Suffolk Parent March 2019 by City Guide NY

LongIsland SUFFOLK EDITION

Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM MARCH 2019

Find the Perfect

Summer Camp! • Tips to choose the best one for your child • Day, sleepaway, and specialty camp descriptions • Side-by-side comparison chart

Decorate on a Dime Budget-friendly tips to rethink your home décor

Baby Roommates The numerous benefits of sharing a room with your infant

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

LongIslandParent

SUMMER GROWTH SPURT Usdan is an award-winning day camp for students ages 4-18 to explore music, dance, theater, visual arts, sports, and more on our Long Island campus in the woods. JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, March 24 or Sunday, April 28 Reservations required. Visit usdan.org/visit.

FOR $100 OFF NEW STUDENT TUITION USE PROMO CODE: SUFFOLK

WHEATLEY HEIGHTS, NY 1-844-789-5824 | USDAN.ORG

3 CAMPS IN 1 CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE!

Join us for the Summer of 2019.

CALL NOW FOR A TOUR! The Camp with ALL the Extras! ALL the Traditional Day Camp Activities Programs for Children Ages 2-14 Flexible Scheduling - Choose 2,4, 6 or 8 Weeks Hot Lunch and Before & After-Care Available Transportation Across Suffolk & Nassau Counties

Specialty Camps at Park Shore

Chef Paula’s Cooking With Stars

Culinary Camp for Aspiring Chefs For Children Completing Grades 1-5 Is your child an aspiring chef or just LOVES cooking and baking? Foodie kids can join Chef Paula at the Culinary Cottage at Park Shore for an unforgettable and spectacular summer of culinary learning and fun!

Extreme STEAM Science Kids

Serious Science Mixed with Serious Fun For Children Completing Grades 1-9 Does your child LOVE science and technology? Kids can join our one-of-a-kind educational summer program featuring robotics, mechanical and electrical engineering, coding, science, art and mathematics - all while having fun!

Cooking With Stars and ESSK are morning programs with the option for children completing grades 1-5 to extend their day and experience all of the AMAZING camp activities that Park Shore has to offer.

Dix Hills • 631.499.8580 • ParkShoreDayCamp.com LongIslandParent

contents table of

march 2019

25 42

Family Activities Calendar

Find something fun to do with your kids every day this month!

Decorate on a Dime

Budget-friendly ways to redecorate your home

camp 12 Choosing the Perfect Camp 14 Camp Directory 20 At-a-Glance Camp Guide

Rooming with Baby

Sharing your room with your infant has more benefits than convenient nighttime feedings.

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Keeping Memories Alive 11 5 Tips for the Early Years 44 Rooming with Baby 46 Conversations to Have with Your Teen About Dating 48 Education Directory, Preschools-at-a-Glance 49 Party Central 50 Professional Services 52 Meet the Health Care Professional 52 Open Houses 53 Advertiser’s Index

25 Family Activities Calendar

40 Could You Lose Your Coverage?

38 Family Fun in Manhattan

42 Decorate on a Dime

39 Spring into Action 54 DIY: Reversible Cape

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 12 Find the Perfect Summer Camp 14 Camp Descriptions 20 Comparison Chart 42 Decorate on a Dime 44 Baby Roommates facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

Filled with Fun & Excitement! Boys & Girls, 4-14 • 2-8 Week Programs Operated by Licensed Teachers & Administrators • All Union Rates Accepted Weekly Field Trips • Red Cross Swim Program • Sports & Karate• Arts & Crafts And Much, MUCH MORE!

Visit Us! OPEN HOUSE: MAR. 9 TH & MAR. 23 RD, 2019 12 PM - 2 PM

East Islip Lanes Bowling Alley

117 E Main Street • East Islip, NY 11730

For More Info, Call 516-729-0690 • ypdc.com LongIslandParent

raising kids editor’s note MARCH 2019 • Vol.10 • No.10

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

Happy Campers Await

ith spring on the horizon and thoughts of warmer weather ahead, all we can think about is summer camp. And we’re here to ensure you find the perfect one for your child—for this summer and many summers to come! Living in Suffolk County has its pros and cons. Pros: There’s a ton to do with your kids on any given day and lots of options for great health care providers, camps, after-school activities, and more. Cons? There are a lot of great options. So, we turned to the experts on camps, and got the six best tips for choosing the perfect camp for your children. If your list of potential summer camps is longer than your weekend to-do list, you’ll want to turn to pg. 12 for advice from local camp directors—after all, we’re here to help you make the best decisions for your children. If you’re just starting the camp-planning process, we have lots of resources for you, too. Turn to pg. 14 for day, sleepaway, and specialty camp descriptions, and then check out the side-by-side camp comparison chart on pg. 20. And if you’d like more help in planning your child’s perfect summer, check out our inaugural issue of The Camp Planner by Long Island Parent at nymetroparents.com/campguide/longisland. It’s a free digital download, full of camp planning advice, even more camp descriptions, open house listings, and more! While we do love camp, we have more than just camp advice in this issue. You can find budget-friendly decorating tips on pg. 42, read about the benefits of sharing your room with your infant (pg. 44), discover reasons why an insurance company may decide to cancel your policy on pg. 40, and get advice on the various conversations to have with your teen when he or she starts dating (pg. 46). Of course, we’re also all about things to do with your kids on any given day of the week, so be sure to check out our calendar chock-full of fun events (pg. 25)— and remember to sign up for our weekly newsletter of the best weekend activities at nymetroparents.com/register. Wishing you a successful camp planning season! Katelin Walling Editorial Director Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling PRODUCTION EDITOR: Melissa Wickes ASSISTANT EDITORS: Anja Webb, Jacqueline Neber CALENDARS CALENDAR COORDINATOR: Whitney C. Harris EVENT RESEARCHERS: Rochelle Dorset, Lisa Fogarty, Kristina Johnson, Shara Levine DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke

ADVERTISING SALES

Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, Manager Lauren Alperin Meirowitz, Managing Director Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Lauren Anchin, Merrill Sugarman Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager Lisa Herlihy Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Karen Shapiro, Gayle Sherman To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents To Submit News: nymetroparents.com/submitnews

STATEN ISLAND PARENT

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Roselle Farina-Hecht 718-494-1932

MOMMYBITES

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Lauren Alperin Meirowitz 646-736-3609

OPERATIONS

DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Elvins Cruz, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro MARKETING SERVICES MANAGER: Erin Jordan

PRODUCTION

Moms & Dads Make Great Part-Time Employees (are you looking?) M

any parents want a lifestyle that allows them to devote large blocks of time to raising kids and also pursue professional activities. The answer is often a work-from-home or part-time job. Mommybites.com—the go-to parenting community for resources, support, and education—has a job board dedicated to parents who are looking for those ﬂexible opportunities! Whether you are a part-time bookkeeper, writer, catering staff person, or have other skills, there are companies looking for you. These are jobs designed for people who want to return to the workforce, while remaining the primary caregiver for their children. Check mommybites.com/jobs today to see what opportunities are available now. Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter to get weekly updates about just-posted positions. Are you looking to hire a mom (or a dad)? Post your opportunity on mommybites.com!

DIRECTOR|PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR|DIGITAL CONTENT: Silvia Balu

MARKETING

ASSISTANT MARKETING MANGER: Kristine Pulaski

FINANCE

CFO: David Friedman CREDIT ASSISTANT: Rosa Meinhofer, Dan Finnegan

Davler Media Group davlermedia.com

CEO: David L. Miller GENERAL MANAGER: Thomas K. Hanlon 213 W. 35th St., Suite 12W, New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN • ROCKLAND PARENT, STATEN ISLAND PARENT, and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2017, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

Sunday, March 24th • 12-4 PM Long Island Marriott • Uniondale, NY

• Venues • Favors • Invitations

• Food Samples • Photographers • Décor

• DJs and Entertainment • Judaica • And More!

Get your FREE family ticket for Celebrate! Party Showcase celebrateshowcase.com Tickets purchased at the door are $10 LongIslandParent

raising kids new places, new programs

Saf-T-Swim has been providing swim ming and water safety lessons for more than 35 years.

untry Day Camp

Who: Saf-T-Swim Melville What’s New: The Melville location, Saf-T-Swim’s 13th on Long Island, which opened in October 2018. Jim Hazen, owner of Saf-T-Swim, opened this particular location because he felt “it is an area that was in desperate need of [our] services.” Saf-T-Swim offers 1-on-1 swim lessons for ages 2 months and older, in which children can learn at their own pace. All Saf-T-Swim locations have indoor pools, where the water is kept at 88 degrees year-round, with one-way glass viewing rooms that allow parents to watch their kids’ swimming lessons. Want More Info: 515 Broadhollow Road, Melville; 631-940-7160; saf-t-swim.com

Courtesy Saf-T-Swim Melville

Swim School Opens in Melville

Who: Kids Country Day Camp What’s New: Summer SHOWdown theme and expanded activities for Summer 2019 session. In addition to traditional summer activities and traditions, the camp will feature eight popular shows, one for each week during the summer. Campers will take part in a children’s size American Ninja Warrior course, a week-long preparation for their finale on the camp’s version of America’s Got Talent (Kids Got Talent), and more. Workshops for this summer will include a magic show with a behind the scenes tips and tricks and summer holidays such as Christmas in July and August Fool’s Day. Camp runs for eight weeks, but campers can choose anywhere from two-eight weeks to attend, for two-five days each week. Want More Info: 37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road, Mount Sinai; 631-331-5351; kidscountrydaycamp.com

Courtesy Kids Co

Day Camp in Mount Sinai Announces This Summer’s Theme and Activities

h summer, of 300 campers eac p hosts an average Kids Country Day Cam for kids ages 3-12. providing services

Who: The Tooth Pillow Dentistry What’s New: The practice, which opened in December 2018. The Tooth Pillow Dentistry’s team of pediatric dentists and dental anesthesiologists accept referrals for pediatric patients requiring IV sedation for dental treatment. The team treats a variety of patients ages 18 months and older, including those with dental fear, patients with special needs, patients with a significant gag reﬂex, and patients with extensive dental needs. The Tooth Pillow Dentistry completes all treatment needs under IV sedation and then refers the patient back to their original dentist for recall and preventative care. Want More Info: 775 Park Ave., Suite 340, Huntington; toothpillowny.com; dentist@toothpillowny.com; 516-317-2476 8

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy The Tooth Pillow Dentistry

Sedation-Based Dentistry Practice Opens in Huntington

The Tooth Pillow Dentistry offers the full spectrum of restorative treatments for pediatric patients.

What rights do students have? Children do have legal rights, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a law designed to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education that meets their unique needs and prepares them for the future. Violations can pertain to:

We’re making a SPLASH in Centereach!

IEP and Section 504 requirements • Disciplinary action Lack of services • Improper placement • Bullying

Goldfish Swim School is the premier learn-to-swim facility for kids ages 4 months to 12 years. We use our holistic philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment.

Safeguarding legal rights is often critical to a student’s success. In situations where school districts aren’t complying with the law, Ms. Adler-Greene – a determined, experienced attorney – can advance a resolution that best serves your child’s well-being and education.

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• FAMILY SWIMS, PARTIES & TONS OF FUN

Long Island

1100 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 877-0595

NOW OPEN! REGISTER TODAY!

GOLDFISH NOW HAS THREE LONG ISLAND LOCATIONS! GARDEN CITY, FARMINGDALE & CENTEREACH

Laura Adler-Greene

CENTEREACH | 631.239.7946 | goldfishswimschool.com |

80+

diverse exhibitors

Sunday, April 7, 2019 10 AM – 4:30 PM Hilton Long Island/Huntington 598 Broad Hollow Road (Rt. 110), Melville

Tons of fun classes for kids of all ages to enjoy!

Tickets $5 no charge for ages 2 & younger

Find the best on Long Island: • • • •

After school activities and fun places Childcare, schools, birthday parties and camps Health and wellness professionals Tutoring and special needs … and much more!

3 Tickets for the Price of 2!

Online or at the event. Use code “Parent2” at

www.AllKidsFair.com Offer expires 4/7/19.

Meet QuackerJack from the L.I. Ducks!

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Bounce House, Petting Zoo, Face Painting, Balloon Animals & Popcorn. Cotton Candy, Live Butterflies, Cosplay, and a Really Big Snake!

For more info, visit

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Keeping Memories Alive ››

Courtesy Sara Rubinfeld

raising kids voices

The author with her family

How my husband and I keep the spirit of my father alive with our kids

y 20s were a whirlwind. I am sure it’s a feeling many of us share. I graduated college at 21, met my future husband at 22, started grad school at 23, then got married at 25. I finished grad school and had my first baby just a few weeks apart. I was 27. My Dad died when I was 29. And since that day, everything in my life has been divided into two parts: before Daddy died and after. His death made me the first among my friends to lose a parent as an adult. Trust me, that’s not the kind of distinction anyone wants. As many people will tell you, the loss of a parent is something from which you never truly recover. The lucky ones among us figure out how to keep moving forward. Our daughter turned 5 last summer. When she was born, my Dad was nine years into his battle with kidney disease. With medication, lots of doctor’s appointments, daily dialysis, and copious amounts of support from my Mom, our extended family, and their friends, he was managing it. December marked four years since my Dad passed. In December our son, named after my Dad, also turned 3. It’s hard for me—for both me and my husband—raising our kids without my Dad. Grandpa was a role he was born to play. Almost from day one he jumped into the deep end. There was no greater gift the world could’ve given him than becoming a grandpa. Unfortunately, our time together was cut short; he died when our daughter was 17 months old. Our daughter doesn’t remember him, and our son is still too young to comprehend the loss. But we talk about my Dad a lot.

By Sara Rubinfeld

Keep talking. It’s one of the lessons I learned from the death of my grandmother when I was young. My parents and aunts and uncles never stopped talking about my grandmother. They talked about her so much to the point that my two younger cousins—one who was too young to remember her and the other who was born after she had passed away—can tell the stories and family lore almost as well as the rest of us. I talk to our kids because I really thought we would have more time with my Dad than we got. I talk to our kids because I want them to know how proud he would’ve been of all their accomplishments, both great and small. Talk to your kids about loved ones who have passed because you love them, and you want your kids to know how important this person was (and still is) in your life. Talk about them because you know how much they would’ve loved your kids. Talk about loved ones who have passed because your kids will do or say things that will remind you of them. Share with your kids the things that brought those loved ones joy. You never know when you will find a shared passion or a simple moment of appreciation. I wish my Dad was here to get to know our kids in all of his threedimensional glory, but I do the best I can both to honor his memory and to connect our kids to the grandfather they will never know. The ability to talk to our kids about my Dad is one of the greatest gifts my family gave me. Now I’m hoping I can inspire some of you to share that gift with your kids as well.

Sara Rubinfeld is a wife, mom, and nonprofit fundraiser. When she isn’t busy trying to save the world one charitable gift at a time, she can be found at home in Brooklyn with her husband, kids, and cats. This is her first personal writing piece for a professional publication.

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

raising kids in the know

5 Tips for the Early Years ›› By Melissa Wickes

s a parent of a young child, it can be overwhelming and difficult to find tangible actions from parenting resources that will contribute to a healthy upbringing for your kid. It’s helpful to know the specific steps you can take to teach your child what is right and wrong—and ensure she feels safe and confident. Christine Martin, author of You’ve Got This! Keys to Effective Parenting for the Early Years, shares some tips to help navigate this confusing but crucial time in your child’s development.

Set aside uninterrupted bonding time. As soon as your child is born, she is searching for a secure attachment that will allow her to confidently and safely explore new things, according to Martin. More time spent with your child at this age will foster positive self-esteem, social-emotional development, and academic success. By dedicating 100-percent of your attention to your child, you are giving her the confidence she needs to grow and develop healthily. Decide what you liked (and didn’t like) about your upbringing. Often, parents copy the way they were parented without taking a closer look and determining if that really worked for them. Examine the parenting styles you were exposed to as a child, Martin suggests. Think about how you can do better and how you can do just as great, but don’t mimic without thinking about what you’re doing and if you really believe in it. Make routines and stick to them. Once your child begins school, he will be in a daily routine for the rest of his school years. Teach him how to deal with everyday tasks and teach him responsibility

as soon as possible. Take photographs of him in every part of his bedtime routine, and then hang them up in the bathroom as a fun way to help him remember what he needs to do before bed. Encourage positive behaviors, no matter how small. Instead of focusing on how to discipline your child after she’s gotten in trouble, Martin suggests focusing on the tangible ways you can teach your child to minimize and overcome these behaviors. If your daughter shares her toy with her little brother, make sure you praise her, so she knows these sorts of actions get positive attention. Talk to your child about feelings. Teach your child the words for different feelings, so he knows how to express his emotions. Give him concrete alternatives to a situation if he isn’t getting what he wants. If he wants to play with the truck his sister is playing with, he can play with another toy, he can ask to take turns, or you can give him a timer and teach him to negotiate with his sister that it will be his turn once the timer goes off.

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Featuring:

• Programs for Children Completing Grades 1-9 • Flexible Scheduling - Choose 2,4, 6 or 8 Weeks • Morning programs with option for children completing grades 1-5 to extend their day • Transportation Across Suffolk & Nassau Counties • Hot lunch and Before & After-Care Available

Dix Hills • 631.499.8580 • ExtremeSTEAMCamp.com LongIslandParent 11

Choosing the Perfect Camp Narrow your list of potential summer camps with these helpful tips.

ne of the big advantages of raising a family in the New York metro area is the sheer volume of things to do and places to go. That’s true for camp, too: There are hundreds of nearby day and sleepaway camps available for your child to attend. It’s a perk—but can also make determining the just-right spot for your child to spend the summer a bit overwhelming. How can you narrow your list, and choose the perfect summer camp? Internet reviews and browsing camp websites can help, but so too can talking to your child, considering the logistics involved, and touring the actual destinations. Here’s how to get started.

Know What You—and Your Child—Want

The first step: Consult with your child. After all, this is her summer! “The child’s opinion has to be respected,” says Terence Ryan, director at Hofstra Summer Camps in Uniondale. Begin your conversation with a simple question: “[Ask your child] to imagine what a great summer camp would look like for them,” recommends Bobbie Finkelstein, director of after-school and day camp at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn. Think about your child’s preferences—does he enjoy time indoors or outdoors, is he sedentary or active, and does he like large or small groups, says Cheryl Anstett, director and owner of Ann & Andy Child Care Center in Elmsford. And, consider what you want your child to gain from the summer, says Lauren Wexler, director of camp programs at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. Whether it’s becoming a better swimmer, making neighborhood friends, or increasing STEM skills, think about how the camp can help support that 12

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

››

By Madeleine Burry

goal. Additionally, think about the other characteristics, such as size, facilities, mix of activities, and so on, when initially reviewing options.

Look into the Camp’s Accreditation and Safety

Safety is one of the first features for parents to consider, says Howard Seidman, camp director at Hillcrest Jewish Day Camp in Queens. Todd Roth, owner and director of Deerkill Day Camp in Suffern, recommends confirming that prospective camps are accredited by the American Camp Association. “It’s a seal of approval, and not always easily attainable,” he says. With this accreditation comes an assurance that the camp meets hundreds of sensible and important health and safety standards. If you opt to only have your child attend an ACA-accredited camp, you’ll significantly reduce your list of options. “[With ACA accreditation] you can be assured that your child will be going to one of the top-notch camps in the country,” says Susie Lupert, executive director of the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey.

Keep Your Budget in Mind

Here’s another quick way to eliminate a number of camps from the list: Figure out what you can afford, and then remove the camps with rates above that amount. “Budget is a big consideration,” Roth says. Find out the total price, he recommends, as well as what’s included, such as transportation, meals, etc. “A lot of those little pieces can add up, so when you’re looking at your budget, you want to look at the total all-in costs,” he says.

And Don’t Forget About Day-to-Day Logistics

For parents, the logistics of camp can throw a wrench into routine. Think about the location of pick-up and drop-off, and how it’ll fit into your day-to-day schedule, Wexler recommends. Ask about whether the camp has ﬂexibility if you want to take a family trip or go on a vacation for a week of the summer, Roth says. Some camps will let you cancel a few days or a week, Wexler notes, while others do not have that ﬂexibility.

Do Your Research

You might be surprised about how much information you can gain from the camp’s website, from the logistical details to the overall vibe of the camp. “We always tell parents look at your values and try to discern whether the camp reﬂects those values,” Roth says. Spend some time browsing through websites—and involve your child, too. Same goes for when you visit camp fairs, Wexler says. Let your child ask questions and get a sense for the camp from the booths, brochures, and websites. Some things to pay attention to as you browse through websites and stop by booths at the camp fair are: • Interactions with the staff: If you’re at the fair, pay attention to how you feel during conversations with the camp representatives. “The crux of what makes a camp great is the staff,” Seidman says. • Facilities and activities: Is there a good mix? Joe Siegel, executive camp director at Sportime on Long Island, recommends asking what a typical day is like. Ideally, he says, you’ll want a variety of active time (swimming, sports, etc.) along with some downtime to balance your child’s day. Again, keep in mind your kid’s personality. If he’s an introvert, for instance, seek out a camp that’ll fit with that trait. • Counselor-to-camper ratio: This is another big factor to keep in mind, Siegel says, especially if the camp is instructional.

There’s a big difference between a 30-to-1 camper-to-counselor ratio and an 8-to-1 ratio in terms of attention.

Call or Visit the Camps on Your Shortlist

Most directors recommend visiting your two or three finalist camps. While a website is a nice intro, there’s no substitute for looking at the camp with your own eyes, Ryan says, especially since you’re investing a lot of money, and a significant amount of your child’s time, in the experience. If you do a tour, make sure to bring your child along, Seidman says. “Your child is going to be spending time here, not you,” he notes. During your tour, you’ll want to see if the camp seems clean and well maintained, and if the facilities look modern, Anstett says. Calling the camp director is your next best option if a visit isn’t feasible. “Ask to speak to the person in charge—any really good camp director will be thrilled to take that phone call,” Lupert says. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to the director or feel like they’re not giving you sufficient time on the phone, that’s a bad sign. During conversations (or visits) try to dig into factors that may not be mentioned on the website. For instance, ask how much attention the camp gives to developmental levels when planning activities, Finkelstein says. You can also ask how the camp encourages friendship-building (and how it responds to bullying or other bad behavior). One more tip: Try to get a sense if the camp can grow with your child. Ask about the camp’s retention rate, and what’s available for kids a few years ahead of your child’s age. “You don’t want to be taking tours on an annual basis,” Roth notes—your goal is to choose a camp your child can enjoy for many summers to come. Ultimately, Anstett says, “if it feels right go with your gut.” Madeleine Burry is a freelance writer and editor who has held staff positions at Parents.com, Scholastic, and About.com. You can follow her on Twitter @lovelanewest.

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LongIslandParent 13

Camp Directory Day Camps Camp W - Where Friendships are Made

121 Wolf Hill Road, Melville 631-692-6222 campwdaycamp.com info@campwdaycamp.com Camp W “Where Friendships Are Made,” located in Melville, is a day camp for ages 4-15. Campers enjoy baseball, basketball, soccer, Gaga, game room, camp lounge, easel painting, swimming, robotics, dance, cooking, go karts, and day trips. Small group sizes. Campers choose their afternoon activities. Transportation and early and late care available.

Future Stars Summer Camps

The College at Old Westbury 223 Store Hill Road, Old Westbury Farmingdale State College 2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale St. Joseph’s College 155 W. Roe Blvd., Patchogue 516-876-3490 fscamps.com Future Stars Summer Camps offer weekly sports, STEAM, and specialty camp programs at three locations (The College at Old Westbury, Farmingdale State College, and St. Joseph’s College Patchogue). Programs are offered to children entering kindergarten-ninth grade. A balanced camp day ensures the perfect blend of instruction and fun.

Hofstra Summer Camps

101 Oak St., Uniondale 516-463-CAMP (2267) hofstra.edu/camps ce-camps@hofstra.edu Hofstra Summer Camps offer children ages 5-17 more than 70 programs from theater to sports, gaming, art, music, STEM and STEAM, academics, culinary, dance, YouTube Studio, Adventure Education, and Super Hero Academy. At our camp, kids will explore their interests, learn valuable social skills, and have fun while gaining confidence.

Kids Country Day Camp

37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road, Mount Sinai 631-331-5351 kidscountrydaycamp.com Children ages 3-12 take part in more than 50 fun exciting activities including field and court sports, arts and crafts, dance, karate, a talent show, a giant water slide, a sprinkler park, pedal karts, foam parties, a carnival, animal shows, and challenge course. Camp program runs eight weeks. Various combinations of weeks and days available.

Knox School Summer Adventures

541 Long Beach Road, St. James 631-686-1600 x414 knoxschool.org/summer-programs/ summer-adventures ndezenzo@knoxschool.org Located in St. James on the shores of Stony Brook Harbor, our picturesque waterfront campus is 40 rolling acres.

Kids in pre-K through 10th grade can get away from the stress of the school year and enjoy fun in the great outdoors! Knox offers flexible scheduling to maximize campers’ experience.

Long Island Voyager’s Day Camp

Nassau and Suffolk locations 516-238-4586 livoyagersdaycamp.com livoyagersdaycamp@gmail.com Long Island Voyager’s Day Camp is an exciting, action-packed, safe summer experience for children ages 4-14. We offer swimming, sports, art, drama, activities, door-to-door transportation, before- and after-care, and swim instruction. Trips to Fire Island, amusement parks, ball games, paddle boating, animal farms, aquariums, and a talent show are also included.

Park Shore Country Day Camp

450 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills 631-499-8580 parkshoredaycamp.com info@parkshoredaycamp.com Located in Dix Hills on 15 acres. Programs for ages 2-14. Activities include athletics, aquatics, high ropes course, bungee, rock wall, Ninja course, ATVs, arts and crafts, performing arts, and special events. Specialty camps include Extreme STEAM Science Kids, Sports Track, and Cooking With Stars. Transportation, before- and after-care, and lunch available.

Thomas School of Horsemanship Summer Day Camp

250 Round Swamp Road, Melville 631-692-6840 tshcamp.com; tsh@tshcamp.com TSH Day Camp offers traditional day camp activities plus a full riding program. Children ages 3-15 participate in riding, horse science, swimming, sports, art, theater, and special events. We feel passionately about children having fun-filled days while learning life’s important lessons such as responsibility, compassion, kindness, and critical thinking.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.org; info@usdan.org Usdan, the nation’s preeminent arts day camp offers more than 70 programs of study in the arts including visual art, dance, music, theater, writing, and arts-related fields such as nature, chess, and recreational arts. Students ages 4-18 are immersed in art and nature and surrounded by friends who share their interests and enthusiasm.

YMCA of Long Island

Locations: Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue 855-2YMCALI (962254) ymcali.org/camp; camp@ymcali.org Awesome adventures await at YMCA

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

of Long Island Summer Day Camp! Choose from traditional day camp, full-, or half-day specialty camps including sports, performing arts, coding, and waterfront. Transportation, extended day morning and afternoon, and lunch plans offered for additional cost. For more information or to register online, visit ymcali.org/camp.

Young People’s Day Camps Suffolk

631-476-3330 ypdc.com YPDC of Suffolk is licensed by the NYS Health Department, and accredited by the ACA for your child’s safety. Free door-to-door transportation, with activities supervised by licensed teachers and administrators. Superior camper-to-counselor ratio. YPDC is fun, educational, diversified, and convenient. Keeping children smiling and parents at ease since 1972.

Sleepaway Camps Camp Huntington

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com Camp Huntington is a coed, residential summer camp for children and young adults with autism, related developmental and learning disabilities, and ADD. Ability levels mild to moderate-severe. Located in High Falls in the beautiful Catskill Mountain region, the camp provides therapeutically and instructionally designed recreation programs in summer.

Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp

3186 Sound Ave., Riverhead 516-433-7970 x11 ccenassau.or; lfg38@cornell.edu Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp in Riverhead is a coed, recreational eight-week sleep-away camp. A threeday, two-nights “mini camp” is also offered. Stay-over weekends are available! We are located on 140-acres of woodland, farmland, and beachfront on the Long Island Sound.

Specialty Camps Art League of Long Island Summer Art Adventure Paumanok Elementary School, 1 Seaman Neck Road, Dix Hills Summer Pre-College Portfolio Development 107 E. Deer Park Road, Dix Hills 631-462-5400 artleagueli.org info@artleague.org Summer Art Adventure offers kids and teens ages 5-18, fun and creative activities in a variety of visual arts mediums led by certified art professionals. Find inspiration by creating art using specific artists’ unique styles. Special guests and events add to the

exciting atmosphere. Flexible schedules and themed sessions available.

Camp Huntington

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com Camp Huntington is a coed, residential summer camp for children and young adults with autism, related developmental and learning disabilities, an ADD. Ability levels mild to moderate-severe. Located in High Falls in the beautiful Catskill Mountain region, the camp provides therapeutically and instructionally designed recreation programs in summer.

Camp Kids ‘N Comedy at The Gotham Comedy Club

208 W. 23rd St., Manhattan 212-877-6115 kidsncomedy.com; info@kidsncomedy.com Camp Kids ‘N Comedy is for kids ages 10-18 who are bored with kayaks, sick of poison ivy, and allergic to everything. It is a summer camp for kids who are funny. They will learn to write and perform stand-up comedy, play improv games, and re-enact scenes from comedy sketches.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium Nature Summer Camp

1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor 516-692-6768 cshfishhatchery.org info@cshfishhatchery.org Young explorers, grades pre-K-12th, spend summer surrounded by nature. Encourage their love of science with hands-on activities, nature crafts, live animals, and outdoor adventure nature camps. Expeditions to nearby salt marsh, ponds, and woodlands. One-, to four-day camps available. Summer fun at a great price! Prepare to get wet and muddy!

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center

One Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor 516-367-5170 dnalc.org; dnalc@cshl.edu The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center is the world’s first science center devoted entirely to genetics education. We offer fun, challenging programs for students entering sixth through 12th grades. Guided by experienced educators, students use sophisticated laboratory and computer equipment to perform experiments several grade levels ahead of peers.

Destination Science - The fun science day camp for curious kids 5 to 11!

multiple locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties 888-909-2822 destinationscience.org info@destinationscience.org Destination Science Kids experience continued on pg. 16 ››

CAMP MARKETPLACE

THE #1 STEM CAMP

FOR AGES 7–19

From coding and game dev to robotics and design, your child will develop in-demand skills and ignite lifelong passions—all in a fun, inclusive environment. Choose from 50+ innovative courses and join our community of over 400,000 alumni. Get ready for the best summer ever!

Get a brochure and ﬁnd a camp near you!

Your search for the perfect camp is over...

SPORTIME and

JOHN McENROE TENNIS ACADEMY SUMMER CAMPS

PRESCHOOL UNDER 10 TENNIS JMTA SUMMER TENNIS TRAINING

TENNIS & SPORTS EXCEL TENNIS VOLLEYBALL HOCKEY MORE!

Camp locations across Long Island, including in the Hamptons, and in NYC, Westchester and the Capital Region. We’ve got your summer fun covered! Visit us online to find the camp nearest you or contact us at camps@sportimeny.com.

631-269-1055

www.SportimeCamps.com LongIslandParent 15

CAMP MARKETPLACE

‹‹ continued page 14 “Aha!” moments of understanding, creativity, and curiosity while engineering, building, experimenting, and playing with astonishing gadgets and fantastic gizmos. Our top-notch, enthusiastic educators make STEM learning an adventure! 2019 programs include Robot Challengers and Reaction Racers, Young Innovators Science, Rocket Space Science, Physics Coaster and Science Magic.

East End Arts School

141 East Main St., Riverhead 631-369-2171 eastendarts.org; education@eastendarts.org East End Arts School offers eight weeks of camp each summer, two weeks of Renaissance Kids Camp for ages 5-8 and six weekly camps for ages 9-14, in both fine arts and music. Our professional instructors teach small groups and our setting is home-like. Each camp concludes with performances and exhibits.

Extreme STEAM Science Kids

450 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills 631-499-8580 extremesteamcamp.com info@extremesteamscience.com Located in Dix Hills on 15 acres, for grades first-ninth geared to develop skills and curiosity in science. The curriculum is centered around STEAM in our state-of-the-art Science Center. Core focuses include robotics, engineering, programming, science, mathematics, coding, and arts. Transportation, before- and after-care, and lunch available.

Gersh Academy at West Hills Day Camp (for children on the Autism spectrum)

DOROTHY P. FLINT NASSAU COUNTY 4-H CAMP 4-H Co-Ed Sleepaway Camp Making Memories and Friendships That Last a Lifetime

21 Sweet Hollow Road, Huntington 631-427-6700 gershsummerprogram.com scott@westhillscamp.com Our program offers children on the autism spectrum the opportunity to participate in a traditional summer camp experience while receiving the support necessary to be in a mainstream setting. Small groups, certified special education teachers, placement based on capabilities, and support for development of social skills, life skills, and independence.

Gravity Vault Melville Indoor Rock Gym

Located at 3186 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, NY Visit us online at www.ccenassau.org or call (516) 433-7970 ex. 11

OPEN HOUSE: April 6 • May 4th • May 18th • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. th

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

40 Melville Park Road 516-777-9255 gravityvault.com/locations/melville-ny melville@gravityvault.com Camp Rocks is a full, five-day, indoor and outdoor, rock-climbing summer camp perfect for beginner or advanced climbers ages 7-14. Activities include team building, rappelling, and games, as well as a ton of climbing! Register before June 1 to take advantage of our Early Enrollment pricing!

Great Strides Long Island

41 Coram-Swezeytown Road, Middle Island 631-786-9708 greatstridesli.org julie@greatstridesli.org Great Strides offers equestrian activities for children and adults of all ages

and abilities. Our equine friends can help us face all of life’s challenges with strength and confidence. Offering summer programs, a four-day introduction to horses in June, July, and August. Private lessons are available for English and Western students.

iD Tech Camps

Held at 150 prestigious campus locations 1-888-709-8324 idtech.com; info@idtech.com iD Tech is the world leader in STEM education, with 400,000 alumni since 1999. Summer programs for ages 7-19 are held at 150 prestigious campuses including Stanford, NYU, HKU, and Imperial College London. Students build in-demand skills for futures in coding, game development, robotics, and design. Visit idtech.com.

Les Elfes International

Chemin de Cli 7, 1936 Verbier, Verbier, Switzerland 4127-775-35-90 leselfes.com; info@leselfes.ch At Les Elfes International we provide children ages 7-18 from more than 60 nationalities with summer, winter, and spring camps that combine the discovery and practice of new exciting sports with learning and perfecting languages such as French, German, English, Spanish, and Chinese. Excursions included to discover the beauty of Switzerland.

LIU Post Center for Gifted Youth

Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, director LIU Post, Brookville 516-299-2160 liu.edu/giftedyouth The Long Island University program for gifted children was established in 1979 in response to the recognition of society’s special responsibilities for children with demonstrably superior intellectual ability. The LIU Center for Gifted Youth offers extraordinary teachers recruited from leading schools in the metropolitan area, and university-level facilities.

Long Island Golf Camps

631-889-1523 longislandgolfcamps.com Long Island Golf Camps operates four summer golf camps at four great golf courses in Suffolk and Nassau. Operating since 2004, LIGCs have hosted to more than 3,000 junior golfers of all levels. Whether your child is an experienced player or a beginner, we have a camp for them.

Lynch School of Ballet

Karen Lynch, artistic director 237A E. Main St., Huntington 631-470-9711 lynchballet.com; info@lynchballet.com Lynch School of Ballet offers a variety of summer programs in a professional and nurturing environment. Young dancers have a magical experience in our Swan Lake Camp. Intermediate and advanced dancers improve their technique in our July Ballet Intensive and August Ballet Workshop. Visit lynchballet.com or call 631-470-9711 for details. continued on pg. 18 ››

CAMP MARKETPLACE

YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP 2019

AWAIT

We offer the best of Adventure, Athletics, Aquatics, Creative Arts, Camp Traditions, Specials, and Summer Learning. Variety of Camps for ages 3-16: Kiddie, Youth, Pre-Teen, Teen, CIT, Full and Half-Day Specialty Camps such as Performing Arts, Sports, Coding, and more.

UNTS DISCO NTHLY O AND MNT PLANS! E M , 2019 Y PA pril 30 xpire A tance unts e * Disco inancial Assis le *F availab

NEW FOR 2019! • Archery Tag, GameLand, Inflatables & Challenger Courses, Freestyle Specials, & STEAM activities • New features added at every location • New trips for Teens • Transportation and Lunch Plan

AWESO R U O Y FIND

ER REGISTW NO

YMCALI.ORG/CAMP PICK YOUR CAMP WEEKS!

YMCA OF LONG ISLAND Bay Shore East Hampton Glen Cove

Holtsville Huntington Patchogue

855-2YMCALI ymcali.org

LongIslandParent 17

CAMP MARKETPLACE

‹‹ continued page 16

Music Together

10 Acres of Indoor and Outdoor Adventure, Sports, Activities and Special Events!

Various locations—find the location near you. musictogetherli-queens.com While the big kids are at camp this summer, have some family-style, music-makin’ fun with your little ones. Once a week for six weeks, you’ll sing, dance, and play with your baby, toddler, or preschooler in a playbased, developmentally appropriate, musical environment. Find a location in Queens or on Long Island.

Posey School

●Athletic Fields ●Sports Courts ●Playgrounds ●Dance ●Karate ●Challenge Course ●Foam Parties ●Pedal Kart Track

●Animal Shows ●Giant Slide ●Sprinkler Park ●Slip-N-Slide ●Carnival ●Talent Show ●Glow Party ●and Much More

Ages 2 -12 Yrs ● 2 - 8 Weeks ● Flexible Day/Week Scheduling Full Day 9am - 4pm ● Early Drop-off & Late Pick-up Half Day Program Also Available (Ages 2 to 5yrs.)

KidsCountryDayCamp.com

631-331-5351

37 Crystal Brook hollow Rd. Mount Sinai, NY 11766

A SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS WHO ARE FUNNY. Why can’t we just spend our summers writing jokes, getting on stage, and making each other laugh? Wait, we can!! At Kids ‘N Comedy, you child will: • Learn to write and perform stand-up • Meet new people, • Hear from successful comics, • Play improv games, • Act out your favorite comedy sketches. Cap it all off with your own stand-up show at Gotham Comedy Club. No poison ivy, no canoeing.

Session 1 July 8–19 Session 2 July 22–August 2 Session 3 August 5–16

SPORTIME Summer Camps - Nassau and Suffolk

Several locations in Nassau, Suffolk, Manhattan, and Westchester 888-698-3664 sportimeny.com/summercamps camps@sportimeny.com SPORTIME’s Summer Camps offer children ages 3-16 a great combination of sports instruction and games, swimming, arts and crafts, and exciting special events. Camp activities include age- and level-appropriate tennis, soccer, softball, basketball, flag football, and floor hockey. Campers learn fundamental skills, participate in competitive drills, and learn game strategies.

St. Patrick Youth Community Summer Camp

St. Patrick Church, 280 E. Main St., Smithtown 631-360-0185 stpatsyouth.com; spyouth@optonline.net Camp St. Patrick offers Summer Sports Camps! Our Basketball Camp engages children in skills, drills, games, and scrimmages. Great prep for school try outs or Catholic Youth Organization! One-week cheerleading camp to strengthen new and old cheerleading skills. We offer dek hockey and lacrosse clinics during the summer as well.

Studio E Art Classes

For kids & teens ages 10–18. Monday–Friday Noon–4 PM Campers can take 1, 2, or 3 sessions!

SUMMER CAMP 2019

57 Main St., Northport 631-757-2700 poseyschoolofdance.com poseyschoolofdance@gmail.com Exciting Children’s Summer Art Camp “Around The World” at Posey School of Dance. Children ages 3-9 will actively engage in dance, art, and acting classes daily from 9am-12pm. Weekly themes include Fun in France, Walk like an Egyptian, Party in India, Australian Outback, and English Royal Week! $200 per week.

Photo by Nancy Adler

kidsncomedy.com 212-877-6115

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

565 Route 25A, Miller Place 631-744-4001 studioeartclass.com/childrens-camps Studio E offers art enrichment camps to three age groups: children (ages 5-8), tweens (ages 9-12), and teens (ages 13-17). Topics include pottery, hand-building, painting, drawing, sketching, collage, and illustration. Studio E Art Camps provide small group instruction. Camps meet Tuesdays-Fridays for half-days. Pay per week!

Sylvan Learning Centers of Mineola and Huntington 393 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola 516-743-9943

locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/mineola-ny 1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-424-5600 locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/huntington-ny sylvanlearning@optonline.net Summer is the perfect time for academic growth! Sylvan can tackle any subject so your child can take on the next school year with confidence. Try our personalized reading, writing, and math programs or our Math Edge small group programs which cover content through algebra 2!

Thomas School of Horsemanship Summer Day Camp

250 Round Swamp Road, Melville 631-692-6840 tshcamp.com tsh@tshcamp.com Camp gives kids the skills they need to thrive in the world. Thomas School of Horsemanship expands that knowledge exponentially with horses! For more than 70 years Thomas School of Horsemanship Day Camp offers campers ages 3-15, all the daily activities of a traditional day camp, plus a full riding program.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.org; info@usdan.org Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, the nation’s preeminent arts day camp, offers more than 70 programs of study in the arts including visual art, dance, music, theater, creative writing, nature, chess, and recreational arts. Three-, four-, and seven-week sessions are offered.

Village East Gifted Camp ThinkTank Summer Program

Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Village East Gifted® (VEG), located in both Nassau and Suffolk counties, offers 20 three- or four-day science workshops in its Summer STREAM Program (STEM + Art + Research) for gifted students in grades firstsixth. Workshops are held during the day and in the evenings (after camp).

Winston Preparatory School

30 Deforest Road, Dix Hills 212-719-5598 x2213 winstonprep.edu/our-campuses/li liadmissions@winstonprep.edu Winston Prep’s Individualized Summer Enrichment Program provides students in grades fourth to 12th with the unique opportunity to participate in an individually designed program aimed to enhance academic skills and foster independence. The program is designed to develop language, encoding and decoding, reading comprehension, writing, math, test preparation, organization, and time management skills.

CAMP MARKETPLACE MO ST OR DA MO BLE, ST FLE XIB LE!

LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH

AF F

SUMMER 2019 MONDAY - FRIDAY PROGRAM July 1-26, 2019 | 9:00am to 3:30pm

Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child?

KNOX PROUDLY OFFERS

Programs for Grades K-10

Equestrian Program

CIT Leadership Program

Tennis, Gaga Ball, Volleyball,

Teen Travel Program

Basketball, Field Sports Fitness Games

Now Traveling 4 days a week

Performing & Fine Arts

American Red Cross

Chess, Games, Computers

Learn to Swim Program

Pedal Go Karts

Waterfront Property with Kayaking

Movie Nights Under the Stars

& Stand-Up Paddleboarding!

BRAND NEW - Disc Golf Course

Daily Long Beach Trips

Plus much more….

9 FUN-FILLED WEEKS on 40 Serene Acres! June 27—August 23

OPEN HOUSE MARCH 2 & MAY 11

LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 40th annual summer program for gifted children. The summer

program runs on Monday to Friday from July 1-26. The program is open to gifted children entering grades 2-8 in September 2019. The program expands students’ knowledge, develops creative and critical thinking skills, and offers children the opportunity to learn in an exciting and accepting environment.

For information call 516-299-2160 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth

INQUIRE ABOUT TRANSPORTATION!

10 AM - 1PM

Ages 4 - 15 and CIT’s

Now find us on Facebook

Lunch Included & Busing Available

541 Long Beach Rd., St. James, NY 11780 631-686-1640 www.knoxschool.org

Saint Patrick’s Summer Camp #for The Kids

Admission is highly selective and enrollment is limited.

LIU Post • College of Education, Information and Technology • 720 Northern Blvd. • Brookville, NY 11548-1300 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth • Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, Director

Summer

Science Camps

Camp St. Pat’s

Kiddie Camp Camp Ages 3-5

Main Camp Camp Ages 6-12

Teen Travel Travel Ages 13-15

We pride ourselves in providing the ultimate summer camp experience for boys & girls, ages 3-15. Offering traditional day camp activities, trips across our beautiful Long Island and fun ﬁlled educational clinics on site. Our staff includes educators, lifeguards, EMS, and counselors who were once campers right here at St. Pat's!

ENROLL NOW FOR SUMMER:

Baseball • Softball LAX • Cheer Camp m Summer Hoops Tea – Boys & Girls

St. Patrick Youth Summer Enrichment Grades K-5 • July 8th-Aug 9th

Let your student take part in one-, two- or 5-weeks of summer enrichment. STEAM integrated and hands on activities that will allow your child to maintain their Common Core curriculum through the summer and prepare for their next grade.

631-360-0185 • www.stpatsyouth.com Saint Patrick R.C. Church • 280 East Main St., Smithtown

The DNA Learning Center offers exciting 5-day summer day camps for students entering 6th–12th grades. Budding scientists are immersed in hands-on activities and experiments that deepen DNA science understanding. Check our website for

Long Island and NYC camp locations and schedule.

www. DNALC .org 516-367-5170

LongIslandParent 19

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery &

8 8 8

8 8

East End Arts eastendarts.org

8 8

Future Stars Summer Camps fscamps.com

8 8

Gravity Vault Melville Indoor Rock Gym gravityvault.com

8 8

Great Strides Long Island greatstridesli.org

8 8

Hofstra Summer Camps hofstra.edu/camps

iD Tech idtech.com

Kenwal Day Camp kenwaldaycamp.com

Kids Country Day Camp kidscountrydaycamp.com Knox Summer Adventures knoxschool.org

Les Elfes International leselfes.com

8 8

Long Island Studio of Music longislandstudioofmusic.com

Long Island Voyagers Day Camp livoyagersdaycamp.com

Challenge Courses

Fine Arts

Nature & Petting Zoo

CIT

(Counselor-in-Training)

Travel

Destination Science: The FUN Science Day Camp For Curious Kids 5-11! destinationscience.org

Long Island Golf Camps longislandgolfcamps.com

Horseback Riding

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center dnalc.org

Gersh Academy at West Hills Day Camp gershsummerprogram.com

Competitive Sports

Aquarium cshf ishhatchery.org

Extreme STEAM Science Kids extremesteamcamp.com

8 8

Camp St. Patrick stpatsyouth.com

Dorothy P. Flint Nassau County 4-H Camp ccenassau.org

Music, Theater, & Dance

Camp Kids â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;N Comedy kidsncomedy.com

Camp W Day Camp campwdaycamp.com

STEAM & Academic Enrichment

Scholarship

PROGRAMS: Special Needs

Art League of Long Island artleagueli.net

Flexible Scheduling

Extended Hours

Lunch

Transportation

Camp Guide

SERVICES:

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Enriching ching hing brilliant minds every day… in every way.

Is your child

The fun science day camp for curious kids!

GIFTED?

2019 Camp Themes Physics Coaster & Science Magic

Year Round Academic Enrichment in All Subject Areas Ages 2-16 • Nassau & Suffolk Locations

Summer Program for the Gifted Challenging • Creative• Enriching

Grades K – 8 • 3, 4 & 5 Day Workshops • June 28th – Aug 23rd CAMP

Extreme Innovators & Science Makers Robot Challengers & Reaction Racers Rocket Space Science

LI Locations

STEAM • Robotics • Engineering • Archaeology • Writing • Culinary Science Business/Economics • BioMedical Studies • Humanities • Zoology & more!

631-549-2313 • www.VillageEast.Gifed.com

Babylon, Commack, Garden City, Hauppauge, Huntington Station, Lindenhurst, Manhasset, Merrick, Plainview, Sayville, Setauket, Wantagh

March Savings!

Save $30/wk!

destinationscience.org/mpli

Ends 3/31/19

888-909-2822

Classical Ballet Instruction in the tradition of G of George eorg rge B Balanchine ala lanchin ine ine

Ohman School off Ball Ballet lllle let

Home School Of New York Dance Theatre Year-round Enrollment Age 3 thru Professional Levels • Mommy & Me Train With A Master (Former Soloist NYC Ballet)

C on t u s to a c t v a c l a i s it s s!

Summer Dance Programs

Discover the joy of making music together with your family! Find a location near you in Long Island or Queens: www.MusicTogetherLI-Queens.com

The Ohman School of Ballet offers a two week summer intensive, six weeks of summer evening classes for children through 17 years old and Ballet Barre Fitness classes. Guiding children from their first steps towards advanced technique, while instilling true appreciation and love for the art form.

631-462-6266 www.ohmanballet.org 60 Calvert Avenue, Commack, NY, 11725

LongIslandParent 21

Special Needs

Nature & Petting Zoo

CIT

(Counselor-in-Training)

Travel

Horseback Riding

Competitive Sports

Challenge Courses

Park Shore Country Day Camp parkshoredaycamp.com

Fine Arts

Lynch School of Ballet lynchballet.com

Music, Theater, & Dance

Scholarship

STEAM & Academic Enrichment

PROGRAMS:

Flexible Scheduling

Extended Hours

Lunch

Transportation

Camp Guide

SERVICES:

8 8

Posey School poseyschool.com

SPORTIME Summer Camp sportimecamps.com

Studio E Art Classes studioeartclass.com

8 8

Sylvan of Mineola and Huntington sylvanlearning.com

The Summer Enrichment Program at Winston Preparatory School winstonprep.edu

Thomas School of Horsemanship tshcamp.com

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts usdan.org

8 8

Village East Gifted Camp ThinkTank villageeastgifted.com YMCA of Long Island ymcali.org

Young People’s Day Camp of Suffolk ypdc.com

8 8

CAMP MARKETPLACE Learn More or Enroll Today!

FLEXIBLE WEEKLY SESSIONS FSCAMPS.COM

DISCOVER THE ULTIMATE SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE ON LONG ISLAND! SUNY COLLEGE FARMINGDALE AT OLD WESTBURY STATE COLLEGE 516.226.CAMP 631.769.CAMP

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE PATCHOGUE 631.572.0232

CAMP MARKETPLACE OPEN HOUSE

at the Art League LI

A SUMMER OF FUN, DYNAMIC ART ENRICHMENT SESSIONS FOR KIDS & TEENS

Saturday, March 16th 10:00 AM

Great Strides believes in the magic of the horse-human experience. Beautiful 15 acre ranch, 3 outdoor rings and a heated indoor arena! We offer a warm, friendly and safe horse

SUMMER ART ADVENTURE

at Paumanok Elementary School, Dix Hills

Early Childhood Program • Ages 5 - 6 Young Artists Program • Ages 7 -10 July 8th – August 9th Five Weekly Themed Sessions Choose one or more!

Mature Artists • Ages 11-14 July 8th - 19th and July 22nd - August 2nd Two 2-week sessions … Choose one or both!

SUMMER PRE-COLLEGE PORTFOLIO at The Art League Center, Dix Hills

Riding Lessons Summer Mini Camps Therapeutic Riding 



Teens • Ages 15 -18 July 8th - July 26th & July 29th - August 16th Two 3-week sessions … Choose one or both!

Mommy and Me Birthday Parties Scouting Activities



PARTNER PROGRAM

41 Coram-Swezeytown Road, Middle Island, NY 11953 631.786.9708 | greatstridesli.org | Julie@greatstridesli.org LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Great Strides Long Island at Saddle Rock Ranch

DANCE

Around the World this Summer!

Fine Artists Summer Camp: Explore Cultural Art,

Dance and Theater Right Here in Northport Village! at

with Park Shore Country Day Camp, Dix Hills Kids ages 5-9 can join Summer Art Adventure in the mornings and spend the afternoons at Park Shore Day Camp!

SUMMER CAMP 2019 Hands-on Outdoor Adventures • Nature Crafts Live Animals & More!

$200/wk

Ph oto :

Jan ette Pelle grini

Snack provided

July 8th-25th and August 5th-15th, 2019 Monday thru Thursday 9 am - 12 noon

Two age groups: 3-5 & 6-9 Each Week a Different Theme! Week 1: July 8-11: Fun in France! Week 2: July 15-18: Walk Like an Egyption! Week 3: July 22-25: Party in India! Week 4: Aug. 5-8: Australian Outback! Week 5: Aug. 12-15: English Royal Week! 57 Main Street, Northport Village

631.757.2700 www.poseyschoolofdance.com

GIVE YOUR YOUNG EXPLORER A SUMMER SURROUNDED BY NATURE! 516-692-6768 • www.CSHFISHHATCHERY.org

Renaissance Summer ART & MUSIC CAMPS 2019 Art, Music, Performance!

WHERE KIDS LEARN TO LOVE GOLF 4 great locations at 4 great golf courses Massapequa, Farmingdale, Babylon, and Hauppauge Run by PGA Professionals, All-day or half day camps Golf on the course each day. Lunch provided during full day camps

Renaissance Kid Camp

Weekly Art Camps

Nature as Our Muse!

Immerse Yourself In Arts & Music

Ages 5 – 8

July 15 – 26

Ages 9 – 14

July 9 – August 9

Pay in full by May 1, 2019 and receive a 5% discount LongIslandParent 23

Camp Planner For Every Family Digital Camp Guide

WEB • TABLET • MOBILE FRIENDLY

GREAT FREE CONTENT • Expert Advice

• Camp Descriptions

• Camp Comparison Charts

• Open House Schedules

nymetroparents.com/campguide/longisland

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Ideas When You Need Them:

Sign up for our FREE newsletter and never hear “I’m bored!” again. We email the top kids’ events every Thursday—just in time to make weekend plans!

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on Long Island Pet Expo (No. 1 on our list).

MARCH

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CALENDAR

Editor’s Hot Tickets

Once Upon a Time

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Movers & Shakers

Fun Fairs & Festivals, Special Needs

Show Time!

Crafty Kids

Little Foodies,

Holiday Fun

Animal Lovers

Mini Musicians

The Great Outdoors

Smarty Pants

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the 9 events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

Long Island Pet Expo

WHEN: March 2-3, Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Suffolk Community College, 1001 Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, a butterfly experience, and various rescue and adoption groups. WHY WE LOVE IT: The fair will feature high-flying Frisbee dogs, while also promoting responsible pet ownership. WANT TO GO? $11 online; $13 at the door; $5 children ages 12-4 online; $6 children at the door; $18 weekend pass; $8 children weekend pass; free for 3 and younger. 631-423-0620. familypetshows.com.

International Women’s Day

WHEN: March 5-8, Tuesday-Friday, 12-4pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate International Women’s Day with Heroines at the Helm about trailblazing whaling wives. WHY WE LOVE IT: Enjoy an array of Victorian-era crafts, share your opinion on the voting wall, and dip a wax candle to take home. WANT TO GO? Pay as you wish. 631-387-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Wonderspark Puppets / Fox Fables

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 11am WHERE: Goat on a Boat Puppet Theater, 1 Bay St., Sag Harbor AGES: 3-8 WHAT: A fox loses his tail and with it his identity. He tries to be several other animals instead with hilarious results. WHY WE LOVE IT: Fox Fables is a combination of several Aesop’s Fables. WANT TO GO? $15. 631-725-4193. goatonaboat.org.

Jason Bishop: Illusionist

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 2-4pm WHERE: Suffolk County Community College, 1001 Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood AGES: 5 and older WHAT: See spellbinding magic, sleight of hand, and grand illusions, all set to a rock and pop soundtrack. WHY WE LOVE IT: This family-friendly performer might read your mind one second or make a goldfish appear out of nowhere the next. WANT TO GO? $19.75; $9.75 students 16 or younger; free for veterans and SCCC students. 631-851-6902. sunysuffolk.edu.

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Workshop: Space Explorers: Earth Scientist

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 2-3pm WHERE: Long Island Science Center, 11 W. Main St., Riverhead AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Explore the universe through interactive activities. WHY WE LOVE IT: Build a star finder, create a comet, make galactic slime—the sky is the limit! WANT TO GO? $5; free for members. 631-208-8000. lisciencecenter.org.

Searching for Seals & Winter Walk

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 2:30pm WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: 5-12, adult WHAT: At low tide you can expect to see seals sunning themselves. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s a chance to spot species that commonly visit Long Island, including Harbor Seals, Grey Seals, and Harp Seals. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children ages 3-12; free for members and children 2 and younger. 631-537-9735. sofo.org.

The 85th Annual Huntington St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 10, 2pm WHERE: Huntington Train Station, New York Avenue 110 and Broadway, Huntington AGES: All WHAT: The parade is Long Island’s oldest and largest of its kind. WHY WE LOVE IT: It features dozens of pipe bands! WANT TO GO? huntingtonhibernians.com.

Community Day FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 10, 12-3pm WHERE: Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy free admission, workshops, music, tours, and refreshments. WHY WE LOVE IT: You can spend the cash you’ll save on free admission at the museum’s cafe or gift shop! WANT TO GO? 631-283-2118. parrishart.org.

All Kids Fair

WHEN: Sunday, April 7, 10am-4:30pm WHERE: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broad Hollow Road (Route 110), Melville AGES: All WHAT: Bring the kids and enjoy this fun day. Included with admission: bounce house, petting zoo, photo booth, popcorn, cotton candy, face painting, balloon animals, cosplay, see live butterflies, and more. QuackerJack from the Ducks visits from 11am-1pm. WHY WE LOVE IT: There will be more than 80 exhibitors on hand plus tons of kids’ classes for all ages to enjoy with their adults. WANT TO GO? $5; free for children 2 and younger. 516-621-1446. allkidsfair.com.

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the four no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. Reframing Parenting; Suffolk Winter Series FREE

WHEN: Through March 9: Sundays, 10am-1pm WHERE: Suffolk Independent Living Organization, 755 Waverly Ave., Holtsville AGES: Adult WHAT: A workshop series for adoptive and guardianship parents raising children with adverse childhood experiences. WANT TO GO? 646-688-4321. affcny.org.

Let’s Talk it Out Moms & Dads! FREE

WHEN: Through March 11: Mondays, 9:45-11am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Talk with other parents and share tips. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Soulful Shabbat with Kehillath Shalom Synagogue FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 30, 10am WHERE: Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge, 12 Target Rock Road, Lloyd Harbor AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Slow down, rediscover yourself, and reconnect with the spirit. WANT TO GO? 631-367-4589. kehillathshalomsynagogue.org.

The Great Playdate FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 30, 10am-3pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: All WHAT: Play life-size games such as Connect Four and Jenga. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Imagination Station FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 1, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy playing house, supermarket, construction, and/or doctor, and pretending with other props and activities. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Teen Connect: Kindness Rocks FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, March 5, 7-8pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Design and decorate kindness rocks. WANT TO GO? 631-941-4080. emmaclark.org.

Hidden Pond Day Camp Open House FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 10am-2pm WHERE: Hidden Pond Day Camp at The Rinx, 660 Terry Road, Hauppauge AGES: All WHAT: Take a tour and find out more about giving your child “A Summer to Remember!” WANT TO GO? 631-232-3222 x201. therinx.com/camp.

Family Game Time FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 1-3pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Enjoy quality family time playing games together. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Tot Spot

WHEN: Through April 17: select Wednesdays, 10:45-11:45am WHERE: Children’s Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This program provides toddlers with opportunities to explore, observe, and get moving in a way that helps social emotional skills, fine motor skills, and emerging language. WANT TO GO? $24 (includes admission to the museum); free for members. 631-537-8250. cmee.org. ›› LongIslandParent 27

WHERE: Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington AGES: 5-12 WHAT: See the classic 1984 film with your family. WANT TO GO? $7 members; $12 public; free for children 12 and younger. 631-423-7611. cinemaartscentre.org.

‘Into The Woods’: In Concert

WHEN: March 8-9, Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm and 8pm WHERE: Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The concert version of this Broadway hit will include limited staging, sets, and costumes. WANT TO GO? $39-$69. 631-207-1313. patchoguetheatre.com.

Sarah Nolan: The Fairy Tailors

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 11am WHERE: Goat on a Boat Puppet Theater, 1 Bay St., Sag Harbor AGES: 3-8 WHAT: With the audience’s help, the Fairy Tailor takes a stand against a giant. WANT TO GO? $15. 631-725-4193. goatonaboat.org.

SHOW TIME!

American Girl LIVE!

WHEN: Through March 1: Thursday, 7pm; Friday, 5pm WHERE: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington AGES: All WHAT: Your favorite American Girl characters learn the power of friendship WANT TO GO? $27.50-$42.50. 631-673-7300. paramountny.com.

Wanted DOA a Tribute to Bon Jovi Fundraiser for GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island

WHEN: Friday, March 1, 8pm WHERE: Patchogue Theatre, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue AGES: All WHAT: Join Bon Jovi tribute band Wanted DOA as they put on a concert benefit for GiGi’s Playhouse. WANT TO GO? $20; $25. 631-207-1313. patchoguetheatre.org.

The Three Little Kittens

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, Various times WHERE: Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson AGES: 3-8 WHAT: The Three Little Kittens may have to find their mittens—but what they really want is to be a singing trio. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-928-9202. theatrethree.com.

‘Seussical the Musical’

WHEN: Through March 3: Saturday 11am & Sunday 10:30am WHERE: John W. Engeman Theater at Northport, 250 Main St., Northport AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Narrated by the Cat in the Hat, Seussical takes some beloved Dr. Seuss characters on a musical adventure. WANT TO GO? $15. 631-261-2900. engemantheater.com.

Barbara Streisand Tribute

WHEN: Tuesday, March 5, 7:30pm WHERE: Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Barbra Streisand gets this special showcase for Women’s History Month, to celebrate her contributions to entertainment. WANT TO GO? $16; $11 members. 631-423-7611. cinemaartscentre.org.

Cinema for Kids: ‘The Never Ending Story’ WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 11am 28

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Women’s History Month: Women in Science

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 2-3pm WHERE: Long Island Science Center, 11 W. Main St., Riverhead AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Celebrate Women’s History Month with the scientific breakthroughs women have pioneered. WANT TO GO? $5; free for members. 631-208-8000. lisciencecenter.org.

Rhythm of the Dance

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 8pm WHERE: Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The show is an epic, reliving the journey of the Irish Celts throughout history. WANT TO GO? $35-$65. 631-207-1313. patchoguetheatre.com.

‘The Berenstain Bears Live!’

WHEN: Sunday, March 24, 1pm WHERE: Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue AGES: All WHAT: Come on down to Bear Country to sing and dance in this colorful musical. WANT TO GO? $15-$25. 631-207-1313. patchoguetheatre.com.

‘The Chicken Show’

WHEN: Saturday, March 30, 11am WHERE: Goat on a Boat Puppet Theater, 1 Bay St., Sag Harbor AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Find out how a singing chicken makes her dreams come true. WANT TO GO? $15. 631-725-4193. goatonaboat.org.

‘The Little Mermaid’

WHEN: March 3-30, times vary WHERE: BroadHollow at East Islip, 265 E. Main St., East Islip AGES: All WHAT: Journey under the sea with Ariel and her friends. WANT TO GO? $11 in advance; $13 after advance closes. 631-581-2700. broadhollow.org.

Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid, Jr.’

WHEN: March 16- April 29, see website for showtimes WHERE: Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smitthown AGES: All WHAT: See the Disney classic come to life on stage. WANT TO GO? $18. 631-724-3700. smithtownpac.org.

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ANIMAL LOVERS Women of Invention: Focus on Fiber FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 3, 1:30-4:30pm WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library, 54-60 E. Main St., Patchogue AGES: All WHAT: Experience living women’s history through exhibits, demos, crafts, and a visit from a llama and an alpaca. WANT TO GO? 631-654-4700. pmlib.org.

Book Time With A Dog FREE

LITTLE FOODIES

Teen & Parent Night Out: Irish Soda Bread Muffins FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 1, 7-8pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Learn how to make delicious Irish Soda Bread muffins. WANT TO GO? 631-941-4080. emmaclark.org.

Grand Opening FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 3, 2-5pm WHERE: Goldfish Swim School Centereach, 141 Centereach Mall, Centereach AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the Grand Opening of Goldfish Swim School Centereach with free family swim, snacks, and light refreshments, a balloon twister, and a temporary tattoo artist. WANT TO GO? 631-405-4111. goldfishswimschool.com.

St. Patrick’s Eve Potluck Dinner FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 15, 6-8pm WHERE: SILO Offices, 755 Waverly Ave., Holtsville AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Bring your favorite dish (Irish or not) or drink and don’t forget to wear your green! WANT TO GO? 646-688-4321. affcny.org.

Family Style Cooking: Irish Soda Bread FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 17, 2pm and 3:30pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join chef Rob Scott on St. Patrick’s Day to make Irish Soda Bread. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Cooking With Stars Class FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 11am-12pm and 12:30-1:30pm WHERE: Park Shore Country Day Camp, 450 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join Chef Paula to learn about Park Shore Country Day Camp’s newest specialty camp. WANT TO GO? 631-499-8580. parkshoredaycamp.com.

WHEN: Monday, March 11, 6-7:20pm WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library, 54-60 E. Main St., Patchogue AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Practice your reading skills with a certified therapy dog. WANT TO GO? 631-654-4700. pmlib.org.

Bunnies, Bunnies, Bunnies FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, March 20, 5-5:45pm WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library, 54-60 E. Main St., Patchogue AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Cuddle bunnies and listen to a bunny story. WANT TO GO? 631-654-4700. pmlib.org.

Bunnies, Bunnies, Bunnies! For Teens FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, March 20, 7-7:45pm WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library, 54-60 E. Main St., Patchogue AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Pet and play with some adorable rabbits! WANT TO GO? 631-654-4700. pmlib.org.

Design the Perfect Fish: Fish Adaptations

WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 10:30am WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Create your own fishy creature. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children ages 3-12; free for members and children 2 and younger. 631-537-9735. sofo.org.

New York’s Great White Shark Nursery: Research Advances & Future Plans WHEN: Sunday, March 24, 10:30am WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Shark expert Dr. Tobey Curtis reviews the study of the white shark nursery in our backyard. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children ages3-12; free for members and children 2 and younger. 631-537-9735. sofo.org.

Marvelous Marine Mammals for Preschoolers

WHEN: Sunday, March 24, 10am-12pm WHERE: Sport Fishing Education Center and Aquaculture Facility, Ocean Parkway, Babylon AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Explore some fascinating marine mammals and do a fun craft. WANT TO GO? $25 per child and 1 adult; $5 additional adults. 631-587-2873. ccesuffolk.org. ›› LongIslandParent 29

SOFO Cleans the Beach FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 8am WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: All WHAT: Help clean up the beach and advocate for avoiding the materials that wash up on the shore. WANT TO GO? 631-537-9735. sofo.org.

To Infinity and Beyond! FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 10, 1:30-2:30pm WHERE: Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown AGES: All WHAT: Discover some fascinating facts about the final frontier. WANT TO GO? 631-265-1054. parks.ny.gov.

Public Skating Sessions

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Trout Unlimited Fishing Clinic FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 9am-12pm WHERE: Connetquot River State Park, 3525 Sunrise Highway, Oakdale AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Learn to fly fish. WANT TO GO? 631-581-1072. nysparks.com/parks.

Winter Beach Wander FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Sunken Meadow State Park, 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Breathe in the winter air as you stroll the beach. WANT TO GO? 888-451-4948. nysparks.org.

Tap to Table

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 10-11:30am and 12:30-2pm WHERE: Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank AGES: All WHAT: Learn how to make syrup by drilling and tapping maple trees and hanging buckets to collect the sap. WANT TO GO? $10 ages 5 and older; free for ages 4 and younger. 631-852-4610. suffolkcountyfarm.campbrainregistration.com.

Public Skating

WHEN: Through March 3: Monday-Friday, 4-8pm; Saturday, 12-8pm; Sunday, 12-6pm WHERE: The Rinx at Wyandanch Village, 40 Station Drive, Wyandanch AGES: All WHAT: Take a skate around the new ice rink in the beautiful Wyandanch Village. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 seniors; $5 children 17 and younger. 631-643-2050. therinx.com.

Museum Corner: How Does Your Garden Grow? FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 10-10:45am (ages 9-12); 11-11:45am (ages 13-18) WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Learn how to plan a garden, then get yours started. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through March 10: Monday-Thursday, 12-8pm; Friday, 1210pm; Saturday, 10am-10pm; Sunday, 10am-7:30pm WHERE: The Rinx at Harborfront Park, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: All WHAT: Head to the beautiful Village of Port Jefferson for ice-skating right on the Harbor. WANT TO GO? See website for rates and packages. 631-473-1414. therinx.com.

West Hills Day Camp Open House FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 11am-3pm WHERE: West Hills Day Camp, 21 Sweet Hollow Road, Huntington AGES: All WHAT: Take a tour the grounds, meet with directors and staff, and learn about new programs. WANT TO GO? 631-427-6700. westhillsdaycamp.com.

Blue-Spotted Salamander Search with Andy

WHEN: March 2-16, Saturdays, 7:30pm WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join for a nighttime expedition to search for Blue-spotted Salamanders. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children ages 3-12; free for members and children 2 and younger. 631-537-9735. sofo.org.

SOFO Young Birders Club with Miles Todaro

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 10am WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Birding is a great way to make new friends, learn about the environment, and get outside! WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children ages 3-12; free for members and children 2 and younger. 631-537-9735. sofo.org.

Full Worm Moon Hike at SOFO with Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, March 20, 7:30pm WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: All WHAT: This leisurely paced hike features some light refreshments and convivial conversation. WANT TO GO? 631-537-9735. sofo.org.

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ONCE UPON A TIME ‘The Cat in the Hat’ FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 3, 1-3pm WHERE: Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join for an afternoon with The Cat in the Hat stories and activities. WANT TO GO? 631-271-1442. craftreeclasses.com.

Oobleck

WHEN: March 2-3, 1-5pm WHERE: Maritime Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday by investigating oobleck and all it can do. WANT TO GO? $5 per person; free for members and children younger 1. 631-331-3277. maritimeexplorium.org.

Long Island Speech & Myofunctional Therapy 1-844-5-SPEECH

www.LIspeech.com

Licensed Speech Pathologists & Myofunctional Therapists Specializing in the Treatment and Correction of:

• Language Disorders • Memory & Auditory Processing Difficulties • Fluency • • Voice Disorders • Motor Planning Disorders • Deviate Swallowing • Tongue Thrust • • Feeding & Swalling Problems /Aversions • Thumb Sucking • Articulation Disorders • Oral Facial Muscle Weakness •

Specialized Specialized Therapy Therapy Approaches Approaches Including: Including PROMPT Therapy • Individual FEEDING Therapy Augmentative Communication Evaluations & Therapy

“FEES”...Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing Participating with most Major Health Insurance Companies With 7 locations across Nassau & Suffolk

B.A.R.K.: Books Are Read to K-9’s FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, March 6, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Come read some stories to a trained therapy dog. WANT TO GO? 631-941-4080. emmaclark.org.

Art Happening FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 10am and 11:15am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Explore a variety of art media and a story. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Spring Has Sprung FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, March 26, 4pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Listen to great stories and create springtime decorations. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

Brownies for Bedtime FREE

WHEN: Thursday, March 28, 5-7pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Paul Rodriguez reads his story Brownies for Bedtime. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. mcplibrary.org.

Bar Bat Mitzvah Facebook Groups Ask questions, share ideas, and get advice.

Join today! Long Island Mitzvah Market Facebook group facebook.com/groups/LongIslandBarBatMitzvahMarket

The Great Play Date FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 30, 10am-12pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Talk, sing, read, and play at the library. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org. ››

Mıtzvah Market Find it. Book it. Celebrate!

mitzvahmarket.com LongIslandParent 31

80s Arcade & Karaoke Night

WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 7-11pm WHERE: Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Play classic arcade games and sing ‘80s karaoke music. WANT TO GO? $15-$20. 516-572-4066. cradleofaviation.org.

Student Film Contest and Awards Ceremony FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 24, 6pm WHERE: Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton AGES: All WHAT: See original videos created by local East End students. WANT TO GO? 631-324-4050. guildhall.org.

White Post Farms Eggstravaganza

WHEN: March 23-April 21, 10am-5pm WHERE: White Post Farms of Melville, 250 Old Country Road, Melville AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Enjoy spring with a visit from the Easter Bunny, baby animals, Farmland Express and pony rides, bounce houses, and slides. WANT TO GO? $19.95. 631-351-9373. whitepostfarms.com.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS SPECIAL NEEDS First Lego League Championship FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 3, 8:30am WHERE: Longwood High School, 100 Longwood Road, Middle Island AGES: All WHAT: Middle school students will show off their Lego creations and compete in challenges. WANT TO GO? 631-627-8400. firstlongisland.org.

First Lego League Jr. Expo 3 FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 3, 7:30am WHERE: Longwood High School, 100 Longwood Road, Middle Island AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Elementary school students from around Long Island will show off their Lego creations. WANT TO GO? 631-627-8400. firstlongisland.org.

CatVideoFest

WHEN: Sunday, March 10, 12pm WHERE: Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington AGES: All WHAT: This 70-minute reel of cat videos helps support a local animal rescue, Golden Paw Society, Inc. WANT TO GO? $16; $11 members. 631-423-7611. cinemaartscentre.org.

We Shabbat: Joyful Jewish Celebrations

WHEN: Friday, March 22, 10am WHERE: Kehillath Shalom Synagogue, 58 Goose Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Celebrate Jewishness with joy and laughter. WANT TO GO? $10 per family; free for members. 631-367-4589. kehillathshalomsynagogue.org.

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Art with a Partner Inclusion Workshops for Children & Young Adults

WHEN: Sunday, March 3, 1-3pm WHERE: Art League of Long Island, 107 E. Deer Park Road, Dix Hills AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Using a multitude of mediums, everyone will go home with a completed craft. WANT TO GO? $35. 631-462-5400. artleagueli.org.

Let’s Get Together FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 15, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children of all abilities are invited to develop social skills through language, art, and physical activities. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Yoga

WHEN: March 3-17, Sundays, 2:30-3:30pm WHERE: Fitness Incentive, 157 Deer Park Ave., Babylon AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Enjoy a yoga class for all abilities. WANT TO GO? $25 per class. 631-351-8672. nyfriendshipcircle.com.

Winston Preparatory School Open House FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, March 19, 9:15am WHERE: Winston Preparatory School, 30 Deforest Road, Dix Hills AGES: Adult WHAT: Learn about Winston Prep at their open house. WANT TO GO? 631-779-2400 x2404. winstonprep.edu.

CRAFTY KIDS

Teen Open Studio: Oil Pastel Scratch Art FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Explore different media and methods with guidance. WANT TO GO? 631-283-2118. parrishart.org.

Shamrock Shindig FREE

WHEN: Monday, March 4, 11:15am and 1pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with lucky crafts. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Crusty Snowman In A Picture Frame FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 8, 6-7pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Create a crystal-crusted snowman in a picture frame. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Google Expeditions: The 7 Wonders FREE

WHEN: Thursday, March 14, 5-5:45 pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Take a Google Expedition tour through the 7 Wonders of the World then build an architectural wonder. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Handful of Art FREE

WHEN: Monday, March 18, 11:15am & 1pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Explore a variety of art materials and stories. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Just Grandma/pa & Me FREE

WHEN: March 5-19, Tuesdays, 10-11am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library-Selden, 575 Middle Country Road, Selden AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Play with your grandchild, share stories with other grandparents, and make crafts. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Scratchboard Art FREE

Maker Spotlight: Artelier Artist

WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 1:30-3:30pm WHERE: Maritime Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Create your own fabric art. WANT TO GO? $5; free for members and children younger than 1. 631-331-3277. maritimeexplorium.org.

Come Draw With Us! Art Workshop

WHEN: March 10-24, select Sundays, 10:30am WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Make time for drawing at this workshop. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children ages 3-12; free for members and children 2 and younger. 631-537-9735. sofo.org.

Crochet for Kids FREE

WHEN: Through March 25: Mondays, 5:30-7pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Learn the basic stitches of crochet. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Open Studio for Families FREE

WHEN: March 9-30, Saturdays, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill AGES: All WHAT: Take a tour of the galleries and create art through hands-on activities. WANT TO GO? $12; $9 seniors; $6 guests of members; free for students with ID, children younger than 18, and museum members. 631-2832118. parrishart.org.

Open House at the Art League of Long Island FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, March 20, 4pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Unleash your creativity with this colorful activity. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

WHEN: Sunday, March 31, 10am-2pm WHERE: Art League of Long Island, 107 E. Deer Park Road, Dix Hills AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Tour the studios and see live painting, drawing, ceramics, and jewelry-making demonstrations. WANT TO GO? 631-462-5400. artleagueli.org.

Hands-On Art

Calligrafitti for Kids!

WHEN: March 7-21, select Thursdays, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Be inspired by fellow artists to create using different materials. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-751-0066 x212. longislandmuseum.org.

WHEN: Sunday, March 31, 1:30-3:30pm WHERE: Art League of Long Island, 107 E. Deer Park Road, Dix Hills AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Learn how to produce letterforms in the “Calligraffiti” style. WANT TO GO? $30. 631-462-5400. artleagueli.org. ›› LongIslandParent 33

2019 Bay Shore Brightwaters St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 2pm WHERE: Bayshore, Saxon Avenue, Bayshore AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate all things Irish! WANT TO GO? 631-969-1626. stpatricksparadebsbw.com.

29th Annual Bayport Blue Point 2019 St Patrick’s Day Parade Long Island New York FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 10, 11am-2pm WHERE: Bayport Blue Point Chamber of Commerce, South Snedecor Avenue, Bayport AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Bayport and Blue Point Fire Departments. WANT TO GO? bayportbluepoint.com.

Irish Pirates!

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 12-1pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Make a Jolly Roger, a pirate hat, and an eye patch to take home. WANT TO GO? $6; $12 children. 631-387-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

St. James St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

HOLIDAY FUN

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 1pm WHERE: St. James Chamber of Commerce, Lake Avenue from Woodlawn to Railroad Avenues, St. James AGES: All WHAT: See piper bands, marching bands, Scout troops, dance groups, floats, and fire trucks. WANT TO GO? 631-584-8510. stjameschamber.org.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

69th Annual Miller Place Rocky Point 2019 St Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

St. Patrick’s Day Festivities & Irish Soda Bread Competition

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

15th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

St Patricks Day Toddler Time

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 12pm WHERE: Kings Park, Lou Avenue and Pulaski Road, Kings Park AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Kings Park. WANT TO GO? kpstpat.com. WHEN: Sunday, March 3, 1:30-4:30pm WHERE: Ward Melville Heritage Organization, 97P Main St., Stony Brook AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate with a Soda Bread Competition, Irish dancing, and more. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 for seniors and children younger than 12. 631-689-5888. wmho.org.

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 2-3pm WHERE: Cutchogue, Cox Lane, Cutchogue AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with lots of great music and the Cutchogue Fire Department. WANT TO GO? northforkchamber.org.

Westhampton Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 12pm WHERE: Westhampton Beach Elementary School, 379 Mill Road, Westhampton Beach AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the “Dawg Days of Summer.” WANT TO GO? whbstpats.com. 34

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, March 17, 1pm WHERE: Friends of St. Patrick, Route 25A, Miller Place AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate with an Irish Heritage Event. WANT TO GO? friendsofstpatrick.org.

WHEN: March 16-17, 1-5pm WHERE: Maritime Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Design a trap to lure lost leprechauns and take their pot of gold. WANT TO GO? $5; free for members and children younger than 1. 631-331-3277. maritimeexplorium.org. WHEN: Sunday, March 17, 9-11am WHERE: Sky Zone Deer Park, 111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Wear green and search for pots of gold! WANT TO GO? $20. 631-392-2600. skyzone.com/deerpark.

Purim at Kehillath Shalom Synagogue

WHEN: Wednesday, March 20, 6-9:30pm WHERE: Kehillath Shalom Synagogue, 58 Goose Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Purim ‘60s style with dinner and a megillah reading. WANT TO GO? $10; free for children younger than 12. 631-367-4589. kehillathshalomsynagogue.org.

Superhero Purim

WHEN: Thursday, March 21, 4:30pm WHERE: The Chai Center, 501 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills AGES: All WHAT: Hear the megillah and then enjoy music, buffet dinner and open bar, and live entertainment. WANT TO GO? $20; $15 children younger than 12; $60 Family of 2 adults and 2 children; $5 additional after March 18. 631-351-8672. thechaicenter.com.

51st Annual Brentwood St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 1pm WHERE: Brentwood American Legion Post, Clarke Street and Washington Avenue, Brentwood AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the 51st annual Brentwood St. Patrick’s Day Parade. WANT TO GO? alpost1006.org.

29th Annual Ronkonkoma St. Patrick’s Day FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 24, 2pm WHERE: Ronkonkoma St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Patchogue-Holbrook Road and Portion Road, Ronkonkoma AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the 29th Annual Ronkonkoma St. Patrick’s Day! WANT TO GO? 631-304-6303. ronkonkomaparade.org.

57th Annual Montauk St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Sunday, March 24, 12pm WHERE: Montauk Friends of Erin, Edgemere Road, Montauk AGES: All WHAT: See New York’s second largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. WANT TO GO? 631-668-1578. montaukfriendsoferin.org.

Sixth Annual Jamesport St. Patrick’s Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 30, 1pm WHERE: East End Emerald Society, North Railroad Avenue and Washington Avenue, Jamesport AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the Sixth Annual Jamesport St. Patrick’s Day Parade. WANT TO GO? eastendemeraldsociety.com.

MINI

MUSICIANS The MickMags: Comedy Rock For Kids

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 11am WHERE: Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, 18 Peconic Ave., Riverhead AGES: 3-8 WHAT: With strong vocals, musicality, and hilarious lyrics, The MickMags leave audiences wanting more! WANT TO GO? $10. 631-727-5782. themickmags.com.

Babies Boogie FREE

WHEN: March 7-22, days vary, 10-10:45am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Boogie, wiggle, and giggle with your child. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Toddlers Tango FREE

WHEN: March 7-22, days vary, 11-11:45am WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Clap your hands, stamp your feet, and wiggle to the beat! WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. middlecountrypubliclibrary.org.

Dance Party with DJ TWILO

WHEN: Friday, March 22, 7pm WHERE: Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a blend of house music, Top 40’s, and hip-hop. WANT TO GO? $12; free for members, children, and students. 631-283-2118. parrishart.org.

Canta Libre Chamber Ensemble’s Spring Equinox Concert

WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 6pm WHERE: Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport AGES: All WHAT: The Canta Libre Chamber Ensemble performs a spring equinox concert. WANT TO GO? $20 online; $25 at the door; $15 children 15 and younger. 631-854-5579. vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Singer Song Writer Night

WHEN: Thursday, March 28, 7-10pm WHERE: Huntington Arts Council, 213 Main St., Huntington AGES: 3 and older WHAT: This series offers an opportunity for people to perform in a supportive, inclusive environment. WANT TO GO? $5-$10. 631-271-8423. huntingtonarts.org.

Turtle Dance Music Show FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 30, 11am-12pm WHERE: Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This musical performance will spark your child’s curiosity and imagination. WANT TO GO? 631-941-4080. emmaclark.org. ››

LongIslandParent 35

Workshop: Be a Botanist- Life Scientist

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 2-3pm WHERE: Long Island Science Center, 11 W. Main St., Riverhead AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Be a botanist for a day. WANT TO GO? $5; free for members. 631-208-8000. lisciencecenter.org.

Migration Headache—The Dangers Birds Face—Could You Survive the Journey?

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 10:30am WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: 5-8 WHAT: See if you would survive in this interactive migration game. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children ages 3-12; free for members and children 2 and younger. 631-537-9735. sofo.org.

Open House FREE

WHEN: March 2-3, Saturday and Sunday, 11am-2pm WHERE: Park Shore Country Day Camp, School & Extreme STEAM Science Kids, 450 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Visit Park Shore for a private tour and learn about their Day Camp programs and their preschool and kindergarten. WANT TO GO? 631-499-8580. parkshoredaycamp.com.

SMARTY PANTS LuDay Open House FREE

WHEN: Thursday, March 14, 9-10am WHERE: Long Island Lutheran Day School at St. Paul’s, 106 Vernon Valley Road, East Northport AGES: 3-8 WHAT: See all that LuDay has to offer. WANT TO GO? 631-754-4425. longislandlutheran.org.

Lego Night: Robotic Bee

WHEN: Friday, March 1, 6-7pm WHERE: Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Work in pairs to learn about gears, motors, sensors, and programming to build a robotic bee. WANT TO GO? $12; $9 seniors; $6 guests of members; free for students with ID, children younger than 18, and museum members. 631-283-2118. parrishart.org.

Lego Night: Grumpy Bird Launcher

WHEN: Friday, March 1, 7:15-8:15pm WHERE: Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Gamers create a robotic Grumpy Bird launcher using Legos. WANT TO GO? $12; $9 seniors; $6 guests of members; free for students with ID, children younger than 18, and museum members. 631283-2118. parrishart.org.

Robotics Class FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 11am-12pm and 12:30-1:30pm WHERE: Extreme STEAM Science Kids, 450 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Attend a robotics class and learn about the Extreme STEAM Science Kids summer camp. WANT TO GO? 631-499-8580. parkshoredaycamp.com. 36

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Bilingual Family Gallery Talk & Art Workshop

WHEN: Sunday, March 3, 2pm WHERE: Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a bilingual English/Spanish tour and create projects inspired by the art. WANT TO GO? $12; $9 seniors; $6 guests of members; free for students with ID, children younger than 18, and museum members. 631-283-2118. parrishart.org.

Preschool Experience FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 11am-12pm WHERE: Park Shore Country Day Camp & School, 450 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Learn firsthand what makes Park Shore the leader in preschool education. WANT TO GO? 631-499-8580. parkshoredaycamp.com.

Winter Engineer Club

WHEN: Through March 9: Saturdays, 11am-12pm WHERE: Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Through hands-on activities using Legos and common household items, kids will complete different engineering challenges each week. WANT TO GO? $5 per class; $28 per session (6 weeks). 631-852-4610. ccesuffolk.org.

The Rinx Preschool Open House FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 10am-2pm WHERE: The Rinx Preschool Academy, 660 Terry Road, Hauppauge AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Learn all about The Rinx Preschool Academy. WANT TO GO? 631-232-3222 x260. therinx.com/preschool.

Maker Spotlight: Celebrate Pi Day

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 1:30-3:30pm WHERE: Maritime Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: 5-12

WHAT: Celebrate Pi Day with mathematician Moira Chas. WANT TO GO? $5; free for members and children younger than 1. 631-331-3277. maritimeexplorium.org.

The Magical Universe of Harry Potter

WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 7pm, 8pm, & 9pm WHERE: Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Come in costume and explore the astronomical references in Harry Potter books. WANT TO GO? $18; $16 members. 631-854-5579. vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Museum Adventures

WHEN: Thursday, March 14, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Experience the hopes and fears of a family preparing for a new life on the Oregon Trail. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-751-0066 x212. longislandmuseum.org.

SCS Open House FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 10am WHERE: Smithtown Christian School, 1 Higbie Drive, Smithtown AGES: All WHAT: Meet with administrators and learn why students from more than 40 districts choose SCS. WANT TO GO? 631-265-3334. learnwithscs.org.

Afterschool Lego League

WHEN: Through March 21: select Thursdays, 3:45-4:45pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids attending this drop-off workshop will put their Lego skills to the test with a new challenge every week. WANT TO GO? $5; $3 for non-members; $20 8-week series for members; $36 8-week series for non-members. 631-537-8250. cmee.org.

Science Saturdays: Workshop: World Water Day Celebration

WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 2-3pm WHERE: Long Island Science Center, 40 Peconic Ave., Suite 30, Riverhead AGES: 3-12 WHAT: This workshop explores the world of real water quality science. WANT TO GO? $10 admission; $5 workshop; free for members. 631-208-8000. sciencecenterli.org.

Family Coding FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 1pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Families can learn to code using the library’s coding toys and games. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

Objects Found FREE

WHEN: March 1-23, 9am-5pm WHERE: Huntington Arts Council, 213 Main St., Huntington AGES: All WHAT: See artwork that incorporates salvaged materials. WANT TO GO? 631-271-8423. huntingtonarts.org.

Real Housewives of Cold Spring Harbor, Whaling Edition: Historic Walking Tour WHEN: March 23-24, 12-1pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center, 301 Main St.,

Cold Spring Harbor AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Explore female-centric stories of the whaling wives who lived here. WANT TO GO? $12; $6 members. 631-387-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Science Saturdays—Workshop: Meteorological Mayhem

WHEN: Saturday, March 30, 2-3pm WHERE: Long Island Science Center, 40 Peconic Ave., Suite 30, Riverhead AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Explore meteorology, including hands-on use of tools used to measure and forecast the weather. WANT TO GO? $10 admission; $5 workshop; free for members. 631-208-8000. sciencecenterli.org.

Preschool & Kindergarten Open House FREE

WHEN: March 16-30, third and fifth Saturday, 11am-2pm WHERE: Park Shore Country Day Camp & School, 450 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Learn firsthand what makes Park Shore the leader in preschool education. WANT TO GO? 631-499-8580. parkshoredayschool.com.

STEM Club Saturday

WHEN: Saturday, March 30, 1:30pm; 2:30pm; 3:30pm WHERE: Maritime Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Make a rainstorm in a jar. WANT TO GO? $5 per person; free for members and children younger than 1. 631-331-3277. maritimeexplorium.org.

The Language of Trees: Let’s Create Poet-Tree

WHEN: Sunday, March 31, 10:30am WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Write some tree poems. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children ages 3-12; free for members and children 2 and younger. 631-537-9735. sofo.org.

Traveling Exhibit: Sonic Sensation

WHEN: Through May 5: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Visitors will experience the sonic world through 14 interactive learning stations to discover key listening skills. WANT TO GO? $14; $13 seniors; free children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts Open House FREE

WHEN: Through May 19: Sundays, March 24, April 28, May 19, 11am-2pm WHERE: Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights AGES: All WHAT: Join an upcoming open house and learn just how special a summer at Usdan can be. WANT TO GO? 631-643-7900. usdan.org.

SAT & ACT Practice Exams

WHEN: Through May 25: Saturdays, 9:30am-12:30pm WHERE: Sylvan of Huntington, 1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Bring your teen to take a practice SAT or ACT exam. WANT TO GO? $50. 631-424-5600. sylvanlearning.com/huntingtonny. LongIslandParent 37

things to do

city bound

N Y C

Family Fun in Manhattan

By Melissa Wickes

Courtesy Feld Entertainment

Courtesy AMNH/ R. Mickens

W he hile y re ou , v ’r isit e …

A scene from Vital Theatre Company’s Angelina Ballerina the Musical

Have a ‘Mice’ Time!

American Museum of Natural History

Explore all that this institution has to offer, from prehistoric creatures to the wonders of space. This iconic museum has been educating its visitors in the cross-disciplinary history of North America since 1869. With 45 permanent exhibition halls, including the Rose Center for Earth and Space, the Hayden Planetarium, and a variety of galleries for temporary exhibits, the educational fun will be endless. Visit it: Central Park West at 79th Street, Upper West Side Can’t-miss event: T. Rex: The Ultimate Predator opens March 11 Directions: Approximately a 1-hour drive from New City

Leo Herrera

Richard Termine

Angelina is way more than just a ballerina (and mouse). She can dance hip-hop, modern, and she even does an Irish jig with her friends Alice, Gracie, AZ, Viki, and their teacher Ms. Mimi. See them in the family-friendly Angelina Ballerina the Musical, the story of a group of mice who show off their dancing skills to their famous guest at the Camembert Academy. It will get the kids dancing in the aisle faster than you can say, “cheese!” Through May 19, select Saturdays and Sundays, 11am and 1pm. Age: 2 and older. $25 and up. Theater at Blessed Sacrament, 162 W. 71st St., Upper West Side. angelinamusical.com.

T. Rex: The Ultimate Predator will showcase the latest research and discoveries about tyrannosaurs, with emphasis on the T. Rex.

The puppets featured in Ajijaak on Turtle Island are from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

Blood Mirror, a piece by Jordan Eagles, is featured at the Museum of the City of New York’s exhibit Germ City: Microbes and the Metropolis.

Love and Appreciate Our Earth

Museum of the City of New York

Celebrate the natural world through the visually beautiful story of Ajijaak, a young whooping crane facing her first migration south, told through the realistic puppets of artist Heather Henson and Grammy Award winner Ty Defoe’s ensemble. Ajijaak on Turtle Island features indigenous songs, languages, and dance, all combined to create a fable about the dangerous effects of climate change on Earth and its animals. On Saturday, March 2 at 7pm, Ajijaak on Turtle Island will feature an autism-friendly performance. March 1-10, see website. Age: 7 and older. $17 and up. The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Hell’s Kitchen. newvictory.org. 38

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

This unique and educational museum tells the real story of New York City, exploring the past, present, and future. Baseball-lovers will marvel at In the Dugout with Jackie Robinson, or you can gaze up at Starlight, the museum’s light installation suspended above the Rotunda. Littlest museumgoers won’t want to miss A City for Corduroy, which pays tribute to Don Freeman, the creator of the classic children’s story of a beloved bear. Visit it: 1220 Fifth Ave., at 103rd Street, Upper East Side; mcny.org Can’t-miss event: Germ City: Microbes and the Metropolis; through April 28; see website for schedule Directions: Approximately a 50-minute drive from New City

things to do

where-to guide

Spring into Action ✿ Compiled by Anja Webb

✿

With the first day of spring swiftly approaching and the chills of winter almost behind us, now is the perfect time to get out of the house and have a little family fun. Enjoy the last bits of winter by making some fresh maple syrup with your loved ones. Welcome spring with a whimsical ride on a carousel and some seasonal produce from a local farmers market. Or, if another unseasonable snowstorm hits, skate the day away at a roller rink. Whatever the weather, here’s to a happy season of new beginnings and growth with your family!

FARMERS MARKETS

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Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson portjeff.com/port-jeff-farmers-market Hours: Through May: Sundays, 10am-2pm Enjoy a selection of locally sourced goods such as produce, honey, bread, baked goods, plants, and more. The market moves outdoors to the Jeanne Garant Harborfront Park from May-November. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/farmers-markets

ROLLER RINKS

United Skates of America 1276 Hicksville Road, Seaford 516-795-5474; unitedskates.com Price: $12 admission, $5 skate rental This classic facility for roller-skating also offers an arcade and a menu of pizza, hot dogs, and wings. Check the website for each daily schedule. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/roller-rinks

CAROUSELS

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Boomers! Long Island 655 Long Island Ave., Medford 631-475-1771; boomerslongisland.com Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11am-5pm; Friday, 12-8pm, Saturday, 11am-8pm Price: $4 per ride; $7 for two rides The carousel is one of the kiddie rides at Boomers, meant just for little ones (but adults can ride on it too!). Other kiddie rides include a family coaster, spinning tea cups, and a rock wall. Boomers also offers miniature golf, go karts, bumper boats, batting cages, and an arcade.

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Find more>> nymetroparents.com/carousels

MAPLE SUGARING Hoyt Farm 200 New Highway, Commack 631-543-7804; smithtownny.gov Maple Sugaring: Sundays, through March 10: 1:30-3pm Native American and Colonial techniques will be demonstrated to produce maple syrup. Visitors will learn how to make equipment, identify and tap trees, and get to taste the syrup. $3; no reservations required. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/maple-sugaring

family life insurance

While Fido is part of the family, some insurance companies may cite having a pet as the reason they canceled your coverage.

Could You Lose Your Coverage?

››

There are a handful of reasons an insurance company could decide to drop you—but many of them are avoidable. By Barbara Russo

wning a home can be a lot of work. And part of that work is making sure you have the appropriate insurance in case any accidents, natural disasters, or other devastating issues arise. You might think once you buy your home and take out a policy, you’re set for life. But that’s not necessarily the case. It’s a good idea to look at your coverage every so often and see what’s changed, because the reality is an insurance company can drop a client at any time for any number reasons they see fit. Usually, a company needs a legitimate business reason to cancel your insurance. Some surprising factors that play a role in an insurer’s decision to end or refuse to renew a policy include geography and roof issues. Even owning a pet can result in loss of coverage. With the homeownership rate on the rise nationally, jumping to 63.9 percent in 2017 after the last annual increase in 2004, it’s important for homeowners to know their policies, what’s covered, and what may cause that coverage to be canceled. Below are some of the most common reasons insurance companies may drop a client.

Multiple Claims Filed

Don’t take advantage of your own policy. Filing too many claims through your insurance company may cause them to flag you, putting your coverage at risk. 40

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

“If you file multiple claims on the same issue over and over, that may create a problem,” says Anthony Marino, a licensed real estate broker in New York City. Car claims are considered part of this excess, too, if your auto and home insurance are bundled under the same carrier. “Frequent auto claims may affect the home insurance you have connected with it,” Marino adds.

Your Roof is Not Properly Maintained

Look up if you want to keep insurance costs down and minimize the chances of your policy being canceled. The roof of your house is judged by insurance companies when they approve a home owner for a new policy or renewal. Generally, a roof is considered secure for up to 30 years, but after that, it’s more susceptible to water leaks in the home. For this reason, it’s important to know the age of your roof, and keep all documentation and paperwork about repairs and replacements in case your insurance company asks for it. Tip: Increase the lifespan of your roof by cleaning out the gutters once in a while. If they’re clogged or broken, water can back up into pipes, seep into eaves, and result in a rotting roof. This is especially important if your house is surrounded by trees that shed twigs and leaves onto the roof.

Pet Ownership

Sparky is part of the family, but make sure your insurance carrier feels the same way. Many companies cover pets in a policy’s liability coverage in case the animal injures a human or damages another person’s property. But some animals may be excluded because they are considered “exotics,” such as rabbits and snakes. “Make sure there is no fine print in your home insurance that prohibits pets or certain breeds of pets,” Marino advises. “Many animals are not covered or will be considered a risk. Make sure to give your policy a glance if you are planning on owning one.” Tip: Curious about what animals are illegal to keep as pets in NYC? Check with the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City. You’ll be surprised to see which cuddly (and not-so-cuddly) creatures made the list!

Pediatric Immediate Care, PLLC Pediatric Urgent Care

Where Kids Come First ® CERTIFIED URGENT CARE CENTER by Urgent Care Association of America

“Over 30 Years Of Dedication To Our Patients And We Are Still Growing”

PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY CARE

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Insurance companies frequently review their coverage areas. There is always a chance they may decide to drop coverage in certain areas. “This may be because there is an abundance of claims in the area, and it’s too expensive for the company to continue to do business there,” Marino says. “Remember your rates are affected by other people in your area.”

Failure to Pay

This one is the simplest way to avoid your policy being canceled. If you don’t keep up with your payments and pay your premiums, you can be dropped. Nonpayment is one of the most common reasons a policy is dropped, according to agents at State Farm Insurance. They recommend avoiding nonpayment issues by setting up auto payments. Tip: Many mortgage companies allow—and even encourage you—to roll your insurance and tax dues into your monthly payments, greatly reducing your chance of failing to pay.

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How to Avoid Losing Your Coverage

There are steps a home owner can take to help avoid being dropped by their insurance carrier. For starters, revisit your policy annually to make sure you’re fully covered, especially if your house has gone through some wear and tear, or if you’ve expanded or renovated. There are some quick and easy home improvements you can make to not only stay on good terms with your insurance company, but possiblyhas result in premium Cityguideny.com coupons and discounts, according to ConsumerforReports. These include installing a security system and discounts NYC sightseeing attractions, smoke detectors, restaurants, stores and andadding more. a generator to help ensure your electrical systems work in the event of a power outage. Great New tip York savings, special Another is deals, to comparison shop every few years for new insuroffers and deep discounts—for ance carriers. Businesses, deals,you andand discounts change, so you don’t your family—are yours with just a want to miss out on opportunities to save money. click of the mouse. Barbara Russo is a freelance writer who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the City University of New York. She enjoys playing guitar, following current events, and hanging out with her pet rabbits.

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family life home

Decorate on a Dime

››

Rethinking your home’s décor can often get costly, but our experts’ tips are here to keep you on budget. By Lambeth Hochwald

croll through Pinterest or flip through the pages of your favorite home décor magazine and it might seem like it will cost a fortune to redecorate your home. We’re here to say it’s time to rethink that notion. In fact, these days it’s absolutely possible to spend very little to spruce up every room in your house. Read on for our nine expert-driven tips.

Look at your rooms with a new eye.

Before you start shopping, consider this: Your rooms may just need a little rearranging using your existing furniture. After all, a mere shuffling around of your pieces, including furniture, wall art, and even those photographs that seem dull and tired, may work wonders to brighten your space exponentially. Tip: If you have a friend with a great eye, invite her over and ask her for some quick suggestions.

Use mementos and heirlooms to decorate inexpensively.

Whether it’s a vintage collection of blue glass or a set of framed photos of your grandma’s farmhouse, these items are not only inexpensive additions to your home décor, they’re fun, too. “These tell stories and make for great conversation starters,” says Alix Greenberg, founder and CEO of ArtSugar, a contemporary art e-commerce company in New York City. “Best of all they add a warm and personal touch to your space.” 42

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Cherry-pick your favorites.

If you’re a collector of certain items, whether vintage milk bottles or antique advertising signs, displaying them can add a truly personal touch to your space. However, you want to be careful to avoid veering into a space that looks overly cluttered. Tip: To avoid the feeling that your rooms are packed with stuff and attain a more streamlined feel to your home, cherry-pick your favorite items and display them. Put the rest in storage until you’re ready to switch them out.

Consider a DIY craft project.

Whether you believe you’re crafty—or not—there are a few easy craft projects you might want to consider doing next time you have a free weekend. Why not paint an ugly, chipped bookshelf in a bright new color? Or maybe sew a set of slipcovers to replace a faded sofa set or recover tired or ripped dining cushions with a bright, new fabric.

Browse your local thrift shop.

Shopping secondhand is a no-brainer when it comes to home decor and furniture since these stores are the best places to find gently used, quality pieces for less. Plus, you won’t skimp on style as you’re trying to save money, says Andrea Woroch, a nationally recognized consumer and money-saving expert.

Tip: Scout your local thrift shop on the regular to pick up furniture that will be far less expensive than shopping for brandnew items.

Learn what each store specializes in.

Some stores are best for furniture bargains while others are notable for high-quality accessories sold at inexpensive prices. Take World Market as an example: “What I love best about this store is [its] unique selection of home décor pieces,” says Jeanine Boiko, a real estate salesperson in Wantagh.“No matter what your style is, World Market has something for everyone. My favorite pieces are the black villa stripe dishtowels and blue bistro stripe placemats. Both styles work well for [different] kitchen and dining room types, including modern, farmhouse, or country.”

Shop discount stores.

Retailers such as HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls are known for their quality pieces that are sold at a major discount. These are great places to shop if you’re looking to perk up your decorative accessories, Boiko says. “For example, I love the throw pillows at HomeGoods,” she says. “Some retailers make you purchase the pillow cover and cushion separately, which can add up quickly whereas HomeGoods typically offers several options of throw pillows that are stylish and budget-friendly.” Tip: Save more by scoping out the clearance section and consider this: “Speak with a sales associate to find out when new shipments arrive,” Woroch says. “These deliveries are usually on the same days each week. This way you can be among the first to check out the new arrivals before they sell out (since inventory is often limited.”)

Scope out end-of-season sales.

Timing is everything, and this is especially true when it comes to shopping for home décor items at a discount. For example, you can pick up patio furniture at a huge savings toward the end of summer, Woroch says. Or pick up holiday items at deep discounts once those holiday seasons are done. “It’s always a great idea to time your shopping right to save big,” she says.

Browse garage sales.

Whether your town is known for its garage sales, tag sales, or stoop sales, you’re bound to find bargains if you make it a goal to stop and take a look whenever you happen upon one. “You never know what

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Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City-based journalist covering trends, relationships, and life in New York City.

5 Apps That Make Decorating Easy Still stuck on how to place furniture in an odd-shaped room or how to unify a color scheme? It’s never been easier to update the look of your home— without even leaving your house. Here are five apps to get you started in the path to updating your home décor, purchasing new furniture, or just drawing a ﬂoor plan to make sure you’re maximizing your space. Benjamin Moore Color Capture: Take a photo of a color you love, and the app will match it to more than 3,300 colors on file. Just think: Your walls can instantly match your favorite color. Havenly: This app pairs users with expert interior designers to offer advice on your space no matter your budget. Houzz: On this app, there’s a sketch function that enables you to annotate and draw on your images. Or just save your ideas by style and room and take them with you next time you’re shopping. Ikea Place: If you love shopping at Ikea but have no idea where to put that shelving unit you’ve just put together, this free app comes with augmented-reality so you can actually zero in on where your new furniture will fit in your space—before you even leave your home to head to the Swedish megastore. Magic Plan: With this app, you won’t need to measure or draw. Instead, you simply send a photo of your space to create a ﬂoor plan that works.

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you can find at a garage sale, and furniture is easy to repurpose, refinish, or recover,” Woroch says. “I always suggest giving garage sale hunting a try, especially if you’re on a tight budget.” Tip: Sites like Facebook Marketplace make it easy to shop used home decor locally. You can adjust your search based on your city and the distance you’re willing to travel to pick up whatever you’re looking for, Woroch says. “You can easily chat with the seller via Messenger to discuss details, see pictures, and negotiate the price. Plus, the social [media] aspect makes you feel safe since you can see who you are dealing with and possibly even have mutual friends,” she adds.

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raising kids baby

Rooming with Baby

›› While it may seem like it’s more for convenience, sharing your room with your infant has more benefits than easy nighttime feedings. By Anja Webb

ne of the aspects of living in the New York area can mean limited space for many families. Between negotiating who gets what part of the one-bedroom and figuring out how you’re going to squeeze yet another toy in your apartment, living in close quarters can be a struggle. This limited space often causes parents and their babies to share a room. However, even for those who live in suburbs or who have more spacious living situations, many families feel more comfortable sharing a sleeping space with their infant. Regardless of where you live, it’s likely you’ll end up room sharing in the early months. Luckily, there’s a silver lining to sleeping in the same room as your infant. Sharing a room with your newborn can actually have many benefits, and it’s recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for at least the first three months, if not the first year, of your little one’s life in order to reduce the risk of sleep-related death and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Keeping your baby within arm’s reach of your bed can actually lower the risk of SIDS by up to 50 percent, according to the AAP. Here’s what you need to know when preparing to room share with the newest member of your family.

What is SIDS?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “the sudden and unexpected 44

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

death of a baby less than 1 year old in which the cause was not obvious before investigation.” Most cases of SIDS occur during sleep or in the child’s sleep area, according to the CDC, which is one of the reasons why it’s so important to keep your baby close at nighttime or during naps. So how does room sharing help prevent SIDS? This could be because it allows parents to respond to their infant’s needs in a timelier fashion, according to Leslie Solomonian, B.S., a doctor of naturopathic medicine with an emphasis on pediatric care and professor at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Newborns are still learning how to regulate their autonomic functions—the ability to normalize their body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, sleep cycles, and more—and quick responsiveness can help prevent issues related to the autonomic functions that could be potential causes for SIDS, Solomonian says.

How to Room Share Properly

As previously mentioned, when sharing a room with an infant it’s important to keep your child within arm’s reach, ideally in a basinet or crib next to your bed. Your newborn’s sleep space should follow basic safety guidelines, including ensuring her sleep space is devoid of all soft or fluffy materials such as blankets or stuffed animals, her mattress is firm, and she’s dressed lightly for sleep, according to the AAP, in order to avoid suffocation or overheating.

Additionally, babies should not share a room with parents who are smokers, says Leigh Anne O’Connor, media liaison for Le Leche League of New York, lactation consultation, and mother of three. “If you have one cigarette, it takes twenty-four hours for you to not be exhaling the carcinogens,” O’Connor says. These chemicals are especially dangerous for babies and should be strictly avoided. It’s important to note that the AAP recommendation is not co-sleeping. “There’s tons of evidence on the benefits of room sharing and sometimes it’s extrapolated to co-sleeping or bed sharing,” Solomonian says. “And that’s a little bit controversial because if a parent is co-sleeping with a child or bed sharing, there’s a risk that they could roll over on the child or they could suffocate the infant.” Additionally, most parents sleep with pillows, blankets, and/or soft mattresses that make their bed an unsafe sleep surface for babies.

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Be Social

Other Benefits of Room Sharing

Aside from the safety benefits of room sharing, there are myriad emotional and social benefits of being physically close with your newborn. “It allows breast-feeding to be more effective,” Solomonian says. “So, when baby’s in another room and mom doesn’t hear the baby fussing, there’s a bit of a delay in terms of responding to the baby’s needs to nurse.” By being able to feed the infant sooner, parents can teach their child his needs can be met in a timely fashion without needing to scream at the top of his lungs or wail for prolonged periods of time. This can help minimize fussiness and excessive crying. Aside from breast-feeding benefits, room sharing also helps with “reducing stress because parents are probably getting more sleep, they’re more connected to their babies, and that promotes a lot of those healthy neurotransmitters and hormones in the body as opposed to the stress hormones,” according to Solomonian. In other words, being with your baby can help make you feel closer.

Drawbacks of Room Sharing

Room sharing may seem like the perfect sleeping arrangement, but, realistically, caring for a newborn will force you to adjust certain aspects of your life, and room sharing is no different. Your baby will have different sleeping patterns and bedtime needs than you or your partner. Most newborns sleep between 16 and 17 hours a day, but usually only in 1- to 2-hour increments, according to the AAP. This inevitably makes for an irregular sleeping schedule for parents. This difference in sleep patterns can result in displacement of popular pre-bedtime activities for parents like reading or watching TV in bed. The light and sound produced can keep the baby awake and disrupt her sleeping pattern, O’Connor says. However, this doesn’t mean your nighttime hobbies are gone for good. “If the parents want to do something that involves lights and noise, they can go somewhere else,” O’Connor says. For couples who are worried that sharing a room with their baby will impact their relationship in terms of physical intimacy, O’Connor recommends going to another room or dropping your little one off with a babysitter for an evening. Additionally, it’s important to remember that part of parental intimacy is “being kind to each other throughout the day, and offering help, and not being stressed,” Solomonian says. “Intimacy happens in all sorts of ways besides sex.”

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Ultimately, there are a lot of ways in which families can manage their bedtime routines and sleeping arrangements, whether that’s moving the baby into the parents’ room or vice versa. “There’s not one way to do it and there’s not one way that must be done (besides being safe),” O’Connor says. “Each family has to do what works best for them.” LongIslandParent 45

raising kids teen

Conversations to Have with Your Teen About Dating ››

Nervous? Uncomfortable? Shy? Imagine how they must feel. By Karen Lo

f the thought of talking to your kids about dating or having “the talk” makes you wince, you wouldn’t be the first. And maybe you’ve picked up on a mutual feeling of “anything but that” from the young adults in your family. Good thing you’re not alone! For both parents and kids, it’s just part of growing up. Being able to have frank and informative conversations with your children as they take on more responsibilities in the world is the job of every parent. At some point, you might talk to them about filing taxes or applying for scholarships—but probably even sooner than that, you’ll have to talk to them about dating. So then, where and when should you start? In fact, it’s much easier for parents and teens to have “the talk” when it’s broken down into a bunch of smaller discussions. “Talking with teens about dating and sex shouldn’t be one big conversation,” says Jill Whitney, a licensed marriage and family therapist, workshop leader, and author based in Connecticut. “It’s much easier on everyone to have many talks over many years. Dating and sex are complex, multifaceted topics, and each topic merits its own conversation. Keeping them brief is also less overwhelming.” As for all the ground you’ll want to cover, it’s helpful to have some guidance on what to bring up. Read on for some of the topics to check off your list.

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Learn what dating means to your teen.

Readiness to date depends on your child’s level of maturity and also what “dating” means in your community and your child’s peer group, according to Whitney. Sometimes dating means daily text exchanges and little or no time together in real life. Dating might mean going to the movies with a group of friends or spending a lot of 1-on-1 time together. A young teen might be ready for one version of dating and not for the other.

Find out what’s going on at your teen’s school.

Ask teens what they think about situations at school, Whitney recommends. What happened when those two students broke up? Did they treat each other well? What does your teen think about the sexual language or situations in music or movies? Does it fit real life? Does it reflect the kind of relationship they’d like to have? What do they think about gender roles and expectations at their school? What’s different for guys and girls? Do they think that’s fair? The important thing, Whitney says, is “even if your teen doesn’t answer your questions, it’ll get their gears turning. It also shows that you’re willing to talk when they’re ready.”

Ask about what’s happening online.

Parents’ level of involvement with kids’ use of technology depends partly on their ages. Though you should limit your pre-teen’s Internet and technology access as well as know their passwords, as they get older and demonstrate the ability to make good decisions, they can have more autonomy. You want to transition kids to greater independence as they get closer to college or the working world. That being said, of course, we can’t ignore that kids, especially young adults, tend to be more tech-savvy than parents. All you can do about this is realize you can’t control everything they do online. That’s why it’s essential to talk regularly about online risks and choices, Whitney counsels. Explain that while sexting may feel fun and flirty, it carries real risks. Make sure kids know that anything they post online is forever, and encourage them to imagine how embarrassing that could be. Emphasize that you expect them to treat others kindly both online and in real life. Moreover, talk with your kids about the unhealthy tendency for all of us to be tied to devices, ask for their input, then announce limitations that work for your family. The best solution is regular device-free times in the day, where everyone, parents included, is away from their phones—especially if texting non-stop is your teen’s idea of dating.

Remind your teens that friendships are important, too. Although the idea of their kids dating can be scary to parents, dating is important for young people for many reasons. “Dating helps young people develop relationship skills and learn about themselves and what matters to them,” Whitney says. “Especially in a time where so much interaction is online, there’s real value in learning to connect offline with another person.” To that end, remind your teenager that their friendships still deserve care and attention. As they navigate their love lives, their friendships are likely to change and go through growing pains. As they grow up, you’ll also get to know your children’s best friends. Talk to your kids about dividing their social time wisely, between their partners, friends, and whatever after-school activities they’re involved in.

Ensure your teen knows about safe sex.

It was Kylie Jenner’s pregnancy video on YouTube, “To Our Daughter,” that led to an impromptu check-in between Eirene Heidelberger and her now 14-year-old son about safe sex. The video, uploaded on Feb. 4, 2018, announced the birth of Jenner’s daughter with her boyfriend, Travis Scott, when they were 20 and 25, respectively. “He was like, ‘I can’t believe they had a baby. They’re so young!’” “I was like, ‘No kidding—you know how to use condoms, right?’” “He was like, ‘Yeah mom, I know.’” Heidelberger, a certified parenting coaching specialist who founded GIT Mom (Get It Together, Mom), is a mother of three sons. Her oldest, the 14-year-old, keeps his parents relatively in the loop about his weekly movie dates with his girlfriend. When it comes to talking to her son about sensitive subjects, Heidelberger has a simple approach that works for her. “Ask one basic question, and just stop talking.” Her advice is to let them structure the conversation, and that means encouraging both their questions for you and the information they already know. Finally, Heidelberger says, have an exit strategy! Think about the way you’d like to end the conversation, then be ready to gracefully leave the room and move on with your day.

Keep in mind the differences between sons and daughters. Most of the messages you’ll convey about sex and dating should be the same for kids of any gender: Treat others with respect, be kind, “no” means “no,” relationships should be balanced. But given the cultural messages kids get, you’ll want to emphasize different things to boys than to girls. For girls, stress that they have every right to say “no” to anything sexual or romantic that doesn’t feel right to them. They can also say “yes” when the time comes, but they shouldn’t feel pressured to move faster than they want to. For boys, do what you can to offset cultural pressures to prove their masculinity by having sex and being tough. Boys have tender feelings just like everyone else—make sure your son knows it’s normal to care about romantic partners, and to be kind and gentle.

Talk about how to treat romantic partners.

It’s important for parents to talk with teens about how you expect them to treat other people, especially romantic partners. Whitney says she found that teens really want guidance from their parents about this in her research with young adults. Don’t lecture, but do tell them what you believe and why, she advises.

Reiterate consent is everything and more.

The #MeToo movement has made teens much more aware of consent as an issue, but many of them are confused about what consent looks like in practice, Whitney says. Be sure your teen, of any gender, knows that when a partner says “no” or expresses reluctance about any sexual activity, they need to stop. Pressuring someone is not okay. Kids need to know that they have every right to say “no” and be taken seriously. Boys, especially, need to know that failing to respect someone’s “no” can have legal ramifications and does serious emotional harm to the other person, Whitney advises. If he wants to be a good guy, he needs to believe his partner when she says “no.” The time is right only when both people say an enthusiastic “yes.”

Explain dating and financial responsibility.

Okay, so now that you’ve talked to your kids about all those other difficult and thought-provoking topics, don’t forget to talk about money. Financial responsibility and dating go hand-inhand. So whether your teenager has a job or an allowance, now’s a good time to touch base about their finances. In Heidelberger’s words, “if you want to have this social life, you need to pay for part of it.” When you start to have these important talks within your family, you will, undoubtedly, feel awkward at first. But as with everything, it gets easier with practice. One way to start these conversations, Whitney offers, is to say, “I just want to be on the record that…” or “You probably already know this, but I want to make sure…” However you start, it’s much more important to talk openly than to say everything perfectly. Growing up means something different to every new generation of young adults. As your children come of age, make your home a place where they can experience those differences without judgement—like, for example, the way they might prefer to text you rather than answer your calls. Preparing for this stretch of parenting can be stressful—but at least you don’t have to be a teenager again. Karen Lo is a writer living in Brooklyn.

LongIslandParent 47

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BounceU Farmingdale was voted “Best of Long Island” for Children’s Party Place and Family Amusement Center. We provide the ideal combination of inflatable structures, a clean environment, incredible customer service, and nonstop excitement in a private party atmosphere.

CELEBRATIONS IN THE KITCHEN 63 E. Old Country Road, Hicksville 516-396-2193 celebrationsinthekitchen.com celebrationsinthekitchen@gmail.com

The most unique, fun-filled, joyous event! We have created a true baking experience for everyone to enjoy, including sugar cookie baking, all about pizza, cupcakes from scratch, doughnuts, and chocolate and candy projects. Come in, call, or visit celebrationsinthekitchen.com for more information on parties.

COLD SPRING HARBOR FISH HATCHERY & AQUARIUM 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor 516-692-6768 cshfha.org steved@cshfha.org Celebrate your child’s next birthday at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium! See the Hatchery & Aquarium’s exciting live exhibits. Feed the hungry trout and learn about fish, reptiles, and amphibians with an up-close animal encounter.

GRAVITY VAULT MELVILLE INDOOR ROCK GYM 40 Melville Park Road, Melville 516-777-9255 gravityvault.com/locations/melville-ny melville@gravityvault.com Climbing is a great way to celebrate your birthday! Our awesome climbing parties give kids an exciting day they will never forget! Offering different party package options to accommodate your needs.

GREAT STRIDES LONG ISLAND 41 Coram-Swezeytown Road, Middle Island 631-786-9708 greatstridesli.org julie@greatstridesli.org

Lasso some birthday fun at Great Strides Long Island. We offer a relaxed picnic atmosphere (indoor facility is available), farm animals, and a horse ride, all for a reasonable price. Email julie@greatstridesli.org for more information.

HUNTINGTON CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS 310 New York Ave., Huntington 631-271-4626 huntingtoncenteronline.com huntingtoncenter@yahoo.com

Make your child’s birthday a memorable and creative event with our dancethemed birthday parties. As a special treat, a guest artist will come in costume to perform for your guests!

INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, Manhattan 646-381-5010 intrepidmuseum.org groupsales@intrepidmuseum.org

Celebrate your child’s birthday with a one-of-a-kind party! The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will captivate groups of all ages and interests. Choose from exciting themes, value packages, and customization options to create a birthday adventure they’ll remember forever!

ISLAND CINEMAS 1708 Montauk Highway, Mastic 631-657-3198 island-cinemas.com sales@island-cinemas.com

Dear Mom and Dad, be the greatest parent around. Have your child’s birthday party at the movies! Call or visit our website today island-cinemas.com.

KARTS INDOOR RACEWAY 701 Union Parkway, Ronkonkoma 631-737-5278 karts1.com info@karts1.com

Karts offers a variety of options for kids and adults starting at age 4 (40 inches tall). Whether it be racing, laser tag, or one of our other great activities, our unforgettable parties are loved by both kids and parents.

Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.

KEY TO MY ART, INC. 10 W. Oak St., Amityville 131 Main St., East Rockaway 877-539-2278 keytomyart.com

At Key to My Art, our children’s paint parties include all supplies from aprons to easels. The guest of honor picks the theme, we provide the instruction, and each guest leaves with a finished painting!

LONG ISLAND AQUARIUM 431 E. Main St., Riverhead 631-208-9200 xH20 (426), 631-2089200 x125 longislandaquarium.com

Have your child’s birthday party at the Long Island Aquarium. Party options include a choice of private rooms, select food items, and an ice cream cake. All parties get a guided tour, special seating at the Sea Lion Show, and rides on the submarine simulator!

MY GYM CHILDREN’S FITNESS CENTER 1320 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook 631-751-KIDS (5437) mgym.com/stonybrook 128 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station 631-427-GYMS (4967) mygym.com/huntingtonstation My Gym parties include exclusive use of the gym, including a zip line, rock wall, trampoline, trapeze, climbing structures, and slides. Instructors lead your guests through action-packed activities of your choice from Gazillion Bubbles to sports, with multiple theme options.

NOT JUST ART 183 South St., Oyster Bay 516-922-8300 notjustart.com create@notjustart.com

Not Just Art has oodles of excellent music, art, and science parties for ages 1-12 and beyond. Choose from our treasury of super imaginative projects or use favorite themes and activities as a creative springboard.

PICASSO KIDZ, CREATIVE ART STUDIO FOR CHILDREN

72 Broadway, Greenlawn 631-261-5500 picassokidz.com picassokidzart@gmail.com Picasso Kidz puts the “ART” in pARTy! Birthdays at Picasso Kidz are truly unique and memorable. We have many packages and options to choose from for ages 2-17.

SAF-T-SWIM SCHOOL Suffolk: 3500 Veterans Memorial Highway, Bohemia 631-580-2825 6136 Jericho Turnpike, Commack 631-462-9696 Located inside New York Sports Club 1850 NY-112, Coram 631-736-6604 1015 Grand Blvd., Deer Park 631-254-4025 515 Broadhollow Road, Melville 631-940-7160 150-154 Kroemer Ave., Riverhead 631-727-5458 7 Browns Road, Nesconset 631-406-7316 saf-t-swim.com

Saf-T-Swim pool parties are never rained out! Our year-round parties include 24 guests, a private party room, pool time, a lifeguard, invitations, and pizza.

SKY ZONE TRAMPOLINE PARKDEER PARK 111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park 631-392-2600 skyzone.com/deerpark deerparkinfo@skyzone.com

The best birthday parties are at Sky Zone, Deer Park. We customize every birthday party. We have themed parties and super hero parties that include Dodgeball, Foam Zone, Sky Slam, and endless jumping opportunities!

STUDIO E ART CLASSES 565 Route 25A, Miller Place 631-744-4001 studioeartclass.com/parties

Studio E Art Classes offers two economical party options! “The Bash” Starting at only $290 and “The Extravaganza” starting at only $420! View details at studioeartclass.com/parties.

THOMAS SCHOOL OF HORSEMANSHIP RIDING ACADEMY 250 Round Swamp Road, Melville 631-692-6840 tshcamp.com tsh@tshcamp.com Birthday parties, scout parties, and class trips are always a blast at the Thomas School of Horsemanship. For groups of 14-18 children. They receive one hour of riding time.

LongIslandParent 49

Professional services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals. DENTISTS & DENTAL PROVIDERS NORTH SHORE ORTHODONTICS

50 Route 111, Suite 214, Smithtown 631-265-3435 nsorthodontics.com Dr. Craig Smith and his team at North Shore Orthodontics offer a variety of orthodontic services, including American Orthodontics Mini Brackets, Invisalign®, Invisalign Teen™, A.O. Radiance translucent brackets, and teeth whitening.

SUFFOLK PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

8 Medical Drive, Port Jefferson Station 631-928-8585 6144 Route 25 A, Suite D20, Wading River 631-929-7575 suffolkpediatricdentistry.com infoportjeff@suffolkpediatricdentistry.com For 40 years, we have provided dental care that’s friendly, gentle, and compassionate. We provide preventive and comprehensive treatment for infants, children, and adolescents including sedation and general anesthesia dentistry. We strive to help our patients develop good oral hygiene habits, and beautiful healthy smiles.

THE TOOTH PILLOW DENTISTRY

775 Park Ave, Suite 340, Huntington 516-317-2476 toothpillowny.com Your child will leave our office with all of his/her dental work completed, free from pain and bad memories. Trust your child with the experts in pediatric dental sedation.

DOCTORS & MEDICAL PROVIDERS LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR SPEECH AND MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY

Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Suffolk: 631-689-6858 Nassau: 516-216-1791 Queens: 718-640-6767 Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, along with her group of therapists, supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders.

PEDIATRIC IMMEDIATE CARE

150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) 698 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn 718-389-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.com Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-the-art medical office equipment allows

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted.

STONY BROOK CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL PEDIATRIC VOIDING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (VIP) 24 Research Way, East Setauket 631-444-6270 A comprehensive program for children and teens with bed-wetting and other urinary and bowel issues. Our experts offer innovative, age-appropriate solutions along with compassionate care.

EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS ACT AS IF ETIQUETTE & PROTOCOL

718 Walt Whitman Road, Melville 561-889-4464 actasifetiquette.com Offering fun, informative, engaging classes for children, teens, and young adults, with the content geared toward modern manners for modern times. Serving scout troops, libraries, after-school programs, camps, groups, and individuals.

FINANCIAL PLANNING & INSURANCE LINDA SPRINGER, INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVE WITH PRIMERICA ADVISORS

1600 Expressway Drive S., Hauppauge 631-235-1749 cell 631-361-6271 office primerica.com/lindaspringer linda.springer@primerica.com Linda Springer, an investment adviser representative with Primerica Advisors, has proudly served the community in financial literacy education and team training and development for more than 20 years. Contact us at 631-235-1749 (cell) or 631-361-6271(office).

FOOD & NUTRITION LITTLE VICKY’S

631-338-1722 littlevickys.com littlevickys@yahoo.com Little Vicky’s products are small batched with only the finest, natural ingredients. Real food, no junk. Products include Honey Butter, Garlic Honey, and Honey Lemonade sold at all Best Markets throughout Long Island and select Stop & Shops.

FOSTER CARE & ADOPTION BERKSHIRE FARM CENTER AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH

535 Broad Hollow Road, Suite B30, Melville 631-420-4444 berkshirefarm.org Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth helps children find safety and comfort in the homes of foster parents. Become a foster parent and give the gift of family!

LEGAL SERVICES ANDREW COHEN, ESQ., LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216, Manhattan 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high-quality service at a reasonable cost.

LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C.

534 Broadhollow Road, Suite 275, Melville 631-379-9569 specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law.

LICE FAIRY LICEMOTHERS

2463 S. Long Beach Road, Oceanside 866-561-0492 1755 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park 866-561-0492 679 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head 866-561-0492 fairylicemothers.com fairylicemothers@gmail.com Our treatment centers are kid-friendly and our products are 100 percent nontoxic. Treatments include two free re-checks. Whether or not you use our service, we are here to help you.

SPECIAL NEEDS ALTERNATIVES FOR CHILDREN

1116 Main Road, Aquebogue 631-722-2170 600 S. Service Road, Dix Hills 631-271-0777 14 Research Way, East Setauket 631-331-6400 168 Hill St., Southampton 631-283-3272 alternatives4children.org Licensed daycare, EI/Preschool Special Education evaluations provider for eligible children. Early childhood professionals create a natural learning environment, promoting a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.

ANDREW COHEN, ESQ., LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN

250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216, Manhattan 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high-quality service at a reasonable cost.

DR. STEVE IMBER, PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS

Serving Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as the five boroughs of NYC 61-43 186th St., Fresh Meadows 516-273-1961 Sprout Building 166 Valley St., Providence, RI 401-421-4004 dr-imber.com scimber1@aol.com Dr. Imber has more than 40 years of experience consulting, evaluating, and advocating for children, adolescents, and adults with various disabilities including autism (e.g. Asperger’s syndrome), attention deficit disorders, intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities.

LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C.

LIFE’S WORC THE FAMILY CENTER FOR AUTISM

1501 Franklin Ave., Garden City 516-741-9000 familycenterforautism.org mreno@lifesworc.org The Family Center for Autism provides services and support for people with autism and their families. Programs include insurance services, birthday parties, art, music, sports and culinary classes, camps, parent and sibling programs, social events, vocational programs, and behavior intervention.

LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR SPEECH AND MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY

MARRA & GLICK APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS

1737 Veterans Memorial Highway, suite 1, Islandia 631-479-2900 mg-aba.com Marra & Glick Applied Behavior Analysts specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to serve people with autism spectrum disorders in our center-based programs, at school, in the home, and community.

THE TOOTH PILLOW DENTISTRY

775 Park Ave., Suite 340, Huntington 516-317-2476 toothpillowny.com Your child will leave our office with all of his/her dental work completed, free from pain and bad memories. Trust your child with the experts in pediatric dental sedation.

SPECIALTY APPAREL GCH DESIGNS - GENEVIEVE C. HASEMANN, SEAMSTRESS 516-983-0427 genevievescustomheirlooms@gmail.com Specializing in custom-made, special occasion, children’s christening, baptismal, communion, and flower girl clothing, hair accessories, and floral arrangements.

TUTORS & TEST PREP LONG ISLAND TUTORIAL SERVICES 173 N. Main St., Sayville 631-316-0426 litutorialservices.com litutorialservices@gmail .com

Long Island Tutorial Services (LITS) provides award-winning customer service and first-rate instruction to families island-wide. Call for a confidential consultation.

ST. PATRICK YOUTH COMMUNITY- ST. PATRICK TUTORING CENTER

St. Patrick Church, 280 E. Main St., Smithtown 631-724-1261 stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net St. Patrick Tutoring Center is here to assist your learner from grades kindergarten to 12th with Catholic Entrance Exam Prep, SAT, Regents, or daily schoolwork.

ST. PATRICK YOUTH COMMUNITY-YOUTH ENRICHMENT LEARNING CENTER

St. Patrick Church, Smithtown 631-724-1261 stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net St. Patrick Youth Enrichment and Learning Center provides programs for your child ages 1½ years–sixth grade. A faithbased program offers a loving, caring environment.

SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER OF HUNTINGTON

1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-424-5600 sylvanlearning.com sylvanlearning@optonline.net Sylvan of Huntington offers personalized tutoring programs in reading, writing, mathematics, SAT and ACT prep. Sylvan will help identify the right program for your child and exactly where your child needs to start to get the best results.

VILLAGE EAST GIFTED - ENRICHMENT CENTER FOR THE GIFTED LEARNER Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Village East Gifted provides after-school enrichment and private tutoring for gifted and talented students. We are a designated John Hopkins CTY and SAT testing center.

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OPENHOUSES 2019 Meet the Art League of Long Island Summer Art Adventure

Paumanok Elementary School, 1 Seaman Neck Road, Dix Hills Summer Pre-College Portfolio Development 107 E. Deer Park Road, Dix Hills 631-462-5400 artleagueli.org info@artleague.org Visit our open house, Sunday March 31, 10am-2pm. Studio tours, learn about our year-round art classes, summer programs for ages 5-14, and Summer Portfolio Development for ages 15-18. Enjoy hands-on art activities!

Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp

3186 Sound Ave., Riverhead 516-433-7970 x11 ccenassau.org Visit one of our open house dates on April 6, May 4, or May 18 from 10am-1pm.

Extreme STEAM Science Kids

450 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills 631-499-8580 extremesteamcamp.com info@extremesteamscience.com Tours are available Monday–Friday from 10am-3pm, year-round, and Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-2pm, February–June. Call to confirm a date and time for your tour. We look forward to meeting you!

Friends Academy

270 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley 516-676-0393 fa.org Our goal is to support our summer campers as they create, explore, discover, and learn! Come in and learn more about our STEM, sports, and arts programs on March 23.

Kenwal Day Camp

100 Drexel Ave., Melville 631-694-3399 kenwaldaycamp.com kenwaloffice@kenwaldaycamp.com Visit Kenwal to meet with our directors and tour our beautiful, 20-acre campgrounds. Sundays from 12-3pm, through June, or call for a personal tour. Lock in discounted rates through Summer 2021!

Kids Country Day Camp

37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road, Mount Sinai 631-331-5351 kidscountrydaycamp.com Join us for a Kids Country Day Camp and Kids of Mount Sinai school open house March 30, April 27, May 18, and June 15 from 11am-2pm.

Knox School Summer Adventures

541 Long Beach Road, St. James 631-686-1600 x414 knoxschool.org/summer-programs/ summer-adventures ndezenzo@knoxschool.org

Join us for an open house on March 2 and May 11 10am-1pm.

Long Island Voyager’s Day Camp

Nassau and Suffolk locations 516-238-4586 livoyagersdaycamp.com livoyagersdaycamp@gmail.com Open house March 9 and April 6. Receive $100 off tuition! Learn about our unique summer camp experience for children ages 4-14, offering amazing activities and funfilled days of recreation.

Park Shore Country Day Camp and School

450 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills 631-499-8580 parkshoredaycamp.com info@parkshoredaycamp.com Tours are available Monday–Friday from 10am-3pm, year-round and Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-2pm, February–June. Call to confirm a date and time for your tour. We look forward to meeting you!

Smithtown Christian School

1 Higbie Drive, Smithtown 631-265-3334 learnwithscs.org Join us for an open house March 16 at 10am. You’ll be able to meet our administrators and teachers-plus see a concert! There will also be crafts and games for the children.

Thomas School of Horsemanship

Summer Day Camp 250 Round Swamp Road, Melville 631-692-6840s tshcamp.com tsh@tshcamp.com A traditional day camp with a full riding program! We are passionate about children having fun-filled days while learning some of life’s most important lessons. Call to schedule a personal tour.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.org/visit info@usdan.org Join us for an open house Sundays, March 24 and April 19 from 11am2pm. The campus is yours to visit and explore. Receive a chance to “win” a tuition discount. Register at usdan.org/visit.

Winston Preparatory School

30 Deforest Road, Dix Hills 212-719-5598 x2213 winstonprep.edu/our-campuses/li liadmissions@winstonprep.edu Winston Prep is a highly individualized setting for third to 12th grade students with specific learning differences. Open house: Tuesday, March 19 at 9:15am and Tuesday, April 2 at 6:30pm.

March 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Health Care Professional

Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Suffolk: 631-689-6858 Nassau: 516-216-1791 Queens: 718-640-6767 Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, owns and operates Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy. With her group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders in adults and children. Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) are also offered. Seven affiliated offices across Long Island participate with most health insurance and offer evening and Saturday hours.

Pediatric Immediate Care 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) 698 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn 718-389-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.com Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-the-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted. Complete pediatric and adolescent care, as well as baby, camp, school, and sports physicals. Certified urgent care recommended by Urgent Care Association of America. Thirty years of dedication to our patients. The offices are open seven days a week including holidays, 8am-11pm.

The Tooth Pillow Dentistry 775 Park Ave., Suite 340, Huntington 516-317-2476 toothpillowny.com The Tooth Pillow Dentistry is a group of board-certified pediatric dentists and dentist anesthesiologists that work together to safely provide dental treatment while your child is sedated. We provide this service for children who cannot be treated in the typical dental chair setting due to age, behavior, or other factors that hinder treatment. Your child will leave our office with all of their dental work completed, free from pain and bad memories. We will treat your child as if they were our own. Trust your child with the experts in pediatric dental sedation.

raising kids ad index NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! birthday / party services

Great Strides Long Island .......................... 23

Music Together LLC .................................... 21

LIU Center for Gifted Youth........................ 19

Sportime ...................................................... 15

Long Island Golf Camp ............................. 23

Studio E Art Classes..................................... 17

Sportime ...................................................... 15 Studio E Art Classes..................................... 17

camps

music East End Arts ............................................... 23 Music Together LLC .................................... 21 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.............. 2

Village East Gifted ..................................... 21

Art League Of Long Island ........................ 23

performing arts / acting

Camp Huntington ...................................... 16

dance

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery ............ 23

Ohman School of Ballet ............................ 21

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNALC ... 19

Posey School of Dance ............................. 23

Destination Science ................................... 21

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.............. 2

Kids ‘N Comedy ......................................... 18 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.............. 2

special events

Dorothy P Flint 4-H Camp .......................... 16 East End Arts ............................................... 23

developmental

Extreme STEAM Science Kids .................... 11

Alternatives for Children ............................ 43

Future Stars - Old Westbury ....................... 22

Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for

Great Strides Long Island .......................... 23

Speech................................................... 31, 52

All Kids Fair ..................................................... 9 GCH Designs and Services ........................ 43 Patchogue Theatre .................................... 45

iD Tech Camps ........................................... 15 Kids ‘N Comedy ......................................... 18

education

Kids Country Day Camp ........................... 18

Alternatives for Children ............................ 43

Knox School (The) - Summer Adventures .19

Kids Country Day Camp ........................... 18

LI Voyagers Day Camp ............................. 13

Knox School (The) - Summer Adventures .19

LIU Center for Gifted Youth........................ 19

Camp Huntington ...................................... 16

Long Island Golf Camp ............................. 23

Posey School of Dance ............................. 23

Great Strides Long Island .......................... 23

Music Together LLC .................................... 21

St. Patrick Youth Community .................... 19

Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for

Ohman School of Ballet ............................ 21

Village East Gifted ..................................... 21

Park Shore Counrty Day Camp & Preschool ....................................................... 3

family entertainment / events / outings

Posey School of Dance ............................. 23

All Kids Fair ..................................................... 9

Sportime ...................................................... 15

Patchogue Theatre .................................... 45

St. Patrick Youth Community .................... 19 Studio E Art Classes..................................... 17

financial planning / insurance.........

Thomas School of Horsemanship Riding

Primerica ..................................................... 41

special needs Alternatives for Children ............................ 43 Andrew M. Cohen Esq ................................. 9

Speech................................................... 31, 52 Pediatric Immediate Care................... 41, 52

sports Future Stars - Old Westbury ....................... 22 Goldfish Swim School - Centereach .......... 9 Great Strides Long Island .......................... 23

Academy & Summer Camp ..................... 56 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.............. 2

fitness

Knox School (The) - Summer Adventures .19

Village East Gifted ..................................... 21

Sportime ...................................................... 15

Long Island Golf Camp ............................. 23

YMCA of Long Island ................................. 17 Young People’s Day Camps - Suffolk ........ 5

health Pediatric Immediate Care................... 41, 52

child care / day care

Tooth Pillow Dentistry (The) ........................ 52

Alternatives for Children ............................ 43 Kids Country Day Camp ........................... 18

Sportime ...................................................... 15 St. Patrick Youth Community .................... 19 Thomas School of Horsemanship Riding Academy & Summer Camp ..................... 56

home services GCH Designs and Services ........................ 43

classes

theater

East End Arts ............................................... 23

legal services

Kids ‘N Comedy ......................................... 18

Goldfish Swim School - Centereach .......... 9

Andrew M. Cohen Esq ................................. 9

Patchogue Theatre .................................... 45

LongIslandParent 53

things to do

diy corner

Reversible Cape

Is your little one obsessed with Superman? Are you raising the next Wonder Woman? We’ve got just the craft for you! Kids can design their ideal costumes, perfect for a day of dramatic play. Can’t decide on just one design? Well, like any good hero disguise, this cape has two sides. Inspire creativity, choose a super hero identity, and spend a day saving the day! This super-easy cape features star and lightning bolt emblems, but you could make it to resemble your favorite superheroes or villains, or create two new characters with personalized emblems featuring your initials. The project requires a sewing machine— you could make it without one but it will take you a while to stitch around the edges! You will need • 1-yard square each of green and blue cotton • 4-inch square each of red and black cotton • 8-inch square of yellow cotton • Scissors

• Sewing needle and pins • 15-by-35-inch piece of fusible webbing • Sewing machine and matching thread • 1½-by ½-inch piece of Velcro or hook-and-loop tape • Iron and ironing board

Instructions 1. Print the cape template and cut it out (find it at nymetroparents.com/cape). Fold your green fabric in half and pin the template on top. Cut out one cape then repeat with the blue fabric. Use a small plate (about 8 inches) to draw and cut out a circle from yellow and black cotton. If you want to use the emblems featured here, cut out a yellow lightning bolt and a red star shape—draw your own or use a template and increase the size. Also cut the circles, lightning, and star shapes out of fusible webbing. 2. Iron the fusible webbing onto the back of each shape. Line up the yellow circle centrally on the front of the blue cape 8 inches from the neckline. Iron in place, and then iron the star on top of the center of the yellow circle. Repeat with the green cape, the black circle, and the lightning bolt. 3. Pin the two capes right sides together. Machine sew around the edge with a ½-inch seam allowance. Leave a 6-inch gap along the bottom to allow you to turn the cape right sides out. Trim the edges around the neckline of the cape then make snips in the seam allowance around the curved edges, about 1 inch apart. This will prevent puckering. 4. Turn the cape right sides out and push out all the corners and neckline. Press the cape and sew the turning gap closed by hand. 5. Pin and sew one piece of the Velcro onto the end of the neckline on the blue fabric. Sew the other piece on the green fabric (at the other side) so that the two pieces line up when the neckline is joined. Extract reprinted here with permission from GMC Publications, The Superhero Craft Book by Laura Minter and Tia Williams, RRP $9.95.

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SEPTEMBER 2012

NORTHVALE • NORWOOD • OLD TAPPAN • PARK RIDGE • RAMSEY • RIDGEWOOD • SADDLE RIVER/UPPER SADDLE RIVER • WALDWICK • WESTWOOD • WYCKOFF

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

LongIslandParent Parent SPETEMBER 2012

Class Is In!

After-School Activities

✓ ❑ ✓ ❑

Resource Guide

✓ ❑ ✓ ❑

SLOW DOWN!

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins

How to Manage Kids’ Schedules

What Makes a Good Mentor?

+ 174 Family

+ 130 Family

(see our calendar, p. 26)

(see our calendar, p. 32)

Events

Plus: Learning to Let Go

Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child

Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

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Dinosaur Fun

Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

LongIslandParent 55

Thomas School of Horsemanship

SUMMER CAMP

Ages 3-15

MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME!

SWIMMING • SPORTS • ARTS • STEM PLUS A FULL RIDING PROGRAM! 631-692-6840 •

WWW.TSHCAMP.COM WWW WW WW TSHCAMP COM

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