November 2015 Editor’s Note: What Happens In Vegas

My son Adam tagged along on our shoot with Henrik Lundqvist. Photo by Michael Jurick.

Each month, we plan an issue and then, right before we send it to the printer for publication, I ask my editorial team—deputy editor Mia Weber and senior editor Lauren Vespoli—to share with me their favorite stories. I then compare their thoughts on the topics with my own and write this editor’s note, often combining something from my own life as a parent with some of the stories presented in the issue. This month, however, I happened to be in Las Vegas attending the ABC Kids Expo, the leading baby products convention for industry professionals—and I don’t feel like I have the time or energy to thoughtfully reflect on this month’s issue. But thankfully, Mia and Lauren do. So without further ado, I have asked each of them to share their own thoughts on the highlights of this issue with you.

“This issue is full of great options and inspiration for celebration. Our twice annual birthday party guide showcases over 60 fabulous spots in the city to host your child’s birthday, while our guide to bar and bat mitzvah celebration locations offers picks in a variety of styles and sensibilities. And our ideas for re-vamping your Thanksgiving kids’ table with crafts and seasonal décor picks is sure to delight. Finally, the sight of handsome (and athletic and thoughtful and charitable) local dad Henrik Lundqvist on our cover will have you all feeling quite festive about a great season of Rangers hockey, not to mention feeling warm and fuzzy inside as he talks about his young daughters!” –Mia Weber

“I enjoyed writing this month’s profile on City Births because they are so passionate about what they do—their focus on teaching women about all of their options for childbirth and beyond, without judgement or attempting to influence their decisions, is really unique. Another highlight in this issue is our Last Word essay—it’s a touching meditation on fatherhood and the way that experiences from early childhood can impact people for the rest of their lives.” –Lauren Vespoli

Happy November!
Eric Messinger
Editor, [email protected]

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Adventuring Portal

<a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&amp;D) games for kids.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&amp;D. Our D&amp;D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday &ndash; Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).&nbsp;&nbsp;15 total gaming hours for $180.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor&rsquo;s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done &amp; take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&amp;D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do. All our games focus on experiential learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&amp;D adventuring! We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum.&nbsp; All girls&rsquo; groups available.&nbsp; I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started&nbsp;Adventuring Portal, an&nbsp;online Dungeons &amp; Dragons&nbsp;business&nbsp;for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&amp;D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

Summer Game Camp There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including &ndash; - Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers! - Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more! - Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch! - A digital campus! - Moderated chat hours! &nbsp; Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more! Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm &nbsp; Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons &amp; Dragons No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons &amp; Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons &amp; Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons &amp; Dragons workshop!&nbsp; &nbsp; Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together! &nbsp; Dungeons &amp; Dragons Junior No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons &amp; Dragons games. Our Dungeons &amp; Dragons Jr. game provides a D&amp;D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons &amp; Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&amp;D so they can eventually move onto the main game.