Chatt Valley March18 Summer Guide

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Camps & Activities

GUIDE

Hoo’s helpful

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

If you attended summer camp as a child, you may have treasured memories of songs around the campfire and learning outdoor activities with new friends.

Today, there are so many choices that it can be hard to choose what sort of camp you should schedule for your child. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding.

IS THE CAMP AGE-APPROPRIATE FOR MY CHILD? A child that is pre-k or kindergarten age would probably enjoy starting out at a half-day camp. This will help her get used to being away from home.

Day camp is a good in-between transition step for kids ages 6 to 10 years. Signing them up for a week-long day camp will get them familiar with spending time away from home in an unfamiliar environment. Depending on the child, you’ll find around ages 10-12 that kids are matured enough to defeat the initial homesickness and enjoy overnight camp.

PREPARE YOUR CHILD BEFORE SENDING THEM TO AN OVERNIGHT CAMP. If your child has never spent the night far away from home and seems anxious about it, let your child practice spending the night at someplace familiar but a good distance away, like grandma’s house, to help prepare them.

If they still seem anxious, it might be best to choose an overnight camp that is close to home as a first step.

DOES THE SUMMER CAMP MATCH YOUR CHILD’S INTERESTS? These days, there are both day camps and overnight camps to match almost any special area of interest, such as sports or performing arts. Consider your child’s personality when you are selecting a summer camp. For an adventurous child, an outdoor summer camp with

plenty of outdoor activities would be perfect. A child that loves science may enjoy a technology (also referred to as STEM) summer camp. If your child likes being challenged to learn new skills, a less specialized summer camp that covers many different skills, from crafting to canoeing, may be right for him.

IS THE CAMP ACCREDITED AND THE STAFF WELL-TRAINED? Look on the American Camp Association website to see if the summer camp you are interested in meets all the standards required for certification by this organization.

Check to ensure the counselors receive adequate training and that the counselor-to-camper ratio is appropriate for the age range of the campers.

Also, find out how long the summer camp has been operating, as longevity usually indicates a quality program.

HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT CAMP FOR MY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD? There are summer camps specifically for special needs children, but if your child wants to attend a mainstream camp with his friends, that may be possible too.

According to the experts, if your special needs child is able to attend a mainstream school, most summer camps should be able to make the necessary accommodations. With any camp, interview the director to find out their special needs experience, qualifications of the medical staff and how medications are handled.

For a directory of area summer camps: familyandkidsga.com/summer-camps

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

SUMMER ACTIVITY GUIDE www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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SUMMER ACTIVITY GUIDE Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Camp Juliette Low On Lookout Mountain in Cloudland, GA

CJL is an independent, residential summer camp for girls ages 7-17.

1 & 2 week sessions: June 3– July 28, 2018

www.CJL.org

Platform tents, outdoor adventure, fun and friends since 1922!

INTRODUCING

2018

Join the FUN and EXPERIENCE the

St. Luke Difference.

For more information and to register go to: www.cornerkidz.com or email: summer@stlukeum.com Presented by: St. Luke Church Corner KIDZ Children’s Ministry and St. Luke School

Camp StartS:www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com may 29 – Camp EndS: auguSt 3

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HourS 6:30am-6:30pm registrations march 5 - march 23 for active after-School program participants march 26 - may 18 open to the general public

registration will be held at Comer gym Psalmond Road Recreation Center 6550 Psalmond Road Midland, Ga 31820

Comer Gym 107 41st Street Columbus, Ga 31904

Northside Recreation Center Carver Park Recreation Center 2010 American Way 6665 Hunter Road Columbus, Ga 31908 Columbus, Ga 31907 RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Shirley Winston Recreation Center 5033 Steam Mill Road Columbus, Ga 31907

Special Programs: STEM Activities, Mass Media Club, Cooks In Training Club, Summer Basketball League, Swim Team, Mentoring Programs, Dance, Competitive Swimming, Field Trips, Outdoor Sports, Arts and Crafts and much more!

For information call 706-225-4510

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

SUMMER ACTIVITY GUIDE www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

BROOKSTONE SUMMER 2018 BE THE ONE WHO EXPLORES WITH INSATIABLE CURIOSITY, the one who plays, discovers, creates.

Visit us at brookstoneschool.org/summer

Preparing Your Child For Success!

Join us for our Fun to Be Fit Summer Camp full of

A SK U R exciting events, special guests and learning TO ABOUURDAY SAT T OWL opportunities for toddlers through school age.

N IG H GR AM Space is limited, register today!

P RO

Our children enjoy a curriculum focusing on language development that includes the study of math, science, social studies, phonics, sign language, art, music, self-help skills, emotional growth and character. Ages 6 weeks to 12 years.

Growing Room - 706-596-1234 1200 Manchester Expressway Growing Room Too - 706-653-0088 6110 Bradley Park Drive GR Christian Academy - 706-221-3248 7572 Kayne Blvd.

SIGN UP TODAY!

www.growingroomusa.com

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SUMMER ACTIVITY GUIDE Wise Choices for You & Your Family

S U M M E R C A M P S 2 018

Columbu s State Universit y

May 2 10 weeks of fun for t i ll Aug9 your kids and a flexible 3 Ages schedule for you!

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706.507.8070 - Activ8er.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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