Kidcation: Calming Connections

07/05/2024

Do you have parenting dilemmas? Family relationships questions? Want to enhance your Grandparenting connections?

Kidcation is the children and family program within CALMING CONNECTIONS, LLC that assists with travel.

You can reach out for parenting, relationship, human development education and assistance at the Kidcation email address. Dr. Champ, Agency Director has over 45 years of experience in the area.

Email: [email protected]
OR call 918-280-8438

06/05/2024

Zion National Park offers many opportunities for family fun, making memories and building strong relationship connections. Action pleasures range from the Shuttle scenic ride through the park (only winter months, January and February can private cars drive this route), hiking at ALL skill levels to Boulder climbing.
There are many other roads for private car drives (besides the Zion Scenic Drive) to experience the beauty. However, it is imperative involvement activities are planned and to reduce the possibility of boredom for young children. Technology is a viable option for automobile “entertainment” for little ones, however it does not make family connections. Technology on the long haul travel is perhaps more developmentally fitting and THEN family interaction activities at “sight seeing” locations create connections, family fun, as well as memories of the site.
Experiences at the attached photos could include: boulder climbing as family, walking up and balancing on “layered” rock base and making up stories about who lived in rock opening. There are many “doorway openings” in the rocks to create stories. You could record on your phone for sharing with grandparents or others when returning home matched up with a photo.
For a list of family-child activities email:[email protected]

05/05/2024

02/05/2024

Yosemite National Park is
exceptional in accessibility! This photo is of a brass structure reflecting the Yosemite Valley. The structure is located on the front area outside of the Yosemite Valley Park Visitor Center. Listed online are many resources for visual, auditory, and physical accessibility in the park.
Need assistance in managing experiences? Email: [email protected]

02/05/2024

Yosemite Park has many not famous, but fun humongous rocks and many flowing creeks. Children can find much excitement with safe rock climbing. It is the adults responsibility to assure safety and stay with the children while climbing. Connect with your children by acknowledging safe actions with verbalizing, “Look how you are stopping and looking for a safe place to put your foot to climb.” Or, “You are using your arms to keep your balance.”

Travel and new experiences sometimes can be overwhelming for children and their parents. Want to connect with some help? We are here!
Email: [email protected]
OR call 918-280-8438.

02/05/2024

Yosemite National Park has been identified as one of the top vacationing locations. This park is the home of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridal. Remember, children will quickly reach the sightSEEing quota much sooner than many adults. Action, physically or mentally is the path for enjoyment for children when traveling.
When looking at El Capitan maybe let the children create tales how a person would get around/over it. Or instead of singing, “Let’s go on a Bear Hunt,” replace the words “a Bear Hunt” with “a El Capitan walk,” and insert action words for how get over/under/around it. Older elementary children can create stories about climbing to the top. Perhaps you and/or your children have watched shows on rock climbing. You can use the recalled rock climbing techniques as a base for discussion. Maybe watch a rock climbing program before the vacation as a springboard for connecting via a discussion.
When viewing Half Dome, create imaginary tales of what happened to the other half of the Dome.
As looking at Bridal Falls, ask the children to create a descriptive tale about a fish, worm, snail or other animals riding down this “water slide.” Talk about fun times the children might have had on a water slide or in water. Or with older elementary age, create funny bridal stories in front of the falls.

Want ideas for activities and escapades within Yosemite National Park? Email [email protected].

26/04/2024

Trail walking in Sequoia National Park holds many stunning sights. In these photos the sights include a burl on the side of the tree,fire damaged tree, along the roadside water fall, the babbling Kaweah river and then snow all about the forest in the end of April.
Besides just walking through the GIANT sequoias, with your children create stories or tales about animals or imaginary friends living in the burnt opening of the trees. Count burls, the big “lump bumps” grown on the tree that evolved out of the tree self care from a disease. Or keep looking for the biggest or the smallest burl.
The Sequoia roots often connect in early growing and help each stand strong and maintain health. Sequoia trees are often in groups, a type of family unit. Make up stories about the trees helping each other or the tree family. Explain the trees connecting and taking care of each is like family and friends. Identify ways your family or your children’s help out each other. Walks in nature are idea for calmness and connecting relationships.
For suggestions of activities and escapades at Sequoia National Park
contact us [email protected]
Boredom, feelings of being overwhelmed by many other people on the trails, or tiredness can impact a child’s behaviors when traveling. Listening and concrete management suggestions are readily available at the above email or call 918-280-8438.

24/04/2024

Death Valley National Park was 104 degrees on April 20th. Wow, is all I can say! This is clearly a National Park better to visit in late fall or winter. So many beautiful colors and the landscape and mountains are so unique. Colors are seen in the rock construction of the mountains to fields of wide flowers. If time allows, take a drawing pad and chalk, crayons or whatever drawing media fits your family best and drive to Artist Palette or Dante’s View and you and your children create the mountains and landscape with colors. Great drawings to take home and frame or add to the refrigerator.😉
Many nice, not too overwhelming walking trails and then some real challenging ones. The trails range on a spectrum from Dunes to Flat to Canyons. Off roading trails are available with a variety of excitement. There are ADA accessible trails.
The National Park sight offers many tours. Including a Star Wars tour! Can you say fun for ALL ages? Check the site to organize various tour choices.
Lodging is an issue. Tent and dry RV camping is a bit easier to secure.
This park is one you could spend an entire day driving through without ever getting out of the vehicle. If you take children on a driving only experience, please contact us for additional suggestions which then will reduce the stress level and increase the measure of fun.
Contact:918-280-8438
[email protected]

23/04/2024

Looking for sculptures within the rocks is a playful game between family members when visiting Joshua Tree National Park. Talking and describing the spotted sculpture begins relationships, lets listening occurs and is a shared time. Remember no wrong sighting. In the photos below: see the elephant? How about the frogs playing follow the leader? And the big side view of the face with open eye and nose?
If the children have cameras or cellphone, they can take photos and then later write stories OR verbally share the stories in the evening. Better yet together as a family create an ongoing story about the photo. Have fun!

Question? Thoughts? Contact us: [email protected]

23/04/2024

Looking for lots of climbing and “Boulder climbing?” Joshua Tree National Park is the answer! Joshua Tree Park is located in California! If Boulder climbing is “Your thing,” this could easily be a 2-4 day visit. School age children up through adolescents (and older) would always have a challenge in waiting for the next climb.

23/04/2024

Kidcation: Calming Coonections is about helping create family travel experiences full of fun, connecting relationships all in a calm manner.

We are here to provide resources, activities and other suggestions to enhance your travels. Contact us to begin a traveling escapade filled with pleasure. Have a special needs that need consideration? Over 50 years of practice and knowledge addressing family and individual considerations.

If you know a family or individual that might desire such assistance, please refer our services.

Contact us: 918-280-8438 OR
[email protected]

18/04/2024

Saguaro National Park had some very interesting, kid friendly exhibits explaining about the life experiences of the cacti in the park. The exhibits are well displayed and are great for conversation staters with kids. Taking time to investigate the exhibits and chat with a child is offering a life connection of learning together and creating a foundation of the child feeling loved and important. For the child, YOU spent this time with ME! That means: you care and you value me!

Sharing, caring, and positive interactions with a child is the path to being a loving attached adult. This child as an adult will promote the same values for their child and their world.

The two posted photos show how “learning doors “ placed on a model Saguaro Cactus can be opened. One opening shows how birds might nest and the other door reveals the inside of the cactus.

We are here to help you and family experience kindness, connectivity and love. Questions: Email [email protected] OR call 918-280-8438

17/04/2024

Kidcation: Calming Connections aims to help you and your family enjoy travel while managing anxiety, anger, and other emotional challenges with personalized activities and expert guidance.
Contact us at [email protected] or call 918-280-8438.

17/04/2024

Would you like some help planning travel experiences for a child with autism? That is one of the services of this page. Our specialist will send you tips and suggestions based on the specific travel location.
Email: [email protected]

17/04/2024

Here are some of the colorful cacti flowers we saw in Saguaro East National Park, Tucson, AZ. This park has a nine mile scenic drive, with many pull overs where hiking “just a bit” is an option. This approach with children is ideal. Taking a walk count how many different colors you see or how many different cacti. The map received as driving through the park entrance has distinct, clear photographs of cacti that will be seen in the park, turn the photos into a scavenger hunt. Remember busy goal oriented children have must more fun and likewise so do the adults. A goal and plan with your Kidcation escapades offers the brain opportunities to approach life experiences in this same way.

Questions about children, teens or family issues email [email protected]. Want specific ideas and Kidcation fun time activities for your visit? Send us an email.

16/04/2024

Gila National Forest, near Silver City NM has a different flair and mixture of rocks, cacti, and trees. A most peaceful park. The 93 mile Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway holds many varied sites of interest. The mileage can be reduced if so decided. One stop along the drive is pictured here in the photo on the left side is the Gila Dewillings. The home and lives of the Mogollon people of the late 1220’s and early 1300’s. Many walking trails are available.
This park has horse corrals and camping for equestrian interested folks. Additionally rock climbing and fishing at Lake Roberts are yet another awaiting adventure.

When rock climbing with children, add to experience by offering challenges. Where on the rock is it smooth? Rough? Bumpy? Shiny? Jagged? Ask the climbers to tell you the colors within the block? Discuss how you secure footing for climbing, how do you make an action plan for climbing the rocks? This chatting time creates connections between you and the child, while at the same time establishes a plan of safety and the importance of anticipating the next action as it relates to moving about the rock.

The drive of the Mountain Spirits for children would be long and possibly boring if you chose to make no stops about the way. If you choose to take the Trail, contact me and I will provide suggestions to enhance the child’s experience and certainly reduce the potential of boredom and conflict.

[email protected]

16/04/2024

These photos are from White Sands National Park, outside of Alamogordo NM. Many children would love playing in the sand for hours. Bring those buckets and shovels, racks, etc. The children in the photo are using their hands in an attempt to fill up a Sands Springs “Sand Slider.” You can rent the Sliders at the Visitor Center. I saw Sliders for sale at the local Walmart. Sliding down the hills is a never ending adventure for youth and adults.

If your child or others in the traveling party are sensory seekers a visit to the sands might be an extremely enjoyable and calming experience.
Research supports soft cool sand can give a whole body positive relaxation experience. And then, on the other of the kinthestic spectrum of experiences, this sand might feel unstable and irritating to the skin.

The sands are beautiful and seem to go on and on. Do remember if sunny day wear sunscreen. The combination of sun and sun is the recipe for a sunburn. The glare off the white sun has an impact even if wearing sun glasses.

The park includes sand blowing protection picnic tables.

If you have questions about sensory sensitive behaviors, email [email protected].
Or any questions related to behavioral, social-emotional communication, please email or call, Dr. Champ, LMFT at 918-280-8438.

12/04/2024

At Guadalupe National Park there are three beautiful walking trails especially fitting for family experiences. The trails are especially fitting for young or mature “walkers” plus handicapped accessible. This National Park does not have a road that drives through the entire park. Having a focus activity while walking trails increases the fun and reduces the turmoil. Some focus activities might include the following: how many different colors of flowers or cactus are found, child calls out and points out the sightings, the adults tracks how many finds for each child. Each time, the adult verbally and with a smile acknowledges the find, while offering a statement such as, “Yes, I see the yellow flowers.” A little bit a future guiding experiences significantly enhances the fun for all.

For a listing of walking trails focus activities email [email protected].