Editor's Note: It's never a good edition of the magazine when I have to say goodbye to a Contributor. Maybe it's residual attachment issues but I truly hate when things end. Such is the case with Family Adventures Columnist Wendy Middleton.
When I aged out, I bounced around until my best friend's mother, Wendy Middleton, forced me to sit on her couch for a talk. That talk would change my direction. Wendy and her husband Jim asked..told me?...I was to stay with them. I was hesitant but I trusted them, they seemed like genuine people.
At the time, I was expelled from school. After the first night in their home I was asked...told...that I was headed to an education center to get my GED. A few days later I was informed that I would be attending college. I had never even considered college. Wasn't on my radar. I had no plan. No direction. If not for the Middletons there would be NO Foster Focus. When I finally started Foster Focus nearly a decade later one of my first moves was signing Wendy on to write the Family Adventures section. For me, it doesn't seem worth all the work I put in if I can't include the people that helped me get to this point.
It is with a heavy heart that I announce Mrs. Middleton's health will no longer permit her to write the Family Adventures section. I am forever grateful to Wendy and her family for the kindness they have shown. I wish Wendy a healthy recovery aided by the rest she needs.
I am pleased to announce that the section will continue under the pen of Karla Marie Williams who you will learn more about over the next few years.
To send Mrs. Middleton off in style, please enjoy her very first submission to Foster Focus.
What to do?
First of all, there are many fun and free things everywhere. All you have to do is go to the local park. Bring a book, munchies and let the kids run free!! Thanks to all of the new, modern playgrounds, there is high-quality fun available just around most corners. I live in rural Pennsylvania and can get to five great community parks in 15 minutes!
However, if you want to exercise the kid’s minds as well as bodies have a look at my list of free museums and zoos. These are from all over the country and are just the ones I found during some quick research. All of the pages have links to additional educational and fun things to share with the kids. Many communities have inexpensive trips and tours available that can be a lot more fun than you may imagine!
Just watching them get thrilled by seeing things that they never imagined can be great fun! The list is arranged in geographical order, from Northeast to Southwest.
Museums
www.theinsider.com/Boston/Save/FreeMus.htm
Boston has fantastic Art and History Museums to share for free and very low admission prices.
www.ny.com/museums/free.html
This is a list of free museums in the city of New York. There are an astonishing number! It might be worth a trip into the city and spend the night so you can take advantage of several of these wonderful opportunities.
wftv.com/recreation/guides/attractions/free_museums.html
With over a dozen free museums, Central Florida is a great place to exercise the mind and body!
www.dennisobrien.net/chicago/museums.html
Chicago’s entry in the list has a great selection of free stuff for the Midwest.
seattlepi.nwsource.com/visitorsguide/entry.asp?ID=51
The Great Northwest has wonderful things to experience! The jail museum can make a real impression on older children.
losangeles.citysearch.com
Another great list of fun stuff on the West Coast. Little museums can be great because you can do several in a day!
losangeles.parenthood.com
Not just a list of free museums! This site has parenting advice and resources.
Zoos
www.greatkris.com/pagevirtualzoo.shtml
A free zoo that you can visit on your computer! This Virtual zoo is a great place to share photos you have taken at the other free zoos. A great zoo for the severely physically disabled child.
www.fieldtrip.com/nj/94553230.htm
A free New Jersey zoo that is a favorite for school field trips!
www.volunteersolutions.org/uwdc/org/220844.html
Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the Henry Vilas Zoo is a great free resource. The information for this zoo at the bottom of the informational page.
www.racinezoo.org
The Racine Wisconsin Zoo is a great free zoo with animal “encounters” and all the great stuff you expect at a zoo!
www.lpzoo.com/index_2.html
The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is a beautiful place to spend the day. Pair this visit with the free Chicago museums and have a whole weekend of fun!
www.stlzoo.org
While admission to the St. Louis Zoo is free, some attractions like the petting zoo have small fees.
Meet the new voice of Family Adventures!
Karla Marie Williams is a national radio personality, speaker and writer. She has interviewed and partnered with some of the most influential pioneers in adoption, foster and orphan care. As a member of the Bethany Christian Services Board, Karla passionately and candidly shares her personal and professional experience on adoption and foster care. Karla is author of a monthly column in Foster Focus Magazine and part of the blogging team for I Corinthians 13 Parenting.She trains and encourages parents to raise confident and well-adjusted children through adoption. Karla and Tom were nominees as Family of the Year 2013 for MARE (Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange). They are proud parents of 6 great kids via adoption and live in Grand Rapids, MI.
Owner/Editor - Chris Chmielewski