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30 YEARS

MARCH 2020

March 2020 | FREE

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Discover your capable, confident Montessori child.

Now Enrolling!

Discover your capable, confident Montessori child.

At Guidepost, children will enter a wonderful world of activities, tools, and learning materials, designed to captivate their interest and inspire their budding intelligence in remarkable ways. Early childhood is a brief moment in time when children’s minds develop rapidly, and they establish foundational character traits. Take advantage of this critical age!

Visit us online today to RSVP for an event or schedule a tour.

Open House Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Montessori: A Practical Approach to Toddler Development Wednesday, March 25, 3 to 4 p.m.

GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT LAUREL OAK

GP021020

guidepostmontessori.com/laurel-oak (848) 999-9456 1004 Laurel Oak, Voorhees Township, NJ 08043

MARCH 2020

Toddler • Preschool • Kindergarten

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mk Inside

March 2020 Vol. 31, No. 3

In This Issue 4 Field Trips for All Students 6 A Fan of Half-Day Kindergarten CAMP 2020 8 Vaccination Policies 10 Camp Directory

Family Fun 12 Day-by-Day Calendar 15 Introduce Kids to Art

15

Ad Sections 2 Early Education 5 Health 7 Education 9 Camp 14 Child Care

MARCH 2020

MetroKids.com 3

SpecialKids

Field Trips for All Students Students with special needs should be allowed on school field trips with the same accommodations given in the classroom.

By Lisa Lightner A child with special needs cannot be excluded from a field trip based on his disability. Not because “We don’t have a nurse to go on the trip” or “We’re afraid your son may elope,” or any other reason related to his disability.

If your child is excluded, get it in writing.

If the school sends you a note, you’ve got it.

If it’s a phone call, follow up with an email: “Thanks for calling today. I just want to be clear that what you said is XYZ.” Then follow up with the special education director: “Yesterday I was informed that my son is not welcome on the field trip because …. which I believe is in clear violation of ADA/504 Act. Please let me know when we can meet to resolve this, as he very much is looking forward to the event and should not be excluded based upon his disability.”

If the school stands firm or wants to require you to go as his chaperone, continue to push. Is he being treated differently than his peers? Do all children with special needs have to have a parent?

IEP and field trips

The school must follow your child’s IEP while on the trip. If she gets a 1-on-1 or a nurse or a sign language interpreter, or whatever support in school, she gets it on the trip.

If it is not resolved, call the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) or a local disability rights agency. OCR complaints take time

to fill out, but this is pretty cut and dry and shouldn’t take long.

If none of the above has worked and you wish to pursue the issue, find a disability rights lawyer or special education lawyer.

Behavior and discipline

Can students be excluded from field trips because of behavior? The short answer is no. The school may be leery about bringing your child on the trip out of fear he will act out, but it still has to accommodate his IEP and behavior plan. It cannot come up with impromptu discipline rules, such as, “He eloped four times, so we are not letting him go on the trip.”

Earned field trips

In some circumstances, clubs or teams may take a special trip based on their performance. Let’s say your school’s chess club has 30 members, including your child, and plans to take the top 10 players to a special match. Your child is an excellent chess player, you believe he is definitely among the top ten on the team. You believe he’s being excluded because of his Aspergers and the fact that not many other kids like him.

Ask the coach or club leader what criteria were used and how you can help your child be successful. Sometimes coaches make decisions we don’t agree with. Try working with them and get them as an ally to see how important this activity is to your child.

mk smart. local. parenting.

1412-1414 Pine St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-291-5560 856-667-3555 302-224-3020 Toll Free: 888-890-4668 Fax: 215-291-5565

President: Nancy Lisagor, PhD, ext. 109 nlisagor@metrokids.com Publisher: Darlene Weinmann, ext. 108 dweinmann@metrokids.com Managing Editor: Dave Gilmartin, ext. 102 editor@metrokids.com Resource Editor: Cheyenne Shaffer, ext. 101 calendar@metrokids.com Contributing Writers: Terri Akman, Suzanne Koup-Larsen, Frank Lipsius, Kathy O’Connell, Ann L. Rappoport, PhD Production Manager: Ext. 103 production@metrokids.com Finance: Marcella Reis, ext. 104 finance@metrokids.com Marketing/Circulation: Riley Mudgett, ext. 100 marketing@metrokids.com Intern: Hayley Banks

ADVERTISING SALES 888-890-4668

Becky Henry Jeanie Mudgett-McGeoch

Jessica Schultz Classified Sales

ext. 105 ext. 111 ext. 120 ext. 100

We welcome your ideas and feedback. Write us at editor@metrokids.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Instagram.

Set up for success

You want your child to succeed.

Frankly, many field trips are overrated.

Does your child even want to go? Even with her full supports on the trip, do you feel she can be successful?

As appropriate, discuss all concerns with your child. Help her be successful.

Lisa Lightner is a West Chester, PA special-education advocate who blogs at ADayinOurShoes. com and is a contributor to MetroKids.com’s MomSpeak.

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MetroKids® is published monthly by KidStuff Publications, Inc. © 2020 MetroKids® Magazine. All rights reserved by KidStuff Publications, Inc. ISSN 1094-8503. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. MetroKids® or KidStuff Pub­lica­t­ions do not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. MetroKids® and SpecialKids® are trademarks of KidStuff Publications, Inc. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Advertisers indemnify and hold harmless the publisher from any claim and all loss, expense, or liability arising out of the publication of any advertisement.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S.A. $36, one year; $72, two years. Single copies free.

AWARD–WINNING MEMBER OF THE:

MARCH 2020

Holding Hands Family Child Care Selecting a child care or a preschool is a big decision. All parents want a “quality” program. At Holding Hands Family Learning Center, our program meets the needs of both your child and your family. The quality of your experience begins with the relationship — the relationship each staff member develops with your child. This relationship allows us to provide attentive care, engaging learning opportunities and a fun environment.

CARE: Care means low ratios and individualized attention. We support the physical and emotional needs of your child through many milestones like solid food, potty training and entering kindergarten.

LEARNING: Our learning program begins with the infants and continues through prekindergarten. At each level, our curriculum encompasses school readiness, gross motor, social-emotional and imaginative play. Children learn through hands-on activities.

FAMILY: Raising children is challenging and we can help with flexible scheduling options, enrichment classes like soccer and karate and longer hours from 6:00am to 6:30pm.

FUN: Our center embraces the enthusiasm and curiosity of children by designing classrooms specifically for children and by developing engaging activities each day.

Our staff are truly committed to your child. They bring over 150 years of education and experience to the benefit of your child.

At Holding Hands, we feel honored to have been a part of the lives of so many children and thank their parents for selecting us. We look forward to continuing the same quality program of caring and learning for many more families in the future.

138 Tomlin Station Road Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 856-467-6811 www.holdinghandsfamily.com

BROKEN BONE? Visit our walk-in fracture clinic for routine injuries.

www.shrinersphilly.org 215-430-4000 MARCH 2020

MetroKids.com 5

Education

Losing the Lottery; Winning at Kindergarten Her twins weren’t chosen for full-day kindergarten, but she discovered half-day sessions had more benefits than she thought.

By Cheryl Maguire In my children’s school, I had an option to pay for full-day kindergarten whereas half-day was free. My twins were not selected in the lottery to get into fullday, but I discovered it was for the best, because I enjoyed having a few extra hours with them. In fact, I chose half-day kindergarten for my younger daughter as well.

Here are some reasons why I preferred the half-day sessions.

Educational benefit

I wanted to enroll my twins in fullday kindergarten because I thought they would receive more education, which would in turn help them excel academically the following year. Both of them have done well in school academically despite the fewer hours in kindergarten.

Researcher Philip DeCicca at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, had findings similar to my experience. He tested children at the end of first grade and found there was little difference in reading and math test scores of children who attended full-day versus half-day kindergarten. At first there were some gains, but they were short-lived.

More time to play

With half-day kindergarten, my kids had time for unstructured play, alone or with friends. The benefits of unstructured play include a stronger bond to family members, better peer relationships, improved problem solving and healthy development. We also attended library story time, which had

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structured mixed with unstructured time to allow the children to socialize.

They developed friendships during this time that they have maintained over the past six years and I met and socialized with their friends’ parents.

More time with family

Research from the University of Illinois found that when families regularly spent time together — in this case they studied going on nature hikes — they functioned better as a family. The study suggests the time together enables families to better read social cues, which leads to feeling less irritable and more in control.

I look back fondly on those extra hours I had with all three of my kids.

Besides library story time, we went to playgrounds, playgroups and other activities.

They will be in school for six hours a day for the next 12 years, so I’m grateful for the additional time I had with them.

Short attention spans

Most kindergarten-aged children have a short attention span. According to Day2DayParenting.com, the average 5- to 6-year-old child can attend to something of interest for 10 to 15 minutes, which decreases to 5 to 10 minutes for topics not of interest to them. A school day is six hours long, which may make it difficult for some children this age to stay focused on tasks.

Costs less money

In my kids’ school, full-day kindergarten cost $3,000 per child, so for my twins it would have been $6,000.

Instead of spending the money on school, I was able to save some of it. I used the remainder to pay for activities, such as a gymnastics or dance classes.

What is best for your child

You know your child better than anyone. If you feel he would benefit from full-day, he might. I thought my children would benefit from the longer school days, but when we ended up not making the lottery, we made the best of the situation and, in the end, it worked out for us.

Cheryl Maguire is a freelance writer.

Log on to MetroKids.com/ educationguide to find schools with kindergarten programs.

MARCH 2020

Join us at an upcoming

OPEN HOUSE

Tues., March 10, 9 a.m.

Wed., April 15, 9 a.m.

Young Explorers Chasing Wonder

Great Kids Going Places

Age 3 through Grade 12 For more information or to RSVP, call (856) 914 - 4426, email admiss@mfriends.org, or visit www.mfriends.org.

Moorestown Friends is dedicated to academic excellence, ethical development, diversity, and service to the community.

Are You Looking CONTACT US! for Child Care in Camden County?

The Department of Children’s Services is here to assist you with: 

Child Care Referrals and Options.



Selecting a quality child care program that meets the needs of your family.



Finding programs that can help pay for child care!



Child Care Subsidy for eligible parents.

Board of Freeholders

MARCH 2020

Camden County

Department of Children’s Services 856.374.6376 children@camdencounty.com MetroKids.com 7

Camp

What’s Your Camp’s Vaccination Policy?

Last year’s measles outbreaks in the U.S. led camps to review rules.

By Jennifer Lesser Measles outbreaks across the country in 2019 prompted summer camps to look at how, or whether, they should accommodate vaccine-hesitant parents and could reassure parents of vaccinated children that they won’t be exposed to the disease.

“Like everything else, the issue of what camps are doing about vaccinations falls on a bell curve — there are some camps doing very little and some are requiring detailed vaccination records to be updated on an annual basis,” explains Harry Rhulen, founder and CEO of Crisis Risk, a risk management company. He notes that, generally, corporate-owned camps enforce tighter vaccination restrictions than a smaller, family-owned camp that has been running for many years. “Sometimes these camps will tell me that they’ve been doing it a certain way for 100 years and haven’t had a problem, and our response is always one single word: ‘yet.’”

Impact of New York outbreak

Susie Lupert, executive director of the American Camp Association (ACA) of NY and NJ, says licensed summer camps in both states have to keep vaccination records and campers should be immunized according to state requirements or be able to present a medical or religious exemption. However, as a result of the measles outbreak in Brooklyn last year, camps contacted parents to encourage them to immunize their children and many camps refused to accept religious exemptions to protect the overall camp population from a measles outbreak. New Jersey schools and camps may have to follow suit; a pending bill would require all students attending public schools to be vaccinated,

8 MetroKids.com

regardless of religious beliefs, health conditions, or any other exemptions that were previously accepted. The bill has angered some parents and is currently stalled in the legislature.

“Last year was a unique summer for camps. Many had to revise their vaccination policy for the summer, only accepting campers and staff that were vaccinated for measles and if a camp did accept unvaccinated children, they were tracking the campers for symptoms,” Lupert explains. “Camp owners and directors were working closely with their healthcare staff to ensure they understood the symptoms of measles and that a procedure was in place to seek medical care if measles were suspected.”

“When it seems like nobody really wants to take a stand on the issue because it will draw the ire of many parents, it puts camps like ours in a precarious position.”

Lupert says many camp directors reached out to the families who hadn’t vaccinated their children and told them that if they didn’t vaccinate for measles, their child would be unable to attend camp. “Surprisingly, many parents ended up vaccinating,” she recalls.

Local camps respond

According to Andy Pritikin, owner and director of Liberty Lake Day Camp in Bordentown, NJ and past president of the ACA, many camps struggled to make a decision about vaccinations last summer and will continue to face challenges this season. “When we heard about the outbreak in New York last year, we were hoping for some sort of governmental

decree in our state that would advise us how to handle this issue, but we were unfortunately pretty much left on our own since there were no confirmed outbreaks in New Jersey,” he explains.

“It was left up to camp directors to decide whether to tell families who have been with us for years that they’re no longer welcome in our camp community because their children aren’t vaccinated, at the risk of making other parents nervous.”

The camp ultimately decided to make vaccinations mandatory, but consulted with its insurance company to come up with a compromise for one family of two unvaccinated campers — they had to take a blood test to prove that they weren’t carriers of any sort of communicable disease before they would be permitted to enroll. “The general rule for camps is to follow what public schools are doing, but when it seems like nobody really wants to take a stand on the issue because it will draw the ire of many parents, it puts camps like ours in a precarious position,” he adds. “My son battled leukemia, and every time he received another round of chemotherapy, it wiped out all of his previous vaccines, so when we thought about the fact that there are some kids walking around who are unprotected and extremely vulnerable to these life-threatening diseases, not because of religious or personal reasons, but because of a serious health condition, our camp had to make the choice to require vaccinations.”

Camp policies may continue to vary by state or even by region when it comes to medical and vaccination records.

Jennifer Lesser is a freelance writer.

MARCH 2020

Summer Camp at Chesterbrook Academy • • • • • • •

®

Day camp with extended hours Field trips and events Nature and science Arts and crafts Sports and games Music, dance and drama Swimming* Not available at all locations

*

For more information, visit ChesterbrookAcademy.com/Camp

CBA_MetroKids-Camp-Mar20_7.25x4.625.indd 1

THE #1

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Coding. Game dev. Robotics. Digital arts.

This isn’t just a camp. It’s an experience unlike any other. Here, you push past the boundaries of school, finding your squad and bonding over the latest tech. Led by expert instructors, you will build the skills needed to forge a brilliant future.

HELD AT 150+ PRESTIGIOUS LOCATIONS INCLUDING: Princeton | Seton Hall | Ramapo | Kean | FDU - Madison Montclair State | NYU | NYIT | Columbia

Request your brochure today!

iDTechCamps.com | 1-888-709-8324 MARCH 2020

MetroKids.com 9

Thrilling adventures are in store for children at summer camps throughout the Delaware Valley in 2020!

This camp directory includes an ample array of choices for all abilities, ages and interests.

Navigate the directory by focusing on your preferences for: • Geographic area: Camps are grouped by county & outlying areas.

• Category: Each description is prefaced by camp type — day, program, residential, special needs or travel.

• Special features: See the key below.

Find a searchable version at MetroKids.com/camps.

Contact camps to express interest and mention you saw their listing in MetroKids.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

BURLINGTON COUNTY

76ers Camps

Camp Creek Run

Multiple Locations; 610-668-7676 director@sixerscamps.com •76erscamps.com DAY The #1 Basketball Camp in the NBA celebrating our 36th Year! Learn the drills the pros use to take their game to the next level. Age-specific and skill-specific fundamentals and skill development, from beginner to advanced. Meet players, coaches and other NBA Stars. Half-day, full-day and overnight camps available for 5–17 year olds.

Arsenal USA Premier Soccer Camps

Multiple Locations; 610-922-8255 rjacobs@esfcamps.com • Arsenalsoccercampsusa.com DAY Arsenal USA premier soccer camps, for boys and girls from ages 6–14, will provide players of all skill levels an opportunity to improve their game and be immersed in the Arsenal Way which produced their world’s best players. Arsenal coaches direct and help you combine techniques, tactics and that winning spirit.

International Ivy Summer Enrichment Program

Multiple locations in Burlington, Cherry Hill, and Princeton; 908-899-1338 info@iisummer.com • iisummer.com DAY, PROGRAM International Ivy strives to promote creativity and hands-on learning for students between the age of 5–15 in subjects such as robotics, video game creation, computer programming, Minecraft, virtual reality, 3D printing, science, engineering, math, business, language and visual arts.

ACA

Paris Saint-Germain Academy Soccer Camps USA

Multiple Locations; 610-922-8255 rjacobs@esfcamps.com • Psgacademysoccercampsusa.com DAY The Paris Saint-Germain Academy USA soccer camps, for boys and girls ranging from ages 6–14, provide players of all skill levels an opportunity to improve their game while immersed in the philosophy of the professional academies in Paris. European coaches direct individual skill development, team and character building.

Phillies Baseball Academy

Multiple Locations; 610-520-3400 campmail@philliescamps.com • Philliesacademy.com DAY Phillies Baseball Academy is the premier baseball camp experience for boys and girls, ages 6–14, featured at numerous great locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Only Phillies Baseball Academy offers topnotch instruction with the unique opportunity to go on a behind-the-scenes tour of Citizens Bank Park and the chance to meet a Phillies player and coach.

Purchase Tickets Now!

Council Stage OGLC Grades: 5 - 8

Winter Stage Grades: 1 - 12

Mar. 26, 27, & 28

Apr. 24, 25, & 26

199 Taunton Lake Rd., Marlton; 856-596-4250 campcreekrun@yahoo.com • Campcreekrun.com DAY Get close to nature at Camp Creek Run! We are a traditional day camp with something for everyone, with a special emphasis on the natural sciences. Our 50-acre nature preserve features wooded hiking trails, open meadows, a spring-fed lake with a sandy beach, and a south-branch tributary of the Rancocas Creek. We offer certified teachers and other qualified adults as counselors; nature study and science programs; sports, arts and music programs; fishing and boating, and swim instruction in our inground pools. Sign up today for a summer of fun at Camp Creek Run!

JCC Camps at Medford

400 Tuckerton Rd.,Medford; 856-751-1666 bsegal@jfedsnj.org • Jcccampsatmedford.org

DAY, TRAVEL JCC Camps at Medford enrich children’s lives by teaching values and life skills in a fun, safe and inclusive Jewish environment, while building confidence, sharing successes and creating lasting friendships.

Camp is built on the fundamental values of family, love, respect, justice and charity, compassion and kindness. ACA CIT SN

Liberty Lake Day Camp

1195 Florence-Columbus Rd., Bordentown 609-499-7820 • Libertylakedaycamp.com DAY Liberty Lake Day Camp is a transformative experience, teaching life skills to inspire young people to change the world. Campers enjoy 60 magnificent shady acres, outdoors and screen-free. Kids can customize their day with the Freedom of Choice elective program of 60+ activities. Open Houses: Jan. 26, Feb. 9, March 1 & 22, April 5 & 26, May 17.

ACA

Moorestown Friends School Summer Programs

110 E. Main St., Moorestown; 856-914-4493 mcameron@mfriends.org • Summer.mfriends.org DAY The Summer Scholars Program options include innovative and exciting approaches to science, robotics, technology, STEM, sports, design, thinking, arts, economics and more. In addition, Academic Transitions courses in August offer the chance for your child to improve in math, writing, study skills, and Google Docs. Many Summer Program Master Teachers are MFS teachers and department heads, most of whom hold advanced degrees from prestigious universities.

Key: Extended hours Offers financial aid Part-day or part-week sessions Provides transportation ACA: ACA-accredited CIT: Counselor-in-training program SN: Some special needs may be accommodated

SUMMER STAGE (Award-Winning Musical Theater Camp) SESSION I SESSION II SESSION III Jun. 17 - Jul. 2 Jun. 22 - Jul. 10 Jul. 6 - 10 (Ages 6 - 12) (Ages 13 - 18) (Ages 6 - 12)

SESSION IV Jul. 13 - 31 (Ages 6 - 18)

SESSION V Aug. 3 - 14 (Ages 13 - 18)

SESSION VI Aug. 3 - 21 (Ages 6 - 12)

July 29 - 31

Aug. 12 - 14

Aug. 19 - 21

Reserved Seating, $12 online and at the door.

Spring Stage Ages: 6 - 18

Stage Register Now! Main (All Ages) June 5, 6, & 7; (JTF ‘21 Show!)

July 15 - 24

July 1 & 2

July 8 -10

July 10

Monday - Friday · 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM · Hope Community Church · Moorestown, NJ Fee: $325 / week · Four to Six Performances at the end of each Session · Show Tickets: $12

MoorestownTheaterCompany.org • Info@MoorestownTheaterCompany.org • (856) 778-8357 10 MetroKids.com

MARCH 2020

Camp Directory CAMDEN COUNTY

dorms, good food, experienced staff of professional educators.

Early Childhood Camps at the Katz JCC

1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hil 856-424-4444 ext. 1242 mfoster@jfedsnj.org • Katzjcc.org/ecccamps DAY Early Childhood Camps at the Katz JCC, an award-winning summer day camp, is the place for little campers ages 2–5 to have big fun!

Through STEM activities, creative arts, theater, music, sports, swim lessons, cooking and more, our professional camp staff ensure your child has a fun summer experience. SN

Super Star Summer Camp

5 Larwin Rd., Cherry Hill • 856-795-4599 • theGCAcademy.com DAY Super Star Summer Camp is where kids learn how to be awesome.

We offer a variety of activities for children to enjoy, including swimming, ninja obstacle courses, flip-training, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, tumbling, cheerleading, arts & crafts and more.

SN

MERCER COUNTY Tomato Patch @ Kelsey Theatre

1200 Old Trenton Rd.West Windsor; 609-570-3566 projects@mccc.edu • Tomatopatch.org DAY Multidisciplinary Summer Arts Workshops for grades 4–12. Theater, dance, vocal music, visual art, each session culminates in a Festival Performance and Gallery Exhibit. The longest running, most successful summer arts program in Central New Jersey, now in its 47th year. Session I for grades 8–12; Session II for grades 4–7. Session I, June 22–July 16, Session II, July 20–Aug. 6, Master Class in Acting June 22–July 10 and July 20–Aug. 7

OUTLYING AREAS

SIGN UP TODAY!

Adventure Camp at Roundtop Mountain Resort

TURING

,S

AF

E

THEATRE, FILM, DANCE

FUN FOR ALL AGES 5 & UP

G AG

ING

Grand Manan Island,New Brunswick, Canada; 888-54-WHALE info@whalecamp.com • WhaleCamp.com RESIDENTIAL, TRAVEL No other marine science camp offers as many face-to-face encounters to closely observe and study whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and puffins in their own natural habitat. Board our research vessel for unmatched opportunities to observe marine life. Explore beaches, coastal trails and fishing villages on beautiful Grand Manan Island. Ask about our $40,000 College Scholarships, STEM projects & College Credits.

, NUR

EN

Whale Camp at the Fundy Marine Science Institute

N FU

REGISTER EARLY ONLINE &

925 Roundtop Rd., Lewisberry, PA; 717-432-9631 skiroundtop@skiroundtop.com Roundtopmountainresort.com/camps/summer-adventure-camps DAY, RESIDENTIAL Book your child’s best week of the summer at South Central PA’s favorite ski resort where campers enjoy a multitude of adventure-based activities including zip lines, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, archery, paintball, OGO balls, high and low ropes courses, the super slide, chairlift rides and much more. Day and residential camps available. Residential housing is in air-conditioned mountain chalets CIT

D EARLY BIRTS N U O C IS D E AVAILABL

www.mainstage.org 856-302-6485

YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser

201 Cushion Peak Rd., Reinholds, PA 610-670-2267 • SMYMCA.org RESIDENTIAL We welcome you to our 600 mountaintop acres in Berks County, PA. While we offer a variety of session lengths, most campers come for 2- or 4-week sessions. We are a coed program for campers 6–17 years old. Traditional camp programs including horseback riding, swimming, boating, athletics, target sports, mountain biking, creative arts, nature, adventure and teen leadership. We also offer a variety of specialty theme camps, adventure trips and international trips. We can’t wait to see you on the mountain! ACA

Young People’s Theater Workshop (YPTW);

Theatre Arts Summer Overnight Camp at Eastern University 363 Radford Ct., Glen Mills, PA Youngpeoplestheatreworkshop@gmail.com; Yptw.org RESIDENTIAL Overnight camp for ages 11–18 at Eastern University June 21-26. Classes include musical comedy, Shakespeare, improv, monologues, dance, characterization, auditions, showtunes. Air-conditioned

Key: Extended hours Offers financial aid Part-day or part-week sessions Provides transportation ACA: ACA-accredited CIT: Counselor-in-training progra SN: Some special needs may be accommodated

MARCH 2020

MetroKids.com 11

Family Fun

Wear your greenest getup to North Wildwood's St. Patrick's Day parade, March 14.

MARCH

DAY-BY-DAY CALENDAR

Special needs event Special Evening at Sam's

6 March

Editor's Pick

$ = $1-$5; $$ = $6-$10; $$$ = $11-$19; $$$$ = $20 & up

1 Sunday

Family Arts Academy: Welcome Spring at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila.

Make an illustrated masterpiece. FREE First Sunday Family Day: Creating Multiples at the Barnes Foundation, Phila. View a new tapestry exhibit, make crafts & art prints and watch a multicultural puppet show. FREE

Mother-Daughter Art Retreat

13 March

5 Thursday

Boston Massacre 250th Anniversary Event at the Museum of the American Revolution, Phila.

Learn about the city’s Liberty Tree and a sailor of African and Native American descent who was killed in the massacre. $$$$

6 Friday

Camp-In at the Franklin Institute, Phila. $$$$

Harlem Globetrotters at the Wells Fargo Center, Phila. $$$$

Gritty Character Clay Workshop at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See “Fan of,” p.13. $$$

Philadelphia Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Phila. Themed “Riviera Holiday,” this year’s event features workshops and demos, make-and-take activities and the kid-favorite Butterflies Live exhibit. Through March 8. $$$$

Special Evening at Sam’s at Sahara Sam’s Oasis, West Berlin. Kids with special needs and their families enjoy a judgment-free evening featuring quiet rooms, modified lighting and sound, a relaxed dress code and the option to bring your own snacks. $$$

Play Without Boundaries at the Please Touch Museum, Phila. Kids with autism and learning differences experience the venue in a relaxed environment. FREE Spirit Brands National Cheerleading Championship at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$$$

3 Tuesday

Toddler Nature Class at the Watershed Institute, Pennington. Activities include songs, stories and outdoor exploration. $$

7 Saturday

Carnival of the Animals at Verizon Hall, Phila.

The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Camille Saint-Saëns's famous piece. $$$$ Paleopalooza at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. Explore the world of dinosaurs while you view a rarely seen fossil collection, watch presentations by paleontologists, meet reptiles and get hands-on at learning stations. $$$

World Water Day Festival

21 March

12 MetroKids.com

See MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information on these and other events.

MARCH 2020

FAB FREEBIE Celebrate creativity and ingenuity during the Makers Faire, March 21 at Westampton’s Burlington County Library as part of the statewide Maker Day. Families learn about “maker” culture, meet reps from local businesses and organizations, watch demos and enjoy hands-on tech fun, demos, crafts and STEM projects.

Saturday Morning Paint ‘n PJs Event at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids can don pajamas to receive a discounted rate on a piece of pottery. $$$

8 Sunday

Family Art Workshop: Paper Tube Koi Fish at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville. FREE Family Arts Academy: Asian Art at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. Meet folks from the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival and explore cultural storytelling via film and projects. FREE Paleopalooza at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. See March 7. $$$ Winterfest at Blue Cross RiverRink, Phila. Take one last whirl around the ice-skating rink during the closing day for this seasonal space. FREE

12 Thursday

Archaeological Adventures Homeschool Program: Meet the Mediterranean at the Penn Museum, Phila. Listen to mythological stories, check out Roman artifacts and barter for goods at an ancient marketplace. $$$ National Plant a Flower Day at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. Make a themed craft and plant a flower to take home. $$ Storytime: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See March 11. $$$

13 Friday

40 Winks Sleepover at the Penn Museum, Phila. This slumber party features games, crafts, a scavenger hunt and flashlight expedition. $$$$

10 Tuesday

Mother-Daughter Art Retreat at Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, Elmer. Activities might include jewelry making, sketch journaling, poetry and a campfire. $$$$

Knee-High Naturalists at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. $$

A Garden of Quilts at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville.

Show features 150-plus quilts, as well as raffles and demos. $$

Toddler Nature Class at the Watershed Institute, Pennington.

See March 3. $$

Grow Up Great at the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza, Phila. Kids are introduced to jazz and musical theatre. FREE

Homeschool Workshop at the Franklin Institute, Phila. Design and create structures using building toys. $$$$

11 Wednesday

Knee-High Naturalists at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. $$ Storytime: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids make a rainbow to hide a pot of gold. $$$

14 Saturday

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Parade at City Hall, N. Wildwood. FREE Storytime: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See March 11. $$$

15 Sunday

Family Arts Academy: Printed Poetry at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. Make and print original poems with illustrations. FREE A Garden of Quilts at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville. See March 14. $

16 Monday

Community Night at the Franklin Institute, Phila. FREE

17 Tuesday

Toddler Nature Class at the Watershed Institute, Pennington.

See March 3. $$

FAN OF . . . GRITTY Everyone’s favorite NHL mascot is the MVP of the Gritty Character Clay Workshop, March 6 at All Fired Up! in Collingswood. Kids receive the tools and guidance needed to sculpt the lovable dude, then paint their masterpiece in his signature orange hue.

MARCH 2020

Read and Explore: Getting Ready for Spring at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Following storytime, plant seeds to take home. $$

19 Thursday

Brain Awareness Day at the Franklin Institute, Phila. Touch real brains, meet neuroscientists, partake in dissections and play brain games. $$$$

MetroKids.com 13

Family Fun

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21 Saturday

Makers Faire at the Burlington County Library, Westampton. See “Fab Freebie,” p. 13 FREE New Jersey Makers Day at the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton. Find out how “makers” in coastal and river towns carve wooden duck decoys. FREE Stages Festival: The Velveteen Rabbit at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, by the Pushcart Players. FREE World Water Day Festival at the Watershed Institute, Pennington. Join the “Water Olympics,” explore a brook’s ecosystem and take a water taste test. $

23 Monday

You and Me Preschool Program at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. Story, craft focus on a resident animal. $$

28 Saturday

CultureFest! Nowruz Festival at the Penn Museum, Phila. Celebrate the ancient Persian festival marking the start of spring with cultural performances, art making, workshops and a bazaar. $$$ Family Arts Academy: Drips and Dabs at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. Make colorful paintings. FREE Special Olympics New Jersey Spring Basketball Finals, Wildwoods. Six locations play host to the match-ups. FREE

29 Sunday

Camp-In at the Franklin Institute, Phila. $$$$ Family Arts Academy: Mexican Folklore at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. Experiment with two paper mache-based art forms in Mexican folklore traditions. FREE Special Olympics New Jersey Spring Basketball Finals, Wildwoods. See March 28. FREE

31 Tuesday

Night Skies in the Observatory, Franklin Institute, Phila. $$ Read and Explore: Birds, Nesting and Birdhouses at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. After the tale, make nesting materials and a birdhouse. $$

PERFORMANCES Disney’s Frozen Jr. at the Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor.

March 1. $$$ Disney’s Frozen Jr. at the Burlington County Footlighters, Riverton. March 13-22. $$ A Toy’s Tale at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman. March 13 & 14. $$ Mr. Malcolm’s Crazy Science Show at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman. March 16, 26 & 27. $$ Chicken Dance at the Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor. March 21. $$$ High School Musical Jr. at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown. Performed by Moorestown Theater Company.

March 26-28. $$$

MetroKids.com 14

Child Care & Early Education Directory

FY: Full Year BS: Before School SN: Special Needs AY: Academic Year AS: After School DHS*: Licensed: Dept. of Health & Human Svcs.

SP: Summer Program DA: Diapers Accepted DE*: Licensed: Dept. of Education DYF: Licensed: Dept. of Youth & Family Serv.

NAEYC: Accredited—National Assoc. of Education of Young Children MSCES: Accredited—Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools * Note: DHS License: requires annual on-site visits. DE License: 20% of all facilities are inspected annually.

BEGINNINGS AT MFS: THE MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL - EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM 110 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ 856-914-4428 • MFriends.org Ages: 3 & up • Hours: 8:05am-3:10pm Beginnings at MFS: The Moorestown Friends School Early Childhood Program offers a values-based education for 3-year-olds and up. A project-based approach to learning and wide range of special subject areas are hallmarks of the experience. Moorestown Friends School is one of the only schools in the United States to offer a Coding Program to all Lower School students - Preschool through Grade 4. This innovative program has three strands: coding, problem solving and teamwork. These skills will be in high demand as the 21st century progresses. Half-day and full-day Preschool is available. Prekindergarten and Kindergarten are full-day programs. AY, SP, BS, AS, MSCES ESSENTIAL BEGINNINGS LEARNING CENTER 1329 Rte. 38, Hainsport, NJ 609-667-7838 • Essentialbeginningslc.com info@essentialbeginningslc.com Ages: 2-1/2 yrs.-13 yrs. • Hours 6:30am - 6:00pm Essential Beginnings embraces the differentiation approach to teaching. This method ensures that all children can learn the content based on their learning style. FY, AY, SP, SN, DYF FUTURE SCHOLARS EARLY LEARNING CENTER 1351 Rte. 38 W., B-1, Hainesport, NJ 609-518-1333 • FutureScholarsLearning.com Ages: 6 wks.-13 yrs. • Hours: 6:30am-6:30pm “Where Generations Come and Grow” Full- and half-day classes available year round. Family-owned and operated with an owner on premises daily. Offering Infant & Toddler Care, PreSchool, Drop-In Hourly Daycare, Established Full-Day Kindergarten, Before- and After-School Care with bussing for township students, Private Tutoring and Summer Camp! We are your one-stop solution for early education and child care! STOP BY TODAY FOR A TOUR! FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DYF HOLDING HANDS FAMILY CHILD CARE & PLAY CENTER 138 Tomlin Station Rd., Mullica Hill, NJ 856-467-6811 • Holdinghandspreschool.com Ages: Infant-School Age • Hours: 6am-6:30pm A place for families providing exceptional care, engaged learning and everyday play. A full-service center in a new facility with a gym, three playgrounds, access control system and video monitoring. FY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DHS* OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 32 W. Main St., Moorestown, N 856-235-5371 • school@olgcnj.org • Olgcnj.org/school Ages: 4 yrs.-6 yrs. • Hours: 8:30am-3pm Our Lady of Good Counsel School features full- and half-day prekindergarten programs, as well as full-day kindergarten. Children in first through eighth grades are educated in a top-notch, Catholic school environment, where our mission to form students in the image of Jesus Christ is reinforced daily. We provide education in music, art, specialized clubs, sports, after-school enrichment programs such as Lego Robotics and Latin, Spanish, technology, and physical education.

Students do not need to be Catholic to attend our school. Please call to arrange a tour.

Financial aid and volunteer opportunities available. AY, SP, AS SARI ISDANER EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AT THE KATZ JCC 1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 856-424-4444 • KatzJCC.org/ECE Ages: 6 wks.-K • Hours: 6:45am-6:15pm, M-Th; 6pm, F The Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center at the Katz JCC is an award-winning program and leader in early childhood education. We offer full day infant/toddler care as of six weeks old, nursery school, preschool, full day certified Kindergarten, pre-K and transitional Kindergarten. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DHS*, DE*, NAEYC

MetroKids.com/ChildCare MARCH 2020

Family Fun

YOUNG AT ART How to Introduce Kids to the Arts

Research shows that students involved in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievements.

Whether your kid’s a drama queen, pint-sized Picasso, aspiring sculptor or young author, the South Jersey area offers classes, workshops and events to nurture his or her passion.

Draw and Paint Like a Pro

The hands-on element of drawing and painting — controlling a brush, drawing lines, mixing colors — helps to improve hand-eye coordination. There are plenty of ways for kids to grow their talent and deepen their appreciation for the art forms.

Visit local art museums.

WheatonArts in Millville offers free admission and family activities on select Saturdays; next up, March 7 & 21. The Barnes Foundation and Philadelphia Museum of Art also host family programming that’s free and pay-whatyou-wish, respectively, on the first Sunday of each month. These events not only make art more accessible — they expose junior creators to professional artists and influential artworks.

Join a class. Sign up for courses like Basic Drawing, Comic Character Design or Painting with Markers at Perkins Center for the Arts, with locations in Collingswood and Moorestown. Not ready for a multi-week commitment? Opt for kids’ canvas workshops at All Fired Up, also in Collingswood.

MARCH 2020

The Play’s the Thing

Participating in performing arts boosts confidence and empathy and provides an outlet for self-expression. Here are a few ways to pique your child’s interest in theatre.

Go to a show. What better way to acquaint little ones with the stage than seeing it for themselves? Head to Kelsey Theatre in West Windsor for familyfriendly performances including Disney’s Frozen Jr. (March 1), Chicken Dance (March 21) and Treasure Island (May 2). Haddon Township’s Ritz Theatre Company also features a full slate of kids’ shows, including The Sword in the Stone (March 19-21) and King Midas and the Golden Touch (April 23-25).

Join a class. Haddonfield Theater Arts Center offers classes for all experience levels, from “Broadway babies” to a “Center Stage” experience that teaches techniques for auditions, monologues, scene work and improvisation. Blackwood’s Mainstage Center for the Arts caters to PreK through 12th graders with courses in comedy, theatrical makeup, acting for the camera and musical theatre.

Markeim Arts Center presents a different project each week. With expert guidance, kids sculpt animals, monsters and fairy houses while they learn to make coils, pinch pots and slabs.

The Write Stuff

Communication, imagination, persistence — creative writing augments growth in these areas and others.

Encourage your young wordsmith with opportunities to read, and create, something special.

Share your story. Sometimes the best way to improve at something is to, well, just do it. That’s particularly true when it comes to writing. Let the wordplay begin at Mighty Writers in Camden, whose free all-ages programs include after-school classes, tutoring and workshops themed to travel, girl power and family.

Sculpting Skills

The tactile experience of manipulating clay is great for sensory and motor-skill development.

The pride that comes from creating an original piece, whether by hand or on the wheel, builds confidence, too.

Get behind the wheel. The Ceramic Barn in Mt. Laurel provides one-on-one lessons where students are given a pound of clay and all the guidance and materials needed to make a masterpiece on the wheel.

Hand-building basics. The afterschool Clay Club at Haddonfield’s

Visit local bookstores. The desire to write often stems from a love for reading.

Spark their interest at area bookstores, many of which feature designated children’s sections. At Books To-Go in Cherry Hill, for instance, you’ll find board books for toddlers and older-kid faves like adventure and sci-fi. And among the Old Bookshop of Burlington’s 10,000 hardcover titles, the space houses an entire room chock-full of kid-lit. If you’ve got a comics fan in the fam, bring her to Frankenstein Comics in Woodbury or West Berlin’s Stormwatch Comics.

MetroKids.com 15

Think Outside...

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Register at an Open House

Can’t make an Open House?

Schedule a personal tour with us!

Sunday, March 15 & April 26 • 11am - 2pm

jcccampsatmedford.org

Save $250/camper (New Camp Families only!)

(856) 751-1666 400 Tuckerton Road • Medford, NJ

Once upon a Storybook Summer For little campers ag e

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MARCH 2020

Can’t make an Open House?

Schedule a personal tour with us! katzjcc.org/ECCCAMPS • (856) 424-4444 x1242 MetroKids.com 14