July Luna Moms Club Playgroup themes are celebrating the 4th of July and WATER!!

Wednesday playgroups meet at Halyburton, Ogden and Leland Municipal Parks at 10am and Thursday playgroups meet either at Hugh MacRae Park at 10am or at 3pm for field trips (unless otherwise noted on the meet-up.com calendar). PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME FOR SUMMER MORNING PLAYGROUPS! Visit http://parents.meetup.com/582/ for the all the details and to RSVP.

July 1 - Fireworks Fingerpainting/4th of July Crafts
July 2 - My Smart Signing Hands Class
July 8 - Storytime
July 9 - Splash Pad
July 15 - Water Play Day at the Park
July 16 - Splash Pad
July 22 - July Birthday and New Baby Celebrations
July 23 - Fit for Fun

FIFTH WEDNESDAY PLAYGROUP: July 29 following class join us at the Poplar Grove Plantation Farmer's Market.

FAMILY NIGHT OUT: Let's get all the families together for a fun evening of music and picnicing at the concert at Mayfaire! Music is from 6-9pm. Come when you can and stay as long as you like! A lot of fun for the whole family!!

MOM'S NIGHT OUT: Relax on the deck at the Pilot House in downtown Wilmington! Saturday, July 25 at 7pm. The Pilot House now offers their lunch menu all day long! Come down and enjoy the sunset on the river with the moms!

From June 1 through August 31 all morning classes will begin at 9am in an effort to beat the heat. Bring plenty of water for you and your little one(s) to stay hydrated!

Sign up for a membership during the month of July and receive a FREE Stroller Strides reusable tote bag!

When you refer a friend and she signs up for a monthly membership you'll both get half off one month's membership dues! There's no limit on how many referrals so bring a friend and see the savings add up for you!

Check these links for two articles recently published about our very own Wilmington Area Stroller Strides:
North Brunswick Magazine - http://www.northbrunswickmagazine.com/strollerstrides
Greater Wilmington Business Journal - http://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/industry_news_details.php?id=282

We are so excited to announce that Fit4Baby, a prenatal fitness program designed by Stroller Strides, is coming to Wilmington in 2009! Like Stroller Strides’ postnatal programs, Fit4Baby will offer a total body interval workout including strength training, cardio and flexibility exercises that can be completed in either an outdoor or indoor environment. During the one-hour class, exercises will be adjusted to accommodate clients’ various stages of pregnancy, and further education from instructors on each phase will help participants understand the bodily changes taking place, how to best care for themselves, and the preparation process for motherhood. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm and Saturdays at noon at Hugh MacRae Park. Pre-registration and physicians approval is required before starting this program. Email jodysmith@strollerstrides.net to begin today!

Class will be cancelled or moved indoors only when weather conditions appear to pose a hazard. Classes are NOT cancelled for light rain or drizzle; instructors will be available to teach.

Cold Weather - We will cancel or move class indoors in the winter if the temperature is expected to be 40 degrees or colder (or 40 degrees or colder with wind chill) at 10:00am. In the Wilmington Area this doesn't happen too often, so we will just bundle up and keep on walking! I use www.weather.com and the "Hour by Hour" forecast to make the call.

Call 800.691.6154 and choose option 4 to hear the plan for inclement weather.
If it is raining in the morning Monday-Friday we will use UNCW's Trask Coliseum.

See this link for an interactive map of UNCW:
http://www.uncwil.edu/ba/campus_map/index.htm Directions:
Use the entrance at Hurst Dr off of College Rd (southernmost entrance closest to K-Mart) and make your first left onto Wagoner Dr.
Park in Lot K which will be the first parking lot on the right.
There is only 1 elevator in Trask and it is at this end of the building in the Nixon Annex.

Watch this short video showing just some of what Stroller Strides has to offer.
http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t286/ESZC3/?act

Here's what a few Wilmington Area Stroller Strides moms are saying about their experience:

"After I leave a Stroller Strides class I feel I have accomplished something so much more than a workout. I have made time for myself to be healthy and social at the same time. A class is a time for fitness and friendship and I value both so much." ~Mary C. (mom to DJ)

"I joined Stroller Strides to get back in shape and gain back strength. I was really active before I got pregnant and I felt winded after just carrying a load of laundry upstairs. The thing that reeled me in was that Zoe was part of the workout. I didn't need to pay a sitter, and it was more bonding time, and time in the fresh air. What I like most is the support. I have Jody's support in helping me acheive my fitness goals, all the moms' support in my mothering, the emotional support of the whole group. The classes really work you to the limit. Of course you can choose your own pace but if you do it at 100%, it is really challenging. I really feel like I pushed myself. I'm taking steps toward being healthy and being a good role model for Zoe. Incidentally, I love that we never talk about pounds or inches in Stroller Strides-just about feeling good, being healthy, and setting a good example of being active for our kids. Stroller Strides has given me an opportunity to get healthy WITH my daughter WITH a group of supportive women. Stroller Strides also welcomes dads, so when my husband isn't working, we get to exercise as a family (Zoe loves those days). Many of the dads now come Saturdays and now the dads are getting to know each other, too. I went from staying inside almost all day to being outside for long stretches 3-5 days a week. Jody brings a really positive, non-judgemental, happy attitute to class, and it reflects in the group. I was really concerned with that-- I wanted to be in a group that embraces whatever choices women are making as mothers. She truly has created a safe space to get healthy-- in 'mind, body AND spirit' as she says." ~Emily C. (mom to Zoe)

"After completing a stroller strides class I am more energetic and ready to face the day. More importantly, Stroller Strides has improved my physical fitness. I feel really strong, like I can accomplish anything! The best part is that I can bring my kids with me and they have fun!" ~Rica S. (mom to Emelia & Jullian)

"I hate exercising, but I always feel better for going after class. I always feel like class was easy, then I wake up in the morning and my butt and arms hurt." ~Jennifer N. (mom to Preston)

"As a working mom, I found it hard to find the time to workout without sacrifing precious time with my baby. With Stroller Strides Working Mom classes, I love that I can get a good, total-body workout while still bonding with my baby." ~Amy T. (mom to Abby)

"I initially joined to get a workout, but I have found so much more. I love the fact that I am doing something for myself by getting in a good workout, but I can also involve my child as well. I also love the camraderie, the support, the friendships. After attending class I feel so good about myself, and so happy that I can set a good example for my daughter. I am a different person, in just this short time. I am happier, healthier, and so much more excited to get up in the morning. Before Stroller Strides, I was living the most isolated year of my life with my daughter. Being a stay at home mom was harder than I expected, and although I was blissfully in love with my daughter, I found all of my friends slipping away. It was hard to find activities to do with such a small baby, and working out was impossible. I decided to give Stroller Strides a chance after meeting Jody, who was so kind and open and friendly. After the first class, I was hooked! Now I wake up excited to go to class and my daughter loves to go walk and see her friends. I am making huge strides in my fitness level, but more importantly I am a different person in my soul. I have opened up again, made wonderful friends, and am enjoying life so much more. I know this sounds cheesy, but it is true: Stroller Strides has changed my life." ~Bella S. (mom to Lily)

"Stroller Strides is way more than an exercise class. You meet great moms who either have or are going to have the same experiences with their babies. Not only is there exercise there is friendship, advice, tips and most importantly laughter. Being a Mom is great, being a Stroller Strides Mom is even better." ~Linda W. (mom to Hannah)

New photos from playgroups, classes, moms night out and other events are always being added to the photo gallery. Check it out and see all the fun stuff the Wilmington Area Stroller Strides moms are up to!

Wilmington Stroller Strides is now on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24331921931). Find us and let's be friends!

As moms, we understand that life is about finding balance while nurturing our minds, bodies and spirits. LUNA Moms Club was created with this aspiration in mind. By becoming a member you will build a tight community of moms to share advice, tips and most importantly laughter. Support and connect with other moms through:

Innovative & creative playgroups - fun for mom, fun for baby.
Entertaining moms' nights out - this is your time.
"Moms with a Mission" activities - help better the community where you live and play.

Join us. Make a difference.
Go to www.lunabar.com/momsclub to sign up today. You do not have to be a member of Stroller Strides to join the LUNA Moms Club. All moms are welcome!

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Stroller Strides instructor, please email jodysmith@strollerstrides.net. Sub opportunities are available as well!