Jaime is a contributing writer for Salt Lake magazine. Formerly, he served as our editorial intern, then as our assistant web editor, and, finally,
as our web editor. While he covers many different topics, he is especially interested in nerdy entertainment, from FanX's artist alley to Sundance's Midnight screenings.
Now that we’re in the middle of the summer, consider planning your family getaway to one of our local water parks soon. Four options are listed below, with closing dates, weather permitting. Visit park websites for the most up-to-date information, and make sure to look into your local recreation and fitness centers, pools and natural swimming holes as well.
Water park with plenty of waterslides, a lazy river, a kids’ zone, and even its own version of a beach, along with food options including BLTs, pizzas and more. Admission includes free tubes and life jackets.
A waterpark within a themepark, Lagoon-A-Beach offers exciting waterslides, a lazy river, waterfalls, a younger kids area and more. Admission is included with general admission to Lagoon, where you can ride new roller coaster Primordial.
Cherry Hill offers slides, a lazy river, and plenty for kids, including a pirate ship with water cannons. Cherry Hill also has mini golf, an interactive maze, a rock wall and more. The Pie Pantry on site is known for its desserts, including a chapple (cherry and apple) pie.
Splash Summit has plenty of slides, a relaxing river, waterfalls, a shallow pool for littles and more. Foods include Dole Whip, nachos, pizza and more.
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Paleontologists say the largest of the raptor dinosaurs,the Utahraptor, likely ambushed big, meaty prey in packs around Utah 124 million years ago. Today, Raptors in Utah hit home runs, prefer hot dogs to Iguanodons and seem much friendlier.
The Ogden Raptors have played baseball in Utah since 1994, starting at the city’s small Serge Simmons Field while waiting for a stadium. “Interesting factoid on that site,” says Dave Baggott, team founder and the majority owner, “we rented the old floor seats and risers from the Salt Palace where the Jazz played.”
Entrance to Lindquist Field, built in 1997. Photo courtesy of Ogden Raptors. Raptor Mascot, Oggie. gives some Raptor sass to passing umpires. Photo courtesy of Ogden Raptors.
Lindquist Field opened in downtown Ogden three years later, giving fans a short walk from restaurants and bars and boasting one of the best mountain-city backdrops in baseball.
“Every year, I look forward to everything,” Baggott says. “From the players and coaches to the sponsors and fans, it’s fun to reconnect every season with people I haven’t seen since last season. I also look forward to meeting the latest generation of fans whose parents came to Raptors games when they were children and now share those memories by bringing their own children.”
Baggott says the team’s biggest rivals are the Boise Hawks and Rocky Mountain Vibes (of Colorado Springs). “Mainly because the coaching staff in those cities are former Raptors coaches and are dear friends,” he says. “That said, we want to beat up on each other, but at the end of the day, we’re all brothers.”
Ahead of the season, Baggott expected big plays from returning players Chris Sargent, Mitch Stone, Connor Bagnieski and Kenny Oyama.
Raptor’s mascot, Oggie, hugs a friend at Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park. Photo courtesy of Ogden Raptors.
While the team began its season in May, you can still see them take on Boise at home from July 22–27 and Sept. 2–7. They play the Vibes at home Aug. 19–24.
“The Raptors will always be family-friendly and affordable for everyone,” Baggott says. “It is a magical place, and I encourage all to come out.”
Want to learn about Utah’s actual prehistoric raptors at a paleontology museum and dinosaur sculpture park? Visit the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, just 10-minutes from the ballpark.
For the Little Raptors
The Ogden Raptors welcome kids to the field before every Sunday game to play catch. Kids can also join Oggie’s Kids Club ($25) and get the following benefits:
Discounts on merch and concessions
Five free box-seat tickets
Opportunities to meet players and throw the opening pitch
Ogden Raptors after winning the 2023 championship games. Photos courtesy of Ogden Raptors. Photo courtesy of Ogden Raptors.
Ball Park Promos
Tuesdays: First 300 fans receive a free Raptors cap; $5 box seats (limit 8) by showing your Bank of Utah debit/credit card.
Wednesdays: $2 hot dogs; $5 box seats (limit 8) by showing your Wells Fargo debit/credit card.
Thursdays: Discounted sodas and beer; $5 box seats (limit 8) by showing your American First Credit Union debit/credit card.
Fridays: First 300 fans receive a free Raptors T-shirt.
Saturdays: First 500 fans receive a free mystery item.
Sundays: Free concession food items (really, free food on Sundays).
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The Natural History Museum of Utah wants to change your mind on bugs.
To help make that happen, the museum’sBugFest, running Aug. 8–10, will include workshops, displays, activities and a film screening to help educate the public about the vital role bugs “from pollinators to predators” serve.
While all types of bugs will be discussed and/or presented, the star of the sixth year of the event is the praying mantis.
For the kids, BugFest includes arts and crafts, face painting and more. For older audiences, the festival offers fascinating lectures, a screening of an episode of Bugs that Rule the World in partnership with PBS Utah on Aug. 8 and workshops like a watercolor painting lesson on Aug. 10. Workshops fill up fast. Sign up here.
And the whole family can see live bugs, like Madagascar hissing cockroaches, throughout the event.
Photo courtesy of NHMUPhoto courtesy of NHMU
BugFest will also include the BugBar, where chef Megan Bartley will serve grasshopper tacos, mealworm fried rice, and other foods made with insect ingredients.
All activities are free with museum admission. Vendors will also be on hand selling a variety of items.
Jason Cryan, executive director of NHMU and entomologist, said the event started small as a partnership between the museum and Jack Longgino, University of Utah professor in the School of Biological Sciences and “Ant Lab” researcher, to transform an icky topic for many into something awe-inspiring.
And it worked. The event received a positive response and grew from a part-day event to a two-plus-day festival with thousands of guests. “Over the years, subsequently, it’s become one of our signature events,” Cryan said.
But why all the hype for such tiny creatures?
“Insects impact every aspect of human life,” said Cryan, mentioning how they impact agriculture, habitation, medicine and more. “It’s really essential that people have an appreciation of the world of insects and how they influence humans. Without them, life on the planet would collapse within days.”
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Celebrate Pioneer Day in Bountiful City this year with a 75-year-old tradition.
Handcart Days, the city’s annual celebration of the arrival of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pioneers and others who helped shape the community, held its first event in 1950.
“We have something for everyone,” said Lori Poole, who serves as president of the executive committee alongside her husband, Curtis. This year, the event includes food, games and activities, along with a concert, in Bountiful City Park on Friday, July 25; and 1K, 5K and half marathon races and a parade on Saturday, July 26.
The city will allow guests to set up chairs for the parade at 9 p.m. on July 25. “The parade is going to be amazing this year with lots of professional floats, exciting bands, horse entries and much more,” Poole said. “Our parade committee has really outdone themselves, and we are going to have 1.8 miles of pure entertainment on Saturday morning.”
The concert features Roy Rivers, a John Denver tribute artist and singer-songwriter. “Just bring a blanket or some chairs to watch him perform on stage at Bountiful City Park,” Poole said. “All of our concessions will be open during the concert, so people can grab a fresh scone and a soda and sit back to enjoy the show.”
Handcart Days is a nonprofit organization. Poole said that around 100 volunteers are involved in year-round planning, and about 800 additional volunteers help with food, the parade, games and more during the event. She added she’s grateful to the city, park maintenance, local police, fire services and the people behind the fireworks for helping make it all happen. “It’s truly awe-inspiring to see how this community rallies together to create something so special,” she said.
Handcart Days is one of many Pioneer Day celebrations in July. Visit city websites for others.
Handcart Days schedule
Friday, July 25
Food, games and activities, Bountiful City Park, 5–9:30 p.m. Roy Rivers concert, Bountiful City Park, 8–9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 26
Handcart Days Race (1K, 5K, half marathon), races starting at 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Parade, Bountiful Main Street, 9 a.m. Food, games and activities, Bountiful City Park, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Fireworks, Mueller Park Junior High, 10 p.m.
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Summer is passing by, and soon, it will be time for back-to-school shopping. But if you’ve delayed getting your kids involved in making the most of the season, there’s still time.
Check with local summer camps to see if they’re still taking registrations. Here are three that were available at the time of this article. Keep in mind they’re likely to fill up quickly.
NHMU’s summer camps
The Natural History Museum of Utah offers camps for grades K–8 that make the most of its exhibits, focusing on LEGO building, digging for dinosaurs, and more. As of this posting, a handful of kindergarten camps and fourth- and fifth-grade camps still have open spots.
Register now—registrations close two weeks before each session or when they are filled.
Explore the many nature-based options for kids and teens at Ogden Nature Center. While spots are filling fast, multiple camps are still taking registrations when you hit “Register Now” on their website.
Camps with availability as this posted included Toddler Tracks (two-hour programs for ages 2–3 and their chaperones) in July and August, and a week-long STEM camp for ages 10–12 starting July 14.
Mojo Village Teen Camp
New to the Uintas this year, Mojo Village offers teens an outdoor experience typical of many other camps, in addition to tools for building confidence and becoming emotionally resilient.
Camp, which runs from July 30 to Aug. 2, is still accepting registrations. Those who register with the code SLMAG200 will get $200 off if they register by July 15.
When your kids start pestering you about being bored this summer, just tell them to take a hike. Then pack some Kind bars, water bottles and bug spray, and get everyone in the CR-V for a little trip. Once you reach the trailhead, your dad joke will finally click. With longer days and sunnier weather, now is a great time to start hitting local hiking trails with the family. Here are some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in the Wasatch this summer.
Ensign Peak
The Trail: While a bit of a climb for kids just starting out, it’s a short trail — 0.8 miles — and offers plenty of opportunity to rest and look out toward the city below along the way. You’ll see a mixed crowd on your way up (teens hanging out before the prom, moms pushing off-road strollers, marathon trainers, hipsters with their dogs) and historical markers explaining the trail’s historical significance, particularly for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You can see the pillar at the peak from miles away. Once there, you’ll have one of the best views of the Salt Lake Valley. Getting There: Head north on State Street in Salt Lake City, turn right onto 300 North, turn left on Edgecombe Drive, look for the trailhead on your left and park across the street. Take Note: It’s a short hike, but you’ll want to hang at the top for a while. Bring snacks.
Farmington Creek
The Trail: You can make this a long hike, leading to nearby foothills, or shorten it for a fun, relatively flat, stroll with the family. For the latter, you have several options for your starting point. Personally, we like to eat lunch at the gazebo in Ezra T. Clark Park before taking the park’s short, shaded creek-side path and crossing the street to the trail that runs past Lagoon’s campgrounds. Stay on that path, and you’ll eventually see signs dubbing it “Lagoon Trail.” Don’t worry; you’re in the right place. You’ll hear screams from Colossus and pass Lagoon’s zoo (yeah, we know). You’ll also see horses on private properties. Once the “Lagoon Trail” ends, make a left on 200 West and notice where the Farmington Creek Trail continues across the street. This quaint, shaded path crosses the street again at 600 North, and eventually leads to the duck-filled Farmington Pond. Getting There: Set your GPS for Ezra T. Clark Park on 400 West (just north of State Street and across from Lagoon) in Farmington. Take Note: Catfish are biting in Farmington Pond.
Grotto Falls
The Trail: It’s a pretty sweet payoff for only a .6-mile out-and-back, the trail is easy on smaller legs, and it’s located along the Nebo Loop Scenic Drive, best known for its fall colors, but still stunning in summer. The trail ends with a show-stopping 20-foot waterfall and an open-ceiling cave that are perfect for Instagram. Dogs allowed. Getting There: From Salt Lake, take I-15 South to exit 250, turn left onto Main Street, turn left onto 100 North, turn right onto 600 East, follow the road to Payson Canyon and the Nebo Scenic Loop. You’ll see the trailhead about seven miles up the loop on your left. Take Note: Nebo Loop closes in the winter and usually opens to traffic on Memorial Day, depending on weather conditions. The trail can get muddy, prep accordingly.
Cecret Lake. Image credit Austen Diamond, Visit Salt Lake
Albion Basin/Cecret Lake
The Trail: You know this one, right? While the trail to Cecret Lake isn’t so secret, there’s a reason it’s such a popular summer hiking spot. Albion Basin, where you’ll start your hike, is famous for its stunning array of wildflowers (mid-August is your best bet). On the short trail to the lake (1.7 miles), you’ll likely see moose. At the lake itself, take your time to travel the perimeter and have your camera ready — it doesn’t have a bad side. Getting There: Alta will limit car access to Albion Basin this summer. We recommend taking Little Cottonwood Canyon Road to the Wildcat Base Area in Alta and parking there. Then walk to Albion Basin or hop on one of the shuttles. Get the details here. Take Note: Unlike the rest of the hikes we mentioned, no dogs allowed.
Suicide Rock/Parley’s Historic Nature Park
The Trail: It’s an easy trail with fun payoffs, filled with dogs. Stay left as you head into the canyon, and you’ll come to a shared biking/hiking trail with historical markers, including one for a wine cellar dating back to 1870. Keep heading east, and you’ll reach one of the major spots dogs go to splash. (Bring yours if it plays nice with others.) Once there, look left for Parley’s Trail, which goes over I-215 and connects to a trail offering an overhead look at the heavily spray-painted, yet oddly majestic, Suicide Rock, which clearly states “Sigma Chi rules!” Watch for bikes. Getting There: Park across the street or at Tanner Park, 2760 S. 2700 East, Salt Lake City, and walk up the hill for a minute or two. You’ll see the trailhead on your left. Take Note: Watch out for poop! Luckily, most dog owners are responsible… most.
Wild Rose
The Trail: This trail starts at a park, complete with slides and monkey bars, but don’t let your kids wear themselves out just yet. Toward the back of the park, you’ll see the trailhead that leads to a 2 ½-mile loop that offers a subtle climb and lookout point with a bench to chill out at the end, offering a stunning picture of the valley below. The trail includes maps along the way and much-needed shade during hotter months. Dogs welcome. Getting There: Set your GPS for Wild Rose Trailhead Park, North Salt Lake. The trailhead is on the east side of the park. Don’t be surprised if there’s a wedding taking place. Take Note: While we haven’t seen an actual wild rose here, summer wildflowers are on point.
Celebrate Independence Day weekend at the Monster Jam World Finals XXIV at Rice-Eccles Stadium on July 4 and 5, as well as qualifying competitions on July 3.
Each event starts with a pit party, where fans can see the trucks up close and meet drivers, including Kayla Blood, who drives Sparkle Smash, a truck she calls the “six-ton unicorn with the bold attitude.”
Blood, who served in the Louisiana National Guard, has been driving for Monster Jam since 2016.
She said she was scouted by Monster Jam while competing in ATV racing. After appearing on an ATV at a Monster Jam competition in New Orleans, she was asked to test for a spot as a monster truck driver.
Kayla Blood, driver of Sparkle Smash. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment.
“I never even thought that was a possibility,” she said. “I still pinch myself sometimes.”
Her trucks over the years have also included El Toro Loco and Soldier Fortune. She said Sparkle Smash, a truck that resembles a charging unicorn, blows confetti and has an inflatable tail and ears, has been a hit with young female fans.
“It has brought in so many girls who have never been interested in Monster Jam,” Blood said. “I ask them so much at the pit party, ‘Is this your first time coming.’ So many yesses.”
The World Finals will feature a total of 24 trucks.
The five drivers who earned the most points competing in different Monster Jam series over the past season received automatic bids to the World Finals. Most drivers, including Blood, were invited based on their competition wins and overall performances.
The qualifying event, available as an add-on for ticket buyers, will kick off with an awards ceremony on July 3. Competitions will then be held to determine how the racing bracket fills out, along with last-chance competitors for the World Finals.
The two days of World Finals, July 4 and 5, will include racing, a two-wheel skills competition, a high-jump competition and more.
While Blood enjoys competing, she says that it’s not all about winning. She loves meeting kids at the pit parties and seeing how being Sparkle Smash’s driver inspired young girls. “It’s about what you’re doing and what you’re showing and what you’re embodying,” she said.
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Mojo Village, a new summer camp in Utah, arrives in the Uintas this year. Along with providing teens the outdoor experience typical of many other camps, organizers say they also want campers to build confidence and become emotionally resilient.
Mojo Village co-founder Elizabeth Seeley. Photo courtesy of The Mojo Village.
Co-founders Elizabeth Seeley and James Ure met last summer when Ure helped with the Uplift Family Camp that Seeley runs in Oregon. The Uplift curriculum includes things like mindfulness (which Seeley describes as being present at the moment), polarities (which she describes as balancing seemingly opposite attributes — like knowing when to be cautious and when to be courageous), and discovering an inner compass (which she says helps people be their own leaders and make decisions). Ure, co-founder of Williamsburg Learning and Elevation Outdoors, and Seeley began discussing teaching similar lessons in a camp for teens.
(Find more info about the founders and their backgrounds at themojovillage.com.)
“So we just combined our efforts and our backgrounds to create this opportunity,” Seeley says. “Having the peer-shared experience can be so amazing. And then if you layer on top of that good mentors, adventure and fun — all of a sudden it’s kind of a magical combination,”
While Seeley has worked extensively with teens who have experienced trauma in the past, she said the camp isn’t exclusive to teens with any particular background. “At the end of the day, this is really about giving teens a space where they just get to show up,” Seeley said. “Our tagline is ‘Be you. With us.’ It gives teens this space to just show up as themselves, to feel seen, to feel stretched, to feel supported.”
Co-founder James Ure. Photo courtesy of The Mojo Village.
In addition to emotional growth, organizers promise the fun outdoor camps are known for. The campground has a lake for paddle boarding, kayaking and swimming. Teens will also be able to take part in rock climbing, challenge courses, archery, stargazing and making s’mores around a campfire. “Kids will come away having had a really fun time,” Seeley said.
They will also be away from screens. Seeley says the camp doesn’t have cell reception and while no one will be forced to leave a phone behind, they will have trouble getting service.
“They just get to unplug and totally be present,” she says.
Parents can contact the camp at any time through an emergency line.
Mojo Village hopes to enroll 75 campers ages 14–18. The camp will run from July 30 to Aug. 2. The $797 cost per participant includes meals, lodging and camp activities.
As for the logo with three llamas wearing sunglasses?
“We chose the llamas because they’re a little quirky, a little bold and built for adventure — just like the teens we serve,” Seeley said. “The sunglasses? That’s our reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. And having three llamas? That’s the village. Because raising great kids takes a whole crew — peers, mentors, community. Mojo is about that collective support.”
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The Utah Jazz and our hockey teams, the Grizzlies and Mammoth (formerly Utah Hockey Club), recently finished their seasons. Luckily, baseball, soccer and rugby (yeah, we have a team) are already underway. If you plan to bring the family to a game, here are a few kids clubs and more for cheap tickets and/or sweet perks.
Prices and perks may change, so visit each team’s website for up-to-date info. If you don’t see your favorite team here, check their website.
Salt Lake Bees Kids Club
Ages: 12 and under Price: $30 per season (Memberships must be purchased with at least one adult ticket.)
Some of the perks:
Free GA ticket
Bees T-shirt
Passport booklet with merch and concession discounts
Access to player clinics and exclusive events
$5 GA tickets to future games without fireworks or drone shows
Kids in the Jr. Bees program receive a free ticket, and youth baseball and softball teams can sign up for the Field of Dreams program to take the field with the Bees during the national anthem. Visit the Bees website for more on these programs.
Ogden Raptors: Oggie’s Kids Club
Ages: 5–14 Price: $25
Some of the perks:
Membership card for discounts on merch and concessions
Ticket punch pass, good for five box seat tickets
$5 box seat ticket to any home age (one per game)
Access to player clinic
Opportunity to throw the first pitch on one of five designated nights
Kids in the Utah Youth Soccer Association can score for free RSL tickets for themselves and their family members. Visit the RSL website with their player ID number on hand.
To introduce the next generation to the game, the Utah Warriors rugby team will host its second Jr. Warriors clinic of the season before the game against RFC Los Angeles on June 7. Kids ages 6–14 can take the field to learn and practice the sport and receive a T-shirt and two tickets to the game for $36.
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Save gas money and take the UTA FrontRunner to Ogden Central Station. Although it may seem daunting at first, you’ll be happy to have the extra cash when you arrive and find Ogden City’s best shopping, dining and entertainment spots a short walk away.
Where Rails Meet
Learn about Ogden only minutes from FrontRunner. Union Station, once a major railway hub, houses exhibits on Ogden’s history and people, along with collections of historic guns, automobiles and railroad stuff, including train cars. The station also hosts the free Ogden Living Heritage Festival, featuring music, dance and food, on May 10 and 11. Learn more here.
There are 25 round trips between Ogden and Provo through the week with trains running hourly around from 4:30 a.m. Photo courtesy of rideuta.com.
All on 25th Street
The Ogden Twilight concert series returns June 1. Photo courtesy of visitogden.com.
The Ogden Farmers Market, featuring local food, vendors and music, takes place on nearby Historic 25th Street each Saturday from May 24 to Sept. 13. While on 25th, try the Dough Puppies at Lucky Slice Pizza, have a cocktail on Alleged’s rooftop and shop music at Lavender Vinyl. Close to the stretch, see a play at Peery’s Egyptian Theatre or Good Company Theatre, and release your fury at Social Axe Throwing. Learn more here.
Sports and Music
The Ogden Raptors are an independent team of the Pioneer League. Photo courtesy of ogden-raptors.com.
Minor league baseball team the Ogden Raptors play in their home opener at Lindquist Field, a nine-minute walk from the station, on May 27. If you’d prefer live music to sports, follow 25th Street to the Ogden Amphitheatre for this year’s Ogden Twilight concerts, including Modest Mouse on June 28. Learn more here.
The ‘Ogden Arch’ serves as a gateway to the city’s cultural wonders. Photo by Matt Morgan.
Watch, Surf, Fly
The family fun area, The Junction, is close enough for little legs. It has Megaplex Theatres, the Treehouse Children’s Museum and plenty of restaurants. The Salomon Center, also on-site, houses Skinny Dogz, which offers bowling, an arcade and more, and spots for indoor rock climbing, indoor skydiving and surfing. Top it all off with treats at The Cupcake Shoppe and Bakery. Learn more here.
Bleed Purple
Weber State University offers several sports-related camps and activies during the summer, including softball and soccer camps. Photo courtesy of Weber State University.
Ogden is a college town, and the OGX bus line runs from Ogden Central Station to Weber State throughout the day. With fewer students, now is a perfect time to stroll WSU’s stunning campus and enroll the kids in one of many STEM-themed summer camps. Learn more here.
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