There comes a moment in every parenting journey when we pause and realize the end of a very important chapter is in sight. Graduation looms, and then comes college, a gap year or a child living on their own for the first time. For me, I remember it well as a humbling, bittersweet time.
In this issue, Cherie Gough offers thoughtful guidance on how to make the most of college visits—and with spring break just around the corner, a college-sleuthing road trip might be the perfect adventure.
In Education, we explore a discipline that has quietly gone from many classrooms, including the Bend-La Pine School District: cursive handwriting. Once second nature, cursive is now unfamiliar to most students. Is it still necessary for kids to learn this art form?
Family Time brings a delightful hands-on activity inspired by Beatrix Potter’s beloved “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” After reading this charming story together, head to the kitchen to whip up a blackberry sweet treat straight from the pages of this classic tale.
Be sure to flip to the center of the magazine, where you’ll find your Best of the Nest ballot. Vote for all your favorites—Best Day Care, Best Place for a Play Date, Best Family Restaurant and more…and more! Your voice matters, and this cherished tradition wouldn’t be possible without you. Thank you for helping celebrate the people and places that make our Central Oregon community so special.
As families begin planning summer vacations, we share a meaningful idea for travel: volunteering abroad as a family. From environmental projects to teaching English or working with underprivileged children, these opportunities offer a chance to give back while creating lasting memories together.
With chess clubs popping up and families rediscovering the game, Kids in Action breaks down this trend. Nicole Blume shares an abundance of resources to help your child get started.
Finally, Outdoors takes us beneath the surface where Joshua Savage explores the fascinating world of caving in Central Oregon and beyond. Learn how lava tubes and underground chambers form a hidden labyrinth beneath our feet.
Happy Spring! —and don’t forget to vote for all your faves!
This article appears in Bend Nest Spring 2026.
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