One of the kids is already signed up to participate in a children’s community theater in Cedar. She will be performing in Beauty and the Beast Jr. at the beginning of August.

But here are some more fun ideas for summer theater workshops for those budding thespians.

Willow Glen Theatre in Cedar City is holding two youth acting programs this summer in Iron County.

photo courtesy of Willow Glen Theatre company.

This five-week intensive theater workshop and performances will feature dance, singing, and acting workshops taught by professionals and students from Southern Utah University.

Auditions for the musicals  Oklahoma! and Into the Woods will be held on May 9 from 4-8 p.m. They will be held at Willow Glen Inn (3308 N. Bulldog Rd, Enoch).

Dates: The first workshop for youth 13-18 years of age runs Monday-Thursday from May 20-30 and then Monday-Saturday June 3-15 (from 5:00-9:00pm) with performances of Oklahoma! on June 18, 19, 21, 25 and 26.

Dates: The second workshop for youth 8-12 years of age runs Monday-Wednesday from June 18-27 and then Monday-Saturday July 1-16 (from 5:00-9:00pm) with performances of Into the Woods on July 17, 18, 19, 22, and 23.

Program Fee: $100 per student (for the workshops, costumes, and rehearsals)

For more information visit http://willowglentheatre.com/youth-intensive/

The Utah Shakespeare Festival also holds several different theater workshops throughout the summer.

Shakespeare for Junior Actors is for youth 11-15 years of age.

Here is the lowdown straight from bard.org

Tuition includes tickets to the Festival plays, chaperoned dormitory accommodations, and all meals.

Session 1: July 14–20; Session 2: July 21–27;

Session 3: July 28–August 3

Early Bird: $795 — register before April 1

Regular: $895 — after April 1

Utah Shakespeare Festival Playmakers will also hold summer acting workshops for $90 a session. Summer sessions focus on Shakespearean scene work. For more information visit bard.org.

Tuacahn that amazing theater in the desert of Ivins, Utah also has a musical theatre camp for kids age 11-14

Desert Stars Musical Theatre
A Musical Theatre camp for young people ages 11-14.
Dates – July 9 – 13, 2012
Time – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Monday – Thursday & 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday
Class Location – Tuacahn High School Black Box Theatre

TUITION
Early Registration (Before June 1, 2012)
$100 ($95 per Camper plus a $5 Registration Fee)

Late Registration (After June 1, 2012)
$130 ($125 per Camper plus a $5 Registration Fee)

Save 33% by registering early!
All Tuition is non-refundable after June 1. Tuition includes: registration fees, all master classes, class rehearsal materials, camp t-shirt, backstage tour, daily treat break and final combined performance.

Contact:
Jan Shelton Hunsaker, 435-652-3324
Tuacahn High School, 435-652-3201

This Saturday, April 13, 2013, a free conference for women will be coming to St. George.

Inspire My Life is a day full of motivational speakers, music and personal education. The theme for this year’s conference is “Begin Within,” and encourages women to focus on the inward change necessary to change the world and inspire others to do the same.

Performers include:

• Charley Jenkins
• David Christensen
• Katherine Nelsen
• many more!

Attendees are encouraged to bring old jewelry with them to the conference. All donations will go to support the Dove Center of St. George, a place where women can go for help when they have been the victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

You can register online for FREE on the Inspire My Life website.

Make sure to share this with your family and friends, because the 999th person to register will receive the Girlfriend Getaway prize pack. Prize pack includes:

• One night stay at the luxurious Green Valley Spa in St. George
• One 50 minute massage

This conference is the perfect excuse to get away to St. George for a girls’ weekend, and leave feeling inspired to change your life and the world around you, all while helping women in our community!

However, I highly respect their strength and I understand my limits when it comes to caring for them. They are not my area of expertise. I am no horse whisperer. But I love to be around them. I love to watch them and I love to ride them. Secretly, I dream of owning a horse again someday but I know that I can’t take care of that horse the way it should be taken care of.  How awesome would it be if I could afford to have a horse I could visit that was housed by someone who knew and understood how to care for horses. When I heard about the Dust Devil Ranch Sanctuary in Hamilton Fort, Utah (Just a 10 minute drive from my house.) I packed my daughters in the car on a freezing cold January morning and went to see what they were all about.

Checking out the horses and mucking out the stalls at Dust Devil Ranch Sanctuary.

Dust Devil Ranch and its founder and operator Ginger Grimes, rescue, house and rehabilitate horses that have been abandoned, abused or neglected. They currently have 38 horses. With the help of donors like Tracy Del Negro who volunteers her barn, arena and stables they are able to provide a safe haven for these beautiful creatures. While most of the horses come to Ginger in some type of distress, they are able to get some of them to the point where they can be adopted to safe homes. They also have a sponsoring program where a sponsor can help pay a nominal fee for feed and care of the horse and then come and groom, ride or spend time with the horse. Meanwhile, Dust Devil Ranch continues to care for the horse. Because the ranch is a non-profit, sponsorships are tax deductible. Its a win-win for people who love horses but may not have the ability or space to house and care for them

My family and I visited the ranch to see what Ginger was doing but we also spent some time with a beautiful horse named Aspen. She is available to be sponsored, was a barrel racer and is on her way to recovery. We are considering sponsoring her. At some point my children may be able to ride her as well.

The only problem is that only one of my children seems ready to make the commitment to visit Aspen on a weekly basis. That amazing 7-year-old of mine even walked right into one of the horse stalls and started helping other volunteer youth there that day muck out the stall. Afterwards she got the reward of grooming Aspen. And it was a great experience for her.

The sanctuary is offering other opportunities for children and youth to interact with these horses through a volunteer program.To find out more visit dustdevilranch.org or call 435-569-5444

I love horses, I think that helping to care for them and spending time with them is a valuable experience for children and adults. I am excited to have Ginger in my community helping youth learn to work and volunteer while providing a service for these amazing creatures.

I am in love with Pioneer Park in St. George. It is by far my favorite way to get my kids hiking, jumping and climbing in the winter months. First of all, it is a city park and that means free access. Secondly, there are 52 acres of boulders, meandering trails and mini caverns to explore. It is a different adventure every time because there are no marked trails and everyone from the 7-year-old to the teenager to the adult finds something to love about this scenic beauty.

Even in 40 degree weather it is an enjoyable day outdoors surrounded by the sun baked red boulders.  I would suggest a jacket in the winter months and close toed shoes. There is a bit of broken glass on the ground and some thorny bushes. Plus stubbing a toe as you scramble around on the rocks would be a little painful.

The views from the park are some of the best in St. George if you manage to climb to the summit of one of the higher rocks. In addition there is a small slot canyon to explore and a fun little man made cave called the boyscout cave. It includes paved parking, portapotties, picnic tables and a covered pavilion.

While this natural playground is a great place for all ages — parental supervision is necessary. There are some tall drop offs. But for those of you living in Southern Utah or passing through — this park provides a great spot to indulge an energetic child and their parents.

See the Google Map here: