CrossRoadsNews, March 24, 2012 -- Summer Camp Expo section

Summer Camp Expo – March 31, 2012 March 24, 2012

www.crossroadsnews.com

Get Ready For Summer

Information, Performances, Fashion Show, Prizes Don’t miss the fun on March 31 at the Mall at Stonecrest Lower Level, Noon to 5 p.m.

Section B

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CrossRoadsNews

Summer Camp “East Metro Atlanta’s Weekly Newspaper”

March 24, 2012

More than 28 exhibitors will be on the mall’s lower level between noon and 5 p.m. on March 31.

Camp Expo has prizes, surprises, and lots more A father registers his kids for a Summer Camp at the YMCA at 2011 Summer Camp Expo.

The YMCA and two dozen other camps will be at the 2012 expo on March 31 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

2346 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com

The 2012 Summer Camp Expo Special Section is a publication of CrossRoadsNews Inc., East Metro Atlanta’s award-winning weekly newspaper.

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Graphics Editor Curtis Parker Reporters Jennifer Ffrench Parker Donna Lewis © 2012 CrossRoadsNews, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without written permission of the publisher.

Circulation Audit by

Audit Report available by request. For information, call 404-284-1888.

Parents can meet and chat with more than two dozen camp operators at the 2012 CrossRoadsNews Summer Camp Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest on March 31.

The expo, which is in its ninth year at the mall, is chockful of information and resources to help kids have a great summer when

school lets out for the two-month break on May 24.

More than 28 exhibitors, who operate church, dance, chef, science, outdoor, lacrosse, fencing and other camps will be on the mall’s lower level between Dillard’s and Kohl’s for the noon to 5 p.m.

They will share information

about the programs they have planned and will answer all the questions that parents have. Some will even entice savvy parents with early-bird registrations.

Talented kids will sing, dance and model from the Main Stage in front of Sears, and the Shock, The Electric Company will be on stage

at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and will greet fans in between. The Easter Bunny will arrive and be ready to take photos with kids.

But best of all, families who visit at least 15 exhibitors can enter to win a $250 gift card from the Mall at Stonecrest, or an iPad2 from CrossRoadsNews.

Visit at least 15 of these exhibitors* at the Mall at Stonecrest, have them validate your entry form and enter to win a or a $250 Gift Card from the Mall at Stonecrest or an iPad2 from CrossRoadsNews.

5 A Kids Affair 5 AAA Auto Club 5 Achievers Learning Academy 5 After School Sports Academy 5 Bransby Outdoor YMCA 5 Big Thinkers Science Exploration 5 Beulah Community Life Center 5 Callanwolde Fine Arts Center 5 Camp Butterfly Bella 5 Camp Jewell House

5 Chef Tech Academy 5 City of Decatur Active Living 5 Conservatory of Dance 5 Cornerstone Leadership Academy 5 CrossRoadsNews 5 Craig B. Williams, Orthondontist 5 East Lake Family YMCA 5 Excellent Montessori School 5 First Afrikan Ubuntu Koffee 5 H.O.P.E. Ministries Inc.

5 Kilombo Academic & Cultural Institute 5 La Petite Academy 5 LSG Automotive Group 5 Moja Dance Studio, LLC 5 Sevananda Natural Foods Market 5 Ship Academy 5 The Academy of Scholars 5 Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts 5 YMCA Academies of South DeKalb

Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City ______________________ ZIP code _______________ Email Address ________________________________________________________________________________________ Home phone __________________________________________ Cell phone _____________________________________ *Eligible door prize entries must have exhibitors’ validation code on them. Full name, address and telephone number(s) required to win. An entry entitles you to receive regular news updates and other information from CrossRoadsNews. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Employees and immediate family members of CrossRoadsNews and the Mall at Stonecrest are excluded from winning. Must be present to win.

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March 24, 2012

2012 Summer Camp Expo Program Highlights March 31, 2012 - Noon to 5 p.m.

Main Stage in front of Sears • Lower Level, The Mall at Stonecrest Noon

Expo kicks off with Fitness Motivator & Emcee Rae Rae Clark

12:15

Moja Dance Studio

12:30

Life Chef Asata Reid

1 p.m.

Sihle Dancers, First Afrikan Church

3 p.m.

Jabias the Kid

3:30 p.m.

Conservatory of Dance

4 p.m.

Shock , The Electric Company

Fashion Show

2 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

Shock, The Electric Company

4:30 p.m. Academy of The Arts

5 p.m.

Expo ends

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CrossRoadsNews

March 24, 2012

“Kids are not going to eat raw squash, but if you shred it into a wrap, they have no idea it’s there.”

‘Life Chef ’ touts healthy lunch and snack choices for kids

By Donna Williams Lewis

Open a kid’s lunch box, and you’re likely to find a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, fruit and chips.

Sounds good, but “Life Chef ” Asata Reid reminds parents that kids at some point will get tired of even foods they like.

“Eventually kids get bored and won’t eat it,” she said.

The East Lake resident will talk about healthy snacks and lunches and demonstrate some easy recipes for kids at 12:30 p.m. at the CrossRoadsNews 2012 Summer Camp Expo on March 31 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Reid takes the Main Stage in front of Sears to offer advice to parents packing lunches for summer camp, to summer camp directors, and to older children who will be preparing lunch for themselves.

At the top of her suggestion list: the wrap sandwich.

“Kids are not going to eat raw squash, but if you shred it into a wrap, they have no idea it’s there,” Reid said.

Wrap sandwiches are also useful for using up leftovers, she said.

Older kids can make them, they can be made in advance, and they travel well, she added.

“They’re sort of a more convenient, more cool way to eat a sandwich,” Reid said.

When it comes to snacks, parents should avoid foods with artificial colors, sweeteners and flavorings and opt instead for natural, organic foods and foods made from whole grains, Reid said.

“There are better choices you can make without cramping your kids’ style,” she said.

“Instead of Doritos, you might give them tomato-basil sun chips. Instead of gummy

healthful.

Gummy Bunnies are sold at the Sevananda Natural Foods Market, a food co-op in Little Five Points at 467 Moreland Ave. Sevananda is sponsoring Reid’s food demonstration at the expo and also will be an exhibitor during the noon-to-5 p.m. event.

Reid, who is a member of the co-op, demonstrates dishes and shares her knowledge in noon classes at Sevananda on second Saturdays monthly, except in August.

The class costs $10 for Sevananda members and $12 for visitors.

Teaching people to cook is Reid’s passion.

She conducts demonstrations at churches and community organizations and does onehour lunch-and-learn sessions at a number of Atlanta companies.

Reid goes by the moniker “Life Chef ” because she teaches people to have healthy relationships with food and to let food fit their lifestyles.

She has been a chef at the Dish Restaurant, the Food Studio and Nikolai’s Roof, and the vegan restaurant Lush. She also has catered through Bold American Catering and has worked as a private chef with an upscale staffing company for private estates in Atlanta. Reid currently teaches at the Viking Cooking School in Buckhead.

Reid also works with families who want to eat better and people with health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, cancers and obesity.

Follow the Life Chef Chef Asata Reid can be found on Facebook and Twitter. You also can reach her at 404-95D’LISH (404-953-5474). For classes bears, they could have Gummy Bunnies, an Reid says you can totally indulge your kid and recipes visit www.lifechef.net; for vidall-natural product made from fruit juice.” with snacks and treats and still have them be eos: www.youtube.com/chefasata.

Chef Asata Reid says wraps are a “more convenient, more cool way to eat a sandwich.” They can include shredded raw veggies and leftovers and can be made in advance.

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Celebra 20 Yea ting r s in th e Commu nity

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Summer Camp

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The show is about a group of friends from a New York neighborhood bound by a love for language and sworn to do the right thing.

Rapper Shock from ‘Electric Company’ to perform, greet fans Shock, the beat-boxing rapper from the hit PBS KIDS TV show “The Electric Company,” will appear live at CrossRoadsNews’ Summer Camp Expo on March 31 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Shock, aka Chris Sullivan, is scheduled to perform at 2 and 4 p.m. on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the Lithonia mall’s lower level.

He will greet fans after his performances.

Shock plays a short-order cook at the Electric Diner in this totally updated version of the original 1971 “Electric Company” series.

Shock uses his rhythms and rhymes to teach kids easy stuff, like the meaning of “he, she and we,” as well as some tougher stuff, like the difference between a hard C and a soft C. “The Electric Company,” an Emmy Award-winning series, runs on PBS Kids Go! and airs locally on Georgia Public Television.

The show is about a group of friends from a mixed and vibrant New York neighborhood bound by a love for language and sworn to do the right thing.

They meet at the Electric Diner, where they solve problems created by a group of neighborhood pranksters who like to play with words.

The show includes “educational commercial breaks” that use music videos and comic sketches to teach phonics and reading.

“The Electric Company” is one of the top PBS KIDS shows weekdays among children ages 6 to 8.

The show’s Web site, PBSKIDSGO.org /electriccompany, has had nearly 16 million site visits and nearly 45 million “Electric

Shock, aka Chris Sullivan (shown with actress-comedian Whoopi Goldberg and another cast member), plays a short-order cook at the Electric Diner in an updated version of the 1971 “Electric Company” series. The show has retained its focus on literacy and math.

Company” video clips played since its launch in January 2009.

Produced by Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind “Sesame Street,” the half-hour show was rebirthed in 2009 and runs daily.

It has retained its focus on literacy and

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math, with new characters and animations and narrative story lines.

“The Electric Company” is part of PBS KIDS Raising Readers, a national literacy initiative.

The initiative uses public media to improve the reading skills of children ages 2 to

8, with an emphasis on children from lowincome families.

The show is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and a Ready to Learn grant from the U.S. Department of Education, part of a cooperative agreement with CPB and the Public Broadcasting Service.

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March 24, 2012

“I get enjoyment from seeing the smiles on their faces. They are just so proud when they dance. Just feeling the energy … is wonderful.”

Dancing in church and community, a ministry for Sihle

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

These children just wanted to dance.

Whenever Tamba Issa, First Afrikan Presbyterian Church’s dance ministry team, was dancing during Sunday praise and worship service, the girls would mimic the moves from their place in the pews.

And at every opportunity they had, they would tell the adult dancers they wanted to dance with them.

Angela Wiggins, a nine-year First Afrikan member and Tamba Issa dancer, said they were too young to dance with the adult team.

But four years ago, Tiffany Pennick, a member of the dance ministry, listened. She began teaching the girls how to witness to God in dance.

She named the mini-dance team Sihle [pronounced see-lay], which means “beautiful” in the South African language Xhosa.

And when the pint-size dancers began witnessing during praise and worship services on Youth Sundays, held every third and fifth Sunday monthly, the congregation couldn’t wipe the smile from their faces.

Wiggins has been leading Sihle for two years and says it’s a joy to train the team of 12 girls who are 3 to 11 years old.

“I get enjoyment from seeing the smiles on their faces,” she said. “They are just so proud when they dance. Just feeling the energy from them is wonderful.”

Wiggins, who is an IT specialist with a travel industry company, says she rehearses with the girls once a week on Thursday and the young dancers catch on quickly to new moves.

She says Tamba Issa and Sihle don’t consider themselves performers.

“We are a ministry first,” she said. “We dance to usher in the spirit and prepare the

Chef Tech Academy is a professional and fun introduction to the culinary arts. Campers learn about food safety, kitchen skills, nutrition, and food science while working with trained chefs and participating in team competitions.

Chef Campers take field trips to local culinary arts schools, working farms, and food distribution sites, learning about sustainable farming, community gardens, and organic farming.

Daily learning involves a math, science, and technology curriculum that identifies the importance of these core learning skills and their direct relationship to food and nutrition, as well as practical applications in the kitchen.

Chef Tech Campers are involved in daily physical activity to promote a healthy understanding of physical and nutritional health.

Sihle will minister through dance at the camp expo. The team is trained by Angela Wiggins, a member of Tamba Issa, First Afrikan Presbyterian’s dance ministry.

congregation for worship. We are responsible to the congregation’s upliftment and to bring joy to the service.”

In addition to ministering at the Lithonia church, Sihle also performs at community events.

Last October, the troupe performed at the send-off of 5,000 dresses that were sewn by metro Atlantans, including members of First Afrikan, for girls in Haiti.

Some of their members also performed March 4 in Selma, Ala., for thousands of marchers who re-enacted the Bloody Sunday

Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4:

March over the Edmund Pettus Bridge for voter rights in March 1965.

Wiggins said there are plans this year to take Sihle to visit a family shelter and perform for homeless children and play with them.

“We want them to see children who might not be as fortunate as they are,” she said.

On March 31, Sihle will show their moves at the CrossRoadsNews 2012 Summer Camp Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

The young dancers will be on the Main Stage in front of Sears at 2:30 p.m. They will

be accompanied by Ngima Lungunda, the church’s African drummers.

Because Sihle is a liturgical dance troupe, Wiggins says the kids’ parents have to come to church.

“They don’t necessarily have to be members of the church, but they must be regular visitors,” he said. “We minister at church services so it makes sense that you are coming to church.”

For more information about Sihle, contact Angela Wiggins at acmwiggins@yahoo .com.

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March 24, 2012

“He had fans calling in crying, saying they love him. They say he’s like the next [teen boy band] Mindless Behavior.”

Tween heartthrob brings impressive skill set to expo stage

By Donna Williams Lewis

When 8-year-old Jabias “Da Kidd” Mitchell wakes up on Saturday mornings, he’s got one question for his mom.

“Mommy, where am I performing today?”

If he’s not scheduled that day to film for a TV show, a movie or commercial or to sing, rap and dance somewhere, he’s still not to be outdone.

He’ll ask, “Well, can I go model somewhere?”

Jabias, a home-schooled Mableton thirdgrader, is living large and loving it.

He already has appeared in movies featuring the likes of Bill Murray and Cissy Spacek. He has just filmed a commercial for Lamborghini. He’s got a song for sale on cdbaby.com.

And on March 31, Jabias will perform at the CrossRoadsNews 2012 Summer Camp Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest. He will be onstage at 3 p.m. on the Main Stage in front of Sears on the mall’s lower level.

Making his third appearance at a CrossRoadsNews expo — his first was at age 6 — Jabias will perform his songs “Stop the Bullying” and “So So Clean.”

Warning: Preteen girls, hold onto your hearts.

Elretha Mitchell, Jabias’ “momager” (that’s mom plus manager), said her son created quite a stir after he sang and rapped and talked to fans recently on the “Hot Seat Takeover Show” on local 1420 AM radio.

“He had fans calling in crying, saying they love him,” Mitchell said. “They say he’s like the next [teen boy band] Mindless Behavior.”

Asked how he felt about making girls cry, Jabias sounded just like an 8-year-old boy.

“I don’t understand why they were doing

Jabias “Da Kidd” Mitchell will perform “Stop the Bullying” and “So So Clean” on March 31 at Stonecrest. He’s making his third appearance at a CrossRoadsNews expo.

that,” he said, wonder in his voice. “They say they love me.”

His mom said Jabias is “really, really cool” about his fans.

“That’s what everybody loves about him,” she said. “He looks at [his career] as just fun right now. He doesn’t even realize the fan base he actually gets.”

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Jabias just lives to perform, whether it’s in front of a film crew on a movie set or at Chapel Hill Elementary School, where he appeared a couple of weeks ago to pump kids up for their standardized tests with his song “Ace That.”

“I love what I do and my fans help me

perform,” Jabias said, adding that he likes to rap more than anything else he does “because I perform great and I love to show my fans respect and help them follow their dreams.”

Jabias’ performance career began in 2005 when his mother entered him in The Great American Model & Talent Search at the Civic Center in Atlanta. From the group of 3,000 contestants, Jabias emerged among the 260 who were selected to fly to Pittsburgh for a final selection.

He made it among the 37 in the final group and was signed on the spot with Babes N Beaus Atlanta Model/Talent Agency.

When he was 3, his mother enrolled him in acting classes at John Roberts Powers in Atlanta.

Since then, Jabias has appeared in stage plays, commercials and movies including “The Blind Side,” for which Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress Oscar; “Stomp the Yard II”; “Lottery Ticket,” starring Bow Wow and Ice Cube; and “Get Low,” featuring Robert Duvall, Bill Murray and Cissy Spacek.

He was also in Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns” and a reality television show called “The Next Child Superstar.”

In recent weeks, he’s appeared in two sitcoms on BET — “Read Between the Lines” with Malcolm Warner and “Let’s Stay Together,” in which he plays Jeffrey, the grandson of a woman who has a recurring role.

At age 4, he began rapping. He has opened for R&B singer Mario. His single, “So So Clean,” is available at cdbaby.com/ jabiasdakidd2.

Jabias also has shown off some of his dance moves in music videos featuring Young Jeezy, Soulja Boy and Lil’ Chuckee.

He has more than 300 videos, including the Lamborghini commercial, at www.you tube.com/jabiasmitchell.

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CrossRoadsNews

March 24, 2012

Macy’s at Stonecrest has supported the show from the start. Each year it provides the outfits modeled by the children.

Ave’ Maria (from far left), Rafaela Todd, Darion and DeAndre Nelson, and Ragene Johnson are among models from tots to teens who will grace the Main Stage runway.

Talented models rule runway at Macy’s Kids Fashion Show Families will be seeing doubles when the models hit the stage on March 31 for the Macy’s Kids Fashion Show at the CrossRoads­News 2012 Summer Camp Expo.

Two sets of twins will be among the two dozen children and tweens showing off the latest fashions for Easter, camp, field trips and all summer long – 10-year-old Darion and DeAndre Nelson of Decatur and 6-yearold Jaxson and Jayson Spradling from Covington.

The models range in age from 3-year-old Trey Stephens Jr. of Decatur and Gabriella Grant of Alpharetta to 15-year-old Brittany Jones of Decatur.

They hail from Decatur, Lithonia, Tucker, Alpharetta and Covington and attend schools in DeKalb, Fulton and Newton counties.

“A lot of parents and their kids want to be a part of the show because it’s a good way for kids to express their personality while building self-confidence,” she said.

This year’s models include kids who have modeling careers, others who are aspiring models, and some who have been onstage for every Summer Camp Expo Fashion Show since 2006.

Three-year-old Trey will be making his stage debut. His mother, Shalandra Peeks, says he is so ready to command the stage.

“He is very advanced for his age,” she Michael Carter II will sport some of the latest said. “He isn’t shy and he doesn’t get stage styles for spring and summer. fright.”

The fashion show kicks off at 1 p.m. on Jami Ffrench Parker, who is coordinating the Main Stage in front of Sears on the lower the fashion show, says she has had an incred- level of the Mall at Stonecrest.

The popular event is one of the high ible response to the call for models.

points of the annual CrossRoadsNews Summer Camp Expo.

Along with seeing precocious kids strut their stuff onstage, expo-goers can visit more than 28 camp operators and exhibitors who will be showcasing a range of day and specialty camps where kids can spend some or all of the May 28-to-Aug. 3 summer break.

Doting grandparents, adoring aunties, proud papas, neighbors, teachers and friends will start gathering at the stage at noon to cheer on their favorite pint-size models and to capture the moment on film and video.

Macy’s at Stonecrest has supported the show from the start. Each year it provides the outfits modeled by the children.

At the end of the show, parents have the option of purchasing the clothes their kids have modeled at a discounted price.

10 things you may not have known about the entire camp experience Camp has become a staple of summer.

Here are 10 things you may not have known about the camp experience, provided by the American Camp Association. n Camp is older than dirt. Started in 1861, the camp experience turned an impressive 150 years young in 2011. “Camps are constantly adapting to meet the changing needs of today’s families,” said Peg Smith, CEO for the American Camp Association®. “And yet, in essentials, camp is very much the same as it was 150 years ago – kids still have authentic, life-changing experiences.”

n Camp is worth its weight in gold. The ex- stewards of the environment, camps teach healthy eating and physical activity were an

perience is life-changing – developing friendships and memories that last well beyond the final campfire. And there is a camp for every budget. Often camps offer special pricing or financial assistance, and some qualify for tax credits or for payment with pre-tax dollars.

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them how to enjoy the world around them. n Camp is not just for children and youth.

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Adults benefit from the same sense of community, authentic relationships, and selfdiscovery that children do. n Camp is a great place to try new activities.

According to ACA research, 74 percent of campers reported that they tried new activities that they were afraid to do at first. In the same survey, 63 percent of parents reported that their child continued new activities after returning home. n Manners matter and often linger. The entire experience is made of teachable moments, perhaps one of the biggest is how to live with a group of people. Campers learn to pick up after themselves, respect each other’s property, and say “please” and “thank You.” nVeggies taste better with friends. Hollywood and novels may have given camp food a bad reputation, but camps are constantly exploring healthy food options and often are at the forefront of things like allergy specific diets, healthy snacks, and vegetarian meals. ACA’s 2011 Emerging Issues survey found that 90.7 percent of responding camps indicated that

important or very important issue. n Camp has played an important role in the lives of many talented people. ACA’s family resource site offers a list of notable campers – including business professionals, celebrities, artists and great thinkers. n Research shows that participation in intentional programs during summer months helps stem summer learning loss. Camp provides ample opportunity for developmental growth, a precursor to academic achievement. And because of the hands-on nature, often children who struggle in traditional education settings do well at camp. n Camp builds leaders. Independence, resiliency, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and the ability to relate to other people — these are skills leaders need.

“Tomorrow’s leaders will not be those who can type or text with lightning speed – they will be those who can have a face-to-face conversation and articulate their thoughts, ideas and values,” Smith said. “Tomorrow’s leaders will be able to relate globally and find common ground with people who are vastly different from themselves. Tomorrow’s leaders will be made and educated by experiences like camp.”

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March 24, 2012

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Summer Camp

CrossRoadsNews

March 24, 2012

If you can’t find everything you want for your child in one camp, you may consider sending your child to more than one camp.

Do your homework before choosing program for your child Summer is a great time for kids to explore the world around them and discover new things, but because many parents work weekdays, they have to rely on structured programs to entertain and teach their kids.

This year, parents can meet and speak with 28 exhibitors at the CrossRoadsNews 2012 Summer Camp Expo on March 31 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Here are some tips to help you with that conversation.

Ask the right questions for the right fit

Talk with your child Maybe there’s something – drama, sports, dance, science, etc. – that your child has been yearning to try. Camp is a great place to take on new challenges. Most programs combine academic and indoor/outdoor activities – find one that suits both of you.

If you can’t find everything you want for your child in one camp, you may consider sending your child to more than one camp.

For example, if your children want to dance and do sports, you might split time between a dance camp and a YMCA camp.

Find out what’s available There are traditional camps that offer a variety of events and specialty camps that focus on a single activity or area of interest.

Traditional summer camps are great for children who are flexible but love fun. Campers get to explore a variety of events that will broaden their minds.

At specialty camps – ideal for children who are interested in specific skills and activities, such as dance, music, science, sports or mathematics – children get to learn all they can about a particular activity.

A performing arts focus is the big draw at Camp Jewell House, a 33-year-old summer camp in Lithonia at 1719 Redan East.

Executive Director Jewell Hunter said the camp annually draws 100 to 250 kids from as far away as Grayson and Loganville.

The age range is 2 to a surprising 15.

“We were cutting off at 13, but the kids wanted to keep coming back,” Hunter said, adding that they love the recording studio.

With writing and math instruction from certified teachers, a licensed therapist, art therapist, reading, field trips to go swimming and horseback riding, speakers and other programs, “we take a holistic approach to summer enrichment,” Hunter said.

The camp is housed in an independent building at the House of Miracles and Blessings Church, which also runs a school for kids in pre-k through grade 12.

Fees for summer camp are $50 registration and $75 weekly. Register before April 17 and the fee drops to $65 weekly.

At a specialty camp, such as Big Thinkers Science Exploration, children get to learn all they can about a particular interest.

It’s important to find out what’s included in camp fees so there are no surprises later.

Once you have chosen a camp, make an appointment to meet the camp director and arrange for a tour. If the staff seems hesitant to talk to you, this is often a sign that the camp is not very organized and perhaps you should move on to your next choice.

When you meet with the director, have a list of questions you need answered in order to properly evaluate the camp.

Pin down additional costs for field trips or other activities. Will you be expected to provide meals, snacks or supplies?

Find out if they offer any need-based scholarships and what is the refund policy if your child gets sick or has an emergency and is no longer able to attend.

The YMCA Academies of South DeKalb offer summer camp for rising pre-k and rising second-grade children on a sliding scale of $85 to $105. The academies, in Lithonia and Decatur, also offer need-based scholarships for people with low incomes.

Celeste Phoenix, associate director, said the goal is to prepare students for the next grade level. “We’re focused on enrichment,” she said.

Licensed by the National Association for Know what fees apply There are usually registration fees and the Education of Young Children, the camps supplemental fees for field trips, camp T- follow prescribed guidelines and schedules.

The academies are located at 2575-A Snapshirts, food and extended services.

Academy of the Arts 4650 Memorial Drive Decatur, 30032 404-294-9403

2204 Salem Road Conyers, 30013 770-860-8558

Ballet Tap Jazz Modeling Hip-Hop Cheerleading Modern Tumbling Acting

June 4-July 27 7:30am-6pm

$100/week

End of Camp Summer Showcase and So Much More

The American Camp Association recommends that parents ask the following questions when deciding on a camp for their children: n What is the camp’s philosophy and program emphasis? – Each camp has its own method of constructing programs based on its philosophy. Does it complement your family’s philosophy?

Does the camp focus on learning through competition or through cooperative learning? How does the camp handle homesickness and other adjustment issues? n What is the camp director’s background? – ACA recommends directors possess a bachelor’s degree, have completed inservice training within the past three years, and have at least 16 weeks of camp administrative experience before assuming the responsibilities of director. n What training do counselors receive? – At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency procedures and communication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specific procedures for supervision. n How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled? – Do they use positive reinforcement? What are the rules and consequences? n How does the camp handle special needs? – For a child with special requirements, parents should ask the camp director about needed provisions and facilities. Is there a nurse on staff?

A designated place to store insulin or allergy medicine? Are special foods available for campers with restricted diets? n What about references? – Parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask for references. This is generally one of the best ways to check a camp’s reputation and service record.

Source: American Camp Association (www.acacamps.org)

finger Road in Decatur and 2924 Evans Mill Ask about safety Road in Lithonia.

Make sure the camp you choose has staff trained in safety procedures, supervision, Go to open houses conflict resolution and other issues that may Some camps have open houses to intro- be specific to working with young children. duce parents and kids to their programs.

Find out what procedures the camp follows This is a great way for you to meet camp in case of an emergency. counselors and/or teachers ahead of time Find out the camp’s procedures for trackand learn about the program and activities ing kids during field trips and how it deals in which your children will be involved. with roadside emergencies on field trips.

You also will get a feel for the people who For children with medical issues, such as will be spending the summer with your kids diabetes or asthma, make sure that there is and the environment. trained staff on-site and emergency procedures in place at all times.

Learn counselor policies In Atlanta, temperatures soar in the Some camps may use teen counselors summer. If kids are spending a lot of time who may be unaccustomed to dealing with outdoors, find out how the camp will keep large groups. Make sure the counselor/child them hydrated and cool. ratio suits your child’s needs. The American Talk with the camp staff about your Camp Association recommends a 1-to-6 staff child’s medical needs and what medical to children ratio. facility your child would be transported to What is the return rate for counselors and should the need arise. campers? How old are counselors? What sort Learn what the discipline procedure is of experience and education is required? and decide if you’re comfortable with it.

What is the process for screening when hiring staff? Do they do background checks Talk about concerns to screen out child predators? Is the staff As the first day of camp approaches, some certified in CPR and first aid? children are uneasy about going to a new or unfamiliar place. Discuss these feelings.

Overnight camps Let your child know that you believe in When kids go away to 4-H, Girl Scouts, his or her ability to deal with new situations YMCA and other overnight camps, they get but maintain realistic expectations. Encourthe opportunity to expand their horizons age your child to write letters home and be beyond their neighborhood or school. sure you know how to reach them in case of Parents and children get to practice “let- emergencies. ting go.”

Encourage them to have a reasonable and Decisions about camp should be a joint realistic view of camp. Camp, like the rest of venture, depending on your child’s matu- life, has highs and lows. Every moment is not rity. If a child feels his opinions are being filled with wonder and excitement. respected, the chances of having a positive But remember, if you make the right experience will improve. choice, fond memories can last a lifetime.

Decatur Active Living Children and Youth Services Department

Active Fun-filled Day Camps

June 4 - July 13

Special Interest Camps

May 29 - July27 For Information

404-377-0494

www.decaturga.com

s Age 7 4-1

CAMPS WITHOUT WALLS

Summer Camp

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CrossRoadsNews

March 24, 2012

Corum said he wants to teach kids about food because of the high incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes among children.

Kids can learn all about food at Chef Tech Academy at Emory Kids who yearn to whip up gourmet cuisine at home or dream of competing on the Food Network someday can get an introduction to the culinary arts at the Chef Tech Academy’s Summer Camp at Emory University in June.

The camp, which will run in association with the Emory University Summer Camp programs, begins June 4. There will be four weekly sessions for age groups 5-10, 11-14, and 15-17.

Chef Sidney Corum, Chef Tech Academy’s founder, said campers can take one session or all four.

At the end of any session, he said the children who are 11 years and older will be comfortable in the kitchen.

“They will have a total new perspective on food,” he said. “They will be able to prepare a three-course meal, understand food safety and can manage the kitchen at home. They will be your assistant in the kitchen or when you come home, they will have dinner ready for you.”

In 2004, Corum, who has been a chef for two decades, founded Greek Life Services, a company that manages meal plans for fraternity houses at Emory and the University of Georgia.

He did a pilot summer camp last year with five kids and said they learned so much and had so much fun that he is offering the camp to 100 kids a week this year.

Corum said he wants to teach kids about food because of the high incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes among children.

“It is so important for kids to get information they can understand,” he said. “When they know, they can make the right choices about what they eat.”

Campers will get a professional introduction to the culinary arts and will prepare

Sidney Corum, who has been a chef for two decades, is offering the summer camp to 100 children a week this year.

dishes ranging from salads to entrees and desserts. They also will learn about physical wellness and get classes in math, science, and technology and their direct relationship to food and nutrition. The math and science classes will be taught by Emory students.

Campers will take field trips to local culinary arts schools; to Serenbe, an organic farm in Palmetto; and to the DeKalb and Georgia farmers markets.

Corum, who will help teach the campers, has donated scholarships a week to 10 kids from the nonprofit CHRIS Kids. Other campers can save $25 and $50 off the weekly camp fees with early bird registration, now

Campers ages 5 to 17 can take one session or all four. They will get a professional introduction to the culinary arts and will prepare dishes ranging from salads to entrees and desserts.

available to answer questions from parents through May 15.

Corum will be an exhibitor at the Cross- and children.

For more information and to register, RoadsNews Summer Camp Expo on March 31 at the Mall at Stonecrest and will be visit www.cheftechacademy.com.

Summer Enrichment Camp May 29, 2012 – July 27, 2012

An Enriching & Inspirational Summer Camp for Ages 4 - 12 Bible Study & Morning Devotion Arts & Crafts/ Recreational Sports Reading/Math/Spelling/Computer Learning Movies/Fun & Games Field Trips Camp Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

$50 Registration Fee

MANDATORY PARENT MEETING

Friday, May 25, 2012 from 6:30pm – 7:30pm

The Beulah Community Family Life Center 2340 Clifton Springs Rd Decatur Ga, 30034 678-553-6030

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Auto Club Group Visit our Table at the 2012 Health & Wellness Expo Elayne Strawberry 770-723-8021 • strawberry@aaasouth.com

“We know the automotive industry, but our business is INTEGRITY!” Office: 678 289-9007 Cell: 678 977-6644 1955 Panola Road Ellenwood, GA 30294 LSGGROUPINC.COM

Bruce Gogo Sales Manager

Why Join AAA? • roadside assistance • member discounts • and much more...

• insurance services • travel services

Buy a Classic Membership for $61 and add a family member for free!

Auto Club Group Visit our Table at the 2012 Health & Wellness Expo Elayne Strawberry 770-723-8021 • strawberry@aaasouth.com

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CrossRoadsNews

March 24, 2012