Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course = Fun, Confidence Booster for the Whole Family

Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course at Fort Tuthill County Park is an awesome experience for families to challenge themselves, mentally and physically, in the cool pines of Flagstaff. My daughter and I recently tried out their courses – she the kids course, me all four of the adult courses. Going into it I knew only 25-30% of people actually complete all four courses, so I was prepared for some fun and hard work. But I wasn’t prepared for how rewarding and proud of myself I’d feel when I climbed down the last course… nor was I prepared for the overwhelming sense of pride I’d feel for my daughter's accomplishments on the kids course. She beamed with happiness and excitement. She sung a little song as she made her way around the course again and again about how cool she was, what a great job she was doing, and how much fun she was having. It was great to be a part of. We both really bonded with our climbing experience.

Flagstaff Extreme’s adult course features four sections for folks 16 and up who can reach 5’11”– green, which is the lowest and least difficult but still fun; blue – a medium course; red- an advanced course that takes you high up into the trees; and the black advanced course that, frankly, might make you doubt yourself and your abilities, and have you call for help. But the staff is really encouraging and can help you get through all levels that you are mentally and physically ready for. Children who can reach 5’11” and are 12-15 years old can do the green and blue course (at the half adult course rate).

During my adventure through the trees, I was in a group with Kathryn, the oldest woman (70 years old) to attempt the red course (check out this FB post on her). She was a firecracker of energy and excitement for the challenge and an inspiration for anyone of any age. Add to that, she was so encouraging during my final leg of the black course. I had an absolute blast! I hope to make a monthly visit to the course. When I first came down I doubted I’d do the black course again, but now, a week plus out, I actually can’t wait to try it again. I made time of under two hours, but generally I’m told it can take three hours or more to complete the whole thing. Some people take all day, taking breaks between sections – even having lunch on the picnic tables that are scattered around the park in between courses. Do note that if your children aren’t able or big enough to complete the adult course, they’ll have to wait for you and watch from the ground. Same is true for you while they complete their kids course.

The kids course is incredible. There aren’t many challenge courses with zip lines, ladders, bridges, barrels, net bridges and such for children to try their hand at in the world. That adds to the coolness of the Flagstaff kids course. It’s designed for children seven and up who have good manual dexterity, like adventure and who can reach to at least four feet, seven inches. Being there is only one kids course, participants are allowed to take several turns around.
My daughter was raring to go. She loves indoor rock climbing, so she loved the idea of this. When she got harnessed up and started on the first leg of the training section, I was amazed at how good she naturally was - and how brave. It was a thrill for her (and me to see her make her way around), each time getting better and better. She didn’t want to leave. I had to promise a return visit, which we will definitely make… repeatedly.

Passes to the adventure course make for a good vacation activity as well as a good birthday present – for kids and adults. I’m asking my mom and dad for a pass for my next birthday and my daughter said that’s what she’s asking for from her grandparents too. Not much better gift you can give then fun wrapped in confidence-building. You can make a cool gift pack via their website – with t-shirt, stickers and gloves plus gift certificates.

Check out the videos (below) of the kids course. (Please excuse the wind. We were there on a blustery day.) For more photos of the adult course, go to  Flagstaff Exrtreme’s Facebook page and website.

Passes are $25 for kids 7-11, $35 for the half adult course for kids 12-15 and $42 for 16 & up. Check the local paper Flagstaff Live for coupons or on the company’s website. They have 10% off for college students with ID. Folks in the 55 and up crowd also get 10% off.Seniors 75 and up get a discount of their age, so if you are 82, you get 82% off! If you are 90 and want to do the course, you are free with another paying adult.

All in all, Flagstaff Extreme is an adventure I’d do with my kids again (and again). We look forward to going back to the course often.

More info on their rules, pricing, courses at http://www.flagstaffextreme.com.

Free Flagstaff Family Fun: NAU Theater's 'Josefina Javelina, a Hairy Tale, The Play'

As part of the Peaks Summer Theatre Festival by NAU Theatre, students will perform “Josefina Javelina, a Hairy Tale, The Play” and “The Three Little Javelinas” based on the books by Susan Lowell, adapted for the stage by Darby Winterhalter Lofstrand, and directed by Bob Yowell.  The free performance will be staged at Heritage Square, in downtown Flagstaff, June 8 from 6-8 p.m.

"Josefina Javelina" is adapted from Arizona author, Susan Lowell, children's book.  It tells the story of a little javelina with big dreams and her journey to make those dreams come true.  "The Three Little Javelinas" is based off the children's tale "The Three Little Pigs."  

The actors, talented performers from the NAU Theatre Department, will perform and then interact with the kids and their parents.

Bubble Bum car seat perfect answer to Arizona's new booster seat law

Arizona recently passed a law that goes into effect in August requiring kids to stay in boosters until age 7. That means many parents will be looking to go back into booster seats, when they thought they'd graduated. I am among this group with my 6 year old, tall daughter. She is tall enough to sit properly buckled sans a booster. We actually bought a new Pruis because we didn't need three car seats anymore. But now we've found ourselves needing three seats again. So I started looking around for the narrowest and safest booster seats - that's when I came across the relatively new Bubble Bum.
Bubble Bum is listed on the Best Bets list by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. (They also have great information on how ANY booster should be used properly too.) That caught my eye. Add to that - the Bubble Bum is under 13" wide. Perfect! I watched their video on how it works and had to try it. Bubble Bum kindly sent me a seat to test out and write about. I was in love right away, as were my kids. So much so that after a few days use, I bought another Bubble Bum for my almost 5 year old daughter to test out too right next to the first one. They both wanted to sit on the super soft airy PURPLE cushion. And I wanted to see if it would make a difference in space.
The Prius is surprisingly roomy, but three seats is still a tall order. But with one Cleck backless booster, one Bubble Bum and one SafeGuard Go Hybryd 5-point harness car seat - all three of my kiddos fit. Though my 6 year old, who sits in the middle was still a bit crammed. Good thing she's skinny! Then I took out the Clek and put in the second Bubble Bum when it arrived a week later. Both girls have more space and both report they are more comfortable. My six year old in the middle loves not having her sister's seat arm rests running into her.
My six year old has no problems with the Bubble Bum. She sits down and buckles herself in quickley and properly. I keep the shoulder belt and first red lap positioner attached. She then pulls the belt across herself like normal and buckles it in. She then slides the belt through the second red lap positioner. That's it. With three seats in place in our Prius, it is a little hard for her to find the car buckle to snap her belt into, but it is easier with the two Bubble Bums and one other seat than it is otherwise. In our Jeep, which has one inch more per child's seat, she has no problems.
My five year old has a little bit of difficulty. She finds it hard to get the seat straps through the red buckle positioners. Otherwise, she likes it. My six year old helps her out by sliding the belt through the positioners. Both girls now have their seat belt properly place in their shoulder area. With Bubble Bum's positioner, they don't fiddle with them like they did before.
Another nice feature of the Bubble Bum... they can easily deflate for storage or travel! That means next time we visit my mom and sister in Texas, we won't have to borrow boosters or bring bulky ones that are such a pain. These will go right in the kids luggage. That is awesome!
Whenever my son is old enough and tall enough to move into a booster seat with buckle, I'm going to buy another Bubble Bum for sure. (He even likes the purple color of the Bubble Bums - but I'm sure when he's older he'd rather have a blue one. They're supposed to be made in other colors soon.)