 There are so many ways to keep the kids entertained and educated while school's out for summer, and Thurmont's Catoctin Wildlife Preserve is no exception. Located about 20 minutes from the heart of Frederick, this is the perfect place to learn more about our furry, feathery and scaly friends. We are giving away two gift certificates, good for up to two adults and two children**, to THREE lucky winners this week. For your chance to win, comment on our Frederick County Guide Facebook post with your favorite animal at the zoo! Winners are selected randomly. **No kids? No problem! You can still use the voucher for a solo trip or a date night. Contest RulesNo purchase necessary.
Contest runs from Thursday, July 18 to 3 p.m. Friday, July 19. Three winners will be selected randomly at 3 p.m. Friday 7/19 and will be notified through a tagged Facebook post and a private message. Winners may pick up certificates at Pulse Publishing between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday or choose to have the tickets mailed to their home address. Tickets expire Nov. 1, 2019. This contest is run by Pulse Publishing; it is not endorsed, sponsored, or promoted by Facebook in any way.
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 Chords of Courage presents the inaugural STEP UP Frederick! Student Songwriting Contest in Frederick County, Maryland. Using songwriting as a catalyst for social change, the contest encourages middle and high school age students to write compelling songs about people of particular courage. At the Awards Concert, Friday evening April 6 at Frederick Community College’s JBK Theater, winning students will encourage the audience to join them in acts of STEPPING UP! to make a difference in their community inspired by their courageous song subjects. Is a great way to empower teens to be active members of their community and an incredibly profound experience for everyone.
The deadline for song submissions is Friday, March 2 at 11:59pm. Prizes include cash, recording studio time, YMCA summer memberships and more. FCPS strongly encourages student participation to complement growth and endeavors. To provide support to interested students, Chords of Courage and the Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise, F.A.M.E., are offering free songwriting sessions Saturday mornings February 10 and 24 from 10:00am-1:00pm at New Spire Arts. A Chords of Courage student songwriting workshop participant said, “I really like what we did with Chords of Courage because it was something special. (When writing with others) we had to work with a group, to work together and listen to each other, to find out what we really wanted to say. And we made a really great song about a man who made a difference. And I like how I got to do this with one of my closest friends and I feel like we made a difference”. “With the Delaplaine and Ausherman Family Foundations as sponsors, and organizations like F.A.M.E., SHIP, the Boys & Girls Club, and the YMCA as partners, this is truly a Frederick County project,” says Chords of Courage Founder and CEO Caron Dale. Chords of Courage is the non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization, who is presenting this opportunity to Frederick County middle and high school age students. Chords of Courage believes strongly that songwriting promotes civil discourse and reinforces the belief in the power of one song and songwriter to make a real difference. Words by Chords of Courage.  The Frederick Children’s Choruses’ Messiah Sing-Along, a community tradition since 1994, will return to the Weinberg Center for the Arts on Tuesday, December 19 at 8:00pm.Artistic Director Judith DuBose will conduct a forty-voiced chorus, twenty-piece orchestra, and four soloists through select choruses and arias of “Messiah” by G. F. Handel. A Messiah Sing-Along is unique, as it encourages the audience to sing along. In the audience, faithful singers return to the Weinberg Center year after year, carrying their well-worn copy of the music, ready to sing the choruses. Families and friends meet annually, making this a holiday tradition, and general admission seating allows friends to meet up and sit together. Copies of the full vocal score will be for sale in the lobby of the Weinberg Center for $10. The general admission event benefits The Frederick Children’s Chorus. Tickets may be pre-purchased by contacting the Weinberg Center Box Office at 301-600-2828 or online at WeinbergCenter.org. The audience members report that they look forward to singing what is probably the most well-known of the choruses; “Hallelujah.” “Messiah” is the most frequently performed major work world-wide. Messiah Sing-along concerts are prevalent throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia.  Henry Hubbard is a tenor from Richmond, Virginia. He is currently pursuing a masters in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at the Peabody Institute of the John’s Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He is currently covering the role of Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, and will be performing the role of Captain Ricardo in Chérubin later this year. This past summer, Henry performed the role of Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy. Shortly before this, he performed Die Schöne Müllerin at the Staunton First Presbyterian Church with pianist Mun Fei Chor. Other credits include Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte and Little Bat in Susannah, with the Halifax Summer Opera Festival.
Baritone, Ross Tamacchio holds a Bachelor of Arts, Vocal Performance from Shepherd University and is a 2018 candidate for Master of Music, Vocal Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. His performance experience includes opera with Peabody Opera, Shepherd University, Loudon Lyric Opera and Victorian Lyric Opera. He has held chorister and section leader positions with Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, The Bridge Ensemble, Baltimore Choral Arts Society and Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Baltimore. ABOUT THE WEINBERG CENTER FOR THE ARTS The Weinberg Center for the Arts is one of the region’s premier performing arts presenters, offering film, music, dance, theater, and family-focused programming. Located in the historic Tivoli movie theater in downtown Frederick, Md., the Weinberg Center strives to ensure that the arts remain accessible and affordable to local and regional audiences alike. Weinberg Center events are made possible with major support from the City of Frederick, the Maryland State Arts Council, Plamondon Hospitality Partners, and other corporate and individual donors. A complete listing of artists and performers scheduled for the 2017-2018 season can be found at WeinbergCenter.org.  Whether you’re in need or you’d like to help those less fortunate this Holiday, there are ways you can get involved in the community. Check out this list of great non-profit organizations in Frederick dedicated to helping our neighbors in need.
United Way of Frederick County Bernard W. Brown Community Center 629 N Market St Frederick, MD 21701 (301) 663-4231 This organization offers a plethora of programs for a variety of people in need in Frederick. They offer services to people who earn more than the Poverty Level but can’t cover the basic costs of living, what they call ALICE. They offer tax preparation services, financial coaching, job placement assistance, and job skills training as well as the FamilyWize Program for prescription assistance, just to name a few. They have meaningful partnerships with other organizations throughout Frederick, like the YMCA of Frederick County and the Frederick Rescue Mission. You can support this great organization through becoming running a workplace campaign,volunteering for their Day of Action or hosting or participating in a Poverty Simulation. During the holidays, you can nominate someone for a brand new high-efficiency heating system through A Gift of Warmth. Frederick County Salvation Army 223 W. 5th St. Frederick, MD 21705 (301) 662-2311 They have a few holiday programs, including the Christmas Angel Tree and Red Kettle programs, as well as the distribution of free winter coats. Low income families, including senior households, can receive support. An extensive array of resources are administered. You can support this organization through donating money or airline miles, household goods, or your car they will even come pickup your donations. You can also volunteer or serve on a local advisory board. The Religious Coalition 27 DeGrange St. Frederick, MD 21701 (301) 631-2670 They offer an extensive list of programs and services including emergency shelter program for individuals and families, rental assistance, energy assistance, health care programs, food banks, as well as resources for children. You can support this organization through volunteering or donating through their Adopt-a-Night Angel program, or donating household items. Check out their wishlists. Way Station 230 W Patrick St. Frederick, MD 21701 (301) 662-0099 They offer resources and support for adults with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance addictions as well as support for children and teens with emotional behavioral challenges and veterans with service needs. They have multiple volunteering opportunities and you can support them by donating money or home goods like appliances, furniture, etc. Frederick Rescue Mission 419 W South St. Frederick, MD 21701 (301) 695-6633 They offer a plethora of resources for homeless and substance-addicted adults in Frederick, They offer programs like recovery programs, the Faith House for homeless women and children, and resources like a shower room and a soup kitchen that serves breakfast and lunch every day. You can support this organization by volunteering either individually or in a large group. They also accept donations of food, clothing, cars, and they hold a backpack drive for children going back to school in the fall. You can check out their wishlist.  Does the change in season have you feeling under-the-weather? Try some of these foods in addition to your medicine to ease your symptoms and get on your feet faster.  Looking for some Fall fun for your little ones? Look no further than these Frederick Farms. Mayne’s Farm
Lawyer’s Winterbrook Farm
Summers Farm Fall Harvest
Gaver’s Farm
Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch
Butler’s Orchard
 August is National Golf Month! Here is a list of golf courses around Frederick County.
Frederick City Clustered Spires Golf Course 8415 Gas House Pike Frederick, Maryland 21701 301-600-1295 Frederick Golf Club 5519 S Renn Road Frederick, Maryland 21703 301-846-0694 Ijamsville P.B. Dye Golf Club 9526 Dr. Perry Road Ijamsville, Maryland 21754 301-607-4653 Whiskey Creek Golf Club 4804 Whiskey Court Ijamsville, Maryland 21754 301-694-2900 Middletown Richland Golf Club50 Glenbrook Drive Middletown, Maryland 21769 301-371-0400 Maryland National Golf Club 8836 Hollow Road Middletown, Maryland 21769 301-371-0000 Mt. Airy Hope Valley Golf Course 12731 Jesse Smith Road Mt Airy, Maryland 21771 The Links at Challedon 6166 Challedon Circle Mt Airy, Maryland 21771 301-829-3000 Myersville Musket Ridge Golf Club 3555 Brethren Church Road Myersville, Maryland 21773 301-293-9930 New Market West Winds Golf Club 11330 Country Club Road New Market, Maryland 21774 301-831-6191 Thurmont Maple Run Golf Club 13610 Moser Road Thurmont, Maryland 21788 301-271-7870 Urbana Worthington Manor Golf Club 8329 Fingerboard Road Urbana, Maryland 21704 301-874-5400 Walkersville Glade Valley Golf Club 10502 Glade Road Walkersville, Maryland 21793 301-898-5555 We at the Frederick County Guide love to support our teachers! Here are some suggestions from a former Elementary School Teacher to help you have the best relationship with all of your children’s teachers:  Promote Reading
Set aside time to read with younger children and encourage reading as a positive experience, not a chore. Let their developing minds scroll through the pages of a book, not through a Facebook feed. Keep Toys at Home Even if they say that they will only take it out at recess, please just leave the toys at home. Cute erasers shaped like cars and pens that make fun noises will end up in the teacher’s desk drawer or lost on the playground. It’s OK to let your Child Struggle (AKA: We know when you do their homework.) While helping with homework is always encouraged, it is important to let the teacher know that help was given. Teachers need to know if a student is struggling to help them develop problem-solving skills. Donate School Supplies Teachers spend an average of $500 out of pocket for school supplies every year. That set of 24 pencils you bought in August? Chewed down, lost, given to a friend, broken, left on the playground or sharpened down to a nub. Just sending in a pack of pencils or crayons halfway through the year is always highly appreciated (and often needed). If you Talk About it at Home, We Hear About it Whether it’s discussion around the TV or at the dinner table, teachers will probably hear about it. The younger the student, the less of a filter they seem to have. Keep that in mind if you decide to put on Game of Thrones when you think they are doing their homework in the other room. Please Leave the Cake at Home Most teachers will gladly help the birthday boy or girl pass out little goodies to their classmates on their birthday but, anything with icing will usually result in a sticky mess on tables, faces, hands, clothes and supplies. Always ask the teacher before bringing in celebratory snacks, as some students have food allergies. Label Everything By the end of the semester, cardigans, shoes, winter coats, lunchboxes, MP3 players and more are stacked high into piles. That $60 coat from JCPenney? Unless it has a label on it, it will most likely end up in a donation bin once June comes. Keep Open Communication Always keep an open line of communication- whether through email or a phone call. Ask how they are doing in school, tell the teacher if they are struggling. Education requires the teacher and the guardian to work together. Trust the Professional Your child is going to act differently in a classroom of over 20 students than they do at home. Children lie, test limits, and learn how to develop appropriate social behaviors at school. If a teacher contacts you with a concern or problem, it is not out of an intention to single out your child. Teachers love their students and want to develop a positive relationship with you and your child. Treat Education as a Positive Experience School should be seen as a positive place for students. For many, it is a place where they will meet their closest friends, where they will learn to read, write, and find a subject they enjoy. Not every lesson in the classroom will be exciting, but it is important for students to know that a positive attitude towards learning goes a long way. Write with an Update Once a child leaves the classroom, they are still remembered. Send a letter or an email to a past teacher and let them know about how they are doing. There is nothing more amazing than being able to see a student continue to grow and flourish.  Still haven’t decided where to spend your 4th of July? Check out these spots that are having kid-friendly activities leading up to fireworks in the evening in and around Frederick County.  Frederick City : From concerts to bathtub races, rides and activities, including a mini petting zoo and candy canon in Baker Park, there is a little something for everyone to participate in. Activities start at noon on the 4th!
City of Hagerstown : The Hagerstown fairgrounds will be filled with food vendors as you wait for their 15,000 shell firework display in the evening. The park opens at 6:00 pm and they are offering shuttle services to Fairgrounds Park from the Central Parking Lot in town. City of Gettysburg : Enjoy two concerts on Gettysburg College campus while eating tasty food, ice cream and kettle corn and drinking local beer, wine and hard cider! You’ll be able to view their fireworks at Gettysburg College and the Gettysburg National Military Park.  If you’re looking for a wonderful day trip for you and your family this summer, these museums, centers, and parks offer great children’s programs that are just as educational as they are fun.  Calvert Marine Museum : They offer a plethora of activities throughout the summer including Lighthouse Adventure Tours, Sunset Cruises, Summer Camps for Kids, Animal feeding and more!
Maryland Science Center : They have great Exhibits and workshops for kids throughout the summer. You could also watch a feature in their IMAX theater or sit in their planetarium!  Fossil Hunting at Flag Ponds Park : Just one of the many things you can do for free at the park! This is perfect for a beach day for you and your family, and you can bring your dog too. They also offer classes throughout the summer at various Calvert County Parks.
B&O Railroad Museum : Take a train ride, join their Summer Reading Program, or bring your Toddler for Toddler Time on the third Thursday of each month!  American Visionary Art Museum : Don’t miss their Flicks from the Hill in Federal Hill and their great Summer Break Workshops! Their permanent collections and exhibitions are colorful and kids get into the museum for free.
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