February/ March 2009
2009
At The Pocono Kids' Cultural Connection, that is our primary goal! We have classes for Music, Singing and Sign Language, Manners, Theater, Dance and Art all taught by professional and qualified teachers. Also with our special needs classes, Pocono Kids' Cultural Connection offers specific sessions to accommodate you, your child, and even their TSS. All classes are held at the Day Street Community Center in East Stroudsburg, to provide a safe, clean and convenient location for all.
“Minding our Manners”
Making Music Birth -4 years
with Adult
Making Music is a 10 week program designed for children birth to 4 years old with a caregiver. The children will explore music through musical instruments, “silly songs", nursery rhymes, movement, puppets, and more! Each session is held for 45 minutes one day per week. Come join us in a relaxed, fun, loving environment! Classes are instructed by Teri O'Brien.
4-6 years
Birth - 3 years
with Adult
“Sign with me” is a 10 week program where children from birth to 3 years old with a caregiver, learn to sing and sign to "silly songs" in a nonthreatening, caring environment. Classes meet for 45 minutes one day per week. Classes are instructed by a highly qualified para professional trained in ASL (American Sign Language).
"Minding our Manners" is a 10 week program for children ages 4-6 years old. Focus on everyday manners and social etiquette will have your child using their "please" and "thank yous" on a regular basis! The children will practice table manners, proper introductions, social grace, telephone etiquette, and more. They will be rewarded for their efforts in class and you can keep a behavior modification chart at home! We will learn not to "slurp our soup" and many other silly behaviors in a funny, upbeat, nurturing environment! Classes instructed by Teri O’Brien.
4-6 years
7-10 years
Does your child want to be a “star”? Does he love the limelight, or is he quiet, shy and reserved? In either case, this program will encourage your son or daughter to have the confidence to express themselves through movement and song. This 10 week program is offered for children ages 4-6 and 7 -10. The children will sing familiar group songs, and present a cabaret at the end of the session. Classes are held once a week for 50 minutes. Classes are instructed by Teri O’Brien, a “veteran” of the stage.
Introduce your child to the arts!
r tprisestsiicon AEx 6-9 years
10-13 years
Artistic Expression is a 10 week program held on Saturdays for children ages 6-9 and 10-13 years old. The children will work with water colors, charcoal, pastels, and acrylics, in a fun, nurturing environment. All classes are instructed by a professional artist. Classes are 1 1/2 hours long.
Dance Discovery 6-9 years
10-13 years
Dance Discovery is a 10 week program held on Wednesday evenings or Saturdays. Children ages 6-13 will explore movement through Hip-Hop, or Modern dance classes. Beginners only! All classes will be taught by experienced dance instructors. Classes meet for 50 minutes one day per week.
18+ years Adult Aerobics is a 10 week program held on Wednesday evenings or Saturdays. All adults ages 18 and older are welcome to join. All classes will be taught by experienced instructors. Classes meet for 50 minutes one day per week.
2-4 years
with Adult
Spend quality time with your child as they explore the world of the “arts�. Children ages 2-4 with an adult will participate in singing, movement, and "imagination creation" crafts, for 1 1/2 hours one day a week for 10 weeks.
ONGOING REGISTRATION To find out more information, call
Register NOW online for classes!
All Classes held at the Day Street Community Center, East Stroudsburg
Table of
Contents Beat the Winter Blues..............6 The Playroom................................7 Please Don’t Judge Me. ...........8 Family Finance Tax Time.............................................10
Family Travel Tips The Last Best Place...........................14
Restaurant Review The Crescent Lodge.........................18
Children’s Vision and Learning...............................19
I
nternational Day Camp provides a summer packed with fun and friendship for children ages 3 to 11. For 18 years International Day Camp has been providing quality day camp experiences to kids in the Poconos...
20
Reader’s Talkback.....................23 Family Practice Corner Your Post Divorce To-Do List...........26
Winter Indoor Fun...................28 Ask Dr Waters The “Idiot” Card.................................30
Is your Child Schooled in Basic Home Safety..............32 Kids Korner.................................34
www.PoconoParent Magazine.com February/March 2009
Teen & Tween..............................35
4
By Teri O’Brien
12 16
By Donna L. Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP
24
Health & Medical Resources. ....................................36 Marketplace. ...............................37 Pet Tails. ........................................38 Spring Family Expo. ................39
On The Cover Special Thanks to International Day Camp
© 2009 by Pocono Parent, LLC. All rights reserved. Published bimonthly. No portion of PoconoParent Magazine may be reproduced without written permission. Address subscription inquiries and address changes to Pocono Parent, LLC P.O. Box 291 Analomink, PA. 18320. The acceptance of advertising by PoconoParent Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the product or services offered. Reader correspondence are welcome. PoconoParent Magazine assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertisements. PoconoParent Magazine is a registered trademark of Pocono Parent, LLC.
PoconoParent
™
From the Editor’s Desk
I
hope you are enjoying your winter in the Poconos. The snowy mountaintops are a beautiful sight. Taking my own children sledding, skiing and snowboarding; strictly as an “observer”, helps get me through my least favorite season of the year. Although winter is in full swing, and the snow continues to fall, now is the time to start planning ahead. We may have had enough of the snow already, and your children may have “cabin fever” from being unable to play outdoors for an extended period of time because the air is so frigid, but we have the spring to look forward to!
It’s hard to believe that as parents we need to start planning already for our children’s summer activities, but we do! In 5 short months, school will be out and the “lazy days of summer will be here”. In this issue, you will find information on summer camps for your child. Be sure to check them out, and get your registration and deposit in early to ensure that your child will be able to participate in the camps of their choice. Take time to read the article “Selecting a Summer Camp” and begin doing your research now. Don’t wait to start to thinking about it until spring, because most camps start the week after school lets out for summer. Enjoy the last two months of winter, and look forward the beautiful spring!
M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
The Pocono’s Family Resource
Publisher
Editor
David O’Brien
Teri O’Brien
Graphic Design
Contributing Writers:
Michael Dombrowski Edward Fader Jennifer Goodall Karen Klinger
Account Executives
Jennifer Haines Veronica Talbot
Photography:
Maria Marchiano, Creation on Location Kim McCambley, Candid Camera Creations Louise Reeves, Photography by Louisa Michael Straub Photography
Erin Baehr Nancie Balun-Boughton Karin DePaul Anthony Diecidue Darota Gasienica-Kozak Donna Hamilton Bonnie Kraeutler Susan Mehler-Bostick Jennifer Munson David T. O’Brien Ashley, Teen Corey, Tween Dr. Waters
MISSION STATEMENT The PoconoParent Magazine is a reliable printed family resource committed to providing its’ readers with useful information and professional area contacts. It is our priority to assist in connecting parents with appropriate resources in order to ensure a pleasurable experience living and raising children in the Pocono Mountains!
Kindest regard,
Teri
TUMBLEBEES
Classes 6 months to 5 years. Advance your child’s mobility and coordination through our music movement and gym programs
Tumblebees Gym
Advance your child’s physical potential. Enhance their balance, coordination, and strength. Climb a mountain, flip on a trampoline, tumble and roll all over our equipment packed facility
Tumblebees Music
Explore your child’s musical potential and stimulate their natural creativity. Shake the tambourines, play the drums, dance, bounce and wiggle to the rhythm.
Tumblebees Preschool & Pre-K Programs
All teachers are certified and have their degrees in teaching. Small Class sizes, Small Group Instruction, Preparing for Kindergarten Preschool - Tuesday & Thursday 9am to 12 noon Pre-K Program - Tuesday, Wednesday &Thursday 1pm to 4pm
Tumblebees Gymnastics Classes
Ages 5 to 11 years
Tumblebees Cheer Ages 4 & Up
Call for a Schedule Today
570-619-7655
Located in Fountain Springs, East Shopping Plaza Rt 611 Tannersville, PA
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
GYM
Focused on Development.
5
Motivate Your Child to Learn with These Helpful Tips By Jennifer Munson, Learning Center Director
H
ow did your child do in the first half of the school year? Were you pleased with his performance, or do you think there is room for improvement? No matter what letters appeared on your child’s report card, the New Year is the perfect time to help him get excited about going back to school and learning. This can be accomplished by creating an atmosphere in your home that encourages learning. Ms. Munson offers a few tips concerning how to get involved with your child’s learning process and helps motivate him in the New Year.
• Have family reading time at least once a week. Utilize Book Adventure,
a free interactive, reading motivation program that can be found at www.bookadventure.com. Students choose their own books from more than 7,000 titles, take short comprehension quizzes and redeem their accumulated points for small prizes. Book Adventure also offers teacher and parent resources and tips to help children develop a lifelong love of reading.
• Set aside a specific time for homework and studying. Take advantage of this quiet time to sit with your child and work on your paperwork. This visually demonstrates the importance of “work time” to your child.
• If homework was a struggle during the first semester, set up a reward
system for this semester. For example, deposit change in a small jar when homework is complete. As soon as the jar is full, treat the whole family to something everyone will enjoy.
• Refresh your child’s “study space.” Make sure that all materials, such as pencil sharpeners, erasers and extra paper are easily accessible and in adequate supply.
• Create study plans. Have your child do his most challenging assignment first, while he is most focused, and then have him work on easier tasks. Finish each homework session with a fun activity.
• Search the Internet with your child to learn more about topics being covered in school.
• Invite your children to participate in cooking or shopping to strengthen their math skills.
• Encourage your child to choose a classmate with whom he can study and swap reading books.
• Get your child organized inside and outside of school. By being
organized, your child will have plenty of time to complete all assignments, and she will also learn the value of time management.
• Talk to your child’s teachers. The second half of the year can be more
challenging than the first. Find out if your child needs extra help in a specific subject in order to keep up with the class.
The end of the school year is right around the corner. Getting your child personalized instruction now can make a big difference in your child’s confidence and performance for the remainder of the school year and beyond.
S
crapbooking is not a hobby reserved only for moms. Children of all ages also love to look at photographs, and given the opportunity; arrange them on pages to create a scrapbook or memory album of their own. Preschool is the perfect age for your child to work on their fine motor skills. Cutting and gluing are just some of the skills that will be learned as they help you choose the photos and arrange them on the pages. A preschooler can choose the color paper and stickers to use when decorating a page for the scrapbook.
Don’t forget to include original “works of art”. A child in grade school will have more input on themes, or photos that they want to use for their particular album. They can work on their writing skills while they journal about each photo. You may want to allow them to create a scrapbook of their own without too much input from you. You may be pleasantly surprised with the end result. Children this age typically love to be creative! Your pre-teen or teenager will want complete autonomy when
Join Us St. Paddy’s Day for Irish Food and Drink Specials!
& ENTERTAINMENT
EXPERIENCE!
Scrapbooking can be a family affair. Even dad can start a themed based scrapbook of his own; fishing trips, hunting excursions, or sporting events are topics of interest that may give dad the scrapbooking “bug” too. Hey, you never know!
An original 1856 train station, a National Historic Landmark.
A UNIQUE STOP
FOR FOOD, FUN, DRINKS & TRAINS!
Lunch and Dinner Served All Day
High Energy Fun and Non-Stop Sports Action!
12 42" HD screens to watch all the games all the time. Open daily from 12 noon until the games are over.
Open 7 Days All Year!
Monday - Saturday: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Sunday: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Live Entertainment!
Friday & Saturday Nights - No Cover 50 Crystal Street • East Stroudsburg
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
THE ULTIMATE SPORTS
beginning their own scrapbook. If they ask for your input, give it. If not, simply provide them with all of the supplies that they need to begin a memory album, or scrapbook of their own. You may even want to lend them your camera, or buy them a disposable one to capture their own memories.
7
Does your child suffer from Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, Aspberger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, Autism? We treat the source. Parents report the following improvements: Concentration, Focus, Speech, Eye Contact, Decreased anxiety, Fine and Gross Motor Skills, School Work, Mood, and many more.
of America
TM
NeuroSensor y Center of Eastern Pennsylvania
570.763.0054
info@keystonensc.com
www.PoconoParent Magazine.com February/March 2009
Many Insurances Accepted.
8
“
Please Don ’ t Judge Me!
By Karin DePaul
W
hen I was pregnant, I walked around judging every mom I saw. I thought to myself, “I will certainly be better than all of them. How hard can it really be? I will exercise while the baby is sleeping, only play educational games, feed three, well-balanced meals a day, and never (gasp) use a pacifier! My baby will be potty trained before age three, and I will treat him like a small person. No “Goo-goo Ga-ga” baby talk for me. Then, eight months later, my bubble of disillusion broke almost as soon as my water did. I had my baby, and taking a shower beat out exercise every time he napped. I suddenly became the same, disheveled zombie holding a baby and pushing an empty stroller that I once snickered at. This wasn’t going to be the easy ride I had once thought it was. Somewhere at the end of that first, whirlwind year of my son’s life I realized something that all of those other moms I secretly judged, already knew. You need to pick your battles. I realized that the three year old with a pacifier in his mouth may have just become a big brother and actually needed that pacifier to get through his jealousy for the day. That mom bargaining in the cereal aisle, letting her child buy the sugary variety, knows what she is doing. I thought I was above all of these moms when, in actuality, I just wasn’t yet up to their level. My son Peyton was diagnosed at age two with Autism. From the start, Peyton always had very strong likes, and especially, dislikes of certain things. For months I thought he was just difficult. I thought, “Some kids are simply tougher than others”. Now, of course, I know that wasn’t the case. Once I was armed with a diagnosis, I knew he would not “outgrow” the things he hated. I’d have to work on getting him to tolerate them, or even like them. My former, snobby, pregnant self upon hearing that would
This wasn’t going to be the easy ride I had once thought it was
DIGIKIDS-ID.com • 1-888-DIGIKIDS • 570-504-3463
Portuguese and Spanish Cuisine
Neves
OWNERS
5237 Milford Road
(Rt. 209) NEXT TO CAESARS RESORT
East Stroudsburg, PA 18302
570.588.7711
probably have thought to herself, “Why would you ever want to make your child like something he hates?” Well, because sometimes those hated things are necessities. Getting Peyton’s hair cut still remains a huge challenge. Thank God we found Amy. She can handle my son’s outbursts. Not only does she do an amazing job, she does it with a smile and super fast hands. Not everyone is as accommodating as Amy. When the waiting room of the salon is full, I cringe. I know that all of these people are about to witness a super fit. When the kicking, screaming and crying begin, some of the people waiting give me a pity smile, while others stare or make remarks about my cruelty for holding him. I know they wonder why I make him do something he hates so much. I know because I used to be them. I used to judge. I want to say to them, “Yes, he does hate it. Believe me, I hate it too. What other option do I have? Should I grow his hair like Cousin It, simply because he doesn’t like it cut? If I did that, all of you would judge me for not grooming my child properly!” Of course I say nothing to them. I just hope that they will someday understand. Please learn from my mistake. I spent way too long judging others’ actions when I had no right to. Every family has their own set of circumstances, some more challenging than others. Instead of stares and judgmental comments, those frazzled moms could use some encouraging words. Sometimes a simple smile or a sympathetic, “Hang in there Mom, you’re doing great!” can go a long way.
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
As for us, I’m hoping that eventually a hair cut won’t be such an issue. We’ve overcome so many obstacles together already; this one can’t be too far off. It used to take two people to brush his teeth for over a month. Now, he loves to brush his teeth. I’m trying to work it out with the hair cut; it just takes longer because it doesn’t happen twice a day, more like once a month. Another thing I’ve learned is that all children have their own pace. You can try to push them to go faster, but they will get to the finish line when they are ready, not you. We’ll get there. In the meantime, however, the next time you see me carrying my five year old and not making him walk, remember that I’m saving my strength for some bigger battle!
9
Tax Time
By Erin Baehr, Financial Advisor
T
he holiday decorations are put away, things have been tidied up, and we’ve turned the page on another year. No need for postholiday blues, though— a new season is coming! This time instead of opening Christmas cards, we’ll be opening Important Tax Documents. I confess this is one of my favorite times of year… I look forward to the arrival of tax software and new office supplies. I do realize that not all of us are as excited as I am about the new tax season, so I thought I’d offer a few tips on filing for 2008.
www.PoconoParent Magazine.com February/March 2009
But first, some interesting tax facts from the IRS:
10
In the beginning, the federal government relied on voluntary compliance to collect taxes. To encourage people to learn about and pay their taxes, the government turned to popular culture and media. Cartoon character Donald Duck visited Washington, D.C. to learn about taxes in the short film “The New Spirit.” Popular composer Irving Berlin wrote the song “I Paid My Income Tax Today,” while popular singer Danny Kaye included songs about paying taxes in his club appearances. Maybe Hannah Montana should write a song? The most misused Social Security number of all time was 078-05-1120. In 1938, as part of a promotion to sell wallets through Woolworth and other department stores, wallet manufacturer E. H. Ferree Company wanted to demonstrate how a Social Security card would fit into its wallets. A sample card was placed inside each wallet and displayed the Social Security number of the
company’s secretary, Mrs. Hilda Schrader Whitcher. Even though the sample card was half of the size of an actual Social Security card, was written in red, and had Specimen written in bold, many people confusedly used this as their own Social Security number. In all, over 40,000 people used Hilda’s number. Please, leave your real Social Security card at home…. People in the United Kingdom pay a tax that is unheard of in the United States. They pay their government a single license fee that covers all TV sets used by one family or a household living communally at an address. All United Kingdom residents under the age of 75 must pay $282 for TV licenses, though citizens who are legally blind pay only 50 percent of the full fee. Hmmm. In 1913, Congress levied a one percent tax on net personal incomes above $3,000, with a 6% surtax on incomes above $500,000. As the nation sought greater revenue to finance the World War I effort, the top rate of the income tax rose considerably. In fact, the top income tax rate during World War I was a whopping 77%. World War I cost $642 billion in 2007 dollars. That TV tax doesn’t seem so bad now, does it? On January 24, 1986, the first electronic transmission of tax return data from a preparer to the IRS was completed. E-filing can dramatically reduce errors; the error rate for a paper return is 21%, compared with an e-file return error rate of only ½%. Less human handling means less chance of error.
Just because I like analyzing tax numbers doesn’t mean I like actually paying taxes. So here are some ideas to help you find new deductions:
First-Time Homebuyers Credit: The Housing and
Economic Recovery Act of 2008 gives “first-time homebuyers” (those who have not owned a principal residence within three years) a refundable tax “credit” equal to 10% of the home’s purchase price up to $7,500 ($3,750 for married individuals filing separately). The “credit” is available for purchases from April 9, 2008 through June 30, 2009. But - if you take the “credit,” you have to repay it, in equal installments, over the next 15 years. So it’s really just an interest-free loan, not a true tax credit. It phases out for single taxpayers with “modified adjusted gross incomes” between $75,000 and $95,000 ($150,000 to $170,000 for married couples filing jointly).
Property Taxes and NonItemizers: The law also creates a temporary
deduction, for 2008 only, for property taxes for nonitemizers. The deduction is limited to $500 ($1,000 for married couples filing jointly).
Vacation Home Rules: Finally, the law eliminates
tax breaks on the sale of your principal residence for periods you don’t use it as your principal residence. Under old law, you could take a rental property or vacation home, use it for at least two years as your primary residence, then sell it and exclude up to $250,000 of gain from your income ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly). This held true even if most of the gain occurred while you were renting the property or using it as a vacation home. The new law taxes you on any gain after 2008 attributable to periods you don’t use it as your primary residence.
Volunteer Expenses: You can’t deduct the value
of time you volunteer to charitable organizations. But you can deduct volunteer expenses as charitable gifts on Schedule A. Moms are perpetual volunteers, so be sure to track:
Monday Night
1. Travel, meals, and entertainment related to volunteer
all Siamsa Specialties $10
and charitable activities (actual expenses or 14 cents per mile, plus parking and tolls)
Tuesday Night
Pasta night $10 variety of dishes to choose from.
2. Telephone calls and office supplies 3. Convention expenses 4. Part of organizational dues (the organization can tell
Wednesday Night Prime Rib night $14.95.
you how much)
5. Uniforms and work clothes, including laundry and dry-cleaning expenses, for clothing not usable as ordinary street clothing (Girl Scout uniforms, etc.)
Finally, contrary to popular opinion, the value of time donated is NOT deductible. Ever. You certainly can bill the organization, recognize the income you receive, donate it back, and then take a deduction. But then you’re paying employment, state, and local tax as well, so that’s a losing game. Just enjoy the good feeling you’ll get instead. Have an untaxing season! Please be advised that, based on current IRS rules and standards, any advice contained herein is not intended to be used, nor can it be used, for the avoidance of any tax penalty that the IRS may assess related to this matter. Any information contained in this article cannot be relied upon as specific tax advice.
All Day Every Day
• Private Party Room Available Various Menus To Choose From
• Now Serving Sunday Brunch • Kitchen Now Open Till 1:00AM (Late Night Bar Menu Available)
Call to make reservations or for more information
570-421-8434
See Our Website for Events & Specials
www.siamsairishpub.com IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT Pronounce it - "sheem-sa" 636 Main Street • Rt 80 Exit 307 Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Open: Monday -Saturday 11-2 • Sunday 11-2 Happy Hour: 5-7 Monday - Friday
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
To deduct unreimbursed expenses of $250 or more you must get a written receipt from the organization before filing your tax return (or your return due date plus extensions if earlier). The rules can get tricky so check with your tax professional.
• Smoke Free Family Dining
11
In Town Guide
Looking for a certain business in your area? In Town Guide Online can help. From Day Care to Home Improvement, it’s all there.
View the Magazine Online
If you can’t wait to get PoconoParent Magazine, then take a look at it online, now easier then ever with page by page or search.
Events Calendar
You can view Monthly events in your area or even submit your own for display to our visitors. PoconoParent Magazine.com is all New with more Resources, New Features and a Brand New look. Check your Local Area Directory with the In Town Guide or See what Events are coming with the Events Calendar. So Check out the New and Improved PoconoParent Magazine.com
www.poconoparentmagazine.com
By Teri O’Brien When selecting a summer camp for your child or children, you must do your research. Some of the first questions to ask are:
Am I looking for day camp or sleepover camp? Depending on whether
you work full time and need the childcare, or just want your child to have a camp experience, you might have different criteria for selecting a particular camp. If you want your child to go to sleepover camp, you must be sure that he or she is ready to go away for the summer. Your child’s age, level of maturity, and ability to spend long periods of time without you should be determining factors. The reputability of the camp should be paramount!
www.PoconoParent Magazine.com February/March 2009
Do I want my child to go to day camp for a full day or half a day? If
12
you work full time, you will probably need a full time day camp. Most camps run from 9am to3or 4 pm, but may offer before and after camp care at an additional cost. If you are a “stay at home” parent, you may have the option of choosing a half day camp for your child.
What is the camp’s reputation? How
570-992-1888 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK RT 209S & Beaver Valley Road • Snydersville, PA
Click our Web Ad for coupons at www.poconoparentmagazine.com
long has the camp been in business? Have there been any complaints filed? (Check the Better Business Bureau, or online for reviews or blogs about the camp) Ask your friends, family, and peers if they have any information on this particular camp. Do your homework! This is the most important question to ask!
What is the counselor/camper ratio? For campers ages 4-6, the ratio should be approximately 1:8. For children ages 7-10, the ratio should be about 1:10 and older children could be in groups with the number of children as high as 12 to 15 with only one counselor. When inquiring about counselor/
camper ratios, be sure to ask what happens in the event of a counselor’s absence. Do they have substitute counselors, or is your child’s group placed with another group that will affect the counselor/camper ratio negatively?
What is the cost of the camp? Traditionally,
sleepover camp is much more expensive than day camp because you are paying for room and board as well as the camp activities. Day camps may vary in price depending on full day, half day, how many weeks the camp offers, etc. County or township run camps tend to be more affordable than private camps.
Do I want my child to experience a variety of different camps over the course of the summer? Many camps offer 1 week, 2 week, or 4
week sessions. Typically these camps offer a structured curriculum of interest to your child. For example, Dance camp, Performing Arts camp, Soccer camp, etc. (you get the idea). Children who have a lot of different interests may benefit from these types of experiences. However, it can be more costly to send them to four different summer camps, then to keep them in one place.
Do I want all of my children at the same camp location? If you have more than one child, you know how frustrating it can be to have to be in two, three or sometimes even four places at one time. That being said, it may be easier to have them all at the same camp for your convenience. On the other hand, if you have flexibility in your schedule it may make for a happier camper to let them choose a camp that they are interested in. Be careful though and only allow them to choose from camps that are within your budget. Otherwise you may receive a request like a week at “The David Beckham Academy” in London, England!
What are the camps emergency and first aid procedures? You should be sure that the camp is
As a parent, it is our duty and obligation to be sure that our children are in a fun, safe, nurturing environment for the summer. The only way that we can be sure of this, is to do our homework BEFORE we register our children in any summer program. Good luck in your search for the best summer camp for your child!
4-6 years
The children will learn lyrics and movement to Broadway tunes from musicals such as Annie, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King and more. The campers will perform a mini Cabaret for parents at the end of the two week session. Camp will be held Monday through Friday 10 AM- 12 PM. July and August sessions available!
Broadway Big Kids
7-11 years
The children will learn lyrics and movement to more mature Broadway Shows such as Chorus Line, Cabaret, Rent, Phantom of the Opera, and more. All musical selections will be screened for age appropriate lyrics. The campers will perform a mini Cabaret for parents at the end of the two week session. Camp will be held Monday through Friday 10 AM- 12 PM. July and August sessions available!
Broadway’s Best
12-14 years
The older children will learn lyrics and movement to the most popular recent Broadway shows including Spring Awakening, Avenue Q, Title of Show, Thirteen, and more. All musical selections will be screened for appropriate lyrics. The campers will perform a mini Cabaret for parents at the end of the two week session. Camp will be held Monday through Friday 1PM- 3PM. July and August sessions available!
Kids Collaboration Camp
4-6 years
The children will explore movement, music, art, puppetry, and more. All campers will bring home daily arts & craft projects. One or two week sessions available! Camp will be held Monday through Friday 1PM-3PM. July and August sessions available!
To find out more information, call As a parent, it is our duty and obligation to be sure that our children are in a fun, safe, nurturing environment for the summer
All Camps held at the Day Street Community Center, East Stroudsburg
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
prepared for emergencies in the event that one should occur. Is their entire staff trained in First Aid and CPR, or just some employees and where are they located? Does each counselor carry a First Aid kit for their group? Do they automatically call a parent when a child gets sick or is injured, or do they wait until the child is picked up to inform you?( Major pet peeve of mine!) Also, if a child is upset and wants to telephone a parent, are they allowed? (This is another pet peeve of mine!)
Broadway Beginners
13
Head west; take the family to Montana, specifically to the “Paws Up Ranch”. The Resort at Paws Up sits smack in the heart of Blackfoot Valley, about 30 miles northeast of Missoula in Greenough, Montana.
By Susan Mehler-Bostick, Travel Consultant
I
www.PoconoParent Magazine.com February/March 2009
magine leaving the hustle and bustle of everyday life for some family re-connect time. Well forget the idea of crowded beaches, noisy cities and other tourist trap vacations.
14
The Ranch itself is teemed with history and local lore. The Flathead and Blackfeet Indians first used it when they used the Blackfoot River as a main source of transportation. The Indians called the river “Cokalahishkit” which means “the river of the road to the buffalo”. One of the first to follow the well-worn Indian trail along the Big Blackfoot was Captain Meriwether Lewis who arrived in 1806; he traveled through land that would eventually become the future Paws Up Ranch. It is believed that he climbed a tall craggy rock formation between the Blackfoot and Clearwater Rivers and from that vantage point he looked up the trail that took him onward to the next leg of the famed Lewis & Clark Expedition.
Miner’s and loggers became prevalent in the area about 75 years following Lewis’s historic journey. During this time the town of Sunset came to be as the area was producing an abundance of gold, silver and copper. Another town in the area, Garnet had a huge gold strike and became the boomtown of the area. Garnet is just down the road from Paws Up and is now one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Montana. The Milling Companies came next; they made fortunes in the Timber Industry. In 1915 a young man named Paul Greenough purchased four homesteads on the land and formed the first 3,800-acre ranch then called Sunset Valley Ranch. Sunset Valley Ranch continued to expand and grow acquiring additional land, building a school, a General Store and Post Office. The Ranch itself and surrounding area became known as Greenough in honor of its founding owner; the
(570) 992-1614
(610)599-0117 Route 115 • Brodheadsville
name and history lives on. Over the following decades the ranch would have diverse and fascinating owners. The Lindbergh Cattle Company took over the ranch in 1965, and for the next 21 years they would establish the current boundaries of Paws Up. Purchasing additional parcels they brought the deeded property to just over 10,000 acres. In 1991 the Greenough Cattle Company was formed and the first registered herds began grazing at Greenough. In 1997 Dave and Nadine Lipson purchased the ranch. Arriving from Colorado they brought a superior herd of horses and a strong desire to build a first class Black Angus seed stock operation. The Lipson’s made major improvements to the land and structures. Finally, in 2003, just after five short years in the cattle business, Paws Up was rated as one of the top 10 Black Angus operations in Montana. Another addition the Lipson’s included is the world class Saddle Club that was built with all the
necessary facilities to train breed and care for horses. The Club houses 56 stalls and an indoor area that is described as on of the best in the entire state.
5-12. The well-organized activities include themed excursions such as: Lewis and Clark Discovery, Fun at Steely Lake, Prospectors Mining and Montana Marksmen.
The seven scenic miles of the Big Blackfoot River that winds through Paws Up, not only provides water for the ranch but also offers some of the best fly-fishing in the west. The Blackfoot claimed worldwide recognition due to its prominence in the best selling novel, “A River Runs Through It” and the movie directed by Robert Redford.
Summer days in Montana never seem to get dark and there is plenty of vacation adventure to fill your days with memories you’ll never forget.
The Ranch is set amid a vast expanse of natural beauty, majestic mountains, scenic forests and abundant wildlife. No matter what time of year, there are adventures waiting at Paws Up. Some of the Spring and Summer Adventures include: Equestrian Excursions, River Adventures, ATV Tours, Mountain Biking, Guided Wilderness Adventures and Kids Corps of Discovery. The Paws Up “Kids Corps of Discovery” features full and half day programs for children ages
Paws Up Ranch offers an unbelievable array of accommodations to keep you and your family comfy and cozy during your Western Holiday. Four bedroom lodges, Big Timber Homes, Bunkhouses, River Camp and Tent City (a tent I would stay in!) Most packages and adventure stays include your selected accommodations, meal plan and activities. Paws Up is truly a one of a kind luxury resort set amid the ultimate outdoor playground. The incomparable scenery and Montana “ Big Sky Hospitality” ensures that Paws Up is ~ “The Last Best Place”.
• Residential Floors Hand Washed • Yes! We Move Furniture • Yes! We Use Step Ladders • Yes! We’re Fully Insured
(570) 236 1766 Lori Gocek, Owner
Quality Homecare Cleaning Residential • New Construction • Offices
ficates i t r e C t f i G Available
's Day, Valentine ries, a Annivers s, a d Birth y howers d Baby S Bridal an
“Yes, We Do Windows”
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
We Love Our Customers Quality Homecare Cleaning
15
Brainerd Presbyterian Center 570-992-4127 Snydersville , PA http://www.lehighpresbytery.org/ Summer Camp Camp Big Wheel 570-424-5499 East Stroudsburg, PA http://www.bigwheelskating.com/camp.html Summer Camp Program; Who: Boys & Girls ages 2-12, When: 6:30 A.M till 6:30 P.M.,Where: Big Wheel’s Awesome 30,000 sq. ft. facility, Why: Because it’s fun Camp Canadensis 570-595-7461 Canadensis, PA www.canadensis.com A 7-week, coeducational residential camp for children between the ages of 7 and 16 CAMP CAYUGA 570-253-3133 Honesdale, NJ www.campcayuga.com/Index.htm A Coed Residential Summer Camp with an ACTION-PACKED program for ages 5 to 15 (entering 10th grade). Camp Hope 908-459-4435 Hope, NJ http://camphope.org/ A year-round camp, conference and retreat center offering summer camp for Performing Arts, Swimming and Fishing grades 3-12 Camp Impact in Tobyhanna 570-894-9652 Tobyhanna Impact Athletic Center Where your child will exercise their MIND, BODY & SPIRIT Camp Invention 800-968-4332 40+ sites in local PA schools, NJ www.campmason.org A hands-on science and creativity camp that makes learning fun! Take apart old appliances, build new inventions, escape from an alien planet, crash test cars and skateboards, design unique vehicles, solve a crime. A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame® Foundation, for children entering grades 1-6. M-F, 9:00-3:30. Camp JCC Allentown 610-435-3571 Center Valley, PA www.allentownjcc.org Our main focus is to build a camp community through activities that encourage healthy play, teamwork, and respect for self and others.
Camp Ladore 570-488-6129 Waymart, PA http://www.ladore.org/Weeklong camp experiences are offered for children between the ages of 7 – 12, with specialized wilderness programs for 13 – 17 year olds. Camp Lindenmere 888-220-4773 Henryville, PA www.camplindenmere.com/ Located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, Lindenmere’s individualized programming provides every camper with their own unique summer experience. Our activities which include Horseback Riding, Ropes Course, Circus, Ice Hockey, Figure Skating, Fine Arts and an array of Team and Individual Sports. Camp Nejeda Foundation- for children with diabetes 973-383-2611 Stillwater, NJ www.campnejeda.org Multiple options are offered for campers, including a one-week session for younger campers, three twoweek sessions for older campers, and two family camps each season. Camp Pocono Ridge (732)521-4796 http://www.poconoridge.com/index.php Have you ever experienced a place where life’s’ lessons are achieved in the simplest of activities? Camp should not be seen as simply sending your child on a vacation. Camp, when done correctly, is truly an educational experience and one that helps mold your child’s future; it’s just disguised as fun! Camp Speers Eljabar YMCA 570-828-2329 Dingmans Ferry, PA www.campspeersymca.org Traditional camp programs for campers ages 12 - 16 as well as our Specialty Camp, Camp William Penn 215-683-3605 Marshalls Creek , PA www.phila.gov/recreation In operation for over 50 years, and recognized as one of camps most successfully working with diverse populations in the state
Delaware Aerospace Academy 302-738-7749 Delaware, PA www.dasef.org Throughout the week, girls and boys in grades 2 - 10 are continually challenged to think, create, solve, build, and work cooperatively. All academies are designed to integrate the study of science, technol– ogy, engineering, and mathematics using Earth and Space Education as the uni–fying framework. Discovery Science Camps at Da Vinci Science Center 484-664-1002 Allentown , PA www.davinci-center.org The series of week-long day camps provide youngsters with fun, interactive experiences during which they become scientists, conduct experiments, solve mysteries, and discover the fascinating world around them. Some activities will include insect investigations, outdoor scavenger hunts, weather experiments, and exploring outer space. ESNJ Camp Merry Heart 908-852-3896 Hackettstown, NJ www.eastersealsnj.org Our dedicated staff provides campers with wonderful experiences, allows parents, guardians and others a well-deserved respite, and helps to promote campers’ independence. Golden Slipper Camp 610-660-0520 http://www.goldenslippercamp.org/ Bala Cynwyd, PA For a countless number of kids who’ve spent their summers with us, Golden Slipper Camp evokes happy memories. For nearly 60 years, thousands of children and teenagers have experienced firsthand the warmth, traditions, spirit, and fun that make Golden Slipper Camp...well, Golden Slipper Camp. And no wonder. Golden Slipper is a safe, nurturing environment where the milestones called “growing up” take place. Happiness Is Camping 908-362-6733 Blairstown, NJ www.happinessiscamping.org We’re a regular sleepaway camp for normal kids; girls and boys who just happen to have cancer. The camp is free to all, supported by donations and volunteer staff members. International Gymnastics Camp 570-629-0244 Stroudsburg, PA www.international-gym-camp.com At International, we combine a great camping experience with the best gymnastics training anywhere.
To be Listed in next year’s Camp Directory please email the editor at editor@poconoparent.com
International Sports Training 570-620-2267 Stroudsburg, PA www.international-sports.com Our All Sports Program is for the adventuresome athlete who wants an overall sports camp experience! Johnsonburg Presbyterian Ctr 908-852-2349 Johnsonburg, NJ http://www.campjburg.org/ We have lots of new options this summer, including day camp, overnighters (a one night introduction to camp), and some 10 day units. Register soon to make sure you get your first option! Kirkwood Camp and Conference Center 570.421.8625 Stroudsburg, PA www.kirkwoodCamp.org Are your kids searching for something new and exciting for the summer? A variety of camping experiences for a variety of ages - from 2nd grade through senior high. Interested in music, art or drama? Try “Joy of Creation” camp!
PEEC Summer Nature Study Day (570) 828-2319 Dingmans Ferry, PA peec@ptd.net Throughout the week, girls and boys in grades 2 - 10 are continually challenged to think, create, solve, build, and work cooperatively. All academies are designed to integrate the study of science, technol– ogy, engineering, and mathematics using Earth and Space Education as the uni–fying framework. Pinemere Camp 215-925-8000 Philadelphia, PA www.pinemere.com Pinemere is dedicated to offering children a chance to enjoy a summer camp experience in a majority Jewish setting where they can grow socially, emotionally and spiritually. Pinemere offers boys and girls, ages 6 to 14, a choice of 7, 4 and 3-week camp sessions. Pocono Plateau Camp & Retreat 570-676-3665 Cresco, PA www.poconoplateau.org Pocono Plateau has 1-week camping opportunities for children and youth throughout the summer. Each camp is for a specific age group with different themes and activities every week. Activities include: swimming, hiking, ballfield games, Bible studies, singing, campfires, 4-square, basketball, volleyball, group building games, crafts, and archery
Lake Greeley Camp 570-685-7196 Greeley, PA www.lakegreeley.com/index.htm Whether your child is a First Time Camper or an Experienced Camper, with our mature, caring staff, exciting trips, special events, great evening activities and daily program, your child is guaranteed a Pocono Family YMCA summer to remember. Camp Village People (VP) for kids Post K-3rd grade, Summer Fun Camp (SF) for kids Post K-3rd grade Miss Margaret’s Summer Camp and Camp Hidden Lake (HL) for kids Post 4th grade 570-629-0808 - 6th grade. Stroudsburg, PA 570-421-2525 Children’s Dance CampBoys and Girls ages 3-11, Multiple Locations, PA Beginner to Advanced and Children’s Musical www.poconoymca.org Theater Camp Boys and Girls ages 5-14, Beginner to Advanced. Pocono Kids’ Cultural Connection SUMMER CAMP! Mont Lawn Camp 800-417-1623 570-588-6618 East Stroudsburg, PA Bushkill, PA www.poconolikdsculturalconnection.com www.kidswithapromise.org Children’s Music, Singing, Dance & Art Campers splash in a crystal-clear pool, row across a Broadway Beginners 4-6 years lake, hike through the woods and unwind from the Broadway Big Kids 7-11 years stress of city life. They sing, perform drama, try their Broadway’s Best 12-14 years hand at crafts and develop healthy friendships with Kids Collaboration Camp 4-6 years peers and adults they can trust. Princeton Blairstown Center New Image Camp at Pocono Trail 908-362-6765 800-365-0556 Princeton, NJ Reeders, PA http://web.princeton.edu/sites/pbcenter/About/ www.newimagecamp.com/10camps_1.html Location.shtml Camp Pocono Trails is the finest weight loss camp Many of our programs take place on-site at the in the country. 350 private acres is the setting where Princeton-Blairstown Center, still known to many of children can realize their goals, while enjoying the the locals as the “Princeton Summer Camp” from its best activities program... bar none. first usage in the 1930s. New Jersey Camp Jaycee 732-246-2525 Effort, PA www.campjaycee.org The camp is a traditional camp program serving campers with special needs. Activities include arts & crafts, dance & movement, boating, swimming, nature, sports & games, evening activities & more. Ages 7- adult+. Residential Sessions beginning June 24 and ending August 18. $1,250/two wk session (residential); Day Camp Weeks beginning July 23 and ending August 17. $350/wk (day camp)
Sixers Camps 610-668-7676 Stroudsburg, PA director@sixerscamps.com www.sixerscamps.com Day and overnight basketball and dance camps for boys and girls 9-17 years old. Basketball-July 1-Aug. 10, 2007. Dance-Aug. 11-17, 2007. Activities include boating, swimming, mini golf, batting cages and beach volleyball.
View the Camp Directory Anytime online at www.poconoparentmagazine.com
Spruce Lake Wilderness Camp 800-882-7505 Canadensis, PA slwildernesscamp.org Christian camp and expeditions program for ages 7-18 … “Using Wilderness Adventures to Point Young People Toward Christ” SUSC/AC PERUGIA USA PA Northeastern Premier Soccer 1888-28GALEX Entire North East , PA www.acperugiausa.com Why do we stand out from other camps? Now is your chance to train like a pro and have a blast doing it! The Pennsylvania United Youth Soccer Camp 2008 has done it right. Our training consists of developing the player’s fundamental understanding of the technical aspects of the game through enjoyable and active sessions. Our player to trainer ratio is typically 10 to 1 The Summer Enrichment Program at The Quaker School at Horsham 215-674-2875 Horsham, PA www.quakerschool.org The Summer Enrichment Program is a 5 week program with academics in the morning and recreation in the afternoon. Our program allows children to retain skills taught throughout the school over the summer. Tillinghast Golf Academy Jr. Camps 570-424-4000 x1408 Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania www.shawneeinn.com/juniorgolfcamps.aspx An overnight golf instruction camp for boys and girls ages 10 to 18. Introduce your children to the legendary game of golf at the historic Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort. Twin Pines Camp - Conference - Retreat Center 570-629-2411 Stroudsburg , PA http://twinpines.gospelcom.net/ Twin Pines is committed to providing quality, Christ-centered, creative educational experiences in a natural environment significantly contributing to the mental, physical, social and spiritual growth of our campers. URJ Camp Harlam 570-629-1390 Kunkletown, PA www.campharlam.org Camp Harlam provides the finest in recreational and educational activities for Reform Jewish youth 3rd - 12th grades YMCA Camp Ken-Etiwa-Pec 908-362-8217 Hardwick, NJ www.campmason.org Our modern facilities are spread over 650 acres of scenic mountain woodlands which guarantees fun in a safe welcoming place. Ages 5-16. YMCA Camp Mason Camp Director: Wes Supper (908) 362-8217 Hardwick, NJ 07825 www.campMason.org information@campmason.org ACA Accredited YMCA Camp Mason features modernized facilities, and a huge variety of activities! Activities include: Basketball, archery, swimming, skate boarding, soccer, pottery, drama production, jewelry making, tipi overnights, horseback riding, mountain biking, river canoeing, rock climbing, volleyball, boating, fishing, and so much more!
Review
By David T. O’Brien As busy entrepreneurs, my wife and I try to set aside a dinner alone at least once a month without the barrage of questions that fill our busy family dinner table nightly. With four boys, several business ventures, and extra curricular activities for all boys, there is seldom a free moment for us. Not that we complain, but it seems that our “date” nights have a lot of “month” in between them. So, we escaped for a quiet dinner in the country at an old time favorite restaurant that we should frequent more often. We had a glass of wine at the bar
while waiting for our table by a window close to the piano player. The inn makes the food to order, and we had a leisurely dinner. We ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and noted that the wines were still priced very competitively. For an appetizer, I ordered a bacon wrapped BBQ duck breast served over a bed of sautéed mustard cabbage. My wife ordered Beefsteak tomatoes layered between slices of fresh mozzarella, topped with Pesto sauce and fire roasted red bell peppers which you can find listed as Tomato & Mozzarella Napoleon. The appetizers are reasonably priced from $5.00 t0 $12.00. For our Entrée my wife had Veal Piccata; medallions of veal sautéed in a white wine, lemon-butter and caper sauce. I decided to be adventurous and have the “Jail
Island Salmon”; a broiled filet of salmon Florentine, served over a bed of sautéed baby spinach, tomatoes and garlic finished with a roasted garlic parmesan cream sauce. The Entrees range in price from $16.00 to $32.00; and the portions are hearty. All told, we spent almost two hours at dinner and as always, it was very enjoyable and relaxing. It was just what we needed to escape everyday life.
For more information or to reserve your ”date” night dinner call Crescent Lodge & Country Inn located in Paradise Valley, Cresco, Pennsylvania 18326, 570 595-7486 or 800 392-9400 www.crescentlodge.com/ and don’t forget to mention that you read about them in PoconoParent Magazine.
www.PoconoParent Magazine.com February/March 2009
Quality is not an option...
18
It is included!
• kitchens • decks • additions
• finished basements • garages • bathrooms
Serving the entire Pocono Region since 1993
570-595-0456 • 570-242-9750 fully insured • references available
TM
We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.
Dr. ANTHONY S. DIECIDUE
Dr. JOHN J. GLASNER
DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY
DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY
• InfantSee™ • Kids Welcome Here™ • Glaucoma Management Center • Eye examinations
• Glasses, Contact lenses • OptoMap* retinal exam • Treatment of eye disease • Emergency services
Pocono Family YMCA Summer Camps Miss Ruth’s Pre-School Theme Camp (Ages 3-5)
Activities include: swimming, indoor gym,outdoor play, hands-on experience fun!
Summer Fun Camp (Post K-3rd Grade)
1 in 5 children has one form of vision disorder like blurry or double vision which can cause problems for your child in school. Eye Associates of Monroe County can help, finding a vision problem in your child can help them concentrate and focus better making it easier to stay on task in school.
Activities include: swimming, indoor & outdoor activities, weekly trips!
Camp Hidden Lake (Post 4th-6th Grade)
Activities include: swimming, canoeing,mountain biking, archery, outdoor fun!
School-Age Camp Hours: 8:00am-4:00pm Flexible Schedules for working parents! Providing additional care from 6:30am to 8:00am & 4:00pm to 6:30pm
*Up to 12 hours a day with 12 weeks of fun! *Trained, Certified, & Experienced Staff! *Financial Assistance Available!
Give Your Child the
Experience!
570-421-2525 www.poconoymca.org We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities!
809 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
EYE ASSOCIATES OF MONROE COUNTY
www.eyeassociatesonline.net
By Anthony S. Diecidue, O.D., M.S. hildren who are labeled ADD, learning disabled, dyslexic, unmotivated or even “lazy”, may have an undiagnosed vision problem. One in 5 children has one form of vision disorder like blurry or double vision. These disorders can cause any number of problems such as words that are not only blurry, but move, jump or duplicate. When a child can’t see properly or seeing clearly requires a great effort from the vision system, that child may have difficulty concentrating or staying on task. Because they can’t read clearly or control their eye movements, paying attention may be impossible and they begin to drift. These children tend to stumble over words, lose their place and have difficulty comprehending the
meaning of the words. Eventually, it is just easier for them to give up and quit. Many times it is not obvious to the child or the parent that there is a problem with the vision system. Micro-tropia is one example of an eye that is slightly misaligned and not noticeable. This can cause double-vision or development of a lazy eye (eye that doesn’t see well). Trying to keep the eyes from seeing double can impose a great deal of stress upon the visual system causing headaches and eye pain. In some cases, however, there are no symptoms besides the child’s inability to concentrate or read. Convergence Insufficiency or CI is a common problem where the eyes
don’t like to turn in to read. Vision in these children may be fine, but they have an aversion to close work and don’t like to read or look at close objects for any length of time. Many, if not all of these vision problems can be addressed by your eye care provider. While a very small number may require surgery, the majority only require a proper eye examination from a qualified eye doctor and glasses. In some cases, vision therapy over a period of time may be necessary to remedy the problem. If you have concerns that your child may be suffering from an undiagnosed vision problem, bring them to your eye doctor as soon as you can.
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
C
19
I
nternational Day Camp provides a summer packed with fun and friendship for children ages 3 to 11. For 18 years International Day Camp has been providing quality day camp experiences to kids in the Poconos. We offer a high counselor to camper ratio. Campers between 3-5 years of age will have 1 counselor for every 5 campers and campers ages 6-11 will have 1 counselor for every 10 campers. All counselors are CPR certified. A registered nurse and certified athletic trainers are on the premises at all times. We offer three different programs that will target the specific developmental needs and abilities based on the ages of our campers. Kinder camp is designed for campers ages 3-5. They will develop listening skills, increase their attention span and gain coordination and strength. The Kinder campers will have a week filled with activities that are new and exciting. These activities are developed to build confidence, teamwork skills and learn independence. Kinder campers will enjoy gymnastics, swimming, arts & crafts, nature education, field games, story time, miniature golf, and paddle boating with a counselor. Campers that are between 6 and 8 will be a part of our Junior camp program. Junior campers have many opportunities for success in our safe and exciting approach to learning. They will be able to try new activities such as spaceball or challenge themselves on our climbing wall. Some
For 18 years International Day Camp has been providing quality day camp experiences to kids in the Poconos activities that the Junior campers participate in are gymnastics, soccer, swimming, basketball, field sports, volleyball, kayaking, paddle boating and nature walks. These activities will help to further develop their selfconfidence, independence and motor skills.
This year we have expanded our program in order to give children ages 9-11 the same wonderful experience that our younger campers have been enjoying for the past 18 years. In addition to the activities that our Junior campers partake in, Senior campers will be able to go down our zip line and participate in more advanced team building and sport activities. New this year, is our early drop off and/or late pick up program. At a minimal additional charge, campers can be dropped off at 7:15am and have breakfast provided and/or be picked up between 5:30pm and 6:00pm after eating dinner in our International Cafe.
As always, lunch and snacks are provided to the campers at no additional charge in our full service cafeteria. At breakfast there are hot foods; such as pancakes, eggs and bacon as well as a variety of cereals, granola, fruit and yogurt. Lunch and dinner always have a hot meal of the day in addition to a pasta option, a wonderful salad bar and a wraps bar. The cafeteria is completely peanut free.
Registrations are completed online at www.internationaldaycamp.com. At this time we are offering an early registration discount. The cost of day camp is $245.00 per week. If we receive your deposit before March 31st you will receive a discount of $45.00 off each week you register for. If your deposit is received by April 30th your discount will be $20.00 off each week. If you have any questions about International Day Camp, please feel free to contact us via email at office@ internationalgymnastics.com or by phone, (570) 629-0244.
• Ages 6 months and up • Weekdays and Saturdays
Get Fit and Have Fun at
Every Friday night, January through March (Elevations members and their families only)
Scotrun
Route 611 North
570-620-1990
www.elevationshealthclub.com Pool Located at Scotrun Location
Dear Editor,
I have wanted to let you know for some time how much I really love your magazine. I have a 3 year old and a new baby, and I look forward to every issue. I used to pick it up at my local library, but now it comes in the mail. I enjoy every article, and like looking at the advertisements too. Thank you for such a valuable magazine for Pocono parents.
Dear Editor,
I am a big fan of your magazine. It is so colorful and upbeat. I have shared it with my family and friends, and now they get their own copies too. I have 2 year old twin boys and a 4 year old daughter that keep me very busy. Your magazine gives me lots of ideas for things to do, and places to go with them. Keep up the good work!
Joanne, Bushkill
Beth, Mt. Pocono
Dear Editor,
Dear PoconoParent Magazine.
Pocono Parent Magazine has such great information for new parents. My husband and I both read it from cover to cover. It is so great not to have to pay for a parenting magazine. With this economy, we have had to drop all of our other subscriptions. We are so grateful that yours is free. Thank you so very much for your beautiful magazine.
I have been reading your magazine and consider it a great resource for parents in our community.
Thank you for your contributing letters
At PoconoParent Magazine we enjoy hearing from you If you would like to send your feedback on the magazine please send us an email at editor@poconoparent.com or submit it directly at www.poconoparentmagazine.com
Kelista
Katherine, Stroudsburg
For the Best TV Experience, Upgrade from Cable to DIRECTV!
Act now and take advantage of these other great offers!
PACKAGES START AT
mo.
Everyday Low Price
FREE PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION IN UP TO 4 ROOMS
Lease fee $4.99/mo. for second and each additional receiver. Complex/Custom installation extra. Handling and delivery fee $19.95.
FREE DIRECTV
®
• Local channels included in every package† Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG) Available 10/28 on DIRECTV® Pay Per View
• 100% digital picture and sound on every channel • #1 in Customer Satisfaction Among the largest national cable and satellite providers. 2008 American Customer Satisfaction Index, University of Michigan Business School.
HD DVR
RECEIVER UPGRADE
With activation of CHOICE XTRA™ package or above.* Programming, DVR service and/or HD Access fee commitments required.
FREE FOR 3 MONTHS
^
28 PREMIUM MOVIE CHANNELS!
7 Channels
12 Channels
9 Channels
With activation of CHOICE XTRA™ package or above. Offers end 3/3/09 and are based on approved credit; credit card required. New customers only (lease required).
No Equipment to Buy! No Start-up Costs!
Call 1-888-704-0573 today! Credit card not required in MA and PA. †Eligibility for local channels based on service address. °Only available for recorded programs. ^PROGRAMMING OFFERS: IF, AFTER 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS (3 MONTHS FOR HBO/STARZ/SHOWTIME), CUSTOMER DOES NOT CONTACT DIRECTV TO CHANGE SERVICE, THEN ALL SERVICES TO WHICH CUSTOMER IS SUBSCRIBING WILL AUTOMATICALLY CONTINUE ON THE 13TH MONTH (4TH MONTH FOR HBO/STARZ/SHOWTIME) AT THE THEN-PREVAILING RATES, INCLUDING THE $4.99/MO. LEASE FEE FOR THE 2ND AND EACH ADDITIONAL RECEIVER. In certain markets, programming/pricing may vary. Package pricing at directv.com/ packages. DIRECTV System has a feature that restricts access to channels. LIMIT ONE BILL CREDIT PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT. *INSTANT REBATE: Advanced equipment instant rebate requires activation of CHOICE XTRA ($57.99/mo.) package or above, FAMILIAR ULTRA or above, Jadeworld or any qualifying international service bundle, which shall include PREFERRED CHOICE programming package. DVR service commitment ($5.99/mo.) required for DVR and HD DVR lease; HD Access fee ($9.99/mo.) required for HD and HD DVR lease. LIMIT ONE ADVANCED EQUIPMENT REBATE PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT. INSTALLATION: Standard professional installation only. Custom installation extra. SYSTEM LEASE: Purchase of 18 consecutive months (24 consecutive months for advanced receivers) of any DIRECTV base programming package ($29.99/mo. or above) or qualifying international services bundle required. FAILURE TO ACTIVATE ALL OF THE DIRECTV SYSTEM EQUIPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EQUIPMENT LEASE ADDENDUM MAY RESULT IN A CHARGE OF $150 PER RECEIVER NOT ACTIVATED. IF YOU FAIL TO MAINTAIN YOUR PROGRAMMING COMMITMENT, DIRECTV MAY CHARGE A PRORATED FEE OF UP TO $480. RECEIVERS ARE AT ALL TIMES PROPERTY OF DIRECTV AND MUST BE RETURNED UPON CANCELLATION OF SERVICE, OR ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY. VISIT directv.com OR CALL 1-800-DIRECTV FOR DETAILS. Programming, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change at any time. Pricing residential. Taxes not included. Receipt of DIRECTV programming is subject to the DIRECTV Customer Agreement; copy provided at directv.com/legal and in your first bill. HBO and Cinemax are registered service marks of Home Box Office, Inc. Starz and related channels and service marks are the property of Starz Entertainment Group LLC. Showtime and related marks are trademarks of Showtime Networks Inc., a CBS Company. PHOTO CREDITS: Journey to the Center of the Earth. ©MMVII Newline Productions, Inc. And Walden Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ©2008 DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV, the Cyclone Design logo, CHOICE XTRA, FAMILY and PREMIER are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
29
$
99
23
By Donna L. Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP
F
or many people the New Year brings plans for a happier, healthier life. Some even make resolutions for self‐improvement. Unfortunately, few of these promises result in permanent change. By this time of year, many people have already abandoned their goals and now feel frustrated and undisciplined.
rejuvenating. It alleviates stress by creating a sense of joy and satisfaction. It also revitalizes enthusiasm, creating energy that can assist you in successfully addressing goals which previously defied you.
Right now, stress, worry, and frustration abound. Focusing on personal shortcomings simply adds more distress. An infusion of encouragement is more welcome by most people than a discussion about improving their diet and exercise habits. Fortunately, it is possible to feel encouraged while also working to enhance your life. Now is a great time to try a new strategy for self‐improvement: stop focusing on the challenges in your life and start concentrating on what works.
Everyone has something they do well and enjoy
Instead of focusing on the areas you think need improvement, concentrate on the things you do well and enjoy. Making a conscious effort to develop your strengths can be
Everyone has something they do
well and enjoy. For adults it might be maintaining an organized home, cooking a delicious meal, or making your co‐workers laugh. Children might be athletically inclined, creative storytellers, or gifted artists. Regardless of the skill, building upon your family members’ strengths benefits the entire household. For parents, choosing to focus on your strengths will help your life feel more gratifying. Doing what you enjoy, even for a few minutes, is pleasing. It could also open your eyes to new opportunities for using your skills. Perhaps you can use them to generate extra income.
Developing your strengths will also benefit your children. Children are happiest when their parents are happy and relaxed. They will also learn to identify and appreciate their unique talents and abilities by watching you. Children benefit greatly when they learn to develop their strengths. They gain resilience when their parents help them identify and enhance their talents. They also learn self‐appreciation, which decreases their need for external validation. This is an important trait that will help them stand up against negative peer pressure. They also develop a positive self‐image by seeing themselves as competent people. Furthermore, it fosters self‐esteem by helping them gain confidence in themselves and their abilities. Parents can also use this approach to foster a healthy balance between self‐confidence and humility in their children. You can teach your children how to feel good about their abilities without criticizing or making fun of other people who might not be as talented in that particular area. Focusing on your strengths does not mean ignoring your family’s challenges. It simply means periodically taking a break from concentrating on the things that need to be “fixed”, and allowing
yourself to acknowledge the positive things that exist. During this time when most people have more than enough stress and frustration, focusing on your strengths will bring some needed happiness and peace of mind. There will be greater joy and contentment in your home if all members periodically focus on something that helps them feel good. Take time to determine your strengths. Help your family members do the same. Then, spend a little time each week developing them. The added peace, joy, and satisfaction will help improve your health by decreasing stress and tension. Be well.
Sylvan Sees...a child
who can make all his goals with the right learning plan. At Sylvan, our highly personalized approach builds the skills, habits and attitudes your child needs to succeed in school and in life. • Develops independent work habits • Improves attitudes • Motivates learning • Provides feedback for parents and teachers
Get Started for as Little as
570-629-6600 Fountain Court, Route 611 Bartonsville, PA 18321 sylvanmc@ptd.net
$95!
www.SylvanLearning.com
CAMP
Why: Because it’s “Fun”
Camp Fees:
5 Day Camp only $35.00 Registration Fee
.00 $130
• Two Snacks and Lunch Provided • Learn Basics of Soccer, Roller Hockey, Roller Skating, Volley Ball and More • Weekly Crafts • A Large Fenced in Play Area and Numerous Survelliance Cameras.
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
Who: Boys & Girls 6-12 When: 6:30am-6:30pm Where: Big Wheel
25
Your Post-Divorce To-Do List By Darota Gasienica-Kozak, Esq.
O
nce you receive your certified copy of your final Divorce Decree, it becomes official, you are divorced. Although you may think this is the final step of your divorce process, you should be aware that there are matters after your divorce that may be of importance to you and may require some follow-up to minimize post-divorce problems. Here are some ideas to minimize your post-divorce problems.
www.PoconoParent Magazine.com February/March 2009
1. Name and Address Changes.
26
Now that your marriage is legally terminated, you are free to remarry. You may elect to resume your maiden name and, if you choose to resume your maiden name, you need to file a petition to elect your maiden name with the Court. If you are resuming your maiden name and/or changing your address, you must confirm those changes in writing to your local post office branch, Social Security and other government benefits programs, the Internal Revenue Service, state and local taxing authorities, Department of Motor Vehicles, your medical, dental, disability, life, automobile, homeowner’s and tenants insurance providers, banks and other financial institutions and credit card issuers.
2. Employment Benefits. If you are employed, you will need to notify your payroll department and/or human resources department of your new marital status and ask the benefits department to make any necessary changes due to your new marital status. You will also need to review your Property Settlement Agreement thoroughly or Order of Court to comply with the employment benefits as were agreed upon in your Property Settlement Agreement or as ordered by the Court.
You will need to pay particular attention to life insurance policies. If required by agreement or Court Order, name your former spouse and/or children as beneficiaries. If not, you may continue on a voluntary basis to maintain your former spouse and/or children as beneficiaries or name other beneficiaries. If your former spouse is supposed to maintain a policy for your benefit or the children’s, if you are not the owner of the policy, you will have to
You should be aware that there are matters after your divorce that may be of importance to you... notify the insurance company. The insurance company may require you to complete forms in order to give the official notice of the divorce and the requirements of the Property Settlement Agreement. Furthermore, you should contact your former spouse on an annual basis to confirm that all required insurance polices remain in full force and effect. This confirmation should also come in writing to you for your records. In addition, pay attention to deadlines for the election and termination of COBRA benefits. You will want to obtain identification and claim cards. If you maintain the insurance on behalf of your former spouse, you will need to provide cards and forms to him or her for this transition. In addition, keep in mind that you will have to modify any other work-
related benefits as necessary and confirm such changes in writing to your benefits department and former spouse. If you have any other insurance or retirement accounts not related to employment, you should also notify them of any changes with regard to your beneficiaries, as well as marital status. You may be entitled to sole ownership after divorce or some and/or all rights may be assigned to your former spouse or children. Therefore, careful review of this is advisable.
3. Property Transfers. Your Property Settlement Agreement and/or Order of Court may require the transfer of property between you and your former spouse. You may need to sign and record deeds, certificates of title, or other documents to transfer ownership. It is your responsibility to follow-up and make sure all assets have been transferred.
4. Debts and Liabilities. Your Property Settlement Agreement and/or Order of Court may allocate marital debts and liability among you and your former spouse. If you are responsible for a credit card or other debt, be sure to make timely payments. If your former spouse promised to pay a joint debt, a recommendation would be for you to close joint credit and charge cards if your Property Settlement Agreement and/or Order of Court permit you to do so. If your former spouse filed a bankruptcy petition, you should notify your attorney immediately to determine the impact on your property distribution.
5. Taxes. You should proceed to the IRS website and read the sections for divorced and separated individuals since these documents directly relate
to your situation and provide tax forms that are available and downloadable on the IRS website.
6. Updating Wills and Trusts. Your Will and Trust Agreement should be reviewed and possibly revised due to your divorce. You may also want to consider, if you have not already done so, contacting an attorney to draft a Will and Powers of Attorney to effectuate the change in your marital status and elect a new executor for your Will and a new agent for your Powers of Attorney. In addition, you may want to consider creating a trust for your children if they are under the age of 18 in order to manage how they would receive your estate upon your passing and who would manage your proceeds of your estate if you wish that your husband or other parent not make those decisions in the future. In the future, you should review these documents in the event of a remarriage, adoption, or birth of a child, divorce, or any other material change in circumstances. If you choose to use a different attorney to update these documents, you should make sure that the new attorney has access to your divorce papers and any amendments or modifications so that the estate documents are drafted properly.
• Ages 4 months to 5 years old • After school Ages 5 years to 13 years old. • Breakfast provided for 2 years to after school children. • Homework help is available at no extra charge, Director has Master's Degree in General education/Special education. • Experienced and CDC teachers Monday thru Friday, Pre-kindergarten 4-5 yr olds Pre-School 2-3 yr olds • Convenient to route 80. School buses drop off and pick up for JTL and East Stroudsburg Elementary. • Small Family orientated day care with mature staff
7. Enforcement of Divorce Papers.
6am-7pm Monday-Friday
If your former spouse is not complying with the Property Settlement Agreement or Order of Court, you should contact your attorney in order to file a Petition for Contempt and Enforcement to proceed with the enforcement of the terms of the agreement.
To Secure your child’s placement call
570-476-1100
2035 Milford Rd Suite 200
24
UNLIMITED Local & Long Distance Calling
Say No to HigHer PHoNe BillS! • Our price StartS Low and StayS LowSM. Satisfaction Guaranteed < • No bundles, no hassles — just reliable phone service at a reliable price
eaSy to SwitcH, eaSy to Save • Keep your existing phone number ^ • Vonage® works with your existing home phone and high-speed Internet connection • 25 Premium Features at no extra cost. • Free calls to 5 select European countries and call other International locations for as low as 1 cent per minute v!
$
.99
Per Month
†
SPECIAL OFFER
try oNe MoNtH
FREE! Call: 1.888.579.0867 See Below For Details
FREE MONTH OFFER ON $24.99 UNLIMITED RESIDENTIAL PLAN ONLY. PLAN FEE WAIVED BUT ALL OTHER CHARGES APPLY. NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. V Free calls to Europe Offer (available only with Unlimited Residential Plan) does not apply to certain call types, such as calls to cell phones, and is limited to Italy, France, Spain, UK and Ireland. Other International rates may vary. See http://vonage.com/intrates for details. Vonage 911 service operates differently than traditional 911. See www.vonage.com/911 for details. High-Speed Internet or Broadband Required. Alarms and other systems may not be compatible. † Rates exclude: broadband service, regulatory and activation fees and certain other charges, equipment, taxes, & shipping. International calls billed per minute. Offer valid in the US only. See Terms of Service for details. < 30-day money back guarantee is refunded for any paid activation fee, 1st month service charge, initial shipping charges and termination fee. Applicable only to first ordered line per account. Available only in the event of timely cancellation for subscribers who have not exceeded 500 minutes of usage and who obtain a valid return authorization number from 1-VONAGE-HELP, and return of equipment in original condition and packaging within 14 days of cancellation. Refund will not include charges for taxes, international usage, payphone calls to Vonage toll free numbers and directory assistance. Offer revocable. ^ Where available. The number transfer process takes approximately 10 business days from the time you confirm your transfer request. ©2009 Vonage.
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
Get UNLIMITED Local & Long Distance Calling for only $24.99/mo†!
27
By Bonnie Kraeutler, Preschool Director
www.PoconoParent Magazine.com February/March 2009
A
28
s I write this, the weather outside is frightful! It is “Vermont” cold. It is the kind of cold that seeps into your bones. It is the kind of cold that makes your eyes water. It is the kind of cold that makes the snow crunch under your feet. It is the kind of cold that makes the TV weather people give their forecasts with a manic gleam in their eyes. It is the kind of cold that freezes the tips of ears and noses. I am very familiar with this kind of cold. I went to college on the Massachusetts-Vermont boarder. The winters were hard. They seemed to last forever. We would wake up to snow one morning in early October and never see grass on the quadrangle again until late April. Brrrrrr! For us at preschool that means that we are not getting any outside playtime. This state of affairs is not likely to change any time soon. If our hardy preschool staff is not willing to go outdoors, chances are that you are all stuck inside at home. Soon the dreaded “cabin fever” will
be setting in for all of us. So, how about some ideas of things that you can do with your housebound children. Turn off the TV, shut down the video games and let’s have some indoor fun!
When it is too cold to play outside in the snow, why not bring it in? One of the things that we like to do at preschool is to bring the snow inside to us. When it is too cold to play outside in the snow, why not bring it in? We bring the snow inside in big buckets and let the kids paint on it with water colors. It is a great way to talk about how colors blend to make new colors. In one of our classes this month, we used “Snow Painting” to talk about camouflage. We put some plastic
polar bears in the white snow and talked about how well they could hide in the snow. Then we painted the snow and lo and behold, the bears no longer could hide in the snow. If you are adventurous enough to bring in a lot of snow, you can fill up the bathtub. Have the kids put on their gloves and you can make some great indoor snowmen. Had enough fun….let the snowmen melt, open the drain, and the clean up is done. Remember making a tent with the couch cushions when you were a kid? We used to do it across the street with the Baronas kids. Then we would peek out from under the blankets and watch “Creature Feature”, a very educational show that featured Japanese monster movies with English voice overs. Make tents with your kids. You don’t need to destroy the living room, just toss a quilt over the kitchen table. How about nap time under the table…I mean tent. Have the kids gather their sleeping bags and pillows, hand them each a flashlight and its fun to have a nap.
Along the same lines of the blanket tent is the “big box hideout”. Get a big box from an appliance store. Bring it home. Cut a door and some windows and WOW you have some cool fun. The box can be a spaceship, a bear cave, a frontier cabin, whatever you and your kids can imagine. Then you can have a blast decorating it to match your ideas. We have made space shuttles entirely covered with tin foil. We have had log cabins with empty paper towel tubes as “logs”. We have had gingerbread houses complete with painted “icing” trim. Hey, last year we got a hold of some chicken wire and yikes, there was a six foot Easter chick in my classroom! Finger paint and shaving cream are always great boredom busters. For the younger group, bathtub painting is great! Strip those kids down, plunk them and the paint in the tub, let them channel their inner Picasso, then turn the water on and scrub them and the tub at the same time! Shaving cream is great for kids of all ages. Write your name, draw some pictures, and practice your math facts or
How about trying an indoor obstacle course? Your kids have been stuck inside and are dying to move around a little. But, you have a strict “no running in the house “rule. An obstacle course can release some energy and maybe keep your family heirlooms (if you have any left with kids in the house) safe. Use your imagination to plot your course. Maybe the kids can draw it out in advance. That way you have veto power BEFORE they use your favorite antique vase as a target. Rolled up socks can be tossed into laundry baskets without too much damage. Couch cushions can be used as jumping obstacles. Hula hoops are great for hopping into or crawling through. You get the idea. Don’t forget to take some pictures while they are rolling an apple across the kitchen floor with their noses…great for blackmail when they are in High School!
At our house a snow day often means taking out the old videos. What a super time to cuddle up on the couch and look back at those old memories. Time flies when you are raising kids and you can never get it back. You may get misty looking at your babies when they were babies, but the kids think it is just plain funny. My kids still laugh at what “dorks” they were when they were little and complain that some of the outfits that I dressed them in were child abuse. However, it is always a time filled with laughs when we pull out the videos and I like to think that it makes my kids feel grounded, loved and secure in their family. Have you cooked much with your kids? It’s messy but it is fun. Hop online and find some kid friendly recipes and get cooking! There are lots of recipes out there for different kinds of playdoughs…some are even edible! I’m really tried of being stuck inside. The weatherman said maybe another six inches of snow tomorrow. I wish that guy would stop looking so darn cheerful every time he condemns me to more shoveling, slipping and time inside. Oh well, spring has to get here sometime. In the meantime, I’m going to build a tent and watch “Creature Feature”…anyone want to join me?
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
me uper ti s a t a Wh n le up o d d u c to d look n a h c the cou d hose ol t t a k c ba ies memor
spelling words with shaving cream. If you add some food coloring to the shaving cream you can make prints from your kid’s work. Swirl the coloring around in the shaving cream, when you have a neat, marbleized look press a piece of paper onto the cream. When you pull the paper off, wipe off the excess shaving cream and you get a neat piece of artwork. Shaving cream prints make great homemade wrapping paper!
29
ASK DR. WATERS
The “Idiot” Card I
’m going to stray from my normal water-related articles and talk about one of my own environmental pet peeves – the “Idiot” Card. You know that small plastic card with a catchy name like Value Savings or Consumer Care that every place on the planet offers claiming to save you money? Has anyone not waited extra time in line while the person in front of you fumbles around trying to find his or her own “idiot” card only to save an additional 14 cents? Having an “idiot” card does not make you one because you need it to get the discount. However offering an “idiot” card does make you one. Please allow me to explain. I seriously question that the “idiot” card saves anyone any money. Are we consumers to believe that it is really cheaper to buy and maintain tracking software, to purchase and distribute the “idiot” cards, and to pay wages to place and remove a gazillion “red tags” each week? For all the managers out there here’s an alternative that we consumers can really use. Get rid of the “idiot” card, save the company money and offer us lower prices! I think we all know why the “idiot” card is so popular. It gives companies a way to track our spending habits and it’s a way for companies to plug up our snail mail and e-mail boxes with even more unnecessary junk. Most companies lead us to believe that our information is not given or sold to a third party but I have long been skeptical about this claim. Many of these companies use clever terms like “our affiliates” which of course to them is not considered a third party.
www.PoconoParent Magazine.com February/March 2009
I’m almost certain that my wife keeps our local pharmacy and grocery store in business. Her purse is stuffed full of three-foot long receipts with a bunch of coupons we will never use. If these companies are tracking spending habits why is it we never get a coupon along with our receipt for something we’ve purchased before? Here’s a better question. Why
30
do people even need a card when the cashier will simply pull out his or her own “idiot” card and scan it when customers have forgotten or can’t find their own? Getting rid of the “idiot” card saves consumers time, saves companies money, saves the environment by reducing the demand for more paper, and allows companies to offer lower prices. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m all for saving money especially in this economy but the “idiot” card is not helping consumers. Two weeks ago I received a coupon on my 36-inch long receipt for $1.50 off diapers. It’s too bad that “Have you ever had a vasectomy?” isn’t one of the questions on the “idiot” card application! In my opinion the “idiot” card saves consumers nothing and in fact increases prices. It’s only logical that it would be cheaper and better to not offer an “idiot” card and pass the savings off to customers in the form of lower prices. If any one grocery store really had “the lowest prices in town” trust me we’d all know about it. At the very least it certainly would be better for the environment to stop
offering paper receipts as long as my arm! Sadly I doubt the “idiot” card is going away anytime soon. However here are some suggestions for the managers of the world. First and foremost at least consider phasing out your company’s own “idiot” card. It will save your company money and you will be able to offer lower prices. If you decide to keep the “idiot card” and you really want to help, only give customers coupons based on their own buying history. Also consider giving us tree-huggers the option of tracking our coupons and discounts online. As a manager don’t you want to drive people to your website anyway? It has become an electronic world so why not have the “idiot” card track and apply our discounts automatically? No one should have to use a shovel to dig through their wife’s purse to find a paper coupon that can be stored and applied electronically. Killing fewer trees is better for everyone and it’s more convenient for customers to
not have to carry around thirteen pounds of extra paper. This not only helps save our environment but will free up a lot of extra space in my wife’s purse! And is it too much to ask to put a paper recycling box next to the cash register or near the front door? At least all these companies would have a much better place to put all those little red tags each week rather than throwing them out. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest ‘cause it has really been bugging me for some time now. I think saving money is great but let’s do it in a logical and environmentally friendly way. These little plastic cards could save consumers money if they were implemented properly. They could also increase sales and website traffic. As always, if you have any questions regarding your drinking water or your “idiot” card please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Waters by e-mail at drwaters@verizon.net or by phone at (570) 421-3232.
’s
Double electric
tery Ice Cream & Ea
Money Saving Referal Program • Free Estimates
Call Larry Now
(570) 460-1580
Parties and Classes for Children & Adults
Garden Beadin’ of
Parties include Cake, Paper Products, Balloons, Soft Drinks or Juice and Favors. Beading activities feature a special charm for the birthday child. Classes and parties include all basic supplies and the use of tools. Just bring your camera to capture the fun!
Rt 209 at the corner of Neyharts Road, Snydersville
570-992-6955
Open Every Day March through October
50 Route 611, Bartonsville, PA
570-426-9168
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
20 Years Experience Specialties Include • Basements • Outdoor Lighting • General Electrical Renovations and more!
31
M
ost young people are not aware of what they don’t know around the house in order to keep safe from fires, electrical problems, and plumbing disasters. Parents are supposed to know how to teach their children basic home safety. But if parents lack the skills, how will children know what to do in an emergency? Everyday practical knowledge for the home comes with education, practice and experience. Unfortunately, progress and changes in our society have contributed to the demise of the time and knowledge needed to teach our children the benefits of being their own handyman or handywoman. With each new generation there is less time to pass on traditions. There are fewer opportunities to teach home repairs. And sadly, there is not as much family involvement with parents and grandparents to explore the importance of being a selfsufficient home dweller. Even if we can identify the life skills children are losing, do most kids and parents think it really matters? We don’t exactly know. There is no national survey for this question, but there should be. But one truth is known, it’s hard to care or think it matters if parents don’t see the benefit of knowing how to use a hammer or wrench. As parents it is up to us to provide a balance in their lives between their new toys and toys that can be made with a hammer, chisel and bench saw. Finding time to teach our children can be difficult. One day our children will leave home for their dorm, apartment or home.
Will they be ready for the safety challenges that await them? Did you remember to teach them to set a timer for the lights to help prevent a burglary? Can they prevent the basement from flooding because they know to replace the old water heater? Even more importantly, can they prevent fires from happening? Will they change the filter to the furnace each year, unclog the dryer vent, and maintain a clean fireplace? If they don’t, would you want to live next door to them! According to fire statistics, each year fires kill more Americans than natural disasters with cooking fires being the leading fire maker. Not providing our children with the necessary skills to keep safe in their homes hurts them and can harm others. Don’t assume schools are taking the time to educate them about tools, fire safety and homeownership. Schools are not in the business of doing the jobs of parents unless forced to do so. Parents that are associated with construction can lead by example. But for those who can’t, they can only hope that somewhere down the road their children will learn some form of home life skills, perhaps from friends and relatives or books and teachers. Hopefully, before they become homeowners, and not after a basement flood or fire in the chimney! Luckily, adults have lots of home shows on cable television to watch which can guide them through many home safety and repair issues. Unfortunately, kids of all ages do not have a home safety show to enjoy on a Saturday morning! So what can be done? As parents, we can’t force our children to like
playing with tools, real or as toys. We can’t force them to remember every fire safety rule or every home maintenance tip, and we certainly can’t convince them to make or fix things with their hands. The National Kids Construction Club suggests the following. If your child is young, encourage hands-on fun with shovels, blocks and other kinds of building toys. Go outside and explore your world by visiting a construction site or stop and watch a sidewalk or road being made. Join school clubs that encourage creativity with hands-on learning. Consider a membership with youth organizations like the Boys or Girls Scouts. As teens, encourage them to participate in Habitat for Humanity projects which will help them learn about building technology. If their school offers practical arts courses, take them. Plan a visit to a hardware store with your children. Read howto books and create a home repair project, such as installing new tile on the laundry room floor, with your son or daughter. If you’re lucky enough to have a grandpa and grandma, go share stories of the old times. Then explore your heritage by finding pieces of furniture made by hand. If we recognize that we need to instill good values into our children, then we have come a long way in solving this national problem. How we teach youth about the importance of achieving a well-rounded education that includes technology and practical home safety training needs to begin very early. If we as parents help, perhaps our children will listen. Why not encourage them! To learn more about the NKCC go to www.nkcconline.org.
d e l o o h c S d l i h C Is Your ? y t e f a S e m o H c i s in Ba
s Construction Club
By N
hton, National Kid ancie A. Balun- Boug
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
I
n September 2008, Miss Margaret opened the doors to The Children’s Center for Learning Arts. The concept of the center was to provide an alternative to the “typical” preschool program. The Children’s Center for Learning Arts is for children ages 3-5. The center is set up into three studios. Studio 1; Communication Connection is where the children learn to use American Sign Language (ASL). They sing and sign. They learn basic vocabulary and manual alphabet in order to enhance their communication skills. Studio 2 ; Work of Art is where the children
create using different art medias such as acrylics, watercolors, pastels, charcoal and clay. The children are introduced to the Masters like Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso and bring home their own reproductions of these Masterpieces. Studio 3; Computer Learning is where the children are introduced to computer literacy skills. The children work with computer software games and activities to reinforce early math and reading skills. Each child has their own computer work station. The children rotate through each studio
during the course of their day to give them a well-rounded experience. The Children’s Center for Learning Arts is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 3:30PM. The center offers two or three day a week half day programs. You can select either an AM or PM program for your child. Snack is provided. For more information, or to register your child for CCLA, call 570-629-0808. See www.childrenscenterforlearningarts. com for summer camp details! Also take a look at our new site www.missmargarets.com for information on our regular programs.
February/March 2009 www.PoconoParent Magazine.com
33
r wonderful artisits that ou to ks an th ial ec sp a e giv like to PoconoParent Magazine would display your talents and to d ou pr ry ve e ar e W . ed sh bli submitted their work to be pu e good work. encourage you to keep up th
Gianna, 7 or artist in your family, email r ite wr g un yo g rin pi as an ve If you ha nsidered for future issues of co be to us to s ion iss bm su your PoconoParent Magazine at
Jeremy, 11
Teen There are a lot of different ways a teenager can help out in his or her community. The first way is to volunteer your time or service working with non-profit agencies that support different causes. For example, you could volunteer for local food pantries or soup kitchens. You could also volunteer to for environmental agencies that help keep our streets clean by picking up trash along the roadways. You could volunteer your time at a nursing home or hospital delivering mail, or visiting and reading to the sick or elderly. The second way you can help in your community is by donating any extra clothing, toys, CD’s, stuffed animals, etc. that you no longer need or want. Agencies like the Red Cross or the Salvation Army are always looking for items for the poor or needy. Lastly, you can help your community by being a responsible citizen at all times. This means respecting other people and their property, looking out for those who may need our assistance and just being a nice person in general. Some teens feel like they don’t matter, and can’t make a difference, but I am here to say, “Yes you can”!
Ashley,16
T 3Ways to Help
Your Community Tween
The three ways I think a tween can help their community is first, to get involved in your school. I mean, don’t just go to school everyday and then come home. Stay after school and join clubs that help you to be a better person or make a difference. Student Council and the school newspaper are two examples of how you can make a difference. The second way to make a difference is to hang out more with your parents and learn about what they do in the community to help out. All of our parents are involved with things other than work. Find out what they are, and volunteer to help them out.
Want to write for Teen orTween? The third way to help out in your community is to get involved with Lets us know. your church youth group. The youth group does a lot of things for others. We are always At Thanksgiving and Christmas we make food baskets, during the spring looking for we help clean up yards and plant gardens. Things like that. new writers. It’s easy to help out in your community. If you need more ideas, Please feel free to just ask your parents or teachers, and I’m sure they will give you some. Email us at Corey,12 editor@poconoparent.com
PoconoParent Magazine
Health& Medical Resources Family Practice
Chiropractic
Chiropractic Health Partners
of the Poconos
Dr. Filipkowski
(570) 421-8876
Gynecology
217 Park Ave • Stroudsburg, PA
Our readers are dedicated parents
They want to know what services are available for their children and themselves including health, education, child care, leisure time activities, and day-to-day needs such as food and clothing. They also buy homes, cars, food and clothing; they plan leisure time; they demand quality health care, pursue careers and healthy lifestyles and make up the greatest buying power in America today.
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL
1-800-417-1623 ads@poconoparent.com
Nursing Services Colon & Rectal Diseases
In Home Nursing Services 570 -223 -6206
HIRING NOW!
RNs * LPNs * HHAs * Nurse Aides
* On-Site Nurse Aide & Home Health Aide Training
Ophthalmology Dentistry
Podiatrists “For Total Foot Care, Trust the Doctor with Over 20 Years Experience”
Willaim F. Dunleavy D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S. D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.
• Quality Foot Care with Old Fashioned Concern • Board Certified - American Board of Pediatric Surgery • Chief - Department of Podiatry - Easton Hospital • Fellow of American Colege of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
610-252-4412 570-421-8800 3800 William Penn Hwy • Easton
175 E. Brown St, Suite 103 • E. Stroudsburg
PoconoParent Magazine
Marketplace Automotive
For Quality Repair at a Price thats Fair
Ken’s Auto
Service Center • Struts & Shocks • Brakes • Exhaust • Batteries • Tune-Ups • Fuel Injection • Motor Work • Transmissions
• Remote Starters • Radiators • Oil, Lube, & Filter • Carburetors • Air Conditioning • Computer • Diagnostics
For all your car Repairs, Parts & Accessories
Quality Reliable Service Over 13 Years Experience PA State Inspection
570-424-2258
447 & Brushy Mt Road • East Stroudsburg
Entertainment & Childcare • Roller Hockey Leagues Forming • No School - No Problem! • Before School Session • Birthday Parties are Best at Big Wheel • After School Session
Health & Beauty
Instruction
Conservatory H E R B A L I F EI DS Pocono for the Arts K • All Natural Nutritional Products • No Artificial Sweeteners, Flavors or Colors • Family Targeted Nutrition
570 431-0346
Call Sarah at
Health
Safe Haven, Inc Of Pike County Dedicated to Non-Violence & Individual Dignity 500 W. Harford Street Milford, PA 18337 570. 296.2827 • 570.296.HELP
• • • •
Dance Instruction Arts-in-Education Programs Artistic Workshops Adult Extension Programs
570-476-6600 Travel
(570) 223-2678
Susan Mehler-Bostick, Travel Consultant E-mail: SusieB@ptd.net
• Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Counseling, Education, Prevention, and Awareness • 24-Hour Hotline • Emergency Shelter • Relocation Assistance • Children’s Counseling Services • Justice System and Medical Advocacy • Empowerment Support Groups West Main Street, PO Box , Delaware Water Gap
Hands-On Sizzling Science for Kids! Fantastic Birthday Parties! • Make Gooey Slime • Create Vortex Generators • Launch a Rocket
Financial Planning
Life can be stressful.
Your finances don’t have to be.
FEE-ONLY PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING
Erin Baehr, CFP®, ChFC, EA ebaehr@baehrfinancial.com
ph 570.223.1550 fax 877.282.5641
www.baehrfinancial.com
Shawnee Square Suite 203C • PO Box 224 • Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA 18356
Health & Beauty
• Rape Crisis Center • Domestic Violence Crisis Center • 24 Hour Hotline • Counseling • Emergency Shelter
women’s resources of monroe county
Phone: () - Fax: () - toll free 866-421-4200 Home Based Business ● Book a 4 Meals in 4 minutes Home Show
“A GIRLFRIENDS FIX”
Massage & Spa Therapies • Swedish & Therapeutic Massage • Aromatherapy Sessions • Hot Stone Massage • Warm Essential Oil Body Wraps
All Sessions are by Appointment Office # 570-223-2246
. NEW Location ~ I80 Exit 309 – 1/8 mile across from the Landmark Café – 2nd Fl in the Burak Chiropractic Center – shared facility with “Meet your Baby 3D” in Madeline‛s Place
• Information and Referral • Accompaniment • Support Groups • Free & Confidential
● Earn 40% Off a Party Staple
Contact Lorraine (570) 424-3149
● Earn Extra Money Working From Home ● Be Part of a Dynamic Team!
Monroe
Reach
Monro +
,000 36Monroe
County Families
Call 1-800-417-1623 or Email us at ads@poconoparent.com
Total Family Care Designed for This is my new puppy Carolynn. She is so much fun and very smart. She keeps our whole family entertained. I love her so much.
www.PoconoParent Magazine.com February/March 2009
Dr. Tamaskar is a highly qualified family physician, with additional expertise in womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health.
38
Our practice provides complete care for your entire family, from infants and children through adults and seniors. We offer a comfortable, convenient location, extended hours, and same-day appointments are usually available. Give us a call to find out more.
Jeremy & Carolynn
Jason & Sunshine
Kayleigh & Oliver Chestnut Hill Professional Plaza Route 209 and Kevin Lane Brodheadsville, PA 18322 Phone: 570-420-6300
www.poconohealthsystem.org
Is your Pet Special? Tell us your Tale Send your tale in 75 words or less with your pets name and color photograph to
pettails@poconoparent.com
PoconoParent Magazine Presents the 4th Annual
2009
FREE C Kits Avahilild ID able! Valued at $29.95
• Get your FREE picture taken with Special Characters • FREE Face Painting • FREE Tattoos • FREE Crafts • Win Prizes just by attending Get free information on local area resources including Children’s Toys, Financial Planning, Home Improvements, Insurance, Childcare, Dance, Music, Crafts, Medical, Builders, Art, Education, Entertainment, Fitness, Leisure, Child Safety, Government Programs and much more.……90+ local vendors. 2008 /July
June
See yourself on the cover of PoconoParent Magazine! Enter the FREE Family Photo Contest at the Spring Expo!
Miss Margaret’s
Musical Theatre Dance Ages 3-18
• Ongoing registration September thru June
Ages 3-18
Ballet, Tap, Gym Combo, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Hip Hop, American Sign Language Dance
In the Poconos
Newborns - 5 Years w/ Adult A Music Together® Class is: • A community of families sharing songs, instrument play, rhythm chants, and movement activities in a relaxed, playful, non-performance oriented setting. •Music learned through developmental appropriate activities that support and respect the unique learning styles of very young children • Parents and caregivers contributing to the enrichment of their child’s music environment regardless of their own musical abilities
Once a Week for 45 minutes Call for Class Schedule
Reeders Studio
for more information Call (570) 629-0808 or visit www.mmdmta.com
Would you like your Child in a small classroom... with only 5 other Children... Individual Attention
Studio 2
SWtuorkdoifoArt1
Communic ation Con • Learn to si nection gn an
d sing • Increase Vo ca & Communic bulary Skills • Enjoy Circle ation tim Challenging e that is Hands-on, & Fun
3ning o i d u t r S puter Lea have
ComEach Chilnd Cwoilml puter
w y Skills their O puter Literac kills m lS o a C c e ti c a u • Introd Early mathem d p n a lo t e v e e b ha •D r the alp • Maste cognition re letter
nd Paint gh • Draw a riting Skills throu -w re P e s •U rms xpression Artistic E , Shapes & Art Fo rs lo o C • Learn
Ongoing Enrollments Thru May - Tannersville Studio, Rt 611 (next to Friendly’s) Our Learning Arts Center is the Next Step in your child’s Early Childhood Development and Education
For More Information Call (570) 629-0808 or Visit www.mmdmta.com