Outdoor Pools Open in Pyeongtaek July & August

We have already told out about the splash pads that will be opening in August (read that here) but did you know there will be outdoor pools opening up soon as well? These are fab and fun places to connect with the local community while cooling off from the oppressive heat. Remember, these are very Korean outdoor spaces so following local customs is very important and doable. No reason to be scared, but be prepared.

Culture Notes
In order to have the most fun possible, be sure to read the South of Seoul Culture Notes that are embedded in each listing. These are useful tips we have compiled based on the surprises we have experienced. If you have a tip to add to the list just let us know! The more prepared everyone is when they arrive, the more fun we can all experience when integrating into the local culture.

However, with this blog, we are going to take this to the next level and tell you a few more things you need to know in order to have the most fun and relaxed time possible your first day out. Here they are! Our 5 Extra Pro Tips:

1. When you try something new you are going to feel uncomfortable and this will be no exception. However, don't worry about it. Once you get the hang of it that feeling will go away. It's true that people might stare. Foreigners haven't known about these places until now. Not because we aren't welcome, but because information hasn't been available in English. This means all the locals are sitting there wondering, "How did they find this pool out in the countryside?" Don't worry, nobody hates you. Just go about your business of having fun in the sun.

2. It's going to be packed so politely squeeze in. For the best results show up early and stake your space with the cool picnic tents and mats from Daiso or Emart. There aren't that many pools, but there are a lot of people and they like their outdoor supplies. If you are freaked out by this then maybe outdoor pools aren't the right experience for you. That is ok. Know your limits. On the other hand, if you can deal with the experience it can be emotionally uplifting and help you feel more welcome and integrated into the community. We personally love it. We bring all our food, a tent for naps, and splash around like fools.

3. These pools aren't like the ones at home. They are usually waist deep, there aren't diving board or any other type of fanciness. These are old-fashioned, sometimes also just old, outdoor play areas for families to escape the heat. You aren't going to be swimming laps or diving for pennies. They are built for splashing and being silly together. Truly excellent places for kids. Think giant puddles and embrace it.

4. Go check out opening times as a test run. Before you pack up the kids for a pool day do a test run. Go find out for sure the days and times it's open (these can change from year to year). There is also a chance you could get lost going to these pools for the first time, so do a trial run before there are 3 kids in the car screaming they want to be in the pool. We ALWAYS recommend doing a trial run for any adventure.

5. Bring your own snacks and mat/tent to eat them on/in. In Korea food is almost always available but maybe it doesn't match with your dietary requirements or preferences. In order to avoid being hot and hangry, bring snacks. Also bring a mat/tent to lay claim to your dining and napping area.

That's it! Those are all the helpful ideas we can think of right now. Hopefully, these extra tips combined with the tips in the app will empower you to show up prepared for a wet and fun adventure with friends or family. We know we always feel better the more information we have before we try something for the first time. Good luck and happy splashing. With no further ado, here are the outdoor pools we've found for you:

Easiest for Osan Air For Base Access...

Jinwee Countryside

(Kid and Family Focused)

Jinwee Countryside

(Good for adults and kids)

3 Easiest for Camp Humphreys Access...

Anjung Countryside

(Great for adults and kids)

Dunpo, Asan

(Great for adults and families. Very limited space. Maybe need a reservation?)

Asan North Countryside

(The pools is for kids, but the park is for everyone.)

As always, the exact details of each listing is in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Pyeongtaek Splash Pads Open July & August

Once summer hits we are all looking for ways to beat the heat. One of the most enjoyable ways to fend off the intrusive rising temps is to visit one of the various splash pads installed around the area. We have tracked down five of our favorites and added them to the app. These aren't the only ones in town. There is also one at Pyeongtek lake, another in Seosabol, and a third near Pyeongtaek University. Someday we will get those entered. For now, these are the 5 we have focused on. To find them just put Splash Pads into the Pyeongtaek "search" like this:

These lovely havens from heat only operate in July and August and have a set schedule throughout the day. For a few of the ones listed in the app, we have even figured out what these times and dates are and posted them. We don't have the schedules for all of them because they weren't available at the time. The schedules look like this:

Also, and this is a big one, we have included Cultural Notes in each splash pad listing so you can better understand the social rules associated with splash pads and don't get caught off guard. Knowing what's expected ahead of time will help you feel more comfortable and have a stress free playtime:

Now that we have you oriented to how the place pad listings work, let's take a quick look at our five picks and what neighborhoods they are in:

Anjung

Pyeongtaek City

(Great for adults and kids)

Countryside West

Ichung

(Great for adults and kids)

An area in east Pyeongtaek

You can find the addresses and waze pins for each of these listings in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play or Apple App Store. We aren't trying to be jerks, we just can't keep up on information in two areas. Keeping all the information in the app helps us stay more accurate. We hope you have an awesome time out exploring the neighborhoods and play in the summer sun. 

May Camp Reflection & June SIGNUP!

Our first 5th and 6th-grade summer just took place last week at the Moobongsan Camp in northeastern Pyeongtaek. It was a smashing success. We started working with the Pyeongtaek Youth Center last year to make these camps a reality and they have done smashingly. In 2017 we did two camps: one grade school and one middle school. This year we are doing four camps: two 5th and 6th grade and two middle school camps. All of them are overnight camps a Moobangsan camp facility and then a day near or on Ca

The first camp kept the kids running from morning to night. We don't know if we have ever seen kids run so much. The campers are provided with both structured and unstructured play time with activities ranged from tag games to Nurf archery wars to pony rides. Eight counselors supported 34 young Korean and American campers in their quest for adventure and new friends. It was delightful.

We even had lunch at Sam's Attractive Coffee in Paengseong and had BBQ catered by JP BBQ. It was quite the event.

Check out the video below to for a quick peek into what the camp was like:

We have another 5th & 6th Grade camp coming in June! You can get signed up here:
https://tockify.com/pyeongtaek.events/detail/337/1529709600000

5 Kids Cafes in Cheonan City

By Sarah Powell, South of Seoul Volunteer
Edited by Jessica Lister, South of Seoul Volunteer

Well, the weather outside is still frightful, so our listing of kids cafes continues, now with a focus on Cheonan (you can read the first article in this series HERE, regarding Pyeongtaek’s kid cafes).

Cheonan is a city with a lot to offer - from shopping, to eating, to sightseeing; kids cafes are in no short supply there, either. Its proximity to Pyeongtaek means that most of these destinations will be no more than 20 ~ 40 minutes away by car for many of our readers, and its various bus and train stations means it’s also accessible to those who do without a vehicle of their own (though, let’s face it, if you have to go anywhere with kids, the car is easiest).

This is not mean to be a “best of” list, or even a definitive list; more locations are available for perusal in the SOS app under Directories >> Cheonan >> Focus: Families.

Monello Premium Kids Cafe

Waze: Monello Premium Kids Cafe

Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm

Located in the March Avenue Mall, this is a sophisticated and sleek take on the average "kids cafe"! But don't let it's atmosphere fool you; it's still has all the staples of a good kids cafe: trampolines, kitchen sets, ball pit, climbing area ... the works. Its toy stations are supplied with “posh” versions of kids cafe staples: fancy kitchenettes, trendy scooters, a charming market area, cute little tents and camping sites. There’s a cute “go fish” game where kids use magnets to pick up little fish through a transparent floor. The cafe serves a variety of drinks and snacks, but no full meals; however, lots of family friendly dining options are close by within the March Avenue Mall itself. Parking is available both in a large underground garage, or street-side (and there’s plenty of space there, too).

Happy Nuri Kids Cafe

Waze: Happy Nuri Kids Cafe

Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm

A cute little kids cafe right across the street from Costco and right beside a Daiso (convenient shopping!). The cafe is on the smaller side, but it has a room with a cute knitted swing-tree that children can climb up into as well has hang from. It has two trampolines - one for big kids, and one for littler ones. There’s a ball pit, wooden block pit, and toy stations in a loft. They also have those rolling horses that move when the rider bounces on them, which were a hit with the children. The employees were very friendly and spoke basic English. Overall, it's a charming little place and is well priced. Serves snacks and drinks, but no full meals. Parking is available in a good-sized garage behind the building (the entrance is just past the Daiso); it wasn’t terrible busy on the weekday I visited, so larger cars shouldn’t have problems here.

Tiki Toc Land

Waze: tiki toc land

Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm

Tiki Toc Land is a massive indoor playground aimed at babies, toddlers and young children. They have a lot of open floor space, various playgrounds, trampolines, several different kinds of play stations, a train ride, a music room, a sand pit room, and a 4D theatre for the kids. There are remote-controlled robots and arcade games available for play (so bring some loose won!). They have equipment like bouncers for the small babies and plenty of high chairs. The cafe serves full meals in addition to drinks and snacks. The admission fee covers three hours of play on the weekdays and two hours of play on the weekends/holidays. Admission for babies under 12 months is free. Parking is available in the garage of the building.

JumpingGO

Waze: JumpingGO 점핑고

Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm Sunday - Thursday, 10:00am ~ 9:00pm Fridays & Saturdays

One of several trampoline cafes in Cheonan marketing specifically to older kids, JumpingGO is a great option for preschool and elementary school aged children. JumpingGo has very large trampolines, playgrounds, ball pits with bulldozers the kids can sit in and man, bumper cars, a large cafe, and slides. They welcome birthday party reservations for their party room. They offer group discount rates for groups over 15 persons, but only for official institutions (schools, daycares, etc). The cafeteria portion is spacious and offers various snacks, drinks, and full meals. They also offer an attractive lounge area for parents. Parking is located in the garage beneath the building.

ZooZooPia

Waze: ZooZooPia 쥬쥬피아

Hours: 10:30am ~ 6:30pm (doors close at 5:30pm)

ZooZooPia is both an animal cafe and a kids cafe all in one, and it is great for both young and slightly older children (toddler to ~8 years). The entire facility is completely indoors and has several different areas, the primary being a zoo with mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds - some of which can be petted, and many of which can be fed (food purchased at front counter for 1000 won). There are lots of silly picture opportunities in a mural wing, and other areas have light displays, animal statues, and other colorful things for kids to look at. There's a cafe that sells snacks, drinks, and desserts (no full meals), a large play area with trampolines, an obstacle course, a block pit with toys, and ball pits. They have a train ride, bumper cars, and gundams to ride (with an additional fee), as well as arcade games and the like scattered throughout. Parking is available in the building's garage. It might be a tight fit for large cars, but there’s also plenty of space for roadside parking as well.

Now it's time to go try them all and leave your reviews in the South of Seoul app. Just go to the app, open the listing, and click the star in the banner. You can tell us all what you thought. Remember to include useful tips like where you parked, if they had chairs for kids, or other details you found important. Reviews help us build a beautiful life together. One Star reviews submitted with no comments may be rejected. Please explain 1 Star reviews without being crude or profane. Simply explain the situation. For example: "the food was not fully cooked, the waitress never brought my friends food, and the taste wasn't what I prefer." Korea has strong anti-defamation laws so keep explanations clear and fact based.

For address and WAZE directions to anything on this blog download the South of Seoul App from either Google Play or Apple App Store. 

Why we do this:

We made the app to accompany the blog because it's easier to keep update with current information. In the past we've tried keeping the information on the blog but it's too hard for us to maintain the information in two places at once over time. Since we compile and write blogs around a full time jobs without compensation, we need to do it the most efficient way possible with as few steps as possible.

We Go Together Summer /Fall Camp

South of Seoul is excited to announce the first FREE Pyeongtaek City Youth Center camp for Korean and American students!

We have been working  for months with the Pyeongtaek Youth Center to create this (and another upcoming) FREE summer camp for students this year. We also added Sig Flips the Table as our personal adviser in order to make sure military parent's needs and opinions were well represented in the organization process. Everyone's efforts paid off. The first camp will be held is for grade school students (birth years 2006, 2007, 2008) and will take place over two days (8/2 and 9/9) . Even though this this camp is spread over two days in two months, it's considered the same camp so students who register for this camp must be available to attend both days.

SIGN UP HERE

The camp is first come first serve. 

The first 15 applicants will be accepted to BOTH days of camp. Due to space, only two kids from each family can attend. Remember, these are not two different camps, but the same camp over two days.
Additional applicants will be placed on the waiting list.

• REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 7/20
• LOCATION: Pyeongtaek Youth Center (Near Lotte Mart. They have a HUGE amazing facility with so many resources. We are so lucky they are interested in working with US families.)
• COST: FREE 
• LUNCH: Included. (Provided by Pyeongtaek Youth Center)
• DATES: Wednesday August 2nd and Saturday September 9th 
• CAMP TIME: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
• ATTENDEES: 15 American students / 15 Korean Students
• EVENT MANAGERS: Pyeongtaek City Youth Center and South of Seoul
• TRANSPORTATION: Provided for Free. (Transportation to and from the Camp Humphreys area with pickup locations in from on Camp Humphreys walking gate and PIEF Center.)
• Each camp will have a South of Seoul families representative in attendance. 

SIGN UP HERE

CAMP DAY 1: 8/2 Camp (Wednesday) 

Children will organize into groups and get to know each other through group games and play. After lunch, children will go to the woodworking studio at the Youth Center and work on a project with the new Korean friends they made.
CAMP DAY 2: 9/9 Camp (Saturday)

Let's take everyone to the market! Children will explore a traditional Korean market, buy ingredients then make themselves lunch. Afterwards, they will try their hands at Korean and American styles of cheer-leading.

A quick heart-to-heart about being a no show at free events:
It's VERY important that if you register for ANY free events that you attend or at LEAST give 48 hours advance notice so that others on the waiting list can be included. Many highly organized free events for foreigners hosted by other organizations have up to a 70% same-day no show rate. It puts great stress on the organizers who lose hope and a desire to serve the US military community.

Honestly, between us, we all have a social responsibility to honor both the work and generosity of area organizations and the tax dollars used to fund them. It's a huge undertaking to host these free events for foreigners while dealing with the culture and language barriers. We can fulfill this responsibility by simply showing up as promised.

For this particular situation, if everyone who signs up followings through, there will be more and more free camp opportunities. So please help a wonderful opportunity grow by simply showing up for the free camp you signup for :) 

SIGN UP HERE

5 Water Parks to Cut the Heat this Summer

Summer is just around the corner and things are going to be seriously heating up. If you are like me you are going to be looking for some fun ways to cool off. This year my plan is to mix it up a bit. 

For the last five years I've had the habit of going to the beach, but I think it's time I tried new things so I've made a list of Korea's water park/spa hotels and I'm going to try to see them all. So grab your pool noodles, pack up the kids, and let's go get wet.

Here are my five top-tier choices for a summer of water slides and lazy rivers. Just click on the links for their MollaKorea listings. Sorry it's click through. Once I get to them I'll write all kinds of info about them:

1. Tendin Waterpark & Spa Cheonan

   

2. Spa Valley Daegu

3. Waterpia Water Park Sokcho

4. Vivaldi Ocean World Water Park

5. Gimhae Lotte Water Park Busan