Hubbard launches weekly blog

As a co-owner of Hubbard Family Swim School, Bob Hubbard’s impact on youth in Arizona has been far-reaching, and it extends beyond his own brood of eight children. He has worked in children’s athletics with wife Kathy since 1993 and together they own and operate three Hubbard Summer Sports Camps and two Hubbard Family Swim Schools.

Hubbard recently introduced his own blog—“Swim School Bob” (swimschoolbob.blogspot.com)—that parallels the company’s mission of education beyond swim lessons, extending to community outreach programs, water safety and child development.

In his blog, he takes a no-holds-barred look at subjects ranging from parenting practices to breastfeeding to infant swim lessons. With his blog, Hubbard hopes to bring a different point of view to a variety of issues with the philosophy and practice of child rearing.

“As a father to eight healthy, active kids, I have definitely tried my share of successful and not-so-successful parenting tactics,” said Hubbard. “I wholeheartedly believe that as parents, we have the ability to provide our children with experiences and tools to help them achieve their full human potential, and I welcome the dialogue surrounding ideas about parenting.”

Swim School Bob will have new posts each week on topics covering varying facets of parenting, child development, youth sports and family life.

St. Joseph’s offers Babysitter Training

St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center’s Center for Education and Development offers a Babysitter Training class on Saturday, Aug. 16. This class will help young people ages 11 and older prepare for their careers as babysitters. It focuses on how to properly care for infants and children.

The training includes information about emergency decision-making, safety and accident prevention, working with parents, activity planning, CPR and first aid. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive an American Safety and Health Institute Card and Certificate, as well as materials and an activity bag.

The class takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center, located at 3115 N. 3rd Ave., Suite 132. Cost is $40 and pre-registration is required. If you can’t make this one, the class is repeated on Sept. 20. Call Resource Link at 877-602-4111 to register.

Kids golf for free through Aug. 31

All junior golfers ages 17 and under will play for free—every day, all day—at Phoenix’s nine-hole courses this summer, when accompanied by a paid adult. Golfers can enjoy the “Kids Play Free” program through Aug. 31 at the Encanto Short 9, 2300 N. 17th Ave. (602-262-6870), or at Palo Verde, 6215 N. 15th Ave. (602-249-9930).

The program is designed to encourage families to get out on the links together and to promote junior golf in Phoenix. If only one adult is present, additional junior rounds can be purchased for $5 each (up to two additional junior rounds).

This program is an extension of the Phoenix Youth Golf Program that offers affordable golf lessons year-round to young golfers between the ages of 8 and 17 and the $26 Junior Play Pass good for 30 days at all Phoenix golf courses on a space available basis.

    For more information go online to www.phoenix.gov/golf.

Dance troupe holds auditions for youth

Center Dance Ensemble will hold auditions for young dancers ages 8 to 17 on Sunday, Sept. 14, for its annual holiday production of “Snow Queen.” The audition sessions will be by age groups:

• 1 to 2 p.m. for dancers ages 8 to 10 years old

• 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. for dancers ages 11 and 12

• 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for dancers ages 13 and 14

• 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. for dancers ages 15 to 18

Dancers should arrive 15 minutes early to register. All dancers auditioning should have at least two years of dance training. There is a $15 audition registration fee.

The auditions will be held at Dance Theater West, 3925 E. Indian School Road, on the southwest corner of 40th Street and Indian School. Rehearsals will be scheduled on Sundays, beginning Sept. 28.

Performances of "Snow Queen" will be three weekends, Dec. 6-21, at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. Roles are triple cast so young dancers will perform for one weekend. The young dancers join Center Dance Ensemble’s professional, adult dancers in a production that has become a Valley holiday favorite for both dancers and audiences. Last year 150 young dancers participated, performing for sold-out audiences.

For more information about the auditions call Dance Theater West at 602-840-3883.