Category: Youth

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim to Begin Day-Use Operations on Oct. 16, 2024

GRAND CANYON, AZ. — Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin day-use operations on October 16, 2024. Grand Canyon Lodge will close, and no overnight accommodations, including camping, will be available to visitors. Those exploring the North Rim on or after October 16 should plan to be self-sufficient, bringing enough food and water for the day.

Available services will include a self-serve gas station that accepts only credit and debit cards for as long as State Route 67 remains open. After October 31, water will be available only at the North Rim Administration Building. The entrance gate on State Route 67 will close at sunset on November 30, 2024, or after the first major snowstorm, whichever comes first.

Coconino National Forest Fall 2024 Partnership Newsletter

… In my short time on the Coconino National Forest, the extreme diversity of what our forest has to offer has been amazing to experience. From low deserts and our world-renowned Red Rock Country to the remnants of an ancient volcano that stands as Arizona’s tallest peak to the Mogollon Rim that runs for hundreds of miles across central Arizona, the Coconino is an amazingly diverse forest unlike any that I have worked on.

Sedona Arts Center — NEW Online Crash Course just added!

iPhoneography ONLINE Crash Course
with Kelli Klymenko
October 11: Friday, 9am–2pm Arizona Time

In this workshop you will learn the basic concepts of Nature Journaling and overview and practice of illustration and watercolor.  Ed and Julie are both experienced hikers and began Nature Journaling many years ago while living in Phoenix. They have honed their process, focus and skills over the years and will share with their students a fun way to enhance their outdoor and hiking experience while creating a journal documenting their travels.

This one-day workshop will involve an up to 2.5 mile hike at a location in Sedona to be determined. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Join us for our next Prevention Council Zoom meeting on Oct. 3 to share your story

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. Our meetings provide our coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.
The Council meets the first Thursday of the month.
Want to be a guest speaker at our next meeting? Send an email to CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie at coalition@coconinokids.org​​​​​​​ to be placed on the agenda.
​​​​​​​
READ MORE​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The NAU Review — Celebrate OUTober and Disability Pride and Heritage Month + peruse pics from Family Weekend

Join the NAU community in a series of celebrations and conversations this month that shine a spotlight on the diversity and vibrancy of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and other queer members of the Lumberjack community.

“What stands out about NAU’s LGBTQIA2S+ community is its incredible resiliency, determination and ability to occupy spaces that were never originally meant for us,” said Souksavanh Keovorabouth, a Diné who identifies as Two-Spirit and an assistant professor of women and gender studies and applied Indigenous studies. “It is vital for NAU to celebrate and recognize this community because we represent a diverse array of experiences and identities that enrich the university culture.”

CCC Community Education — November classes: Conscious Aging; Your Financial Plan; High Altitude Baking; Comet Talk

Conscious Aging

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 13, 20, Dec. 4, 11

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

We’ll focus on the philosophy, skills, and practice needed to become a wise elder, with lecture, readings, guided meditations, group activities and discussions.

Conscious – Learn more and register!

Sedona Arts Center — Don’t miss these Sedona Plein Air Festival Events!

Into the Night:
A Nocturne Plein Air Workshop
with Krystal Brown
October 28 – 30, 2024
Painting nocturnes is one of Krystal’s favorite things to paint and so is giving you the tools and techniques to create successfully…no matter the time of day. You will learn from Krystal how to choose the best sight, set up, and process to paint nocturnes from life which will help you carry the last rays of the day into the night in your work. You will effectively learn how to remove the “Fear Factor” from any nighttime scene in a way that fits in with your unique creativity and skill set.

The first evening you will participate in an interactive demo of a sunset scene followed by the transition into a nocturne. Take notes and paint along as you like. There will be no one-on-one instruction during the demo time.

The next evening we will follow the same pattern Krystal shared the night before and a return to the same scene. This time you will be painting and Krystal will be right beside you, helping you along.

NAU welcomed in Hispanic Heritage Month with its second annual Celebracíon de NAU

FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University welcomed in Hispanic Heritage Month with its second annual Celebracíon de NAU held on Sept. 20 at the Health Center Gymnasium.

More than a dozen NAU school organizations set up information booths for students attending the event including the NAU First Generation Program, NAU Campus Health Services — Counseling Services, NAU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, NAU Hermanas United for Change, NAU Education Abroad, NAU Peer, Jobs, Mentoring and NAU LaFe-Latino Christian Fellowship of InterVarsity Christian.

Community organizations that participated included the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and Sun Entertainment.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Sept. 23-27, 2024

Naturalization Ceremony at the Grand Canyon

On September 20, the Grand Canyon served as a breathtaking backdrop for the naturalization of 30 new American citizens from 11 diverse countries, including Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Vietnam. This ceremony, the first since 2019, celebrated unity and hope as it brought together individuals and families embarking on their new journeys as U.S. citizens. Held at Mather Amphitheater, the event was part of US Citizenship and Immigration Services annual celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, emphasizing the importance of citizenship in American democracy.

The ceremony featured a welcome from Havasupai spiritual leader James Uqualla, grounding the event in cultural heritage and respect for the land. U.S. Magistrate Judge Camille D. Bibles presided over the proceedings, which included the Oath of Allegiance administered by U.S. District Court Deputy Clerk Christina Davison. New citizens were reminded of the principles of freedom and diversity as they took their oaths. Adding to the solemnity of the occasion, Audrey Stone of the band, Juniper Hill, beautifully performed the National Anthem.

The event also included a presentation of colors by the Air Force ROTC Honor Guard from Northern Arizona University and a musical performance by the A-Train Sound. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of citizenship certificates, emotional cheers from friends and family, and a Pledge of Allegiance led by Supervisory Immigration Services Officer Ramon Melocarela. This meaningful celebration not only recognized a significant milestone for the new citizens but also underscored the lasting spirit of diversity that enhances American society.

Discover Flagstaff — Flagstaff Festival of Science, Various Locations Sept. 26 through 29

Flagstaff Festival of Science, Various Locations.

The Flagstaff Festival of Science is a free, 10-day event celebrating science in Northern Arizona, established in 1990 and known as the longest continuously running, free science festival in the world. Various Times.

Learn More

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Youth enjoy day of hands-on STEM activities at Flagstaff Festival of Science’s ‘Science in the Park’

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

FLAGSTAFF — From peering through telescopes to driving robotic vehicles and launching toy air rockets, hundreds of young people had the opportunity to learn about a variety of STEM activities at the annual Science in the Park event presented during the Flagstaff Festival of Science.

The event, which featured more than 50 vendor booths, was held Sept. 21, 2024 at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff. Some of the organizations offering hands-on activities included the Coconino Astronomical Society, which presented a variety of telescopes and astronomy information; Coconino High School’s CocoNuts, which allowed young people to drive their robotic creations; and the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, which offered youth the opportunity to launch stomp air rockets and learn about the space program. See more photos here.

Visitor surveys to be conducted on Coconino National Forest

FLAGSTAFF — Beginning October 2, the public will encounter contract employees working on the Coconino National Forest in developed and dispersed recreation sites and along forest service roads as they conduct surveys to help inform future forest management.

The National Visitor Use Monitoring survey is conducted every five years on national forests, which provides forest managers with an estimate of how many people recreate on the national forest, what activities they engage in while there, and how satisfied people were with their visit.

Coconino County Board of Supervisors officially proclaimed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Coconino County!

In recognition of the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” the County acknowledges how Latinos and Latinas are pioneers of change who are shaping the future, with the spirit of innovation, resilience, and unity that defines the Hispanic experience.

United Way of Northern Arizona Leading the Way with Annual Campaign Kickoff

We are so excited to announce that United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) has officially launched its 2024-2025 Annual Campaign!

Our kickoff was last week at a high-energy event with our campaign co-chairs, Northern Arizona University President Dr. José Luis Cruz Rivera and Dr. Rima Brusi, a professor at the university’s Honor College.

Below you’ll find details about the event, including the outstanding work of our Pacesetters in jump starting this year’s campaign. Thanks to everyone who attended and we hope you will join us in “Leading the Way” by supporting UWNA.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Sept. 16-20, 2024

Important Update: Phantom Ranch Closure Added to Inner Canyon Trail Closures

The National Park Service (NPS) is providing an important update regarding inner canyon trail closures to support the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL) construction project.

In addition to previously announced closures, please note that Phantom Ranch will be closed from January 2, 2025, to March 30, 2025, as the construction contractor, Stronghold Engineering, will be performing extensive excavation work in this area.

As a reminder, the other current inner canyon closure dates are:

Bright Angel Trail north of Havasupai Gardens and the Silver Bridge: Oct 21, 2024 – May 14, 2025
Bright Angel Campground: Nov 4, 2024 – May 14, 2025
Plateau Point Trail from the Tonto Trail Junction north of Havasupai Gardens to Plateau Point: Oct. 12, 2023 – May 14, 2025

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Flagstaff Festival of Science’s ‘Science in the Park’ among a number of upcoming youth and family events

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

FLAGSTAFF — With Fall officially beginning Sunday, Sept. 22, local families are having no shortage of outdoor events for their children this month.

Rapidly approaching is the Flagstaff Festival of Science which begins Friday, Sept. 20 with the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation with Jana Eggers at NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium. Eggers will focus on the latest developments in the field of AI, potential threats posed by AI—both perceived and real—and the promise AI holds for the future, festival organizers report.

Free Keynote tickets are still available by clicking HERE.

The festival, which features more than 100 events, continues Snook’s annual Science in the Park, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff.

“The fun is endless at our popular family science fair, where YOU are the scientist for the day! An ideal event for families, all booths will have hands-on activities for youth of all ages,” festival organizers report. “Discover something new and interact with over 50 vendors (including the Coconino Coaltion for Children & Youth) from a variety of Flagstaff scientific institutions!”

The NAU Review — Celebrate scientific innovation in Flagstaff, bolstering knowledge of AI + check out this Zoom TED Talk series!

Stargazing, day hikes, build-a-bot workshops and a search for *checks notes* Bigfoot? Sign us up! For 34 years running, the Flagstaff Festival of Science, presented in partnership with NAU, has delighted, amused and educated through free conversations, workshops, hikes and other unique explorations. Check out this year’s lineup of events and find out why festival leaders from NAU think you shouldn’t miss this annual celebration.

Grand Canyon National Park seeks public comment on proposed backcountry fee increase

GRAND CANYON, AZ. — Grand Canyon National Park is seeking the public’s input on a proposed increase for backcountry permit fees. The proposed change would begin May 1, 2025.

The existing $10 per application fee would remain the same and the nightly per-person fees would increase: the below-rim fee would go from $15 to $24 per person per night, and the above-rim fee would go from $4 to $6 per person per night.

Interested parties can provide feedback on the proposal online at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GRCA_Backcountry_Fee_Increase through October 12, 2024. Written comments should be submitted through this website.

The NAU Review — Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! + an exciting new degree program and research that changes what we know about brains

Did you know Sept. 15 isn’t just the start of this annual celebration? It also marks the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days during this month at well. At NAU, it’s an important time of year.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural contributions and vibrant histories of the Hispanic/Latine community. By highlighting these events, we not only honor the diversity that strengthens our society, but also create space for dialogue, understanding and unity,” said Claudia Rodas, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Educational Specialties and HSI advisor to the provost. “It is through recognizing and embracing our shared heritage that we foster a more inclusive and compassionate world.”

The Office of Inclusion and other campus partners are holding a number of events to celebrate this month, starting with a cooking demonstration sponsored by Louie’s Cupboard on Friday. The entire NAU community is invited to find opportunities to participate.
See the list of events

CCC Community Education — Check out our October schedule!

Cultivating Happiness: Practices for a Positive Mindset

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 9, 23, 30

5:15 to 7:45 p.m.

Explore and expand your authentic path to a richer, happier life. Dive into happiness science and learn practical methods to boost your well-being.

Happiness – Learn more and register!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Sept. 9-13, 2024

In recognition of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we are excited to share a new promotional video featuring Joshua Stegemeyer, Arizona Department of Health Services Suicide Prevention Program Manager.

This video emphasizes the crucial role of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides 24/7 support for those experiencing mental health crises or suicidal thoughts. Residents of Grand Canyon, AZ, can call or text “9-8-8” to connect with trained crisis counselors who offer immediate, compassionate help at no cost. For those who prefer, support is also available via chat at 988lifeline.org/chat.

For our community living at Grand Canyon, this information is particularly relevant as it ensures that help is always accessible, regardless of time or location. The 988 Lifeline offers specialized support for a wide range of individuals, including those in remote areas like ours. By promoting awareness of this vital service, we can help ensure that everyone in our community knows they have a valuable resource available whenever they need it.

For more details about what happens when you contact 988, please visit azhealth.gov/988.

Discover Flagstaff — Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festival, Pepsi Amphitheater Sept. 13-15

Join us for Pickin’ in the Pines, voted “Flagstaff’s Best Festival” for the last 6 years! Live music, camping, jamming, music workshops, band contest, community dance, kids activities and amazing memories made in the pines! Fri-Sat 10 a.m., Sun 9 a.m

Learn More

Grand Canyon National Park Eases Water Restrictions

GRAND CANYON, AZ.— Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim will transition to Stage 2 water restrictions due to rising water levels in reservoir tanks.

Operational changes include:

South Rim:

Camper Services, operated by Delaware North, will reopen to the public.
Water spigots in Mather Campground and Desert View Campground will be turned on.
Fire restrictions throughout the South Rim will be lifted. However, the park will remain under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which require campfires to be contained within designated fire rings in maintained campgrounds. In the inner canyon, only gas cook stoves are permitted; campfires and other open fires are not allowed below the rim. River users should continue to follow the conditions of their permits regarding fires along the Colorado River.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Upcoming virtual System Change Symposium (Oct. 22 or 23) part of trauma-informed and resilience training program with Flagstaff, Coconino County

COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth invite you to register for a groundbreaking System’s Change Symposium with national and global speakers on Oct. 22 or 23, 2024.

The virtual community event is free to individuals who work or live in Coconino County, with a small charge to people outside the County.

The Symposium is part of the Coalition’s Reimagine Community — Trauma-Informed System Change grant program focusing on developing a mental model change ensuring trauma-informed and resilience information is understood at the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County levels and enacted as policy change.

The goal of the project is to create awareness of the impacts of trauma and stress on individuals, to recognize how this is impacting team members, the wider community and the system as a whole, and to create a trauma responsive environment that supports staff members, teams and the community.

The Coalition was one of four organizations in Arizona to be selected in 2023 for the Vitalyst Health Foundation’s System Change Grant, which is supporting the Reimagine Community program.

Tourism to Grand Canyon National Park contributed $768 million to local economy in 2023

“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country.” 

“We’re excited to see how the Grand Canyon continues to drive economic growth in our local communities,” said Grand Canyon Superintendent Ed Keable. “The spending by our visitors not only underscores the park’s allure but also highlights its vital role in supporting jobs and boosting the regional economy.”

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Sept. 2-6, 2024

Water Updates and Transition into Stage 3 Water Restrictions

As many of you may have heard, the park has transitioned to Stage 3 water restrictions as of September 5. This is a significant milestone and a testament to the collective effort and dedication of our community, staff, and partners.

Beginning today, September 5, we will resume overnight accommodations at our park lodges on the South Rim. Reservations are now open, and we look forward to welcoming visitors back to these lodges. Your cooperation and commitment to conservation have been instrumental in our progress. Simple actions like limiting showers, turning off faucets, selectively flushing toilets, washing laundry with full loads, and reporting leaks have all significantly contributed to our success in managing water resources.

September at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Dear Museum Friends,

As we welcome September at the Museum of Northern Arizona, we find ourselves in a season of celebration.

This month, we proudly mark the Museum’s 96th anniversary! Since opening its doors on September 6, 1928, in a modest two-room space at the Flagstaff Woman’s Club, MNA has blossomed into a leading educational and research institution. For nearly a century, we’ve been dedicated to highlighting the art, science, and culture of the Colorado Plateau, sharing life-enriching knowledge and experiences with visitors from around the world.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Families celebrate variety of educational programs in Coconino County

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY — From a student art exhibit to an after school carnival and a host of science workshops and activities, families have the opportunity to take part in a variety of educational programs in September.

As the month opened, families were able to view the 2024 Student Art Exhibit at the 2024 Coconino County Fair

Students from dozens of local public elementary, middle and high schools; charter schools and home-school students submitted a variety of entries, which were displayed at the Fort Tuthill Fairgrounds’ Schools exhibit building. Please see photos below.

Upcoming events include the annual FACTS Lights On! Carnival at Bushmaster Park (Sept. 14) and the annual Flagstaff Festival of Science (Sept. 20-29), which includes Science in the Park (Sept. 21) at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff.

The NAU Review — Big news for the marching band + new ways researchers are tackling issues like homelessness and quantum computing

What are you doing on Thanksgiving Day 2025? The Lumberjack Marching Band just found out their plans: performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade! The band got the good news during halftime at Saturday’s football game against Lincoln University. There aren’t enough words to express how excited they are, so we got it on video.
Watch the video

United Way of Northern Arizona — Deadline to Register Annual Campaign Kickoff breakfast is 3 pm TODAY

Welcome back from the holiday weekend!

Today (September 3rd) is the last day to register for our Annual Campaign Kickoff breakfast at High Country Conference Center. We need to hear from you by 3 pm to make sure we save your seat!

Two of our honored guests at the kickoff will be this year’s Annual Campaign Co-Chairs, Northern Arizona University President Dr. José Luis Cruz Rivera and his wife, Dr. Rima Brusi, and we hope you enjoy learning more about them in the profile below.

But before you read it, if you haven’t already registered to join us for the Annual Campaign Kickoff breakfast on September 13, please do it now!

Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library — Happening at Your Library Week of 9/02/24

View this email in your browser September 2nd, 2024 Connect with your community Library Closures Adult & All-Ages Events Book Clubs Youth Events Friends of the Library Technology Help To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, please…

Discover Flagstaff — Coconino County Fair (Aug. 30-Sept. 2), Flagstaff Art in the Park (Aug. 31-Sept. 1) highlight weekend events

Coconino County Fair, Fort Tuthill County Park — Celebrate 75 years of the Coconino County Fair. 10 a.m.
***
Flagstaff Art in the Park, Wheeler Park — Flagstaff Art in the Park features fabulous art shown by artists, live music, awesome food, kids activities, beer garden and more! 9:30 a.m. Free.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Time is Running Out to RSVP for Sept. 13 Kickoff Breakfast!

Time is running out to save your seat for our Annual Campaign Kickoff breakfast at High Country Conference Center. We are bringing northern Arizonans together so that we can continue Leading the Way in making our communities stronger, more resilient, and a place where our youth can thrive.

The deadline to register for our event is Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Grand Canyon Seeks Public Review and Comment on Park Section 106 Programmatic Agreement

GRAND CANYON, AZ. — The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning public review of a programmatic agreement to establish a more efficient process to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) in Grand Canyon National Park. Public comments will be accepted from August 29 – September 28, 2024.

Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider the effects of projects that are carried out, assisted, funded, permitted, or licensed by the federal government on historic properties. If a federal or federally assisted project has the potential to affect historic properties, a Section 106 review takes place.

Coconino County Parks & Recreation September 2024 Update

Join us to celebrate 75 years of the Coconino County Fair! Get excited for fun rides, delicious fair food, awesome exhibits, animals, entertainment, fun, and memories!

Join us Friday, August 30 to Monday, September 2, at the Fort Tuthill County Fairgrounds!

Entertainment Headliners Friday, 8:00: The Outlaw Mariachi Saturday, 8:00: RaeLynn
Sunday, 8:00: La Brazza Norteña Monday, 2:00: Sonoran Dogs

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Reserve your keynote tickets!

Reserve your FREE keynote tickets today. The W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation with Jana Eggers takes place Friday, September 20 at NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium.

Doors open at 6 p.m. followed by an exciting AI-inspired ballet performance at 6:30 p.m. with NAU Community Music and Dance Academy. The performance explores how artificial intelligence can enhance the creative process, and highlights the fusion of human artistry and technological innovation.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Get details on upcoming youth and family events including the 2024 Coconino County Fair Student Art Exhibit

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY — While Summer vacation is over for many families in Coconino County, there are still plenty educational and fun activities available for youth in the region, including the 2024 Coconino County Fair Student Art Exhibit (Aug. 30 through Sept. 2).

Students from dozens of local public elementary, middle and high schools; charter schools and home-school students have submitted a variety of entries, which will be displayed in the Fort Tuthill Fairgrounds’ Schools exhibit building.

See more upcoming community and back-to-school events below. Please check with individual school districts, health care providers and other organizations to confirm times, dates of back-to-school information listed below.

The Coalition will continue to update this resource list. If you have a program you want us to include, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org. Thank you.

(Updated Aug. 27, 2024)

The NAU Review — Welcome back, Lumberjacks! Highlights from move-in, meet the new ASNAU president and don’t miss the welcome back BBQ

LumberSNAPS: Return of the Jacks

The new academic year is already off to an axe-citing start! Last week, the Flagstaff mountain campus buzzed with fresh energy as new students moved into residence halls, gathered at welcome events like Lumberjack Launch and donned matching T-shirts for the annual NAU letters portrait. More beginning-of-the-year fun is ahead this week, including the start of classes, the first football game of the season and the Running of the Freshmen, a beloved Lumberjack tradition.

Sedona Arts Center — Check out these Art Classes & Workshops!

ART CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
in Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is surrounded by a magical landscape of red rock formations and high desert hills with beautiful Oak Creek meandering through it all. Come experience the Shangri-La of the Southwest, a beautiful learning environment with Art Colony roots going back nearly 100 years!

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — See our Back-to-School, upcoming youth and family event listing here

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY — Back-to-School events are winding down, but there are still plenty of upcoming activities for families and youth in Coconino County including Family Field Day at Page Sports Complex (Aug. 28), the FACTS Lights On! Carnival in Flagstaff (Sept. 14), the Flagstaff Festival of Science — Science in the Park (Sept. 21) and NACA’s Reach Ur Life Community Cultural event for youth and families (Sept. 27).

See more upcoming events below and please check with individual school districts, health care providers and other organizations to confirm times, dates, other back-to-school information below.

The Coalition will continue to update this resource list. If you have a program you want us to include, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org. Thank you.

(Updated Aug. 21, 2024)

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces celebrates 9th annual Summertime Tardeada on Aug. 10 and Mariachi Mass on Aug. 11

FLAGSTAFF — Threatening skies didn’t keep the crowd away when Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces celebrated its 9th annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklórico Festival” on Aug. 10 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Nearly 400 visitors had the opportunity to enjoy the celebration with performances by the all-female Mariachi Rubor Femenil from Phoenix, Ballet Folklorico de Colores – Flagstaff, with dance music by Soul Persuasion from Phoenix.

Mariachi Rubor Femenil will be performing again in Flagstaff during the upcoming Celebraciones de la Gente Oct. 26, 27 at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

The Tardeada concluded promptly at 7 p.m. with a nearby lighting strike at the end of the Soul Persuasion performance. The Tardeada also included the annual Veterans recognition, games for adults and children, food and the return a classic car show.

This year’s Premier Sponsors were the Cococnino County Board of Supervisors,  the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC). and San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church, with the support of a number of community groups.

United Way of Northern Arizona — How Pacesetters Are ‘Leading the Way’ – and How You Can Join Them

The impact of our Pacesetters – the companies and organizations that fundraise for our annual campaign in the month ahead of our official launch – is truly invaluable.

Their efforts not only lead the way by providing a head start in our fundraising efforts, but they also infuse the campaign with their enthusiasm. Their work generates buzz and builds up anticipation as they rally the community around United Way of Northern Arizona and promote our mission of stepping up for our youth and our community.

If you’ve attended one of our UWNA campaign kickoff events, you know that a big highlight is when the Pacesetters proudly present what they raised, often with oversized novelty checks or other creative displays.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Aug. 12-16, 2024

Water conservation measures reimplemented for South Rim

As of August 13, the South Rim has returned to water restrictions. This is in response to a new pipeline break identified between Cottonwood Campground and Manzanita rest area along the North Kaibab Trail. Water conservation measures require all park residents to conserve and reduce water usage whenever possible.

Discover Flagstaff — Mother Road Classic Car Show, City Hall Parking Lot on Saturday, Aug. 17

The Mother Road Classic is a show for cars, trucks and (new this year) motorcycles. Located in downtown Flagstaff, it celebrates Route 66, and classic, vintage, and performance vehicles. It is a charity event, raising money for Flagstaff charities. 8 a.m.

Learn More

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Back-to-School events concluding, but see upcoming Fall events. See our resource listing

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY —  Back-to-School events in Coconino County — including fall enrollment, freshman orientations for parents and students, meet the teacher events, school supply distributions and youth sports physicals — will soon conclude, but local organizations are already planning for a variety of youth events this upcoming Fall.

One of the most recent back-to-school events occurred on Aug. 6 with the ‘Meet the Teacher’ event at Killip Elementary School in Flagstaff.

Student received back-to-school supplies kits with parents receiving family support information from a variety of organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff, Child & Family Support Services in Flagstaff, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth (CCC&Y), Coconino County Health and Human Services, the Killip Parent Teacher Organization, Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) and North Country HealthCare, just to name a few,

Please check with individual school districts, health care providers and other organizations to confirm times, dates, other information.

The NAU Review — Sharing all your pun-tastic jokes! Plus, meet the new SAC president + relive NAU Day at the Diamondbacks

Are bird feeders bad?

It’s complicated. A new study authored by NAU alumnus Andrew Abraham and professor of ecology Chris Doughty found that bird feeders are changing the chemistry of local ecosystems and introducing a potentially harmful amount of phosphorus into the environment. Does this mean putting out bird feeders is always bad? Not necessarily, the researchers say—but it does mean we need a better understanding of how different factors interact to change the

SIGN UP for Art Classes & Workshops at the Sedona Arts Center

Sedona is surrounded by a magical landscape of red rock formations and high desert hills with beautiful Oak Creek meandering through it all. Come experience the Shangri-La of the Southwest, a beautiful learning environment with Art Colony roots going back nearly 100 years!