MetroKids - 0519 SJ

MetroKids 30 YEARS

South Jersey

Smart. Local. Parenting.

Party Your Way

Hometown Birthdays Atypical Parties Songs of Celebration

Camp Directory • Bring the Pros to School Warning Signals for Mental Illness

May 2019 | FREE

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In This Issue 3 Meet Our CoverKid 4 Summertime Music 8 Warning Signals for Mental Illness 9 Precarious Pregnancy 10 Bring the Pros to School 14 Win It! 15 Day-by-Day Calendar 3 Events; 9 Health; 11 Education 13 Camps; 14 Child Care; 18 Parties

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Camp 2019 12 Camp Directory

Party Your Way 6 Plan an Atypical Party 7 Throw a Hometown Party 18 A Party Place Your Kids Will Love

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May 2019 Vol. 24, No. 5

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Saturday May 25 1Oam to 5pm Haddon Ave Collingswood NJ

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Raindate May 26 12 to 5pm

Meet Our CoverKid

This month’s CoverKid is Maddie W., of Collegeville, PA, who will be 1 ½ years old this month.

If you pass Maddie on the street, there’s a good chance she’ll give you a smile and say “Hi” as she explores her new walking skills and her love of dogs and swings.

“She is super smiley and is always laughing,” says her dad, Matthew. “She seems to be independent and is often found trying to do things on her own or figure out how things work.”

He wouldn’t be surprised if this curiosity leads her into a career as an engineer.

For now, she’s happy playing with her 7-year-old puggle named Maui and her grandfather, who watches her every day and is her best buddy.

Maddie loves to dance, watch anything that stars Elmo from Sesame Street and make duck sounds when she does her animal imitations.

Sounds like a pretty good way to spend the day.

Photo by Bev Michel Photography.

MAY 2019

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The family event of spring

200 artists & crafters Carnival rides & Kid Zone Live music Food courts & downtown restaurants Antique & classic auto sh ow A mile long block party

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Music

Summertime, Party Time Songs to make any kid (and parent) get a move on

By Kathy O’Connell Summertime is party time and camp time, and this month’s artists create worthy soundscapes for both.

Johnette Downing’s Swamp Romp is a yearround Louisiana dance party packed with Mardi Gras spirit. Downing and Scott Billington have captured the danceable delight of Louisiana roots music in a well-produced collection of (mostly) original songs. “Poor Worry Anna” is a smooth retro homage to the worrywart in our lives. “Bamboula Rhythm” features an outstanding horn section. The traditional accordion, fiddle and rhythms are here, along with some lovely flute work on the delightful “Mississippi River.” Downing’s throaty vocals lend intimacy to the whole shebang. It’s a wonderful introduction to this Pied Piper of Louisiana music traditions and her collection of music and books.

Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips is a high spirited kids’ band fronted by CJ Pizarro. I have never heard a song from Mista Cookie Jar that didn’t make me happy. This remarkable and prolific spirit’s latest release welcomes kindie superstar Secret Agent 23 Skidoo on another universal love song, “Rock This World.”

Wherever this outstanding entertainer’s music is heard is where the party is. Check out his whole catalog.

Kindie Legend Laurie Berkner makes it easy to throw a party with her music, both her Party Day CD/DVD and The Dance Remixes. The latter is a brilliant 14-song collection of her classics, meant to get toes tapping. Note: It’s also a pretty amazing workout CD.

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Big news in the kindie community involves a name change for Lucky Diaz’s band. Grammy winners Diaz and Alisha Gaddis are now the Lucky Band, with us the lucky ones. Their Buenos Diaz CD is a wonderful party soundtrack, featuring Spanish/English-combined songs that truly represent what’s great about this remarkable duo.

Summer means camp, both formal and backyard.

KB Whirly and Lisa Loeb have created nice collections mixing campcentric covers like “Hello Muddah Hello Faddah” (KB Whirly’s Camp Songs Vol. 1) and fun songs with a summer camp sound to them like Lisa Loeb’s “The Disappointing Pancake” on her Camp Lisa CD. Loeb’s own wonderful camp experiences inspired Camp Lisa, with sales of the CD going to her nonprofit sending kids to camp. “The Disappointing Pancake” also appears on her Silly Singalong CD. KB Whirly is a one-stop shop for music to fill every hour of a summer day. The catalog of this one-man band from Boston includes camp songs and funk for parties (Songs From the Whirly House). His fourth release Now that We’re Home is a gorgeously simple collection of lullabies and love songs that will wind down your day beautifully.

Kathy O’Connell is a contributing writer to MetroKids and host of the Peabody awardwinning Kids Corner, on air MondayThursday from 7-8pm on WXPN 88.5 FM.

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SpecialKids

7 Tips for an Atypical Party

By Laura Hoover For several years, we enjoyed small family birthday parties for my kids. They were little so we kept it simple with a few cousins and supportive family members. The food and entertainment were easy. But now that they are older and more active, we wanted to break out of the bubble we sometimes live in and hold “friend parties” to remind my children that friends are important too.

For my 8-year-old’s party, we started small, with just his autistic support class and his Cub Scout troop. We held a swim party at the YMCA of Bucks County, Doylestown Branch, with an hour of food and games afterward.

I knew my son would love the water and not feel pressure to talk to everyone, but guests had the option to not swim, in case the pool was too noisy.

I let parents know about the gluten-free pizza and cake. Most importantly, my husband and I instituted a buddy system with my children’s older cousins to make sure everyone had an extra pair of eyes on them in the pool.

To plan a party for a child with special needs requires some extra forethought and an adjustment of expectations.

How to plan the party

Make your own rules: This is a celebration of your child, whatever you and your child want. Your child doesn’t like cake? Fine. He doesn’t like music and singing? Fine too.

Pick a suitable location: Whether you want to invite entertainment into your home or go on an adventure, make sure it’s the right fit for your child and guests. For example, Bounce U in Horsham, PA holds birthday parties separate from the regular crowd; they keep the same staff throughout the party and can turn down the music.

They also don’t expect kids to sit still.

When we threw my younger son a party at Hatfield Ice in Hatfield, PA, we did a dry run the week before and ironed out the kinks. We located the bathrooms, party room and exit routes; determined what skate sizes are available, and that parents should be told ahead of time that they would absolutely have to stay for the party.

If a party venue isn’t a good fit, consider an at-home celebration with a visit from a “Mad Scientist” from Mad Science of the Delaware Valley or a balloon artist or a petting zoo. If you want to keep it low key, rent a pavilion at one of the area’s many parks.

Start small: Pick one friend the first time, maybe a few more the next time. A parent with three children on the spectrum gave me the best advice: Widen your idea of your child’s social circle, whether it’s grandparents, neighbors, even pets. Start slow. Don’t feel pressure to invite everyone in the class.

Ask for help: Aside from an invitation for parents to stay, invite family members, teenage babysitters or other helpers to keep everyone safe.

Keep it brief: Parties don’t have to go on for hours and hours. I know my child gets overwhelmed after an hour, so we kept the activity part to an hour and the food part less than an hour, with a quiet break in between.

Simplify gifts, goody bags, activities: We made it very clear to our child that he wouldn’t be opening presents at the party since I knew that would be a trigger.

We also left candy and things that might be a distraction out of the goody bags. I made a rookie mistake and forgot to make a few extra bags for the siblings of my son’s classmates who came along.

Celebrate your child: I talked to the staff ahead of time, checked out the food options, and chose a place where my son was comfortable. I picked a room away from the hubbub of the lobby. Prepare for the expected, but do your best to deal with the unexpected. Make notes for next time. If a party doesn’t go well, there are other options. Go on a day trip, let her bake her own cake, or visit a special store.

But most importantly, in the words of my child, you really shouldn’t throw a party, but place it gently on the table.

Laura Hoover is a freelance writer from Doylestown, PA.

Go to MetroKids/SpecialKidsParties for dozens of potential party places that make accommodations for children with special needs.

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Family Fun

Make It a Jersey PARTY

Love where you live? Of course you do. So throw the kids a birthday party that shows them what’s special, and fun, about where they’re growing up — our beaches and boardwalks, the bounty from our farms, a love of hockey along with nature spots that offer great views and water adventures. They’re all a part of who we are, so celebrate it.

Splash Zone Adventure Park

PICK-YOUR-OWN PARTY

Jersey’s called the Garden State for good reason! Savor the quality and quantity of fruits and veggies grown here during an afternoon of farm-fresh fun at a farm or orchard. Let the kids loose in the fields to pick blueberries, cherries and strawberries at Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford, or visit Mullica Hill’s Mood’s Farm Market for blackberries, nectarines, peaches and raspberries. Then bring your bounty home to make birthday treats.

BOARDWALK BASH

Few things are more Jersey-centric than heading “down the shore.” You can do just that with a party at Splash Zone Adventure Park in Wildwood (pictured above), where the guest of honor and his crew get allday admission, pizza, ice cream and his name in lights on the electric sign. If Point Pleasant Beach is your family’s go-to, play up the aquatic theme at Jenkinson’s Aquarium. The boardwalk staple offers a guided tour, ice-cream cake, party favors and a mascot appearance as part of its package.

Flyers Skate Zone

HOCKEY HAVEN

With the New Jersey Devils based in Newark and the Flyers in Philly, hockey fans have it made here. Celebrate your child’s big day close to home with a party at Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, complete with a private instructor for an additional fee.

The Devils’ practice facility, RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House, also hosts bashes that include a private skating area and views overlooking the Prudential Center’s main arena.

HORSING AROUND

What child doesn’t want a pony? That might not be feasible, but there are plenty of opportunities to introduce kids and their pals to the local equestrian scene: Saddle up at Howell Twp.’s Hunter Brook Horse Farm for a party that features horse riding, a petting-zoo experience and food.

Over in Laurel Springs, Toot’s Funny Farm’s package includes pony rides and baby animal meet-and-greets.

NATURAL WONDERS

Jenkinson’s Aquarium

MAY 2019

Natural beauty abounds here, so why not make it the backdrop to the festivities?

Rent a kayak at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken Twp., for a one- or two-hour journey, then enjoy a packed lunch at either of four picnic areas. Or host the shindig at Westampton’s Rancocas Nature Center and give guests the opportunity to explore the trails and meet critters, with programming themed to insects, birds, mammals or habitat investigation.

Hunter Brook Horse Farm

Log on to MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information, including address, phone number, time & website.

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Health

Mind the Signals ER visits by kids who attempt or consider suicide have doubled.

What warning signs should parents know?

By Suzanne Koup-Larsen Kids have many behaviors that make them unique. But what’s quirky, what’s idiosyncratic, and what’s a red flag for more serious concern?

It’s important for parents to know the difference, especially in light of news last month that the number of teens and children who went to the ER after a suicide attempt or with suicidal thoughts doubled between 2007 and 2015 to more than 1 million.

The fact is one in five children in this country has a mental-health issue, says Jaime Arlia, associate vice president, Children and Family Services at Care Plus in Paramus, NJ. Since half of those children show symptoms by the time they turn 14, parental vigilance is important.

“I encourage parents to be very watchful,” says Sage Windemaker, a child and adolescent therapist in Kennett Square, PA. Look for patterns of behavior, she suggests, such as a cluster or recurrence of symptoms.

Kim Rehak, EdD, a mental-behavioral health care specialist and co-founder of the International Institute for Behavioral Development in Red Hill, PA, recommends children “get a check up from the neck up,” the same way they get a wellness check with a pediatrician.

Watch for sudden changes

Anxiety is the most common behavioral-health issue for kids of all ages, says Tomaro Pilgrim, a counselor in Claymont, DE. A recent Pew study found that about 32 percent of those with

mental-health issues experience anxiety.

With anxiety, younger children may experience physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches. Be alert if your child develops a new fear of something to the point where it prevents him from participation in school, sports or friendships. Watch for difficulty with concentration that leads to changes in schoolwork or behavior. Although this may affect grades, it might happen more slowly, says Windemaker.

Be alert to changes in personality that occur quickly, such as a happy-go-lucky kid who is suddenly disinterested. “You know your kid. You know when you see things change,” says Pilgrim. “There should be a concern when something just switches off. Usually changes in personality happen more gradually.”

Mood swing or depression?

Mood swings are typical for teens, but, as a parent, you know what your child’s normal range of emotions is. “Deviations from that are potential warning signs,” says Howard Savin, clinical psychologist at First Children Services in Cherry Hill, NJ. Look for changes in what he eats or changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or excessive sleep, he says.

Take notice when things no longer give her pleasure, like friends or activities. “This is a very important warning sign for parents to identify,” says Savin.

Substance abuse is another signal for depression.

“Drug and alcohol use and depression go hand in hand,” says Savin.

Picky eater vs. eating disorder Eating disorders are not as common, but picky eaters can cause their parents to worry. Some kids can have seemingly restrictive diets of mac & cheese or chicken nuggets and still be perfectly healthy, says Savin. “The real bottom line is weight loss” or malnutrition, he says.

Therapy vs. drugs

Treatment is available, but there can be red tape and waiting lists. “One of the challenges for people to get help is that they have to wait for it,” says Arlia. There are not enough child psychiatrists and, as a result, there are wait lists as long as three months.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, which retrains the thought pattern of the patient, has proven successful and, often, quicker than medication, says Savin. It doesn’t have to take years and years of therapy to help your child; good results can occur in 10 or 15 weeks, he says. Medications can help with anxiety, allthough it’s not the long-term solution, he notes.

Be ready for resistance

When you bring up your concerns with your child, be prepared to not get a straight answer, advises Pilgrim. “But you have to insist on getting the situation checked out,” even if you are the type of parent who believes your child is owed some privacy by their teen years.

“There is an important degree of intrusiveness that parents need to have to make sure their child is okay,” says Savin.

A visit with a behavior analyst might also assure a measured response, Rehak says.

“Especially during a time of hypo- vs. hyper-vigilance, typical teen behavior may trigger an overreaction from parents or school officials,” she says. “Interventions, when not linked to functional assessment, and/or a careful behavior analysis, could cause unnecessary trauma or exacerbate low self-esteem for children.”

Suzanne Koup-Larsen is a contributing writer to MetroKids.

Children’s Mental Health Resource Fair May 9, 2019 11am–3pm

Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees, NJ A free event for the public to get information from local organizations.

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Mom Matters

A Precarious Pregnancy

Preeclampsia “is one of the few conditions in pregnancy where the needs of the mother and the needs of fetus aren’t always the same.”

By Jennifer Lesser If Philadelphia mom Kristine Weatherston was asked to describe labor with her son in one word, it would probably be: helpless.

Diagnosed with mild preeclampsia in her 30th week of pregnancy, Weatherston developed HELLP syndrome, a form of preeclampsia, at 35 weeks and had to deliver her son early in order for both of them to survive.

The drugs administered to halt the advancement of her preeclampsia prevented the inducement drugs from working and, as the hours dragged on, Weatherston’s medical condition worsened — she started to lose her vision and had a seizure. Thirty hours later, she was rushed for an emergency Caesarean section under general anesthesia and her baby was whisked away to the NICU. “I didn’t feel supported after delivery in terms of really understanding what happened to me. It felt like a secret,” she recalls.

“My immediate goal was to get up, get walking, and see my baby down in the NICU. The first time I saw my son was a picture on my husband’s iPhone.”

Symptoms and risks

Preeclampsia is a high blood–pressure condition and the cause isn’t entirely known, says Diane D. Timms, DO, program director of maternal fetal medicine and vice chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona, NJ. “For some reason, the placenta doesn’t develop properly, and over the course of the pregnancy it can cause inflammation and impact systems around the mother’s body, such as the kidneys and liver, and even cause seizures,” she explains. HELLP syndrome is a variant of preeclampsia characterized by elevated liver enzymes, a low platelet count, and hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells.

Symptoms for preeclampsia include headaches that won’t subside with acetaminophen or rest, abdominal pain, severe heartburn, nausea and vomiting after the first trimester, Timms says. “But then there are other times when patients won’t feel any symptoms at all, but her doctor will notice that her blood pressure is high or there’s protein in her urine, and that’s what starts the evaluation for preeclampsia,” she adds.

Preeclampsia is responsible for 18 percent of maternal deaths in the United States. Though it affects 5 to 8 percent of pregnancies, it’s not always mentioned in routine prenatal visits. If detected early, there are treatments to stabilize the condition and prepare the fetus for a possible preterm delivery.

“Preeclampsia is one of the few conditions in pregnancy where the needs of the mother and the needs of fetus aren’t always the same — the treatment is to deliver the placenta, but the problem is that, of course, the baby has to come along with it,” Timms explains.

While preeclampsia is sometimes detected later in pregnancy and delivery typically cures a woman’s symptoms, if it develops early in pregnancy, the condition can put both mom’s and baby’s life at risk. “We can treat a pregnant woman’s high blood pressure to avoid a stroke or placental abruption, but since the blood pressure is really only a symptom of the problem, it’s not a treatment for preeclampsia,” she adds.

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

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MAY 2019

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Education

Tap Team Spirit Philly’s pro sports teams offer schools programs to motivate kids to exercise, read, master STEM and eat right.

By Susan Stopper Bryce Harper has been a hit with Phillies fans. The Sixers’ young new players have created a buzz of excitement. The Flyers have a hip new mascot. And the Eagles, well, their Super Bowl victory will keep them a fan favorite for years to come.

Wouldn’t it be cool to tap into the enthusiasm local kids have for these teams to encourage reading, STEM studies, exercise and healthy eating? You can, because each local pro team has a program that goes into schools and makes kids winners in one way or another.

With incentives like team paraphernalia and visits from players, mascots and cheerleaders, they get students and teachers in southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware motivated to learn and achieve their goals.

Here’s what each team does:

NFL PLAY 60 Challenge

Students can win a trip to Lincoln Financial Field for a day of fun and activities with Philadelphia Eagles players and staff in the NFL Play 60 Challenge. The program, run by the American Heart Association and the NFL, challenges students in grades four through six to get 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Philadelphia Eagles mascot, Swoop, and the Eagles cheerleaders visit schools to kick off the six-week program with a pep rally and trivia games about exercise and healthy eating. Schools receive digital lesson plans and resources to motivate students and incorporate exercise and healthy eating into their day.

Teachers log their students’ activity and the 25 most active students from each of the top five schools win a day at Lincoln Financial Field.

“It gives them the motivation to get off the couch and exercise more each day,” says Jed Bordner, physical education teacher at Stephen Girard School in Philadelphia. “Sometimes children need a little push to get moving and this program does that for them when they are by themselves at home.”

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Philadelphia Eagles Character Playbook

To hear about the importance of character from an Eagles player can have a big impact on a child.

The Character Playbook, presented by the NFL, the United Way and the online-education program EverFi, teaches students in grades six through nine about healthy relationships and positive character development.

Students complete six, 20- to 30-minute graphic-novel-style online modules that teach students how to manage emotions, resolve conflict, make decisions, communicate effectively and other positive character skills. The program kicks off and closes with virtual and in-person visits with current and former Eagles players who talk with students about how to overcome challenges.

Phanatic About Reading

The Philadelphia Phillies and Comcast encourage children in grades PreK through eighth grade to read at least 15 minutes a day in the Phanatic About Reading program. Students log the number of minutes they read each day.

Teachers report their students’ total time and that is used to select schools for a visit from the Philadelphia Phillies mascot, the Phillie Phanatic.

Terri Lamphere, second-grade teacher at Davis Family School in Camden, NJ, says, “The best thing about the program for us was the amazing visit from the Phanatic. Even if we hadn’t won the assembly, I still think the program as a whole was great and will continue to do it each year with my kids.

“I am a huge baseball fan and was able to teach them all about our home team through the Phanatic books. They were so excited to learn about him and the Phillies. They were actually excited about reading every day, which can be kind of cumbersome for 6- and 7-year olds.”

76ers Math Hoops

Students learn about statistics, math, sportsmanship, teamwork and problem-solving in the

76ers Math Hoops program, presented by the TD Charitable Foundation. Students draft NBA and WNBA players based on their actual statistics and run a team in a basketball-themed board game designed for grades four through eight. Teachers are trained on the game and the lessons that accompany it.

Students have the opportunity to win Sixers merchandise throughout the program and top-performing students are selected for the Sixers Math Hoops tournament at the Wells Fargo Center where they’re treated to an appearance by the Sixers Dunk Squad and compete for prizes like tickets to a Sixers game or an in-school assembly with the Sixers.

Flyers School Assembly Programs

Two-time Stanley Cup winner and former Philadelphia Flyer Bob “The Hound” Kelly talks about the importance of teamwork to reach goals at school, in sports and at home in a 60-minute assembly designed for grades one through five. Using the acronym TEAM, which stands for Teamwork, Education, Attitude, and Motivation, Kelly shares life lessons from his career on and off the ice.

Kelly also visits middle schools as part of the Future Goals program for grades six through eight. Future Goals, presented by the NHL and EverFi, teaches students hockey-related STEM skills in an online curriculum. Once students complete the online modules, Kelly visits the schools to test students’ knowledge in a Flyers’ STEM trivia contest.

The Flyers also raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and physical activity with their Flyers Face-Off for Fitness program for grades one through eight.

Jason Tempesta, director of community relations for the Philadelphia Flyers, says, “We use the sport of hockey to get kids to be active. We take over gym class for about 45 minutes, do some hockey and get kids moving, and we talk about how our players eat and exercise.”

Susan Stopper is a Pennsylvania-based freelance writer.

For contact information on how to arrange these programs in your school, see Metrokids.com/ProSportsPrograms.

MAY 2019

Mom Matters

continued from p. 9

Kristine Weatherston

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Campaign for education

Weatherston was discharged after a week in the hospital. When a nurse came for a home visit “only then did I really understand the severity of what happened to me as she talked frankly with me,” she recalls. “In my follow-up with a hematologist she said, ‘You were a very sick woman … you are lucky to be alive.’”

Weeks after her labor, she sought help from a counselor and was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety. “Working with a therapist gave me the tools to cope with my experiences, to understand that none of this was my fault, and to give me the courage to share my story with others,” she says. A year later, she decided to make a documentary as a way to leverage her traumatic experience into something positive. Under Pressure: The Hidden Story of Pregnancy and Preeclampsia, includes interviews with more than 40 women and explores not only preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, but what can be done to keep the spotlight on similar conditions and stop the marginalization of women’s health issues.

“The more women know and the more questions they ask their doctor, the more they can advocate for themselves and not be rushed into making decisions that aren’t right for them,” Weatherston says.

For her advocacy, she was chosen as the 2019 Mission Mom for the Philadelphia/ South Jersey Promise Walk for Preeclampsia, June 1 in Deptford, NJ. “My advice for pregnant women is to know the signs and symptoms of these diseases and actively discuss preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with their doctor — as well as to remain calm, don’t rush to conclusions, and stay away from ‘mommy blogs’ that aren’t science-based or vetted for factual information,” she says. “Above all, never be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself and your baby.”

Jennifer Lesser is a freelance writer from New Jersey.

Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Philadelphia/South Jersey

June 1, 2019 • 10am Fasola Park, Deptford, NJ • Promisewalk.org Includes picnic lunch and family-friendly activities.

MAY 2019

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Camp Directory

GLOUCESTER

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 at the bottom of the page.

Find a searchable version at MetroKids.com/camps.

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

BURLINGTON Camp Creek Run 199 Taunton Lake Rd., Marlton; 856-596-4250 campcreekrun@yahoo.com Campcreekrun.com

DAY Get close to nature at Camp Creek Run! Located in Marlton on 50 wooded acres, we offer certified teachers; sports, arts & nature programs; fishing & boating; swim instruction; pools; archery range; nature center; hiking trails; basketball, volleyball & gaga courts; challenge course; pollinator and vegetable gardens; and farm sanctuary.

ESF Summer Camps William Allen Middle School 801 N. Stanwick Rd., Moorestown NJ 08057 Info@esfcamps.com esfcamps.com

DAY ESF’s award-winning traditional, sports and specialty camps for ages 3-15, combine Education, Sports & Fun and offer 60+ activities for every interest. Join us for an Open House. Enroll online today!

Future Scholars Early Learning Center 1351 Rt. 38 W., B-1, Hainesport 609-518-1333 admin@futurescholarslearning.com Futurescholarslearning.com

DAY Summer Camp offers full & half days with various schedules available. Activities include field trips & in-house visitors along with science experiments, water play, cooking classes, music & sports, just to name a few! We continue to educate your child through our theme-based activities & curriculum so your child won’t fall behind this summer.

Private tutoring available. 6:30am-6:30pm.

JCC Camps at Medford 400 Tuckerton Rd., Medford 856-751-1666 jcccampsatmedford.org

DAY, TRAVEL JCC Camps at Medford enriches 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, ACA CIT SN compassion and kindness.

Liberty Lake Day Camp 1195 Florence-Columbus Rd., Bordentown 609-499-7820 Libertylakedaycamp.com

DAY Liberty Lake Day Camp teaches life skills to inspire young people to change the world. Make new friends and create lasting summer memories! On 60 magnificent shady acres, campers choose their own schedules through the “Freedom of Choice” elective program - over 60 activities! Serving ACA Burlington and Camden.

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 offer the chance for your child to improve in math, writing and study skills. Many Summer Programs Master Teachers are MFS teachers and department heads, most of whom hold advanced degrees from prestigious universities.

CAMDEN COUNTY

Early Childhood Camps at the Katz JCC 1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill 856-424-4444 ext. 1242 donnasnyder@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 SN experience.

Haddonfield Friends School Summer Camp 47 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield 856-429-6786 ext. 211 Hfsfriends.org

DAY All activities are supervised by trained, experienced, certified educators. Each session incorporates an ageappropriate enrichment theme such as music, sports, cooperative games, crafts, drama, computers, science, cultural connections, nature study & water play. Many theme weeks culminate with events, performances & trips.

Studio Brilliante 125 Veterans Ln., Haddonfieldstudiobrilliante.com/summercamp.html

DAY Brand new to instruments? Try our Rhythm Explorers or Intro to Instruments day camps! Have a little experience?

Sign up for a week-long intensive! Spend time in group music lessons, games, and explore the musical world! K-12th Grade.

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

Tall Pines Day Camp 1349 Sykesville Rd., Williamstown 856-262-3900 fun@tallpinesdaycamp.com Tallpinesdaycamp.com

DAY Serving Center City/South Jersey/Shore Points. State certified & accredited by ACA. 66 acres include 45,000-sq. ft. of A/C indoor space, climbing tower, pedal karts, gymnastics, driving range, horseback riding, 8,500-sq. ft. of pools, soccer & baseball fields, hockey, basketball, tennis courts, arts & music programs. Open house Saturday, May 18th from 12-3 PM. ACA

Tomato Patch @ Kelsey Theatre 1200 Old Trenton Rd. West Windsor 609-570-3566 projects@mccc.edu kelseyatmccc.org/tomato_patch.shtml

DAY Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops, held annually on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College, is one of the longest-running and most successful multi-disciplinary summer arts programs in central New Jersey.

Students have spent several weeks of their summer exploring the visual arts, dance, theater, and vocal music under the guidance of a highly qualified staff of teaching professional artists.

Adventure Camp at Roundtop Mountain Resort 925 Roundtop Rd., Lewisberry, PA; (717) 432-9631 skiroundtop@skiroundtop.com Roundtopmountainresort.com/ camps/summer-adventure-camps

DAY 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. All right here on our beautiful 1200 acre mountain property. Day and residential camps available. Residential housing is in air-conditioned mountain chalets. CIT

Echo Hill Camp 13655 Bloomingneck Rd., Worton, MD 410-348-5303 info@echohillcamp.com EchoHillCamp.com

RESIDENTIAL Echo Hill Camp on the Chesapeake Bay is a traditional, sleep-away summer camp with 2- to 8- week sessions. Non-competitive, free-choice program.

Waterskiing, sailing, wakeboarding, crabbing, ropes course, nature, art and much more! ACA

Pilot Summer Camp 208 Woodlawn Rd., Wilmington, DE cshivone@pilotschool.org pilotschool.org

DAY Children ages 5-12 will benefit from our multi-sensory approach, which offers them the opportunity to engage in activities while learning. This fun, hands-on camp focuses on special skills, team building, science experiments and nature while integrating reading and math.

Science Camp Watonka PO Box 127, Hawley, PA 570-857-1401 mail@watonka.com Watonka.com

RESIDENTIAL For boys 8-16. Camper-selected program includes hands-on laboratory experiences in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computers, electronics, earth science, physics & robotics. A wide range of other activities includes ropes, archery, climbing, woodworking, sailing, rocketry, mini-bike riding, sports, windsurfing & trips. 2-, 4-, 6- & 8-week sessions available. CIT SN

Whale Camp at the Fundy Marine Science Institute 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.

YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser 201 Cushion Peak Rd., Wernersville, 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 7-16 years old. Traditional camp programs including horseback riding, swimming, boating, athletics, target sports, mountain biking, creative arts, nature, adventure & 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 610-558-0988 yptw@aol.com; yptw.org

DAY, RESIDENTIAL Overnight camp for ages 11-18 at Eastern University, June 23-28, 2019. Classes include musical comedy, Shakespeare, improv, monologues, dance, characterization, auditions, showtunes. Air-conditioned dorms, good food, experienced staff of professional educators.

MERCER

OUTLYING AREAS

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

NEW iD Tech

Held at 150 Prestigious Campus Locations 1-888-709-8324 iDTech.com

DAY iD Tech is the world leader in STEM education, with 400,000 alumni since 1999. Summer programs for ages 7-19 are held at 150 prestigious campuses including Stanford, NYU, HKU, and Imperial College London. Students build in-demand skills for futures in coding, game development, robotics, and design. Visit iDTech.com.

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

12 MetroKids.com

CAMP

MAY 2019

THE #1 STEM CAMP

FOR AGES 7–19

From coding and game dev to robotics and design, your child will develop in-demand skills and ignite lifelong passions—all in a fun, inclusive environment.

Choose from 50+ innovative courses and join our community of over 400,000 alumni. Get ready for the best summer ever!

Held at over 150 prestigious universities Princeton | Monmouth University | Kean Rowan College - Mount Laurel | Bryn Mawr Villanova | Arcadia | West Chester | UPenn

Get a brochure and find a camp near you!

South Jersey’s longest-running most affordable performing arts & video film camp Fun for ages 5 -18

Register Now! Mention MetroKids when registering!

mainstage.org 856-302-6485 Blackwood, NJ

Before & Aftercare Available MAY 2019

FUN, NURTURING,

FIND US ONLINE Topics • To Do • Connect

MetroKids.com CAMP

smart.

mk local. parenting.

MetroKids.com 13

mk

Child Care & Early Education Directory

FY: Full Year AY: Academic Year SP: Summer Program MP: Meals Provided

BS: Before School AS: After School DA: Diapers Accepted TP: Transportation Provided

SN: Special Needs DHS*: Licensed: Dept. of Health & Human Serv.

DE*: Licensed: Dept. of Education DYF: Licensed: Dept. of Youth & Family Serv.

NAEYC: Accredited by National Association of Education of Young Children PAIS: Accredited by PA Assoc. of Independent Schools MSCES: Accredited by Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools AMS: Accredited by American Montessori Society

* Note: DHS License: requires annual on-site visits. DE License: 20% of all facilities are inspected annually.

BURLINGTON COUNTY

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

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

BUILDING BLOCKS CHILDCARE Applewood Dr., Logan Township • 856-975-6247 www.buildingblockscc.vpweb.com • Ages: 6 wks-12 yrs • Hours: 24 hours Building Blocks Childcare is a 24-hr. home care facility. We have daily age-appropriate activities.

We also go on local trips to the park and library, as well as field trips. We are very flexible and have rates from daily to rates that include overtime. We also accept Rutgers vouchers. Rutgers Resource and Referral. FY, MP, BS, AS, DA, TP, SN

ESSENTIAL BEGINNINGS LEARNING CENTER 1329 Rte. 38, Hainsport, NJ 609-667-7838 • info@essentialbeginningslc.com 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 OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 32 W. Main St., Moorestown, NJ • 856-235-5371 • www.olgcnj.org/school Ages: 4 yrs.-6 yrs. • Hours: 8:30am-3pm • school@olgcnj.org Our Lady of Good Counsel School features full- and half-day pre-kindergarten 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

CAMDEN COUNTY BEECHWOOD SCHOOL, PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN 441 Beechwood Ave., Haddonfield, NJ • 856-429-0303 • TheBeechwoodSchool.com • Ages: 2½ yrs.-K Preschool, Kindergarten, Childcare. Beechwood School is a family-owned, independent, statelicensed school since 1951. We offer both half-day and full-day classes year round for children 2½ through kindergarten. Call for a tour. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DYF PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF CHERRY HILL 1875 Rt. 70 East., Cherry Hill, NJ 8856-242-0034 • www.primrosecherryhill.com Ages: 6 wks.-Pre-K • Hours: 6:30am to 6:00pm Primrose Schools® is a national system of accredited private preschools that provides a premier early education and child care experience for children and families. Our Franchise Owners, Leadership Teams and School Staff partner with parents to help build the right foundation for future learning and in life. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, MP, DA, SN, NAEYC

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 SOUTH JERSEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 406 Church Rd., Sicklerville, NJ • 856-728-2001 www.sjchristianacademy.org • Ages: PK - 7th Grade • Hours: 8:15am-3pm M-F South Jersey Christian Academy offers an affordable Christian education for students, Preschool through 7th Grade, in the South Jersey area. We educate today’s children to be tomorrow’s Christian leaders. AY, BS, AS

14 MetroKids.com

HOLDING HANDS FAMILY CHILD CARE & PLAY CENTER 138 Tomlin Station Rd., Mullica Hill, NJ • 856-467-6811 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*

BUCKS COUNTY BRIGHT BEGINNERS ACADEMY 800 Clarmont Ave., Suite A, Bensalem, PA 19020 267-520-7200 • http://brightbeginnersacademy.com Ages: 6 wks.- 6 yrs. • Hours: 6:45am - 6pm Our preschool is designed to meet the needs of every child in a developmentally inclusive setting. Our program encourages progress at a child’s own pace and according to individual needs and abilities. Play-based learning centers for math, science, dramatic play, blocks, music, creative art and technology provide opportunities to balance and stimulate both shared and independent learning experiences. Private pay and subsidized funding accepted, infant and toddler care available. Parent volunteer opportunities available. FY, AY, SP, DA, SN, DHS*, DE

mk

Win It!

JusfortMOM Sit back, relax and sip a glass of wine that you customized with Blendtique! The kit includes four single-varietal wines and the tools needed to perform flavorful experiments to create your ideal blend. Then upload your recipe, design a label and order a bottle of your concoction! ($79.95 & up)

A cup of tea can be just as decadent as dessert! Don’t believe us? Try Pinky Up’s calorie-free, loose-leaf teas in flavors such as tiramisu ($11.99) — a mix of chocolate, coffee and cinnamon — steeped in a glass travel infuser mug ($26.99), so you can enjoy the full tea-making experience on-the-go.

Log on to MetroKids.com/winit and enter to win your favorite prize, beginning May 1. Prizes will be mailed by the provider to the address given on the entry form.

MAY 2019

mk

Family Fun

Become part of living history during the NJ Renaissance Faire, kicking off May 18.

MAY

DAY-BY-DAY CALENDAR

Special needs event Philadelphia Science Carnival

4 Saturday

Editor's Pick

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

1 Wednesday

Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square, Phila. Experience the glow of 2,000 massive, handcrafted light installations as well as cultural entertainment and art. Through June 30. $$$$ Storytime: Star Wars: I Am a Jedi at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids paint a BB8 box. $$$

2 Thursday

Captain Kidd Pirate Day

18 Saturday

Philadelphia Children's Festival at Annenberg Center Live, Phila. In addition to performances, there’ll be an outdoor plaza with activities, food trucks and entertainment. $$$$ Storytime: Star Wars: I Am a Jedi at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See May 1. $$$

3 Friday

Family Astronomy Night at the Watershed Institute, Pennington. $

Collingswood May Fair

25 Saturday

MAY 2019

Pizza and Penguins at Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach. Join Perky the penguin to learn about the creatures and what it takes to care for them. $$$ WildwoodStock at Morey's Piers, Wildwood.

Mariner’s Pier plays host to live entertainment and kids’ activities. $$$$

4 Saturday

Drum Circle at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. Bring a percussion instrument or purchase one from on-site vendors.

FREE Eco Fair at WheatonArts, Millville. Enjoy family art activities, music and crafters. FREE Kite Day at Terhune Orchards, Princeton.

Bring your own kite or make one on-site, then fly it in the pasture. There will also be music, games and tractor-drawn wagon rides. $$

Kids’ Workshop: “Van Grow” Garden Stakes at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. $$$$

Let's Start Birding at Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. Little ones learn how to identify local species. $$

Philadelphia Children's Festival at Annenberg Center Live, Phila. See May 2. $$$$

Philadelphia Children's Festival at Annenberg Center Live, Phila. See May 2. $$$$

MRC Sports Unity Walk for Athletes Without Limits at the Diamonds at Arrowhead Park, Marlton. Other activities include games, raffles and face painting. $$

Philadelphia Science Carnival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Phila. Unleash your inner nerd during the culmination of the Philadelphia Science Festival, featuring science experiments, games, demos and entertainment. FREE

MetroKids.com 15

PNC Grow Up Great at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Phila. Watch a performance by the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts’ youth troupe. FREE South Street Spring Festival from Front St. to 8th St., Phila.

While kids enjoy dance performances, martial-arts demos and face painting, parents can browse artist and retail vendors. FREE Storytime: Star Wars: I Am a Jedi at All Fired Up!, Collingswood.

See May 1. $$$

5 Sunday

Chestnut Hill Home and Garden Festival on Germantown Avenue, Phila. Enjoy live music, garden displays and family activities. FREE First Sunday Family Day: Creative Creatures at the Barnes Foundation, Phila. Make a masterpiece inspired by Mexican folk art and snap a selfie with PBS Kids star Pinkalicious. FREE Founders Day Celebration at the Plainsboro Rec Center, Plainsboro. FREE Kidsland at the Katz JCC, Cherry Hill. Festivities include amusement rides, carnival games, giveaways, entertainment, inflatables and pony rides. $ Kite Day at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. See May 4. $$

7 Tuesday

Read and Pick: Vegetables at Terhune Orchards, Princeton.

Following storytime, kids pick a small container of asparagus to take home. $$

9 Thursday

Camden County Community Resource Fair at Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees. Meet reps from organizations and agencies that serve individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. FREE

Civil War and Reconstruction Exhibit Opening at the National Constitution Center, Phila. This new permanent exhibit explores how the equality promised in the Declaration of Independence was inscribed into the Constitution by the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments. $$ Homeschool Workshop at the Franklin Institute, Phila. Kids explore the Marvel: Universe of Superheroes exhibit and explore the science behind favorite characters. $$$$

10 Friday

Car Cruise at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. FREE Exploring the Night at the Watershed Institute, Pennington. $$

11 Sunday

Art Star Craft Bazaar at Penn’s Landing, Phila. FREE Children's Festival at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. Expect animal presentations, face painting and games. FREE The Illusionists: Live from Broadway at Merriam Theater, Phila. $$$$ Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby and Arts Festival at Norris St. & Trenton Ave., Phila. Watch a procession of wacky, humanpowered floats that culminates in a mudpit showdown. FREE Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. See “Town & County,” p. 17. FREE Prom: The Sequel at the National Museum of American Jewish History, Phila. Adults get dolled up for music and dancing. $$$$ Sip Into Spring Crafts and Collectibles Show at the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May. Features an outdoor marketplace, plus beer and wine. FREE World Series of Birding at the Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury.

Teams compete against one another to see who can spot the most birds in one day. FREE

12 Sunday

Mother’s Day Brunch at Fernbrook Farms Environmental Education Center, Chesterfield. See “Town & County,” p. 17. $$$$ Mother’s Day Climb at Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City. See “Town & County,” p. 17. $$ Mother's Day Open House at the Mountain Lakes House, Princeton.

See “Town & County,” p. 17. FREE Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend at Terhune Orchards, Princeton.

See “Town & County,” p. 17. FREE

15 Wednesday

Storytime: Llama, Llama Loves Camping at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Tots paint a picture of the animal. $$$

16 Thursday

FAN OF . . . VIDEO GAMES

Put down your controller and head to Philly’s Academy of Natural Sciences for Video Game Weekend, May 18 & 19. Visitors explore technology’s role in natural history, learn how digital modeling helps scientists understand watersheds, meet the “real” Angry Birds and check out the plants, animals and insects that inhabit the worlds of Minecraft, Fornite and Pokémon.

16 MetroKids.com

Storytime: Llama, Llama Loves Camping at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See May 15. $$$

17 Friday

Full-Moon Storytelling at the Watershed Institute, Pennington.

Roast marshmallows by a fire while you listen to stories from various cultures. FREE Twilight Hike at the Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. $$

18 Saturday

Captain Kidd Pirate Day at 26th St. & the Boardwalk, Wildwood. Join the pirate costume parade and treasure hunt on the beach. FREE

MAY 2019

mk

Family Fun

Citizen Scientist Workshop at Plainsboro Preserve at the Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. Kids learn about nature-related apps. $$ Endangered Species Day at Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach. Discover how you can help preserve wildlife. $$$ Family Fun Concert: Little Rockers at the Hopewell Theater, Hopewell. $$$ Intro to 3D Printing at the Franklin Institute, Phila. $$$$ Italian Market Festival on South 9th Street, Phila. Activities include the annual Procession of Saints, a half-ball tournament, arts & crafts and food. FREE Listening Scavenger Hunt and 5K at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. Kids with hearing loss who are learning to listen and talk embark on a hunt hosted by the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech. $$$$

19 Sunday

Mayfest at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. See May 18. FREE New Jersey Renaissance Faire at Liberty Lake, Bordentown. See May 18. $$$$ Open Arms Family Evening at the Garden State Discovery Museum, Cherry Hill. Families of kids with autism experience the venue in a modified environment. FREE

20 Monday

Community Night at the Franklin Institute, Phila. FREE Women and the Civil War: The Untold Stories at the National Constitution Center, Phila.

Discover the accomplishments of women abolitionists and suffragettes and how their work influenced constitutional change. $$$

24 Friday

Mayfest at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. Enjoy crafters and kids’ activities. FREE

Car Cruise at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. FREE

National Kids to Parks Day Hike at the Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. FREE

Wildwoods International Kite Festival at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. See “Fab Freebie,” below. FREE

New Jersey Renaissance Faire at Liberty Lake, Bordentown. Sword fighting, fire breathing, comedy and aerialists are all part of the historical entertainment. $$$$ Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival at Rittenhouse Square, Phila. Sample food from vendors, watch culinary demos and fashion shows and partake in kid-friendly activities. FREE Spark! Exhibit at WheatonArts, Millville. Artists highlight the inspirations from their latest works. FREE Storytime: Llama, Llama Loves Camping at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See May 15. $$$ Video Game Weekend at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. See “Fan of,” p. 16. $$$

25 Saturday

Circus Family Festival at the Please Touch Museum, Phila. $$$ Garden Railway Seasonal Opening at Morris Arboretum, Phila. A quarter-mile track runs through a mini city landscape complete with tunnels, bridges and buildings made of natural materials. Through Sept. 2. $$$ May Fair on Haddon Avenue, Collingswood.

This street festival features live music, vendors, pony rides and a kids’ zone. FREE Memorial Day Weekend Activities at the National Constitution Center, Phila. Mark the occasion with flag-etiquette workshops, thanka-vet postcards, arts & crafts ad interactive shows. $$$

FAB FREEBIE

Take family fun to new heights during the Wildwoods International Kite Festival, May 24-27. North America’s biggest fest of its kind begins Friday at Rio Grande Avenue with an illuminated kite fly, followed on Saturday and Sunday by sport-kite demos, family games and learn-to-fly lessons. On Monday, don’t miss the World Indoor Kite Competition at the Wildwoods Convention Center, where participants fly kites without wind.

MAY 2019

Town & County: Mother's Day

Your big day is here! In honor of Mother’s Day, May 12, have the family treat you to a weekend as special as you are.

ATLANTIC COUNTY Revel in the scenery atop Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City, where moms climb free May 12. The space includes a replica of the keeper’s dwellings, a museum and quant gift shop.

BURLINGTON COUNTY Let someone else do the cooking during Mother’s Day Brunch, May 12 at Chesterfield’s Fernbrook Farm Environmental Education Center. After the meal, hop on a tractor-drawn wagon ride and meet farm animals.

MERCER COUNTY Enjoy an afternoon immersed in nature during the Mountain Lakes Preserve’s Mother’s Day Open House in Princeton, May 12. Families are treated to tea and cookies on the terrace and self-guided tours of the grounds, teeming with wildlife and wildflowers.

Need a mom's day out?

Round up your squad and head to Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend, May 11 & 12 in Princeton. You’ll enjoy free wine tastings for moms only, as well as samples from the bakery.

MetroKids.com 17

Sponsored

PERFORMANCES Return to the Forbidden Planet at the Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor. May 3-5. $$$$

A Party Place Your Kids Will Love

Bright Star at Burlington County Footlighters, Riverton. Fri. & Sat., May 13-18. $$$$ The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System at the Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor (pictured). May 4. $$$ Cinderella at the College of New Jersey, Ewing. Performed by the Roxey Ballet. May 18 & 19. $$$$ Fly Guy: The Musical at the Walnut Street Theatre, Phila. May 31-June 9. $$$ New Jersey Renaissance Faire at Liberty Lake, Bordentown. See May 18. $$$$ Wildwoods International Kite Festival at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. See “Fab Freebie,” p. 17. FREE

26 Sunday

New Jersey Renaissance Faire at Liberty Lake, Bordentown. See May 18. $$$$

27 Monday

Memorial Day Weekend at the National Constitution Center, Phila. See May 25. $$$ Wildwoods International Kite Festival at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. See “Fab Freebie,” p. 17. FREE

28 Wednesday

Memorial Day Weekend at the National Constitution Center, Phila. See May 25. $$$

Storytime: A Perfect Father’s Day at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids paint a handprint mug. $$$

Wildwoods International Kite Festival at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. See “Fab Freebie,” p. 17. FREE

Storytime: A Perfect Father’s Day at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See May 28. $$$

29 Thursday

Log on to MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information, including address, phone number, time & website.

All Fired Up!

All Fired Up! is South Jersey’s original Paint Your Own Pottery Studio. At All Fired Up! you can throw a party for any of life’s celebrations birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers, corporate parties, family reunions, etc. We also offer walk-in Board Art, Adult & Kids Canvas Painting Workshops along with Glass Fusing and of course Pottery Painting!

856-833-1330; paintatallfiredup.com

COME PARTY WITH US! We can help you with any party size and offer studio or private parties as well as a private party room.

Choose from several great options, including our new Rainbow Unicorn Party!

602 Haddon Avenue • LumberYard Condos Collingswood, NJ 08108

856-833-1330 • www.paintatallfiredup.com

18 MetroKids.com

mk smart. local. parenting.

A touring hands-on exhibition for all ages with lectures & workshops History • Kings &Queens • Dance • Jewelry & Costumes • Mummification • Daily Life Papyrus Making • Animal Deity Architecture…etc.

SHERIN MOTAWEA

sherinmotawea@yahoo.com • 610-635-9478 Meet The Pharaohs Exhibition and Workshops

MetroKids.com MAY 2019

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MetroKids’ annual CoverKids Search is open to all children from infants to age 16.

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Visit MetroKids.com/coverkids to enter!

Professional casting agents, local modeling agents and photographers will select the winners. One additional CoverKid will be selected by a vote of our readers.

FREE TO ENTER! Deadline: July 1, 2019

How to enter: Mail or submit one recent photo online, with the date it was taken, to be reviewed by the judges. Photo tips: Entrants must be photographed individually. Do not wear make-up or costumes. This is NOT a beauty pageant. We’re looking for kids with natural good looks and lots of personality!

What happens next: Finalists will be selected for a live final audition in August. Grand Prize Winners and Finalists will be announced in MetroKids magazine. Grand Prize Winners will appear on a MetroKids’ cover or one of our other publications including SpecialKids, Educator’s Edition and MetroKids’ Ultimate Family Guide. Entrants must be available for a local cover photo shoot at MAYa later 2019 date. All entrants’ photos will appear on MetroKids.com.

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We begin each day with a positive approach to learning.

Private Special Education … an Option You Should Know About!

Sometimes, it starts with a twinkle in the eye. Just a little spark of curiosity that soon blossoms into a journey of discovery, learning and achievement. That’s because at our private special education schools, we see beyond a child’s disability, and awaken the joy and creative expression within.

Our schools are welcoming places where students feel at home and are able to enjoy a rich and rewarding social life. Our students feel cherished, well cared for and respected for a very good reason—it is part of our mission and our commitment.

Students at our special education schools experience a school day as it should be—filled with discovery, achievement, learning and friendship. Here, they have people they know they can count on—outstanding teachers, therapists, counselors, psychologists and job coaches who constantly encourage and support them.

With individualized attention, on-site therapies and vocational training, our schools deliver unparalleled services for students with special needs. Our New Jersey Department of Education certified special education teachers, licensed therapists and counselors provide expert, advanced instruction and support … along with plenty of smiles.

These unique services are provided at NO COST for families.

Find out if private special education is the right fit for your child. Our staff can help answer your questions.

To find out more about what programs may be right for your child, call us at 1-800-697-8555 or visit SpecialEducationSchools.org

Brookfield Schools | HollyDELL School | Garfield Park Academy | Larc School | St. John of God Community Services Copyright ©2018 Coalition of Special Education Schools