Lehigh Valley Family July-August 2011

Family Lehigh Valley

Pr takieceless one!

July-August 2011

Keep Summer Boredom at BayFun Things to Do! Is Your Child Ready for College?

Drop the Extra Weight Without Exercising!

Day-Cations: Day Trips in Eastern Pa

What’s Your Child’s Mojo? www

. LehighValleyFamily . com

Family Lehigh Valley

A Thrive, LLC Publication 905 Harrison Street, Suite 104 • Allentown 18103 610-762-9011 editor@lehighvalleyfamily.com

www.LehighValleyFamily.com

July & August 2011

OUR TEAM

Publisher Jeff Tintle, II

Editor

Laura Putt Editor@ lehighvalleyfamily.com

Associate Editor Vicki Bezems

Photography: Janet Sena Pix-Ology, LLC

Contributors

Art Villafane Lauren Wuscher Pam Cantone Denise Continenza

For Advertising

Contact 610-762-9011 or sales@lehighvalleyfamily.com

Copyright© 2011 by Thrive, LLC. All rights reserved.

The contents of this publication may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher. Thrive, LLC assumes no responsibility for damages arising from errors or omissions. Thrive Media, 905 Harrison Street, Suite 104, Allentown 18103. www.lehighvalleyfamily.com.

Lehigh Valley Family’s monthly issues are available online at www.lehighvalleyfamily.com. Print issues are published bi-monthly (Jan/Feb; March/April; May/ June; July/Aug; Sept/Oct; Nov/Dec); and are available at libraries, churches, health clubs, medical facilities, child care centers, preschools, educational centers and other locations where publications are generally found. Print subscriptions are available for $20 (6 issues).

On the Cover:

Lehigh Valley resident Samuel, of Forks Township. Cover photo by Janet Sena of Pix-Ology, LLC. Visit her online at www.Pix-Ology.com.

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A

message to graduates from the Editor...

Summer is finally here. It just feels good to say that, doesn’t it? As we enter into summer, many of us are experiencing a lot of change. Namely graduation. It is both a scary and exciting time of life for young adults. As we compiled this issue, I began thinking back to my time of graduation. I remember the fears and insecurities that I felt during this time of transition. Fear of change, losing touch with friends, and leaving family to forge my own way were my biggest sources of apprehension. Others I cannot recall, as ten years later none of my past worries are relevant to my life today.

As a kid, I always thought that once I graduated from college, I would magically know how to do everything and navigate life seamlessly. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but if that is your plan, it is highly unlikely to work out. As an adult, I sometimes feel more unsure of the choices I make and the direction I choose to travel than ever. For certain, the complexity of life in the real world can be paralyzing.

Some adults deal with life by constantly reliving their “glory days”, never realizing their full potential after deeming that their best days have come and gone.

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Others, like myself, get so caught up in planning for tomorrow that we forget about enjoying today. I’m not sure which is a bigger mistake.

Recently I was talking with some friends from high school, and we discussed the things we wish we had done differently. Each one of us agreed that we wish we had slowed down and enjoyed the last four years before total responsibility set it.

At the ripe old age of 28, I am beginning to realize that they key to life is enjoying exactly where you are at this moment. Sure, it is important to work hard to make a solid future for yourself, but realize that without taking the time to enjoy the view, there is no point to climbing a mountain.

It is my hope that as you go forward into the world, you will heed this advice: Do your best, work your hardest, but at the end of the day make sure you’ve had fun…a lot of fun. And when things get tough, realize it’s only temporary. Do your best for today. Laugh your hardest today. Live and love passionately today.

All of us at Lehigh Valley Family wish you much success in life. Congratulations, and may God bless you as you begin your journey into adulthood!

- Laura

Family Lehigh Valley

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Lehigh Valley Family offers a monthly online magazine with fresh content, articles, listings, calendar of events, videos, links and more! It’s all free and available online. Also sign up on the web site for a free email subscription to Lehigh Valley Family’s news and updates.

Join our @LehighValleyFam Facebook group, Receive daily ideas of things to do locally with Lehigh Valley Family! your family!

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No Boys Allowed! By Rosalind Lucien, The Glam Squad

L

ife for a teenage girl has never been described as easy.

It wasn’t for my mother, my grandmother, or for me.

Some reasons were completely different, but some were the same. My grandmother grew up in a time when women were blatantly treated as second class citizens. My mother came of age post women’s liberation, yet still fought hard to crack through glass ceilings. I, on the other hand, was raised in a time when it was not uncommon to see female CEO’s, business owners and millionaires. Women were taking charge of their own destiny in growing numbers.

However, as a teen, I didn’t feel pretty enough, smart enough, or anything enough. I wasn’t sure where I fit in. Women of all generations recount similar feelings to me during the teen years. What did we all have in common? Puberty! That period of awkwardness and uncertainty that feels like it will never cease. But, like my grandmother, mother and other sister friends, I forged through and came out on the other side, virtually unscathed with no long term consequences.

Today, as I watch my daughter and her tween/teen peers, many days I feel a sense of panic and worry. “Growing up girl” in our modern time is an experience that truly is unlike generations before.

A side effect of our technology-ladden modern age is relational aggression. It is showing signs as early as elementary school. This is the use of exclusionary or hurtful behaviors to undermine another person’s self esteem or status causing harm to relationships, i.e., refusing to talk to a peer, kicking a friend off a buddy list (instant messaging) or social network site (Facebook/Twitter), ignoring a peer “Puberty in itself is tough enough. Now, during activities such as sports, clubs or add in the pressure even the lunch table, gossiping/starting to participate in rumors. The list is endless. Relational the social media aggression is often covert, using whirlwind, and a computers and cell phones.

dose of relational To make things even more aggression. That is a recipe for pubescent complicated, we are raising our girls thunderstorm.” in a world where around the clock

media blitz exposes them to many things that are beyond our reach and often times out of our control. Reality television has set the women’s movement back fifty years and is sending girls the message that they will be rewarded for behaving badly. Life on the internet and social media is a digital tattoo. Unfortunately, it does not come along with an “Ooops, I didn’t mean that”. There are no doovers in the land of the cyberspace.

Puberty in itself is tough enough. Now, add in the pressure to participate in the social media whirlwind, and a dose of

relational aggression. That is a recipe for pubescent thunderstorm. What is a girl to do? What’s a parent to do?

The Glam Squad provides the resources.

The No Boys Allowed Teen Tween Expo for Girls (and Moms) strives to provide tween and teen girls with skills essential to navigate the hills and valleys of “growing up girl” in our modern culture.

Workshops are facilitated by industry professionals and are for Girls ONLY, Moms ONLY, and Mother and Daughters together. Everyone has their own safe space to seek guidance and share struggles/strategies, as well as successes.

The Glam Squad will be hosting an expo on Saturday, October 1, 2011 in Bethlehem. In addition to the expo, there will also be an Inner Beauty Pageant. This event will be a total departure from the negative imagery of pageantry.

Girls will compete in areas of leadership, community service, creativity and individuality. Girls ages 10-18 are encouraged to enter. The Glam Squad prepares girls for a fabulous future, inside and out. For more information visit www. groovebyglamsquad.com.

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Avoid Summer Brain Drain

Fun ways to keep kids reading (Family Features)

“

No more teachers, no more books ...” Kids may heave a sigh of relief when school is out for the summer, but parents and caregivers need to make sure that kids don’t fall victim to summer brain drain.

According to the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), all kids experience learning losses when they don’t engage in educational activities during the summer. Research over the last 100 years shows that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

• When reading picture books, ask your child about what is happening in the illustration. Let them interpret the drawings in their own, unique way.

• Let them read from a wide variety of materials. Fairy tales, information books, poems, children’s magazines, the newspaper’s sports page, e-books and graphic novels are all “Like any other important skill, learning must be practiced good options for finding interesting reading material. or it can easily be lost,” said Matthew Boulay, NSLA’s interim • Don’t drill your child on letters, words, numbers, colors, CEO. “The research shows that lower-income children with etc. Turn it into a game to help encourage their curiosity and less access to summer learning programs and to books are continued interest. even more likely to fall behind in reading over the summer • Make sure reading material is easily accessible. Leave books — and that contributes a great deal to the achievement gap and magazines in their room; have reading material in other over time.” rooms of the house, and even the car.

What you can do for your kids

Reading is a crucial learning skill that has impact into adult life. Here are some fun ways to help get — and keep — your kids’ noses in books this summer: • Make time every day for reading. Reading to children and modeling good reading habits communicates that reading is important — and fun.

• Help kids choose books at an appropriate reading level.

Nothing is more discouraging than having to struggle with a book that’s too challenging. Listen to your child read. A good rule of thumb is that if he or she makes five or more errors in reading a page of about 50 words, the book is too challenging.

• Discuss new words, especially with younger readers. Asking them who might live in a palace or what they might do with a vacuum helps put the new word into a context they can understand.

Fun Booktivity Ideas

Writing and illustrating are two more fun ways to engage kids with books. Using a Web browser, you can submit electronic files to a participating The UPS Store location for digital print production, then customize your documents and pay for them online.

Here are some fun “booktivity” ideas that keep kids engaged with reading skills while helping others: • Have your child create their own illustrations for their favorite book. Then, print them up for display.

• Older kids can make their own comic books. Then, have them printed and bound.

• During a family trip, let the kids write and illustrate their adventures using your laptop’s drawing software. Then, upload the files and have them printed and waiting for you as soon as the trip is done.

Learn more about online printing at www.theupsstore.com/print.

July/August 2011 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Ready, Set, Read!

Summer Arts Celebration

Here are a few books to get the summer fun started: Age 3 to 6

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff Mr. Peek and the Misunderstanding at the Zoo by Kevin Waldron Baloney (Henry P.) by Jon Scieszka Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Ages 6 to 9

Students at the 2010 celebration began the tradition of all the performers entering the fountain following the concert.

Photo courtesy of Lee Butz.

Ages 9 to 12

Summer Arts Celebration is an entertainment review and art exhibit featuring performers and artists from Allentown School District elementary, middle, and high schools, sponsored by the Allentown School District Foundation. The program includes a variety of choral music, theatrical excerpts, instrumental and orchestral performers. Student art work will be on display and for sale at the event. Proceeds from the sale of student art work will benefit Allentown School District art programs. The event is held at the PPL Plaza on Wednesday, July 27th starting at 4:00 PM.

A Picture Book of Jesse Owens by David Adler Clementine by Sara Pennypacker What Really Happened in Roswell? Just the Facts (Plus the Rumors) About UFOs and Aliens by Kathleen Krull From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems by Francisco X. Alarcón The Batboy by Mike Lupica Summer Reading Is Killing Me by Jon Scieszka Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck

20+ locations

Ages 13+

Summerland by Michael Chabon Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan Holes by Louis Sachar Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins For more book recommendations, visit: - American Library Association www.ala.org, for a list of award-winning children’s books.

- Reading Rockets www.ReadingRockets.org, for themed lists of kids’ favorites.

- Education World www.education-world.com, for recommended reading and fun activities to go along with the books.

- KidsReads www.kidsreads.com, for an annotated list of age-appropriate books.

- International Reading Association www.reading. org, for a list of books arranged by reading level.

A trusted neighbor

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Programs for children ages six weeks to 12 years

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Scholarship assistance

LVCConline.org ∙ (610) 820-5333 www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family

Tips for Smooth Transitions!

By Carry Gerber

Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers

strives to make her classroom an extension of the home. She assures parents that she treats every child with warmth and kindness, and “I encourage families to call 20 times a day if they need to... whatever makes them feel comfortable.” In the same respect, if Olga has questions, she doesn’t hesitate to call Mom or Dad, because “the key to any successful transition is communication between parents and teachers.”

T

ransitions occur at every age and can pose challenges and temporary distress for all involved.

At Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers (LVCC), we know that although they are sometimes uncomfortable, transitions are opportunities for social and emotional growth. We recommend approaching any change (like moving from one classroom to another, or from preschool to kindergarten) with excitement and enthusiasm.

Any reluctance or stress on the part of a parent or grandparent can be felt and reflected by children.

Rest assured that teachers understand that change is difficult and want to help make transitions smooth and happy experiences for you and your child. Below, three LVCC educators describe how they help children and families navigate transitions into and out of their classrooms every day.

Transitioning Into an Early Learning Center Infant Room Teacher Olga Calderon has been teaching at LVCC’s Campus Center (Bethlehem) for 22 years. She has seen a lot of tears over the years -- but mainly on the faces of parents who are leaving their child in someone else’s care for the first time. As a parent herself, Olga understands, and

After 20 years of experience, Olga feels that the transition into an infant or toddler classroom is often more difficult for parents/guardians than it is for the child. She stresses that, although a child may cry during morning drop-off, the crying usually stops shortly after Mom or Dad leaves the room. “I encourage parents to leave the room and then discreetly peek back in the window or doorway, after one to two minutes; in most instances, the child has gotten involved in classroom activities and stopped crying.”

Transitioning to Preschool The first day of preschool or pre-k can be an exciting time for both parent and child. Stephanie Pacifico, a Pre-K Counts teacher at LVCC’s South Mountain (Allentown) location, finds that it’s comforting for both the parents and the child to have an idea about what to expect on the first day of school.

Since LVCC’s Pre-K Counts program has a distinct start to

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July/August 2011 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

the school year, Stephanie holds an open house beforehand where she invites parents and students to visit the center, meet the teachers and center director and explore their classroom. Stephanie uses this initial meeting as an opportunity to discuss her expectations for the year as well as address any apprehensions or concerns on the part of families.

Even if your child’s program does not have a distinct beginning, LVCC encourages transition meetings with parents. It’s important that you and your child’s new teacher discuss your goals and expectations, classroom procedures, and your child’s needs. Make arrangements to bring your child for a play date beforehand, where you can meet the teacher, explore the classroom together and participate in an activity or two.

Transitioning to Elementary School / Child Care Colleen Heimbach, LVCC’s center director at Nazareth’s Shafer School and Intermediate School, also recommends a meet-and-greet with staff before the first day of before- and after-school care. “It’s still important for school-age children to feel comfortable and secure in a new environment.”

Private School Spotlight Lehigh Valley SDA Elementary School 3950 Mechanicsville Rd. Whitehall, PA 18052 (610) 799-2341

Colleen recommends talking to your children before their first day of school or child care about what to expect - that they will have fun, make friends and participate in activities. Be specific. Use the teacher’s names. “I talked to your new teacher, Miss Colleen, and she says that when it’s nice outside, they go out and play kickball! They also have art and science activities!”

Mission Statement:

Colleen stresses that it’s always nice to hear from parents. So, don’t hesitate to call and see how your child is transitioning.

Fast Facts:

Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers is the largest full-day, year-round early care and education provider in the region with over 20 convenient locations. LVCC is now accepting fall enrollments -- for more information, visit LVCConline.org.

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m

Creating New Stories for Children with Special Needs by: Paul Volosov, Ph.D., Founder and President of New Story

M

ore than 20 years ago, I attended a conference for people with serious and complex behavioral health disorders. After listening to a number of speeches discussing the need for high-quality services for children with special needs, I thought to myself, “this should be a given.” Children with educational and behavioral issues deserve to have easy access to high-quality services. More importantly, they need the opportunity to live a good life. We need to focus on creating environments that provide children who have the most serious and complex educational challenges the opportunity to create new stories of growth and success.

With the prevalence of special needs students in the U.S. significantly increasing in the last decade, we are seeing a greater demand for effective services and programs designed to meet the needs of children with emotional and behavioral disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among others.

Out of a total education enrollment – 1,787,351 – in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the 2009-2010 school year, 15 percent of these students are enrolled in special education – further underscoring the need for effective programming and support in this region.

For more than a decade, New Story (formerly Milestones Achievement Centers of America and Milestones Community Healthcare), the leading provider of private schools and services in Pennsylvania, has helped children with the most serious and complex behavioral and educational challenges live good lives. Our name “New Story” reflects what we do each and every day – we create an environment where children can grow and succeed, regardless of their challenges.

Through our schools and services, we change people’s lives and give them an opportunity to lead a high-quality life in ways they never thought possible. We welcome each child into our family and provide them with a comprehensive and individualized program -- teaching them the necessary skills needed to create new stories of hope and success.

I appreciate the individual attention she has received. We have all noticed the improvement in Emilie’s behavior at home.”

This testimonial underscores the success we have with the children in our programs. Our aim is to teach the children the skills they need so they can learn how to cope with their issues and be successful at home and in school. The ultimate goal is to have the children return to their home school and continue to grow and succeed.

As we serve many communities throughout the PA region, we want to show our commitment and support beyond the schools and services that we offer. To that end, New Story recently announced the New Story Fund designed to help support families facing challenges, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), emotional support needs, mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. The Fund will grant $50,000 each year ($25,000 disbursed twice a year) to help families throughout Pennsylvania who don’t have the funds to access goods and services needed to best support their children. For more information about the fund, or to nominate a family, please visit www.newstory.com/fund.

Our goal is to create many successful new stories by continuing to grow and expand our offerings to better serve children with educational, emotional and behavioral challenges.

For more information visit: www.newstory.com

Free directory of summer camps in the Lehigh Valley.

As an example, a parent of a child in one of our therapeutic summer camps said, “I can’t say thank you enough for providing Emilie with such a stimulating summer program.

10 July/August 2011 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Community Libraries • Allentown Public Library

Need Something To Do That’s Fun, Free, and Educational?

C

heck out the summer reading programs at your community library. The theme for this summer is One World, Many Stories. Each community library has its own fun events revolving around the theme. For example, take a look at Bethlehem Area Public Library’s Program: • Mondays at Noon through July 25: Back Porch Stories. Bring a blanket and brown bag lunch to the porch near the Tea House.

• World Wednesdays: 11-12 July 6 and 13. Grades 1-6 can listen to stories, learn about other cultures, play games and create global art.

• Family Fun Nights, Tuesdays at 7. Different activities each week.

1210 Hamilton St., Allentown.

• Bethlehem Area Public Library 11 W. Church St., Bethlehem.

• Catasauqua Public Library 3rd & Bridge streets, Catasauqua.

• Coplay Library 49 S. Fifth St., Coplay.

• Easton Area Public Library 515 Church St., Easton.

• Emmaus Public Library E. Main St., Emmaus.

• Hellertown Area Library 409 Constitution Ave., Hellertown.

• Lehighton Area Memorial Library 124 North St., Lehighton.

• Lower Macungie Library 3400 Brookside Road, Macungie.

• Nazareth Memorial Library 295 E. Center St., Nazareth.

• Northampton Area Public Library 1615 Laubach Ave., Northampton.

• Palmerton Library Association 402 Delaware Ave., Palmerton.

• Parkland Community Library 4422 Walbert Ave., Allentown • Quakertown Library 401 W. Mill St., Quakertown.

• Slatington Public Library 650 Main St., Slatington.

• Southern Lehigh Public Library 6339 Beverly Hills Road, Coopersburg.

• Whitehall Township Public Library 3700 Mechanicsville Road, Whitehall.

There are many other fun events hosted at community libraries. Here is a look at the summer events at Allentown Public Library: • Mondays at 10 am – Preschoolers and their families are invited to story time. Stories, songs and fun around the world.

• Movies at the library Tuesday afternoons at 2:30 pm - The films (rated G or PG) are geared to children and youth and their families. Sorry, no food or drinks allowed in the library.

• Reading to Dogs is coming to Allentown! Designated Wednesday mornings in June and July. Registration is required and space is limited.

• Readers Theater is back for summer on Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm. If you are starting 1st grade through 3rd grade in the fall, sign up for the fun! Registration is required and space is limited.

• Books & Bagels is back! Fridays at 10:30 am, children can enjoy a breakfast treat.

See our list on the next column to find the library nearest you and join in the fun! www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family 11

What’s Your Child’s Mojo?

by Denise Continenza, Family Living Educator, Penn State Cooperative Extension-Lehigh County

A

n integral aspect of parenting is finding and nurturing your child’s “spark.” What are the things that interest or intrigue him or her? What do you see as his/her talents, abilities or gifts? Identifying these personal strengths and encouraging their development helps to form a solid foundation for a healthy self-image.

Research tells us that people thrive when they know and use their greatest strengths.

not mean that the interest has to become a lifetime dedication or career. It means helping a child acquire a clearer identity of what makes him who he is and feel good about it.

I spoke with the father of an accomplished musician and asked him when he first noticed his son’s interest in music.

The father said he recognized this in his son before he was a year old. His head would turn whenever he heard music and he would bop his head to the beat. When the dad also moved to the music, the little guy grinned in delight. The parents encouraged their son’s penchant for music by providing him with many opportunities for interaction with music -- toys that played tunes, music in the car, eventually singing together and then music lessons. Dad admitted to not being a gifted singer, but a parent need not have the same talent in order to foster their child’s. The boy ended up forming a band during high school and touring the country as a young adult.

I had another conversation with a parent who also had a musically inclined child, and she did the same things with her daughter to encourage her love of music. However, this child did not grow up to be a music teacher or a lead guitarist; she simply enjoys music. Finding your child’s spark does

12

Those things that make one happy, activities that make one feel fulfilled and special -- whatever brings light to one’s eyes -- can be called a person’s “mojo.” The urban dictionary defines this newfangled term as a person’s charm, talent and belief in oneself or that which sets someone apart from the rest. The earlier these are identified in a child, the sooner they can be nurtured. But how does a parent do this?

Name it. Observe your child. Notice how he interacts with

others. Take note of what she is drawn to. Listen to what your child says. See how he responds to the world around him.

Then, say what you see. For example, a parent saw her son reach out to help a teammate who had fallen when trying to catch a ball. She took note of this and later said to him, “I saw how you helped Sam get up when he fell.” Another parent was aware that her son loved race cars. She used race cars to help him learn many skills he would need for school such as counting, sorting, color recognition and sequencing.

Claim It. Help your child to “own” the skill, interest or

attribute. The first parent could say something like, “You are very caring and compassionate.” The second mother might say, “You really enjoy race cars. They are your favorite toys.”

This reflection of the observed behavior helps the child to see

July/August 2011 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

him or herself in a positive, strength-based light.

Sustain It. Nurture or foster that strength by reinforcing

it whenever you see it in action. If a child is recognized frequently for helping others or showing concern, they will see themselves as compassionate. Providing opportunities for interests to develop helps the child to improve his or her skills and become stronger, whether that is in sports, the arts or academics. Acknowledge children for their efforts, the process rather than the product. Accept that some areas of apparent strength will develop into bigger accomplishments while others will remain hobbies or interests.

It is also important to be aware that interests can die out and new ones take over during childhood. That is normal, as a child’s job is to explore. Talk with children about their pursuits and how you can help foster them. There is a huge pay-off to staying in tune with your child’s “mojo.�

Research has found that children are more likely to do better in school and stay out of trouble during the teen years when they have a passion for something that “sparks� them.

For more information on how to determine your own strengths as well as your child’s, visit www. authentichappiness.org.

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Concordia Lutheran Academy's Summer Program Staff is comprised of certified teachers.

Each week is a themed week.

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“Day-cations” Day Trips in Eastern PA

By Vicki Bezems, Lehigh Valley Family

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s summer stretches on, chances are that you have already taken at least a week’s vacation, or that you have one planned. But you may also be interested in some one- or two-day trips, as well, to keep your summer interesting. We’ve highlighted some alluring destinations for you that are within a couple of hours’ drive from the Lehigh Valley. Take advantage of your summer freedom to discover these fascinating eastern Pennsylvania landmarks.

Bushkill Falls

Bushkill Falls Road, Bushkill, Pa. (570) 588-6682 • www.visitbushkillfalls.com The “Niagara of Pennsylvania”, Bushkill Falls is one of Pennsylvania’s most popular scenic attractions. The group of eight waterfalls is nestled deep in the wooded Pocono Mountains and are accessible through an excellent network of hiking trails and bridges which offer spectacular views of the waterfalls and the surrounding forest. In addition to hiking the trails and seeing the thundering 100-foot Main Falls, you can also check out the Pennsylvania Wildlife Exhibit and Native American Exhibit, fish Twin Lakes, visit numerous gift shops, indulge in something sweet from the Fudge Kitchen, take a paddle-boat ride, or enjoy a round of miniature golf. At Bushkill Falls, the entire family will find plenty to do.

Penn’s Cave

222 Penns Cave Road, Centre Hall, Pa. (814) 364-1664 • www.pennscave.com Penn’s Cave Caverns and Wildlife Park is well worth the two and one half hour drive from the Lehigh Valley. Located 18 miles east of State College, it features one of America’s only all-water cavern tours. The guided 50-minute tour by motorboat takes you through the limestone cavern, which is rich in geology and history. See how dripping water has carved majestic flowstone, curtains, cascades, and draperies into a background of pillars and gigantic columns.

The farm and wildlife tour is a guided 90-minute motor tour over the thousand acres of Penn’s Cave forests and fields, which have been carefully preserved as a natural habitat for birds, plants and animals. You can frequently spot animals such as deer, elk, wolves, bears, bison and mustangs.

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Hickory Run State Park

RR 1 Box 81, White Haven, PA 18661-9712, • www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/hickoryrun.

The 15,500-acre Hickory Run State Park, Carbon County, is located in Carbon County, in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains. This large park has over 40 miles of hiking trails, three state park natural areas and miles of trout streams. Its many ammenities include trails, picnicking, swimming, fishing, hunting, disc golf, wildlife watching, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and camping.

Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark and State Park Natural Area., Boulder Field makes Hickory Run State Park unique. Boulder Field has remained relatively unchanged for 12,000 years. Some of the boulders measure 26 feet in length.

Sesame Place

100 Sesame Place, Langhorn, Pa. (215) 757-1100 • www.sesameplace.com Sesame Place is a magical place to spend a day or weekend with your younger children in Eastern Pennsylvania. The all-time classic characters of children’s television – Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, Oscar, and more!

-- come alive before your very eyes, and the kids can touch and play with the characters. The whole family will be entertained, and the parade is a must-see.

Crayola Factory

30 Centre Square, Easton, Pa. (610) 515-8000 • www.crayola.com/factory The Crayola Factory at Two Rivers Landing is a hands-on discovery center for children that provides educational and creative personal development experiences. Children can participate in various activities and crafts where their only creative limitation is their imagination. They can color, draw and create with the latest Crayola products. Take a tour of the factory and see how Crayons are made.

Amazing Houdini Tour and Fun Magic Show 1433 North Main Street, Scranton Pa. (570) 342-5555 • www.houdini.org

July/August 2011 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

Houdini tours and magic shows are great fun for the whole family. Named in the Top 10 Greatest Road Trip Destinations in the U.S., Gallaghers Travels.com, and Road Trip America.com, the Houdini Museum has been called one of the most unique museums and attractions in the world. The magic show includes two of the best, nationally known magicians, Dorothy Dietrich and John Bravo.

Amish Experience Theatre

Plain & Fancy Farm, 3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, Pa. (717) 768-3600 (For many GPS systems you will need to use the town name of “Ronks” rather than Bird-in-Hand to find us.) http://www.amishexperience.com “In the heart of the oldest Amish settlement in the world, between Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse, is the Amish Experience, the county’s oldest, largest, and most complete interpretive and touring center.

There you may take tours of the surrounding Amish farmlands in air-conditioned comfort, enjoy an informative guided walk through Lancaster County’s only designated ‘Heritage Site’ Amish House, and witness the spectacular and widely acclaimed F/X Theater production of ‘Jacob’s Choice’, the emotional story of an Old Order Amish family of today facing the challenges of modern life while struggling to preserve 400 years of community, commitment and tradition.”

The Catacombs Restaurant

Bube’s Brewery, 102 North Market Street, Mount Joy, Pa. (717) 653-2056 • www.bubesbrewery.com To dine in The Catacombs, you’ll have to descend several stories below the surface of the street in the aging cellars of Bube’s Brewery. A costumed guide will greet you and lead you on a tour of the brewery on your way to dinner, 43 feet into the stone-lined vaults of the Catacombs. There you will find a unique fine dining experience, with a menu that includes a variety of traditional and gourmet dishes.

Lehigh Valley Zoo

5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville Pa. (610) 799-4171 • www.lvzoo.org A Lehigh Valley favorite, located in Schnecksville, PA, within the scenic 1,100-acre Trexler Nature Preserve, the Lehigh Valley Zoo is home to more than 250 animals representing 70 species from African Penguins to Zebra. In 2009 and 2010, the Zoo was voted Best Family Day Trip in The

Morning Call’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Open to the public year-round.

In addition to visiting the animals in their habitats, and watching them at feeding time, you can participate in many special events and activities throughout the summer and autumn months. Here are a few: • Run Wild at Lehigh Valley Zoo – 10K, 5K, Family Educational Fun Walk August 28, 2011. Run Wild takes participants on a mad dash through the Trexler Nature Preserve and Lehigh Valley Zoo. Whether they sprint, gallop, waddle or crawl, this event is sure to bring out everyone’s inner animal.

• ZooGala September 24, 2011 – Celebrating Lehigh Valley Zoo’s North American Species.

• Octoberfest Sip and Shop for Conservation October 15, 2011 – Vendors, Wine and Craft Beer.

M&H Railroad

136 Brown Street, Middletown, Pa. (717) 944-4435 • www.mhrailroad.com Less than an hour and half from the Lehigh Valley, you can enjoy an 11-mile train ride along the Swatara Creek, while learning the history of the area. Passengers board our 1920’s vintage Delaware, Lackawanna & Western coaches at our 1891 Freight Station in Middletown, Pennsylvania. While in Middletown, browse the gift shop or relax on the porch and visit with other folks from near and far.

After leaving Middletown, the train follows the towpath of the historic Union Canal and alongside the peaceful Swatara. The narrator relates the history of the Canal (completed in 1827), the location of Canal Lock #33, a century old limekiln and the folklore about Horse Thief Cave. On the return trip from Indian Echo Cave Platform, you will enjoy a “sing-along” of tunes from the railroading days, as well as fun songs for young and old alike.

For more information on daytrips and attractions, see www.visitpa. com, http://www.thingstodo.com/states/PA/index.htm and http://www. familydaysoutusa.com/places-to-go/pennsylvania/, or Google “day trips in Pennsylvania.”

Word to the Wise: 7 Tips for the Grad

By Pam Cantone

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lizzards of graduation caps are scattered throughout the early months of summer. Words of inspiration remain in the warm breeze of the seasonally hot nights. And day by day, childhood slips away to an end, only to bring new beginnings.

Graduation ceremonies are a momentous rite of passage that brings our children one step closer to adulthood, and opportunities and potential settle at their feet. For many high school graduates, the next step of walking toward a life on their own is college. Full of possibilities and challenges we send them on their way with past experiences and good advice. What advice would you give to your grad? Here are a few wise words to get them started: 1. Design a future vision. Picture what you want your life to be in the future. If you know where you are going; it is easier to create the path to get there.

help you meet people who will connect you to opportunities.

3. Embrace now. Seize the moment. Create future goals as a way to name your target destination, but remember, how you reach those goals lies within the opportunities that are offered in the here and now.

4. Learn from mistakes. Some things you just can’t learn from a book. Take the time to understand the lesson being taught within your mistakes, and use those difficult moments to learn and grow from the wisdom.

5. Exercise choice. Every situation offers choice. Identify options and consequences of your actions. Be flexible and willing to change, and understand that the option to do nothing is a choice.

6. Do what you love. Apply your individuality and find a passion. Expand your horizons by getting involved and exploring many new options. Happiness comes from doing what you love.

7. Be open to change. Put your future into your own hands.You create the life you live with the choices you make. Own it.

2. Create a supportive network. Make lots of friends from the start who support the best you. Also, get to know and build a relationship with your professors. They are a great resource to

Pam Cantone is a parent life coach and owner of Moments Coaching, LLC. She helps individuals and families find a vision and goals to create positive change in life. For more information please contact Pam at 610-392-6514 or go to her website www.momentscoaching.com.

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Your Style

Drop That Extra Weight Without Exercise!

By Lauren Wuscher

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very summer it seems that clothing gets scarce.

The lack of clothing may look great on buff bodies and those who have been religiously exercising all year long, but tight tees and tiny bathing suits are not always every person’s dream afternoon.

As we begin hitting 90-degree weather, you may realize you still have not lost the winter weight you had hoped, but don’t fret! It’s simple to take your winter weight and fit it into something that makes it look smaller...

1. Don’t Wear a Bag - Many of us who want to cover up run to the store and find the biggest tee that we can find and hide in it for the next 3 months. NO, NO, NO! I cannot stress enough that this is a horrible idea. Have you ever seen someone wearing only an

• Wear darker colored denim. Not only does it make you look thinner, but it will look more expensive, too.

• If you have a large stomach, wear your pants and shorts a little higher up. This will create a more defined waistline and make you look thinner. Whatever you do, do not let your gut hang over the top of your pants!

• Stay away from horizontal stripes and big or intricate prints (even on swim trunks). They will make you look much larger than you actually are.

• Stay away from pleated shorts or pants. They will make it appear as though you have a larger back end than you really do!

• Empty your pockets - don’t carry around your entire life in your pockets. Get a money clip instead of a wallet, and if you’re a woman, carry everything in your purse.

3. Are you a descendant of Quasimodo?

oversized tee to the beach and roaming the sand AND water in it? It looks horrible! Instead, suck it up (or in) and take off that tee. If you’re really not comfortable, find a tee or tank that at least fits snugly (but not too tight) to your body shape. Make sure it won’t billow in the summer breeze and you will be fine… and look thinner!

2. Black Doesn’t Always Hide your Back...End -

Yeah, yeah, yeah, black is slimming. But all over black looks like you just came from a funeral… every single day of your life. Plus, when you’re in the sun, black is HOT! So in order to combat this mistake, you can do a few things such as:

Slouching makes you look horrible and just packs on the pounds. Stand up straight and walk tall. Plus, it will show you have confidence!

These three tips will help you look ten pounds thinner this summer and will still keep you cool without having to pack on the layers. And if all else fails, I don’t normally condone tanning due to the risks of skin cancer and the like, but in summer, being a little darker will make you appear thinner.

The best way to do this is to use a self tanner that doesn’t turn you icky orange. My favorite is Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel because it gives you a super realistic tan. It’s a bit pricier than the normal tanning lotions, but you can get about 3 applications out of each bottle, you won’t turn orange, and in the long run, it’s cheaper than cancer.

www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family

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The Time is Now! Is Your Child Ready for College?

By Vicki Bezems, Lehigh Valley Family

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or 12 years, you’ve been checking your child’s homework, calling out spelling words, reading essays, and wrapping your brain around math equations that you haven’t seen since junior or senior high.

You’ve been preparing your child for college, his first major leap toward total independence. In a few short weeks, you’ll be leaving your young scholar on campus. He’ll be on his own for the first time -- with no one keeping tabs on the number of hours he’s sleeping, if she’s getting her daily five fruits and veggies, or if he’s wearing cotton shirts that have slept in a laundry basket for two weeks. Everything you’ve ever taught her has been leading to this day, and now it’s time to start packing.

You’ve examined your child’s readiness for independence as you and he have gone through the process of applying to colleges and making a final decision. At this point all the logistics -- housing, meals, and on-campus transportation -- have been arranged. But it doesn’t hurt to re-assess some critical points before the day of departure.

Is your child physically ready to go?

• Has he had a routine check-up in the last six months? Is she up to date on vaccinations, including Hepatitis B and Menactra, a newer vaccine against the strain of meningitis most commonly affects students in dormitories?

• Have you reviewed healthy food choices and where to buy them?

• Have you or your child’s doctor discussed exercise and the “Freshman 15”, the extra pounds that many first-year college students tend to gain?

• Have you reviewed any special needs with

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administration, food services and the medical staff, such as food allergies, gluten intolerance or diabetes?

• Does your child have an ample supply of prescription medications to take along, as well as written instructions for taking them?

Is your child emotionally ready to leave home?

You can expect your child to have a certain amount of anxiety as he is about to enter college, but you should watch for signs that may indicate an alarming stress level. Does he seem to be unduly depressed about leaving friends or a love, or overly anxious about living without parents or fitting in? A professional counselor can be instrumental in helping to sort out emotional issues. Have your child see a therapist now, and make sure she knows where to seek help if college life becomes overwhelming. The college counseling service is the best place to start if the student does not feel comfortable talking to his parents.

Does your child have basic life skills to survive on his own?

There’s still time to master some household chores:

July/August 2011 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

• Can your son make a small meal or nutritious snack, whether in an apartment or in a dorm kitchen?

• Does she know how to do laundry, including checking pockets for electronics and change before washing, separating lights from darks, line drying his favorite nylon sports jersey or her delicates? Use bleach for socks and underwear? Use an iron?

• If he is keeping a car on campus, does he know how to check the oil,

the radiator coolant level, and the air pressure in the tires?

Is she familiar with the warning lights that indicate that something needs attention? Have a plan in place if the car requires maintenance or breaks down on the road.

What to Pack for College Every student will need: • Pens and pencils (pencils are often required for standardized tests.)

• Notebooks.

• Folders.

• Highlighters.

• Calculator • Recorder, for recording lecture notes.

• A durable, comfortable backpack.

These supplies can be purchased at the college bookstore or online, but it will be cheaper to buy them in your hometown at your local discount store.

The Dorm Room His dorm room will be his home away from home, and you’ll want to make it comfortable, but keep in mind that it will be small and storage space will be very limited. He’ll probably need: • His own computer. (You can use the computers in the library if you don’t have one, but you won’t have unlimited access.)

• Headphones. (She and her roommate may have different tastes in music.)

• Appliances, such as a microwave or mini-refrigerator. First check with the school to find out if these appliances are furnished.

• Television and a DVD player.

• MP3 player or stereo.

• Power strip and an extension cord • Bedding. Contact housing ahead of time to find out what size sheets will fit the beds.

• Laundry detergent and coins for the Laundromat.

• Basic cooking utensils (saucepan, cookie sheet, mixing bowl, measuring spoon/cups) for making cookies and snacking.

• Hot pot.

• Popcorn. (kitchens have microwaves for popcorn) • Dishwashing soap, sponges.

• Mugs, spoons, plates, etc.

• Anti-bacterial wipes and cleaning supplies for the room.

• Check with housing to find out if irons and ironing boards are furnished.

• Wrinkle releaser spray, if your child doesn’t iron (He’s more likely to use the spray even if he does know how to iron.)

• A lap desk is a good idea if she likes to study in bed.

• Photos of family and friends and a few personal articles to make his dorm room feel like home.

Personal Items • Identification – a driver’s license or other form of official photo ID, such as a US Identification Card, available at driver’s licensing services. In PA, go to http://www.dmv. state.pa.us for more information and an application form.

• Clothing – Storage space will be limited, so don’t try to pack everything. Take what he’ll need for the season, exchanging pieces whenever he visits home. Be sure to include some things for weather extremes, even in the off-season.

• Money: checkbook, debit card, ATM card.

• Bathroom and shower supplies. Don’t forget a shower caddy to tote body wash and shampoo back and forth, and shower shoes to prevent her from catching athlete’s foot.

• Flashlight and batteries.

• Sewing kit.

• Tool kit. (screwdriver, hammer, pliers, etc.)

• Hand sanitizer.

The college itself will have more detailed information.

Safety Discuss basic safety precautions for living on or off campus.

See that your student has a cell phone and an updated calling plan. Make sure that it works well everywhere on campus, and on the road between home and school. Make sure the dorm or apartment doors and windows have good, working locks,

(Continued on page 20) www.LehighValleyFamily.com • Lehigh Valley Family

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(Continued from page 19) and remind your child to use them.

Budget Set one … and teach your child to stick to it.

This may require some adjustments at first, until you’ve determined how much her living expenses will be, but here are some basics for getting started: • Purchase the school’s meal plan. This will eliminate guesswork on expenses for food, but don’t forget to plan for pizza delivery and trips to the student union.

• Remember to plan for books, fees, and video rentals.

• Have your child use cash or checks, not credit cards. Warn him about credit card companies that prey on college students, and do not allow him to take out a new credit card.

• Teach your child to balance her checking account monthly, and explain that if she overdraws her account, she’ll be charged a significant fee for each transaction.

Staying in College It’s important to make your expectations for selfdiscipline and accomplishments clear before your child leaves for campus. According to Ruth A. Peters, Ph.D., TODAY.com, the main reason kids fail in college is lack of focus, but if she knows what is expected of her from the start, she’s more likely to succeed. Here are some basic points to consider in setting standards: • What grade point average do you expect your child to maintain?

• How many credits must the student complete per semester?

• What do you expect in terms of class attendance?

• Will you tolerate any drinking or drug usage?

If for any reason you and your student decide he should not be in college at this point, the option of taking a year off, living on his own, working and gaining some life experience, can be invaluable in choosing the right field of study to pursue and sticking with it.

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Learning to Live with a Roommate Living with a roommate is a new experience for most college freshmen. Through communication, the foundation for a successful and harmonious relationship can be established before they arrive on campus. Here are a few suggestions for students to start off on the right foot and keep things running smoothly.

1.

Start corresponding with your roommate as soon as you have his or her contact information. Get acquainted and exchange pictures and messages.

2. Plan what to bring to the dorm room for shared use to avoid

duplication, for example, a lamp, coffee maker, TV, DVD player, or speakers.

3.

Don’t plan a decorating theme for your room without your roommate’s input.

4.

Keep communicating after you’ve moved in together. Make each other aware of personal habits and preferences, such as how many times you hit the snooze button, whether you like quiet or like to talk when you first wake up, and whether or not you can sleep with the lights on. Resolve differences while they’re small, and address bigger issues as soon as possible.

5.

Be considerate of when and how often you bring visitors to the room.

6.

Respect your roommate’s belongings and keep the doors and windows locked.

7.

8.

Don’t expect to be best friends. Be friendly and respectful.

Treat your roommate as you would like to be treated.

Sources: Kelci Lynn, About.com, Ruth A. Peters, Ph.D., TODAY.com

July/August 2011 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

BRAIN TEASERS

A B

. What word becomes a palindrome when written in capital letters and viewed upside down and backwards? . Count the F’s in below sentence. Count them ONLY ONCE. Do not go back and count them again. What is your answer?

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.

D

. You are running in a race. You overtake the second person. What position do you finish?

E F

. The more of them you take, the more you leave behind. What are they?

. What’s full of holes but still holds water?

A. SWIMS, NOON B. There are 6 F’s in the sentence. Many people forget the F’s in ‘OF’. The human brain tends to read the F’s in OF as V’s. If you counted 4, 5 or 6 F’s, you beat the average of finding 3! C. All 12 months have at least 28 days! D. Second E. Footsteps F. A sponge

Brain Teaser Answers:

C

. Some months have 31 days; how many have 28?

JULY

Make Something Delicious

10 Great Things To Do

Potato Salad with Sweet Potato

1. The 5th Annual Golden Wheel Race. The World Series of

Ingredients: • 4 potatoes • 2 sweet potatoes • 5 eggs, hardboiled and chopped • 4 stalks celery, chopped • 1/2 onion, finely chopped • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise • 1 tablespoon prepared mustard • 2 teaspoons salt • 3 teaspoons ground black pepper

Bicycling returns to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center for 2011 with 11 Friday nights, including two USA Cycling National Championships. 610-395-7000. 1151 Mosser Rd. http://www. thevelodrome.com/racing/world-series-of-cycling/ 2. Go fly a kite.

3. FREE Tunes in Town Square at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley every Friday at 7pm in July!

4. How People Make Things at Da Vinci Science Center. This exhibit showcases how some of our favorite items and products are made – including baseball bats, baseball gloves, sneakers, matchbox cars, organs, crayons, high-tech steel, and other cutting-edge creations.

5. Document your family’s day in photographs or video. Call it “A Day in the Life of…”

6. The Museum of Indian Culture will open a new exhibit featuring over 200 stone and bone tools, pendants, decorated ceramics, and European trade goods excavated in 1942, including two numerous archaic stone points that may date to over 3,000 years ago.

7. Lantern Tours at Crystal Cave. Step back in time and see Crystal Cave by the glow of hand-held lantern light. Guides, wearing period clothing, will present a recreation of the original Crystal Cave tour from the 1870’s. Lantern tours will include folklore, stories, and history of Crystal Cave that has never been part of the modern tour. Call (610) 683.6765 for details and to reserve your tickets.

Reservations are required. Lantern tours are not suitable for children under the age of 8. www.crystalcavepa.com 8. Build a campfire and make s’mores. If you don’t have a safe place for an outdoor fire, use your gas grill. Take out the grates and you can cook the marshmallow on the end of a stick near the flame.

9. “Sleeping Beauty”, presented by the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, which will delight families with kids from ages three to tween. Meet the cast after every performance. Location: 2755 Station Ave, Center Valley, PA. 610-282-WILL. 10. Rent a projector, hang a white sheet in your backyard and have a backyard movie night.

Directions: 1. Wash and chop potatoes. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 30 minutes. Drain and cool.

2. Combine the potatoes, eggs, celery and onion.

3. Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper. Add to potato mixture, toss well to coat. Refrigerate and serve chilled.

Tastes best if made the night before, to allow flavors to blend.

Date Night Suggestion For a feel-great date, volunteer together somewhere. A favorite is to volunteer for a local farm to harvest veggies that are then sold at ridiculously low prices to people in need. It is a blast and feels great to help others. Cost: gas money.

Celebrate July!

• Nectarine and Garlic Month 3-9: Be Nice to New Jersey Week 2: I Forgot Day

• Ice Cream Month 4-10: Freedom Week

2: Cherry Pit Spitting Day 18: Get Out of the Doghouse Day

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• Recreation and Parks Month 17-23: National Zoo Keeper Week

3: Compliment Your Mirror Day 30: Father-In-Law Day

July/August 2011 • www.LehighValleyFamily.com

AUGUST

Make Something Delicious Tropical Fruit Smoothies

10 Great Things To Do 1. Musikfest 2011 will feature the traditional Musikfest experience

on the city’s North Side, with plenty of great, free music, food and fun in Bethlehem’s historic district. There will also be a more intimate festival experience at SteelStacks. All day, every day Aug 5-14.

2. Build things out of cans of food. Donate them to a food bank afterwards.

3. Write a letter to a friend. On paper! Don’t forget to mail it.

4. Visit Knoebels in Elysburg. You can pay one price and ride all day or pay by the ride. Play Boat Tag or relax and play golf or miniature golf. Take the whole family and camp for the weekend.

5. Cut up vegetables, like potato, carrot, broccoli, or any others. Use

Ingredients: • 1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice • 1 cup plain yogurt • 1 banana • 8 cubes ice • 1 cup orange juice

the cut pieces to draw different shapes on paper or dip them in paint and press them over a page to make different images.

6. Catch fireflies. Did you know you make wishes on fireflies just

like on stars and birthday candles? Once your child has made a wish, release the bug.

7. Annual Autumn Hawkwatch, Hawk Mountain. Hike to the famed North Lookout and participate in this annual ritual. Bald eagles, kestrels and ospreys among the first migrants.

Directions:

8. Visit Island Beach State Park, NJ, a preserved barrier island that

Combine undrained can of pineapples, yogurt, banana, and ice cubes in a blender. Blend while adding orange juice until fruit is pureed and it is the desired consistency.

protects a number of natural shoreline and nearshore habitats. A 2 1/2 hour drive from the Lehigh Valley, the park contains close to ten miles of sandy beach along Barnegat Bay, dense maritime forests, rolling sand dunes, and tidal marshes. Island Beach is also home to foxes, ospreys, other wildlife, and more than 400 species of plants.

9. Play hide and go seek at nighttime with flashlights. You can do it

Date Night Suggestion Ask your spouse to write down 10 things that he would like to do on a romantic evening at home. Put these in an envelope and keep it for a night when you cannot think of anything.

the usual way and take turns counting and hiding, or you could hide objects and the person has to find it with the flashlight. You can also put letters around the room, some in sight and some hidden. Tell the child how many letters they have to find with their flashlight, and once they have all the letters, work together to spell out the secret message.

10. Kids can make their own frozen chocolate pudding pops. Make

instant chocolate pudding according to the recipe on the box, and add 1/2 cup sugar. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds. Or, pour it into small plastic cups, cover each with aluminum foil, and insert a craft stick through the foil. Freeze and eat.

Celebrate August!

• American Adventures Month • National Panini Month • National Inventor’s Month 1-7: Simplify Your Life Week 8-4: Eercise With Your Child Week 16-19: Weird Contest Week 1: Girlfriend’s Day 7: Friendship Day 10: S’Mores Day 13: International Left Hander’s Day 19: Hug Your Boss Day 22: Be an Angel Day 29: More Herbs, Less Salt Day 30: Toasted Marshmallow Day

/RVH 7KH 7UDLQLQJ :KHHOV Volunteer Opportunities Available all week long!

DQG 6(( :+(5( 7+(< *2 EVERY kid wants to learn to ride a bike, even kids with special needs!

With the Lose the Training Wheels® method and patented “training” bikes, 80% of the participants leave the 5-day program with the skills to ride a conventional two-wheeler.

JULY 18 - 22, 2011

The Agri-Plex at the Allentown Fairgrounds 75-minute session times from

8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Scholarships available!

Hosted by:

www.diakon.org/lttw (610) 682-1337

Special thanks to:

“I can see the great feeling of accomplishment in Dan’s facial expression. You have given him a greater gift than just riding a bicycle.

He is more confident than he was. He stands taller today because of what he learned in five days. Thank you. “ Dianne - parent /RVH7KH7UDLQ:KHHOV -XQ LQGG

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