things to do in sierra vista, arizona

Moving to Sierra Vista?? Peruse the blog for fun ideas for you and your kids!

Meditation Classes

Stressed out? 

Meditation may be the best medicine!

Join Buddhist nun Kelsang Kunshe for monthly meditation classes at the Unitarian Universalist Church (125 S. 2nd St.)

Meditation for a Happy Mind

Simple, practical, and inspiring teachings and meditations for solving daily problems. Drop in anytime. Open and beneficial for everyone, regardless of background, everyone is welcome!

Included in each class are two easy-to-follow guided meditations and a brief teaching on how to learn to understand and transform one's mind.

Drop by for any class - no pre-registration necessary.

cost: $10

For schedule & more info:

tel: 520-441-1617

website: www.meditationintucson.org/sierra-vista/

camping

We took our kids camping for the first time last summer. It was awesome. We forgot a matchbook but eventually struck a flame on the emergency flare in the car. We built a fire and attempted to cook our tinfoil dinners before it started raining. We ate (our slightly underdone) beef patties and potatoes out of the back of the car, sheltered by the umbrella of our hatchback (using our hands, because we forgot silverware, too), then ran to the tent where we listened to the rain come down all night. Like I say, it was awesome. Truly.

From Sierra Vista, take Hwy 92 S and turn up Carr Canyon Road 

(At The Mesquite Tree Restaurant)

Were you around when our town was on fire? Hello!

We camped at the Reef Townsite 

(which calls for a $10 fee dropped into the forest service box).

Pitch your tent, roast some marshmallows, and take your kids exploring!

Ghost Town!

Who doesn't love a ghost town? From Sierra Vista, drive out toward Whetstone and take a right onto Hwy 82 E toward Tombstone. Go a couple miles (wave at the dump and keep going!) You'll see signs for Fairbank Historic Townsite on your left. Pull in and walk through what's left of the place. A former railroad stop, at it's heyday in the late 1800s, this town had around 200 residents. 

The only open building has been converted into a mock schoolhouse, surrounded by displays of other interesting artifacts. Kids are welcome to draw on the chalkboard and sit in the desks.

Ask the guide about the history of the place. It's fascinating!

 When the kiddies tire of that, walk the .3 miles to the San Pedro and throw in some rocks. Never fails to amuse. For older kids, take them the 3 miles to the gravesite! Or the other longer trails that begin from the townsite.

soccer

Soccer season is upon us! The Sierra Vista Soccer Club has teams for kids from ages 4-18. Games start September.

Registration (online or mail-in) deadline is Aug 6, 2011. Fees vary, but start at $50 for the youngest lot.

One (evening) practice and one game per week.

meetup

Looking to connect with other Moms? Try Meetup.com!

It's a place to find niche moms groups in your area: just a few examples (from the site) in Cochise County:

*Mindful Mamas of Southeastern AZ

*SAHM I AM

*Creative Mamas

*Mommy and Me

*Footprints

*Families for Jesus

Free to join up!

free summer swimming!

COX cable is paying for FREE open swim at the Cove on Wednesdays!

From the website:

Every Wednesday from June 1 through July 27, the first 150 children, ages 5-17, will receive free admission to Open Swim at The Cove.

Doors open at 1:30 PM till 5:30 PM. See you there!

Free Kids' Movie Matinees

Uptown 3 Theater's Free Movie Summer offers FREE kids' movies for the community!

Tues, Wed, & Thursdays @ 10am. Show up early for a good seat--it can get pretty crowded!

Check the schedule for the particulars. They show a different movie each week.

British Soccer Camp

Challenger Sports and the Sierra Vista Soccer Club are bringing British Soccer Camp to Sierra Vista this summer!

From the website:

Challenger Sports British Soccer Camps is the most popular soccer camp in the country. Hundreds of Challenger coaches each year have helped the company develop one of the most innovative approaches to coaching youth soccer in the US. Our experienced staff study the game at all levels and we have identified the key techniques and skills that your players need to work on and master to reach their true potential.

Each day includes individual foot skills, technical drills, tactical practices, small-sided games, coached scrimmages, and a daily World Cup Tournament. Equally important, the Challenger coaching staff provides your child with lessons in self-discipline, good sportsmanship and respect for others and for the game. Campers will enjoy a daily program of Camp break activities and an end of camp graduation party!

Camp dates:

June 6 - June 10, 2011 or

July 7 - July 18, 2011

First Kicks Age 3-4 8-9am $65 (includes t-shirt and ball)

Mini Soccer Age 4-5 9:30-11am $80 (includes t-shirt and ball)

Apparently, coaches are chosen from a large pool of skilled semi-pro British players.

Click HERE to register!

Read to Me!

Every year in April, the Sierra Vista library hosts a preschool reading program. Register at the front circulation desk and then pick up a form for your child (age birth to 5 (as long as they haven't started kindergarten)).

Just read to your child a minimum of 10 min/day for three weeks. Record your progress and turn in the reading record for a prize at the end of each week.

The final prize is usually a book!

*For more fabulous info on the benefits of reading to your child, check out Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook.

Little League

Sierra Vista has a T-ball little league for kids ages 4-6. You can register for $65 in beginning in February (on active.com) for a season going from March-June. Games are typically two times a week in the evenings and on Saturdays.

Rumor is that this year (2011) is already full! Email sierravistalittleleague@yahoo.com for more info or to place your child on a waiting list.

Local Moms Group

MommyandMeSV is a playgroup that meets 2-3 times/week, as well as hosts MNO (Mom's Night Out!) Who doesn't love that??

You can find more details or join the group on their website.

ramsey canyon preserve

Did you know Sierra Vista is known as the hummingbird capital of the world? Well, now you do. From town, take Hwy 92 south to Ramsey Canyon Road. Turn right and follow the road until it ends at a quaint little B&B (520-378-3010) at the mouth of the Hummingbird Preserve.

They ask a $5 "donation" fee per car to go walk around. I think the first Saturday of every month is free. Last time we went, we saw more deer than hummingbirds*, but perhaps we were there out of season. Beautiful grounds, regardless.

Call 520-378-2785 for more info.

*see the San Pedro River post for more on hummingbirds

open gym

Desert Thunder Gymnastics offers a host of gymnastics classes. On Fridays, they have a preschool open gym from 10:50-12:00, where kids can have free reign of equipment and toys. $7/kid. Or, you can sign up for a class.

From the website:

Tiny Tumblers:

This class is designed for the confidant walker to age 3. We incorporate a blend of music, games, gymnastics and the use of small motor equipment such as ribbons, hoops, balls and balloons. Adult interaction is taught with stretching games and use of the equipment. This class is designed to keep the focus on fun while teaching very basic gymnastics skills. This class requires a parent or guardian in class with the child.

30 minutes.

Tumble Tots:

This class is designed for children ages 3-4. Music, games, and small motor equipment play an integral part in this class as well. However, this is a more skill oriented class than the Tiny Tumblers class, with an emphasis on teaching the preschool gymnastics skills. Parents do not attend this class and children must be able to stay with the group without a parent's help before moving into this class.

45 minutes

story time

The Sierra Vista City Library offers a

Preschool Story Time on Tuesdays @ 11am.

The children's section of the library has some great chunky puzzles and dolls. They've got a decent selection of books, too.

You can occasionally find some great kids' (and adult) books next door at the Friend's Bookstore, a used bookstore associated with the library.