THE COSMOS A CANVAS

WHEN: Thru Sept. 15, 2021
WHERE: Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Drift deep into space and experience the majesty and wonder of our universe purely through images in this contemplative, aesthetic and introspective exhibition.

LOOKING FORWARD/LOOKING BACK

WHEN: Thru Sept. 19, 2021
WHERE: Molly Brown House Museum
Celebrate Historic Denver’s 50th anniversary! Looking Forward/Looking Back relives the early days as Historic Denver began restoring the home of the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown and the beginnings of the Molly Brown House Museum, which for the first time allowed the public to enter Brown’s Denver residence and learn about the mark she left on the world.

STORIES WE TELL: THE COLLECTION TWO WAYS

WHEN: Thru Oct. 10, 2021
WHERE: Clyfford Still Museum
This exhibition digs deep into the Clyfford Still Museum’s vaults to present the collection in two complementary but alternate ways as a means to understand how artworks and their meaning can change based upon curatorial strategy. It begins with a new chronological presentation in the first five galleries. In the remaining four rooms, the artworks are grouped into specific thematic categories regardless of their chronology.

THE CIVIL WAR MONUMENT “ON GUARD”

WHEN: Thru Oct. 15, 2021
WHERE: History Colorado Center
This monument stood in front of Colorado’s State Capitol until it was toppled in June 2020 during protests for Black lives. Installed in 1909 to memorialize Colorado’s role in the Civil War, the monument holds multiple meanings for viewers today: a tribute to those who’ve served and sacrificed in the nation’s armed forces, a reminder of atrocities committed against Indigenous peoples, a symbol of white supremacy and injustice, a casualty of destructive lawlessness, and more. Lonnie Bunch, the first African American and first historian to serve as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, said, “what you really want to do is use the statues as teachable moments. Some of these need to go. But others need to be taken into a park, into a museum, into a warehouse, and interpreted for people, because they’re part of our history.”

SHIKI DREAMS BY PRISMAJIC

WHEN: Apr. 17–Dec. 19, 2021
WHERE: Prismajic
Shiki Dreams is the latest immersive adventure from the creators of 2019’s smash hit Natura Obscura. The multi-sensory immersive experience leads guests on a fun and mystical journey of exploration and discovery that combines art and technology in beautiful and amazing ways.

FORTY YEARS ON THE ’FAX

WHEN: Thru Dec. 31, 2021
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Take a nostalgic ride down Colfax, with stops at the quirky and memorable places that gave the street its worldwide reputation.

BLACK IN DENVER

WHEN: Thru Mar. 5, 2022
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Narkita Gold is a Denver-based artist who’s been honing her skills in digital photography since 2009. Her exhibition Black in Denver is a portrait and interview series that takes delves into Black life in Denver.

STATE HISTORICAL FUND RETROSPECTIVE

WHEN: Thru Apr. 30, 2022
WHERE: History Colorado Center
This exhibit explores the rich contributions of History Colorado’s State Historical Fund. Through the preservation of the built environment, the SHF has enhanced vibrant communities across the state for more than three decades.

NIGHT LIGHTS DENVER

WHEN: Permanent Installation
WHERE: Daniels & Fisher Tower
Night Lights Denver features rotating content designed by local artists and the community and projected on the Arapahoe Street side of the Daniels & Fisher Tower every Thursday through Saturday evening.

VIRTUAL FUN

‘STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS’

WHEN: May 7, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Watch totally kooky people doing absolutely nutty things live online!

‘TANTALUS: BEHIND THE MASK’

WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Twenty years ago, the DCPA Theatre Company and Royal Shakespeare Company embarked upon the most ambitious play ever attempted: “TANTALUS”. Now a part of theatrical history, you are invited to peer into the creation of this world premiere. Stream “TANTALUS: Behind the Mask”, a two-and-a-half-hour documentary that captured all the determination, drama and artistry that led to this highly acclaimed and unforgettable theatrical experience.

VIRTUAL STAGE — ACOUSTIC ON THE ROCKS: ‘VIVALDI’S THE FOUR SEASONS’

WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Your Colorado Symphony is thrilled to bring you “Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons,” recorded live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Whether you were one of the lucky few able to experience this concert in person or seeing it for the first time, this is an astounding virtual performance you’ll return to again and again.

VIRTUAL STAGE — WAGNER: ‘THE RING WITHOUT WORDS’

WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Richard Wagner’s “The Ring of the Nibelung” notoriously takes days to perform in its entirety. But a unique treatment created by conductor and composer Lorin Maazel distills the work into a form that is moving and enjoyable in just one sitting! Relive this breathtaking 2018 performance from your Colorado Symphony.

VIRTUAL CINEMA

WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Since 1978, Denver Film has worked to promote film as both an art form and a civic forum. As the only nonprofit theater in Colorado, we’re dedicated to engaging both our members and the general public in a lifelong relationship with film. Now, Denver Film is bringing the cinema experience directly into your home with Virtual Cinema.

BRAIN BREAKS

WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
These short, interactive sessions from Opera Colorado are designed to get you up and moving, learning about music and the arts. Available as a series of ten short episodes, Brain Breaks will spark creative thinking and set the tone for the rest of your day.

STORYTIME SESSIONS

WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Step inside Bravo Books, where stories come to life. You’ll meet the Finley brothers, the owners of the bookstore. They know just how magical a story can be and share that knowledge with anyone who may drop in. Each character pulls you into the pages of some of the most beloved tales and tunes from opera, musical theatre and more. Enjoy two different stories from Opera Colorado, each running at approximately 30 minutes in length.

ARIAS & ENSEMBLES

WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
This series of concerts are led by an emcee and conducted virtually for the safety of the audience and performers. In Arias & Ensembles, selections are performed as they would be on stage, but without the use of sets and costumes, creating an intimate and engaging at-home experience. Featuring the Opera Colorado Artists in Residence, these delightful, 30-minute programs include arias and ensemble pieces from opera, musical theatre and more.

2ND STORY TOUR OF LOUIS DUPUY’S HOTEL DE PARIS

WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Explore the luxurious accommodations that attracted celebrities, politicians, railroad men, commercial travelers, lady tourists and entertainers to Colorado’s most famous mining camp on this free virtual tour. Hotel de Paris Museum, a Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is owned and operated by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Colorado. You can also take a tour of the Cellar.

TINY TOTS – EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS

WHEN: Thru July 1, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Your kiddos will delight in the Tiny Tots virtual performances, musical online games and activity books for screen-free fun. They’ll sing, dance and imagine along with the music performed by instruments of the orchestra and special guest artists.

BINH DAHN: C.A.R.S ONLINE

WHEN: Thru Aug. 25, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
The artist-curated C.A.R.S. Online series features past participants in the long-running Critic & Artist Residency Series at Colorado State University. In this virtual exhibition, Binh Danh investigates his Vietnamese heritage and our collective memory of war. His technique incorporates his invention of the chlorophyll printing process, in which photographic images appear embedded in leaves through the action of photosynthesis.

JESS T. DUGAN: C.A.R.S ONLINE

WHEN: Thru Sept. 30, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
The artist-curated C.A.R.S. Online series features past participants in the long-running Critic & Artist Residency Series at Colorado State University. In this virtual exhibition, Jess T. Dugan explores issues of identity through photographic portraiture.

CMC PRESENTS: BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR

WHEN: Thru Oct. 24, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Get stoked for the 2021 presentation of the most outrageous, adventure-packed films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Follow along as some of the world’s best adventurers and filmmakers hike tough trails, paddle wild waters and ski steep slopes.

‘UNTIL THE FLOOD’

WHEN: Thru Apr. 6, 2023
WHERE: Virtual/Online
After the death of Michael Brown, The Ferguson Unrest shook the nation to its core and put a spotlight on police brutality and discrimination. Using extensive interviews she conducted herself, Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Dael Orlandersmith created eight fictional characters to represent the broad spectrum of perspectives that continue to define and divide our country at large.

FITNESS & PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

DENVER NUGGETS V. BROOKLYN NETS

WHEN: May 8, 2021
WHERE: Ball Arena
The Denver Nuggets battle it out against the Brooklyn Nets at Denver’s Ball Arena.

COLORADO RAPIDS V. MINNESOTA UNITED FC

WHEN: May 8, 2021
WHERE: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Is mom a soccer fan? If so, grab tickets to cheer on the Colorado Rapids as they take on Minnesota United FC.

DENVER FIGHT FOR AIR CLIMB

WHEN: May 8, 2021
WHERE: Coors Field – Home of the Colorado Rockies
Join the fight for healthy lungs and clean air during the annual Denver Fight for Air Climb! Head to Coors Field for the shared challenge, the camaraderie and a world free of lung disease.

THE COLORADO WOMEN’S CLASSIC 10 MILER & 5K/10K

WHEN: May 9, 2021
WHERE: Westminster Promenade Terrace
The Colorado Women’s Classic is the perfect way to celebrate women everywhere — including mom!

-Visit Denver

Free kindergarten prep for Colorado kids (and how to apply!)

The COVID-19 pandemic left many families without an early education option in the crucial months before they begin kindergarten. In order to ensure Colorado children are prepared for that first day of school this fall, Waterford.org is providing the Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path at no cost to families to keep kids on track over the summer. This program seeks to support the students and families who have been affected by COVID-19 either through personal economic hardship or due to the indefinite closure of many PreK and Head Start options.

With the Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path, parents receive weekly calls from a personal coach. Additionally, notifications through Waterford’s app let them know what their child is learning and suggest ways to engage together offline. Children use Waterford Upstart’s personalized online program 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week during the condensed summer program. This allows students to achieve the number of program minutes necessary to be kindergarten ready and still falls well within the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) and World Health Organization’s recommendations of no more than one hour of screen time per day for four-year-old children. Laptops and internet access will also be provided at no cost to those families who need them.

This is the second year Waterford.org has provided the Summer Learning Path program to families across the country. Results show the program works! In the summer of 2020, more than 13,000 children across nine states registered for the Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path. Using the software five days a week over the course of 13 weeks, children achieved an average grade equivalence of “Kindergarten Advanced” level—which is where most children score at the end of their kindergarten year.

This year, the Waterford Upstart Summer Learning path will be available to 800 families across Colorado at no cost. To apply for this free program or to learn more, click here.

Our kids are not all right: What we should be doing EVERY DAY ‘to get in their way’

This is so so so important and I’ve had several devastating conversations with friends THIS week about how our kids are NOT OK. Now is not that time to check out and let them run rampant on their phones, video games and social media. Set limits. Turn in phones every night. CHECK THEIR PHONES. Don’t allow technology in their bedrooms. Know their passwords.

We do all these things and guess what? We still run into a lot of problems. One of my children has had their phone taken away for several weeks now. Kids need boundaries and limits…and consequences and love when they mess up. Because they will. We all do.

If we start checking out of their lives, someone else will check in…and guaranteed, they don’t have your child’s best interest. And if you’re struggling yourself? It takes a village and reach out for help. Our kids need us now more than ever.

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Warning: Public Education Rant to Parents

Parents. I am an assistant principal in a middle school (grades 6-8). My number one job is to create and sustain a school environment where both students and teachers feel safe (physically, emotionally, and mentally) to teach, learn, innovate, and socialize. I take my job very seriously, as do my colleagues, and we work very hard to grow in our capacity to do our job on a daily basis.

I can’t begin to describe how much time I spend every day dealing with issues that stem from unsupervised cell phone usage by our students. In situations where I have to search a student’s cell phone I often get sick to my stomach at what I find (highly inappropriate photos, videos, messages, social media usage, etc). The things our students are willing to try and be a part of at such a young age gets worse and worse every year.

When I call parents to inform them of what is going on I always ask them how often they search their kids phones. The shock gets even worse when 90% of them say hardly ever or never. And then they get upset at me, accuse me of lying to them about their kids’ roles in certain situations, or expect me to somehow fix the situation.

Parents. It is your number one job as a parent to get in your kids’ way at all times. Kids do not deserve privacy. You own their devices, not them. You should be having the hard conversations with them about life, relationships, their bodies, their futures, etc. it is your responsibility to provide social and emotional support, help build coping skills, and monitor their activities. And stop actively working against schools and start working with us. We are not the enemy. We are trying to fulfill the role of both parent and educator in many situations and that is a very delicate and difficult line to walk.

Here are 3 tips for “getting in your child’s way.”

1. Eat dinner as a family every night and actually talk. No devices allowed. Current research suggests that parents only spend about 8 minutes a day in conversation with their kids. That’s unacceptable.

2. Check their devices EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. You need to learn how to navigate their world. Inform yourself on how to use certain apps. Keep up with what apps are the most downloaded in the App Store. Make your kid show you their content and conversations and explain to you what is going on. Then give them advice. MAKE CONTENT WITH THEM and be part of their online presence.

3. Create opportunities for them to have experiences. Take them to do new things. See new things. Learn new things. This not only strengthens their brain development, emotional development, and builds resiliency in kids but it also strengthens your relationship with them.

And finally, do not let them take their phones into their rooms, shut their doors, and disappear for hours. Nothing good ever happens on the internet behind closed doors. It is by far the most dangerous place our students go every day.

Please.

Help us with this.

By Chris Cochran

Deals: Dance camp discount, Royal Gorge local’s deal and more

I am excited about weekends that are getting full of fun and social things. Last weekend, I had fun-filled weekend lunch with my sister, dinner with another friend, and hikes. This coming weekend I have a cousin’s wedding shower and a half-day excursion on a Jeep Tour at the Royal Gorge! I’ll tell you more about it after I go – but, I’m really looking forward to more of these great fun-filled weekends! Yay to summer.

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is offering half-price General Admission Annual Passes to residents of Colorado, April 1-30. The passes are good for one year from the date of purchase with unlimited visits and can be purchased online or at the park using Promo Code HFCOSP21. At these discounted prices, a family and child pass pays for itself in just one visit and an adult pass in two visits. royalgorgebridge.com

Big Blue Swim School. Get 50% off of Swim Lessons! Big Blue Swim School opens its first Denver-area pool in Centennial in May. Located at the Smoky Hill Town Center, Big Blue offers year-round swim lessons to children ages six months to 12 years of age through a proprietary distance-based curriculum. From now until opening day in May, families receive 50% off the first four lessons, and then a discounted rate on weekly lessons for six months after that. Go here for details.

Camp Telaphiba is an overnight summer dance camp in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado welcoming girls and boys ages 10-18 of all dance levels! During a week- long session at camp, campers participate in 4-6 dance classes per day in all different styles, intermixed with FUN outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, campfire with s’mores and more! Get $40 off until April 30th! Enter your info here to get the discount code: https://mailchi.mp/308a7e36144a/promo

Denver Restaurant Week. Experience cuisine from the best chefs in town during Denver Restaurant Week, now through May 2. Top restaurants offer multi-course meals for one of three tasty prices — $25, $35 or $45 per person — at eateries throughout the city, many with expanded patios. I do suggest you go peruse some of the menus, but I warn you not to do it when you’re hungry! That dinner I said I went to with a friend this last weekend – we tried one of these restaurant deals and it was a delicious three-course experience!

Denver Botanic Gardens Plant Sale. This year’s sale will be online April 26-29. Then you will pick up your plants via curbside pick up May 6-9. The Garden in a Bag offering has expanded this year (thanks to popularity last year), the curated mix takes the guesswork out of garden planning (and they help with care instructions too)!

Outlets at Castle Rock Moms and Mimosas. On May 1, 2, 7 and 8, shoppers can treat moms to a well-deserved day of fun and relaxation at Outlets at Castle Rock’s returning “Moms and Mimosas.” With the purchase of a $15 ticket, attendees will receive a $10 gift card to shop, a mimosa or bar beverage (must be 21 and older; additional beverages included for a charitable donation), access to a private lounge, a goodie bag, exclusive shopping coupons, giveaway entries and more. Up to $15 will also benefit the day’s selected non-profit organization, such as Healing Warriors Program, Special Olympics Colorado and 4 Paws 4 Life. Space is limited and registration for 30-minute check-in time slots is open at www.outletsatcastlerock.com/events.

FTD Early Mother’s Day. Do you send flowers to mom for Mother’s Day? If so, maybe you can think out sending them to her early this year (so she can enjoy them before her day, and get up to 30% off at FTD Early Mother’s Day Sale.

Elitch Gardens Will Open! Exciting news for thrill-seekers – Elitch Gardens has gotten approval to open this summer. The capacity will be limited to 3200 per day (about 18% capacity) and some covid protocols (yes, that means face-masks). The park will open to pass holders on April 24 so hurry – now passes are WAY on sale for a limited time (normally $179.99 now only $69.99) Kids 2 and under are free.

Free Magazine Subscription. I have to admit that I love sitting outside on my deck flipping through a magazine. And even better when they come to me in the mail! I don’t often pay for my magazines. I get them through a website called RewardSurvey.com. Answer a few questions to get reward dollars which can be redeemed for free magazine subscriptions.

Krispy Kreme offers Free Donuts to Vaccinated. Any day through the rest of the year, show your vaccination card for Covid 19 and get a FREE Original Glazed Doughnut. They have a few other offers going on – Be Sweet Weekends offers a dozen donuts for just $1 when you purchase any full-priced dozen. And Every Monday through May 24, start your week with a free donut and medium coffee.

Free Days. Free days are back at some of the best museums in town. Check our list and mark your calendar.

Denver Hikes the Whole Family Will Love

My guidebook, Hiking with Kids Colorado, comes out next month, featuring 52 of the state’s best hikes for families. That’s one hike for every week of the year, and yes, I completed all of the hikes with my own children over the course of a year. (Scroll down to enter to win a copy!)

I’d like to say we enjoyed every moment of every hike, but the truth is, there were plenty of times I wished I’d pitched a series on hiking alone with a six-pack of Raspberry Sours!

My kids complain about everything, including hiking. Despite the complaints, we trekked on, and the real payoff came just a few weeks ago, on a lazy Saturday morning, when my oldest son crept out of bed, found me at my “standing desk” in the kitchen, and asked, “Hey, Mom? Can we go hiking today?”

Here’s the beautiful thing: The more you hike with your kids, the easier it gets to hike with your kids. I’m sharing a few of my favorite hiking routes in this blog post, giving you a sneak peek of what you’ll find in my new book. For these specific hikes, all you’ll need is water, snacks, SPF, and a sense of adventure.

Family Hikes Near Denver

The Braille Trail Loop (Genesee)

Distance: 1.65-mile lollipop

Hiking time: 1–2 hours

Finding the trailhead: I-70 bisects Genesee Mountain Park. Take exit 253—bypassing the Genesee Park exit (254) if you’re coming from Denver—and drive north to Stapleton and Moss Rock roads. Turn right onto Stapleton Road. Follow it for about 0.5 mile to a parking lot, on the left.

There’s a lot to love about Genesee Mountain Park, especially the Braille Trail, a short route that’s perfect for beginner hikers. Kick things off at the Bison Overlook (across from the trailhead). In 1914, when bison and elk neared extinction, Denver acquired herds at Yellowstone Park to introduce into the city’s very first mountain park.

The hike begins near the outhouse, at Beaver Brook Trailhead. We’ll reach the Braille Trail via the historic Beaver Brook Trail, bordered by wild lupine and Queen Anne’s lace. Begin walking slightly downhill. Make a sharp right at the intersection at 0.4 mile, and descend to a service road.

After crossing the road, you’ll come to a Braille Trail sign and guideline. The Braille Trail is an accessible route designed for hikers with vision impairments. In addition to the waist-high guideline, the trail’s interpretive signs are written in Braille.

This incredible trail slopes downhill alongside a babbling creek. Be mindful of rocks and roots during the descent. After passing several barricades and following stairs to the creek bed, you’ll reach a cute wooden bridge and a fork. Go left at the fork to complete the Braille Trail Loop. Back at the beginning of the loop, turn right, cross the service road, and retrace your steps to the trailhead.

Pine View Trail (Pine)

Distance: 2.5-mile loop

Hiking time: 1.5–3 hours

Finding the trailhead: From Conifer, take US 285 south for 6.7 miles. At the Pine Junction County Store, turn left onto Pine Valley Road. Cell phone service is spotty. In 6 miles, turn right onto Crystal Lake Road; follow the signs to Pine Valley Ranch Park. Park in the third lot at the end of the road. The trailhead is near the outhouse.

Anchored by Pine Lake, Pine Valley Ranch Park is an 883-acre treasure with miles of secluded trails shaded by thick strands of conifers growing along the north edge of Pike National Forest. All the park’s trails are easy to follow, but Pine View is especially fun for families looking for a low-mileage hike with a backcountry feel.

After snapping a photo of your kids on the bridge (just past the parking lot), follow the wheelchair-access sign to merge onto the Pine Lake Loop. Stroll alongside the stream until the paved sidewalk becomes a dirt path.

Turn left at the staircase to begin a steep ascent up Park View Trail. Watch young kids closely on near the ledge. Switchbacks ease the final push toward the top then Park View Trail flattens out significantly.

The trail dips into Pike National Forest before ending at 1.1 miles. Bear right onto Strawberry Jack Trail to loop back to Pine Valley Ranch. It’s all downhill from here as the trail drops into a dense aspen grove.

Turn right onto Buck Gulch Trail. When you reach the junction at 2.15 miles, go either way around Pine Lake, a popular stop for anglers. If you have a pole, cast a line on one of the piers post-hike. A Colorado state fishing license is required. The beautiful stone pavilion overlooking the lake is an ideal place for a picnic.

Lookout Mountain Trail (Golden)

Distance: 3.5 miles out and back

Hiking time: 2–4 hours

Finding the trailhead: From Golden, at the intersection of 6th Avenue and 19th Street, drive west on 19th Street, which becomes Lookout Mountain Road. Wind up the National Scenic Byway for 3 miles, until reaching a pullout parking area labeled “Windy Saddle.” Park along the road if the pullout is full.

Through a dense ponderosa pine forest, past Buffalo Bill’s stone grave, and straight into a nature preserve, the hike up Lookout Mountain Trail strikes a balance between outdoor adventure and touristy fun.

Two trails depart from Windy Saddle Park. The one you’re looking for is near the outhouse. Shaded by thick forest, the first segment of Lookout Mountain Trail can be treacherous in early spring. Do not attempt this trail when there’s ice.

Look right for sweeping views of the park’s namesake saddle, and snap a photo before beginning a breezy ascent. This park definitely lives up to its name, with strong drafts blowing from the Continental Divide.

The soft dirt trail becomes rocky. At 0.85 mile, take a detour to Buffalo Bill’s famous gravesite. The site’s fee-based museum is touristy, but interesting, and the grave itself is free to view. To get there, follow the Buffalo Bill Trail to a stone staircase leading to a large parking lot. On the opposite end is a two-story gift shop. Buffalo Bill’s gravesite is past that. Follow the signs.

Back at the stone staircase, retrace your steps to the intersection of the Buffalo Bill and Lookout Mountain trails. Go left at the fork to push to the summit. When you reach Colorow Road, carefully cross the street, enter Lookout Mountain Nature Preserve, and walk across the parking lot to visit the nature center. Behind the nature center, a beautiful preserve features miles of hiker-only trails, open from 8 a.m. to dusk. Now all that’s left is an easy descent to the car.

If you like what you see, Hiking with Kids Colorado is available to purchase on falcon.com/books, and through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Books-A-Million.

-Jamie Siebrase

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. While clicking these links won’t cost you extra money, they help us keep this site up and running. See our disclosure policy.

Don’t Miss:

Denver’s Best Hikes for Families

The Best Urban Hikes in Denver

Where and how to go trail running in Colorado with kids

10 tips for hiking with babies

Family fun in Denver: 100+ activities

10 of Colorado’s most scenic waterfall hikes

Harriman Lake Park Trail: A stroller-friendly adventure in winter or summer

14 awesome waterfall hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Finding Family in a Far Away Land: An Adoption Story

One night at dinner my daughter looked up at me with her big brown eyes and said “Mommy, can you tell me how I was adopted again? You got on an airplane and flew all the way to India and then what happened?”

For adoptive parents, this conversation is all too familiar. I am a Denver mom of four, and much like all moms, I love retelling my adopted daughters about the day we met or my older children about the day they were born. The little details mean the most. My daughter Ari clung to my ponytail, smushed her little face against my cheek and wouldn’t let go. As mothers, those memories are fixated in our brain and we hold tight to them, but kids often forget those details. To preserve those precious moments, “Finding Family in a Far-Away Land” was born.

We adopted siblings, Priya and Ari from India when they were almost 5 and 3.5 respectively. Our older children, Conrad and Alexandra, 7 and 5 at the time also came to India. Adoption meant the completion of our family and we wanted to celebrate that moment in India. As a new family, we settled in and experienced that growth, but the biggest change was clearly for Priya and Ari.

Adults often encounter what we call “culture shock” traveling to an exotic part of the world. Imagine experiencing that nervousness and newness, but as a child and with a new family! The change can certainly be overwhelming, exciting or daunting. Most children in America have tasted ice cream, slept in a bed and splashed in a bathtub all before the age of 3. Those were brand new moments for our daughters. The first month home, Ari wanted to sleep on the floor and that was perfectly fine! She still to this day will only eat rice with her hands.

Some of the biggest changes for our girls were the cultural differences like our skin color, language, food, clothing, and mannerisms. As our daughters learned about our family’s culture, we also adopted their Indian heritage. “Finding Family in a Far-Away Land” is written from my daughter Priya’s perspective and in the story, she declares “Even though I left India it will forever be a part of me. No matter where I go, I will be a spicy-loving, bangle-wearing, Diwali-dancing Priya!” Teaching our children about their birth country India has bonded us in ways I never envisioned. Priya will forever be better at Bollywood dancing than me and can down food so spicy it will make you cry. I love that about her and am learning more every day!

My hope in writing “Finding Family in a Far-Away Land” is to empower children by sharing our story of adoption, multi-culture and diversity. Giving all children insight to what it might be like to be adopted or a part of an interracial, multicultural family is a great step in nurturing our children to be a generation of empathetic, kind, and aware adults.

Reading this story with my children has allowed opportunities for reflection, discussion and healing. I hope that it can provide those opportunities for other families too!

Amanda Wall is a Denver-based children’s author, illustrator, and mother of four. You can learn more about her book at Amandawall.org. It is available at all major retailers online.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. While clicking these links won’t cost you extra money, they help us keep this site up and running. See our disclosure policy.

Are you pregnant? Participate in this PAID pregnancy study!

Are you pregnant?

Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder are studying the pre-partum and post-partum employment experiences of women. Participants will receive $70 for completing 7 confidential, brief online surveys ($10 per survey) about their experiences at work over the course of their pregnancy, maternity leave, and return to work.

Participants must be fewer than 12 weeks pregnant and employed in the United States.

If you choose to participate, you will be invited to complete 7 online surveys over a period of approximately 18 months. The exact duration of your participation will depend on the length of your maternity leave, with the 7th and final survey completed 12 weeks after your anticipated return to work date. Each survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

This study will help us to understand the experiences of working women and in turn, provide expecting mothers with the knowledge and support they need to navigate the workplace while pregnant. If you chose to participate, your involvement will remain confidential.

If you are interested, please email doctoral research assistant, Liza Barnes, at [email protected] to get started.

Denver Dance Camp: How it all began at Camp Telaphiba (get 40% off!)

Hi! I’m Lisa Pevateaux, the founder of Camp Telaphiba. I grew up raised by a single father who didn’t know what extracurricular activities were so I found dancing very late in my childhood at age 15. BUT, when I found it…… I discovered I LOVED it and began dancing 4-5 hours every weekday and all day on Saturdays. Very quickly I got into the competitive scene and performances. Did I mention that I LOVE dance?

When I turned 17, I decided to go to an overnight dance camp. I was really excited about it and LOVED my experience but on Day 2, I received a phone call from my Dad telling me that I had to come home because my Grandfather had passed away. I was devastated. I was very close to him.

After all of those years of incredible dance experiences, the one that continues to stand out in my mind as the most positive was that time at camp. Beyond all of the classes, competitions, performances, and such…..camp is the standout!

I have owned and operated three dance studios in the last 18 years and just a few years into studio ownership, I always had that camp experience in the back of my mind.

In 2015, I realized it was time to fulfill my dream of opening a dance camp where children from all over the country and the world could create lifetime memories like I had when I went to camp. What was important to me was the “feeling” of camp. I wanted kids to have a baseline of AMAZING dance classes but I wanted them to feel “seen.” I wanted them to be INCLUDED in a COMMUNITY! I wanted to share MY ABSOLUTE LOVE OF DANCE and my beautiful Rocky Mountain backyard. I wanted dancers to get a break to breathe in open, fresh air but still be able to talk about being kids and also dance 🙂 I wanted to provide high-quality instruction but also wanted those instructors to be loving, nurturing, role models that kids could look up to and want to be like. I wanted kids to FEEL how much LOVE and ATTENTION goes into our programming for dance and all of our other activities. I wanted to have an IMPACT on the staff and the kids that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

I want camp to be innovative in every way to provide the most unique summer experience. I want kids to “feel” like I felt at camp.

As we head into 2021 camps in Copper Mountain, Colorado, we have impacted hundreds of dancers and staff and studio chaperones in a positive way. I have no doubt that we have provided an experience like no other and that our campers go home stronger than when they came. I also think they have gained a “place” in another community that is supportive and loving. I LOVE that campers can’t wait to come back year after year. I am honored to call Camp Telaphiba a summer HOME for kids away from HOME!!! I am dedicated to continuing to provide the VERY BEST that we can!!

Thank you for bringing my dream into reality every time you send your child to camp with us! I am forever grateful!

Deal

Get $40 off until April 30th! Enter your info here to get the discount code: https://mailchi.mp/308a7e36144a/promo. Learn more at camptelaphiba.com.

Win a Deluxe Birthday Party from Urban Air Denver East (a $299 value!)

**CONTEST CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO ANGIE W.!**

Mile High Mamas is giving away an Urban Air Denver East Deluxe Birthday Party Package (a $299 value) for one lucky kid!

Urban Air Denver East is not a trampoline park. It’s the perfect indoor destination for active family fun. Ideal for all ages, the 37,000 square foot full-service adventure park features next-level award-winning attractions, including the Spin Zone Bumper Cars, the fan-favorite high-tech Virtual Reality, and their signature Sky Rider, which gives you a birds-eye view of the theme park.

Equipped with 25 fun-filled attractions to explore, Urban Air Denver East even has a toddler-only area that caters to little ones. Plus, there are eight birthday party/special event rooms with wide-screen TVs, super relaxing massage chairs, plenty of lockers to store the kiddos’ things, and an Urban Café that serves food and beverages, including a variety of local coffee, beer and wine for adults.

Voted BEST gym in America for Kids by Shape Magazine, BEST Place to Take Energetic Kids and BEST Trampoline Parks, there’s truly something for everyone.

Let’s start with Urban Air Denver East’s Adventure Hub, which combines the exhilarating Sky Rider that lets you fly 30-feet above the crowds, ropes course, and a tube indoor playground where you can climb, crawl and slide your way through the massive playground. And, the Virtual Reality attraction is perfect for the technology-driven family member as they strap on a headset and fight robots and dragons in an alternative high-end universe.

Wait, there’s more to explore in the best indoor park. How high can you climb? The interactive unique climbing structure makes free climbing fun as children and adults are harnessed safely and can build muscles and hone technical skills while enjoying some cliffside fun! And, they’ve even got Spin Zone Bumper Cars, where you spin around and have fun playing hit and run in the bright cars.

Also, don’t forget about the Battle Beam. It tests your balance, strategy and strength as you try to knock down your opponent off the beam and into a pit of foam cushy blocks. Plus, there’s Wipeout, Dodgeball, Runway (Tumble Track), Drop Zone, Slam Dunk Zone, and next-level APEX trampolines!

Fearing you might get hungry? No problem because the plentiful snack bar has all the classics such as nachos, pretzels, specialty pizzas, Angus burgers, chicken tenders, loaded fries, chips, bottled water, sports drinks, soda, candy, and refreshing ICEEs and mini-melts ice cream.

And, if you’re seeking out an exciting camp experience for your kiddos this summer, Urban Air Denver East’s Camp Urbie is just the right fit. Featuring hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Arts and Mathematics) activities, Moms can sign up kids’ seven-years-old through eighth grade for half-or full-day weekly camps during the 10-week summer program (starts in June). Between jumping to new heights on trampolines and testing out their agility on a handful of other confidence-building attractions, kids will engage in curated STEAM education programs, all executed by Snapology-trained professionals. Registration is now open, spots are limited www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com/camp-urbiefeaturing-snapology.

More good-to-knows about Urban Air Denver East:

Memberships: Visit the park as much as you wish with a fraction of the price of a single visit when you purchase an Endless Play Membership. Insider tip: It’s the best value; starts at just $7.99/month; comes packed with $2,400 in savings.
Customer Service: The staff is great. As soon as you check-in they make sure you’re ready for your day of adventure.
The park is 5-star certified by the City of Denver as a local business that is responsible in maintaining high standards in keeping the park safe and going above and beyond in prioritizing the health and safety of their staff and guests.
They Won #1 “Guest-Satisfaction” out of all Urban Airparks within the U.S. (126) for January 2021.
Conveniently Located: 9550 East 40th Avenue Denver, CO 80238. Plenty of off-street, easy-to-find parking.
Open 7-days a week (see website UrbanAirDenverEast.com and Facebook page www.facebook.com/urbanairdenver for hours of operation and new and weekly promotions).

Win a Deluxe Birthday Party! (A $299 value):

Deluxe Birthday Party Packages are a great value for a one-of-a-kind kid’s birthday party experience. Let your kiddo and their friends explore the best indoor attractions in town for 2 hours while the Urban Air Denver East staff takes care of the rest. Available 7 days a week, all Birthday Party Packages come with a tablecloth, table runner, plates, forks, napkins, balloons and a bottle of water for each jumper. More information here www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com/locations/colorado/denver-east/kids-birthday-parties