Boston Parent January 2024

JANUARY 2024

Get Ready for Summer How to Pick the Best Camp for Your Child Which Type of Camp Would Best Suit Your Child?

Sending Teens to Summer Camp Is Your Child Ready for Overnight Camp?

School Admission Events Page 18

Winter Family Friendly Activities to Make the Most of the Season

11 WAYS TO CELEBRATE

Martin Luther King Day with Your Kids in Boston and Beyond

Follow the LEADER: 9 Ways to Instill Leadership Qualities in Kids PEACE OF MIND for Parents about Locker Rooms

EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF DANCE

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*Age as of August 31, 2023 Photos by Brooke Trisolini.

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Pediatric Dentistry Wesley Barton, DMD Ronen Krausz, DDS Bahar Houshmand, DDS Ava Ghassemi, DMD Mahdieh Beheshti DMD

Orthodontics Roger Taylor, DMD Oral Surgery Brett Paredes, MD, DMD

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January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 3

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2024 Virtual Camp & Summer Expo ave the S

January, February, March, April, May & June

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Receive camp information and learn about more than 75 day and overnight camps as well as summer programs for all ages and interests.

CLICK HERE to Register and receive access to regularly updated online camp expo materials 4 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

CONTENTS

Volume 39 • Number 5

JANUARY 2024

Get Ready for Summer 24 How to Pick the Best Camp for Your Child 26 Which Type of Camp Would

Best Suit Your Child?

28 What Do You Envision for Your Child’s Camp Experience?

WHAT’S INSIDE

34 Is Your Child Ready for

Overnight Camp?

6 Family F.Y.I. •

12

30 Sending Teens to Summer Camp

• •

Get Ready for Summer! Looking for a Great Summer Camp?

Baby Name Trends for 2024 2024 National Parks Fee-Free Days

10 11 Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Day

15

11 Winter Family Friendly Activities

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Boston Parent 841 Worcester Street Suite 344 Natick, MA 01760 • 617-522-1515 info@BostonParentsPaper.com Visit us online at BostonParentsPaper.com

PUBLISHER Parenting Media, Inc ART DIRECTOR | Debbi Murzyn ASSOCIATE EDITOR | Jean Abernathy ADVERTISING SALES Holly Castro, David Morney Boston Parents Paper is published monthly

by Parenting Media Inc. Please note that the

12 How to Extinguish Parent Burnout 14 Family Cents: Consider a ‘No-Spend‘ Month

15 Follow the Leader: 9 Ways to Instill Leadership Qualities in Kids 18 School Admission Events

20 Peace of Mind for Parents about Locker Rooms

advertisements in this magazine are paid for, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer.

Copies of Boston Parents Paper are distributed to locations throughout Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. Past issues are available on our website, www.BostonParentsPaper.com Send letters to the editor or article submissions to editor@bostonparent. com. Submit events to our Family Friendly Calendar at bostonparentspaper.com/event

January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 5

Family F.Y.I.

GREATER BOSTON PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE IS AVAILABLE!

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he 2024 edition of The Greater Boston Private School Guide provides information on how to help parents find the best private school GREATER BOSTON • NEW ENGLAND for their children. This PRIVATE SCHOOLS guide has information 2023/2024 on prioritizing the most critical factors for your BOSTONPARENT family, determining what type of school to consider, navigating admissions tours, shadow days, interviews, needed exams, tuition assistance, and writing an excellent essay. Use the month-by-month calendar to keep your family on the admissions track to getting accepted to the school of your choice. Available in print and online at www.

BostonParentsPaper.com – just click on “Our Magazines” tab.

PRESCHOOLS, BOARDING AND PRIVATE DAY SCHOOLS Find the Right School for Your Child

From the publishers of

GET READY FOR SUMMER! Looking for a Great Summer Camp?

D

on’t miss the Boston Parents 2024 Virtual Camp & Summer Expo starting on Jan. 22. This year we are doing a virtual program for camps that can be customized so you receive the information you want.

Please register to receive your customized package of camp information: https://bostonparentspaper. com/summer-camp-expo.html

TOP BABY Names in 2023

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oah and Olivia topped the list of the most popular baby names, with Noah jumping to the top spot for boys this year, replacing Liam in 2022, according to Babycenter.com. New names that appear on the top ten boys list are Ezra and Luca, bumping off Asher and James. There were were no new names on the girls’ top ten this year, only a little movement, with Charlotte moving up to the #5 spot from #9 in 2022, while Luna fell to #9 from the #7 spot.

TOP BOYS NAMES OF 2023 1. Noah 2. Liam 3. Oliver 4. Elijah 5. Mateo 6. Lucas 7. Levi 8. Leo 9. Ezra 10. Luca

6 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

TOP GIRLS NAMES OF 2023 1. Olivia 2. Emma 3. Amelia 4. Sophia 5. Charlotte 6. Ava 7. Isabella 8. Mia 9. Luna 10. Evelyn

Private School Online Admission Events Calendar

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hat better way to keep track of all the preschool and private school admission events than this handy tool?

With over 50 entities participating, check out the Online Open House & Admissions Calendar on www.

BostonParentsPaper.com.

Look for the School Open Houses button on the main header bar and tap. Don’t forget to tell them you saw their event on www.

BostonParentsPaper.com

ONE IN 36 CHILDREN HAS AUTISM. WE CHANGE LIVES ONE CHILD AT A TIME. FOR MORE THAN 65 YEARS, MAY INSTITUTE HAS PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL CARE TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS. O U R S E RV I C E S ARE B AS E D O N APPLIED B EH AV IOR A N A LYSIS (A B A ):

Special education schools for autism and developmental disabilities Center-based services for toddlers and young children Early intervention services Home-based services

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Family F.Y.I.

Play it Safe this Winter

• Electric space heaters are a leading cause of fires. They should be placed on flat, noncombustible, non-carpeted surfaces and at least three feet from anything flammable. Never leave them unattended or use them where children play or sleep.

• Avoid hypothermia – an abnormally low body temperature. Symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, lethargy, pale and cold skin, confusion and slowed breathing. In infants, symptoms include bright red and cold skin and lethargy. Call 911 immediately if you notice these symptoms and attempt to warm the child by removing wet clothing and replacing it with warm clothing on the trunk, groin, neck and head. To avoid shock, don’t place the child in warm water or apply direct heat.

• Make sure sledding hills are free of trees and fences, and that they are far from busy roads, not too crowded, well-lit, well-covered in snow and have a flat runoff.

• Check sleds to make sure there are no sharp edges or cracks. Make sure children can steer them; avoid using snow disks and tubes.

• Wear a multi-sport or winter helmet for all winter sports.

• Children under age 16 should never operate a snowmobile, and kids under age 5 should never ride a snowmobile, even with an adult operating it.

Baby Name Trends for 2024

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op baby naming trends for 2024 focus on non-binary names and softer names for boys.

Geographical names (London, Cairo, Cali, Sydney)except for Milan, up 223 spots are losing favor. They are replaced with nicknames, such as Josie, Ellie, Theo, and Leo, instead of the more formal versions of these names. Three-letter names are jumping up the list. On the playground, you will hear more names such as Teo, Koa, Jay, Kai, Lia, Tia, and Joy in the coming years.

Names from Taylor Swift’s songs, Bettie, Marjorie, and Ivy, became popular after The Era’s Tour. Other Hollywoodinfluenced names from popular characters, Wednesday & Jenna (Wednesday Addams), Daisy (Daisy Jones & the Fifth) and Ronald (Jury Duty), are more popular. Hopefully, the name 6:30 (Lessons in Chemistry) will only go to the dogs.

8 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

2024 National Parks FEE-FREE Days

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ccording to National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, “The entrance fee-free days to encourage people to discover the beauty, history, and inspiration awaiting them in the more than 400 national parks throughout the country.” Only about 100 of the 400+ national parks have an entrance fee, with costs ranging from $5 to $35+. Detailed information about what to see and do in each park is available on NPS.gov or the NPS app. It’s essential for people to know before they go what is open and available, especially if they are staying overnight. Fee-free days apply only to entrance fees and do not cover amenity or user fees for camping, boat launches, transportation, special tours or other activities. , The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass allows the pass holder and companions accompanying them unlimited access to over 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks. There are also free and discounted passes available for currently serving members of the U.S. military and their dependents, military veterans, Gold Star Families, fourth-grade students, disabled citizens, and seniors.

Free Entrance Days for 2024 January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day April 20: First day of National Park Week June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day August 3: Anniversary of Great American Outdoor Act September 28: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day 

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11 WAYS TO CELEBRATE Martin Luther King Day

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with Your Kids in Boston and Beyond

oston is a special place to celebrate MLK Day, his life, and his legacy. Dr. King was in Boston when he met his wife, Coretta Scott King, and earned his Ph.D. in Theology at Boston University. He viewed Boston as his second home.

1

Watch or listen to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches. This is an inspiring activity for older kids and teens. The “I Have a Dream” speech is about 17 minutes long; you can listen to or watch it on YouTube along with some of Dr. King’s other famous speeches.

Follow up with a discussion about what Dr. King’s message means to your child and you.

2

Visit local monuments and exhibitions or attend celebrations created in honor of Dr. King. Visit the Roxbury Love Story mural created to honor where Dr. King met his future wife, Coretta Scott. Attend the Annual MLK Memorial Breakfast, visit for free (M.A. residents) MLK Day at the MFA, walk the Black Heritage Trail, or take in the MLK Tribute Concert by Boston Children’s Chorus and explore the many crosscultural events, exhibitions, sightseeing trails, and more.

3

Read a book or watch a movie about diversity, equity, and inclusion. You can honor Dr. King’s legacy by choosing children’s books about anti-racism, social justice, etc.

4

Talk about racial inequality and social justice with your child. Research shows that talking with children about these topics has a lasting positive impact on a child’s development.

5

Read a children’s book about Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. Your local library is an excellent resource for these.

6

For younger kids, make a “Peace” craft. Use art and creativity to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy of

10 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

peace and love. Draw and color peace signs to hang in your window, paint a dove using your child’s handprint, or create a heart garland to drape over the front door.

7

Plant a tree as a living tribute to MLK. While planting, discuss King’s belief that a society grows great when men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Progress, like a tree, needs time to take root.

8

Create your own day of service. Consider the day as a “day on not a day off.” Americorps has been leading the charge for the last quarter century. Visit americorps.com with your child and learn how to create your own event. Encourage kids in your community to volunteer and be of service because serving others has a profound positive benefit on those who volunteer.

9

Discuss your kid’s dreams. Talking to your children about their hopes and dreams, both big and small, will be a meaningful catalyst for important family discussions.

10

Attend the MLK Jr. day in D.C. virtually. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously proclaimed, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do… you have to keep moving forward.” This year, you and your family can follow along virtually with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk Parade, which takes place in Washington, D.C., in person.

11

Visit KingBoston.org. Learn about MLK and the amazing work of King Boston through posts, blogs, and community events. Learn about the cultural significance of The Embrace, a world-class memorial on the Boston Common unveiled in 2023, and learn more about the vital work of Embrace Boston. 

Winter Family-Friendly Activities to Make the Most of the Season

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he weather outside may be frightful, but Boston’s indoor and outdoor winter-friendly activities are oh, so delightful. The city and surrounding areas offer many recreational options to keep families moving throughout the chilliest and most gluttonous, season.

Boston Common Frog Pond THE BOSTON COMMON FROG POND Channel your inner Michelle Kwan (or simply hang on to a loved one and inch around the rink) at Boston Common Frog Pond, where families can ice skate to their heart’s content. Breathe in the crispness of the season while skating around the open-air rink.

Bring your skates – you can even have them sharpened for $8 a pair – or rent them at the pond. Visit the Frog Pond Café, where you can grab a grilled cheese, hot dog, or other kid-favorite foods and those oh-so-necessary warm drinks like coffee and hot cocoa. If a member of your party isn’t in the skating mood, free WiFi is also available at the café.

NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM You don’t need scuba gear to see, touch, and learn about the wonderful creatures that live in our seas.

Just enter Boston’s finest aquarium for an underwater adventure the entire family will love!

177 Main Street (Route 27), Acton; 978-264-4200; www.discoveryacton.org

THE BUTTERFLY PLACE The Butterfly Place is an indoor garden filled with hundreds of freely-flying butterflies from around the world.

See caterpillars, chrysalids, and cocoons up close as you walk around the winding pathway. Open Valentine’s Day - Columbus Day.

SKI WARD WINTER TUBASLIDE Snowtubing is the perfect activity for all levels, and with up to 12 lanes, 2 lifts, and over 200 tubes, you’re guaranteed to have a great time! They provide everything for you, including the snowtubes and the fun! ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE AT LEAST 6 YEARS OLD AND 42” IN HEIGHT TO TUBE. 1000 Main Street, Shrewsbury;508-842-6346; www.skyward.com.

BOSTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Winter is no time to stop playing. The Museum is filled with things for your family to enjoy, including three floors of exhibits, everyday programs, a unique Snowmazing Polar Playground, and more. Skate with your socks, create in the STEAM and Art Labs, climb to the top of our 3 story climber, and enjoy our iconic PlaySpace exhibit for our youngest explorers.

Check the calendar to learn more about daily activities.

308 Congress Street, Boston; 617-426-6500; www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

BOSTON BOWL 190 Park Road, Weston; 781891-6575; www.skiboston.com. Put on your game face and

SKY ZONE INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK What could get the wiggles out better than a high-energy Central Wharf, Boston, 617-973-5200; www.neaq.org. play area like Sky Zone? This indoor trampoline park has DISCOVERY MUSEUM walled “play courts” perfect Kids are capable of incredfor your little jumping bean. ible things. The Discovery Age-specific sessions are Museum futures this ability available (like Toddler Time and supports healthy defor the little guys) to ensure velopment. Visit the indoor everyone is jumping as safely STEAM-rich environment; if as possible. Their SkyRobics it’s not too cold, find more is a challenging and effective activities outside-reserworkout for adults (no postvations are required. No holiday guilt here!). walk-ins.

69 Norman Street, Everett;

Boston Common, Boston, 617-635-2120; www.bostonfrogpond.com.

120 Tyngsboro Road, Westford, 978-392-0955; www. butterflyplace-ma.com.

WESTON SKI TRACK No matter how excellent your golf game is, the sport simply doesn’t work during the winter in Massachusetts, so the Leo J. Martin Golf Course turns its course into a cross-country ski and snowshoe trail for the colder months. The center is beginner-friendly, so kids and adults can have fun, regardless of their skill level.

Weston Ski Track features one of New England’s largest cross-country ski snowmaking systemsif Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.

Ski lessons are available at a variety of skill levels for adults, as well as classes for children starting at 4 years old.

617-387-1000; www.skyzone. com/everett 100 Independence Way, Danvers; 978-252-3000; www.skyzone.com/danvers 101 Kingston Collection Way; 781-514-7595; www.skyzone. com/kingston

head to Boston Bowl, where they have 30 Tenpin and 14 Candlepin lanes so you and the family can bowl to your heart’s content. Open around the clock, each lane can add bumpers if you’re playing with the smaller set who are just learning the ropes (or you simply want to keep your scores extra high!). Ditch the Wii Bowling and get out there and experience the real thing. Billiards is also an option if bowling isn’t your thing.

820 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston; 617-825-3800; www.bostonbowl.com.

58 Rockland Street, Hanover; 781-826-5263; www.bostonbowlhanover.com.

Weston Ski Track January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 11

How to Extinguish “My number-one tip to overcome parent burnout is connecting with friends. That is something that often goes by the wayside when parents are struggling. When you are working and raising children, you feel like there is no time...Friends can also provide a support system by listening, providing helpful feedback, or commiserating about the challenges of parenting and feelings or parenting burnout.”

J

ennifer first noticed feeling burned out when her daughter hit puberty. She said she felt “emotionally and physically drained and absolutely failing as a parent in every way.” At her worst, she remembers thinking, “I’m doing it all here, giving it my all. Why isn’t everything perfect here?” Her feelings of being overwhelmed became so severe that she met with a therapist to talk about her parenting exhaustion.

“I see parenting burnout more with parents of teenagers than with parents of toddlers. When you are a new parent, it’s early in your parenthood so you still feel like you are learning things,” says Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, psychologist and author of Mommy Burnout. “It’s not burnout until you feel like, ‘I’ve been doing

12 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

By Cheryl Maguire this over and over, and I keep getting the same results.’ Parents think, ‘I’m ineffective, they don’t listen to me, and I’ve lost myself.’”

The years of parenting older kids can be some of the most stressful. A research study published in Developmental Psychology found that mothers of middle-schoolage children reported the highest levels of emptiness and lowest levels of life satisfaction compared to moms of other age groups. And parenting burnout can be serious. A recent research study in Clinical Psychological Science found that parental burnout—characterized by overwhelming parenting exhaustion, emotional distancing from children, and a sense of parental ineffectiveness—is strongly associated with neglectful and violent behaviors toward children.

How to Overcome Burnout: Help for Overwhelmed Mothers Here are some ways to help parents who are struggling with parenting exhaustion: SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS “My number-one tip to overcome parent burnout is connecting with friends,” says Ziegler. “That is something that often goes by the wayside when parents are struggling. When you are working and raising children, you feel like there is no time.”

Ziegler explains that many parents don’t realize how important friendships are to their emotional health. Research shows that spending time with friends triggers the release of the feel-good hormone oxytocin, Ziegler says. Friends can also provide a support system by listening, providing helpful feedback, or commiserating about the challenges of parenting and feelings of parenting burnout.

FOCUS ON WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY Ziegler explains that some people think more options are better. So parents spend hours researching the best choices for their kids. However, she has found that more options can lead to parenting burnout and exhaustion.

“Whatever a parent picks, they feel like maybe the other option would have been better,” says Ziegler. “They can also get paralyzed in fear. Then they either don’t make a decision or make a poor decision based out of fear.”

She recommends prioritizing what is necessary by differentiating between wants and needs. She suggests shifting your mindset from “the best” to “what works.” That’s especially important as the pandemic presents less-than-ideal choices for schooling and other aspects of everyday life.

The more balls you have in the air, the more likely you will drop one. Multitasking is a primary driver of burnout.

FOCUS ON DOING JUST ONE THING AT A TIME If you have to work from home and homeschool your child you may be tempted to multitask, but try to avoid it to the extent you can.

Dr. Carla Naumburg, a clinical social worker and author of parenting books including How To Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids stresses The importance of avoiding multitasking: The more balls you have in the air, the more likely you will drop one. “Multitasking is a primary driver of burnout,” says Naumburg.

Instead, she suggests that you accept that you will not get everything done. Instead, encourage your kids to help with chores to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

LET GO OF YOUR KIDS’ HAPPINESS Naumburg explains that taking responsibility for someone else’s emotions is an unwinnable challenge, that will wear you out. “Emotions aren’t something we can create or control,” she says. “Rather, they’re something we experience. Sometimes it’s because of the choices we make, or what happens to us, or for no clear reason at all.”

Our society’s obsession with happiness, aided by researchers, clinicians, social media, and advertisers leads us to believe that “if we’re not happy, we must be doing something wrong,” says

Naumburg. And focusing on our kids’ happiness, like helicoptering and other hypervigilant parenting behaviors, can make parents feel burned out.

In addition to it being exhausting for parents, she says that when parents hyperfocus on their children’s happiness, kids learn—often inadvertently—that it’s not okay to be unhappy, and that’s confusing. “We’re missing out on an opportunity to teach our kids and ourselves how to deal with unpleasant or uncomfortable emotions,” says Naumburg.

IF NECESSARY, SEEK COUNSELING “My therapist was incredibly helpful in guiding me and my husband as a parenting team to help get my kid through their issue and in getting our family back on track,” says Jennifer.

“Thanks to my therapist, I’m able to manage the stress and get through it on my own in healthy ways.”

Jennifer explains that because she went to counseling her family is happier and healthier. She also feels better equipped to help her children manage their stress and be a role model for them.  Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA.

January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 13

By Aaron Crowe

I

f you can withstand a financial emergency, give yourself a pat on the back.

to do is get some milk and eggs and leave.

“Wants” can include Nearly half of Americans live paycheck to eating out, going to paycheck and 52 percent don’t have enough a movie, vacation, a date night, drinking money to cover six months of expenses. In contrast, over half of Americans are uncomfortable alcohol, shopping, and with their level of emergency savings, according to anything you can live without, such as cable a Bankrate.com survey.

TV. “Needs” are pretty obvious. You’ll want The rut of working just so you can to pay your rent or mortgage, buy necescover day-to-day expenses can lead to the worst money mistake of your life—not sary groceries, get the medical care you need, and pay your monthly bills. Don’t having an emergency fund. live without hot water or electricity to Without it, you could be forced to go save some cash. into debt to pay for emergency medical care, a broken car that you rely on to get PAY IN CASH ONLY to work, a busted water heater, job loss, The mortgage and water bills can be or any other unexpected event. Sooner or paid with a check or transfer from your later, something will pop up. checking account. All “needs” should A “no-spend month” could help solve that problem so that you’re not part of the be paid with money you already have in hand and not with a credit card.

22 percent of U.S. adults who don’t have “Wants,” however, are often paid with any money in an emergency fund or the a credit card and not thought about until 63 percent who don’t have at least $500 a month later, when the bill arrives. For set aside for emergencies, according to most of these, use cash to take a “nothe survey. spend month” at least semiseriously.

If you’re really committed, avoid these NOT SPENDING FOR “wants” entirely, don’t spend any money A MONTH on them for a month and see how it goes.

The first goal for an emergency fund Go to the coffee shop a few times a should be to accumulate enough to cover week? Pay with cash—not your phone six months of living expenses. After that, work to increase it to a cushion of 18 to 24 app—or make coffee at home.

The same goes for any other daily living months. expenses. Leave your credit cards at home To give it a good kick-start, eliminate all nonessential spending for a month. Do for a month and bring snacks and lunch this by sorting your expenses into “wants” to work. Watch broadcast TV and cancel your cable TV for a month. Ride a bike vs. “needs.” for a picnic in the park with your loved You know what these are. If you have one instead of going out for dinner and a children, you constantly have to explain these to them whenever you take them to movie on date night.

Do whatever it takes to not spend a store and they demand cookies or somemoney for a month beyond the basic thing else they want when all you want necessities.

14 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

WHAT TO DO WITH THE SAVINGS

At the end of the month—or beginning if, you’re sure your budgeted numbers are correct—move the unspent money to a savings account or another account where you can get the money relatively quickly if needed. The point is to set aside for emergencies, which by definition can require quick access.

Hopefully, the savings from your “no-spend month” will be enough to cover your monthly expenses in an emergency fund. If possible, continue the no-spend month for another month, or at least cut out nonessentials you’ve found you can live without. Cable TV may not seem so important after a month away from it.

After that difficult first month, decide how much you can now afford to put aside each month in an emergency fund and have it automatically transferred to that account. You may not feel you need to set aside all of that first month’s savings each month and can add some “wants” back to your monthly expenses.

Security and peace of mind in knowing you can handle paying for life’s emergencies may be worth sacrificing luxuries such as expensive dinners or vacations. If all it takes to beef up your emergency fund is downsizing to mid-priced dinners out and shorter vacations closer to home, then a good night’s sleep and not worrying about paying for emergencies is probably worth it.  Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist who specializes in personal finance writing.

He writes for various websites and has worked as a reporter and editor at a few newspapers.

By Sarah Lyons ids with well-developed leadership skills are more confident responsible, and push themselves to their full potential. Leadership helps them develop better and more creative coping skills in problem-solving and project management. The art of compromise, empathy, and good decision making skills, things most parents strive to teach their children, are also important benefits of having well-developed leadership skills. For some children, leadership comes naturally; for others, it must be developed and encouraged. Either way, parents can help develop their child’s leadership qualities so that when they are ready to attend college and enter the workforce, leading others and knowing when to follow someone else’s lead is already second nature.

SET AN EXAMPLE

Parents can help their kids develop good leadership by showing them what a good leader looks like daily. When you lead others, including your children, try to be optimistic, a good listener, treat people fairly and do the right thing. Your kids will learn these skills simply by modeling your good example.

SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS

Kids who are successful at what they try are more confident and more willing to get out of their comfort zone and help others in the future. You can do this by encouraging them to try activities where they have natural strengths and talent or assist them in projects just enough to help them succeed while still allowing them the majority of the decision and work the project entails.

BUILD COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Listening and good communication are keys to making a leader successful and well-liked by peers. Encourage your child to put their communication skills into practice by developing listening skills, public speaking, and expressing their frustrations in a healthy way. Parents can do this by asking their children to order their food at a restaurant, encouraging them to approach coaches or teachers when there is a problem, and teaching them to ask questions after listening to a friend talk.

BE A TEAM PLAYER

School projects, team sports, clubs, or being a part of a band, orchestra, or choir helps kids understand how to work towards a goal as a group. These experiences help your child Continued on page 16 >>> January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 15

Time management

<<< Continued from page 15 understand how to be a good leader, when to listen to others, and why both are equally important.

Encourage lifelong skills

Integrity, empathy, work ethic, respect, negotiation, and compromise are excellent skills for any leader, as well as, any student, employee, or friend. You can encourage these skills by setting a good example and talking through situations where they were or were not utilized well. Ask your child how they would have handled this differently and why. Praise them when they have used these skills well and encourage them when needed.

Show them the value of diversity

There is great value in diversity. Everyone has different backgrounds, experiences, and gifts. Encourage your kids to learn about other cultures and experiences and that differences make us a stronger team. They can learn to stand up to those who are singled out or viewed as different. This is what makes a great leader.

Ask for help

Kids who know when to solve problems and when to ask for guidance are better teammates and stronger leaders. It’s also essential to help others in the group who may be struggling. Lead by example and be encouraging and helpful when needed.

Develop good work habits

Kids who have responsibilities at a young age are better prepared to lead others. Encourage your child to get a part-time job at a young age or pick up jobs like yard work, babysitting, or volunteer work so they can build their leadership skills, develop their work ethic, and get experience in a variety of areas.

When your child has a large project to complete, encourage them to map out their plan for completing it on time. Create steps and set goals to accomplish to meet the deadline. Good project management skills will serve them well as a future leader and employee.

As your child develops strong leadership skills, it’s important to understand that they will not always be the person in charge. Having good leadership skills doesn’t mean you are always the one who is leading. Being respectful and willing to listen to others and compromise while not officially being the person who is “in charge” of the group is still a way to lead others. Whether your child is a natural leader or a great teammate, these leadership skills will serve them well in the future.  Sarah Lyons is a mom of six, including triplets. She enjoys writing, reading, and spending time outside with her kids.

Extracurricular Activities that Build Leadership Skills TEAM SPORTS

Being part of a team helps build leadership and helps kids learn to work as a group and understand the art of leading and following others.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Being part of student council or government helps kids learn to lead and build speaking and negotiating skills.

START YOUR OWN CLUB

If your child is interested in something specific, chances are others their age are as well. Starting their own club is a great way to learn how to lead others and share common interests.

VOLUNTEER WORK

Giving your time helps kids put others first, work on a project for the greater good, develop a good work ethic, and build leadership skills.

ACADEMIC TEAMS OR CLUBS

Being part of an academic team or clubs such as robotics, mathletes, speech and debate, National Honors Society, and science club are great ways to build skills in areas that interest them but also give them leadership skills they can use in college and the workforce.

MUSIC AND ARTS

Not everyone is drawn to team sports, but being part of a choir, orchestra, band, theater, or working on a creative project as a group can have the same benefits as team sports do when it comes to leadership skills.

SCOUTS

16 16 Parents Boston Press Parents | January Paper | 2024 January 2024

Groups like Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts give kids the opportunity to work as a team and individually while helping others and being exposed to diversity, volunteer work, team building, and life skills.

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BOSTON

The Advent School Admission Info Session January 20, 2024 @ 9:00 am 15 Brimmer Street https://www.adventschool.org BC High School Enrollment Info Nights 9-12 January 4, 2024 @ 6:00 pm 7-8 January 10, 2024 @ 6:00 pm 150 Morrissey Blvd https://www.bchigh.edu Boston Trinity Academy Coffee Mornings MS January 10, 2024 @ 9:00 am US January 17, 2024 @ 9:00 am All January 24, 2024 @ 9:00 am 17 Hale Street https://www.bostontrinity.org British International School Open House January 9, 2024 @,9:30 am 416 Pond St https://www.bisboston.org German International School Virtual Information Night Middle School January 9, 2024 @ 7:00 pm Preschool January 18, 2024 @ 7:00 pm Kindergarten January 23, 2024 @ 7:00 pm Elementary School January 24, 2024 @ 7:00 pm 57 Holton St https://gisbos.org Kingsley Montessori School Open House January 10, 2024 @ 8:30 am April 25, 2024 @ 8:30 am 30 Fairfield St. & 26 Exeter St. https://www.kingsley.org St. John School North End Early Childhood Open House January 10, 2024 @ 8:30 am 9 Moon St https://sjsne.com The Learning Project Open House January 11, 2024 @ 8:30 am Applications Due January 15, 2024 107 Marlborough Street https://www.learningproject.org Torit Montessori School Open House In-person January 23, 2024 @ 4:00 pm Virtual Info Sessions January 18, 2024 @ 6:00 pm Get to Know Torit: STEM January 25, 2024 @ 5:45 pm 300 Cambridge St https://www.toritschool.org

BROOKLINE

St. Mary of the Assumption Discovery Days January 19, 2024 , @ 9:00 am Online Admissions Info Session February 9, 2024 67 Harvard St https://stmarybrookline.com

CAMBRIDGE

Fayerweather Street School Prospective Parent Mornings January 22, 2024 @ 8:30 am Virtual Coffee w/ Head of School January 10, 2024 @ 9:30 am Application Deadline February 1, 2024 765 Concord Ave https://www.fayerweather.org

CHESTNUT HILL

Brimmer and May School Winter Info Session January 5, 2024,@ 10:00 am 69 Middlesex Rd https://www.brimmer.org

DEDHAM

Ursuline Academy Candidate Visit Days Grades 7-8 -January 11, 2024 Grades 9 - 12 -January 11, 2024 85 Lowder Street https://www.ursulineacademy.net

FRAMINGHAM

Saint Bridget School Open House January 28, 2024, @ 10:30 am 832 Worcester Rd https://www.sbsframingham.org

HINGHAM

SELA’s School of Early Global Education Open House January 6, 2024 , @ 9:00 am 75 Sgt. William B Terry Dr https://suescuela.com

LEXINGTON

Cotting School Information Session January 19, 2024 @ 9:30 am February 9, 2024 @ 9:30 am March 22, 2024 @ 9:30 am 453 Concord Ave https://www.cotting.org Lexington Christian Academy Preschool Open House January 25, 2024 @ 9:00 am 48 Bartlett Ave https://www.lexingtonchristian.org

18 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

Waldorf School of Lexington Open House January 4, 2024 -Early Childhood @ 5:00 pm -Grades 1-8 @ 7:00 pm 739 Massachusetts Ave https://thewaldorfschool.org

E. PROVIDENCE, RI

LOWELL

READING

Immaculate Conception School Open House January 28, 2024 @ 10:00 am 218 E Merrimack St https://icslowell.com

Austin Prep Middle School Open House March 7, 2024 @ 9:00 am 101 Willow St https://www.austinprep.org

MARLBOROUGH

SOUTHBOROUGH

New England Innovation Academy Virtual Academic Preview Party January 25, 2024 @ 7:30 pm Application Deadline February 1, 2024 280 Locke Drive https://neiacademy.org

MILLIS

Woodside Montessori Academy Open House January 21, 2024 @ 12:00 pm Prospective Parents Teatime January 24, 2024 @ 9:30 am February 15, 2024 @ 9:30 am 350 Village St https://woodsideacademy.com

NATICK

Riverbend School Walk & Talk Wednesdays January 10, 2024 @ 9:00 am January 17, 2024 @ 9:00 am January 24, 2024 @ 9:00 am January 31, 2024 @ 9:00 am 39 Eliot St https://riverbendschool.org

NEWTON

The Fessenden School First Looks Grades Domestic Boarding 5-9 January 9, 2024 @ 12:00 pm January 30, 2024 @ 12:00 pm February 6, 2024 @ 12:00 pm February 13, 2024 @ 12:00 pm 250 Waltham St https://www.fessenden.org Jackson Walnut Park School Open House March 14, 2024 @ 9:30 am 200 Jackson Rd https://www.jwpschools.org

NORWELL

SELA’s School of Early Global Education Open House January 6, 2024, @ 10:30 am 137 Washington St https://suescuela.com

The Wolf School Open House February8, 2024 215 Ferris Ave https://thewolfschool.org

Fay School Boarding Student Info Session Virtual February 9, 2024 @ 2:30 pm 48 Main St https://www.fayschool.org

WAKEFIELD

Odyssey Day School International Week Open House January 25, 2024 @ 6:00 pm 2 Audubon Rd https://www.odysseydayschool.org

WELLESLEY

Tenacre Country Day School Fireside Chat for Prospective Families January 9, 2024 @ 7:00 pm January 18, 2024 @ 7:00 pm 78 Benvenue St. https://www.tenacrecds.org

WINCHESTER

Acera School Information Sessions January 4, 2024 @ 9:30 am February 6, 2024 @ 7:00 pm March 7, 2024 @ 9:30 am Lowell Ave https://www.aceraschool.org

WORCESTER

Bancroft School PreK & K Learn & Play January 17, 2024 @ 4:00 pm Grades 1-5 Learn & Play January 18, 2024 @ 4:00 pm Computer Science, Science, Robotics Lunch & Learn January 17, 2024 @12:00 pm Athletics Lunch & Learn February 8, 2024 @ 12:00 pm 110 Shore Dr https://www.bancroftschool.org

For more events, check out https://bostonparentspaper. com/school-open-housecalendar/ Want to add your school?

Do so now at: https://bostonparentspaper. com/open-house-submission

Discover a school as unique as your child Open House February 8th | thewolfschool.org | East Providence | RI | Financial Aid Available

Acera: A K-12 STEAM School

January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 19

PHOTO BY THE U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT

By Ju’Riese Colón, CEO, U.S. Center for SafeSport

Where can you find snapping towels, pranking, name calling, and all-around misbehavior?

You guessed it.

The locker room.

E

xcusing “locker room talk or behavior” is all too common, but it shouldn’t be ignored or brushed off. While the locker room can foster team bonding and comradery, without proper education and protocols, it can also be an epicenter for unsafe and abusive behavior.

At the U.S. Center for SafeSport, we focus on preventing abuse in sports and educating communities on how to respond when it does occur. As CEO, I regularly talk to athletes, parents, coaches, and sports administrators about creating safe spaces. I often hear concerns about hazing, bullying, and sexual misconduct. A common question is: how do we keep kids safe in the locker room?

Adult supervision is critical

Let’s start by acknowledging that adults can be uncomfortable in locker rooms. Kids are changing and showering. Some of them are teens with developing bodies. And that can make adults nervous.

Many teams rely on parent volunteers to monitor locker rooms. Maybe the girls’ swim team has a male coach. That team needs to find, screen, and train at least two women

20 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

willing to be in the changing area. It can be a time-consuming process, and one that some parents may not be willing to do.

But kids are (sometimes literally) exposed in the locker room. This is where adults should be monitoring behavior.

Changing areas make young athletes vulnerable to abuse from adults—and from each other.

What happens without adult supervision?

To parents, it is no surprise to hear that kids often resort to juvenile and inappropriate behavior when left on their own.

Kids in locker rooms are usually full of energy, noisy, and acting silly. But that behavior can sometimes turn aggressive or dangerous.

Take “locker boxing” or “cage raging” as an example.

Our hockey and lacrosse communities told us that this has been going on for years. Kids put on their hockey gloves and helmets to box until someone taps out or passes out. Parents and coaches have legitimate concerns that concussions are happening in the locker room even before young athletes take the field or ice.

Continued on page 22 >>>

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We’ve also heard of cases of boys filming the girls’ swim team through a gap in the ceiling between changing rooms, or girls taking pictures of other girls getting undressed and posting them online. Parents are understandably outraged by these kinds of privacy violations. This is why clear rules and adult supervision are necessary.

To change locker room culture, you should have open communication with your child’s sports organization and understand best practices for making locker rooms safer.

HERE ARE 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

1

Your child should always have a private or semiprivate area to change. This can be a bathroom stall with a door or an area partitioned off with a drape.

2

Adults need to monitor locker rooms and changing areas. They should do this in pairs because your child should never be alone with an adult. Every adult interaction with a minor athlete should be observable and interruptible.

That means there is always another adult around to observe what’s happening, and nothing happens behind closed doors.

3

Coaches and officials should have separate changing areas, or they need to schedule locker room time for adults separately from young athletes. They also shouldn’t share showers with kids, though there may be some exceptions, like when swimmers and their coaches are rinsing off in their suits.

4

No cell phones, cameras, or tablets in the locker room. Sports organizations should foster a device-free locker room culture by clearly explaining and enforcing consequences if devices are used inappropriately.

5

Be aware of media or championship celebrations in the locker room. Your child’s sports organization should seek your consent for any recording in the locker room. Two or more adults should be present, and everyone should be fully clothed.

Youth sports are supposed to be fun, but young athletes must be safe to thrive and enjoy the many benefits of athletics.

SafeSport provides educational resources for parents to help make sure their young athletes feel safe, supported, and strengthened. Visit uscenterforsafesport.orwg/abuse-preventionresources for more tools to help you recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse in sport.

If you or someone you know has experienced abuse or misconduct by a participant of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement, you can make a report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/  JJu’Riese Colón is the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the nation’s only nonprofit organization committed to ending all forms of abuse in sport. As CEO, Ju’Riese leads the strategic vision and direction of the organization to ensure every athlete is safe, supported, and strengthened through support. An experienced child advocate who serves as an expert on issues related to child safety, Ju’Riese has led prevention and outreach initiatives with youth-serving organizations serving families, educators, law enforcement, and diverse communities. She earned bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and Spanish from Virginia Commonwealth University.

PHOTO BY THE U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT

<<< Continued from page 20

To change locker room culture, you should have open communication with your child’s sports organization and understand best practices for making locker rooms safer.

22 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

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p m a C t Bes

HOW TO PICK THE

I

FOR YOUR CHILD

N NEW ENGLAND, WE’RE INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE of summer camps for our children to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a day or sleepaway camp, one that focuses on the performing arts, science, or whatever else your child is passionate about, it more than likely exists in our region.

Continued on page 26 >>>

24 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 25

<<< Continued from page 24

T

Which Type of Camp Would Best Suit the Needs and Interests of Your Child?

he opportunities that summer camp provides are endless: the ability to try new things, the chance to make new friends, and the prospect of gaining independence are just a few.

Consider the possibilities: DAY CAMPS typically serve children ages 3-15. Session lengths usually vary from one to eight weeks. Some camps offer up to ten weeks of programming, before and after camp programs are offered for an additional fee at some day camps.

OVERNIGHT (also called Resident or Sleepaway) Camps usually serve children ages 6-18. Campers stay at camp for one to eight weeks, depending on the camp’s session length.

SPECIALTY CAMPS are based in day or resident settings. Popular options for specialization include horseback riding, the arts, sports, computers, or travel. Programming revolves around intensive exposure to the specialty area.

CAMPS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS serve specific clientele like children or adults with particular medical conditions, disabilities, or special needs. Some camps focus on campers who share specific diagnoses, while others are geared to meet a broader array of needs at any time.

RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED CAMPS offer religious education formally and informally.

Review materials carefully for explanations of how religion influences a camp’s culture to find one with the balance that best matches your family’s values and beliefs.

GENERAL CAMPS offer a broad range of activities. Many allow campers to focus on one or a few areas while encouraging them to try a variety of others. It is sometimes possible to explore an FAMILY CAMP SESSIONS include family activity or interest in depth within the context of the members of all ages, from grandparents to whole program. infants. Accommodations vary, as do program options and session length. The focus is on being TRIP & TRAVEL CAMPS involve outdoor together as a family—to learn, to relax, and to exploration through active sports like biking, hiking, enjoy new experiences and adventures. climbing, and canoeing. Campers spend most of their time traveling and preparing to travel.

The only downside to having so many options is that it can feel like an exhausting search to find the right fit for your kids.

We want them to be happy. We want them to feel comfortable.

And, most of all, we want them to be safe. But how does a parent know they are making the right choice? Read on to find a wide range of information that will answer your checklist of questions regarding how to best decipher the information in all of those brochures and how to make the most of an informational visit. You’ll have better peace of mind, and chances are, your kids will have an incredible summer.

BE PREPARED

Before you start scheduling camp interviews, research the options that appeal most to your family, then weigh the pros and cons of each (you can even grade them on a points system if you like). After you’ve compiled a list in order of interest, start eliminating some. You don’t want to drive yourself crazy going on interviews for camps that aren’t all that appealing to you. It’s a waste of your time and theirs. Once you’ve ruled out camps that don’t meet your essential search criteria or

26 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

expectations, begin exploring the details of each option you like. Sometimes, the filtering process yields too many camps to interview personally; sometimes, it doesn’t yield enough.

Adjust key variables, such as location and session length, to narrow or expand the number of options on the results page.

Use the results page to go directly to camp websites.

GET ORGANIZED

Camp interviews may feel tedious at times, depending on how many you plan on talking to. Still, they are necessary in determining how your child might fit into the environment.

Go into each interview armed with knowledge of your pros and cons so that you have your questions firmly planted in your mind. How does the camp convey who they are and reflect the world they’ve created exclusively for a child’s benefit? Camp seekers can learn much from a close look at camp websites, brochures, photos, videos, FAQs, newsletters, social media, and camper or parent testimonials. Many camp websites are a gateway to most camp information on this list,

from video content to downloadable brochures and forms, all reflecting the camp’s culture.

Camps are much more than lists of activities they offer; they are vibrant educational communities – and no two are exactly alike. There is probably not just one perfect camp for your child. More than one camp may turn out to be a great fit, given your search criteria, so the interviewing stage will most likely factor into your final decision and help you pinpoint the camp. So, how do you decide between two (or a few camps) with comparable activities, locations, schedules, amenities, and prices?

Enough research will provide answers to your questions without you having to utter a single word. Camps try to anticipate what families need to know and provide this information online. You’ll want to use interview time to ask questions that haven’t already been answered – questions that explore the fit for your child.

Are you running low on time? Interviews with some camp head honchos may already be available online. You can also consult with friends who’ve previously met with the camp for information you never even realized you might want.

Look for an interview with the example,; you might see photos on the website or Facebook showing the salad bar or a cabin group sitting around the table with food served family-style. This might spark a question about camp food and how your child’s dietary needs can be met. Or, combing through the part of a website developed exclusively for parents of overnight campers might enable you to understand the camp’s plan and suggestions for communicating with your camper. Perhaps reading the director’s blog from last summer or looking at newsletters might give you insight into the camp’s philosophy and culture.

2024 Session Dates: 2 Week Sessions June 30 – July 13, 2024 July 14 – July 27, 2024 July 28 – August 10, 2024 4 Week Sessions June 30 – July 27, 2024 July 14 – August 10, 2024 6 Week Sessions June 30 – August 10, 2024 your home away from home www.campbirchhill.com

BE YOUR CHILD’S BEST ADVOCATE

You’re the expert on your child! What aspects of his personality might affect the camp fit? (Your child is shy and cautious in new situations, for instance. Or your child needs to have a certain amount of time to practice music, sports or academics.)  Submitted by American Camp Association, New England.

January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 27

What Do You Envision for Your Child’s Camp Experience? electing a camp for your child can be exciting. You know that camp is a wonderful way for your child to develop independence, new skills, and new friends. But now you need to figure out which camp is the right choice. Consider these questions as you go through your search:

What is driving your camp search?

Fun and learning? New experiences and skills? A need for child care? Family tradition? Encouragement from friends?

What are your leading camp search criteria?

Which ones are “non-negotiable” and which are “preferences”?

Which of your family’s values should be reflected in the camp philosophy? How religious

should it be? How competitive? How diverse? How much camper choice should be given?

What activities or programs interest you and your child? What level of intensity are you looking for? Are you looking for opportunities for your child to try new activities, play, advance current skills, practice, compete or specialize?

What kind of facilities will your camper consider? Discuss electricity, bathrooms, and dining.

What session length, from a few days to eight weeks to, is comfortable for you, your child, and your family’s summer schedule?

The most common session lengths are the entire season (seven to eight weeks), half season (three to four), two weeks, and one week.

What camp clientele do you want to consider? There are camps for boys only, girls only, coed, brother/sister, religious groups, underserved populations, and children with special needs.

How far are you willing to commute your child? Is there a good local source, or is it worth driving to a destination camp?

28 Boston Parents Parents Paper Paper || January January2024 2024

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curiosity CAMP +

+

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at SIMON'S ROCK

Great Barrington, Massachusetts

July 14-27, 2024

LEARN MORE & REGISTER TODAY! simons-rock.edu/curiositycamp

January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 29

Sending Teens to Summer Camp

By Kerrie McLoughlin

S

Community mertime solution for elementary-age kids so they don’t sit around the house service camps bored and so they can make friends and learn offer a great chance new things while having fun. As our children grow out of their “little kid years,” we somefor teens to make times forget they still need those kinds of experiences they had when they were younger, a difference and just in a different form. Maybe the thought hasn’t crossed your mind that your teen might help out in the need to find a fun summer camp. Your teen community, while should be babysitting, mowing lawns, working at the pool, making TikTok videos, hanging also learning around with friends, right? Well, sure! But lifelong skills. why not send teens off for a week or more ummer camp seems the perfect sum-

of summer fun and learning this year for a break? Here are some great benefits for teens attending summer camp: Learning how to give back. Community service camps offer a chance for teens to make a difference and help out in the community while also learning lifelong skills. Kids spend their days helping others, which feels good

to everyone involved. Maybe your teen will learn how to pack food for the homeless, teach kids how to read, or work on a project that will benefit the community, like cleaning up a playground or fixing equipment. Teens could even learn how to paint a house, care for the yard of an older adult who is unable to do so anymore … or even learn how to plan and build a house for someone in need.

Deepening faith. If your teen enjoys church youth groups and activities, a church or other organized religious camp might be just the ticket. The day might begin with a church service, followed by breakfast, then a hike and some time spent in the cabin with friends memorizing Bible verses for a competition at the end of the week. Later, there could be singing songs around a bonfire while roasting s’mores.

Working as a team. Your child will meet kids of different ages and from diverse backgrounds. Learning how to get along and work as a team is a huge life skill that will be reinContinued on page 32 >>>

30 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

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January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 31

<<< Continued from page 30 forced at camp. Some camps even have kids do team-building and trust activities to help them get to know each other.

Standing on their own. Let’s face it.

As our kids get older, they start to grow away from us. They are simply preparing to head out on their own and preparing you for that transition by perhaps being a little distant. They are stuck between childhood and adulthood, and it’s a confusing time. Going away to camp for even a short period helps teach independence. A daily structure at camp is already in place, which teens need to follow. Because parents aren’t doing the nagging, teens don’t tune out but rather respect and learn from other adults.

Appreciating everything. Away from screens, a person finds it easier to focus on nature, learning, forming relationships, and more. Being away from parents, kids will come home with a new appreciation for what it takes to be in a family and help run the household. Your teen will probably also appreciate funny things like a full pantry that’s open all day, a comfy bed, and privacy!

Working as a team, your child will be meeting kids of different ages and who are from different backgrounds.

Teen summer camp has so many benefits that cover all the bases, including physical, social, mental, and spiritual.

As for the rest of the summer? Well, your teen can spend plenty of time doing those odd jobs to help pay for camp next year! 

Kerrie McLoughlin is the seasoned homeschooling mom of five. Find them at TheKerrieShow.com.

APPLY NO for W Summe 2024 r

Give your child the gift of a transformational experience at Andover this summer!

Andover Summer programs are defined by academic excellence, global perspectives, student independence, life-changing interactions with peers and teachers—and plenty of fun! Outstanding faculty, small classes, and hands-on learning will keep your child engaged and motivated.

SUMMER SESSION

ADVANTAGE

July 2–August 4, 2024

Session I: July 15–26, 2024 Session II: August 5–16, 2024

Boarding & Day Students • Grades 7–12

Our flagship five-week academic enrichment program, Summer Session brings students together from across the country and around the world to the Lower School and Upper School institutes. Visit our website for a look at the more than 60 course offerings designed to appeal to the most curious and dedicated student. Classes are supplemented by weekly off-campus trips, weekend social events, and more!

Day Students Only • Grades 6–9

Focused on banishing brain melt and building confidence, Advantage is our openenrollment program that runs Monday–Friday as a two-week session. Students choose from classes like Critical Reading and Writing, The Physics of Flight, and Math Acceleration.

This program is specifically designed for students who live within commuting distance to the Andover campus.

Applications from rising 7th- through 12th-graders are now being accepted!

Visit andover.edu/summer for more information on all Andover Summer programs.

32 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

Summer fun for campers 3 to 15 years old

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Adventure & Independence Awaits

www.dedhamcountryday.org/camp January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 33

Is Your Child Ready for Overnight Camp?

Day Camp or Overnight Camp

D

eciding between day camp or residential (overnight) camp is one piece of the decision for families. Camp is an experience and not limited to a singular location. Campers can develop hard and soft skills, whether sleeping away from home or returning to their own beds each night. While there are differences between day and residential camps, above all else, the most important outcome of this decision is finding the right fit for your camper and family.

This begins with knowing your camper. Many overnight camps begin taking campers between ages 7 to 9. However, some children may be ready at 6, while others may not be ready at 10. While there is no clear, linear checklist to determine whether day or overnight camp is right for your child, the questions listed here can help guide that conversation.

These questions help begin a dialogue with your family about which camp best fits you. The choice of day versus residential camp is a crucial aspect of the overall decision.

But even then, make sure you follow up with those potential camps. Talk to directors. Ask for tours. Ask for references. Do your due diligence. In the end, both you and the camp want this summer to be the first of many and the beginning of a great relationship. 

34 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024

• What is the primary reason for wanting to go to camp?

• Has your child ever spent multiple nights sleeping away from home?

• What’s your budget for camp?

• Can your child bathe and dress independently?

• How far away from home do you want your child’s camp experience to be?

• What activities are important to your camper’s experience?

January 2024 | BostonParentsPaper.com 35

TM

2022 WINNER

TM

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“We LOVE Tender Loving Care. The teachers are like family. They care for each child like their own family.

They are knowledgeable in early childhood education as well as the gentle care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers!!”

Woburn - 781-281-2983 | Weston - 781-703-5088 www.tenderlovingcarechildcarecenters.com

36 Boston Parents Paper | January 2024