Latest news with #Children'sArtandLiteracyFestival
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Businesses in Abilene prepare for CALF
ABILENE, Texas () – Businesses in Abilene are preparing for the Children's Art and Literacy Festival (CALF). CALF adjusts plans amid Cypress Street construction Every year, CALF, as it is often referred to, strives to bring interactive and educational experiences to children all over the Big Country. For three days, the festival is held downtown in Abilene's Cultural District, where thousands of children and parents fill the streets to take part in dozens of events, readings, and activities. Even though weather can impact some events, The Grace Museum's Director of Education, Kathryn Mitchell, says they make plans to adapt to any weather. 'We are preparing a lot for if we have any kind of rain this year, so we have all kinds of tents prepared for the rain. Don't let that hold you back. If you want to come on Friday, come on that day, even if it looks like rain. We're also preparing with the street closures. So we've got ways that you can get around The Grace that's still very mobile. Arlene Kasselman, the owner of the bookstore Seven and One Books, discussed her preparation plans for CALF with KTAB/KRBC. 'We are super prepared for CALF and have restocked our kids' books. We are standing by nonfiction now and science comics. All those fun things, we've got picture books, in fact, we've got some of Matt Phelan's. We try not to stock too many because we want to support the NCCIL with their work,' shared Kasselman. The Children's Art and Literacy Festival is this Thursday, June 12, through Saturday, June 14. With a fourth day held on Sunday – CALF at the Zoo! – Featuring story readings and animal encounters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Camp Courage teaches understanding life's end to those just beginning theirs
There's nothing like a good water balloon fight to clear one's head. Especially when your head still has bits of rubber clinging to it from your new friend's thrown balloon that hit you a few seconds earlier. But it wasn't all water balloons at Camp Courage Thursday. Held at Hendrick Hospice Care, the long-running annual camp each summer teaches children strategies on how to process the loss of a loved one. 'Our purpose is to acknowledge and affirm the reality of children's grief,' Adrianna Golden-Smith, camp director, said. 'Kiddos experience loss and the wide breadth of all that comes with that experience in small bodies but in large ways.' The week-long course is open to children who are entering the third grade to high school seniors. This year's camp featured about 40 kids. To process grief, you need to understand it. Camp Courage asks the children to explore the nature of grief, how it is expressed, what it can physically feel like and its relationship with guilt, anger and regret. 'We recognize that we only get five days with them, and then they go home and continue their lives, and their grief never leaves,' Golden-Smith said. 'So, we focus on sustainability — giving them coping skills that are accessible and portable.' That can be by using pencil and paper to write or draw it, as well as healthy physical activity to pull attention away from intense emotions for a mental break. Remaining connected to that lost loved one is also emphasized. 'I do have some kids that come back year after year. As they develop and grow, sometimes that grief changes with them, and so they've got different things that they need to explore,' she said. 'Or, unfortunately, sometimes life keeps coming, and they've got additional losses that they are also needing to process.' The program is funded by the Children's Miracle Network, and aside from a $10 registration, is free of charge to attending children. 'And I will waive that in a heartbeat if it's a financial hardship,' she said. Golden-Smith, who is also the bereavement coordinator for Hendrick Hospice, said the organization also offers a morning adult caregiver support group that meets Monday through Thursday each week. 'We want to give our caregivers the opportunity to also learn about children's grief and have a space to connect with others who are grieving their own loss and trying to support their kiddos,' she said. Courage isn't limited to one week in the summer, however. 'We also have other programs throughout the year,' Golden-Smith said. 'We've got a six-week children's grief support group that meets in the spring and the fall called Club Courage, as well as a holiday grief workshop for families. And then lots of adult programs as well.' Visit the Hendrick Hospice Care website for more information. More: When is the southside Braum's opening in Abilene? More: What to know about the upcoming 2025 Children's Art and Literacy Festival This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Water games help keep children afloat at Hendrick Hospice Camp Courage
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
CALF adjusts plans amid Cypress Street construction
ABILENE, Texas () – Due to the ongoing revitalization project on Cypress Street, the Children's Art & Literacy Festival is adjusting its usual procedures to accommodate the construction. Every year, the Children's Art and Literacy Festival (CALF), as it is often referred to, strives to bring interactive and educational experiences to children all over the Big Country. However, this year's festival will experience some differences in its everyday operations with the reconstruction of Cypress Street. Ordinarily, the CALF sees Cypress Street in downtown Abilene transformed with features including live entertainment, street vendors, and families navigating from venue to venue. Normal operations for the festival include shutting down Cypress Street for regular foot traffic, but the progress with construction currently has the roadway along Cypress completely tore up. For safety, a temporary fence blocks public access to the street area, and festival goers will now have to utilize the sidewalk for certain sections of Cypress Street strictly. One of the main organizers for the CALF is the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, and Executive Director Lynn Barnett spoke about how, despite the construction, they've worked to ensure patrons have an easy experience. 'The city has been great about working with us and making sure that, you know, people are still able to navigate the festival. We still have transportation running, and we are still close to the same, you know, North First along here. So really, I don't think festival-goers will notice any real change,' Barnett said. Although the changes should only cause minor inconveniences, Lynn Barnett of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council advises anyone attending the CALF to ensure a smooth experience. 'Plan your agenda, plan your visits to the various readings, to the marionettes, to the singing zoologist. We're really excited about this year's Calf Festival and look forward to seeing people downtown,' said Barnett. The Children's Art and Literacy Festival will begin on Thursday, June 12, and will run until Saturday, June 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
