Charlotte Smarty Pants
Charlotte Smarty Pants – Daily Scoop for Savvy Charlotte Moms
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Smarty Alert: Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville & CPCC’s Touch A Truck event THIS weekend
Our friends over at Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville are partnering with CPCC this weekend for a FREE event for kids of all ages. The Touch A Truck event is this Saturday, April 28th, from 10 am – 2 pm. The weather is supposed to be PERFECT this weekend, so it will sure to be a great event.
Kids of all ages will have the opportunity to touch, explore and peek inside trucks of all shapes and sizes. They can climb aboard first responder vehicles like a fire truck and ambulance; lift a load with construction equipment like mini-excavators and concrete mixers, or settle in for the long haul in the cab of an 18-wheeler. A wide variety of vehicles will be available to discover. Plus, using CPCC’s advanced simulators, truckers-in-training can try their hands at driving, welding, circuitry and even painting.
Discovery Place Kids educators will provide extra activities for little long haulers, like Makey Makey simple circuits challenges, Roller Ramps Rampage, Gears Galore and more. Then kids can burn off extra energy in a bounce house or get their faces painted. Read More →
Smarty Scoop On Weekend Events April 27-29
Coaster Campout
Carowinds Amusement Park
300 Detective Mike Doty Memorial Hwy
April 27-28, Check-in is 4:00 – 6:00pm, All ages, $250 per campsite, Registration required
Summary: This is no ordinary camping trip. You will be braving the third shift and sleeping inside Carowinds with your favorite rides! Your donation benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and includes admission to the park April 27-28, an evening meal and exclusive ride time on April 27, a hearty breakfast buffet, early ride time on the morning of April 28 and more.
Touch A Truck
April 28, 2018
10 am – 2 pm
Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville & CPCC
CPCC’s Merancas campus in Huntersville
11920 Verhoeff Drive Huntersville, NC
Free parking is available in any of the campus lots.
Summary: This event is FREE !Kids of all ages will have the opportunity to touch, explore and peek inside trucks of all shapes and sizes. Climb aboard first responder vehicles like a fire truck and ambulance. Lift a load with construction equipment like mini-excavators and concrete mixers, or settle in for the long haul in the cab of an 18-wheeler. A wide variety of vehicles will be available to discover. Plus, using CPCC’s advanced simulators, truckers-in-training can try their hands at driving, welding, circuitry and even painting.
Da Vinci’s Machines
Discovery Place Science
Ends May 6th
301 N Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Museum hours and pricing
Summary: Da Vinci’s Machines brings the innovations of Leonardo da Vinci to life. This exhibition features over 75 inventions reconstructed from his illustrations and writings. Encounter and test these amazing inventions, from flying machines and war weapons to diving gear and a self-propelled car. See iconic artwork and reflect on the work of a true visionary. Read More →
See you there! The Smarty Town Hall on Social Media Parenting 3.0 – Register Here
Do you feel like keeping up with your kids’ social media is a full-time job? You’re not alone. Parents today have it hard. We’re all playing catch up with the social media world and often feel overwhelmed by how to parent through it. Our first two Town Halls on Social Media Parenting were so successful that now we’re back to host our THIRD Town Hall on Social Media Parenting (we call it 3.0) where parents and experts in our community can come together to discuss kids and social media. We’ve got a host of experts for everyone plus time built in for small group discussion that will be relevant to your family’s needs – whether you’re holding off on social media and devices or all-in. 
Charlotte Smarty Pants is partnering with Charlotte Christian School on April 29th at Charlotte Christian School for this event. All parents from preschool to high school and from any school are welcome to join in on the conversation. Our goal is to bring knowledge, relief, and empowerment to navigate the iGeneration. And guess what? It’s FREE.
We hope you join us because let’s face it: what happens in my kid’s school affects what happens in yours thanks to social media. Register here now.
Event Details:
When:
Sunday, April 29 from 2-4pm
Click here to register.
Where:
Charlotte Christian School
Center for Worship and Performing Arts
7301 Sardis Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270
What to expect:
We’ll start out as one big group then (2) 30-minute breakout session blocks, (4) breakout panels. Panels will repeat for the 2nd session block. When you register, you’ll be prompted to tell us what (2) breakout session topics you plan to attend.
Register here now. Hope to see you there! Read More →
Smarty Summer Camp 2018: Carolina Flipz
Carolina Flipz’s summer camps are a fun-filled week your child will learn gymnastics skills, team bonding, artistic creativity, healthy living, independence and much more. This camp is not just for gymnasts but all athletes that like to flip around and have a fun time. It’s PERFECT for both boys and girls. Flipz’s USAG certified instructors maintain a safe and structured atmosphere for all kids to participate no matter what their gymnastics abilities may be.
Carolina Flipz’s summer camp’s awesome activities combined with its flexible structure make it one of the best camps in town. You can customize the days you want to come – whether it is 1, 2, 3, 4 or all 5 days. PLUS they have Water Day Wednesdays and nice, cool A/C during the dog days of summer. Here’s more info on Carolina Flipz summer camps:
Junior Camp
8:30AM-12:30PM | FOR AGES 3YRS-5YRS
*must be of age by the time they attend camp*
*must be potty trained*
This camp is specifically designed for Junior FUN! With age appropriate games and skills we take the time to make sure each child grows and builds CORE motor development and gymnastics basics. Read More →
From the Smarty Camp Corner: Take Flight This Summer at the Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center!
Dance, Circus and Theater come together for high flying fun at Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center!
Why sit indoors all summer long when you can fly? Safely, of course.
Kids and teens can build confidence, increase core strength and lifelong friends through a wide range of dance and cirque camps at Charlotte’s Cirque and Dance Center, one of the premiere cirque and dance centers in the Southeast, the school of Caroline Calouche & Co.
Popularized by Cirque du Soleil, aerial dance incorporates the use of silks, trapeze, lyra (aerial hoop), rope, sling or net to dance in the air. The art form continues to evolve and is gaining recognition as a fitness program.
Summer Programs at the Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center (CC&DC) begin June 11 and are available for ages 6+ who are newbies and for those with experience in dance, acrobatics and aerial dance. All programs are 9am – 5pm and last 1 – 3 weeks. The week-long camps are a great fit for youth and teens who want to have a unique summer experience in a safe and supportive environment. Read More →
Smarty Scoop On Weekend Events April 20-22
Carolina Flipz Open Gym
Carolina Flipz
11812 Carolina Place Parkway, Pineville, NC
April 21, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, Ages 6-18, $10 members, $15 non-members
Summary: Registration required, please call (704) 544-4511
Pet Palooza Festival And Walk
Independence Park
300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC
April 21, 10:00am – 3:00pm, All ages, $35 registration fee for the walk
Summary: On Saturday, April 21 the Humane Society will hold our annual Pet Palooza Festival & Walk for the Animals event at Independence Park. We look forward to once again hosting thousands of Charlotte’s pet lovers for a day of fur-raising fun!
Tuckfest
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC
April 19-22, See website for schedule and ticket prices
Summary: Tuck Fest is a multi-day festival that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos, and live music at the U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC). The festival features a variety of outdoor competitions that include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddle boarding, obstacle, and adventure racing. The name “Tuck Fest” comes from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located at the USNWC. Read More →
Smarty Podcast: Tips for managing screen time and social media for young users
Welcome back to the Charlotte Smarty Pants podcast series, which is powered by Charlotte Star Room, Charlotte’s premier boutique music development and corporate video production studio + the best birthday parties in the QC, the Popstar music video parties, AND professional voice lessons in a studio.
You can now find the entire Smarty podcast series on iTunes! So, please subscribe and share!
Today Smarties Jen P. and Cheryl are talking to educator Karl Simon, Middle School Assistant Principal at Charlotte Christian School, about how to manage screen time and social media with young users.
Smarty Podcast: Teaching your child civics, leadership and character
Welcome back to the Charlotte Smarty Pants podcast series, which is powered by Charlotte Star Room, Charlotte’s premier boutique music development and corporate video production studio + the best birthday parties in the QC, the Popstar music video parties, AND professional voice lessons in a studio.
You can now find the entire Smarty podcast series on iTunes! So, please subscribe and share!
Today Smarties Jen P. and Cheryl are talking to educator Mary Yorke Oates, Admissions Director at Charlotte Latin School, about how to teach your child good character, civics, and leadership. Definitely one you won’t want to miss!
Smarty Scoop On Weekend Events April 13-15
Carolina Flipz Open Gym
Carolina Flipz
11812 Carolina Place Parkway, Pineville, NC
April 14, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, Ages 6-18, $10 members, $15 non-members
Summary: Registration required, please call (704) 544-4511
Food Truck Fridays And Concert Series
Stumptown Park
120 S. Trade Street, Matthews, NC
April 13 – September 28, See website for schedule, All ages, Free
Summary: Favorite area food and dessert trucks will provide varied menus including seafood, Tex-Mex, burgers, sandwiches, specialty dishes and more. There will also be a great line-up of local and regional bands, inflatables and a craft beer pavilion
Stonecrest Summer Concert Series
Stonecrest Shopping Center
7900 Rae Road, Charlotte, NC
April. 6 – September 29, See website for schedule, All ages, Free
Summary: Live music every Friday and Saturday night throughout the summer.
Come See Me Festival
Various location around Rock Hill
April 12 – 21, See website for schedule, All ages
Summary: For more than 50 years, the Come-See-Me Festival has served as Rock Hill’s annual salute to spring. With nearly 80 events and activities, there’s something for everyone. Join us April 12-21, 2018 and experience our beautiful gardens, friendly folks, and all the fun the festival has to offer. Read More →
Smarty Summer Camp Giveaway: Harris YMCA Summer Camps
*****THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED! OUR WINNER IS LAUREN VARNER!*****
Smarties, we’ve got a big giveaway for you this week. Y-O-U could win a week of summer camp at the Harris YMCA for your li’l Smarty. You’ll get to choose any week from June 11 through August 20 and can choose half-day preschool camp or a full day of traditional day camp.
The Harris YMCA summer day camps are some of the best in town. They have SO many different types to choose from – sports, art, gymnastics, and so much more. Here’s what the YMCA says about its camp:
Let day camp at the Harris YMCA inspire your child this summer through friendship, accomplishment and belonging. Kids grow up so fast today. At the Y, we encourage kids to be kids and give them the freedom to dream and explore their potential. Kids let loose, discover new talents, gain skills and make friends. Harris YMCA summer day camp is a place where kids can feel invincible and not only explore their passions, but discover new ones! Read More →