Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: 4/09-4/11

Hello Smarties. Can you see through the green haze of our lovely city? Easter is behind us, heat has arrived and pollen abounds! On a positive note, fun family activities abound. Get out to enjoy our many parks and even if you don’t have a scout, the Expo sounds really cool! If you need to be inside because of pollen allergies, Discovery Place has some awesome movies for all ages showing in their IMAX Theatre. Check their website for shows and times. Our Hope Floats Duck Race team is lagging behind – come on Smarties join Team CSP/Jen Bunich to support a great cause. Click here to adopt your ducks.

A note from Shana P. and Kindermourn:
Duck race day is just 1 1/2 weeks away, which means duck tagging is just 2 weeks away. Please consider rolling out of bed and rolling on over to tag ducks with us on Thursday, April 15. We’ll start at 7 am and we need you and a gaggle of your friends to help. Larry Sprinkle will broadcast live from here that morning, BJ’s Club is treating us to yummy breakfast nibbles, and I promise to have a big pot of coffee brewing. It really is a lot of fun!

With many hands tagging, we should wrap up by about 11 am. Come for all, come for part, whatever works.

Please let me know if you can make it and please pass on the word to friends who may be willing to help us out. Strong muscled gals and fellas are especially helpful, but there’s plenty of work for everyone. Email Shana at shana@kindermourn.org.

Many thanks in advance for your consideration!

Spring/Summer Kids Consignment Sale
First Baptist Church of Indian Trail, 732 Indian Trail-Fairview Road
April 10, 7:30am-11:30am; half-price sale begins at 12:30pm until 2:00pm
Gently used baby and children’s items. This sale is cash or check only.

Adventure Base 100 and Scouting Expo
Carowinds Palladium
April 9-11, 10:00am-6:00pm
Adventure Base 100 is the ultimate Scouting experience. This experiential 10,000-square-foot campus provides an exciting view of the Boy Scouts of America’s illustrious 100-year history and influential future. Rolling into more than 40 different cities across the country in 2010, Adventure Base 100 features a ropes course, hands-on exhibits, a multi-sensory IMAX-like Go Scouting! Dome, and much, much more! Parking is $10 but admission to the Expo is free.

Spring Break Discovery Camp
Reedy Creek Nature Center
April 9, 9:00am-4:00pm
Discover the magic that nature has to offer! From outdoor adventure to animals to splashing around in the creeks, everyday offers something different. Drop in for one day or the entire week. For more information, contact Reedy.Creek@mecklenburgcountync.gov or 704.598.8857. Ages 8-12. Cost is $25.00

Dancing Through Latin America
Spirit Square, McGlohon Theatre
April 10, 7:00pm
Come and enjoy Latin dance and music at its best. Over 16 countries represented and performers ranging in age from 5-29. Cost is $15 adults; $10 ages 5-12.

Outdoor Adventure: Family Outdoor Cooking
McDowell Nature Center
April 10, 11:00am-1:30pm
Learn some fun recipes for your next camping trip. During this class we will be using a dutch oven, a box oven, pie irons, and camp stoves to cook with. For more information, contact McDowell Nature Center at 704.588.5224. Ages 5 and older. Cost is $5.

Wachovia-Wells Fargo Family Saturday: Open Studio Day
Mint Museum of Art
April 10, 10:30am-2:30pm
Watercolors, oil pastels, colored pencils or paints? During open studio day, you can choose from a wide variety of quality art supplies and create whatever inspires you! Each month, families are invited to drop by the museum to visit the exhibitions and make art together. Prepare to get messy! All ages, drop in anytime between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. Cost is free for children with paying adult.

Plant Sale
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
April 10, 9:00am-3:00pm
Vendors offering top quality and hard to find plants and garden accessories will be on hand for this popular event. Garden Grown plants will be available and gardening experts will be on hand to answer your questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to purchase your spring plants! Snacks, drinks and lunch will be available for purchase on-site by Something Classic Catering. Cost is free with Garden Admission, members are free, adults, $10; seniors 60+, $9; and children 4-12, $5.

Organic Creation Cooking Class
Reedy Creek Nature Center
April 10, 10:00am-11:30am
Embrace the art of healthy cooking! Gourmet Chef, Silje Grayson, will show you how to use fresh, local, and organic ingredients in your everyday meals! Fee includes instruction and food sampling. Must call 704-598-8857 to register and pay in advance. For ages 12 and up. Cost is $15.

Family Field Days
Latta Park
April 11, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Spend your Spring Sunday afternoon with other families playing organized games. There will be kickball, wiffleball, ultimate frisbee and more. For more information, contact Craig.Colistra@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704.432.4803. Ages 5 and up. Cost is free.

Mammal Tales
Latta Plantation Nature Preserve: Latta Plantation Nature Center
April 11, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Discover the mammals that roam Mecklenburg County. Coyotes, bobcats and fox, oh my! Come out and discover the world of foxes. You will learn what they look like, how they feel, and so much more. For more information, contact Shelby Harrison at Shelby.Harrison@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-948-5380. Ages 5 to 12. Cost is $3.

Live Raptor Presentation
Carolina Raptor Center
April 11, 1:00pm and 3:00pm
Meet some of the residents at the Carolina Raptor Center – including hawks, owls and vultures. Learn about the facilities mission of education, rescue, research and rehabilitation. Cost is free with general admission, Adults, $8; students, $6, under 5 is free.