Westchester Parent February 2017

WestchesterParent FEBRUARY 2017

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Amazing Camp Experiences

Kids tell us why summer camp is so special

Plus: Find the right camp

Adulting 101

How to raise kids ready for life

Westchester s

Caring Kids

Your amazing stories of giving back to the community

INDOOR PLAY SPACES

•

TEACHING KIDS CONSENT

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Photo Credit: André Maier

Photo Credit: Beth Capuano

Davler Media Group Fax: 212.271.2239 • Call: 914.290.4716 Email: Distributon@davlermedia.com 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor New York, NY 10018

Your Mitzvah CHECKLIST, Budget Worksheet and TIMELINE

FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

From school pictures to hundreds of family photos and thousands of selfies, children’s smiles brighten our lives.

Let’s give them healthy smiles that will shine for a lifetime.

Good dental habits start at a young age and continue as children grow with: • Regular dental checkups (2x a year) • Brushing and flossing (at least 2x a day) • A healthy diet with fruits and vegetables

Fidelis Care covers preventive and routine dental care for kids!

1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547)

TTY: 1-800-421-1220

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NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

February 2017 ››

56

Features

16 Westchester’s Caring Kids Learn how area families volunteer 20 Adulting 101 How to get your children ready for the real world—while they’re still young 24 Why Camp Is Great Kids share why they love summer camp.

50 Teaching Kids Consent Tips to talk to children of all ages about appropriate and inappropriate touching 52 Demystifying the Dentist What to expect at kids’ dental visits, and how to keep their mouths healthty

20

54 Soup and a Sandwich Two combos to warm up on a chilly day

66

56 Learning to Ski A peek at how to New York mountains teach newbies the popular winter sport

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 9 NYMP News: Mommybites Joins the NYMetroParents Family 10 Quotables 12 NYMP Q&A: Laurie Hollman, Ph.D., discusses parental intelligence 66 Voices: Why I hated all nine months of pregnancy

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Fun & Activities

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

35

Original photo by PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided

by Appaman (appaman.com)

14 32 35 48

DIY Corner: Mini Terrarium Outing: Rye Nature Center Family Activities Calendar Where-To Guide: Indoor Play Spaces

Directories 26 58 60 60 62 64 65

Camp Guide Party Central Professional Services Meet the Health Care Professional Open Houses Party Planner and Family Resource Guide Advertisers’ Index

››

ON THE COVER ›› 16 Westchester’s Caring Kids 20 Adulting 101 24 Amazing Camp Experiences

facebook.com/nymetroparents

48 Indoor Play Spaces

@NYMetroParents

50 Teaching Kids Consent

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

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FEBRUARY 2016 • Vol.16 • No.6

EDITOR’S NOTE

Raising Kids Ready for Life

W

e recently converted our youngest daughter’s crib to a toddler bed, and with 15 minutes of tinkering, she was on to a new stage of her life. Needless to say, the actual transition—from baby to toddler to stages beyond—is hardly that seamless or quick.

As parents, our hope is to raise our kids to be independent adults, able to navigate their way in the world successfully on their own. Lately, though, there’s been a focus in the media on the difficulties young adults face in doing that. “Adulting” has become a verb that connotes the effort it takes to accomplish basic life skills. To help your kids avoid having to learn to “adult,” we’re offering a guide to raise kids who will be ready for life in the real world (p. 20).

When I was young, it was summer camp that had one of the most profound influences on my growth and readiness to be independent. The fields, hiking trails, and activity centers of camp gave me the chance to do for myself and become the person I was meant to be. And I am far from alone in this. Since it’s now camp enrollment season, check out stories from kids who tell us, in their own words, the impact camp has had on their lives (p. 24).

As our kids grow up, there are any number of difficult conversations we must have with them. One involves touching—what is appropriate and what is inappropriate, and who gets to decide (short answer: they do). It’s never too early, and certainly never too late, to have this discussion. Since these talks are inevitably awkward, we hope our guide to discussing consent with kids of all ages helps as you address this important topic (p. 50).

Of course, this month also brings Valentine’s Day, and in that spirit, I wish you and your family a month of love and happiness.

Michael Kress Editorial Director

NYMetroParents Publications EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke

ADVERTISING SALES Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 Jeunesse Jackson, Linda Pierce Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Ellen Klein Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Ellen Klein, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager, Dani Pollack Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Lisa Herlihy, Karen Shapiro To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Ray C. Guédez, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan

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We are excited to be leaping off the pages of the magazine to offer you a day of family fun!

Westchester Parents Day, taking place 12-3pm on Sunday, Feb. 5, provides kids with a full lineup of joyful activities and classes while offering parents a chance to find out about local businesses and organizations that can help you make better decisions for your families.

The day’s activities include: • Character meet-and-greets • Dance party with a DJ • Live animals • Arts and crafts projects • A photo booth • Sports clinic • Face painting • Music class • Dipping in a chocolate fountain While kids are immersed in the fun, parents can meet with representatives from dozens of local camps, after-school programs, birthday party places, schools, and family-fun venues. In all, more than 60 exhibitors will be there, allowing you to plan your kids’ spring and summer activities while knowing your little ones are having a ball.

Westchester Parents Day will be held at the Crown Plaza, 66 Hale Ave., White Plains. Find more information and register at westchesterparentsday.com.

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Barbara Byrd

Davler Media Group CEO: David L. Miller General Manager: Thomas K. Hanlon 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 nymetroparents.com davlermedia.com nybarbatmitzvah.com

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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

nymetroparents.com/np-wp

Who: Elora Theater Arts What’s New: Elora Theater Arts by Amelia Huckel-Bauer, which opened September 2016.

Elora Theater Arts offers workshops in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Yonkers for ages pre-K through adult, such as Teen Acting for Film.

Through Little Luminaries and Little Film Stars workshops younger students perform a scene that’s professionally filmed and screened for their families.

“Elora Theater Arts came into existence shortly after my baby girl, Elora, was born,” Huckel-Bauer says. “I no longer act full-time, so I combined my passion for acting with my teaching skills to help others.”

Want More Info: amelia@etanyc.com; 917-533-2019; etanyc.com

Courtesy Elora Theater Arts

Bronx-Based Actor Opens Educational Theater Company

Amelia Huckel-Bauer, founder of Elora Theater Arts, pictured with Little Film Stars students.

Who: Kenneth H. Zatz, M.D., Pediatrics, a division of Allied Physicians Group What’s New: Rockland County’s first breast milk depot, which opened at Kenneth H. Zatz, M.D., Pediatrics in Nyack.

It’s operated under The New York Milk Bank, and opened with support of the nonprofit Allied Foundation.

The breast milk depot will help moms and infants in need. All donors and milk go through extensive testing and screening. The milk is pasteurized and benefits hospitals and the community throughout the state.

“This milk is a medicine to many infants and life-saving to preemies,” says Julie Bouchet-Horwitz, founder and executive director of The New York Milk Bank.

Want More Info: Kenneth H. Zatz, M.D., Pediatrics: 18 Washington Ave., Nyack; 845-353-7360; alliedphysiciansgroup.com

Courtesy Allied Physicians Group

Breast Milk Depot Opens in Nearby Rockland County

Julie Bouchet-Horwitz, Kenneth H. Zatz, M.D., and Senator David Carlucci at the grand opening of the breast milk depot.

Who: Camp Reece through Reece School What’s New: A residential summer camp for children with special needs through Camp Reece, held at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, is coming in July.

The camp staff, including counselors in the fields of reading, language, counseling, and physical and occupational therapy, will provide services tailored to the individual child. The counselors are college students and college graduates, and the related-service staff members are licensed or certified in their fields.

Campers will participate in a traditional sleepaway camp experience including sports, adventure, and the arts. Children can focus on an area of interest.

Want More Info: Reece School, 25 E. 104th St., Manhattan; 212-289-4872 x104; campreece.org

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Camp Reece

New Residential Summer Camp for Children with Special Needs

At Camp Reece, children receive individualized services while having a traditional sleepaway camp experience.

Courtesy Mommybites

NYMP NEWS

A’S AMERIC E FAVORIT CIRCUS

IT’S A FAMILY TRADIT ION!

WESTCHESTER COUNTY CENTER SAT • FEB 18 THRU MON • FEB 20

WHITE PLAINS From left: Heather Ouida, Rebecca Dixon, and Laura Deutsch, the moms behind Mommybites.

Mommybites Joins the NYMetroParents Family ›› Mommybites.com provides parents with trusted Nanny Boards, online classes, local events, and more. By Caitlin Berens

N

early 10 years ago Laura Deutsch was a new mom living in Manhattan, eager to find a community. So in 2006 she created one on her own, a grassroots events company for local moms. She partnered with Heather Ouida in 2009, and today Mommybites is an online parenting resource offering education, nanny placement, and activity information services for families in New York City and beyond.

Mommybites offers two to three convenient online classes for parents each month such as the upcoming Support Your Child’s Development Through Play, as well as many other topics, including infant and toddler sleep, potty training, and preschool readiness. These classes are always free.

On the mom-generated Nanny Boards, parents can post their trusted nannies looking for work or find a mom-approved nanny for their own family.

By visiting mommybites.com parents can sign up for a weekly newsletter, read articles written by experts, and check out the jobs-for-moms portal.

Mommybites was recently acquired by Davler Media Group, owner of NYMetroParents.

“Mommybites is a great brand and perfect fit for NYMetroParents,” says David Miller, CEO of Davler Media Group. “We look forward to bringing Mommybites’ online education classes and Nanny Boards to the one million families we reach every month. Their editorial content also expands our offerings for parents of newborns and toddlers.”

Mommybites’ recently appointed managing director, Rebecca Dixon, joined the team in 2011. The Manhattan mom of three will take over as the head of Mommybites, with Deutsch and Ouida staying on as advisors.

“I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to help Mommybites grow into one the most respected parenting resources in the greater New York metro area,” Dixon says. “I’m excited to leverage the expertise of the NYMetroParents team to grow our offerings.”

Visit mommybites.com to find a nanny, post a nanny job, or sign up for an online class.

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WestchesterParent

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UOTABLES Be true to yourself, and don’t throw shade at other moms. Please, please let’s just throw away our Judgy McJudgerson Pants because, for starters, judgy pants were, like, so 1990s, and they never looked good on you anyway.

—Heather Sadlemire, in a post entitled “The Best Resolution I Ever Made Was To Quit Mom-Shaming,” on scarymommy.com

in an instagram Max has had a fascination with #LadyLiberty ever since we visited #EllisIsland and requires a photo with her every time we see her now. Except the creepy guy in Times Square. I have to draw the line somewhere, but you have to love his patriotic passion!

(Posted by @missstephanieb, aka Stephanie B., who blogs at footballfoodandmotherhood.com)

THE MAGIC BEGINS

in an instagram You guys, the new subway is almost here!!! Open house for the public today at 96th Street. #MyRide#2ndAveSubway #nyc (Posted by @thenycjenny, aka Jenny, who blogs at nycjenny.com)

“Seeing and experiencing New York (outside of the city), is easy. Within an hour the city turns to dust in the distance and you are shown expansive lands, lakes to swim, towns with feasts, and mountains to hike.

Experiencing this as a family…. has been the greatest gift.”

—Latonya Yvette, in a post entitled “Experience New York: Hike Up Bear Mountain,” on her blog, blog.latonyayvette.com.

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

“Suddenly the lights went out and the students started to scream and shriek. Tiny pairs of eyes began to light up on and around the stage. The music gained momentum. The Inside Broadway experience had begun. Students heard from the actors, both in and out of costume, as well as the behind-the-scenes crew responsible for the lighting, props, makeup, music, set, and more.”

—Caitlin Berens in an article entitled “NYC Students Get a Peek Behind the Scenes of ‘Cats’ on Broadway.” Read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/cats-on-broadway.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Find where you can celebrate at nymetroparents.com/black-history.

DISCOVER HISTORY: Check out historical locations in and around New York City at nymetroparents.com/historical-places TAKE A TRIP: Discover amazing winter day trips in the NYC area at nymetroparents.com/winter-trips.

HIT THE SLOPES: Where to ski and snowboard (nymetroparents.com/ski)

Thornton-Donovan School’s Summer Challenge

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914.632.8836 www.td.edu WestchesterParent 11

Summer College for Kids 2017 at Westchester Community College connect to the perfect summer experience for your child or teen!

NYMP Q&A

Finding the Meaning Behind Your Child’s Behavior ››

By Bethany Braun-Silva

Center for the Digital Arts, Peekskill Extension Peekskill Extension Center Youth Arts Technology Program Summer 2017

July 10th – 20th July 24th – August 3rd 914-606-7300 peekskill@sunywcc.edu/ peekskillyouth

Westchester Community College Center for the Arts White Plains PRE-COLLEGE ARTS PROGRAMS, PUBLIC SPEAKING & DEBATE CAMP

June 26th - August 4th Ages 10-18 914-606-7500 sunywcc.edu/arts Arts@sunywcc.edu

Ossining Extension Center SCIENCE ACADEMY

July 31st - August 10th August 14th - 24th Ages 8-17 914-606-7400 ossining@sunywcc.edu

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Laurie Hollman, Ph.D., is a psychoanalyst who recently wrote the book Unlocking Parental Intelligence.

What is parental intelligence? The crux of parental intelligence is trying to understand your child’s mind. Finding meaning in the child’s behavior, trying to understand the underlying issues of the behavior, and how to solve that behavior. It’s slowing down, pausing, taking no action, which may be counterintuitive to most parents, and instead taking the time to review the behavior, going over what your child did, when they did it, and looking for a sequence to track the behavior. It’s suspending judgment about your child’s behavior as well as your own parenting behavior.

It gives you permission to not know what to do. If you don’t understand how to do something, then what can you do about it?

When kids see parents taking their time, it has a calming effect on the situation.

What advice do you have for handling outburst or temper tantrums in public? I think the key is that you’re in public. The parent is often humiliated and embarrassed, and the child isn’t listening. If the behavior really gets out of hand, I would leave the store. That isn’t a time where you can sit and understand the child’s feelings. You need to remove them from the environment.

It is inconvenient and you don’t get the shopping done, but it gives you a chance to slow the child down and not give them the experience of a full-blown temper tantrum. Once you’re home and time has passed where they’ve calmed down, you can use parental intelligence to figure out what was going on and what is behind this behavior.

Parental intelligence sounds like an effective way to parent, but do you believe in any more traditional forms of discipline?

The word discipline comes from the word disciple, which means teaching. If you think about wanting to teach your child a lesson, using parental intelligence is the best avenue. Most parents give consequences for bad behavior immediately and react immediately.

This is usually not effective because the child doesn’t understand the punishment necessarily. They stop and follow the punishment but they don’t learn from it. Parental intelligence is discipline, but it is from a different point of view. It is an approach that says, “I know what is in my child’s mind, I know how to solve it.”

A Dental Visit Can Be Fun! Penny Resnick-Graulich, D.M.D. Francisca Ceron, D.D.S. Emelie Preis, D.D.S. MAIN STREET PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY 115 Main Street, Suite 302, Tuckahoe (914)633-4440 www.mainstreetpediatricdentistry.com New Laser Technology Your kids CAN have their cavities fixed without an injection, without pain and without a numb lip afterwards! (in most cases)

New State of the Art Facility • Special Custom Game Rooms • Home Theater with Large-Screen TV • Adult Coffee Bar • Environmentally Conscious Setting Now offering General Anesthesia for our patients who need it!

Voted 7 years in a row one of Westchester’s Top Pediatric Dentists

by Westchester Magazine

Learning the right answers will get your child through school.

Learning how to learn will get your child through life!

Open House at 9:30am Weekdays

Please call to join one of our tours.

914-636-6202

Hudson Country Montessori School

Inspiring curious, creative, and gifted minds. Toddlers through 8th grade.

340 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804 • 914-636-6202 • www.hudsoncountry.org WestchesterParent 13

DIY CORNER

Mini Terrarium

One of the best ways to use a large jar is to transform it into a terrarium. I love succulents and they have made a real comeback recently. What better way to display them than with fun pink flamingos and decorative white sand—a mini beach scene for your table! In the smaller jar, a gold-painted dinosaur roars out from a succulent forest—I think the little ones in your life will appreciate this one. Make sure your jar is big enough for your plant to grow, so search the supermarket shelves for the biggest jar they have!

Editor’s note: We love this idea for showing your valentine how much they mean to you!

You Will Need Large glass jars Pebbles Potting compost

Small plants, such as succulents Decorative fine white sand Small pebbles or gravel Little ornaments

Directions 1. Start by placing a layer of pebbles in the base of your jar —this will help with drainage and will prevent the potting compost from becoming waterlogged.

2. Put a layer of potting compost on top and position your plants.

3. Top with more potting compost, firming it in around the base of the plant, then add a layer of decorative sand or pebbles.

4. Place your chosen ornaments around the plants for a whimsical effect.

5. Water the plants very carefully, trying not to disturb the sand or pebbles. Succulents and cacti make a good plant choice as they require little watering.

Crafting with Mason Jars by Hester Van Overbeek, CICO Books, $19.95. rylandpeters.com. Photography by CICO Books.

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE

WESTCHESTER’S PREMIERE COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL SINCE 1944

Comprehensive music education for students of all ages by a world-class faculty in a warm and familial environment

• Private Instrumental and Vocal Instruction • Music Classes and Programs for Young Children • Musicianship Classes • Chamber Ensembles • Large Ensembles including Four Orchestras and Choruses • Jazz Instruction • Adult Instruction and Enrichment Programs

25 School Lane, Scarsdale, NY 10583 hb@hbms.org • www.hbms.org Tel: (914) 723-1169 Joan Behrens Bergman, Executive Director

• Performance Opportunities for All Enrolled Students

WestchesterParent 15

Caring AWARDS Kids

Westchester’s Caring Kids We asked how your family gives back, and here are your stories of amazing kids who make our community better every day. ›› For the NYMetroParents Caring Kids Awards, we invited you to submit stories and photos of families and kids who do volunteer work to help others. We hope you will be as inspired as we were by these stories of young Westchester residents committed to making the world a better place and helping those in need. These local kids are making a difference in the community every day, and we salute all of them!

Comedy Kids Max and Alex Tell Jokes to Raise Money for Cancer Research

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Aw

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As Caring Kids Award Recipients, Max and Alex will receive a $500 gift card and a certificate of recognition for their community service. nt

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When Max’s little sister Scarlett was diagnosed with a brain tumor, he and his friend Alex took action on their own. They began telling jokes to classmates in exchange for donations to pediatric brain cancer research. When fellow students began donating bags of allowance money, the moms helped organize and create Comedy Kids. In one short month, these 8-year-olds brought a community together, raised more than $20,000, and plan to expand their efforts.

Recip

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Evan & Joshua’s Cocoa Stand for Cancer Evan and Joshua started a hot cocoa stand for charity when they were at the young ages of 5 and 3. What started out in their garage has now become a yearly enterprise, which has raised more than $30,000, primarily for Pediatric Cancer Foundation. 2017 will mark the 11th year of the event, which is held in a neighborhood store where they serve hot cocoa, baked goods, and raffle items from sports teams and local stores.

Riley, 11, Cares for the Homeless

Marcela, 14, Teaches Music to Those Less Fortunate

My daughter Riley has been a Girl Scout since first grade. I am a Girl Scout leader, and recently took some of my Girl Scouts to Lifting Up Westchester. There, we wrapped 189 pairs of socks to give as presents to homeless men, as well as more than 70 toy gifts for children to receive. Riley had a surprise that she pulled out of a bag. She had made more than 20 rainbow loom bracelets on her own ahead of time and brought them.

She asked the lady in charge if she could donate them to the children and give them as Christmas presents.

The woman gratefully accepted and she promised Riley that she would put them in the goodie bags.

My daughter Marcela volunteers at Songcatchers, a nonprofit organization that teaches music lessons to children who may not be able to afford high-end lessons.

These past few years Marcela learned piano at Songcatchers, and she is now old enough to teach. She is an aide for early childhood piano. She helps teach piano theory and notes, therefore when the children are old enough, they can move up and start learning easily. She also sings in the Songcatchers choir. My daughter spends her Saturdays volunteering. I help out in the office.

February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Kate, 13, Raises Funds for a Gaga Pit Kate is raising money to build a gaga pit at the Mamaroneck Avenue School. In conjunction with Back Yard Cares, Kate is building the pit and then will start a gaga club at the school to expose the students to the fun game. Gaga teaches kids strategic thinking, hand-eye coordination, as well as many other skills.

D E E R M O U N TA I N DAY C A M P

Carly, 15, Raises Money for Pediatric Cancer As Carly matured, she was desperate to do more than just “help” her mom prepare fundraisers for Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Her frustration turned into motivation and through PCF’s #GIVEHOPEBAKE she has gathered a committed group of teens to run several events throughout the year. Additionally, she has brought the gift of giving to her high school where PCF has become a club with other community service organizations.

She is constantly looking for opportunities to raise money and brighten the lives of these very special children and families.

Explore Talents Learn New Skills Unlock Creativity Find Passions Make True Friends

Shine as

Chappaqua Families Fighting Hunger

You!

Seven years ago, three Chappaqua families came together to take a stand against childhood hunger and to help inspire local children to make charity a part of their every day lives. Since then, The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale, which supports Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, has raised more than $125,000 to help fund meals programs for kids in New York state.

The children (Charlotte, Sophia, Rebecca, Jenna, and Molly) have been instrumental in this effort from the very beginning. In the early years, they made posters and baked with their friends and families. As they grew, so did their involvement and role in the event. They have been instrumental in coming up with new ways to raise money by creating a Kids Corner, which includes a candy-guessing jar, face painter, tattoos, and more. These children promote the event, spread the word, and work the bake sale with enthusiasm and smiles to help children in need.

A Family Helps Animals at the Shelter Our family has three rescue dogs and is big into helping the community, especially with animals. My son turned 4 years old in February (2016) and said he had enough toys and would like to collect supplies for the animal shelter to help all the dogs and cats who have not found a forever home yet. He was very scared for them that it was so cold and they would not have a warm home.

So instead of birthday presents he asked his party guests and family for donations. He was thrilled to collect so many supplies and was more thrilled to bring them to the shelter himself.

845.354.2727 www.deermountaindaycamp.com Swimming • Sports • Fine Arts • Performing Arts Outdoor Adventure • Waterfront • Discovery • Special Events 25 Acre Mountainside Facility Located in Rockland County, NY ‹‹

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Melissa, 13, Gives the Gift of Summer Camp Melissa teamed up with ArtWare for Good and SCOPE to make her bat mitzvah project a reality.

She enlisted the help of her friends and family to create a beautiful tile mural that was donated to and hung in a SCOPE-funded camp (Camp Herrlich). Melissa also raised enough money to provide a child less fortunate than herself to have the opportunity to go to camp and ultimately enhance his or her life. Creating this masterpiece and being able to incorporate her love for sleepaway camp, art, and her friends and family was a perfect, charitable way for Melissa to give back and involve others to do something good along with her.

Katerina, 12, Does Service with the Families with Children from China My daughter, Katerina, takes commitment to community service very seriously. In the past year she has volunteered at the SPCA in Briarcliff Manor helping when a shipment of dogs was brought in from high-kill shelters, click training, and donating blankets. She has volunteered at the food pantry in Elmsford with her school Rippowam Cisqua. With a group of girls (Club PT) within the Families with Children from China organization, she has collected toys for Open Door in Ossining for Christmas and assisted in gift wrapping. She has collected pajamas for the Katonah Community Center with this same group as well as with her school and made goodie bags of toiletries for distribution.

A Teacher Who Works to Fight Blindness 3s teacher, Wendy Kreisberg, organizes a VisionWalk team every year helping to find a cure for blindness. She teaches kids the importance of helping others and volunteers for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Wendy’s son, Jeremy, has Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease for which there is currently no cure and she does her part to help find treatments and cures for these devastating diseases.

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Caring AWARDS Kids

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Bianca, 8, Gives Back to the Community Bianca is learning the importance of giving back to her community! She has volunteered her time to clean up our town by picking up litter, planting flowers, and selling cookies that are donated to our troops! She’s also spent her time reading to her pre-kindergarten class on her days off from school.

Rebecca and Jenna’s Lemonade Stand for Cancer Research For the past three years, my daughters Rebecca and Jenna, now ages 12 and 8, have hosted the Blum Sister’s Lemonade Stand in support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research.

My younger daughter came up with the idea and we quickly went to work to make this idea a reality. Our family got special permission to host the lemonade stand at the Chappaqua Farmers’ Market so that we could get the most foot traffic possible. The farmers’ market asked that we sell freshly squeezed lemonade (instead of from a mix) so that we could keep with the spirit of the market. Each year, we squeeze more than 100 lemons by hand to make 10-15 gallons of lemonade. The girls make signs, ask supermarkets to donate ingredients for our stand, help spread the word throughout the community, and squeeze a lot of lemons. They ask for donations (instead of making a per cup cost). As a result of their hard work, they have raised more than $3,500 for pediatric cancer research.

A Family Offers Meals That Heal My kids and I wanted to honor their grandparents’ lives as health care professionals by volunteering in the MEALS THAT HEAL program at the Ronald McDonald House. Once a month, we prepare and cook together to make a meal at the facility for the more than 25 resident families who need to take care of a sick child at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.

Teaching Service from Day 1 Teaching my son to give back and volunteer was something that I knew I would do from the day he was born. I have taken him to my Operation PROM dress giveaway events and events with the Junior League of Central Westchester. For his 1st birthday, we purchased a playhouse for kids at a local hospital. He doesn’t understand now, but my hope is that when I show him the pictures of the things we did when he was a baby, it will inspire him to continue to be the type of person who makes a difference in others lives.

Learn about other Caring Kids throughout the NY metro area at nymetroparents.com/caring-kids.

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WestchesterParent 19

Adulting 101

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How to get your children ready for the real world—while they’re still young By Laurie Sue Brockway

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emember the days when parents figured they’d be done with childrearing by the time their children reached voting age or graduated from college?

Ha! These days, the timeline for becoming a full-fledged, rentpaying, independently living adult has stretched into the mid-20s and beyond for many families. Forbes recently reported that less than half of the population ages 22-26 surveyed pay their own rent (47 percent), health insurance (41 percent), or contribute to a retirement account (27 percent). Just surveying the proliferation of YouTube videos and other instructional content on the web detailing how to cook an egg, do one’s laundry, and accomplish other everyday tasks, it’s clear there’s a need out there for basic life-skills instruction.

It’s fondly known as “adulting,” and UrbanDictionary.com describes it this way: “Adulting (v): to do grown-up things and hold responsibilities such as a 9-5 job, a mortgage/rent, a car payment, or anything else that makes one think of grown-ups.”

It’s not the worst thing in the world to have your kids living at home longer. But it is important for them to acquire basic life skills along the way, so whether they are living with you or on their own they can cook their own dinner and wash their own clothes. Experts say how we raise our kids can make or break their ability to run their 20

February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

own lives as they age out of their adorable phase and grow into adulthood. We asked experts for their best tips on how, when, and why to prepare your kids practically and emotionally to be grown-ups.

Act like an adult

Parents must be role models for grown-up behavior. “Your children are watching you even when you think they aren’t paying attention,” says developmental psychologist Martha Mendez-Baldwin, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology at Manhattan College in the Bronx. “They pick up a tremendous amount of information about your value system and your patterns of behavior simply by watching you.” As our children’s first teachers, we can impart skills necessary for them to function in life as productive members of society, she says.

“This includes life lessons about respect, accountability, hard work, perseverance, and emotional regulation.”

Be authoritative

Parents often struggle with the balance between being loving and being the boss, but firm guidance is essential. “Authoritative parents are emotionally and physically available but are not their child’s pal or friend,” Dr. Mendez-Baldwin says. “There are clear boundaries and rules and expectations are enforced consistently.”

It is natural to want to protect your child from negative events and emotions because you don’t want to see him hurt or experience a blow to his self-esteem. “But we live in a world of positive and negative, good and bad,” says Angela Reiter, Ph.D., who offers therapeutic services and psychological evaluations in Eastchester. “In order to know how to handle the negative and appreciate the positive in life, we have to actually experience the negative and learn from it, in order to develop a sense of self-efficacy and a positive self-schema of what we can do when faced with a similar situation or emotion the next time it comes around. “

Let them feel disappointment

Lindsey Cormack, Ph.D., of Stevens Institute of Technology, College of Arts and Letters, in Hoboken, NJ, is a parent of a 4-yearold and a professor to students ages 18-22. “With my own child, I try to let her experience letdown,” she says. “For instance when a playdate is cancelled, I find that I have an urge to protect my child from sadness by offering an alternative, like a date with me.”

She refrains from trying to fix it and instead helps her daughter through a lesson in knowing that sometimes things don’t work out, and sadness is OK. “I think letting children experience and understand letdown in the small forms of childhood may better prepare them for the relatively larger let downs of their college years, such as bad grades on an assignment, non-admittance to certain schools and programs, and more,” she adds.

Create environments that foster independence

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in Brooklyn. “Part of this process may involve parents letting children experiment and find the best way to complete the chore.” As parents, it’s challenging to let go of some of the control but it is important to let children figure out their way to do it, which may not be exactly the same as yours, she says. “If a child feels they accomplished the chore their way and on their own, they will be more likely to feel a sense of pride and responsibility for that task and continue to do it.”

Show them how to manage money

Earning, managing, and saving money is key to adulting, so give kids a sense of financial reality and ownership early, starting with a home savings bank to get them thinking about acquiring and managing income early. “Get them a bank account and stress saving for the future rather than rushing out to spend their money without giving it thought,” advises Laurie Hollman, Ph.D., a psychoanalyst specializing in infant-parent, child, adolescent, and adult psychotherapy and author of Unlocking Parental Intelligence. Also, having them write checks and pay bills is a good lesson for the future.

Coach them on planning for the future

Having kids think about goals is healthy and helpful. “Let them establish a timeline even if it’s tentative and will change with new experiences,” Dr. Hollman says. “Encourage them to think about where they want to be in two years, five years, 10 years, and beyond.” Just make sure this is an exercise in creating the life they choose, not a stressful mandate for achievements.

Don’t let them adult too fast

Don’t make excuses for your children

It may be hard to watch them flounder and flail through life experiences, but accountability is a building block toward behaving like an adult. “Let children get out of their own messes, unless they are in real danger,” says parenting and relationship expert Thomas Gagliano, author of The Problem Was Me and his newest title, Don’t Put Your Crap in Your Kid’s Diaper: The Clean Up Cost Can Last a Lifetime. “Don’t call into school if their excuse for not going to school is a lie. Let them call in for themselves. Let them face life on life’s terms.

No bailouts. Always be there to talk to them or guide and support them, but let them be responsible for their own actions.”

Consider a more limited life menu

Providing children with too many choices can open them to life’s possibilities but can also be overwhelming. Opening all of life’s doors for them can also present a false sense of reality about what the real world is like when they get there. “Having many choices is a double edged sword,” Dr. Mendez-Baldwin says. “While it creates many opportunities for children, it also requires decision making and problem solving. Children who do not have a healthy sense of self-esteem, children who are insecure, and children who do not have a trusted adult to talk to will have trouble making the right choices.”

Give them age-appropriate freedom

their age and their personality. “A 5-year-old may have freedom to choose a Halloween costume or choose between two snacks to pack in their lunch box but cannot choose their bed time,” Dr. Mendez-Baldwin says. “Keep in mind that children develop at slightly different rates. For example, two 16-year-olds many not be able to handle the same amount of freedom.” She points out that appropriate levels of freedom will allow children to make decisions and start to gain confidence in their decision-making process while still having you around to support and guide them in areas where parental assistance is still required. “If parents control too much of a child’s life, children tend to rebel and often will make poor decisions because they have had no practice in this important life skill.”

The amount of freedom given to a child must be a good fit between

On the flip side of kids struggling to grow up are those who try to fast track to adulthood. They also need a little help. “Children who are inherently more responsible may try to take on roles of taking care of everything for various people in their lives,” Dr. Blanchard says. “These children may feel the pressure to do “the right” thing all the time. While this is a good character trait, it can sometimes lead to children being taken advantage of by peers or having trouble saying no.” She says to especially teach tweens and adolescents that sometimes saying no is actually the right thing to do and that being responsible is not about always trying to make everyone happy.

Be patient

Give kids space to find their way on their own time. “Not every child will be able to accept independence and responsibility in the exact time frame you would like,” Dr. Blanchard says. “Some children will take longer to be able to do chores that other children in their age group can do. Try not to compare your child to their peers or scold them if they really can’t do something. Praise them when they are doing a good job and praise the process of trying as well.”

Laurie Sue Brockway is a journalist and author who has written extensively on love, romance, marriage, parenting, well-being, and emotional health. Her work has appeared in hundreds of print and online publications, including Woman’s Day, Everyday Health, and The Huffington Post.

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WestchesterParent 23

Why Camp Is Great

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Kids share why they love summer camp. By Lisa Fogarty

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sk parents about the benefits of a children’s summer camp program and you can pretty much guarantee that those who have either attended camp themselves or whose children return to the same camp each year will wax poetic about the experience. Those of us whose knowledge of camp stems only from sentimental movies may question the value of bunking together in cabins or jumping into murky lakes on frigid mornings. But even skeptics find it difficult to ignore the allure of providing children with the kind of independence that has become increasingly rare in a world of helicopter parenting.

And it certainly doesn’t hurt that research is on the side of camps. In an article for Psychology Today, Michael Ungar, Ph.D., co-director of The Resilience Research Centre, spoke to 300 camp directors and concluded that camp can help make children more resilient and strengthen their coping strategies. Another study performed at Clemson University found camp experiences push children’s boundaries in a positive way, build self-confidence, and have a lasting and measurable impact on children, thanks to skillbuilding and decision-making exercises.

Clearly, more and more adults are hip to the benefits of sleepaway and day camps. But what do kids really think about their camp experiences?

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

At the end of the day, most parents who send their children to camp want to be sure they are investing in their futures—because learning, fostering social connections, and growing as individuals shouldn’t be put on hold simply because the academic year has wrapped up. The proof that camps are helping to expand our kids’ minds and horizons is evident in the lasting memories and lessons children take from camp and carry with them into adulthood.

We spoke with kids and teens who say camp isn’t just a place— it’s a second home and an experience that doles out important life lessons they continue to use long after their camp’s closing ceremonies. In their own words, here’s what they had to say about why they feel camp is beneficial.

“I attended Silver Lake Camp in New York. My favorite thing about camp was playing Color War [a competition in which teams are divided into various colors and each team competes against the others in challenges and events to earn points and rewards]. I liked it a lot because Color War is something you can only do at camp.

It made it feel special.” —Emma R., 14, Long Island “I split my summer vacation between two camps: Felix Neck and the Y camp, both on Martha’s Vineyard [Felix Neck is run by the

Massachusetts Audubon Society, and the YMCA runs the Y camp].

I enjoy catching and observing creatures at Felix Neck, and I love swimming at the Y with my friends. Most of all, I am happy to have time to play outdoors with my summer friends. I even ride on the 4th of July float with fellow Felix Neck campers!” —Abigail, 7½, Massachusetts.

“I attended Brown Ledge Camp in Colchester, VT. My camp experience was unlike any I had ever had before. With all the different activities to choose from, it’s practically impossible to be bored. The thing I enjoyed the most was meeting girls from all over the world. This past year there were campers and counselors from 18 different countries, so now I can say I have friends from almost every continent. There is a real sense of community at my camp and a huge emphasis is put on the freedom to choose.

There is only a single activity that is scheduled and that is riding.

My first year at camp I learned how to become more selfsufficient and I developed good leadership skills that I use every day. Every activity at camp comes with the ability to learn more and more. I gravitated toward riflery—something I never would have thought of doing back home—and I immediately took to it. I still do it now and I even compete. Camp has given me so many opportunities and I wouldn’t trade my camp experience for anything.” —Rebecca P., 17, New Jersey “I loved being with my friends all day, and I loved being outside a lot. I attended a theater camp and it inspired me to join my school’s drama club this year. At camp, we put on several small skits at the end of each week and a larger production once a month. We learned some blocking, how to project our voices without screaming, set design, set direction, and we did acting exercises like improv, breathing techniques, becoming different characters, and changing emotions.” — Sydney C., 13, Brooklyn, who attended Our Lady of Angels’ Brooklyn Sports and Theatre Camp in Bay Ridge

kids in those villages. We had a little help, but we were mostly left entirely in charge of setting up those camps. The experience gave us a lot of independence and that independence allowed us to gain a much stronger connection to the community. It wasn’t like we were getting to know the villagers through a third party—it was just us getting to know them. Now, as a college student, I try to travel as much as possible because I learned from that age onward that the best opportunities come from traveling and meeting people.” — Seamus, 20, New Hampshire “I go to Silver Lake Camp in New York. Everything about the experience is so much fun. But my favorite thing of all is when we have shampoo wars!” —Sabrina R., 11, Long Island “I really love summer camp because you get to meet so many new people, especially the people in your cabin. Also, you can try lots of new activities you may have never had the chance to. Last year at camp, I learned how to windsurf, play the guitar, and canoe, which were all super fun. Camp is an awesome way to find good activities and great friends! I admit, I was nervous to go to a summer camp away from home, but I had so much fun that I didn’t get homesick. On our last night at camp, all of the cabins staying for one week gathered around a campfire in the woods.

We sang songs, made s’mores, and watched as the counselors played funny skits. I had so much fun there! I went to Camp Foley in Minnesota.” —Reese D., 12, Minneapolis, MN Lisa Fogarty is a freelance writer based in New York whose work has appeared in Redbook, Men’s Health, Racked, and other publications. She lives with her husband and two children.

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“I went to camp for the first time this summer at Allen Park in Farmingdale, Long Island. Every day the camp counselors set up new things for us to do so we never got bored. I loved getting to put on a big dance and show at the end of the summer because we got to practice our dance and work together to make up a cheer.

I liked that we made it up ourselves with only a little bit of help.

Carnival day was also amazing—the park was set up so that different spots were different holidays. It was so much fun getting to make snowmen crafts in the summer!” —Kiera F., 5, Long Island, who attended the Town of Oyster Bay Summer Recreation Program “I went to Windsor Mountain International in New Hampshire from seventh grade until junior year of high school. The camp is known for hosting a large number of campers who come from all over the world. Having camp friends is a very unique experience because you find people are really different at camp than they are in the actual world. I was a nerdy kid who played Dungeons & Dragons and I had no idea I’d meet these kids from New Jersey who wanted to play these nerdy games with me. The social boundaries we develop in our real lives are gone at camp. After a few years [at Windsor Mountain], they offer a lot of different programs once you get into high school for traveling outside of the United States. After I was a camper for a couple of years, I became a Leader in Training and helped with certain classes. I also had a group of campers I worked with and tried to mentor. A year after that, I became a Leader in Action. All of the leaders took a trip to St. Vincent in the Caribbean, where we traveled to different villages on the island and set up a camp for the WestchesterParent 25

camp GUIDE 2017 DAY CAMPS

Alcott Montessori School

535 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry 914-693-4443 27 Crane Road, Scarsdale 914-472-4404 46 Fox Meadow Road, Scarsdale 914-595-7551 alcottschool.org Alcott School’s Summer Fun program offers a variety of schedules for children ages 2-5.

The program is designed to be an enjoyable summer experience for the child attending for the first time or for the experienced preschooler. Weekly themes are incorporated into outdoor play, science and nature exploration, water play in sprinklers and water tables, open-ended art, tricycle riding, and group games. The multicultural program is enriched by early childhood music and nature specialists and staffed with experienced head teachers, assistants, and summer counselors.

Visit us at alcottschool.org.

Breezemont Day Camp

Gordon A Josey, owner and director 62 Cox Ave., Armonk 914-367-1936 breezemontdaycamp.com matt@breezemont.com Located on an expansive 18-acre property in Armonk, Breezemont is nestled in its natural surroundings. Our campus maintains large green fields, towering trees, and a beautiful lake, which is a unique feature for a day camp.

Complete with state-of-the-art facilities, Breezemont preserves the appearance of an overnight camp, while implementing a creatively robust day camp schedule. Heated swimming pools and towel service provided. Hot lunch served daily.

Pre- and post-camp child care available. Snacks provided as well as door-to-door transportation.

Ages 3-13.

Camp Nabby

1 Nabby Hill, Mohegan Lake 914-528-7796 campnabby.com

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Established in 1940, Camp Nabby is a traditional eight-week summer day camp for children ages 3½13. The mission at Camp Nabby is to educate and inspire young people and their families to choose healthy, playful lives. Located on 17 beautiful acres in Mohegan Lake, our camp features three tennis courts, three swimming pools, five ball fields, three soccer fields, three basketball courts, two dodgeball courts, gaga ball, gymnastics, floor hockey, hiking trail, nature center, rock climbing, art, and music.

Camp Ramaquois

30 Mountain Road, Pomona 845-354-1600 ramaquois.com Camp Ramaquois is “a day camp as complete as sleepaway camp,” situated on 44 acres in Rockland County. From adventurous activities to creative arts and athletic activities, boys and girls ages 3-15 experience a traditional day camp program filled with a variety of stimulating activities. Facilities include a 5-acre crystalline lake; nine heated swimming pools; a splash park; tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts; hockey rinks; ball fields and soccer fields; a petting zoo; and special events.

Many air-conditioned buildings.

Visit us on our website or call for a personal tour.

Challenge Camp

Schechter Westchester, 555 W. Hartsdale Ave., Hartsdale 914-779-6024 challengecamps.com info@challengecamps.com Open the door to a delightful and meaningful summer of fun and learning for your bright, curious child! Challenge Camp is celebrating its 37th year of offering summer enrichment learning opportunities for bright, curious children ages 4-15. More than 100 courses ranging from 3-D printing, architecture, coding, cooking, and drones to magic, Minecraft, robotics, and many options in between. Including sports, swimming, and fencing!

February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

An ACA-accredited day camp— join us at our picturesque new location in Hartsdale. Bus transportation and early or extended day options. For more information, call 914-779-6024 or visit challengecamps.com.

Concordia Summer Camp

171 White Plains Road, Bronxville 914-395-4848 concordiadaycamp.org Concordia Summer Camp offers a variety of programs for campers of all ages. Our Early Childhood Program, for ages 3-5, offers art, music, science, literature, and outdoor play. Our Enrichment Program for first-ninth grades offers classes in oil painting, science, Lego Spybotics, cooking, and computers. The Concordia Conservatory and OSilas Art Studio offer classes in music and art.

If your interest is sports, we offer programs for both early childhood and first-ninth grades.

Deer Mountain Day Camp

63 Call Hollow Road, Pomona 845-354-2727 deermountaindaycamp.com info@deermountaindaycamp.com Explore talents. Unlock creativity.

Learn new skills. Find passions.

Make true friends. Shine as you!

Our story began in 1956, when the Katz family founded the camp, a legacy continued today by second-generation owners and directors, Roberta and Carol Katz. Under our insightful watch, campers (ages 3-15) open up as themselves and have a blast as they enjoy a sleepaway camp’s range of activities, facilities, and staff in a day camp setting. Activities include swimming, sports, fine and performing arts, outdoor adventure, nature, waterfront, discovery, science, and special events.

Easter Seals New York Project Explore, Project Imagine, and Project Inspire

70 Columbus Ave., Valhalla 914-328-1578 eastersealsny.org We serve children with and without disabilities in inclusive,

integrated, small classrooms. We offer high-quality full- and parttime programs, school year and year-round, for children ages 18 months to 5 years, from 8:30am2:30pm. Before- and after-school care, vacation clubs during school breaks, and summer camp are available options. We follow the Creative Curriculum™ that is aligned with the NYS Common Core Learning Standards. We have special classes in art, music, and science, including interactive SMART Board activities. Our master teachers are New York state-certified in early childhood and special education. NAEYC accredited.

Gate Hill Day Camp

750 Gate Hill Road, Stony Point 845-947-3223 gatehilldaycamp.com Unconditionally welcoming since 1951. Gate Hill is a place where you matter most. Campers receive individual attention, and parents are kept involved with personal conversations by phone and email.

A first rate, 33-acre facility; a thoughtful, varied program; and an infectious culture of nurturing improvement makes Gate Hill the ultimate day camp experience.

Highlights include a proven learn to swim program, door-to-door “Camp on Wheels” transportation fun, and unique programs for STEAM, teens, and early childhood campers. Book a tour online today!

The Goddard School®

1 Jackson Ave., Hastings-on-Hudson 914-478-1390 goddardschool.com At The Goddard School®, summer is full of fun and learning! Energetic teams of teachers plan developmentally appropriate activities to instill a lifelong love of learning. Children are exposed to exciting learning opportunities in a safe and secure environment. Children march in playground parades, learn about creepy crawlies, send letters to pen pals, and enjoy splish-splash days. To discover how Goddard

can make this summer your child’s best learning experience yet, visit goddardschool.com.

Hudson Country Montessori School

340 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle 914-636-6202 hudsoncountry.org Programs for campers ages 18 months to 12 years are offered.

The summer 2017 season is June 26-Aug. 18, from 9am-4pm.

The program features a full range of recreational activities, special events and trips, swim instruction, sports, and a splash-and-slide zone. Hudson has extended hours options for campers ages 18 months to 12 years, an optional catered lunch program, and an air-conditioned facility.

Iona College Day Camp

715 North Ave., New Rochelle iona.edu/about/iona-in-community/ summer-camp.aspx mreddington@iona.edu This summer, children ages 5-13 will enjoy exciting, fun-filled days at the Iona College Day Camp.

Our state-of-the-art athletic facilities and pristine college campus

serve as the setting for an exciting summer. Your child will experience two periods of swimming daily led by members of our Iona college swim team. Our goal is to not only teach your children how to swim but to have them excel at swimming. Other activities include sports, dance, art, and music. Contact us at mreddington@iona.edu.

Jodi’s Gym

25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 244 E. 84th St., Manhattan 212-772-7633 jodisgym.com Jodi’s Gym Camp is a morning of nonstop, action-packed fun!

Your child will run, jump, tumble, balance, stretch, sing, create, move, and groove, all under the supervision and care of our well-trained and certified staff. Come experience the joys of gymnastics, music, and art. It’s a mix your child is sure to love. Super flexible scheduling— you choose the days and weeks.

Join us in our 36th year! Offered for children ages 3-7.

Kids’ B.A.S.E. & The Little School

307 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale

914-472-5409 kbls.org The Little School Summer Enrichment Program provides a preschool experience for ages 3-4. We create a climate of learning and fun which will further the development of each child socially, physically, and creatively. We strive to help each child adjust easily, strengthen values of cooperation, and have a positive group experience. Little School children swim and receive instruction during the week at the Scarsdale Pool. In everything we do, we promote each child’s positive self-image through a variety of age-appropriate physical and creative activities.

The Milestone School

70 W. Broad St., Mount Vernon 914-667-3478 themilestoneschool.com Summer at Milestone is an eightweek program with two-week sessions, full-day from 9am-5pm or half-day from 9am-12pm, for children ages 2-8. A typical day for campers includes water play, outdoor play, arts and crafts, music, yoga, story time, cooking, and an introduction to reading through

our phonics-based program.

Children ages 4 and older enjoy outings in and around Westchester County. Biweekly themes guide a wide array of indoor and outdoor activities, which encourage and promote learning through play, exploration, and fun.

Our Montessori School of Yorktown & Carmel

P.O. Box 72, Yorktown Heights 914-962-9466 ourmontessorischool.com Our Montessori School’s Summer Camp promises to be the best yet! Campers will enjoy arts and crafts, outdoor games, water play, nature study, as well as large and small motor activities led by our own outstanding teachers—no teenage counselors here. Camp is for children ages 18 months to 6 years and runs from late June to September. You may select Yorktown or Carmel as well as weeks, days, and sessions to suit your schedule.

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CAMP MARKETPLACE

TWIN LAKES FARM "Where Westchester Learns To Ride!"

Riding Camp!

Girls & Boys Age 6 and Up Offering full- and half-day options Monday-Friday for campers Indoor and Outdoor Arenas • Daily Riding Instruction • Arts & Crafts Stable Management • Horsemanship • All In The Heart of Southern Westchester!

Contact Us: 960 California Road Bronxville, NY 10708 (914) 961-2192 • Camp@TwinLakesFarm.com • www.TwinLakesFarm.com A Facility of the County of Westchester Department of Parks and Recreation

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Squire Camps Inc. at Maria Regina High School, Hartsdale

914-328-3798 squirecamps.com squirecamps@gmail.com Celebrating our 44th year! Matt Davanzo operates Squire Advantage Camps, a distinctive camp for children in kindergarten-ninth grades at the Maria Regina High School in Hartsdale. Campers design their own custom schedules from more than 50 exciting activities including robotics, art, cooking, swimming, computers, photography, Legos, and sports.

All courses are taught by certified teachers in air-conditioned classrooms. Squire also operates an All-Sports and Tennis Academy at Maria Regina High School.

Hot lunch, T-shirt, and early drop-off included. Transportation; extended day; and three-, four-, or seven-week sessions available. June 26-Aug. 11. Contact us now for the best summer ever!

Temple Israel Center Nursery School

280 Old Mamaroneck Road, White Plains 914-948-2800 x126 templeisraelcenter.org Temple Israel Center Nursery School offers summer fun for young children in a warm and nurturing environment rich with Jewish culture and traditions.

Join us for a spectacular, developmentally appropriate summer for children ages 2-5. Children participate in group games, sports, music, outdoor water play, art, dance, movement, cooking, and nature. We have special themed weeks and weekly Shabbat celebrations. Early drop-off and lunch options available. The camp runs from June 19-Aug. 3.

The Nurtury

1144 North Ave., New Rochelle 914-632-6200 Nurtury at Flandreau: 130 Flandreau Drive New Rochelle 914-632-6200 thenurtury-montessori.com info@thenurtury-montessori.com Unlike any other Montessori School Program The Nurtury is a full-year program. The Nurtury’s summer months are a wonderful continuation of the child’s year.

Continuity leads us to success.

Our children start their day with a Montessori morning filled with

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academics, which encourage all five academic areas. Then we splash into each afternoon with water play, science exploration, art appreciation, and team sports.

Come see for yourself why a fullyear program promotes each and every individual child’s needs.

Thornton-Donovan School

100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle 914-632-8836 td.edu Founded in 1969, the Summer Challenge has been a source of joy, entertainment, enlightenment, and playful fun for boys and girls ages 3½-14. Stop by and see our sports field, basketball court, and new playground! Door-todoor transportation and lunch are included. With an instructional pool on-site, swim instruction and recreational swim are major components of the program.

Westchester Reform Temple Early Childhood Center

225 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale 914-723-5493 wrtemple.org sue.tolchin@wrtemple.org Westchester Reform Temple’s “Summer Play Place” offers young children a unique summer experience. Our professional staff provides arts and crafts, water play, stories, games, athletics, a special activity room, and snacks within a nurturing and loving environment. The program is enhanced by specialists in music, movement, and nature, with an exciting theme each week. Camp runs seven weeks, Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm, for children entering the 3s and 9am-2pm for children entering the 4s in September.

Children bring lunch for the 3s and 4s. Classes available for children entering the 2s in September.

YMCA Central and Northern Westchester Family of Camps

914-949-8030 ymca-cnw.org whiteplains.ymca-cnw.org Whether your child is a nature enthusiast, an aspiring chef, or an athlete, we’ve got the camp for you! With locations at the White Plains YMCA Camp Combe, and our Community Camp—both in Northern Westchester—our camps provide an environment where your child can grow and learn, and maybe one day be one

February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

of our counselors! All camps have inclusion specialists on staff. Swimming lessons, field trips, STEM, art, and zip lining! The Y turns nobody away for financial need—we are here for our community!

OUTINGS Sportime USA

380 Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford 914-592-2111 x2 sportimeusa.com Come to Sportime USA, where the sun always shines! Sportime USA is the ideal place for your next camp trip. Fully air-conditioned with a restaurant on premises. Activities for all ages include laser tag, 4-dimensional motion theater, rock-climbing wall, bumper cars, Himalaya coaster rides, more than 200 video and prize ticket games, batting cages, billiards, foam ball blaster arena, and soft play zone. Organized check-in and personalized service have made us the premier choice for camps and groups, year after year. Come out of the heat and rain and step into the fun.

SPECIALTY Artistree Performing Arts

114 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck 914-835-2200 artistreearts.com heather@artistreearts.com Artistree Performing Arts is a performing arts studio offering classes and camps for children ages newborn to 18. We strive to foster a community of performers who can build confidence and friendships in a supportive and engaging environment. Camp Artistree runs President’s week, spring break week, and all summer (June 12-Sept. 1) for ages 3 and older.

Musical Theater Intensives The Lion King (July 10-28) and Grease (July 31-Aug. 18) are available for fourth to 12th grades. Outdoor time at Harbor Island every day!

Join us for a magical summer of performing and fun! Sign up online or call.

The Children’s Jewish Education Group SUNY Purchase

SUNY Purchase 914-864-1267 cjeg.org Do you want a Jewish education for your child without joining a

synagogue? CJEG is a community-based school that emphasizes Jewish cultural studies, including Jewish tradition, history, and holidays, for children in kindergarten through seventh grade. We offer a professional teaching staff supported by a parent co-op administration. Private or group bar and bat mitzvah lessons are also available.

Classes are held Sunday mornings at the SUNY Purchase campus.

For more information, please visit our website, cjeg.org, or call 914200-1520.

Dance Cavise Studios

273 Halstead Ave., Mamaroneck 914-381-5222 dancecavise.com joe@dancecavise.com jamie@dancecavise.com fancyd@optonline.net Camp Cavise at Dance Cavise is an eight-week comprehensive performing arts day program for the child who loves to be on stage.

Running June 26-Aug. 17, campers, kindergarten-eighth grade, will study all forms of dance as well as vocal and acting technique, set and costume design, choreography, and script writing. In addition, campers will participate in games, auditions, and rehearsals. Each session culminates in an original production. Field trips to Broadway include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Come for a week, a session, or all summer!

Camp Clio

Held at Camp Claire, Lyme, CT 212-472-5207 campclio.org Camp Clio, a seriously fun place for adopted children ages 9-17, offers its fifth summer of “old-fashioned” camp fun. Campers share a cabin with other adopted boys and girls and teenage counselors—all of whom were adopted—who serve as role models. Each week a picnic lunch adoption discussion is led

by Spence-Chapin social workers providing a relaxed atmosphere to explore adoption feelings and experiences in a fun, safe, and non-judgmental environment. Campers may attend one, two, or three sessions— sleepaway or all-day. June 25-July 22. Scholarships available.

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

Multiple locations in Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties

888-909-2822 destinationscience.org info@destinationscience.org Hey Kids! Build a robot, create a Mars Rover, explore the science behind roller coasters, solve a mystery, build and demolish mechanical contraptions, design a Mars colony, and discover in our mad chemistry lab. DS kids experience “Aha!” moments of understanding, creativity, and curiosity while engineering, building, experimenting, and playing with astonishing gadgets and fantastic gizmos. Our top notch, enthusiastic educators and leaders make STEM learning an adventure! 2017 Topics: Robotic Mystery Camp, Crazy Contraption and Demolition Camp, Coaster Science and Mad Chemistry Camp, Journey Into Space, and Movie Making Camp!

Special offer: Enroll in February and save $70 a week!

Dicker Reading Center of Westchester

75 Brook St., Scarsdale 914-472-0600 dickerreading.com Our ongoing and summer revolutionary reading program will teach any child to read, even children diagnosed with a learning disability, dyslexia, ADD, or ADHD. Whether your child is reading above, below, or at grade level, they will accomplish three to six years of reading achievement in just one year. Parents will see immediate improvement in reading achievement, comprehension, and vocabulary development. More than 10,000 children from preschool to 12th grade have accomplished these remarkable results. Your child’s grades, confidence, and self-esteem will soar as he or she learns to love reading and school.

Fin 2 Swim

858-539-3209 fin2swim.com info@fin2swim.com Can your child “really” swim?

Has she had lessons for several summers but still won’t put her head under water? Does he run and jump in without knowing how to save himself? Let us help you! One-on-one private lessons will have your child swimming independently from one side of the pool to the other in approximately six weeks. Don’t miss this limited opportunity! Lessons are held in Bergen, Rockland,

and Westchester counties, from mid-June through July, and in the Hamptons in August. Call now to reserve your time slot.

French-American School of New York (FASNY)

French Summer Camps 914-413-3665 Nursery to Fifth Grade Day Camp: Larchmont Campus, 111 Larchmont Ave., Larchmont Fifth-Eighth Grade Sleepaway Camp: Catskills fasny.org/camps camps@fasny.org FASNY offers two programs: 1.

A unique day camp experience for children ages 3-11 from June 26-July 21. This French immersion camp offers fun activities in French, including a specialized language class everyday, sports, music, cooking, STEM, arts and crafts, and water games. There are field trips and special events once a week!

2. A sleepaway camp for students in fifth-eighth grades from June 22-30 offers the perfect opportunity for your child to be immersed in the language with peers while having summer outdoor fun!

Future Stars Summer Camps Purchase College

Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase 914-273-8500 fscamps.com Weekly day sessions for ages 4-16, June 19-Aug. 25 at state-ofthe-art facilities in the heart of Westchester. Our staff and limited enrollment allow each camper the opportunity to maximize their skill development. Campers can choose and combine weeks from 19 individualized specialty programs: Tennis, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Football, Multi-Sports, Field Hockey, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Circus Arts, Magic, Softball, Diving, Horseback Riding, Swim, Academic, STEAM Education, and Rising Stars (our youngest campers). Supervised swimming is included, as is instructional swim for Rising Stars. Lunch option and door-to-door transportation from most of Westchester available.

boys and girls ages 4-12, including beginner through advanced gymnastics, sports performance, tennis, arts and crafts, trips, games, and special themed days.

We have a low student-to-teacher ratio, campers are grouped by age, and our facility is fully air-conditioned. Full-, half-, and extended-days are available. Our program enriches development by providing attitudes and skills that carry over to many of life’s activities. Our goal is to provide a safe, fun, and fit camp experience.

Hoff-Barthelson Music School

25 School Lane, Scarsdale 914-723-1169 hbms.org hb@hbms.org Hoff-Barthelson Music School has provided the ideal setting for a stimulating, challenging, and enjoyable summer for more than 40 years! The exceptional faculty, boasting some of the top performers and music educators in the country, provide a quality summer experience of music, arts and crafts, and musical theater for second through 10th graders. The curriculum includes instrumental classes,

chamber music, a variety of ensembles, visual arts, and musical theater workshops. Students at all levels of advancement receive instruction in a program individually tailored to their needs and interests.

House of Sports Westchester

1 Elm St., Ardsley 914-479-5419 houseofsportsny.com The House of Sports is your onestop shopping for weekly sports camps this summer! From ages 3 through high school, the House of Sports offers programming for children of all ages and ability levels. For younger campers we offer a multi-sport camp that incorporates both learning and playing a variety of sports each day. For third grade and older we offer sport specific camps in lacrosse, basketball, soccer, and baseball. All camps take place in our 100,000-square-foot, climate-controlled facility in Ardsley, and are staffed by professional coaches and instructors.

Kids Cookery

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CAMP MARKETPLACE

Gymcats Gymnastics Summer Camp

1 Odell Plaza, Yonkers 914-965-7676 gymcats.net GymCats Summer Camp program offers quality instruction for

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kidscookery@yahoo.com Traditional Cooking Camp: The children will prepare, cook, and enjoy a variety of foods and desserts. During this week, the children will prepare breakfast, lunch, appetizers, dinner, and dessert! Each day is a different theme and our menu is filled with delicious recipes. Cooking around the World: The children will go on a tasty tour of nations far and wide. They will prepare summer rolls using rice paper, Mexican flatbread pizza, and breakfast crepes. They will explore foods and desserts while learning cultural facts. Find more information and register online.

LinguaKids®, L.L.C.

2005 Palmer Ave., Larchmont 914-525-0328 linguakids.com LinguaKids® offers French and Spanish classes for children starting at 6 months old. LinguaKids®’ teachers are all friendly, energetic, native speakers who completely immerse the children in language and culture. Children are engaged in a multi-sensory approach, combining songs, movement, arts and crafts, games, storytelling, and role-playing to make learning fun and enjoyable.

Camp classes are available starting the last week of June.

The Little Gym

777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-799-1225 tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side, Manhattan 212-787-1124 tlguppereastsideny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444 tlgwaldwicknj.com Since 1977, The Little Gym has been promoting the healthy and successful physical and mental development of children. Its “Anytime Summertime Kids Fun” includes parent-and-child classes (ages 4 months to 3 years), preschool and kindergarten classes (ages 3-6), and grade-school gymnastics (non-competitive only!) for beginner, intermediate,

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or advanced gymnasts. The Little Gym also offers its world-renowned “Anytime Summertime Kids Fun” camp for children ages 3-9 years, with flexible scheduling to work around your summer plans. Its unique theme-based curriculum takes children on weekly adventures. Half-day and full-day sessions available.

Music Conservatory of Westchester

216 Central Ave., White Plains 914-761-3900 musicconservatory.org Join us for Summer Music and Arts at the Music Conservatory.

We offer instrumental instruction, singing, songwriting, musical theater, improvisation, dance, games, and arts and crafts. Choose all or some of our four exciting sessions: June 26-July 7; July 10-July 21; July 24-Aug. 4; Aug. 7-Aug. 18.

It’s never too early to think about summer! For students in kindergarten-sixth grade.

Pine Brook Fitness

130 Rhodes St., New Rochelle 914-636-1019 pinebrookfitness.com Join us for our amazing rock-climbing or tennis camps!

We offer summer camps as well as holiday vacation camps during the school year. Campers are grouped according to age and skill level to maximize their potential. Your kids will have an amazing time scaling the walls or playing tennis while getting in great shape. Tennis and rock climbing are great sports for developing strategy, concentration, and focusing skills. Give your kids a summer to remember and sign up for one, two, or all of our weekly sessions today!

The Play Group Theatre

1 N. Broadway, Suite 111, White Plains 914-946-4433 playgroup.org info@playgroup.org At The Play Group Theatre®, we challenge the imagination, nurture the creative soul, and inspire children and teens to reach for what they might have thought impossible. We offer professional-quality training in a one-of-a-kind family atmosphere in the spring, summer, and fall.

With seven different programs, Summer Theatre is designed for young actors with every level of

February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

experience, ages 4-17. Our conservatory-style camp is located in its own air-conditioned performing arts complex, which includes two theaters, rehearsal studios, and scenic and costume shops.

Register now: 914-946-4433, playgroup.org.

PlayLand Ice Casino

100 Playland Parkway, Rye 914-481-5941 playlandice.com Kids and families love PlayLand Ice in Rye. Operating year-round, PlayLand Ice offers learn-to-skate and learn-to-play hockey classes, public ice-skating, figure skating, clinics, and camps for all ages and abilities. Birthday parties are always a huge hit at PlayLand Ice and feature private rooms, private ice, party helper, dance and black lights, and music. Visit us online for more information.

The Pre-School Dicker Reading Center of Westchester

75 Brook St., Scarsdale 914-472-0600 mommyicanread.com Your child, age 3-5, will learn 15-30 words in his first session.

He will learn to read his first book fluently. Every two months, your preschooler or kindergartner will achieve one year of reading enrichment. Her self-esteem will soar as she develops a love for reading and school. It’s easy, fun, and life’s most exciting game.

Purchase College Aquatics

Christine Klint, director 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase 914-251-6546 purchasecollegeathletics.com/ sports/2011/6/14/ GEN_0614112216.aspx christine.klint@purchase.edu Held in our sparkling six-lane pool, the Purchase College aquatics program runs year-round and features children’s group lessons, parent and child classes, and specialty programs including adult lessons, lifeguarding, SCUBA certification, springboard diving, and private and semi-private lessons.

All lessons are taught by certified American Red Cross instructors. Our summer session offers two-week intensives, morning or afternoon classes, as well as private lessons. Adult classes are offered on Tuesday evenings. Sessions run mid-June through mid-August.

Register now!

SPORTIME Camps - Westchester

SPORTIME Lake Isle 660 White Plains Road Lake Isle Country Club Tennis Courts, Eastchester 914-777-5151 sportimecamps.com/lisle campslisle@sportimeny.com SPORTIME Harbor Island Tennis Courts in Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck 914-777-5050 sportimecamps.com/lisle campslisle@sportimeny.com SPORTIME’s tennis for kids under 10, Tennis & Sport, and high level EXCEL and John McEnroe Tennis Academy Training Camps are designed for youngsters who want to focus their camp days on playing and learning tennis.

Campers will be taught proper tennis technique and strategies while participating in competitive drills, games, and match play.

Camp days also include field sports, special events and swimming at Harbor Island’s beautiful beach and spray park, and access to the Lake Isle Country Club pool. Visit us online at sportimecamps.com/hi or sportimecamps.com/lisle to find out more!

Studio B Dance Center

277 White Plains Road (entrance on Prospect Avenue), Eastchester 914-793-2799 studiobdance.com Daily and weekly camps available June 26-Aug. 25. Ages 3-12 can pick and choose individual days or weeks to come dance, play, and create! Learn different dance styles, dive into amazing art projects, and interact with peers.

Saturday and weekday summer classes are available as well. The beautiful new facility features oneway viewing windows into all three spacious studios, two comfortable waiting rooms, and convenient sibling classes, which allow parents to enjoy watching two or more siblings dance at the same time.

For ages 2 and older.

Sylvan Learning Centers Westchester

Sylvan Learning Center of Bronxville 850 Bronx River Road, Bronxville 914-237-4396 sylvanlearning.com/bronxville bronxville.ny@sylvanlearning.com Sylvan Learning Center of White Plains 180 S. Broadway, White Plains 914-948-4116 sylvanlearning.com/whiteplains

sylvan4202@msn.com sylvanlearning.com/bronxville Avoid summer learning loss at Sylvan! Summer academic camps, STEM classes, and personal tutoring programs will boost your child’s confidence and enhance academic skills. Keep your child’s mind growing over the summer with Reading, Math, Writing, or Study Skills camps, plus STEM classes in Robotics and Coding. Summer programs are offered for students entering kindergarten-ninth grades.

Space is limited. Sylvan Learning Centers are conveniently located in Bronxville and White Plains.

Call Sylvan today for details and to reserve your space. Bronxville: 914-237-4396; White Plains: 914-948-4116.

Twin Lakes Farm

960 California Road, Bronxville 914-961-2192 twinlakesfarm.com camp@twinlakesfarm.com Summers are filled with riding lessons, horsemanship, mounted games, camp Olympics, paint the pony, scavenger hunt, and games and activities! Offering full- and half-day options Monday-Friday for campers. The facility includes an indoor ring, two outdoor arenas, a classroom for rainy day activities, and a grass field for games. Some previous riding experience is required with limited space available for first time riders.

Students not currently riding at Twin Lakes Farm should schedule an evaluation lessons or join us prior to the start of camp to develop the necessary skills.

Westchester County Parks Sports Camps and Programs

914-231-4673 westchestergov.com/parks Whether your youngster is a nature enthusiast, an aspiring musician, or a sports hound, Westchester County Parks’ popular summer camps offer something for kids of all ages and interests.

Boys and girls can develop their skills in baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, or volleyball or learn about their natural environment or favorite musical instrument.

Sessions begin in late June or early July. Complete information on hours and session dates, along with brochures and applications, can be found at westchestergov. com/parks or call 914-231-4500.

Westchester Skating Academy (WSA) Summer Camp

91 Fairview Park Drive (Route 9A), Elmsford 914-347-8232; skatewsa.com Weekly camps for all ages and abilities. Mini Camp, designed for preschool through age 8, includes two daily skating lessons, plus nature, science, magic, soccer, and crafts from June 12-30 and Aug. 14-Sept. 1. Figure Skating Camp runs for 11 weeks beginning June 19, with Olympic coaches.

Hockey Camp runs for nine weeks beginning July 3 and offers excellent player development.

CAMP MARKETPLACE

!

Join us for the

BEST SUMMER EVER

at the White Plains YMCA

The Windward School Summer Program

40 W. Red Oak Lane, White Plains 914-949-6968 x1250 Christopher Q. Eberhard, director of the Summer Program ceberhard@thewindwardschool.org Christine Teahan, co-director cteahan@thewindwardschool.org thewindwardschool.org, select summer program from the menu The Windward School Summer Program is designed for children entering third-ninth grades desiring to improve their skills in reading, writing, study and organizational skills, math, and science. Classes are taught by Windward instructors trained, via the renowned Windward Teacher Training Institute, in the school’s research-validated multi-sensory methods of instruction. In addition to academics, the Summer Program also offers students social opportunities via sports, art, drama, or computer activities. The summer program offers public and private school mainstream students an opportunity to learn from a multisensory, direct instruction model.

CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW! CAMP STARTS JUNE 26TH 8:00am - 4:00pm $385/week Extended (Additional Cost) 4:00pm - 6:30pm $85/week

REGISTER BEFORE MAY 15TH FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING! (Contact the Y for info)

Some of the exciting activities we will provide: STEM (Science Program), Art, Cooking, Sports (Soccer, Basketball and More), & Instructional Swimming *SPACES ARE LIMITED*

Young At Art Workshop Inc.

1088 Central Ave., Scarsdale 914-723-9229 Nurturing creativity without boundaries for more than 35 years.

We offer art classes for children ages 2-18. A unique summer camp experience where each child brings home a personalized piece of art that can be displayed and, in many cases, is also an interactive toy they will enjoy for years. Anticipated weekly summer schedule will include a Mini-Camp for ages 3-5, Yoga Art for ages 3-5, Art and Science Camp for ages 3-5, and Art Camp for firstsixth grades. Maximum enrollment for camps is 12 children, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 6-to-1.

The Family YMCA, with all inclusive memberships!

Plus... swimming lessons & summer camp whiteplains.ymca-cnw.org | 914.949.8030 WestchesterParent 31

OUTINGS: Rye Nature Center

nymetroparents.com/outings

An Immersive Nature Experience in Rye 1

Courtesy Rye Nature Center

Explore and learn about the wilderness year-round at Rye Nature Center, New York’s environmental conservation organization. ›› By Melissa A. Kay 3

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1 As the temperature dips, Nanderwhere Pond is still as serene as ever. 2 Fresh greenery and lush landscaping make the garden a sight to see. 3 The observation hive allows visitors to see honeybees hard at work. 4 Rye Nature Center is set on 47 acres of forest and trails so families can walk in the wilderness and take in the natural surroundings. 5 Ecology students enjoy winter activities.

R

ye Nature Center protects natural resources and promotes environmental education and stewardship within its urban forest, wildlife sanctuary, and surrounding community.

The independent, nonprofit organization offers exciting programs for kids and adults of all ages and abilities.

Year-Round Fun

There’s so much to explore at Rye Nature Center. See honeybees in action by viewing the traditional and observational hives.

Nature’s Playground features natural elements, such as tree stumps. And there’s also a new Con Edison STEM Challenge Course.

Nanderwhere Pond, one of the center’s favorite teaching sites, is full of natural beauty year-round. Families can take a hike along the surrounding trail, or any of the 47 acres of forest trails.

Explorers of all ages can go hunting for rocks and minerals at the Old Quarry.

Weekly ecology classes allow elementary school kids to get outdoors 32

February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

and learn. There are also mommy/ daddy-and-me classes, along with public programs and festivals.

Annual Events

Rye Nature Center’s summer day camp for preschool through 10th-grade students offers a hands-on approach to science and the environment.

Oktoberfest is an annual fundraiser with delicious food and fun activities.

Wilderness Encounters, an immersive outside program, challenges elementary school students to work together to explore the woodlands in the winter, spring, and fall.

The Forest Kindergarten program, also in the winter, spring, and fall, uses Swiss concepts and principles to encourage children to connect to the natural world.

Rye Nature Center offers a Preschool Ecology extended-day program, and its Forest Preschool program will be held five days a week, beginning in September 2017.

Fifty percent of class time will be outside.

February Highlights

The annual Old-Fashioned Winter’s Afternoon with a log-sawing contest, nature crafts, hiking, pony rides, candy making, archery, and more will be held Feb. 4.

Rye nature center also has vacation camps for preschool through elementary school kids with programs throughout the month in which kids can learn about winter animals, glaciers, forest ecology, and more.

On Feb. 11 and Feb. 25 see a tree being tapped, learn about the production of sap, and visit the Maple Sugar Shed to get a sneak peek at the maple sugaring process.

Details

Address: Rye Nature Center, 873 Boston Post Road, Rye Hours: Visitor Center, Museum, and Office: Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm; Grounds, trails, and playgrounds: open daily from dawn to dusk Admission: Free (membership required for special programs) For more information: ryenaturecenter.org, info@ryenaturecenter.org, or 914-967-5150

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

914-395-4848

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Ideas When You Need Them:

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

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Turn the page for details on Westchester Parents Day (No. 1 on our list).

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FEBRUARY CALENDAR

36 Editor’s Hot Tickets 38 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!,

Holiday Fun 39 Once Upon a Time,

Must-Sees in NYC WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: JAMIE MCGILLIAN calendared@davlermedia.com

40 Crafty Kids, Smarty Pants

42 Show Time!,

Animal Lovers 44 The Great Outdoors,

Mini Musicians 46 On Screen

5

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the eight 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!

1

Westchester Parents Day

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 5, 12-3pm WHERE: Crowne Plaza, 66 Hale Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: Kids can play and participate in classes while parents meet camps and exhibitors, such as birthday party venues, after-school classes, enrichment programs, health-related professionals, and other family-oriented businesses.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A fun—and productive—family day out!

WANT TO GO? $10 per family in advance; $15 per family at the door.

212-315-0800. westchesterparentsday.com.

18th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival FREE

2

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 5, 12-4:30pm; parade at 1pm WHERE: Chinatown, Parade begins on the corner of Canal and Mott streets, Chinatown, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Come and celebrate the beginning of the year of the Rooster with this famous New York parade and street festival. Every year thousands take to the streets of Chinatown and Little Italy to watch traditional Chinese New Year performances, marvel at decorations and costumes, throw confetti, and enjoy great food.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids will love the lion dancers and confetti!

WANT TO GO? 917-660-2402. betterchinatown.com.

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

3

Sha Na Na

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 17, 8-10pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: Rock ‘n’ roll, doo-wop legends Sha Na Na rose to stardom with their portrayal of Johnny Casino and the Gamblers in the movie Grease, and with four seasons of their own worldwide television series, The Sha Na Na Show. Their latest release, Greaser High School Hop, features 25 signature songs and is music for an instant high school hop dance party.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Sha Na Na knows two things for sure: Rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay and Grease is still the word!

WANT TO GO? $30-$40. 914-739-0039. paramounthudsonvalley.com.

Winter Howl

4

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 18, 5pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy visiting the wolves during their favorite hour: dusk. This time of year, wolf families are out searching for prey as their pups experience their first winter season. Bring flashlights and registration is required.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Your family will love howling alongside the wolves!

WANT TO GO? $16; $13 for children younger than 12. 914-763-2373. nywolf.org.

CAMP MARKETPLACE Get weekend activities delivered to you!

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5

Disney’s ‘Choo Choo Soul’ with Genevieve

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 19, 1pm and 4pm WHERE: Tarrytown Music Hall, 130 Main St., Tarrytown AGES: 3-5 WHAT: All aboard Disney’s Choo Choo Soul with Genevieve, the hippest of all singing train conductors. Together with DC—her beatboxing, break-dancing, railroad engineer—Genevieve brings soulful renditions of the ABCs, 1-2-3s, and all your favorite Disney songs covered with catchy beats to Tarrytown.

WHY WE LOVE IT: The dancing is incredible!

WANT TO GO? $25; $20 children. 877-840-0457. tarrytownmusichall.org.

Royal Hanneford Circus

Introducing our new Little School Pre-K Academy, a transitional 4’s program for families wanting the “gift of time”

6

WHEN: Feb. 18-20, Saturday-Monday, 10am, 2pm, and 6pm WHERE: Westchester County Center, County Center Gulf, 198 N Central Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: Each year during President’s Day weekend, thousands of families attend nine spectacular performances in three rings featuring traditional Circus Acts everyone knows and loves including clowns, high flyers, acrobats, tigers, and elephants.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Fabulous entertainment for children of all ages.

WANT TO GO? $27-$35. 914-995-4050. ticketmaster.com.

7

‘Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend’

WHEN: Feb. 16-26, Thursday-Monday, see website for times WHERE: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: See Elmo, Grover, and Cookie Monster live onstage as they welcome Chamki, Grover’s friend from India, to Sesame Street. This musical production will be a big hit with the preschool set.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Celebrate cultural similarities, from singing and dancing, to sharing cookies!

WANT TO GO? $15 and up. 866-858-0008. theateratmsg.com.

Wintertime Wonders

8

WHEN: Through March 19: Tuesday-Sunday, 1:30-5:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5:30pm WHERE: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Kids of all ages will love examining the wonders of plants and animals. Make tree rubbings and other goodies.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Activities to make your child love winter.

WANT TO GO? $30; $18 children ages 2-12. 718-817-8700. nybg.org. ››

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WestchesterParent 37

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 five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome.

Take Your Child to the Library Day: Unity Quilt Craft & a Free Book FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 4, 11am WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Stop in and do a special Unity Quilt craft. Children can get a free book to celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Family Game Night FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 23, 6-8pm WHERE: Chappaqua Library, 19 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua AGES: All WHAT: New and old games for children to play with an adult.

WANT TO GO? 914-238-4779. chappaqualibrary.org.

Games Galore FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 23, 2pm WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Feeling a little bored? Come play some board games!

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Mardi Gras Party FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 4:30pm WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Make a special Mardi Gras craft, listen to zydeco music, and enjoy some traditional Mardi Gras treats.

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

The Photographer’s Journey: A Tribute to Larry Salley FREE

WHEN: Feb. 23-March 17, daily, 12-5pm WHERE: ArtsWestchester’s Gallery, 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: In celebration of the life and contribution of Lawrence Salley, ArtsWestchester and the African American Men of Westchester are proud to present this retrospective exhibition of Larry’s photographic work. The exhibition showcases images from regional jazz performances and from Larry’s travels.

WANT TO GO? 914-428-4220. artsw.org/tributesalley.

HOLIDAY FUN Valentines for Vampires FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 4-5pm WHERE: Chappaqua Library, 19 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Make a valentine for a vampire. They have feelings, too!

WANT TO GO? 914-238-4779. chappaqualibrary.org.

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Field Library Unity Quilt FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 4pm WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Celebrate Black History Month by making a square for the Field Library Unity Quilt.

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Junior Garden Club

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 4pm WHERE: Chappaqua Library, 19 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children can make pretty, pressed flower valentines.

WANT TO GO? 914-238-4779. chappaqualibrary.org.

Valentine’s Day Craft FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 9, 4:30pm WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Make something special for that special someone in your life.

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Make a Farmers’ Market Valentine FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 11, 9am-1pm WHERE: Down to Earth, Ossining Winter Farmers’ Market, 34 S. Highland Ave., Ossining AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Pick up a paper heart from the market manager’s table. Each vendor will have a stamp or sticker you can add to your valentine to make it special, then finish it with markers and glitter glue at an art station.

WANT TO GO? 914-923-4837. downtoearthmarkets.com.

Hearts and Flowers Cookie Decorating Workshop

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 12, 12-2pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Use sanding sugars, cookie icing, and a variety of sprinkles to design your own cookies. Fill a box with your creations to show that certain someone how much you love them.

WANT TO GO? $20; $10 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection

WHEN: Through Feb. 26: Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: 5-17 WHAT: The display will appeal to all age groups thanks to the beautiful detail of the pieces.

WANT TO GO? $20; $15 seniors; $12 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children 4 and younger. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

nymetroparents.com/submitevent ››

CityBound Must-Sees in

N Y C Courtesy Better Chinatown

Submit your events to our calendar at

ONCE UPON A TIME Tales for Tails FREE

Nursery Rhyme Time FREE

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 10-10:30am WHERE: Grinton I. Will Branch, 1500 Central Park Ave., Yonkers AGES: 2 and younger, adult WHAT: Songs, nursery rhymes, fingerplays, and stories for young children. Call x306 to register.

WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500. ypl.org/grinton.

Picture Book Time FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 11-11:30am WHERE: Yonkers Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Stories, rhymes, fingerplays, and songs for children accompanied by a caregiver.

WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500. ypl.org/riverfront.

Crowds gather to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Rooster Revelry Celebrate Chinese culture and welcome the Year of the Rooster at the 18th Annual New York City Lunar New Year Parade & Festival in Chinatown. Every year thousands bundle up and head to the historic neighborhood to watch traditional Chinese New Year performances, see fantastic decorations and costumes, throw confetti, and enjoy great food. There is also a cultural festival at the end in Sara. D Roosevelt Park. Feb. 5; 12-4:30pm, parade kick-off at 1pm. The parade itself is best suited to older children due to the noise and crowds. Age: 5 and older. Begins on the corner of Hester and Mott streets, Chinatown. Suggested viewing spots are East Broadway or by Grand Street and Sara Roosevelt Park. 917-660-2402. betterchinatown.com.

Courtesy Sesame Workshop™

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 2, 6pm WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Children are invited to read to a certified Good Dog. Sign-up is required.

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Book Babies FREE

WHEN: Feb. 1-8, Wednesdays, 11am WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-5 WHAT: An interactive program for the littlest library lovers and their caregivers. Enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and play time.

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Story Crafts FREE

WHEN: Feb. 7-14, Tuesdays, 2:30pm WHERE: Chappaqua Library, 19 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Children with an adult will enjoy picture books extended through craft projects.

WANT TO GO? 914-238-4779. chappaqualibrary.org.

Interactive Story Time FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 9: See website for dates, Wednesdays, 11am WHERE: North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Road E., Armonk AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Come listen to stories, sing songs, and play games with an interactive felt board every other week.

WANT TO GO? 914-273-3887. northcastlelibrary.org. ››

Watch your favorite characters live on stage.

Your Favorite Furry Friends See Elmo, Grover, and Cookie Monster live onstage as they welcome Chamki, Grover’s friend from India, to Sesame Street.

Sesame Street Live is a fun musical production that is sure to be a big hit with the preschool set, featuring fun songs and stories that young kids can relate to, performed by their favorite characters. Feb. 16-26; see website for show times. Age: All. $15 and up. The Theater at Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, Midtown. 866-858-0008. theateratmsg.com.

WestchesterParent 39

Lego Club FREE

WHEN: Feb. 2-23, Thursdays, 4pm WHERE: Chappaqua Library, 19 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children will enjoy playing with the library’s Legos.

WANT TO GO? 914-238-4779. chappaqualibrary.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Little Makers: Bath Tub Art

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 12, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Scrub-a-dub-dub, it’s time to have fun in the tub! Kids make their own colorful crayons to make bath time fun.

WANT TO GO? $8 with museum admission: $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Kindred Totem Polls

WHEN: Feb. 18-19, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Gain inspiration from the Pacific Northwest Indians, who used fallen trees to create totem poles detailing the history of family members. Make your own interactive family totem.

WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Little Makers: Magnetic Explorations

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 19, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Investigate the powerful science of magnets by tinkering with everyday objects and exploring their magnetic fields. Use magnets in fun ways from painting to making magnetic slime.

WANT TO GO? $8 with museum admission: $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Art All Day FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 10am-4pm WHERE: Chappaqua Library, 19 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua AGES: All WHAT: The library supplies the art products, you just need to bring your imagination.

WANT TO GO? 914-238-4779. chappaqualibrary.org.

Lego My Library FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2pm WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Love to build? Kids are invited for a program of free play with a huge Lego collection.

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Block Party FREE

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 24, 2pm WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Come play with a new collection of wooden blocks.

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Drop-in Craft FREE

WHEN: Through Feb. 25: Saturdays, 11am WHERE: North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Road E., Armonk AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Stop by to do a fun craft.

WANT TO GO? 914-273-3887. northcastlelibrary.org.

Exotic Desert Dwellers

WHEN: Feb. 25-26, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Join visiting artist to observe a cactus house. Sketch these desert dwellers, then, using papier-mâché, wire, and paper, make an exotic paper plant.

WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Little Makers: Ooey Gooey Ooez

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 26, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Mix simple household ingredients to make wacky oobleck.

Discover new and exciting ways to play with this non-Newtonian fluid.

Freeze it, swirl in colors, and even make it dance!

WANT TO GO? $8 with museum admission: $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

SMARTY PANTS Gan Shabbat Family Service FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 4, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Bet Torah Synagogue, 60 Smith Ave., Mount Kisco AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Come for Gan Shabbat, a program of children’s Sabbath services for nursery school age students and families with Shabbat songs, stories, and prayers. A kid-friendly Kiddush of refreshments follows each service.

WANT TO GO? 914-666-7595. bettorah.org.

A Billion Bricks: Lego® Super Heroes in Gotham

WHEN: Feb. 1-5, Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm

CAMP MARKETPLACE

WHERE: Stamford Museum and Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT AGES: All WHAT: The team from ILUGNY will recreate a fantasy Gotham City, featuring some of the most iconic buildings in New York City.

WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 4-17; free for children younger than 4. 203-322-1646. stamfordmuseum.org.

Kids Chess Club FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7:30-8:30pm WHERE: Yonkers Public Library, Grinton I. Will Branch, 1500 Central Park Ave., Yonkers AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Make friends and play chess. Chess sets available on firstcome, first-served basis, or bring your own.

WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500. ypl.org/grinton.

Wind Tunnel Design Challenge

WHEN: Feb. 4-March 25, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Park, Rye AGES: All WHAT: Explore what makes things fly by using odd materials to create a flying object, and then experiment with it in the museum’s fantastic wind tunnel.

WANT TO GO? $7. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.

Last Days of Pangea: In the Footsteps of the Dinosaurs

WHEN: Through April 3: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT AGES: All WHAT: The exhibit features fossils and life restoration models of some of the species that thrived in the Triassic period.

WANT TO GO? $7; $6 students; free for children younger than 5 and on Tuesdays. 203-869-0376. brucemuseum.org.

Kids Short Story Connection Workshops

WHEN: Through May 3: See website for dates, 10am-12pm WHERE: Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave., Greenburgh AGES: 9-17 WHAT: An ongoing creative workshop for kids who love to write. In a round-table setting led by published authors and teachers, small groups of peers explore creativity, create new works, read works aloud, peer critique, and support each other’s growth.

WANT TO GO? See website for prices. 914-682-1574. greenburghartsandculture.org.

¡Cuba!

WHEN: Through Aug. 13: daily, 10am-5:45pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: A bilingual exhibit exploring Cuba like never before, in partnership with the Cuban National Museum of Natural History, featuring live animals and a chance to explore recreations of the island’s wetlands, as well as a typical Cuban street. Featuring live animals and interactive zones that kids will love.

WANT TO GO? $27; $17 students and seniors; $12.50 children ages 2-12. 212-769-5100. amnh.org. ››

Harvey Cavalier Camp A Summer Camp as Extraordinary as Your Child!

A day camp for Pre-K–Grade 9 with over 50 courses from fine arts, theater, ice skating, science, gymnastics, sports, technology, swimming, music, and much more!

Harvey’s 125 acre campus of open fields and woods provides a perfect setting for an extraordinary summer camp experience.

The Harvey School • 260 Jay Street, Katonah, NY 914-232-0581 • harveycavaliercamp.org

Join us at our Open Houses February 4 & March 4 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

WestchesterParent 41

Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby, and Kentucky Thunder

SHOW TIME!

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 26, 7pm WHERE: Tarrytown Music Hall, 130 Main St., Tarrytown AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Country and bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs and renowned pianist and songwriter Bruce Hornsby go back out on the road to collaborate with Skaggs’ razor-sharp band Kentucky Thunder on brandnew tunes and traditional bluegrass classics.

WANT TO GO? $48 and up. 877-840-0457. tarrytownmusichall.org.

Walnut Street Theatre: Last of the Red Hot Lovers

The Bikinis

Random Farms Kids Presents ‘Les Miserables’

ANIMAL LOVERS

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 11, 8pm WHERE: Academic Arts Theatre, Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla AGES: 13 and older WHAT: In this freshly conceived production of Neil Simon’s classic, true comedy ensues when a modern man in the hip sixties looks for something new and different, but ends up finding himself in the same situation, again and again... and again!

WANT TO GO? $24; $18 children. 914-606-6262. sunywcc.edu/ smartarts.

WHEN: Feb. 7-12, Tuesday-Saturday, 7pm; Friday, 10am; SaturdaySunday, 2pm WHERE: Tarrytown Music Hall, 130 Main St., Tarrytown AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This is an epic story about the survival of the human spirit, with music and scenes adapted for younger performers from the award-winning musical. In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment.

WANT TO GO? $18-$23. 877-840-0457. tarrytownmusichall.org.

WHEN: Feb. 2-March 19, Thursdays and Sundays, see website for times WHERE: Westchester Broadway Theater, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford AGES: All WHAT: These Jersey Girls relive their heyday in a non-stop celebration of song with more than 30 hits such as “It’s In His Kiss,” “Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” “The Twist,” “Heat Wave,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

WANT TO GO? $50 show only. 914-592-2222. broadwaytheatre.com.

Coyote Info Station

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 4, 11am-2pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Learn about the history of coyotes in New York City, see images of coyotes captured on hidden cameras, and test your coyote street smarts in a game based on Bronx coyote behavior.

WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

‘Let It Be: Celebration of the Beatles’

Coyotes in the Big Apple

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 17, 8pm WHERE: Tarrytown Music Hall, 130 Main St., Tarrytown AGES: All WHAT: Direct from London’s West End and Broadway, the international sensation Let It Be has been seen by over 2 million people worldwide and is jam-packed with more than 40 of The Beatles’ greatest hits.

WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 877-840-0457. tarrytownmusichall.org.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 4, 11am WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Find out where our local coyotes live, what they eat, and how they coexist with humans in one of the most densely populated areas of the country.

WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Blue Oyster Cult

Owls: Raptors of the Night

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 25, 8pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: Blue Oyster Cult rose from the ashes of the 1970s to become one of the nation’s all time greatest hard-rock ensembles and continues to tour, kicking out jams at every opportunity.

WANT TO GO? $25-$50. 914-739-0039. paramounthudsonvalley. com/events/blueoystercult.

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WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 5, 2pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Discover how owls adapt to life in the forest and the city with Carl Heitmuller, an environmental educator from the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. Meet a live owl from the museum’s collection and find out who’s who in your neighborhood.

WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

CAMP MARKETPLACE Ask About Our Toddler Open Gym Programs!

A walk in, non-instructional playtime for crawlers to 4 year olds

Summer Camp

Full, Half & Extended Day • Boys & Girls Ages 4½-12 Gymnastics, Sports Performance, Trips, Games & More Ask about our early bird special until 2-28-17 Gymnastics Classes

Boys & Girls • Ages 20 months & up Beginner-Advanced Cheerleading • Private Lessons

Full Moon Wolf Walk

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 10, 6pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Guests will take will take a short moonlit walk to visit the wolves and enjoy warm drinks, sugary treats, and likely the symphony of howls from the 21 wolves that call the WCC home.

Bring flashlights; registration required.

WANT TO GO? $20. 914-763-2373. nywolf.org.

Private Birthday Parties

Air castles • Trampolines • Giant Slide Obstacles Courses, foam filled pit & more All of our famous parties are private, and our interactive staff will make your child’s party a very special one.

One Odell Plaza, Yonkers/Hastings border

Teatown’s Hudson River EagleFest

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 11, 9am-4pm WHERE: Croton Point Park, 1 Croton Point Ave., Croton AGES: All WHAT: Join us for a winter tradition celebrating the return of the bald eagle to the Lower Hudson Valley.

WANT TO GO? $22; $12 children. 914-762-2912. teatown.org.

Located At

(exit 9 off Saw Mill River Pkwy)

914-965-7676 gymcats.net

Learn and Grow at Windward School.

Winter Wolves for Kids

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 11, 11am WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Kids will learn about the mythology surrounding wolves and the important role of wolves in the natural world.

Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 for children younger than 12. 914-7632373. nywolf.org.

Winter Birding

Windward School Summer Program is designed for students entering third through ninth grades who want to improve their skills in reading, writing, study and organizational skills, math or science. Classes are taught by Windward instructors at the Westchester Middle School in White Plains.

The summer program offers public and private school mainstream students an opportunity to learn from a multisensory, direct instruction model.

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 12, 9:30am WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Join a naturalist to observe birds in their winter habitats.

Birders of all levels are welcome.

WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

July 5- July 28, 2017 Half-Day and Full-Day Sessions Available Space is Limited! Register by June 9, 2017

The Butterfly Conservatory

WHEN: Through May 28: daily, 10am-5:45pm WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park W., Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: One of the museum’s most popular, annual events, this exhibit features up to 500 live, iridescent, tropical butterflies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

WANT TO GO? $27; $22 seniors and students; $16 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

Contact Christopher Eberhard

››

Director of the Summer Program • ceberhard@thewindwardschool.org or Christine Teahan, Co-Director of the Summer Program cteahan@thewindwardschool.org • (914) 949-6968, ext. 1250 www.thewindwardschool.org (Select summer program from the menu)

WestchesterParent 43

Musical Tribute to Motowns FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2-3:15pm WHERE: Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Centner, Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Go back to the days of Motown and enjoy the classics with Cody Childs and the Ladies of Soul, such as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “A Place In the Sun,” and “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” are just a few of the songs that will be performed.

WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500. ypl.org/riverfront.

Romantic Music Concert for Valentine’s Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 11, 3:30pm WHERE: Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: The quartet seeks to bring music to all generations of the community in the spirit of legendary cellist Pablo Casals.

WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500. ypl.org/riverfront.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Maceo Parker

Family Nature Walk

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 12, 12:30pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Join a naturalist on a family-friendly walk.

WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Sunday Explorers

WHEN: Feb. 1-26, Sundays, 1-4pm WHERE: Stamford Museum and Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT AGES: All WHAT: This popular Sunday drop-in program offers a jam-packed day of crafts, hikes, and animal meet-and-greets.

WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 4-17; free for children younger than 4. 203-322-1646. stamfordmuseum.org.

MINI

MUSICIANS Tito Puente Jr.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 4, 8-10pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: Tito Puente Jr.’s vibrant mambo and salsa tunes are coming to energize the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater. Following in the footsteps of his father’s acclaimed career, Tito Puente, Jr has embarked on a musical trip of his own, crafting a mixture of old and new into a powerful, unique sound.

WANT TO GO? $30-$45. 914-739-0039 x2. paramounthudsonvalley.com.

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WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 16, 8pm WHERE: Tarrytown Music Hall, 130 Main St., Tarrytown AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Saxophonist Maceo Parker embodies the legacy of soul and funk music like no other musician can and has been a common thread in the history of funk.

WANT TO GO? $38 and up. 877-840-0457. tarrytownmusichall.org.

Story Garden with Miss Alexia FREE

WHEN: Feb. 3-17, Fridays, 11am WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join Miss Alexia for stories, songs, and her magic ukulele.

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

FIESTA! with Flor FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 18, 11am WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Flor Bromley teaches Spanish through music, movement, puppetry, and theater-based games.

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Concert: Canellakis-Brown Duo

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 19, 2pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy cellist Nicholas Canellakis and composer and pianist Michale Brown.

WANT TO GO? $28; $15 children ages 8-18. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Musical Tots FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 11:15am WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Join Lori Cohen for an interactive program of music and movement.

WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com. ››

CAMP MARKETPLACE

IONA COLLEGE

Summer

DAY CAMPS This summer, children ages 5-13 will enjoy exciting, fun filled days at the Iona College camp. Our athletic facilities serve as the setting for an exciting summer. Your child will experience two periods of swimming, sporting events, a variety of dance, arts and crafts and music.

Contact us at mreddington@iona.edu 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801 www.iona.edu\summercamp

Children’s Summer Performing Arts Day Camp

Camp Cavise at Dance Cavise 8 weeks June 26 – August 17 Grades K – 8

• All Dance • All Drama • All Vocals • All Fun Trips to Broadway include:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Weekly Campers Welcome

www.dancecavise.com

273 Halstead Avenue • Mamaroneck, NY 10543 • 914-381-5222

We’ll have a summer of:

painting

sprinkler parties j u s t

h a n g i n g

a r o u n d

Staffed by our own loving, experienced teachers

Flexible hours (7:00 AM to 6:00PM) to suit your schedule

Summer Camp at

OUR MONTESSORI SCHOOL

IN YO R KT O W N A ND C AR ME L For children 18 months through 6 years of age

914-962-9466 www. our m on t e s s o r i s c h o o l . co m WestchesterParent 45

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Enroll NOW!

We register children all year long!

The Children’s Jewish Education Group offers Jewish cultural studies for grades K-7, with emphasis on tradition, history and holidays.

A professional teaching staff is supported by a parent co-op.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons available. Interfaith families welcome.

Classes held Sunday mornings at Purchase College.

Call now to plan a Visit

914-200-1520 or visit our website www.cjeg.org

ON SCREEN Short Films for Short People FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 11am and 3:30pm WHERE: Chappaqua Library, 19 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua AGES: All WHAT: Picture books come to life on the big screen.

WANT TO GO? 914-238-4779. chappaqualibrary.org.

‘Queen of Katwe’ FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2-4:15pm WHERE: Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Based on the vibrant true story of a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess.

WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500. ypl.org/riverfront.

‘Journey to Space’ 3-D Movie Our Recipe: Ingredients: • Birthday Parties Directions:

• Pie Making • Cooking Classes • Holiday Events • Cupcake Decorating • Summer Cooking Camps

1. For information about our unique birthday parties, After School Classes and Summer Cooking Camps please contact Kids Cookery at: (914) 937-2012 or email us at: KidsCookery@yahoo.com 2. Visit our website @ LoveKidsCookery.com 3. Get ready to taste the experience of a lifetime!

Need a staycation?

ResouRces ARticles

WHEN: Through June 30: Monday-Friday, 12pm and 3pm; SaturdaySunday, 1pm and 4pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Moviegoers will learn about the important role of the International Space Station, uncover what NASA and the space community are working on, and the challenges they face to carry out bold missions such as capturing asteroids and landing astronauts on Mars.

WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children with admission: $15; $12 children, students, and seniors. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Coming up next month: MARCH 11 AND 12: Pinkalicious The Musical at Emelin Theatre, Mamaroneck MARCH 24: Westchester Knicks vs. Reno Bighorns at Westchester County Center, White Plains THROUGHOUT MARCH: The Orchid Show: Thailand, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx

Summer Theatre with Westchester’s Theater for Children and Teens

MainStage TeenConservatory YoungActorsEnsemble Improv Tech PGTKids LittleTheatre

Find everything you need, faster at

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

6 week, 3 week & 1 week theatre programs experiment explore experience the theatre at PGT this summer

914-946-4433 playgroup.org

CAMP MARKETPLACE

•Preschool School Classes for Toddlers 2s, 3s & 4s •Extended Day Enrichment Optionsfor 3s & 4s •Mini-Camp and Summer Play Place •Free Weekly Babies & Bagels Play Group and Shabbat with ECC Director.

•Optional Happy Feet Soccer Program www.wrtemple.org

Come learn from our experienced Montessori teachers who provide an individual, hands on lea rning environment.

W e offer a variety of toddler and pre-K programs!

Extended hours are available.

Licensed by NYS OCFS

Susan Tolchin, Director

WRT Early Childhood Center, 255 Mamaroneck Rd. Scarsdale 914-723-5493 • sue.tolchin@wrtemple.org

Break the Ice

Scarsdale 27 Crane Road 914-472-4404

www.alcottschool.org Dobbs Ferry 535 Broadway 914-693-4443

Scarsdale 46 Fox Meadow Road 914-595-7551

OPEN HOUSE FEB 4TH 1-4 PM!

Not your Resolution make music • • • • •

All NEW Jazz, Rock and Pop Offerings Private and Group Lessons Songwriting and Improvisation Suzuki Guitar, Violin & Cello Musical Theatre & so much more...

216 Central Ave White Plains, NY 10606 914.761.3900

www.musicconservatory.org

Celebrating Our 44th Year!

Summer 2017 Camp Sessions

Session 1 : June 26th-July 21nd • Session 2 : July 24th-August 11th Offering Stimulating Courses Like...

• Extended Day Available

• Computers • Theater • Robotics • Swimming • Digital Photography • Sports

• Hot Lunches Included • Transportation Available

Hartsdale, NY • Call: 914.328.3798 Email: Squirecamps@gmail.com

French, Spanish & Other Languages For Children Ages 6 Months & Up! We can bring Linguakids to your Elementary School or Nursery – Ask us how!

LARCHMONT Studio NEW

2005 Palmer Ave.

SPRING 2017

February 6 - June 23

SUMMER CAMP 2017 June 26 - August 25

(914) 525-0328 michele@linguakids.com www.linguakids.com www.facebook.com/linguakids

• Land Sports • Fine & Performing Arts • Pools & Lakes • Adventure Course

For Children 3 to 13 Call 914-367-1936 to schedule a tour, Email gordon@breezemont.com

THE EXPERIENCE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME

www.breezemont.com

WestchesterParent 47

WHERE-TO GUIDE

Indoor Play Spaces

nymetroparents.com/where-to

››

Research by Jonathan Perry

If you’re looking for a fun place for your kids to get the sillies out, don’t let the cold weather keep you home. There are plenty of enjoyable ways to keep children amused during the winter months, including bounce houses, sports centers, and indoor gyms. When you’re looking to get out of the house but still stay warm, you can drop in at these places on a moment’s notice, no reservation or membership required.

Hours are subject to change—please call ahead or check the website to confirm.

Great Play of Scarsdale 969 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale 914-713-3470; greatplay.com Great Play’s programs, each based on the center’s approach to youth physical development, give children a dramatically improved way to achieve physical success.

Classes are just pure fun—each primarily consists of a series of specially designed games in the center’s patented Interactive Arena™.

Gymboree 450 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale 866-477-3700 gymboreeclasses.com Gymboree Play & Music has been fostering learning, creativity, and confidence in children ages newborn to 5 for almost 40 years. Check the website for updated open play days and times.

A-Game Sports 856 Main St., New Rochelle 914-278-9477; agamesports.net Drop by every Monday-Friday from 9am5pm for open play with games on the turf, access to the bounce castle and obstacle course, and arts and crafts in the party room for children ages 4-12.

Billy Beez 200 Baychester Ave., Bronx 718-514-6045 billybeezus.com Billy Beez is an indoor adventure playground where your children can play safely and securely whatever the weather. The 19,200-square-foot play area, complete with wave slides, obstacle courses, and more, will ensure that all their energy is used up at the arena and not at home.

BounceU of Elmsford 150 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford 914-874-5200; bounceu.com Let your little ones blow off some steam in a safe and controlled play area. BounceU is crammed full of slides, obstacle courses, and toys to keep kids entertained for hours. The 48

February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

huge inflatables are suitable for ages 2 and older and parents are encouraged to join in the fun too.

FunFuzion at New Roc City 29 Lecount Place, New Rochelle 914-637-7575 funfuziononline.com FunFuzion is the place where you can create your own experience. Choose from video games, rides, LazerTag, glow-in-the-dark bowling, billiards, bumper cars, and glow mini golf.

The Gaga Center 365 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale 914-368-9889; gagacenter.com Gaga is a fast paced, high-energy sport played in an octagonal pit. Dubbed a kinder, gentler version of dodgeball, the game is played with a soft foam ball, and combines the skills of dodging, striking, running, and jumping, while trying to hit opponents with a ball below the knees. Open gaga sessions are here when you need them: holidays, conference days, days off, snow days, and other “what should we do today” days! Sessions are 1 hour.

Kids U 14 Waterfront Place, Port Chester 914-939-352 175 Tompkins Ave., Pleasantville 914-747-7478 kidsu.com Let your child’s imagination run free at the PlayQuad at Kids U. The multi-level jungle gym set in a 2,000-square-foot indoor play center features slides, ball pits, swings, tunnels, a bounce castle, and more to keep youngsters occupied and happy for hours.

Leapin’ Lizards 421 Boston Post Road, Port Chester 914-937-5867 leaplizards.com Leapin’ Lizards is a bright and colorful indoor recreation and party area for kids ages 1-12. The soft play area provides a real adventure for little explorers with plenty of features to slide down, jump on, and crawl under, including mazes, tunnels, slides, and foam forests.

Life, The Place to Be 2 Lawrence St., Ardsley 914-591-4400

CN_QP_HotDog.pdf

1

1/10/17

6:29 PM

CAMP MARKETPLACE lifetheplacetobe.com Life, The Place to Be really is the place to be. The state-ofthe-art indoor play area has everything from a mini-bowling center to rock climbing to laser tag. There is also a soft play area for children ages 11 and younger, arcade games, and free Wi-Fi for the older children. Parents can relax close by with drinks at the bar or dine on food at the café.

Rockin’ Jump 333 N. Bedford Road, Mount Kisco 914-743-5730 rockinjump.com Rockin’ Jump is a trampoline park that has plenty to do for kids and adults. You don’t need any athletic experience to have fun—just an open mind and a little energy to burn. Attractions include Open Jump Arena, which is the main jump and fun zone, and Slam Dunk

Zone, an area dedicated to trampoline basketball.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park 33 Lecount Place, New Rochelle 914-740-8272 skyzone.com/newrochelle Come in for open jump every day and reserve a 1-hour or 2-hour time slot with access to jump into the Foam Zone and games like Ultimate dodgeball, Sky Slam, and Sky Joust. See website for times.

Sportime USA 380 Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford 914-592-2111 sportimeusa.com Head on over to Sportime USA for indoor fun! With laser tag, a rock-climbing wall, more than 150 arcade games, and bumper cars, this amusement center has something for everyone. A guaranteed great day for the entire family whatever the weather.

CAMP MARKETPLACE

TEMPLE ISRAEL CENTER NURSERY SCHOOL

Still a few spots left in our wonderful, fun-filled summer camp program.

Nurturing & Creative Environment Mommy & Me Programs • 2, 3, 4 Year Old Classes Afternoon Enrichment Programs & Lunch Programs Judaic Program • Nature, Music & Movement Specialists Early morning drop off Stay & Play extended hours until 4pm Mon-Thu and 2:30 on Friday Licensed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Call Patty Goldstick at (914) 948-2800 x126 280 Old Mamaroneck Rd. White Plains www.templeisraelcenter.org

WestchesterParent 49

Teaching Kids Consent

››

How to talk to children of all ages about appropriate and inappropriate touching By Bethany Braun-Silva

A

s parents, we naturally try to compensate for our kids’ shortcomings. My son is painfully shy around people he doesn’t know, a fact I often tell people before they have a chance to make assumptions about him. However, with family I tend to compensate in the other direction and insist that my son give Aunt So-and-So a hug when we leave family events. However, I recently learned this is not recommended as a parenting technique: Our kids need to learn consent and how to set boundaries themselves. Though you can guide them, they will ultimately have to decide for themselves. If my son doesn’t want to give his aunt a hug, then she will just have to accept that—and so will I. Here are some helpful tips for discussing consent with your kids and helping them to establish their own boundaries.

Young Children

Teaching “no” and “stop”: Empower your children to say no when they don’t want to have physical contact with another person, including relatives. “When kids can speak up about what kind of play and affection is and is not okay with them, even under emotional pressure to please someone, they are far better prepared to handle sexual pressure as they get older,” says Irene van der Zande, founder of Kidpower, a nonprofit that teaches kids and adults skills for child protection, positive communication, and personal safety.

Teach empathy. Very young children don’t understand their actions have consequences. Teach them that if they hit, the

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person they hit gets hurt. Ask them how they would feel if they were hit. Keep the tone kind and casual, so you don’t induce shame in your child.

Help children understand facial expressions and body language. Being able to read another person is a great way for children to understand consent and also to be able to react appropriately. They can learn to back off if they are overwhelming a friend or offer kind words if they notice a sibling is sad.

Help them recognize when something feels strange. Teaching kids to honor their gut instincts is a great way to teach consent and awareness. If something doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t.

Teach your children to speak up in uncomfortable situations.

Talk to them on their level. When discussing issues like touching and consent with young children, keep conversations short, very focused, and to the point, says Lisa Cassidy, Ph.D., a psychologist who practices on Long Island.

Big Kids

Encourage kids to check in with each other during playtime.

Imaginary worlds can sometimes be consuming to children at play, and it’s important to remind them to take a timeout now and again to make sure every one is okay.

Encourage your child to be more mindful. Did he see bullying on the playground? Did she say something hurtful unknowingly? Ask your kids how they would handle the situation

CAMP MARKETPLACE differently next time. Also, this is a good age to discuss stranger safety, Dr. Cassidy says.

Don’t tease, even if you think it’s harmless. Children may start to develop crushes during this time, and it’s important to take your children’s emotions seriously. You can ask questions, but make sure your child feels comfortable enough to talk about it. “As children mature, open conversations are essential,” says Jeffrey Kassinove, Ph.D., clinical director at Therapy West in Manhattan. “Your child needs to feel that they won’t be judged by you. As they move into the pre-teen and teenager stage, emotions are strong. Teaching them about situations that can put them at risk is key.”

Reinforce the idea that your child’s behavior has an effect on others. And encourage her to help others when she can. This includes things as simple as noticing litter on the street, cleaning her room (and noticing what happens when she doesn’t), or sharing with a sibling. If your child learns the effect he has on his surroundings, he will be more inclined to make positive choices.

Wagon Road Camp is part of The Children’s Aid Society a non-for-profit charitable organization

Teens

Build self-esteem. As kids grow, they become more selfconscious and fall into the habit of comparing themselves to their peers or to images on social media (thanks, Instagram!).

Continue to remind her that she is special and unique. Highlight his talents and accomplishments and remember to keep an eye out for signs of bullying.

Nix “locker room” talk. While this phrase has gotten a lot of press lately, it’s important to teach our children that offensive and disrespectful talk is unacceptable even in private. Remind your teenagers that words carry weight and talking about people like they are objects can have some serious repercussions and leave badly hurt feelings in its wake.

Discuss changing hormones. Teens’ bodies go through a lot of changes. Some can be scary and unusual, so tell your teen that as embarrassing as it may be, she can always come to you with questions about her body.

Set expectations about drinking and partying. Set clear boundaries. Let your child know that you do not want him drinking or doing drugs but you understand that there will be parties. Loading your child with information about drugs and alcohol will be the best defense. Explain how behaviors change when a person gets inebriated and that defenses go down.

Explain that someone who is impaired by drugs or alcohol is not capable of making decisions about whether to be kissed or touched—and drunkenness or being high is certainly no excuse for someone to be physically aggressive or to try to push them to have unwanted physical contact. Empower her to not fall victim to peer pressure.

Talk about sex. This promises to be an awkward but nonetheless important talk. Teaching children what is and is not appropriate when it comes sex will lay the groundwork for them for years to come. Teens, though they hate to admit it, still need guidance from their parents. You are their best resource when it comes to explaining hormones and sexuality. Tell him whatever he decides to do sexually is ultimately his own choice, and though it can be scary, the best thing is for him to be empowered and informed. It’s okay to tell her that a healthy, consensual, sexual relationship can be a wonderful thing—and be sure to emphasize in no uncertain terms that mutual consent and practicing safe sex are non-negotiable.

For information, tour appointments & registration: 914.238.4761 janetl@childrensaidsociety.org • www.childrensaidsociety.org/wagon-road-camp

WestchesterParent 51

Demystifying the Dentist

››

A guide to what to expect at kids’ dental visits and tips for keeping their mouths healthy By Jonathan Perry

I

t’s no secret that many children are scared of going to the dentist, a fear that is unfortunately often reinforced by dentists’ portrayal on TV shows and in pop culture—as well as by many grown-ups’s own reactions to the twice-yearly need for dental checkups.

For sure, visits to the dentist can be confusing, for kids and parents, coming as they do with an array of procedures and terminology, not to mention equipment and instruments that are all unique to the dentists’ and orthodontists’ offices. In that spirit, we spoke with several area pediatric dentists and orthodontists in an effort to demystify visits to their offices and explain what goes on there and why these procedures are so important.

“Children fear the unknown, and are often misinformed about the dentist,” says Marc Adelberg, D.D.S., who practices at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry, which has three locations on Long Island. “We understand that what we do impacts the child’s life forever, so we try to make things fun and inviting for them.”

Since February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, here’s a primer to what generally goes on when kids visit the dentist and orthodontist.

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Dental Procedures Explained

Routine dental exams are evaluations that gauge your child’s overall dental health. At the exam, the dentist (and/or hygienist) will clean your child’s teeth, review the technique for how she should be flossing and brushing, discuss oral hygiene generally, and apply topical fluoride treatment, which is a delivery of fluoride minerals to the teeth to help protect them from cavities. At some visits, the dentist will take X-rays.

Checkups can address potential problems in your child’s mouth early so she’ll need minimal treatment or interventions when she’s older. Children, like adults, should have routine dental exams every six months.

“Bad brushing habits and hygiene habits can all be taken into account,” Dr. Adelberg says. “Parents should get them to the dentist early so we can help treat and coach them at an early age.”

X-rays are screenings that take images of your child’s mouth on each side. They provide a close-up view of your child’s jaw and tooth structure, and can reveal weaknesses such as cavities and demineralization, which is the reduction of mineral substances in the teeth. X-rays provide a view of your child’s mouth that normal eyesight can’t provide, according to Rania

Elbaz, D.D.S., who practices at Merrick Pediatric Dentistry in Merrick. “Bite-wings, occlusal, and panoramic X-rays take images of the child’s mouth from front to back, including the molars,” Dr. Elbaz says, referring to three different types of X-rays. “These X-rays can evaluate a child’s bite and even identify jaw abnormalities.”

Your child’s teeth push closer together as they grow, making them more prone to cavities as more plaque accumulates between the teeth. When your child is 2 or 3 years old, dentists will take X-rays of his mouth to help track the teeth’s progression.

Sealants are thin, white plastic coatings that are placed at the tops of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to help prevent tooth decay. The groves and chewing surfaces of the teeth can accumulate plaque, since they’re the most susceptible to cavities in children and teens. The protective coating offered by sealants is recommended for kids ages 6-8 for the first set of molars and ages 12-14 for the second set of molars.

Fillings are composites that are placed in the weakened mineral deposits of one’s teeth to help prevent cavities or fill the holes when cavities occur. Fillings can prevent the teeth from decaying further by blocking bacteria from entering the teeth. They can also be used to restore teeth for cosmetic purposes by giving them the appropriate shade of color that matches one’s teeth.

Extractions are used to either facilitate other procedures in a crowded mouth or to remove a tooth that is beyond saving.

Extractions can also be necessary to correct jaw spacing or provide the room necessary for braces. Every child’s mouth is different, says Glen Ehrenman, D.D.S., who practices at Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry in Westbury. “Kids are evaluated each time they come in with growth and development, but everyone grows and develops at their own pace.”

Pediatric dentists will evaluate your child’s mouth to see if she needs any extractions. If your child is anxious about the procedure, dentists can offer the option of sedating your child through the extraction.

Laser treatment is a method of handling delicate procedures in children as young as 2-3, such as cavities and lip ties, which happen when the upper lips of infants are tethered to the upper gums from birth. The laser can remove tooth decay without touching the tooth, and it also numbs the tooth as an added bonus for your child’s comfortability. Laser treatment is not a common treatment, and only select offices have this equipment.

Renuka Bijoor, D.D.S., who practices at Briarcliff Pediatric Dentistry in Briarcliff Manor, says laser technology is her practice’s most utilized procedure tool. She explains that it can be used in multiple procedures in children without instilling any trauma like anesthesia shots. For example, dentists can use laser treatment in place of the conventional drill when treating cavities, eliminating the need for anesthesia shots and making your child’s experience the least invasive and painful as possible.

“The experience is shorter and much less dramatic,” Dr. Bijoor says. “It gives the patient a healthy experience and prevents the fear of the dentist from developing early on.”

Braces are used for aligning crooked teeth and to help position someone’s bite. Wires are attached along the teeth to align them slowly over time causing minimal discomfort. Pediatric dentists evaluate kids’ mouths to decide if braces may be required, while an orthodontist will make the decision and do the work of installing

braces. The wires on the braces are tightened to adjust teeth every four to six weeks, and children can wear them for two to three years on average.

Top Dental Health Tips

Of course, a strong dose of prevention can help your child avoid some of the more invasive and intense dental procedures (though, as with everything health-related, there is no way to guarantee it). Here is some advice for securing, recovering, and sustaining oral health.

Oral health begins as early as in infancy. Clean your child’s gums and mouth with a washcloth before teeth start coming in, Dr. Bijoor says. Once his teeth come in, you can use a finger brush or baby toothbrush with just water, no toothpaste required, and then maintain the routine of brushing every morning and night.

Your child should see a dentist regularly after her first tooth comes in. Dr. Bijoor recommends your child see the dentist when she turns 1 or six months after her first tooth comes in. She should then see the doctor every six months thereafter.

Understand your dentist’s emergency procedures early on. At an early age, your child’s teeth are vulnerable to trauma such as tooth chipping from tripping on the playground, Dr. Elbaz says. Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for such emergency occasions, allowing them to take action on her teeth immediately. Discuss with your dentist what to do when emergencies arise—before any actually happen.

Visit the proper pediatric dentist. Go to the dentist that best fits your child’s specific needs, Dr. Ehrenman says. Some examples of what your child may need include habit counseling for pacifier use or thumb sucking, special preventative care for teething and gum disease, or management of conditions such as ulcers and tongue-tie.

Maintain regular routines. Dr. Elbaz recommends your child follow the proper routine of having her teeth brushed every morning and night once they start coming in. Brushing and flossing should be as much a part of her expected daily set of activities as bathing, changing clothes or pajamas, and the like.

Eat a proper diet. Limit juice, snacks, and sugars, Dr. Ehrenman says. Frequent snacking can build up carbohydrates in the mouth, leading to acids that could promote tooth decay.

Snacks should be healthy and not too sticky or full of sugar.

Avoid caloric drinks after nighttime brushing. Consuming calories after brushing one’s teeth—which we do to eliminate the buildup of plaque on the teeth—defeats the point of brushing, Dr. Elbaz says. Items to avoid include soda, juices, and milk; water is okay.

Help your children with brushing until they learn to tie their own shoes. That’s when a child’s motor skills are advanced enough for him to be adept at brushing his own teeth properly.

Give your child fluoride supplementation. Children can be given fluoride vitamin supplements that’ll help strengthen their permanent teeth in the future, Dr. Ehrenman says.

Don’t give up. It is important for you not to stop performing a dental-health routine or technique because your child isn’t cooperating or making a fuss, Dr. Bijoor says. Eventually, children will get used to the routine. And, eventually, they may even thank you for helping to keep their mouths healthy.

Jonathan Perry is a former NYMP editorial intern.

WestchesterParent 53

Soup and a Sandwich

››

Nothing goes better with soup than a sandwich. Here are two combos to warm up after a chilly day. By Hannah Miles Vegetable soup with Reuben sandwiches This is a true comfort food combination—a wholesome vegetable soup served with classic New York Reuben sandwiches. I have to confess that I utterly adore a Reuben sandwich—there is just something so comfortingly indulgent about tangy horseradish mayo, sauerkraut, and salt beef all warm with melting gooey cheese. It’s happiness on a plate!

This vegetable soup can be made with any vegetables you chose, so it is great for using up whatever is in your fridge. If you prefer a chunky vegetable soup, cut the vegetables into small pieces and simmer until soft but do not blend the soup. If you are short of time you can substitute store-bought mayonnaise for the Russian dressing and just stir through a little ketchup and horseradish.

Serves 4 For the soup 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped 1 rib celery, trimmed and chopped 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 leek 2 tablespoons butter 3 carrots (approximately 8 oz.), peeled and chopped 2 parsnips (approximately 12 oz.), peeled and chopped generous 3¼ cups chicken or vegetable stock

For the Russian dressing 2 egg yolks 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar generous ¾ cup mild olive oil 1 tablespoon horseradish 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup salt and pepper, to season For the Reuben sandwiches 8 slices rye bread 8-12 slices salt beef or pastrami 4 tablespoons prepared sauerkraut 8 slices Swiss cheese panini press

Directions 1. Begin by preparing the Russian dressing. Place the egg yolks, mustard, and vinegar in a blender or food processor and

54

February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

blitz. Very slowly drizzle in the olive oil and whisk until the mayonnaise is thick. Carefully fold through the horseradish and ketchup and season with salt and pepper. Store in a jar in the refrigerator until needed.

2. For the soup, add the onion, celery, and garlic to a large saucepan with the olive oil and fry over a gentle heat until soft. Trim the ends of the leek, discard any damaged leaves, and finely slice. Rinse well to remove any dirt and then add to the pan with the butter. Cook gently for approximately 5 minutes until the leeks have sweated down and are soft. Add the chopped carrots and parsnips to the pan with the stock and simmer for approximately 15 minutes until the carrots and parsnips are soft. The actual cooking time will depend on the size of the vegetables. Once the vegetables are soft, carefully transfer to a blender or food processor and blitz until the soup is smooth. Return to the pan and keep warm until you are ready to serve.

3. For the sandwiches, lightly butter the outside of the rye bread, then turn over on a board and spread a layer of the Russian dressing over four of the slices. Top with the salt beef slices. Heat the sauerkraut to evaporate the liquid and then sprinkle a spoonful over the beef in each sandwich. Top with two slices of cheese and a further spoonful of dressing and then top each sandwich with the remaining buttered rye slices. Toast each sandwich in the sandwich press until warm and the cheese has melted.

4. Serve the soup with sandwiches on the side for a delicious lunch or supper.

Butternut squash soup with Thanksgiving pretzel sandwiches I love to serve these as pretzel sandwiches, similar to those I have enjoyed on trips to Bavaria, but if you can’t find pretzels, thickcut slices of white bread are equally delicious.

Serves 4

For the soup 2 onions, peeled and finely chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon garam masala 1 tablespoon nigella seeds 2 lb. butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and chopped into chunks ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

pinch of cayenne pepper generous 3¼ cups chicken or vegetable stock For the sandwiches a few spoonfuls of mayonnaise 4 large soft pretzels 4 large slices turkey 4 tablespoons cranberry sauce 4 slices Swiss cheese

Directions 1. Place the onions in a large saucepan with the oil and cook over a gentle heat until the onions are soft and translucent.

Add the garam masala, nigella seeds, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. If you do not like spicy soup, omit the cayenne pepper.

Fry for a few minutes further to allow the spices to heat. Add the squash to the pan and cook for a few minutes, then add the stock and simmer for approximately 30 minutes until the squash is soft.

2. Pour the soup into the blender or food processor and blitz until smooth. Keep warm until you are ready to serve.

3. For the sandwiches, carefully slice each pretzel in half horizontally and spread each half with a little mayonnaise.

Place a slice of turkey on each base and top with some cranberry sauce. Add slices of Swiss cheese and cover each with the pretzel tops. Serve the turkey-filled pretzels with the soup.

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Soup and a Sandwich by Hannah Miles, Ryland Peters & Small, $16.95. rylandpeters.com.

Photography by Steve Painter.

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Lisa Gorman

Learning to Ski ››

A peek at how two New York mountains teach newbies the popular winter sport By Katelin Walling

The author (in all black) and Franz Krickl, snowsports director at Windham Mountain Resort, ride a conveyer-belt type carpet lift to the top of one of Windham Mountain’s learning slopes. Hunter Mountain has a similar lift in its learning area.

G

rowing up in Maine, one would think I’d be a season lift ticket-holding ski bum, but that is not the case. I grew up cross-country skiing with Dad and snowshoeing with Mom and Dad, and I once took a snowboarding lesson with my older brother—because I had to do all of the cool things he was doing— but I ended up not wanting to pursue it. So when I got the opportunity to take private skiing lessons at Hunter Mountain (huntermtn. com) and Windham Mountain Resort (windhammountain.com), both in the Catskills region of New York, I jumped at the chance to see what many childhood friends were so obsessed with every winter.

Hunter Mountain

After the nearly 3-hour drive from Manhattan to Hunter, I acquired my lift ticket and lesson pass, headed over to the Rental Shop, and checked in on a computer, answering questions about my experience level, height, and weight—all needed to ensure I was given the proper skis. I was then fitted with boots, which should be snug but not uncomfortable to prevent blisters, and given skis, poles, and a helmet because as Mike, a rental attendant, said, “I like what I have between these,” pulling on his ears.

Once I had my gear, I headed out to the Learning Zone to meet Hans, my instructor for the 1-hour lesson. After asking what I knew about skiing (next to nothing!), Hans taught me the basics—how to turn, stop, speed up, and slow down. I practiced these skills on a low-grade slope for almost 20 minutes, and when he thought I was ready, Hans took me up a conveyer belt-type carpet lift to the top of Gramercy Park—a slightly higher-grade slope—where I continued to practice my new skills. After 20 or so minutes on Gramercy Park, I graduated to riding the lift to a slightly higher trail, Central Park North, where Hans had me focus on controlling my speed and making complete, round turns while skiing among others—nerve-wracking to say the least!

When my hour was up, Hans and I parted ways, but I stayed on the slopes for a while longer, practicing all the skills I had learned in the lesson.

Windham Mountain Resort

I stayed overnight at Hotel Vienna in Windham, and was up early 56

February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

for day two. At Windham Mountain Resort, the check-in process is similar to Hunter’s—pick up lift ticket and lesson pass, answer questions on the computer, get equipment, and meet the instructor just outside the Rental Shop. I was lucky to have Franz Krickl, snowsports director at Windham, as my instructor for the 2-hour lesson.

I told Krickl what I learned the previous day and what I knew I needed to work on. We warmed up on Whisper Run, and then moved up to Wooly Bear, where I worked on controlling my speed and making turns. After nearly an hour on those two runs, we progressed to What’s Next?, which was higher up on the mountain and required using the lift. Throughout the lesson, Krickl would give helpful tips and point out what I should change to make skiing easier—mainly that to really control my speed, I needed to make my pizza wedge (toes pointed inward, heels out) bigger.

At the end of the lesson, during which I had fallen two or three times, I skied a few more runs on What’s Next? to end my day on a high note.

A New Winter Hobby

In addition to private and group lessons for adults, both Hunter and Windham offer a variety of learn-to-ski programs for the whole family, including full- and half-day lessons for kids; season-long programs; and special programs for the youngest skiers.

Windham is also home to the second largest adaptive ski program in the country, according to Krickl. When I was at Windham, the Adaptive Sports Foundation was hosting its Warriors in Motion Learn-to Ski and Snowboard Festival for veterans injured in Afghanistan and Iraq.

After seeing the variety of skiers on the mountains—from a preschooler learning with Mom and Dad to the seasoned skier—skiing, and learning to ski, is a great activity for the whole family, and one which the family can progress through together. I ended the weekend with some sore muscles, two lift tickets fastened to my coat, and a new winter hobby I hope to enjoy a few more times before the season ends.

To find more mountains in upstate New York that offer lessons for the whole family, visit nymetroparents.com/ski.

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PartyCentral BIRTHDAY GIFTS GIRL AGAIN 4 Martine Ave., White Plains 914-358-1460 girlagain.com girlagain@yesshecaninc.org Girl AGain is a resale boutique for gently used American Girl dolls and books, which make great birthday gifts!

PARTY ENTERTAINMENT AMANDABEAR PARTY RENTALS 347-326-5567 amandabearpartyrentals.com AmandaBear Party Rentals provides everything you need for an unforgettable party.

AMY ROSEN COOKING BY DESIGN 917-903-1451 amyrosencookingbydesign.com amyrosencookingbydesign@gmail.com Have a cooking party for your child’s next birthday. From Cupcake Wars to Pizza Creations to chocolate melting, molding, and decorating, your kids will enjoy the fully hands-on experience.

CLOWNS.COM Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals.

DAVE’S CAST OF CHARACTERS 914-235-7100 davescast.com Make your party a special one! Dave’s entertainment services include more than 100 costumed characters. From princesses and superheroes to pirates and tea parties, there’s something for everyone.

KIDS COOKERY 914-937-2012 lovekidscookery.com kidscookery@yahoo.com Kids Cookery’s passion is to make your child’s birthday a memorable, unique, exciting, and creative cooking experience!

58

PARTY PLACES A-GAME SPORTS 856 Main St., New Rochelle 914-278-9477 agamesports.net info@agamesports.net A-Game Sports offers a variety of birthday party packages for children of all ages. Each 90-minute party includes supervised playtime with two coaches on a private section of turf.

ARTISTREE PERFORMING ARTS 114 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck 914-835-2200 artistreearts.com heather@artistreearts.com Artistree Performing Arts creates amazing birthday parties for children ages 1-10. Have your party in our beautifully renovated studio or let us come to you with just the entertainment.

BACH TO ROCK MAMARONECK 130 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck 914-341-1457 mamaroneck.bachtorock.com mamaroneck@bachtorock.com Looking for a fun birthday party at a reasonable price? We have three different parties: Rock Star, Karaoke, or Rock City, for an unforgettable experience!

CREATIVE CORNER OF LARCHMONT 7 Addison St., Larchmont 914-833-2880 creativecornerlarchmont.com creativecornerlarchmont@gmail.com Creative Corner is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday! Art party options include wood toys, treasure boxes, canvas bags, ceramic piggy banks, and canvas paintings. We will help every step of the way.

FASHION ARTS STUDIO OF WESTCHESTER 168A Irving Ave., Port Chester 917-995-3191 fashionartsstudio.com Have a fashion design theme party with The Fashion Arts Studio. It offers three themes: a Fashion Drawing Party, a Fashion Tote-Making Party, and a Fashion T-Shirt Decorating Party!

FUNFUZION AT NEW ROC CITY 29 LeCount Place (Exit 16 off I-95), New Rochelle

February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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

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GYMCATS GYMNASTICS AND BIRTHDAY PARTY CENTER 1 Odell Plaza at Equalize Fitness, Yonkers 914-965-7676 gymcats.net We are famous for our unique private birthday parties. Our enthusiastic, interactive staff will have partygoers laughing and yelling as they swing on rings, jump, bounce, climb, and roll through our super obstacle course.

HOMMOCKS PARK ICE RINK Boston Post Road and Weaver Street, Larchmont 914-834-1069 hommocksparkicerink.org Have your birthday party on ice! Host your next special party at the coolest place in town, Mamaroneck’s popular enclosed Hommocks Park ice-skating rink.

HOUSE OF SPORTS WESTCHESTER 1 Elm St., Ardsley 914-479-5419 houseofsportsny.com The House of Sports is Westchester’s ultimate birthday party zone for children of all ages! Give your child the party of their dreams by hosting a sports-themed bash at Westchester’s premier athletic facility.

JODI’S GYM 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 244 E. 84th St., Manhattan 212-772-7633 jodisgym.com Kids run, jump, climb, tumble, slide, bounce, and giggle to their hearts’ delight at Jodi’s Gym, at which action-packed parties and unmatched experience have won children’s hearts for 35 years.

THE LITTLE GYM 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-799-1225 tlgupperwestsideny.com

207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side, Manhattan 212-787-1124 tlguppereastsideny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444 tlgwaldwicknj.com A private party at The Little Gym is a perfect way to celebrate your child’s next birthday. Gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, trampoline, sports, and music are tailored to your child’s interests!

MUSICAL MUNCHKINS 167 Scarsdale Road, Tuckahoe 914-771-7000 musicalmunchkins.com Musical Munchkins is the perfect birthday party activity for babies through age 5! Enjoy group drumming, funny favorite sing-along songs, fabulous dancing scarves, and more!

PLAYLAND ICE CASINO 100 Playland Parkway, Rye 914-481-5941 playlandice.com Kids and families love PlayLand Ice in Rye. You and your guests can have the ice all to yourself. Visit us online for more information.

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Celebrate your birthday at Sportime USA, the coolest place to have a party in Westchester.

WESTCHESTER SKATING ACADEMY (WSA) 91 Fairview Park Drive (Route 9A), Elmsford 914-347-8232 skatewsa.com Westchester Skating Academy: the coolest place to have your party! All parties include ice-skating, skate rentals, a private party room, a party facilitator, pizza, and beverages.

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No Child Should be a Lonely Child.

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BAKSHI LAW Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester 917-244-6133 lawbakshi.com lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law, representing parents and children with disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE, and resolution meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance on a sliding scale.

SPECIAL NEEDS BAKSHI LAW Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester 917-244-6133 lawbakshi.com lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law, representing parents and children with disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE, and resolution meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance on a sliding scale.

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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Schechter Westchester, 555 W. Hartsdale Ave., Hartsdale 914-779-6024; challengecamps.com Open house: Sunday, Feb. 12, 2-4pm. RSVP to info@challengecamps. com or 914-779-6024.

Hudson Country Montessori School

340 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle 914-636-6202; hudsoncountry.org Tours are available each weekday beginning at 9:30am. Please call to schedule a visit and see how we inspire a love of learning in each child.

For info or a visit: 914-835-2850 x109 www.jcch.org Ann Pardes, Director apardes@jcch.org Licensed & Registered

Oasis Summer Day Camp in Dobbs Ferry at Mercy College

Upper Camp: Mercy College, 555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry 646-519-5057 Lower Camp: Masters School, 49 Clinton Ave., Dobbs Ferry oasischildren.com; dobbs@oasischildren.com Join us for an information session for Lower Camp, ages 3 to entering first grade, on Jan. 28, Feb. 11 and 25, March 11 and 25, April 8 and 29, and May 13 and 20, from 1-2pm at Masters School Middle School.

Squire Camps Inc. at Maria Regina High School, Hartsdale

914-328-3798; squirecamps.com; squirecamps@gmail.com Join us for an open house on Feb. 4, from 1-4pm.

Jewish Community Center of Harrison Early Childhood Center • Toddler to Pre-K • Modern Classrooms, Gym, Playground & Outdoor Classroom • A.M. & P.M. Programs Afternoon Enrichment • Summer Camp • Free 1-year Synagogue Membership with enrollment

The place for news in Westchester and Putnam counties

Bradley Schnebel, DMD American Board of Orthodontics

Complimentary Consultation for the whole family • Orthodontic treatment for children, teens and adults • Brand new, state-of-the-art office equipped with the latest digital technology • Most insurance plans accepted • Flexible payment plans with interest free financing • Before and after school appointments _ Also open Saturdays Bradley Schnebel DMD 914-732-3777 • 450 Mamaroneck Ave #406 • Harrison, NY 10528

MEDIA

SMALL NEWS IS BIG NEWS 914-864-0878 advertising@theexaminernews.com www.TheExaminerNews.com twitter.com/@ExaminerMedia

Kol Ami Early Childhood Program Celebrating Over 45 Years of Experience!

Nan Blank, Director

Warm, Nurturing & Enriching Now Registering for the ‘17-18 Season First Friends: A Toddler Program 2, 3, 4 & 5-Day 2’s 3, 4 & 5-Day 3’s Full and Half Day 4’s Extended Day Program for 3’s & 4’s A Step Ahead! Pre-K for children turning 5 in the Fall Summer Camp for 2’s, 3’s & 4’s Join us for Shabbat in the Woods every Friday all year round from 5:30 - 6:00pm

Now Registering for the 2017-2018 Season Call for an Appointment & Tour 252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains 914-949-4717 x107

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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WestchesterParent 63

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

AD INDEX

NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY Metropolitan area!

ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS Gym Cats Gymnastics.................................................... 43 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................................... 34

Musical Munchkins......................................................... 61 Nurtury (The).................................................................. 34 Our Montessori School of Yorktown............................... 45

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BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES Amy Rosen Cooking by Design...................................... 60 Blue Moon Mexican Café .............................................. 59 Dance Cavise................................................................. 45 Dave & Buster’s Pelham Manor..................................... 59 Gym Cats Gymnastics.................................................... 43 House of Sports.............................................................. 23 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................................... 34 Kids Cookery.................................................................. 46 Little Gym - Westchester................................................ 68 PlayLand Ice Casino....................................................... 21 Sportime USA Inc........................................................... 61 Westchester Parent Party Planner................................. 64 Westchester Skate Academy.......................................... 21 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 31

CLASSES

FITNESS Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................................... 34

CAMPS Ann & Andy..................................................................... 60 Artistree Performing Arts................................................ 22 Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester................ 55 Breezemont Day Camp.................................................. 47 Camp Clio....................................................................... 19 Camp Nabby................................................................... 49 Camp Ramaquois........................................................... 25 Campus Kids Summer Camp......................................... 19 Challenge Camp............................................................. 57 Concordia College.......................................................... 34 Dance Cavise................................................................. 45 Deer Mountain Day Camp.............................................. 17 Destination Science........................................................ 57 Future Stars.................................................................... 37 Gate Hill Day Camp........................................................ 29 Goddard School - Hastings............................................ 34 Harvey School Cavalier Summer Camp......................... 41 Hudson Country Montessori....................................... 7, 13 Iona College Summer Day Camps................................. 45 JCC of Harrison Early Childhood Center........................ 62 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................................... 34 Kids Base and The Little School..................................... 37 Kids Cookery.................................................................. 46 Little Gym - Westchester................................................ 68 Oasis Children Services................................................. 23 Our Montessori School of Yorktown............................... 45 Pinebrook Fitness........................................................... 45 Purchase College / SUNY Aquatic Program................... 33 Sportime......................................................................... 33 Squire Advantage Camps............................................... 47 Studio B Dance............................................................... 51 Temple Israel Center Nursery School............................. 49 Thornton Donovan.......................................................... 11 Twin Lakes Farm............................................................ 27 Wagon Road Camp........................................................ 51 Westchester Reform Temple.......................................... 47 Windward School............................................................ 43 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 31 CHILD CARE / DAY CARE All Aboard (Croton / Ossining)........................................ 59 Ann & Andy..................................................................... 60 Congregation Kol Ami Early Childhood.......................... 62

Alcott Montessori............................................................ 47 Amy Rosen Cooking by Design...................................... 60 Artistree Performing Arts................................................ 22 Belle School of Music..................................................... 57 Dance Cavise................................................................. 45 Easter Seals Project Explore.......................................... 49 Fin 2 Swim...................................................................... 41 Gym Cats Gymnastics.................................................... 43 Harvey School Cavalier Summer Camp......................... 41 Hoff-Barthelson Music School........................................ 15 JCC of Harrison Early Childhood Center........................ 62 Kids Cookery.................................................................. 46 LinguaKids, LLC............................................................. 47 Music Conservatory of Westchester............................... 47 Nurtury (The).................................................................. 34 Pinebrook Fitness........................................................... 45 PlayLand Ice Casino....................................................... 21 Purchase College / SUNY Aquatic Program................... 33 Sportime......................................................................... 33 Studio B Dance............................................................... 51 Temple Israel Center Nursery School............................. 49 Westchester Community College - Extention Program........12 Westchester County Parks............................................. 15 Westchester Skate Academy.......................................... 21 Windward School............................................................ 43 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 31 DANCE

Dance Cavise................................................................. 45 Studio B Dance............................................................... 51 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 31 DEVELOPMENTAL

Isa Marrs Speech Language Pathology, P.C............ 57, 60 Young Child Expo........................................................... 59 EDUCATION

HEALTH Caring for Kids Pediatric Dentistry.................................. 60 Fidelis Care New York...................................................... 3 Main Street Pediatric Dentistry....................................... 13 Westchester Family Orthodontics .................................. 62 MUSIC Belle School of Music..................................................... 57 Hoff-Barthelson Music School........................................ 15 Music Conservatory of Westchester............................... 47 Performing Arts / Acting......................................................

Artistree Performing Arts................................................ 22 Dance Cavise................................................................. 45 Play Group Theatre........................................................ 46 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 31 RELIGIOUS Children’s Jewish Education Group................................ 46 Congregation Kol Ami Early Childhood.......................... 62 RESTAURANT / FOOD SERVICES

Blue Moon Mexican Café .............................................. 59 RETAIL

Tilly...A Deer’s Tale.......................................................... 59 SERVICES

Berkshire Farms............................................................. 59 SPECIAL EVENTS

Dave & Buster’s Pelham Manor..................................... 59 Dicker Reading Method.................................................... 5 Young Child Expo........................................................... 59

Alcott Montessori............................................................ 47 All Aboard (Croton / Ossining)........................................ 59 Children’s Jewish Education Group................................ 46 Dicker Reading Method.................................................... 5 FASNY............................................................................ 19 Goddard School - Hastings............................................ 34 Hudson Country Montessori....................................... 7, 13 JCC of Harrison Early Childhood Center........................ 62 Kids Base and The Little School..................................... 37 LinguaKids, LLC............................................................. 47 Musical Munchkins......................................................... 61 Nurtury (The).................................................................. 34 Sylvan Learning Centers................................................ 33 Temple Israel Center Nursery School............................. 49 Thornton Donovan.......................................................... 11 Westchester Community College - Extention Program.. 12 Westchester County Parks............................................. 15 Windward School............................................................ 43

SPECIAL NEEDS

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS

TUTORS

Dave & Buster’s Pelham Manor..................................... 59 House of Sports.............................................................. 23

Easter Seals Project Explore.......................................... 49 Isa Marrs Speech Language Pathology, P.C............ 57, 60 Young Child Expo........................................................... 59 SPORTS Camp Nabby................................................................... 49 Camp Ramaquois........................................................... 25 Fin 2 Swim...................................................................... 41 Future Stars.................................................................... 37 Iona College Summer Day Camps................................. 45 Pinebrook Fitness........................................................... 45 Purchase College / SUNY Aquatic Program................... 33 Sportime......................................................................... 33 Squire Advantage Camps............................................... 47 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 31 THEATER Play Group Theatre........................................................ 46 Dicker Reading Method.................................................... 5 Sylvan Learning Centers................................................ 33

WestchesterParent 65

VOICES

Pregnant Pause

››

Why I hated all nine months of pregnancy By Karen J. Bannan

I

am obsessed with all things related to pregnancy. I always have been. I read trashy-but-fun celebrity baby bump gossip. I quiz my friends about their impending childbirth. I get misty-eyed when I hear about a new baby or a new pregnancy. So you’d think, because I have babies on the brain, that I loved it when I was actually pregnant myself. You’d be wrong. I hated every one of those 40 weeks. With all my being.

From the moment I found out until the moment I delivered, I obsessed about not being pregnant. I was angry. I was depressed.

Actually, I was more than depressed. When I found out I was carrying Big Girl, who was a planned pregnancy, I literally went off the deep end. My life was over. I would be huge. I would lose my career. I would lose myself. I was so anxious, sad, and ambivalent about being pregnant that I ended up on a therapist’s couch for the final six months of my pregnancy.

Of course, I felt guilty for having these terrible feelings, so that only made me feel worse. And as soon as my baby was delivered? I fell in love with her, and with being a mom.

My midwife and my therapist were in agreement with their diagnosis. It—antepartum depression—is hormonal, and my experience was not that uncommon. Between 10 and 20 percent of women experience antepartum depression, but few talk about it. It’s often a precursor to postpartum depression, too.

I was lucky. I was pretty much cured once that little redhead came out of me. But I was thrown back into the chasm when I got pregnant again. At the time, Big Girl was only 18 months old.

I went home numb from the sonogram holding a grainy picture of the baby. Again, the symptoms set in. I found myself stomping and crying around the house, saying I was ruining Big Girl’s life by bringing another baby into the picture so soon. Then, at 13 weeks, I miscarried. The guilt was overwhelming then. I felt like I wished that baby away.

We tried for several years to get pregnant again, even though I

knew I was almost guaranteed to suffer the same symptoms. And we were blessed with my miracle baby—Little Girl—after we gave up trying. Yes, I went through the same horrific nightmare. This time it was even worse because I was told that I could literally die from carrying her. So I felt all the same emotional symptoms, but I also had another feeling: Intense guilt about putting myself at risk. I didn’t want to leave Big Girl without a mother. And then the moment I went into labor I could hardly wait to meet my new baby.

I look back at the delivery photos and can’t help but smile. I have never seen such pure love, exhilaration, and emotion on anyone’s face. It’s completely obvious how in love and excited I was to become a mom.

Becoming a mother—from the first moment you find out you’re pregnant to the first late night feeding—is supposed to be such a natural thing. We’re programmed by magazine covers and other women to think pregnancy is wonderful, and mothering is instinctive.

Women glow when they are pregnant, right? They dream about it like I did—and still do. They’re supposed to feel blessed when it happens.

And yet that is not the experience of many people. Even those who aren’t afflicted with antepartum depression may, for example, hate the third trimester with all its aches and pains. They might pine for the day when their bodies are their own again. And that’s okay. That may be the most natural thing for them.

It seems like such a sin to be depressed about such a miracle.

At least that is how I saw it. But it’s a fact of life. It’s okay to hate being pregnant, and still love the outcome. Are you feeling sad about being pregnant? Talk it over with your doctor. She can shed light on any misconceptions you might have about your pregnancy or delivery. If you’re clinically depressed, she can refer you to a therapist who specializes in prenatal care.

No matter what, though, don’t suffer silently. Broach the subject with other moms and moms-to-be. Chances are, they’ve felt the same way at one point during their pregnancy.

Karen J. Bannan is a Long Island writer who blogs at naturalaspossiblemom.com, where this first appeared.

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February 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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

How to Manage Kids’ Schedules

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Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

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