Parenting NH March 2018

MARCH 2018

COMPLIMENTARY

NEW HAMPSHIRE

ParentingNH.com ❂ DON’T MISS OUR FREE SUMMER CAMP EXPOS: MARCH 3 & 17

Elliot Hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pediatric Emergency Department is the ONLY Dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department in Southern New Hampshire

Your Health, Our Trusted Experts...

...in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. We are proud to offer a dedicated pediatric emergency department at Elliot Hospital staffed by Board Certified Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians, backed by a team of Trauma Physicians, Pediatric Surgeon, Pediatric Specialists, and Board Certified Nurses dedicated to caring for your children. And in the rare case that your child may need inpatient care, Elliot Hospital has the only inpatient pediatric unit in the city of Manchester where your child is treated by a team of Pediatric Hospitalists, doctors specifically dedicated to the medical care and of inpatient children on a 24/7 basis. At Elliotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pediatric Emergency Department, patients are cared for in a warm, friendly environment that caters to and understands the specific needs of children who face trauma or emergency needs. We offer a separate waiting area apart from the general public of our emergency department, which provides a less-stressful, more comforting environment for you and your child.

Learn more at www.elliothospital.org

Summer at • Summer Camps • Creative Kids Preschool • Summer Dance Progams • Private Music Lessons

Visit BYPC.org for our complete summer schedule!

BYPC presents

March 23 & 24

6 years in a row!

Celebrating 21 Years as Southern NH’s premiere school for the performing arts!

155 NH 101 Bedford, NH

21 Years

603-472-3894 www.bypc.org march 2018 www.parentingnh.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER:

Sharron McCarthy, x5117 smccarthy@mcleancommunications.com

Where heart meets health.

EDITOR:

Melanie Hitchcock, x5157 editor@parentingnh.com GROUP ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR:

Kimberly Lencki, x5154 klencki@mcleancommunications.com CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR:

Jodie Hall, x5122 jhall@nhbr.com SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER:

Nancy Tichanuk, x5116 ntichanuk@mcleancommunications.com MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES:

Barbara Gallaher, x5156 bgallaher@parentingnh.com Debbie Birch, x5133 dbirch@parentingnh.com OFFICE MANAGER:

Mista McDonnell, x5114 mmcdonnell@nhbr.com

Everyone deserves exceptional care. At CMC we provide the highest quality healthcare with respect and compassion. That’s a commitment we make to you and our entire community. Because we believe being your lifelong partner is where heart meets health.

EVENT & MARKETING MANAGER:

Erica Baglieri, x5125 ebaglieri@mcleancommunications.com BUSINESS & SALES COORDINATOR:

Heather Rood, x5110 hrood@mcleancommunications.com DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST:

Morgen Connor, x5149 mconnor@mcleancommunications.com 150 Dow Street, Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 624-1442, fax (603) 624-1310

www.parentingnh.com Subscription: One year (12 issues) $15

Parenting New Hampshire Magazine® is published by McLean Communications, 150 Dow St., Manchester, NH 03101, (603) 624-1442. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any mistakes in advertisements or editorial. Statements/opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect or represent those of this publication or its officers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, McLean Communications, LLC.: Parenting New Hampshire Magazine disclaims all responsibility for omission and errors.

CatholicMedicalCenter.org

4 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

â&#x20AC;˘ contents features

departments From the Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Desk

The 2018 Summer Camp Guide

The return of the family fisherman

march

The Short List

I Want That

Cook with Your Kids

Dad on Board Learning Curve House Calls

Raising Teens & Tweens

Out and About

Five for Families

6 8 10 42 44 45 46 47 48 50

13 ON THE COVER: The winner of our

2018 cover coloring contest. Turn to page 14 to see who won!

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 5

from the editor’s desk THIS GENERATION MIGHT JUST CHANGE THE WORLD Today’s tweens and teens have never known a world without terrorism, economic uncertainty and climate change. They are interconnected globalists, naturally seeking out information from across the world because they have grown up with the internet, social media and portable technology. Diversity, same-sex marriage, transgender people – teens have not had to adjust or be taught to be inclusive. This is what they know. But mass shootings – that’s also part of their world, just like mass shooter safety drills and the awareness that this could happen at their school, or anywhere and at any time. Generation Z, what demographers describe as children born in 1996 and later, have witnessed injustice and unfairness throughout their lives, creating a generation of realists and activists. They want change, and they consider themselves agents of that change. Enter a group of teens, survivors of the recent school shooting in Parkland, Fla., where 17 students and teachers, slain by an AR-15 assault weapon bought and wielded by a recently expelled student. Within days of experiencing the worst horror in their young lives, a group of student organizers has taken to traditional media and social media to make their voices heard. Students and their families are organizing the March for Our Lives in Washington D.C. on March 24, with other marches taking place that same day across the country. They want gun control legislation, and they want it now. “The message for the people in office is this: You’re either with us or against us,” Cameron Kasky, a junior at the high school and organizer, told CNN. “We are losing our lives while the adults are playing around.”

Rize Up, Run Wild tiRed of the same old sUmmeR camp? RiZe SummeR Camp iS a twiSt on tRaditional day CampS, foCuSing on indooR/outdooR phySiCal aCtivitieS. Challenging and engaging, eaCh week pRomiSeS loadS of fun, all while building laSting memoRieS and life-long fRiendShipS.

6 June 2018 pm Monday-Friday 8am-5 ageS 5-15 yeaRS old

rizeathletics.com 6 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

These teens were in elementary and middle school when 20 young children were killed in 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and federal gun legislation did not pass in the wake of that massacre. From their point of view, the adults who were supposed to protect them let them down, so they’ll just have to fix it themselves. Will this group of students be able to do what could not be done in 2012? In an even more politically polarized environment? If any generation can mobilize to take up a cause, this one will given their technological proficiency, ability to communicate, their socially conscious nature, and a desire to reshape a world that has been difficult to grow up in. Some adults, including lawmakers, may be quick to dismiss the actions by a group of teens. That would be a mistake. An ever-increasing number of the members of Generation Z, now a quarter of the population and an estimated third of the population by 2020, are heading to the polls as they turn 18. I wouldn’t underestimate them or their budding political awareness. They might just change the world.

Melanie Hitchcock Editor

Summer camp & Parenting New Hampshire’s

Program expos MANcHeSter saturday, March 3, 2018

10am-1pm

Derryfield Country Club

NASHUA

MANcHeSter

saturday, March 17, 2018

10am-1pm

the Courtyard Marriott

N A S H UA

Free AdMISSION! After the expos, go to parentingnh.com for a list of all the summer programs in the state and view photos, videos & more! Attend and enter to win 4 pAsses to WAter CouNtry or A free birthDAy pArty At NohA’s GyMNAstiCs ACADeMy! one winner per expo.

VIrtUAL eXPO

Meet wItH rePreSeNtAtIVeS FrOM regIONAL SUMMer cAMP PrOgrAMS INcLUdINg: • 4-H Camp Middlesex • Academy of Notre Dame • American Youth Foundation — Camp Merrowvista • Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua: Camp Doucet & Kids Club • Busche Academy • Camp 603 LLC • Camp Birch Hill • Camp Cody • Camp Hawkeye • Camp Marist • Camp Ponemah at Hampshire Hills • Candia Springs Adventure Park • Circus Smirkus

• Currier Museum of Art • Derryfield School, The • Fleur de Lis Camp • Foster’s Golf Camp • Girl Scouts of the Green & White Mountains • Girls at Work, Inc • Granite YMCA • Hartmann Learning Center • Highland Mountain Bike Park • Horton Center • Ironstone Farm • Lawrence Academy • LETGO Your Mind • LOFTechnology • Manchester Karate Studio

• Merrimack Parks and Recreation/Camp Naticook • Nashua Catholic Regional Junior High School • Nashua Community Music School • New Hampshire Audubon • Ponemah Green Family Golf Center • Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center • Rize Athletics • Road’s End Farm Horsemanship Camp

• Roaring Brook Camp for Boys • SkyVenture NH • Thrive Outdoors • Tilton School • UMaine 4-H Camps at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove • Vybe Software, LLC • William Lawrence Camp • Windsor Mountain Summer Camp • Workforce Development Center/ Manchester Community College • YMCA of Greater Nashua

for more information a current list 7 march 2018 and www.parentingnh.com of exhibitors: www.parentingNh.com

the short list ...TIPS, TRENDS & NEWS COMPILED BY MELANIE HITCHCOCK

This month on www.parentingnh.com:

Welcome ‘sweet’ spring

In addition to this being the month we turn the clocks forward and welcome back spring, March is one of the sweetest months because it is the height of maple season in the Granite State. Go to www.parentingnh.com/maple to find maple recipes, a list of maple sugar shacks to visit, information on Maple Weekend and more. Also, it’s never too early to start looking for a summer camp for your child. Every year Parenting New Hampshire hosts Summer Camp and Program Expos in Manchester and Nashua. It is a great opportunity for you to meet one-on-one with directors and experts representing camps from New Hampshire and beyond. For more information on our camp expos on Saturday, March 3 and 17, or to check out PNH’s Virtual Camp Fair, go to www.parentingnh.com/Summer-Camps.

Woodpecker Wants a Waffle is a winner New Hampshire children, from preschoolers to third-graders, have voted “Woodpecker Wants a Waffle” the winner of the 2017 Ladybug Picture Book Award. “Woodpecker Wants a Waffle” received 4,924 votes out of the 21,466 cast by children across the state. The book is written and illustrated by Steve Breen. Sponsored by the Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library, the Ladybug Picture Book Award was established to promote early literacy and to honor the best in recent children’s picture books. Find a full list of past winners at www.ladybug. nhbookcenter.org.

Girls on the Run spring season starts week of March 12 Girls on the Run of New Hampshire’s registration for the spring season is open with 114 programs being offered across the state. Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that inspires girls in third through eighth grade to be joyful, healthy and confident. The volunteer-led program brings together groups of eight to 15 girls for a 10-week program beginning the week of March 12 that encourages personal development, team-building and connection to the community. Each of the teams will meet two times a week for 90 minutes after school and participate in researchbased lessons that use dynamic discussions and fun running games to teach life skills. The season will culminate in a 5k event on June 2 in Concord. The program fee is $140; financial assistance is available. For more information, go to www.girlsontherunnh.org.

Registration open for UNH Tech Camp Registration for Tech Camp at the University of New Hampshire, a set of day and residential summer programs for students entering grades six through 12 designed to increase STEM literacy, is open, and scholarships are available to those who qualify. Thanks to a $25,000 grant from BAE Systems, which has its electronic systems sector headquartered in Nashua, the BAE Systems Summer STEM Scholars initiative will provide financial support for 10 students to attend Tech Leaders, a two-week section of Tech Camp for students considering careers in STEM fields. Eligible students need to be entering their junior or senior year of high school in the fall. Preference will be given to students from Nashua and Manchester. The Tech Leaders session, held July 16-27, features a camper-selected engineering project and leadership and entrepreneurship activities for students considering careers in STEM. For more information, go to www.ceps. unh.edu/techcamp.

8 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

St. Christopher School Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6

Moral and leadership development Safe, welcoming community for students and families Comprehensive curriculum, including conversational Spanish Advanced technology integration Before and after school care

Call for a Private Tour Today! 603-882-7442

ris ophe ChSCHOOL r 20 Cushing Ave. • Nashua, NH 03064 • 603-882-7442 StChrisSchoolNH.org

Infant - 6th grade

6th - 8th grade

Camp DaVinci Summer Programs Grades K-5

Our robust STEAM based offerings have something for everyone in a hands-on environment that encourages independence and is filled with creative and fun activities.

SUMMER 2018 Full and Half-Day Programs July 23-27: Coding, Computer Programming and App Design July 30-Aug 3: Camp Invention – Fast Forward! Aug 6-10: Wicked Cool Vet School & Deep Blue Sea Inspiring students through 8th grade with hands-on learning in Londonderry, NH

www.snhec.org ♦ 603-818-8613

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 9

I want that COMPILED BY MELANIE HITCHCOCK

Stay warm while you travel Whether you are on your flight or holed up at the airport, stay comfortable the Tech Throw Travel Blanket, a lightweight tech throw that uses 150 grams of microthermal insulation to keep you warm from your head to the sewn in foot-pocket. This is the only blanket on the market that has a carry strap that fits over your rolling bag, so you don’t even have to pack it, just attach it. Available at www.grandtrunk.com; $79.95

Don’t lose your keys again The Keyport Pivot is an all-metal, modular multi-tool that holds your keys and tool inserts (USB Flash Drive, pen, etc.) The Pivot comes with a free, twoyear subscription to KeyportID, an online lost and found service that uses the serial number engraved on each Keyport to connect owners and finders directly and anonymously with a click. Available in red, black or silver. Available at www.mykeyport.com; $19.99

Fits in your pocket

Stay hydrated, save space Hydaway is a portable, collapsible, adaptable water bottle that’s as on-the-go as you are. Made from BPA-free materials, its sleek design collapses to just over an inch for easy stashing. When expanded, it holds 21 ounces of liquid and fits in most vehicle cup holders and backpack water bottle pockets. Available in a variety of colors and in a smaller size for kids. Available at www. hydawaybottle.com; $20

Foldscope is an ultra-low-cost microscope that is designed to be produced affordably, durable, and to give optical quality similar to conventional research microscopes. Foldscope can be used for both the simplest observations and for thorough scientific studies, and all places in between. With every purchase of one of these kits, Foldscope will donate one to an organization or school in need. Available at www.foldscope.com; $39.99

It’s never to early to learn how to code Botley is the next generation of coding robot, ready to use out of the box, introducing children to the world of coding in a fun and straightforward way. Advanced features will grow with kids offering challenges for many years to come. Coding cards, detachable arms, interactive obstacles, coding games and more. For ages 5 and older. Available at Amazon; $79.99

10 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Summer at The Granite YMCA is filled with excitement, adventure, new friends, lifelong memories, and most of all discovery! Our day camps inspire kids to work together and play together, creating friendships that can last a lifetime. CONVENIENT 5 & 3 DAY OPTIONS Camps vary by location. Call for availability. Manchester | 603.623.3558 Goffstown | Camp HalfMoon | 603.497.4663 Londonderry | Camp Pa-Gon-Ki 603.437.9622 Rochester | Camp Coney Pine | 603.332.7334 Seacoast | Camp Gundalow | 603.431.2334

Traditional Day Camps Gymnastics/Cheer Adventure Center Stage Theatre Fit Camp Sports Teen Trips Discovery Fortbuilding Tennis

THE GRANITE YMCA | www.graniteymca.org | financial assistance available

ACT I CAMP ACT II CAMP July 9 - July 21 SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE on Saturday, July 21

July 23 - Aug 4 SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE on Saturday, Aug 4

Mondays - Fridays (9am - 5pm) Before & After Camp Care available!

COME LEARN, PLAY AND EXPLORE AT CAMP NDA

NEW: CAMPS EXCLUSIVELY FOR TEENS Day and Evening Programs in July for ages 13-16

8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. July 16-20: Teen Adventure July 23-27: Teen Leadership July 30-Aug. 3: Teen Wilderness

TINY CAMPERS Ages 3 - 5

For more information and registration, please visit our website or contact our Summer Theatre Camp Staff at (603) 816-2695 or education@peacockplayers.org.

Tickets - (603) 886-7000 or online

BEAUTY and the BEAST JR. (March 9th - 18th)

HAIRSPRAY

(May 11th - 20th)

3:30 - 6 p.m. July 2, 3, 5, 6: Tech Week July 16-20: Elite Basketball

MAIN CAMP Ages 6 -12

Full day and half day options. Begins the week of June 25th! Swing into Summer offered June 18th-22nd for ages 4+

Nature, Drama, Science, Technology, Sports, Adventure and so much more! Early Bird Discount for all registrations received by April 12, 2018 For more details or to register visit www.ndatyngsboro.org/summercamp 180 Middlesex Road, Tyngsboro, MA www.ndatyngsboro.org | 978-649-7611

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 11

GIRL SCOUT

CAMP Open to girls in Grades K-12.

Day Camps Camp Kettleford—Bedford, NH Camp Seawood—Portsmouth, NH Camp Whispering Pines—Meredith, NH

SUMMER CAMPS

Resident Camp Camp Farnsworth—Thetford, VT

Summer Camp is back at Gymnastics Village with full day options (9am-3pm)! Designed for •half Fulland Day 9-3 boys and girls from 6 to 14, kids will participate •inHalf Day 9-12:30 gymnastics rotations, fitness activities, Ninja Challenge obstacle courses, games,available crafts, party • Weekly and Daily options apparatus like our inflatables, zip-line and more.

Registration for summer camps and recreational Registration for summer camps and recreational classes begins April 1st. Call 603.889.8092 classes begins April 1st. Call 603.889.8092 or visit gymnasticsvillage.com. or visit gymnasticsvillage.com.

KIDS adventure

DAY CAMP FOR

KIDS & TEENS

A GE S 5- 12

12 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

girlscoutsgwm.org 888.474.9686 H I P ILK I N G ORZ AE I E N INI C LRI I A L CTHE E RNIG F O RM B I N GA L L E NN G G ART T B S & U I L W A L LE M I N CR D I A N D I G O A F TN G S L M ORE F !

NEW HAMPSHIRE

SPECIAL SECTION

Welcome! The articles and photos in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer camp issue were provided by the New Hampshire Camp Directors Association at the direction of Garrett Colgan-Snyder, Director of Camp Hawkeye. NHCDA is a nonprofit that works with camps and state departments to help member camps ensure safety and best practices throughout. The organization provides resources for families, camps, businesses that work with camps and state departments as well. Go to www.nhcamps.org to search a list of licensed member camps based on the type of camp you want, length of session, or financial considerations. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Melanie Hitchcock Editor

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 13

Coloring contest winners

ongratulations to the winners of Parenting NH’s fourth-annual cover coloring contest. We had a record number of entries this year to choose from! Thanks to the young artists (and their parents) for taking the time to submit their creative creations. — Melanie Hitchcock, Editor

OVERALL WINNER

Jayna, 11 Jayna, a sixth-grader at Hillside Middle School in Manchester, is the daughter of Jaimee and Jonny. She enjoys reading, sports and swimming. She loves animals, especially sloths, and has a cat named Thomas.

WINNER, AGE 7 & YOUNGER

Arriel, 7 Arriel is a second-grader at Wilkins School in Amherst. Arriel enjoys drawing, coloring, arts and crafts, playing outdoors, skiing, ice skating, reading, gymnastics and tap. She is the daughter of Derek and Kristen Phelps, and has a brother, Flynn, 3. Mom says, “Arriel is a great help in the kitchen and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.”

14 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

2018

WINNER, AGE 11-13

Zachary, 11 Zachary of Derry is homeschooled and in the sixth grade. His favorite activites include Legos, art, theater, reading, and learning technology. He is the son of Cathy Webster and Michael Adams and has two younger siblings. Mom says, “Zachary is an amazing child. He is very intelligent… (he) loves to learn new things and is a true fighter. He is my hero on many days as I’ve watched him fight battles at times with his health.”

WINNER, AGE 8-10

Alexandra, 9 Alex is a third-grader at Polaris Charter School in Manchester. Alex enjoys playing with friends, gymnastics, spending time with her family, sewing with her matante, drawing, coloring, painting, dancing, listening to music, singing, and playing with her dogs. Alex is the daughter of Miles and Andrea Martin, and she has three older siblings, Aidan, Blaise and Ella, and two dogs, Maddie and Barney. Mom says, “Alex is a sweet, kind and very thoughtful little girl. She has a bright and positive personality with a smile that lights up the room….Alexandria is a joy to parent and we feel extremely blessed to call her our daughter.”

NEW HAMPSHIRE march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 15

Sign upay! tod NORTHFIELD, NH

MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMPS DAY & OVERNIGHT OPTIONS LESSONS & RENTAL PACKAGES 603.286.7677

WWW.HIGHLANDMOUNTAIN.COM

Summer Camp Registration Now Open at www.nmymca.org! YMCA OF GREATER NASHUA #BestSummerEver

Let Their Imaginations Soar This Summer! SummerQuest Day Camp offers convenient, one-week sessions that are jam-packed with fun, adventure, new friendships and unique experiences. Camps available for students entering K-Grade 5 Academic Enrichment Programs for students entering Grades 4-8 603.888.1982 WorldAcademyNH.com/SummerCamp 138 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03062

16 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Swim

Sports

Crafts

Games

And More Fun!

Find the answers you need at a camp fair Talking with camp representatives will help you choose the right program for your child By Garrett Colgan-Snyder, owner and director, Camp Hawkeye

he benefits of camp fairs are numerous. Camp representatives come to a place close and convenient to your home, the event helps focus and guide what can be a complex open-ended set of decisions, and you are afforded the opportunity to compare a number of programs in one place at one time.

However, the most important opportunity that a fair gives a parent is the chance to get to know the camp personnel. Many times the person representing the camp at the fair is the director, assistant director or a high-level administrator. Meeting a person who is leading the staff that will be caring for your child and setting expectations for the camp is key. Choosing a camp is a lot like choosing a babysitter. You get personal recommendations from friends and meet the person who will be caring for your child. It is vital that you get a sense of what the camp is like through the personality and values of the person leading the program. Talk with your spouse or partner and your child about what you are looking for in a camp. Is it overnight or day camp? Are you looking for a specific skills focus or a program with greater freedom to explore new activities and opportunities? Do you need a longer program stay that is the focus of your child’s summer or a shorter stay that fits in between other summer plans? Investigate the programs that will be attending the camp fair beforehand. Become familiar with what makes each program different. Depending on the type of camp you are searching for you’ll realize that each camp has some of its own defining characteristics. Many overnight camps, for example, offer similar activity options, but it is its philosophy and values that set them apart. Find a camp that is in line with what you value as a parent. You can find a list with links to the camps’ websites at www.parentingnh.com/Summer-Camps. Plan to spend time at the camp fair and talk with the representative from each camp you decided beforehand you had some interest in. This is not an aspect of your process that you want to rush. Don’t walk around simply taking handouts. Ask questions that you wrote down during your research. Let them talk about their camp and listen to what they

emphasize. This will show what they truly think is important. Does the face-to-face experience match up with what was projected online? See how your child reacts to this person; are they at ease? Stay open-minded. As you walk through the fair consider other programs that you may not have had on your list. You and your child will have grown during this process – you understand more now about what’s out there, and may be more ready than you first thought for a more challenging “away” experience. Sit down one more time after the fair, that day or the next, and talk with your spouse or partner and child again. Choose a camp together and allow your child to have age-appropriate input on what camp(s) they attend. This will insure a higher level of buy-in through ownership of the decision-making process which will lead to higher success in the selected program. There are very few wrong answers but there is definitely the best answer for your family and the best choice for your child. Good luck in your search and remember to have fun with it. If you do, your child will, too.

Don’t miss Parenting NH’s Summer Camp and Program Expos on Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Derryfield Country Club in Manchester and on Saturday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Courtyard Marriott in Nashua.

ADMISSION IS FREE!

Garrett Colgan-Snyder is the owner and director of Camp Hawkeye in Moultonborough.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 17

STEM Discovery Lab at Manchester

SUMMER STEM CAMPS Learn More at: manchester.unh.edu/stemlab

SUMMER ART CAMPS June 18 - August 10 Camps for Grades Pre-K to 9th Half & Full Day 9am - 4 pm Giant Masks • Plein-aire Painting Polymer Clay • Sewing W Myths and Legends • Fairytales S eekly y a t u Fiber Arts 4 d ps Art dent m ble a Dumbledore's Artists s how C ila s a v A

Registration Opens March 12 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

www.wildsalamander.com 30 Ash St Hollis NH 03049 603 465-WILD (9453)

18 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Get ready to go

How to prepare first-time campers for a fun summer experience

K, so you have made the excellent decision to give your child the gift of an overnight summer camp experience. Yikes, what now? No need to panic, everything is going to be fine. Sending your child to summer camp is one of the best things that you can do to help you raise an emotionally healthy and well-adjusted human. Just take a deep breath and try some of these helpful tips.

3. Make a checklist Focus on the positive by brainstorming with your camper a list of four or five specific goals for the summer. For example, chipping away at their fear of heights by going down the zip line or making at least one friend from another country.

1. Try a sleepover Some first-timers have never slept away from the safety and security of home. Send junior to stay with a relative for a night. It is good practice for getting used to the feeling of the unfamiliar.

5. Go to Tahiti Maybe a trip to the South Pacific isn’t in the cards, but use the time that your kids are at camp for some good self-care. You have spent years changing diapers, making grilled cheese sandwiches and helping with math homework. You deserve some time for yourself. Embrace the quiet. It will be over before you know it.

2. Go shopping! Yes, kids love spending your money, so go ahead and take them to the store to pick out a new tube of toothpaste for camp or a new hand-held water mister. You don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy the benefit of buying them tangible symbols of their adventures to come.

4. Manage expectations Many parents respond to their children’s fear of camp by telling them that they are going to love it and that there is nothing to worry about. This likely is true, and it is great to remain positive. But you also need to let them know that the first few days might be a little tough until they get used to being at camp.

6. “All quiet on the homefront” Campers love to get mail from home, so send some. However, make sure to avoid the following: (1) Bad news (“so about your pet goldfish…”) (2) Amazing news that makes home seem more awesome than camp (“We got a new puppy!”) (3) Sentiments that make your child feel guilty for having fun at camp (“The house is so lonely and quiet without you”) In your letters, make home seem neither terrible nor particularly interesting.

By Jake Labovitz

7. Come clean Parents and camp directors are partners in the success of your child’s summer, so there needs to be an open and honest line of communication. If your child has a particular challenge that might impact his/her experience at camp, it is best if it is addressed before camp starts. 8. …And I’ll tell you no lies This is a big one. Under absolutely no circumstances should you promise to pick up your child from camp early if they are having a “bad” time. Making this promise almost will ensure that a struggling camper will make no effort to turn things around and instead will be looking for the door. There are rare occassions when a child may have to leave camp, but don’t give them an easy out if they are simply feeling a bit homesick. 9. Avoid the long, tearful goodbye Drop-off day might leave you feeling anxious and sad. These feelings are normal, and you should allow yourself to have them – in the car. The tearful goodbye might feel like love to you, but for your child, it could bring on feelings of sadness and guilt. Summer camp is a tremendous growth opportunity. This does not mean that there won’t be occasional struggles along the way. But your children are stronger than they know, and with your support and partnership with the summer camp director, your child has the chance to grow in ways you haven’t even imagined. Jake Labovitz is owner of Windsor Mountain Summer Camp in Windsor.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 19

Marlborough New Hampshire

Ages 3 to 12 years old

6:30a.m. Day Care Opens • 5:30p.m. Day Care Closes Summer Camp 3 and 4 Year-old Preschool Classes Kindergarten Classes

A Farm-to-Table Camp

Full Time Child Care

Afterschool Care from Northwest & Gossler Park Before School Care & Transportation to Northwest & Gossler Park 133 Wayne St. • Manchester, NH • (603) 668-2356 • stemarie.childcare@gmail.com

Come join Alice for a delectable Sunday Tea. Dance Class, Crafting with The Mad Hatter, and Luncheon Tea all included in ticket. Bring a special adult guest with you for Tea! Sunday, April 22, 1-2:30 pm • ages 3-7 tututix.com/danceworks

m o v e m e n t d e s i g n,

• Short Session Class Sampler June 12 & 14 & June 19 & 21, 4-6 pm ages mini 5-7 and Junior 8-12 • Fantasy Camp July 17,18, 19 from 9-11:30 am performances daily at 11:1 5 am more info coming soon! Ages 3-7 • Page to Stage Theater Workshops July 18 & 25 - 4-6 pm Performances at 5:30 pm ages 5-9 and 10-18 • Summer Intensive August 6-10 9-1 pm {Intermediate/Advanced classes} ages mini 5-7, junior 8-12, teen 13-20

LLC

21 Cottage Street, Milford, NH 603-249-5256 www.danceworksmovementdesign.com Danceworksmovementdesign@gmail.com

Camp Marist For the

Best Summer of your

Life!

An Outstanding Overnight Summer Camp Experience with a Great Catholic Tradition A Fun Place... A Safe Place... A Friendly Place Your Child Will Make “Friendships That Last A Lifetime”

Our 69th Summer! Boys & Girls – Ages 6 to 16 Great 2/3-week Sessions

More than 35 Activities to choose from… · Horseback Riding · Water Skiing · Arts · Tennis · Team Sports · Wind Surfing · Sailing· Swimming · Go Carts · Ropes Course · Hiking · Camping · Karate · Golf · Ceramics · Special Trips …much, much, more!

For more information, contact us at: (603) 539-4552 office@campmarist.org Or check us out online at CampMarist.org 20 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Camp Marist

Ossipee Lake · New Hampshire

Transitioning from a child-care center to day camp Camp is another piece of the child development puzzle By Gretchen Carlson

•

arents are faced with countless options when it comes to planning summer activities for their families. The goal, of course, is to select activities that are fun and meaningful. Camp presents a new series of opportunities for kids to stretch themselves by learning new skills, exploring the outdoors, and testing their independence. Starting summer camp means moving toward more consistently active and thoughtful kid-centered programming. Parents of young children need to decide when and how to transition their child from the child-care setting, or time at home with mom and/or dad, to summer camp. While this decision is individual to each child, there are a few points to consider that can help you decide if camp is right for them.

Structure Child-care programs and day camps both provide a structure to the day. For kids who have spent most of their time at home, this structure can provide a gentle transition toward what will be expected at school. Independence While both a child-care program and day camp teach children to cope with temporary separation, camp directly encourages and teaches independence. Every child is taught to handle their own gear, clean up after themselves and become more responsible for their self-care. Community Each camp program develops its own community, and kids are encouraged to problem solve and find solutions as a group. Often kids build friendships that last for years, if not a lifetime. Within this community, camp counselors are typically enthusiastic and energetic and act as friends and mentors to their campers.

Outdoor play One of the biggest benefits of camp programs is the amount of time spent outdoors. Whether the camp is specifically nature-based or not, most camps will significantly increase time spent outside playing. New skills Many camps are skill-based, meaning kids can choose something they love and dive in deep for a week to learn more. Alternatively, all-inclusive or general camp programs teach kids a range of skills not addressed in a child-care setting such as swimming, sports, leadership, teamwork and more. So you want to send your kids to summer camp… now what? Once you’ve decided to make the move from the child-care setting to summer camp, it’s time to think strategically about making this an easy adjustment for your child. Recognize that this transition can be both exciting and nerve wracking. Here are a few things to consider:

Select a camp with a philosophy that aligns with your child’s interest — does you child love sports? Nature? Crafts? • Talk to you child about what to expect — what will they do, where will they be, how long will they be there? • Tell them how excited you are and how proud you are of them — engage with your child about their experience getting daily highlights and encouraging continued learning. • Encourage your child to get ready for camp — let them help pack their lunch or shop for a bathing suit. • When possible, visit the camp before the program starts. Find out if your camp has an open house, and if not view photos online to give your child a sense of where they will be spending their day. Summer camp can be a rewarding experience that provides kids with memories and skills that form the foundation for a happy future. With a little preparation and planning this might just be the year to move from a child-care center to day camp. Gretchen Carlson is the program manager at the Gundalow Company in Portsmouth.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 21

COED AGES 7-16 BEGINNER TO ADVANCED

Full Day Camp In our

ocation Nashua tLo 4 pm

8 am person $230 per o 12 Ages 5 t . 3 ug July 30 - A g. 10 u Aug. 6 - A

JUNIOR GOLF EXPERIENCE April School Vacation Week & All Summer Long JUNE 18 – AUGUST 31

Registrations are in

www.fostersgolfcamp.com

603-622-1553

MaNChEstEr: Nashua: 250 COMMErCial st 25 E OttErsON st 603-943-7571 603-625-6919

TODAY!

verticaldrea ms.com

NH School of Ballet • Dance Center Performing Opportunities include: The Nutcracker Evening of Dance Holiday Special Competition Teams also available

Six weeks of Summer Classes July 9 - Aug 16 Modern • Tap Ballet • Pointe Lyrical • Tumbling Jazz • Hip Hop 3 years through advanced

Jennifer Beauvais Rienert, Owner Director, DMA Certified

Hooksett, NH • 668-5330 • nhschoolofballet.com Family Owned & Operated for Over 50 Years

22 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Leave your friends at home Don’t miss out on a prime benefit of going to camp – making new friends By Rob and Bob Wipfler

eing home alone did not work out so well for Macaulay Culkin. He should have gone to camp alone instead. One of the greatest benefits of the camp experience is the opportunity for a child to make lasting friendships in a new and different environment. For children to take advantage, it is best if camp is not a gathering of friends from home, sharing the same cabins and choosing the same schedules. Going to camp with friends can prevent a child from fully acclimating to camp life and inclusion in the camp community. We’ve seen many examples of children attending camp together. The group offers protection and cover, of a sort, to that membership. The group is collectively “self-conscious,” often presenting themselves as a singular entity. They succeed or fail as a unit. When choosing activities, a new camper in this situation can feel pressured to stay within the group or to follow the group’s dominant personality. These campers are much less likely to get to do the activities that they want to do, or the ones that will offer the most benefit to them individually. Some parents prefer a bunk arrangement with friends from home, as it affords their child an insurance plan against the most feared outcome: exclusion. But while those first few hours at camp may be easier, the camper is deprived of many prime growth opportunities – making new friends on their own, being “discovered” by others and forging a fresh identity. The camper who jumps into the community independently will have a better experience. It is important that parents help their children work to get past this normal anxiety and trust the camp to do what it does best, which is working campers into the full community culture. We offer this advice to those who have come to camp with friends from home: Just go to an activity by yourself and ask to join. Camp cultures are accepting and this suggestion will work anywhere. The new camper is not only invited, but welcomed. When the camper branches out on their own, they are the sole beneficiary of that rush of excitement that comes with such a success. Perhaps it is a game and their team loses a close contest. They share the experience with new friends and, early in the summer, which is better for their social development and self-confidence than winning the game with pals from home.

For those who wish to go to camp with friends they should acknowledge that seeking and cementing new friendships is a core value of camp. Good camps have protocols in place to see that this happens. Directors and leadership, including group and cabin staff, manage groups to balance the needs and desires of all participants with fun and growth in mind. When a few friends end up in the same cabin (many camps allow requests) the cabin counselors will manage group development and social interactions, especially early on in the session. On a logistical level, additional guidance is given through bunk bed assignments and mealtime table selection assuring new and diverse interactions. Program directors offer several enticing options to specific age groups during the same timeframe, which can

alleviate the hometown effect. And directors themselves have eyes out for budding cliques. Many camp directors take pleasure in promoting new friendships whenever the opportunity presents, especially early in the session when kids may still be nervous about their prospects. Counselors are always on the lookout for new campers and know it is their job to bring them together in a friendly, welcoming fashion. Campers who go to camp alone are more likely to notice and be open to the subtle signals of these opportunities to join the fun and make new friends. These are the moments when not being with friends from home can give a child a real leg up in their quest for making new friends. Bob and Rob Wipfler are father/son co-directors of ACA-accredited Kingswood Camp for Boys in Piermont.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 23

Never underestimate the power of the scribbles and the amazing imagination of children.

Open Registration for 2018-2019 PROGRAMS OFFERED: (12 months to 5 years) • TODDLERS (12 to 35 months) • PRESCHOOL & *PRE-KINDERGARTEN • ALL CLASSES OFFER FULL OR HALF TIME

181 Route 13 BROOKLINE NH 603-721-5531 • scribblesearlylearningcenter.com

Camp Sno-Mo Gilmanton Ironworks, NH

Creating outdoor adventures at our beautiful residential facility for campers with disabilities and special needs ages 11 to 21. 603.364.5818 ▪ easterseals.com/nh ▪ rkelly@eastersealsnh.org Proudly supported by the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association

. . . e r a We

Open to the public d n a e Com ou r e r o l p x e P layground Hours:

Mon-Fri 9:30-5:00 Sat 10-6 • Sun 10-5 603-429-2200

! d n u laygro

re a We a e zo ne ! f re sh o e-

746 D.W. Highway, Merrimack, NH • w w w.nu thinbu tgoodt ime s.com

24 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Make opening day a great day

ummer camp is a wonderful adventure for campers. But sending kids to camp requires a leap of faith from parents who are leaving their child with camp counselors for two weeks. It is important to know that camp staff are screened and train extensively before campers arrive. Most camps require an application, references, interview, and criminal background check including a check of the sex-offender registry, and after that, a week, sometimes two, of on-site pre-camp training. Staff is trained in behavior management, dealing with homesickness, and emergency procedures. Staff is also certified in first aid, CPR, lifeguarding, as an instructor for an activity, among many other things. After all that preparation, staff is ready for campers to arrive, but there is one thing that concerns collegiate camp counselors. As nervous as parents might be about leaving their campers, counselors are nervous about talking to “real adults”—meaning you, the parents. Camp counselors can sometimes feel intimidated. As a parent meeting your child’s counselor on opening day, here are a few tips to help ensure your conversation leaves you feeling good about the young professional caring for your camper. 1. Help! Ask for help if needed or wanted. Counselors don’t want to step on parent’s toes or feel intrusive, so they might hold back out of respect. Don’t hesitate to invite them in to help make the bed or carry in items from your car.

5 tips on talking to counselors when you arrive at camp By Carrie Kashawlic and Margaret Price

2. The graceful exit Counselors are trained to welcome each family upon arrival, so they may feel conflicted when they are engaged with a family when another arrives, so they are working to master the “graceful exit”. They are nervous about this, too, as they don’t want to appear rude. If this happens, consider saying: “I see another family has arrived. If you’d like to welcome them, we’re OK making this bed on our own for right now.” 3. Camper focus, concerns and games Counselors are trained to focus on the camper. That means counselors often speak directly to the camper instead of the parents. Don’t hesitate to ask the counselor to step aside if you have a question or concern that you want to share without your camper present. If it is a busy time with arriving families, you might ask to talk privately later. This allows the counselor to make time to listen attentively when there is a break in the action. Counselors also want each camper to make new friends. They will often invite campers to join in a game or activity to assist campers in feeling welcome and making friends. It can be hard to go play when parents are still close by. Consider this as a good time for that private chat with a counselor and/or time to meet other parents. It gives your camper “permission” to go play and begin building friendships. 4. Returning parents and new parents Camp counselors try hard to welcome each family to camp, but often returning parents can be helpful in welcoming new camp families. It’s a bonus to hear about how nervous another adult or child was upon their first arrival. If an introduction doesn’t come naturally, don’t hesitate to ask your counselor to connect you with other parents.

5. Goodbye The goodbye can be hard for parents and campers. Don’t hesitate to ask counselors for assistance when saying goodbye to your camper in a way that allows for hugs and kisses, but then with the counselor’s help puts your camper right back into the fun of an activity. Don’t hesitate to talk with the camp director if your counselor was spectacular or if you still have a worry. Your feedback about interactions with camp counselors helps the director. They can share your accolades or provide additional training and guidance to ensure every kid has a great summer. And never leave camp without having all your questions answered; the administrative team will answer any questions that you might have. Carrie Kashawlic is the executive director and Margaret Price is a counselor at Fleur de Lis Camp in Fitzwilliam.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 25

Summer Guided Discoveries

Week-long outdoor natural adventure camps for ages 4 to 14

CMARS Adaptive Kayaking, Cycling and Hiking Children of all abilities can enjoy the thrill and adventure of kayaking, cycling and hiking with Crotched Mountainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Accessible Recreation and Sports (CMARS). Our certified and licensed recreation therapists and trained volunteers develop individualized lessons with adaptations and equipment to meet each childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skill level and goals. Lessons are held in the Monadnock Region.

www.nhnature.org | 603-968-7194 Route 113, Holderness, NH

Join Us and Register Today!

cmf.org/cmars 603.831.3565 cmars@crotchedmountain.org

N E W HAM P SH

PA R

IRE

The works 2018 summer camp

I LY

ITE

Spend the Summer with us in 2018!

F AV O

2 017

26 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

NEW! Ropes Course!

23 Works Way | Somersworth, NH | 03878 603-742-2163

www.theworkshealthclub.com

The amazing ‘secret menu’ camps don’t advertise The unexpected benefits of camp are some of the best reasons to attend By Emily Golinsky

amp directors work hard to portray the benefits their camp can provide to children.

Camp offers the opportunity to make friends, to experience the outdoors, to “just be a kid” for a little while, to learn a hobby or sport…the list goes on and on. It’s printed on the brochure, posted on the website, talked about during introductory visits. But what stretches the list even further is the intangible and often unanticipated “gifts of learning” that attending summer camp can give your child and your family. These might not be boldly splashed across a flyer, but they’re just as real. Flexibility isn’t optional. How quickly we learn to adapt, adjust and accept change when our hiking trip gets called off due to thunderstorms. The game created while huddled in the tent, using whatever is at hand -- two camp mugs, three stones and a rolled-up pair of socks – becomes a fun way to spend an hour where at home the weather might have been an excuse for whining about being bored while stuck in the house. Camp teaches kids that life isn’t predictable, and to make the best of a less than ideal situation. Find common ground. It’s nearly impossible to spend days and weeks in the company of peers without needing to navigate disagreements. In the camp community, where bullying isn’t only not allowed, it is actively “uncool,” campers quickly learn they will not want to be friends with everyone, but you do need to find a way to co-exist. Campers build conflict management skills that will be valuable their whole lives through actively practicing the ability to find common ground and being a positive member of the group. (Most) spiders won’t kill you. A ladybug landed on your backpack. It’s adorable (please stop screaming)! And, even if there is a Daddy Long Legs lurking in your cubby, all he’s doing is keeping you from getting another mosquito bite. Seeing firsthand what happens when humans take over natural spaces of other species – and learning to live with creepy crawlies — imparts in children a sense of duty for protecting and positively interacting with the environment.

Everyone can sing and dance. Singing is not just for Grammy Award-winning acts and most people never make it on Dancing With the Stars. No matter how untrained your voice or your feet, it’s impossible to worry about skill when you and 100 others are singing about soggy moose who spilled their juice or when your group is dancing around your table in the dining hall to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Nowhere is the life lesson of learning to “dance like no one is watching” taught better than it is at camp. Finding appreciation. Sometimes, without meaning to, kids take for granted what they have, both tangible and intangible. When food appears on the table every day, kids don’t always stop to think and thank the person who shopped for it, prepared it (and likely will clean it up). On a camp-out night, however, your child becomes part of a group responsible for collecting the firewood, starting a fire, prepping the food, cooking for everyone, and cleaning up to “leave no trace” – a process

that can take a couple hours for a basic meal. As they take on responsibilities for things that get done for them at home, children learn that the love, attention and care provided by a parent may be their “job,” but it still deserves a thank you. So when your camper comes home from camp, their trunk will be full with more than just dirty clothes and archery awards. They will carry home with them life skills and a greater awareness of the world around them, and even of their place in that world. Don’t be surprised. Take it in stride and act like you knew it all along (after all, that’s why you sent them to camp, right?)! Then, take the next step and talk with your camper about how to incorporate their newfound abilities and experiences into the school year and home. You’ll both be impressed with where the secret benefits of camp can take you. Emily Golinsky is the executive director of Camp Starfish in Rindge.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 27

Adventure Awaits!

Summer Vacation Survival Camps

Discover... Your Way in the Wild

WildQuest Summer Camp At Prescott Farm

June 25 - August 25, 2018

Weekly Camps June 25 - August 24 Ages 8-12 Concord • Manchester Nashua • Derry • Rochester

Survival Skills • Adventures •Zombies Nature • Independence • Rock Climbing Canoeing • Hiking • Leadership & More

9am - 4pm, extended care available 8am - 5:30pm

Exciting themes each week, from Outdoor Adventures to Nature Artists to Kids can Cook!

OPEN REGISTRATION 2018 - 2019 “HOLLIS ACADEMY FOR CHILDREN” 465-7005

hollisacademy.net

PROGRAMS OFFERED FOR CHILDREN 30 MONTHS TO 12 YEARS: OFFERED FOR CHILDREN 30 MONTHS TO 12 YEARS: Pre-school & Pre-Kindergarten — (Full Day, Half Day OR Quarter Days) •PROGRAMS *Pre-school & •*Pre-Kindergarten - - (Full Day, orHalf OR Quarter Days) Private Kindergarten — (Full HalfDay Days) children — Before school, After school OR • Public School *Private Kindergarten - - (Full or Half Days ) both programs)

EXTRA PROGRAMS: *Public School children - - (Before school, After school OR both programs)

• Van Transportation — (To our After school program) • Holidays, Vacations and Snow Day Programs — (When your child’s school is closed we have availability) EXTRA FUN!PROGRAMS: — (July & August) 8 weeks • Summer Time *Van Transportation - - (To our After school program)

*Holidays, Vacations and Snow Day Programs - - (When

your child’s school is closed we have availability)

By giving kids a sense of place, we give them a sense of self

928 White Oak Rd, Laconia

(603) 366-5695

*Summer Time FUN! - - ( July & August ) 8 weeks.

The #1 Summer STEM Camp for Ages 7–18 Empower your child to take their STEM skills to the next level. From coding and game development to robotics and design, your child will develop in-demand skills and ignite lifelong passions—all within a fun, inclusive environment. Get ready for the best summer ever!

CAMPS & ACADEMIES

28 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Get a brochure and ﬁnd a camp near you! iDTechCamps.com | 1-844-788-1858

Resilience, self-confidence and s’mores Build a partnership with the camp to make sure your child gets the most out of their summer By Karen Provost and Melissa Mason

ndependence, self-confidence and resilience are all hot topics in the world of child development today. According to research by the American Camp Association, a positive camp experience can help a child become more independent and responsible, develop greater confidence, and grow resilient in addition to learning leadership, social and communication skills, and all while having fun.

What can parents do to ensure their child derives the maximum benefit from their camp experience? View the camp as a partner that will help your child learn valuable life skills. A strong camp and parent partnership includes open communication, mutual understanding and support of policies. Here are suggestions for building a strong partnership with your child’s camp: Get to know your camp and camp director • Take a tour of the camp and meet the director who is responsible for providing a supervised, safe environment and caring role models. It is easier to visualize activities there if you have seen the place beforehand. • Read the camp brochure, parent handbook, website,

•

newsletter and any other information about the camp and make sure the camp answers your questions. Participate in activities if offered by the camp. These may include family nights, camping weekends, and other events where families can become part of the camp community. This is also often an opportunity to meet staff members who work directly with your camper.

Communicate Provide information about your camper that will be helpful to the staff who are working with them.

•

• •

Prepare • Your camper will become more responsible if they help prepare. Most camps will provide a packing list and ask that all items brought to camp be labeled with a child’s name. When the camper packs their own bag, it is easier for them to know what they have, and they are more likely to bring everything home. Name labels help when there are many similar items. • Review the camp values, rules and consequences with your camper. Behavior improves when campers know what to expect, understand the consequences and know their parents support the rules. Share the camp schedule with your camper. They will • Parents sometimes withhold information for fear their be more excited when they know what to expect. Help child will be treated differently. In reality, having the them understand that sometimes the schedule will knowledge helps the camp professionals ensure a succhange. This help builds resilience and avoid disappointcessful experience for each camper. ment. Provide feedback. Do not wait to contact the director if Camp directors and the staff will provide the s’mores and something needs to be improved to enhance the camp activities for a fun and memorable summer that will make experience. The director and staff appreciate hearing lasting memories and produce stronger, more caring and positive feedback, too. resilient children. Parents are encouraged to build a strong Find out how the camp plans to communicate with partnership with the camp for the best outcome. parents. This may include a Facebook page, weekly/ daily newsletters, emails, posted signs, flyers, parent Karen Provost is the director of Camp Halfmoon/YMCA Allard notes and more. Camps will usually have different Center and Melissa Mason is the director of Camp Pa-Gon-Ki/ YMCA of Greater Londonderry. methods for routine and emergency communication.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 29

•Engineering •Game Design

•Animation •Programming

603.897.9969 www.LOFTechnology.com suzanne@loftechnology.com

APPLE TREE FARM

Week long full-day summer and school vacation programs

Tiny Trotters: (ages 4-6) June 26 - 27 • July 21 - 22 Aug. 7 - 8 and Aug. 21 - 22

Young Riders: (ages 6-17)

July 9 - 13 • July 23 - 27 Aug. 13 - 17 Week includes daily riding lessons and many fun activities & games focusing on horsemanship, health care, and barn safety.

603-465-9592 Hollis, NH 03049

www.appletreefarm.org

At Ponemah Green, we offer lessons and camps for all abilities, ages, and genders, at convenient times throughout the season. Our staff is trained to make your learning experience a pleasant one. Come learn the great game of golf in a comfortable and non-intimidating atmosphere!

10% OFF!

30 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

When Schools close, we open!

Summer camp vs. other opportunities —

how do you choose? Here’s what a camp experience can offer your child By Claudia J. Soo Hoo

ewer kids are going to camp for the entire summer, mainly because of the large number of opportunities available to them.

Many camps that have one- or two-week sessions with the option to attend three weeks or more, are finding that a majority of campers opt for shorter stays, while camps that offer operate on a four-, six-, or eight-week session are having to work extra hard to fill sessions. There is also a trend of campers arriving late or leaving camp early because of other commitments, as well as a growing number of cancellations. While the good news is that more kids are getting a camp experience, the struggle for parents and campers is all the choices they have between camps and other opportunities. As a camp person, I believe in what camp has to offer, but it is important to pick what is best for you and your child. When making decisions about summer schedules, here are some things camps offer that you might not know about:

electives outside traditional school subjects get better grades and have better study habits. Camp teaches grit and determination and lays a solid framework for a growth mindset. Camp keeps kids active In a research project done by Merrimack College students, it showed that on average students participating in outdoor education at camp achieved their recommended step count in two hours, whereas on average they only reached half their recommended step count in a typical school day in the a building. Again, children who are more active do better in school, develop better eating and exercise habits, and have less of a chance of developing a chronic disease. Camps are typically a break from screen time Camp teaches children the importance of faceto-face interaction. While managing technology is an important skill, campers are learning how to excel in human connections. Core skills such as articulating

Camp teaches life lessons People often say, “Everything I know, I learned at camp.” Camp is a perfect balance of social interaction, skill development and confidence-building where children thrive and learn values that become engrained into their personalities. It is a place where children can be themselves with little peer pressure, it is a place where children can make mistakes and learn from them to be better, and it is a place where children can advocate for themselves. Someone told me that if we could take a page from a typical day at camp and share it with the universe, the world would be a better place. As we raise the future leaders of our world, camp experiences can help children from every background thrive to be the best they can be. As your family works to pick the right opportunities for your child’s needs remember that camp has a positive everlasting impact. Camp is a unique educational opportunity Camp encourages critical thinking, independence, and self-worth. Children who participate in enrichment activities such as camp, after-school programming, sports, and

and verbalizing issues and resolutions, while maintaining eye contact during conversation. These types of interactions don’t happen with phones, tablets and computers, and schools do not have the time to teach these skills.

Claudia J. Soo Hoo is the district executive director of the Merrimack Valley YMCA.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 31

mp a C y a D e r u t Na d if f e r e n t ! is Every day

Trails & Treks Explore Natural Habitats Live Animals • Fun & Learning

NH AUDUBON

Adventure, Fun and Excitement Await Your Child at Camp Doucet! Our traditional day camp in South Nashua is the perfect environment for sun this summer! Open to youth, ages 6 to 13, our camp offers: ✓ Special Theme Weeks ✓ Athletic Activities ✓ Team Building Experiences ✓ Arts and Crafts ✓ Swimming Activities ✓ Outdoor Adventure ✓ Weekly field trips to State Parks, beaches & more!

Early and late pick up options available for campers. Please contact us about scholarships and financial assistance. Ages 4-12. School vacation weeks and summer camp. Financial aid available. Dates, details & registration online at nhaudubon.org.

Massabesic Center, Auburn

603.668.2045

McLane Center, Concord

603.224.9909

For more information, visit our website at www.bgcn.com or call Christine Lessard, Membership Secretary, at (603) 883-0523. Visit our table at the Summer Camp Expo on March 17, 2018 to meet our staff and receive more information!

Camp BirCh hill with a focus on each individual camper birch hill offers over 50 activities to choose from to create a personalized schedule. let’s have a fun summer! An Authentic SleepAwAy cAmp experience in the lAkeS region of nh

Boys & Girls aGes 6 –16 • 2, 4 & 6 week sessions

summer@campbirchhill.com

www.CAmpbirChhill.COm 32 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Disconnect to connect

Analog kids learn to relate face-to-face in the real world By Hannah Weiner

t’s no exaggeration to say that this generation of campers, “Generation Z,” interacts with the world differently than generations before. The majority of this generation owns a smartphone, and they spend at least one hour a day online — with nearly half of them connected online more than 10 hours a day, according to Nielsen. These statistics may be alarming, but they also align with the reality of parenting these days – dealing with screen time allowance, social media permissions and cyberbullying is exhausting. Parents of Generation Z (children born in the mid-1990s through early 2000s) may also be concerned about the psychological effects of technology. As kids spend more time scrolling through social media feeds, they’re trained to replace their hard-won intrinsic self-worth with “likes.” Kids compare themselves with the social media persona of others and may feel as if they’re missing out. How can kids disconnect without feeling like they are missing out? Go to camp! At camp, kids replace social media with a constant positive social reality. Camps provide a safe space for parents and children to prioritize unplugging from the digital world. Campers see summer camp as a place to spend time with friends and have fun, They willingly drop their devices to partake in the real action going on at camp. Many summer camps even have written policies

banning forms of technology, which means that parents aren’t the “bad guys” enforcing the no-tech rule. The lack of technology at most camps is integral to campers’ success. Without the barrier of phones and screens, campers find themselves forced to engage with their surroundings. Campers look at other human beings in the eye, focus on learning a new skill like archery or ceramics, and stop reaching for a phone in their pocket. When kids are able to disconnect from smartphones and screens, they can create real connections in the real world. This may be part of the reason campers say that their camp friendships are stronger than their relationships formed at school or in other environments where technology is pervasive. There are also several published studies lauding time away from screens to boost social development and brain function. One study shows that time outdoors, away from devices like smartphones, may actually boost certain brain functions like problem solving and multi-tasking. While the outcomes provided by camps—self-confidence, independence, friendships, creative problem solving, etc.—are not fully attributable to a tech-free experience, giving children summer memories that are deliberately absent of technology is a part of the puzzle. Experiences at summer camp without their beloved screens may be some of Generation Z’s only analog memories. Hannah Weiner is the assistant director for camper development at Fleur de Lis Camp in Fitzwilliam.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 33

Amoskeag Fishways

S E O R E H R E SUP E

2018 THEM

Summer STEM Programs

r? Go t le go fe ve e cu re ! th t go e ’v We

Lego Engineering, Robotic Programming, Stop Motion Animation, Minecraft

Amherst, Bedford, Concord, Dover, Durham Gilford, Hampstead, Hopkinton, Londonderry Manchester, Milford, Nashua, New London, Salem

Soar into March! Predators of the Sky Live Birds of Prey Mar. 10

Backyard Birds Mar. 3 Vulture Culture Mar. 24

Call 626-FISH to register

Muck, Mud and Soil Mar. 17 & 31

www.AmoskeagFishways.org www.facebook.com /AmoskeagFishways 4 Fletcher St. • Manchester, NH

Celebrate the Magic of the Merrimack www.LetGoYourMind.com

THE AMOSKEAG FISHWAYS PARTNERSHIP

SUMMER CAMPS The Workforce Development Center at MCC offers Summer Camps for children entering 3rd-8th grades. It’s not too early, enroll your child today! See below for available camps:

Camp Programs Week-long sessions for different ages. Jun 25 - Aug 24

Summer Camps for Youths Entering 6th-8th Grades • Girl’s Career Camp

• Solid Modeling

• Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)

• Robotics Camp Summer Camps for Youths Entering 3rd-6th Grades • 3D Printing Fundamentals

• Robotic Sensors and Programming (VEX IQ)

• Advanced 3D Video Game with Unity

• Minecraft Designers

• App Attack

• Minecraft Modders

• App IO: Make Your First Multiplayer App!

• Simple Machines with VEX IQ

• Code Breakers

• VEX IQ Robotics Fundamentals

• Introduction to Robotics (VEX IQ)

• Video Game Animation

Workforce Development Center at Manchester Community College ManchesterWDC@ccsnh.edu | (603) 206-8160 www.mccnh.edu/wdc | 1066 Front St, Manchester, NH

Connecting the past, present and future through hands-on, minds-on fun!

Enroll, see the schedule, pricing and more at:

www.mccnh.edu/summer-camps 34 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

For more information, visit StrawberyBanke.org

How to deal with homesickness

s a child growing up in rural Connecticut, our daughter Janet had always been a bit of a homebody. Possessing a rather shy and reserved personality, she was a cautious soul – content to stick close to her family and friends, unwilling to “put herself out there” in uncomfortable social settings.

If you prepare your camper to be out of their comfort zone, they can overcome and thrive By Kathleen M. Kearns

When it was time for college, we had assumed Janet would stay close to home. But she was unexpectedly awarded a generous college scholarship that was too good to refuse. The University of Oklahoma wanted to recruit her as a French horn musician and was willing to foot the bill for Janet’s tuition. Janet definitely experienced homesickness, but made it past her first couple of weeks of anxiety and distress and had one of the best times of her young adult life. Janet learned how to be independent and take care of herself. She quickly made a few friends that were also from out-of-state and who had been feeling a little lost, too. Janet may have developed some resilience for coping with homesickness when she went to camp as a kid. As a residential camper at both a Girl Scout camp and band camp, she had already practiced being on her own and being self-sufficient. Those early times away from her parents were difficult, but were learning opportunities that made the college experience much easier. As a camp administrator, I have watched first-time residential campers struggle with homesickness as they are dropped off at camp for their first experience living away from home. Some campers cry and hang on to their parents when it’s time to say goodbye.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 35

Go Ninja Circus Arts Summer Camp

Aerial Arts - Fabric Rope and Trapeze Parkour and Martial Arts Acrobatics a little music, art and wellness

Day Camp June 25-29 & July 9-13

All skill levels are welcome. Groups are split by age, ability, interest and comfort. Cost $350 for 1 week and $600 for both weeks. $400 after May 31.

BareKnuckleMurphy.com/GoNinja.us (603) 623-6066 163 Lake Avenue Manchester, NH

A Summer Program Like No Other The Tilton School Summer Institute (TSSI) will prepare students entering grades 6-9 for their next educational steps using a highly-personalized summer experience and selfevaluation. Our three-week program is a purposeful exploration of their strengths, as well as areas for growth.

Discovery Tracks Ignite your Passions

Outdoor Adventures Try new Challenges

Collaborative Partnerships Build Connections

Residential Living Join our Community

Summer Institute FOR STUDENTS

ENTERING

GRADES

6-9

For more information or to apply... Visit our website: www.tiltonschool.org/summer Email questions to: summerinfo@tiltonschool.org TSSI is affiliated with the Tilton School, Inc. and seeks to introduce its unique program to students entering grades 6-9 in a three-week summer experience. Our Advisors will guide your student through their Individualized Strengths and Skills Profile (ISSP) giving them the tools to succeed going forward in their journey.

Located in Tilton, New Hampshire

36 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

They are feeling vulnerable and afraid to be separated their loved ones. They just can’t imagine spending three weeks apart from their family. First-time campers are scared of the strange environment and a new daily routine. They are inevitably feeling their first pangs of homesickness. In a word, homesickness is truly a misnomer. That’s because this terrible feeling really isn’t about home and it isn’t an illness. Homesickness is an emotional state that involves a choice – one that can either cripple us with fear or promote maturity and exponential character growth. When homesickness hits hard, we can choose to be devastated by anxiety and depression, becoming physically and mentally debilitated. Or if we’ve been well prepared and aren’t surprised by these feelings when they arise, we can be excited about new opportunities and possibilities while overcoming our insecurities and weaknesses. As parents of soon-to-be first-time campers, we need to prepare our children to understand that homesickness offers an exciting choice. To get past this obstacle, they need to learn to approach their feelings in a positive way and without fear. It’s a lot easier to learn healthy coping skills and meet a challenge with courage if we are not surprised by the unfamiliar and overwhelmed. How do we teach those coping skills that will help overcome the distress of homesickness? First, tell your child that he or she can expect to feel afraid, and that those feelings are normal and common. Make sure they take something to camp that is familiar and comforting such as favorite blanket, book or toy. And suggest they stay active. Opportunities for physical activity (such as boating, swimming, hiking, or rock climbing) fully engage the body and reduce anxiety. If your child has “quiet time” during the camp day, suggest they write their feelings in a journal or in a letter home. But be prepared if you receive that letter. It may contain a long list of complaints along with a dramatic description of their “dire circumstances.” Your child may plead for you to bring them home, but don’t give in. Ultimately their complaints signal a stretch out of their comfort zone as they surmount new challenges. As your child begins to succeed on his or her own and learns to be a valued and contributing member of the camp community, they will enjoy a sense of belonging – becoming more secure and self-assured as their self-esteem soars. It is significant to note that those campers that cry and feel homesick when they arrive at camp are the same campers that cry on the final day of the session because they don’t want to go home. They are having too much fun. During the short camp session, their sense of self has been transformed. This is an asset gained through experience that serves them well their entire lives. Research-based Positive Youth Development programs often encourage children to actively participate in camping opportunities, outdoor adventure programs and experiential curriculums. That’s because those experiences teach the many dimensions of resilience. Summer camps promote healthy risk-taking, positive opportunities to try to succeed at new things, and chances for kids to build strong relationships with adults and peers while growing their self-confidence and self-efficacy. A child with the chance to enjoy a residential summer camp experience may experience homesickness. But if they are prepared to be homesick, they will know how to cope and have the tools they need to believe in themselves, set goals and overcome the barriers to success. Kearns is a freelance writer and the executive director of the Circle Program, a nonprofit organization that offers residential summer camp and year-round mentoring programs to underprivileged New Hampshire girls.

Rising tide:

The return of the family fisherman Bedford dad is leading the way while giving back to the community

Captain Jim with sons Finn and Gavin at the dock of his Pine River Pond camp.

By Jessica Ann Morris

Courtesy photo

Captain Jim at age 10, on the dock of his Pine River Pond camp. Courtesy photo

efore meeting Capt. James “Jim” LaMarche, owner of New Hampshire-based RogueOne Fisheries, my closest point of reference to understanding the smallscale fishing industry was, naively, the movie, The Perfect Storm. But I learned that providing the freshest, healthiest catch – through harvesting methods with a low environmental impact – to local chefs is a rising tide fueling the return of the family fisherman. Captain Jim spent his childhood fishing on Pine River Pond in Wakefield. His lake house was built by his father, grandfathers and uncles. Three key lessons left a lasting impression: the importance of hard work, learning how to independently create things and respecting nature. Captain Jim’s fishing excursions led him across New Hampshire, with some of his favorite locations being lakes Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam for salmon

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 37

NOw eNrOlliNg fOr Summer/fall 2018! . - 5:30p.m. 0a.m 7:0 n e Op

year ’rou nd

Theme Da ys

Making Friends

A lifetime of fun... in one camp experience.

Life Long Me mo

ries

Camp CenterStage is a 12-day overnight camp for girls & boys ages 8 – 17 exploring Music, Theater, Dance & Leadership Skills through the Arts.

August 15 - 26, 2018

51 Old BedfOrd rd

Camp Agawam Crescent Lake in Raymond, Maine

Sunny Days

Bedford•(603) 669-2811

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RESERVE ONLINE

LearningadventuresnH.com

www.CampCenterStage.org or call 603.294.4926

Space is limited! Reserve your bunk today!

Gate City Charter School for the Arts is hosting information sessions for the 2018/2019 school year Attendance at a session is a necessary step in the enrollment process

Tuesday, March 20, 6:30 Check out our summer workshops!

7 Henry Clay Drive • Merrimack

Join Our Enrollment List at gatecitycharterschool.org or call 603.943.5273

“

Kara and I wanted our kids to see it all, from technology to fishing, because while they’ll grow up in a society with devices at their fingertips, they also need to know how to take an original idea from their minds and build it with their hands. — Capt. Jim LaMarche

and lake trout, and the Seacoast’s Piscataqua River and Isle of Shoals for striper fish. Like so many, the serene days of fishing on the water, and calm nights staring out into it, drew him in — hook, line and sinker. As his life evolved—work, marriage, family — so did his ambitions. In 2012, Captain Jim expanded on his passion for ocean fishing and purchased RogueOne, a 25-foot Parker Pilothouse. By 2014, he was using traditional hook-and-line methods to catch Bluefin tuna, and in 2015, he started fishing commercially.

Demanding trifecta

Captain Jim found himself swimming upstream among three powerful waves: a successful career with Cisco Systems, being a dedicated father and husband, and answering the sea’s call. Something had to give. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of his own “perfect storm.” “I knew I wanted to pursue commercial fishing, at least part-time, but I also had to figure out how it would sustain my family,” said Captain Jim, who lives in Bedford with his wife, Kara, an artist, and their sons, Finn, 9, and Gavin, 8. In 2016, the LaMarches decided to do what so many find difficult in today’s world: take a calculated gamble to create the ultimate work/life balance. Captain Jim left Cisco Systems. The bait was two-fold – he had a unique idea for a technology startup and wanted to pursue his love for fishing. He had, officially, launched into the next phase of his life as a small-scale family fisherman.

”

A year of challenges and opportunities A Unique Summer Camp for Boys Ages 10-14 Located in Vermont’s Green Mountains IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO THINK SUMMER! ▲ tipi living ▲ nature crafts ▲ canoeing archery ▲ wilderness skills ▲ swimming ▲ backpacking ▲ hiking ▲ atlatls & ‘hawks bison jerky ▲ cooperative work & play and lots more!

Call for a full brochure (802) 446-6100

www.nighteaglewilderness.com

Swing by one of Parenting New Hampshire’s Summer Camp & Program Expos! Meet with representatives from over 50 overnight, day, arts, sports, adventure & abroad camps.

Manchester

Nashua

10am-1pm The Derryfield Country Club

10am-1pm The Courtyard Marriott Nashua

Saturday, March 3, 2018 NEW HAMPSHIRE

www.parentingnh.com

38 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Saturday, March 17, 2018

To say 2017 was non-stop for the LaMarche family is an understatement. Captain Jim established RogueOne Fisheries to focus on Bluefin tuna; christened a new boat, a downeast, 32-foot long Mitchell Cove fishing vessel named Athena; and became the co-founder and CEO of Reflen Inc., a provider of an end-to-end artificial intelligence platform that uses behavior analytics to improve online experiences. “Reflen’s culture is to be creative and not follow the typical way of doing things, which mirrors what we’re doing at RogueOne Fisheries by ‘saying no’ to drag nets and, instead, using the latest in hook-and-line fishing to avoid unnecessary by-catch (extra fish),” he said. “Kara and I wanted our kids to see it all, from technology to fishing, because while they’ll grow up in a society with devices at their fingertips, they also need to know how to take an original idea from their minds and build it with their hands.” During his transition, Captain Jim met Capt. Tim Rider, whose boat slip for the Finlander, was “across the dock.” Captain Tim, co-founder of New England Fish Mongers with fellow fishers Amanda Parks and Spencer Montgomery, shared a similar philosophy: hook-andhand-reeling of a day’s catch and filleting it at sea to maintain quality and increase shelf life, which customers, especially restaurant chefs, find of high value. “It is a challenging time for small-scale fishermen,” said Captain Tim. “New England Fish Mongers is about putting people, not big businesses, at the helm to support their families, earn a good living and give back to the community along the way.”

Family fishermen weather rough currents The Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries operates a sector for coastal hook fishermen. Those that hold groundfish (e.g., cod, haddock, halibut, and more) permits have to join a sector to manage fish quota. The Athena and Finlander are part of the Northeast Coastal Communities Sector. Some of what New England Fish Mongers sells directly to 30-plus local restaurants will come from RogueOne Fisheries. “RogueOne Fisheries shares in New England Fish Mongers’ beliefs about empowering small-scale day boat operations, using hooks-and-lines to protect aquatic resources, and

delivering fresh fish to the area’s best chefs to support a dock-to-dish model,” said Captain Jim. “Educating consumers about quotas, the family fisherman’s business model, and questions to ask about the fish they’re buying and eating, are part of our objectives, too.”

Keeping the community in mind In January, RogueOne Fisheries and New England Fish Mongers hosted a sold-out event, the Fisherman’s Feast, at The Foundry Restaurant in Manchester. Known for its farmto-table commitment, Executive Chef, Matt Provencher, led a team of culinary experts in the preparation of locally caught fish. Featured chefs included Jayson McCarter and Paul Morrison of the New Hampshire Food Bank’s eight-week culinary job training program, “The Recipe for Success.” A portion of funds raised were donated to the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, the advancement of local family fishermen and the NH Food Bank. “Nutrition, being on the frontline of health and wellness, is important to the at-risk folks we prepare food for,” said Chef McCarter. “The New Hampshire Food Bank is a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire. We always try to get everything we can out of each and every donor dollar to make a difference.” He added that New England Fish Mongers has been coming in as often as they can to drop off “wonderful fresh products” and commends the desire to give back to the community. “I’m not sure any of us truly understand the passion one must have to be a fisherman,” he said. “At the end of the day, my kitchen doesn’t capsize, I’m in no danger of being swept away at sea, and I never get cold. To Captain Tim, Amanda, and all the rest in the sector, we thank you for what you do and for being part of the solution.” Ned and Suzanne Hazard, who attended the Fisherman’s Feast appreciated the catch quality and preparation, but were particularly thankful for the education about New Hampshire’s local fishing climate, as well as how consumers can encourage establishments to Captain Tim, Captain Jim and Chef purchase stock from small-scale Jayson McCarter. Courtesy photo fishermen. “As citizens, we have to pay closer attention to what’s being put on our plates. We need to ask grocers, waiters/waitresses and chefs where they get their fish and urge them to buy from local fishing families that give back to the community and environment,” Suzanne Hazard said. Captain Jim continues to ensure that RogueOne Fisheries stays involved with opportunities that serve the greater good. He recently participated in New England Fish Mongers’ delivery of 80 pounds of fresh pollock to the NH Food Bank, which was prepared in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of New Hampshire to provide a hot, fresh, proteinfilled meal to kids. “That was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had: I am proud to have been a part of something that had such a positive impact on so many,” he said. “Using technology and forging valued relationships to, responsibly, bring good food from hook-to-heart is at the core of RogueOne Fisheries. I’m thankful to my family, Captain Tim, the mentors in our sector, and everyone involved with small-scale fishing for the opportunity to advance the progress of family fishermen.” Jessica Ann Morris is managing director of jam:pr, a strategic communications firm providing PR and writing services. Convinced she was a Jedi in a former life, Jessica is happily married to a Han-Solo look alike and lives in NH with their four Padawans and two Wookies.

Dr. Mark Harrison We specialize in providing excellent dental care that is especially suited to the needs of children, and adolescents.

40 Portsmouth Avenue Exeter, NH 03833

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!

(603) 778-0400 drmarkharrison.com

Weekly tuition includes: • Licensed day camp • Programming from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm • Daily snacks and meals • Weekly field trips • Playground and gym activities • Daily swim time and swim lesson opportunities • Arts and crafts • Educational summer program and more!

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 39

VISION AND HEARING

Hearing and vision screenings and examinations can be an important part of a child’s overall health, but quite often parents are unsure about when it’s appropriate or what’s involved. Parenting New Hampshire reached out to a pair of experts to help demystify the process, and to talk about when, how and why such testing is vital. OUR EXPERTS: Jennifer Dionne, AuD, Core Physicians’ Comprehensive Otolaryngology and Audiology, an audiologist with specialty certification in pediatric audiology at Exeter Health Resources, and Melissa Wong, M.D., of New Hampshire Eye Associates. Why are vision and hearing screenings so important? Dionne: “Hearing loss is the most common developmental disorder identifiable at birth and its prevalence increases throughout school age due to late-onset, late identified and acquired hearing loss. If childhood hearing loss is not managed, there are negative effects on academics, cognition and social development. Hearing loss cannot be reliably identified based on a child’s behavior in everyday situations. It is important because normal hearing, or use of amplification in the case of hearing loss, correlates highly with speech, language and learning development at the typical rate.” Wong: “Vision screenings help to detect existing poor vision or risk factors in a

40 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

child's eyes that could lead to poor vision. Children are an especially vulnerable population since they cannot always verbalize or describe an eye problem, and more likely, they do not know their vision is supposed to be any other way. They believe that blurriness or double vision or limited peripheral field are "normal." Even in preverbal children or developmentally delayed children, routine vision screenings can detect a child at risk such that a referral can be made to an appropriate specialist such as a pediatric ophthalmologist.” Who should conduct these types of screenings and why? Dionne: “Hearing screenings can be conducted by audiology assistants, school personnel, including audiologists or a school health professional. The best outcomes in testing consistency involve the supervision of an educational audiologist if being performed at a school. If performed in a doctor’s office, screenings can be performed by a physician or another trained health professional such as a nurse or trained medical assistant.” Wong: “Vision screenings are conducted by a child's pediatrician, family medicine doctor, or primary care provider. Some schools in New Hampshire also perform vision screening, although that is not currently state mandated. Routine screening is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force because prompt and early detection and treatment of ocular disorders in early childhood can prevent lifelong visual impairment.”

When should I have my child’s vision or hearing screened? Dionne: “The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends hearing screening throughout infancy, early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence. All newborns are to have their hearing screened before they are discharged from the hospital. Additional screenings should be conducted during routine well child visits with the pediatrician, at 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 years of age. The American Academy of Audiology recommends children be tested in preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1, 3, 5 and 7 or 9 at a minimum.” Wong: “Screenings are performed routinely as part of a well-child check starting from infancy. The question is when a referral is warranted to a pediatric ophthalmologist who performs a full dilated eye exam and thorough evaluation of the child's vision and eyes. Referrals are recommended in early childhood even before the age of one if there is a strong family history of childhood eye disease, or a history of prematurity, or a history of developmental or neurological delay, or a systemic condition that is associated with eye problems. An eye exam with a pediatric ophthalmologist is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for any failed vision screening (visit http:// pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/111/4/902.full.pdf), for any child unable to be screened after two attempts secondary to cooperation, or if there is any abnormality suspected or detected by the primary care doctor's office.” What are some common things that may damage my child’s vision or hearing? Dionne: “Noise exposure. Hearing loss from noise exposure is 100 percent preventable but is starting to show up in upper elementary school. Walk away from the noise, turn the volume down, give your ears a break or wear hearing protection. Respect your ears – Respect your child’s ears. Model healthy listening habits by listening to music at a reasonable volume and use hearing protection for loud noises and concerts.” Wong: “Preventable eye problems can damage a child's vision. Trauma is a concern, and that can come from projectile toys which have enough force transmitted through a focal area that it can cause serious ocular damage on the eyeball, or doing certain contact sports without polycarbonate eye protection. Many handheld laser toys are not FDA regulated and the wavelength of light can cause permanent scarring in the retina. I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but children with amblyopia risk factors that are not evaluated and followed closely can have permanent visual damage. Many parents believe that wearing glasses can make a child's eyes worse or more dependent on them. In many cases, if an ophthalmologist

HEALTH recommends glasses, if a young child does not wear the glasses prescribed, then normal visual development may be adversely affected.” What warning signs would prompt me to seek additional examinations? Wong: “Parents should seek a formal Dilated Eye Exam (not screening) if there is a problem with eye alignment, if a child preferentially closes one eye to see, if a child is constantly squinting one eye or rubbing it, or if a child has a persistent head posture such as a face turn or head tilt whenever viewing something. These could be nonverbal signs that a child needs a full exam. Of course a child should see a pediatric ophthalmologist if they are referred by their primary care team or school.” What’s involved in vision screening? Wong: “Vision screening done at the primary care doctor's office starts in infancy with observing

motility of the eyes and checking the light reflex in a child's pupils. As a child gets older, screening involves a cover/uncover test of alignment, a check of the optic nerve using a direct ophthalmoscope (special flashlight) in the primary care doctor's office, reading an eye chart with each eye covered, and sometimes screening is performed with photoscreeners, which are machines designed to detect amblyopia risk factors. A formal dilated eye exam with a pediatric ophthalmologist can be done at any age. An initial eye exam with a pediatric ophthalmologist takes one and a half to two hours, and involves vision assessment with different tools, checking with handheld or standing lenses that magnify the eyes, dilation of the pupils with eye drops which allow examination of the structures in the back of the eye along with an objective measurement of a child's refractive error using a process called cycloplegic refraction.”

Comprehensive Otolaryngology & Audiology

Otolaryngologists diagnose and manage diseases of the ears, nose, sinuses, voice box, mouth and throat, as well as the neck and face. Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat hearing and balance problems, and fit patients for hearing aids. Speech/language pathologists diagnose and treat disorders of speech, language, voice and swallowing. Exeter – 603-772-8208 Portsmouth – 603-766-6400 corephysicians.org

NEW HAMPSHIRE’S LEADING EYE CARE PROVIDER Celebrating more than 50 years in New Hampshire! • Routine Eye Exams • Optical Department • Full-time Pediatric Ophthalmologist • Specializing in LASIK, Dry Eye, Retina, and Cataracts • Medical & Surgical Eye Care

Schedule an Appointment Today! www.NHEye.com (603) 432-8801 25 Buttrick Rd. Suite C3, Londonderry, NH

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 41

cook•with•your• kids MAKE A MEAL TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

By Susan Nye

he first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911, nine years before women in America gained the right to vote. It was part of a push for women’s unity and suffrage, as well as an effort to improve workplace conditions. International Women's Day is March 8. Mark the occasion by planning a special evening with your family or host a mom and daughter potluck. If you want to make the evening educational, ask dinner guests to talk about the life and accomplishments of a woman they admire. Speaking of, Julia Child — an American who fell in love with French food and culinary techniques — revolutionized cooking at home in the 1960s. This International Women’s Day, let the legend of Julia inspire you. She believed “cooking is not a chore it is a joy. Dining is not a fuel stop, it is recreation.” Susan Nye writes for magazines throughout New England. She shares many of her favorite recipes and stories about food, family and friendship on her award-winning blog, Around the Table, at www.susannye.wordpress.com.

OVEN BRAISED HUNTER’S CHICKEN

Diana was goddess of the hunt in Roman mythology. Celebrate Diana and all strong women at your dinner. Serves 8

• • • • • • • • • •

8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs About 2 tsp. dried Italian herbs Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 c. or more chicken broth 2 c. crushed tomatoes 1/2 c. or more dry white wine 8 oz. fresh (peeled and trimmed) or frozen pearl onions 4-6 carrots, peeled and chopped 8 cloves garlic, trimmed, peeled and left whole 12 oz. whole mushrooms, trimmed and halved or quartered Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place baking dish in oven and cook at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Sprinkle chicken with half of the herbs; season with salt and pepper.

While chicken and vegetables bubble, add a little olive oil to the skillet and heat on medium-high. Add mushrooms and sauté for about 5 minutes.

Heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, cook chicken until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes per side. While chicken browns, put broth, tomatoes and wine in a saucepan, add remaining herbs, season with salt and pepper and whisk to combine. Bring sauce to a simmer over medium-high heat. Arrange chicken in a single layer in a large baking dish; scatter onions, carrots and garlic around the chicken and carefully add the hot liquid ingredients.

42 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Scatter mushrooms over the top of the chicken and veggies. Adding more broth and/or wine if necessary, cook for an additional 20-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and browned and the vegetables are tender and caramelized. Serve the chicken thighs with a spoonful of mushrooms and onions and a garlic clove. TIP

– This dish can be made ahead and reheated.

LEMON-LIME SQUARES

My mother loved lemons and limes and these tart squares were among her favorites. That’s a good enough reason for me to add them to a dinner celebrating women. Makes 24 squares

SHORTBREAD BASE

LEMON-LIME TOPPING

GARNISH

• • • •

2 c. all-purpose flour 1/2 c. light brown sugar 1 tsp. salt 12 T. (1 1/2 sticks) butter, cut in small pieces

• • • • • • •

4 large eggs 3/4 c. 50/50 mix of fresh lemon and lime juices 1 1/2 c. sugar Pinch of salt Grated zest of 1 lemon Grated zest of 1-2 limes 1/3 c. all-purpose flour

• Confectioners’ sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking pan. Make the shortbread base: Put flour, brown sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Add butter and continue to pulse until dough begins to come together in small lumps. Put shortbread dough in the prepared baking pan and press evenly into the pan. Bake shortbread at 350 degrees in the middle of the oven until golden, about 20 minutes. Prepare topping while the shortbread is baking: Put eggs, citrus juices, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process until well combined. Add zest and flour and process again until well combined. Remove shortbread from the oven and pour liquid ingredients over the hot shortbread. Reduce temperature to 300 degrees and return pan to the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes or until topping has set. Cool completely in the pan and cut into squares. Sift confectioners’ sugar over the squares before serving.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 43

dad on board Best left to the professionals MY FIRST (AND LAST) TIME TRYING TO TEACH MY DAUGHTER HOW TO DRIVE BY BILL BURKE

I Vote now!

The ballot — for food and drink PLUS shops, services and entertainment — is open until March 16. Vote for your favorites in all categories now! Voting takes place online only. Visit bestofnh.com to cast your vote. Save the date for the annual Best of NH Party! June 14 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Visit bestofnh.com for details. SPONSORED BY

PARTY TO BENEFIT

Primary Mark 4 Color

CR Helicopters Inc

44 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

thought I was the calm parent – until I put my daughter behind the wheel. Truth be told, I am coo-coo bananas lunatic whose Father of the Year sash should be repossessed by whatever group designates such things. Teaching her to read, how to tie her shoes, how to make tea, how Bon Jovi is never the answer and even how to lip a largemouth bass – these things were simple. Teaching her to drive, however, is the true test of a sober-minded, patient parent (which is to say, not me.) There will be a time in the not-too-distant future when my nearly 16-year-old will be able to drive everywhere – to school, to band rehearsals, to music lessons, to her cousins’ house. But after our very brief recent driving lesson, I may be content with carting her around until she’s in her 40s. It’s not her driving skills, because those will develop. It’s my dad skills. It seemed like a good idea to get her somewhat familiar with sitting in the driver’s seat before we sent her out onto the roadways of southern New Hampshire with her driving school instructor. I thought it would help prepare her, so I told her: “I’m going to have you drive down the driveway when we get home. Just go straight, slow to a stop and put it in park. It’ll be easy.” It felt odd to take my place on the right side of the car and watch her adjust the mirror, buckle her seatbelt and put her hands on the wheel, but not quite as odd as it felt when she started driving up the lawn toward the house. I’ll back up a bit. As soon as she put her hands on the wheel, I realized I never explained a single thing about driving to her, so I ran down the basics: Which pedal was the brake, which pedal would make you go forward, and how to put it in drive, park and reverse. “I’m going to leave it in park, but I want you to press down on the accelerator, very gently, so you can see how it responds,” I told her. The shockingly thunderous sound that came roaring out of the exhaust of my very sensible Subaru probably weakened fault lines along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Sorry, U.S. Geological Survey. “That’s not gently.” So we started again. When I felt confident she wasn’t going to drive her foot through the floor of the car, I told her to put it in drive and take her foot off the brake. We started inching forward. Our incomprehensibly slow progress started to veer slightly to the right. I looked at her. “Steer,” I said, still calm. The car continued on its deliberate course as it gradually left the driveway and began traversing the edge of our lawn. “Steer.” I was slightly less calm. “Steer!” The car crept even further onto the grass and started along an inexorable path up the hill toward the house. This was the precise moment I stopped being AwesomeDad™. “Steersteersteersteer!” I had her back up onto the asphalt, straighten it out and continue along our 50-foot journey toward the end of the driveway. We did arrive at our destination, but not before I got a glimpse at my parenting deficiencies. I know she’ll do fine, but it might be best if I leave it to the professionals. Fair’s fair, though. She teaches me how to beat boss levels on Mario Odyssey, and it’s probably just as maddening. Bill Burke is a very jittery stunt driver/writer who lives in southern N.H. with his wife and daughter. He is also the managing editor of Custom Publications at McLean Communications and is celebrating his 10th year as PNH‘s Dad on Board.

learning curve My father, my teacher REFLECTING ON THE LESSONS HE TAUGHT ME EVERYDAY THROUGH HIS ACTIONS BY ELIZABETH FEINGOLD

parentin

Elizabeth Feingold retired from Kearsarge Regional School District, where she worked for over 30 years as a special education teacher and coordinator at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She is now a consultant and advocate. Reach her at www.seacservices.com or email seacsvcs@gmail.com.

COMPLIM

ENTARY

y father passed away recently, and since then I’ve thought a great deal about how he has been such an influential teacher. We three kids grew up during the 1960s and ’70s. Those weren’t smooth times for parents. We all rebelled in our own ways, and we weren’t always easy. Wearing ratty shirts and ripped jeans, we questioned authority and our parents. I constantly questioned my junior high school teachers, and then our pastor as I went through my confirmation process, convinced at 13 that I knew more about religion than he did. Dad may have been upset about this, as he lived a singularly faithful life, but he never once told me so. He never told us we couldn’t carry our peace signs or wear our protest buttons. Instead, he stood proudly next to us at peace marches and marched beside us during hunger walks, providing strength, unconditional love, and the utmost belief in us as individuals. He never questioned our dreams, but instead, quietly empowered us to make our own choices. In high school, I worked in my parents’ dental office. My favorite thing was observing my dad working with his patients. He taught by example how to treat people with integrity, decency, and compassion. I remember one time when a young man opened his mouth and I almost recoiled from the decay in his teeth. My dad treated this young man with respect, explaining carefully how he would need to do extensive work. Later, I asked my dad how he so calmly dealt with such issues and his response was to help me understand the devastation that poverty causes. I did not ask about the charges, because I knew there would be none. Time after time, as I reviewed the bills with my father, I would ask what we should do about the unpaid one. Always, it was the same answer: “Just cross that off.” I learned that payments of $5 might be all we would see from some, and that we were happy to accept those. There were also those who came in with payments of bags full of tea from the local factory, or other unneeded items. “Dad! What are we going to do with more bags of tea?” He would respond, “We are going to thank them for the payment.” Photos of Dad show him sitting next to us, grinning and content to be exactly where he was in those moments. Everyone he loved was part of his family, from his lifelong friends, to his children’s husbands and wife, and then his grandchildren’s partners, to exchange students, the secretarial students who lived with my parents after we’d moved away. Thank you, Dad, for teaching me about integrity, compassion, kindness, selflessness and grace and for showing me how to live such a wonderful life.

NE W HA M PS HI RE

WRITE YOU ON, WRITENG RS! 2017’S

Parentin

gNH.com

ESSAY

CONTES T WI NN

g AUGUST

2017

ERS

Schoo l’ back s sessioin Full ST n: E aheadAM Civics educa ti in NHon

visit parentingnh.com

#IMAGINE

12 DATE NIGHTS Give yourself a break. For just $100 you could win 12 dining certificates valued at $100 each.

nhpbs.org/raffle Babysitter not included.

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 45

Keeping Kids Healthy for Over 35 Years!

house calls Too hot to handle PREVENT SCALD BURNS WITH THESE COOL TIPS

LEFT TO RIGHT: Mary B. Shupe, MPH, APRN, CPNP • Rochelle Heit, MD, FAAP Catherine Leighton, APRN, CPNP • Sharon VanTuil, MD, FAAP Helen Poremba, MD, FAAP • Martin Schwartzberg, MD, FAAP PHOTO BY: KENDALL J. BUSH PHOTOGRAPHY

Put Your Child’s Care in our Hands

River Road Pediatrics is a well-established, highly respected group of board River Road Pediatrics is nurse a well-established, group of certified pediatricians and pediatric practitioner. River Roadhighly Pediatricsrespected has providing health care services and for children for overnurse 35 years.practitioners. Our experienced We have been boardbeencertified pediatricians pediatric and dedicated provide qualityfor carechildren for newborns, children andOur experienced providing healthstaff care services for infants, over 35 years. adolescents in a sensitive and supportive manner. New patients are welcome and and same dedicated staff provide quality care for newborns, infants, children and day appointments are generally available.

adolescents in a sensitive and supportive manner. Kidsand Healthy for Over 30 Years!are generally available. New patientsKeeping are welcome same-day appointments

(603) 622-8619

58 Hawthorne Dr., Bedford, NH 03110 www.riverroadpediatrics.com

BY DEB SAMAHA

very day scald burns caused by hot liquids, steam, or foods are responsible for 300 children being taken to emergency rooms, according to the New Hampshire Department of Safety. And they weren't even near a flame. "Most burn injuries occur in residences," J. William Degnan, New Hampshire State Fire Marshal, said. "They are typically related to ordinary activities—bathing, cooking and eating—and often happen to children because of a lapse in adult supervision or a lack of protective measures." Scald burns are the most common burn injury among children age 4 and younger and mortality rates from scalds are highest for children younger than 4. The American Burn Association recommends the following simple safety tips to decrease the risk to yourself and those you love: • Lower the temperature settings on water heaters to 120° F or less. • Install anti-scald devices on water faucets and showerheads. • When filling the bathtub, turn on cold water first. Mix in warmer water carefully. • Use knob covers on faucets. Scalds also occur in the kitchen or dining room. Many of these can be prevented by:

• Using oven mitts or hot pad when cooking. • Turning pot handles inward. • Thoroughly stirring all microwaved food. • Never heating baby bottles in a microwave. • Not using deep fryers around children.

"These suggestions may seem obvious," Degnan said, "but given the statistics, they can't be repeated too often." Also, remember to check your smoke alarms once a month to see that they are working properly and every six months replace the batteries. If you need a good way to remember that you need to replace the batteries in the smoke alarms, change them when we change the clocks in the fall and spring.

APPRECIATION DAY

APRIL 7 - 6PM PURCHASE TICKETS:

ManchesterMonarchs.com (603) 626-7825 46 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

Deb Samaha is the program manager at the Injury Prevention Center located at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD). The Injury Prevention Center’s mission is to prevent deaths and disability due to injuries through public and professional education, enactment and enforcement of appropriate legislation, and encouraging the development, distribution and use of proven strategies to prevent injuries. The Injury Prevention Center has resources for parents, children, and professionals alike. For more information, go to www.chadkids.org/injury-prevention.

Pick up your free copy of Parenting New Hampshire magazine at several hundred locations throughout the state! You can also visit us at parentingnh.com. Our website is mobile and tablet compatible, so you can read us anytime, anywhere!

raising teens and tweens Take control of your child’s screen time CHANGE THE HOUSEHOLD DYNAMIC TO REDUCE ARGUMENTS AND TEARS

Primary Care for

busy

families. Derry Londonderry Windham Bedford

BY TRACEY TUCKER

ver the last several years, increased screen time has become one of the most common parenting issues brought to counseling. Research suggests that schools and the therapeutic community are seeing higher rates of parent/child discord, anxiety, depression, and anger management issues due to kids spending more time on smart devices Many parents report spending copious amounts of time arguing with their child to curtail, limit or remove access to screens, which results in anger, frustration and resentment for parents and children. In her most recent book, IGen, Dr. Jean Twenge directly correlates higher rates of adolescent depression and anxiety to the release of the IPhone in 2007. Her research suggests that over-connected kids are facing challenges that kids prior to the 1990s did not face – online bullying, unlimited access to information, decreased personal communication between peers and feelings of anxiety around not fitting in, or just an overall fear of missing out (now an acronym, FOMO). In addition, the latest research on the brain is beginning to pinpoint the exact areas of the brain that are affected by screen time, whether that be video games, smart phones or computers. MRI research suggests that screen time impacts the pleasure centers of the brain, directly changing dopamine levels in the brain. This connection to dopamine levels makes screen time equally addicting as drugs and alcohol for many children. Along with this MRI research, several studies have been conducted regarding which type of kid overuses video games and smart phones. Much of this research suggests that kids who are addicted to video games are kids who struggle in school academically or socially and play video games to connect with others. These video games allow them to engage in a world where they are finding success, engaging socially with peers who relate to them and give them a sense of community. It makes sense, given this scenario, that when parents tell them to limit their access to this positive interaction or disconnect from it altogether, that kids would struggle with their parents. A lot of attention has also been given to tweens and teens who are introverted or socially anxious. Smart phones allow them to engage with their online community without having to push themselves outside of their comfort zone by having face-to-face interactions. Conversely, many socially engaged teens find themselves feeling left out or disconnected, even while monitoring their social media round the clock. So, how can parents change the household dynamic? 1. Make a family policy around screen time – parents need to model this and follow the same rules. 2. Create a progressive use plan of screen time based on age of child. 3. Understand the apps on your child’s phone. 4. Make it a ritual to remove screens prior to bedtime. 5. Be consistent with how much time per day a child can use their screens. 6. Create a plan to use screen time as a positive reinforcer or reward. 7. Make rules that all homework, chores and daily responsibilities have to be completed before screen time can start. If the relationship with your child has become unbearable or you are concerned about your child’s mental health, reaching out to a therapist can help with sorting through the emotions around the screen time struggle. Tracey Tucker is executive director of New Heights: Adventures for Teens and a licensed mental health counselor at Tradeport Counseling Associates in Portsmouth.

Always accepting new patients!

 Same-day appointments  Extended hours 8am-8pm Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm Friday  Saturdays in Derry 8am-3pm

 Onsite labs (Quest) and diagnostic imaging (Derry Imaging)  See providers who know you and your entire family

New location in

Bedford!

160 S. River Rd. (at Meeting House Rd.) Suite 2500

 Call-ahead urgent care in 4 locations.

603-537-1300

DerryMedicalServices.com

Publication

Parenting NH

Run Date

March

Section Size

4.38” x 5.42” COLOR

Price Ad#

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 47

out about

march

Courtesy Photo

SUPER STELLAR FRIDAY: THE LIFE & TIMES OF SIR WILLIAM HERSCHEL

$10.50; children, $8.50; free for members. 7 p.m. www.starhop. com

2 FRIDAY

CONCORD -- McAuliffe-

Shepard Discovery Center, 2 Institute Drive. Sir William Herschel visits the Discovery Center, as re-enacted by Discovery Center educator, R.P. Hale, in this multimedia presentation of his life and times, using visual imagery, harpsichord and dulcimer. On the first Friday of each month, enjoy an evening of astronomy with Discovery Center educators and special guest speakers. Recommended for ages 8 and older; children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. If skies are clear, the observatory will be open and members of the NH Astronomical Society will be out on the Discovery Center's front lawn ready to provide a free skywatch beginning at dusk. Admission: Adults, $11.50; seniors and students,

5TH ANNUAL LABELLE WINERY FAMILY WINTERFEST 3 SATURDAY

AMHERST – Labelle Winery,

345 Route 101. LaBelle Winery is hosting its fifth annual Winterfest family fun event. The event offers families a variety of activities that include educational, creative, inspiring and fun components to insure there is something for everyone. Activities include sledding,

48 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

CHAD BATTLE OF THE BADGES HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP 25 SUNDAY MANCHESTER – SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. Police officers and firefighters from across the region will once again face off in the CHaD Battle of the Badges Hockey Championship, presented by AutoFair. This Good vs. Good rivalry pits community heroes against each other in a fun, highly competitive affair to raise money for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Tickets: $10; age 5 and younger get in free. 3 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets, sponsor a player in their community, or make a donation to the game at www.chadhockey.org.

snowshoeing, nature tours, snowman crafts, face painting, a bonfire, a scavenger hunt, a collaborative community mural project, a photo booth and a New England wildlife display. Refreshments, including maple syrup on snow, s’mores and liquid nitrogen ice cream are complimentary. Mulled wine, hot chocolate, coffee and boxed lunches will be available for purchase. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. www. labellewinerynh.com

WORKSHOP: MAKING MAPLE SYRUP 3 SATURDAY

LACONIA – Prescott Farm, 928

White Oaks Road. Held at various times today, and every Saturday in March, head to Prescott Farm

to experience an old-fashioned New England tradition – making maple syrup. From tapping a tree to tasting delicious maple syrup, you will participate in every step of the syrup-making process. Our environmental educators will help you to build tree identification skills, learn the parts of a tree and their functions, use measuring tools to find an appropriate tree to tap, use historical and modern tree tapping tools, learn the history of maple sugaring including Native American legends, and discover the math and science in the boiling process. There is a moderate hike to and from the sugarhouse. All ages. Fee: $12 ($10 online). 366-5695; www. prescottfarm.org

DARIUS AND TWIG 6 TUESDAY

CONCORD – Capitol Center

for the Arts, 44 South Main St. Darius and Twig is based on the award-winning novel by Walter Dean Myers. This captivating tale about the power of friendship depicts visceral scenes of inner-city struggle with sensitivity and wit. Darius and Twig is ultimately the story of two young men who must overcome obstacles by finding the best within themselves. Ages 13 and older. Tickets: $7. 10 a.m. 225-1111; www.ccanh.com

NORTH LONDONDERRY SCHOOL PRESENTS SEUSSICAL KIDS

the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical Kids, a fantastical musical extravaganza. Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat, our narrator, tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child, who gets in trouble for thinking too many "thinks." Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant. Tickets: $11. 7 p.m. 668-5588; www. palacetheatre.org

Drama Club presents Emma! A Pop Musical. Based on Jane Austen's classic novel, this sparkling new musical features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry. Girl power has never sounded so good. Tickets: $10 (sold at the door). Show times: Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 1 and 7 p.m. 432-1224

EMMA! A POP MUSICAL

WORKSHOP: VULTURE CULTURE

20 TUESDAY

23-24 FRIDAYSATURDAY

MANCHESTER – Palace

DERRY – Gilbert H. Hood

Theatre, 80 Hanover St. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in

Middle School, 5 Hood Road. The Keynotes and the GHHMS

24 SATURDAY

MANCHESTER – Amoskeag

Fishways, 4 Fletcher St. Scan the skies on a sunny day, and you may see a large, dark

bird circling high above. It could be a turkey vulture! Train your eyes to recognize these impressive birds, and participate in some fun activities to discover their unique adaptations and to appreciate their way of life. Registration with payment required; $8 per family. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. www. amoskeagfishways.org

10TH ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT FESTIVAL

houses, games, face painting, read-a-long, silent auction, bake sale and raffle. This popular fundraising event by Our Promise to Nicholas is in its 10th year. OPTN’s mission is to raise funds and mold partnerships to promote awareness, provide education and fund the development of research to fight a rare and fatal brain illness, Batten Disease. Tickets: $10 and $32 per family (discount online) 8:30 a.m.to noon. www. ourpromisetonicholas.com

31 SATURDAY

BEDFORD — NH Sportsplex,

68 Technology Drive. There are thousands of reasons to attend this year’s hunt; 10,000 eggs filled with candy and prizes will be ready for your little ones to gather up. There will also be live entertainment by Jungle Jim of Boston, the Easter Bunny, princesses, lovable characters, bounce

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 49

five•for families

COMPILED BY JACQUELINE TOURVILLE

Easter Eggstravaganza: Hop on down to St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua on Saturday, March 10, to celebrate the arrival of spring and the upcoming Easter holiday. Children of all ages will enjoy fun activities including face painting, games, cookie frosting, arts and crafts, and a visit with the Easter Bunny from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a free event. For more information, call 882-3000.

Read to Chloe: What better way for your kids to practice their reading skills than by reading aloud to a dog who loves a good story. On Saturday mornings in March, from 11 a.m. to noon, visit the Portsmouth Public Library to read to Chloe, a furry friend who’s specially trained to be a comforting presence and good listener. It’s free to read to Chloe; this is a drop-in event and registration is not required. www.cityofportsmouth.com/library

Breakfast and Books: On Saturdays through March, the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation in Intervale invites families to take part in a fun-filled breakfast that includes a book swap (bring a gently used book and swap it with another), a kid-sized pancake breakfast, a story, and a meet-and-greet with a favorite children’s book character. In March, meet Winnie the Pooh, the Cat in the Hat, and many other beloved friends. Breakfast starts at 9:30 a.m. Admission: $7 person (suggested donation); kids younger than 3 get in free. www.believeinbooks.org

How will your family make the most of these last few weeks of winter and first few days of spring? With plenty of activities to choose from, here’s how to fill your March to-do list with season-changing kid-friendly fun.

Cardboard Box Derby: Combine late winter snow with unlimited creativity and you have the Cardboard Box Derby, an annual rite of spring at Loon Mountain in Lincoln. To enter this free all-ages event, simply transform cardboard boxes into a helicopter, moose, pirate ship, or whatever strikes your fancy, and get ready to glide down the still-snowy slopes. This year’s derby is Sunday, March 18. Registration is from 8:30-10:30 a.m.; race is at 11:30. www.loonmtn.com

Maple Sugaring Day: The Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm in Tamworth invites families to taste the sweetness of early spring in New England at its annual maple sugaring celebration. On Saturday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., learn all about making maple syrup — from early Abenaki boiling practices to modern steam evaporators — with live demonstrations. Plus, sample farm-produced syrup and meet and greet the farm’s other signs of spring —the newborn fuzzy farm animals. This is a free event. www. remickmuseum.org

Jacqueline Tourville is a freelance writer and PNH’s travel and tourism expert..

50 www.parentingnh.com march 2018

march 2018 www.parentingnh.com 51

“Thank you for giving me the ride of my life. I only hope someday I can fly the DHART helicopter and help people like I was helped.” - Camden

There are moments in life that change everything. For Camden, it was realizing that he wants to help others the way Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Advanced Response Team helped him. As a national leader in patient-centered care, with locations throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, we’re proud to be there for your life moments.