Keep Cool with Water Park Fun!

by Reporter Jesus Lara

Summer is coming up, which means it will be getting really hot! Lots of places are open, like water parks! Here are a few places to go to during your summer.

The first option is Hurricane Harbor located in Glendale! Hurricane Harbor is a great water park that has a large variety of rides. Around the park you can also find a lazy river, spots for food and several water fountains so you don’t get dehydrated. It is a safe and cool place for summer fun!

The second option is Waylon’s Water World, located in Yuma! It includes a water park, arcade games, mini golf and go-karts!

The third and final option is Funtastics Family Fun Park located in Tucson! It includes the Cactus Springs water play area, laser tag, go-karts, roller coasters and mini golf! So, be ready and have a fun time!

Discover Pinetop this Summer

by Reporter Jason Pluta

One of my favorite places to visit during the summer is the White Mountains in Pinetop, Arizona. My mom, grandma and I go there every year. We rent a special hotel called a timeshare, but you can also rent a cool cabin. There are so many things to see and do in Pinetop. Pinetop has many hiking trails you can explore. In my opinion, the best hiking trail is by a lake called Scott Reservoir because there is a natural ice cave you can visit on that trail. There is also amazing scenery on hiking trails like tall pine trees and different wildlife including elk, black bears and wild horses. There are even some poisonous plants like poison ivy and poison oak, so it’s important to stay on the trails to be safe. Fishing is also a popular and fun thing to do in Pinetop. Rainbow Lake is a big lake where you can rent a boat to fish, or you can fish in a smaller body of water called Silver Creek. Silver Creek is connected to a hatchery, which is a place where they breed and release fish to restock the lakes. The hatchery even offers tours so you can see how it operates.

Have you ever been to the White Mountains? There is fun for the whole family in Pinetop. I hope someday you can have adventures in Pinetop, too.

Visit Saguaro National Park

by Reporter Natalie Jones

Saguaro National Park is a great place to visit. It has two sides, the east side and the west side.

Saguaro National Park East has a beautiful hiking loop called Desert Ecology Trail. The easy trail is ¼ of a mile and paved. There are lots of signs to read and learn about wildlife and plants. Many different levels of trails are open for different skilled hikers.

Want to have some quiet time? Saguaro National Park is the perfect place for you. Our family set a timer for 1 minute and enjoyed the sounds of nature. We heard birds and the wind blowing through the palo verde trees.

There is lots of wildlife. You could see javelina, lizards, hawks and woodpeckers. We saw a coyote behind a small shrub. If you want to see some wildlife, ask a park ranger about sightings so you know where to look for some animals.

The west side of Saguaro National Park has unique cacti. We saw a cactus that was bent at the top and had no arms at all, quite a few cacti that were skinny at the top, and a prickly pear pad shaped like a heart.

There is so much to see at Saguaro National Park!

The west side also has some petroglyphs. They are located on a hiking trail called Signal Hill. It is half a mile and has a stunning view at the top. If you would like a harder trail there are lots to choose from.

The Visitor Center on the west side is small but fascinating. There is an example of the inside of a saguaro and what a bird’s home inside a cactus looks like. The Visitor Center leads to an easy trail that is wheelchair accessible.

The east and west sides are both amazing places to visit and explore. Saguaro National Park is truly a wonderful place to visit. There is something for everyone!

Cool Down In Flagstaff

by Reporter Benjamin Baker

Are you looking for a place to cool off in the summer and keep from melting? Head up to Flagstaff, a wonderful place to beat the heat. Flagstaff has things for everyone to enjoy, including great restaurants, parks and places to stay. Flagstaff also has a train station, a visitor’s center, hiking trails, dormant volcanoes, stunning sunsets, and yummy food and drinks at Macy’s European Coffee House and Bakery. If you have time, try to head down to Downtown Flagstaff, which has good things to eat, summer events and unique shops. Some of the summer events include a farmers’ market, outdoor movies and music. Flagstaff is about 144 miles from Phoenix, but well worth the 2 hours and 16 minutes that it takes to get there. I think that the best time to go is during July, since that is when it is hottest in the desert, but cool and refreshing there. So get your luggage and head on up north, and have an amazing time!  it take longer to get to Flagstaff.

Head to the Library this Summer!

by Reporter Ezekiel Perez

A great place to visit and spend the summer this year is your local public library. Every year around the country, public libraries celebrate the Summer Reading Program. It starts on June 1 and ends on Aug. 1. It is a game where every minute you read equals one point. You also can earn points by attending events and looking for secret codes in the libraries and other places around town. Your goal is 1,000 points.

I had the opportunity to interview Sean P.S. George, the South Region Manager and South Mountain Community Library Co-Manager. George is excited because the Summer Reading Program is getting closer to normal after having to close during the pandemic. This year there will be more events.

I was curious about who creates the theme. George told me it is created by a national organization called Collaborative Summer Library Project. Every state used to come up with its own theme, but around the year 2000 this organization formed, and most libraries across the country use this collaborative summer reading theme. The theme this year is “All Together Now.”

The program has great sponsors, local business that support the local libraries. Some prizes might be different at each branch depending of its location. You start earning prizes when you enroll.

Don't wait! Enroll now, read, and have fun getting prizes!

Adviser: Kattiana Perez

Retro Arcade Is a Blast from the Past

by Reporter Parker McGowan

I walked through the door into the arcade. Suddenly, I heard numerous beeping noises. The center of the room had a long line of pinball machines. There were many retro games in other rooms and ’80s toys almost everywhere. One of the best kinds of places to play video games are arcades. Some arcades have new games and some of them have older ones. Starfighters Arcade in Mesa is a pixelated funhouse arcade filled with lots of games. 

Starfighters Arcade offers over 160 classic games including Defender, Donkey-Kong, Dig-Dug, and Gauntlet 1 and 2. My personal favorites are Escape from the Planet of Robot Monsters and the famous original Super Mario Bros! Once you pay the entry fee of 11 dollars, all the games are unlimited play—every time you die in a game you don’t have to pay another quarter! Starfighters Arcade offers pinball machines too. They offer the largest number of games in the state for public play! 

Starfighters Arcade makes a fun night for kids and adults alike. Playing there was an

incredible experience! No matter your age, you can enjoy pinball and video games galore! Starfighters arcade is located at: 4840 E. Jasmine St. #102, Mesa.

Lake or Lava Tubes, Flagstaff Has It All

by Reporter Stella Edwards

When you are in the Flagstaff area, take a quick day trip to Lake Mary. Although the water is murky, it is still a great place to go boating or fishing. The water is usually calm, so it is good for kids and pets. Bring a blanket and pick a spot to have a gorgeous picnic surrounded by pine trees and wildlife. If you’re sick of typical everyday hikes, the Flagstaff Lava Tubes are a must! This hike leads you underground into cool, dark tunnels. When you walk down into the cave, you will be surrounded by lava rocks from top to bottom. It is a straight shot in and out, so you won’t get lost. Make sure to wear warm clothes and bring lots of lights with backup batteries.

Check Out Lake Pleasant

by Reporter Katelyn Jackson

When you need a break from the heat, Lake Pleasant offers a wide range of fun and refreshing activities. You can spend the day hiking and swimming near the shore or head out into the lake. You can rent a jet ski or paddle board. Choose from various hiking paths around the lake to take in natural scenery of cactus and mountains. The lush landscaping makes for a fun and adventurous hike near this beautiful lake. Start your journey by looking at the map. When you need a refreshing way to cool off after a hike, you can jump into the clear, blue water at the beach for a swim. The sandy shore around the lake is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the sun. Don’t forget sunscreen and bring lots of water!

Take a Magical Day Trip to Sedona

by Reporters Allie Miller and Keira Turner

Sedona’s famous red rocks provide a backdrop for a magical day trip. The Pink Jeep Tour is one of the most famous attractions. Hop in a Jeep to see the rocks from a new perspective while learning about Sedona’s history.  Another way to see a new view is climbing at Bell Rock. Any age or skill type can climb on the rocks and boulders. If you want to climb to the top of the rock, it takes roughly one to three hours depending on your skill level. When you are climbing up you will come across some amazing views, especially at the top. This is a highlight in Sedona, especially if you love to free climb. When you get hungry, visit the Javelina Cantina for the best Mexican food made fresh daily. The dress code is casual, so no need to change out of your hiking clothes. From $14 guacamole dip to $25 fajitas, the food is well worth it! And if you’re lucky, you can see the javelinas up close from the patio outside. If you want to cool down after a long hike, Slide Rock is a nice place for a quick swim. This park contains naturally made waterslides. It is such a beautiful experience, showing God’s creativity.

Enjoy Fishing and More in Payson

by Reporter Brady Butler

Visit Crackerjack Creek near Payson to swim and play in the water. Make sure to bring a fishing pole because you’re sure to see some trout and bass (and if you’re older than 10, make sure to grab a fishing license on the way). Although you need a fishing license to catch fish, you can catch crawdads and tadpoles without one. It is so beautiful out there. While you are in the area, check out Extreme Arizona to rent some UTVs, ATVs and dirt bikes. There are some great trails with even better views. Bring a helmet and a pair of goggles so you don’t get dust or mud in your eyes.

Adviser: Leanne Dick