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NASSAU HERALD — May 7, 2015

May 7, 2015

Banish ‘brain drain’

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Summer adventures Options to keep everyone happy and productive

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Eat Well Tips for families on the go

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Learning never takes a vacation

Your one-of-a-kind summer starts here.

Enjoy the hottest summer camp around!

Campers will have tons of fun, learn new skills, and make new friends.

Experience fun and learning—all summer long.

• Awesome, educational field trips • Surprise guest appearances and entertainment • Weekly camp themes in science, art, nature, music, spying, and more • Swimming lessons and water park fun • Healthy meals and snacks • Experienced and educated staff

Warm weather and swing sets naturally go together. Be mindful of environmentfriendly safety features when installing your backyard equipment.

Take home a lifetime of memories and a bag full of summer fun: T-shirt, water bottle, souvenir book, and stickers!

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ADVENTURE TRAVEL CAMP exciting daily trips (ages 6 - 12)

Kids' outdoor fun can be eco-friendly

EXPLORER CAMP one trip per week (ages 4 - 5)

DISCOVER CAMP (ages 18 months - 3 years)

Register today!

Open Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

EAST ROCKAWAY 131 Main Street • 516.596.1010 tutortimeeastrockaway.com

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May 7, 2015 — NASSAU HERALD

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Programs vary by school and age. See school for details. USDA and Tutor Time Learning Centers, LLC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2015 Tutor Time Learning Centers, LLC. BTT87

The warm weather is tailor made for children who want to enjoy some fun in the sun. As the kids get ready for summer, parents can find activities that are fun and beneficial to the environment.

Consider the activities that fill warm days: Pool parties, water balloon tosses, bicycle riding, and afternoons spent on a swing set are just a few ideas that come to mind. Small changes can add up to big benefits for the planet.

Bye, bye balloons. What's more fun that getting sprayed with cold water on a hot day? Instead of purchasing disposable latex balloons that will end up in the trash after the first pop, look for reusable absorbent balls that can be dipped into a bucket and then tossed to a partner. When he or she catches the ball, splashes of water will fly out.

Pool vs. sprinkler. Sure it's fun running through an icy-cold sprinkler, but leaving a sprinkler running for a while is a waste of water. Plus, it can drown surrounding plants and other landscaping items.

Instead, take a dip in the pool or fill up a child-sized pool and later use the water to give a drink to potted plants.

Go safe with swing sets. Safety is often the name of the game when erecting a swing set in the yard. It's a good idea to surround the ground surface with a material that will cushion falls. There are mulch-

es and rubber pellets for this purpose, but these may be treated with chemicals and not be good for the environment. See if a local lumberyard or building supply store can drop sand in the area. It's all-natural and can be a good shock absorber.

Recycle toys. While on the subject of swing sets and play materials, check out consignment shops or tag sales for gently used play items rather than brand new toys. Or initiate a toy swap in the neighborhood where once a year neighbors swap toys with one another so the kids have something "new"to play with.

Jump on a bike. Bicycles remain one of the greenest modes of transportation.

Children clamoring for a new bike this season may be pleasantly surprised at how well a used bike or a hand-me-down may ride and look. Sometimes all it takes is a little elbow grease to tune up a tired bike.

Enjoy nature. Instead of plastic toys and electronics, kids with creative imaginations can turn items outdoors into nice play props. Twigs can serve as dueling swords while rocks and leaves can be piled to make an impromptu fort or home base.

Kids may enjoy themselves exploring parks right in their own neighborhoods. Just be sure to stress the "carry in, carry out policy" whenever enjoying nature. That means not to leave trash behind and to disturb natural wildlife the least amount as possible.

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NASSAU HERALD — May 7, 2015

Building blocks for their brains

o more pencils and no more books" is a chant heard on playgrounds across the country when the ďŹ nal bell releases students for the summer months.

And while Alice Cooper's lyrics go on to showcase how excited the children are about their freedom from homework, they also highlight one of the biggest problems the American educational system faces each year: summer brain drain.

Sure, nobody wants to be in the classroom year-around, but there are plenty of ways to keep your children's learning going strong — without the pencils and books! With the following suggestions, your children will have so much fun staying mentally engaged, they'll be looking forward to the next learning activity all summer long.

Nature programs. Nature and science go hand-in-hand, so check one of the area’s many nature centers, were families can learn more about the plants, animals and natural elements make our environment. Besides just being a place to visit, local nature centers offer a variety of workshops and programming.

Theater productions. The stage contains so many avenues of learning potential, it will take more than just this summer to

experience them all. Start with the set construction, which provides a great opportunity to learn building and designing skills.

Lighting and sound have their own electrical specialties. For the performance itself, line memorization, understanding the character and choreography all require intense training to keep the brain sharp all summer long. There are theater programs designed for children of all ages.

STEM camps. There are many camps that offer science, technology, engineering and math-based learning in a fun way for students.

Music programs. Music education goes beyond just learning notes and scales, it's been proven in many different studies to improve students' learning abilities in other subjects as well.

Create a book club. Educators say it's important for students to keep reading during the summer months. It doesn't have to be textbooks or even pleasure books. Comics are great for keeping the brain stimulated. Get your kids and their friends together once a week for book

Summer is almost here, so if you haven’t planned out activities for the kids already, get your children involved in some educational programs so they'll be ready to jump right back into school when it starts up again next fall. club to discuss something everyone in the group reads. Rotate where the club meets to include parks, the local ice cream shop and the community pool. Most libraries will host a summer reading program, and you can contact your local librarian for resources or ideas for keeping kids interested.

When looking for a summer educational program, make certain it has the

following: 3 Emphasis on cognitive development and building self-esteem in a fun environment.

3 The use of relatable tools that children can learn with.

3 Time for working with groups as well as individually.

3 Engaging lesson plans that promote creativity.

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CAMP & SCHOOL DIRECTORY HASC, Woodmere CATS Children's Athletic Training Center. Since 1984 CATS has been a leading sports development program for one to ten year olds. Children learn basic sports skills in a fun and non-threatening environment. There is a flexible summer program for three to ten year olds, a two and a half year old drop-off program. New to CATS is the Butch Seewagen Tennis Academy which is a USTA Quickstart Center, designed specifically for children ages three to ten. Party packages are available for children and adults as well as gym rentals for the 3000 sq ft facility. There are after school programs and special sessions are offered during school breaks.

CATS 516-763-1299

Grace Methodist Nursery School Grace Methodist Nursery School, a place "where children and childhood are celedbrated" has been deeply rooted in the community since 1971. Grace Methodist Nursery School offers a vartiety of developmentally appropriate programs including Just You and Me, Slow Separation, Nursary and Pre-K. The school year is enhanced by weekly music sessions, seasonal parades and activities, special picture presentatiobns, community enrichment and Truck Day. Grace Methodist Nursery School is a diverse family of happy children supported by dedicated, and nurturing certified professionals and devoted parents.

Grace Methodist Nursery School 516-825-2354

HAFTR Day Camp Dreams Come True at Hillel! This summer at Camp Hillel, we are looking forward to another incredible season with our campers and staff. We will feature game shows, special musical guests, our Theatrical performance –just to name a few of our unique activities planned. We are very excited to welcome some of the biggest names in New York Sports History to work in conjunction with our star studded sports coaches, including our new hockey program. Our pools are heating up and getting ready to welcome you!

HAFTR • 516-569-3370

Temple Am Echad South Shore Reform Congregation Rabbi Stuart M. Geller Early Childhood Center. Our early childhood center provides a nurturing, secure and stimulating program. We welcome children of all denominations. The non-competitive atmosphere is geared toward fostering a positive self-image while developing each child’s abilities and values.

Cultivating a love for school, as well as learning to function confidently in a school community is of paramount importance in our preschool. We offer a variety of programs, including a toddler center for one to two and half year olds and a preschool for three and four year olds. Our summer camp program is available for ages one to four. The camp curriculum revolves around weekly themes. Each camp age group is staffed by our experienced teachers who work in our program throughout the school year.

Temple Am Echad Rabbi Stuart M. Geller Early Childhood Center • 516-599-7950

Lawrence-Woodmere Academy Summer Day Camp Come choose your own summer adventure at Lawrence Woodmere Academy Summer Day. LWASD offers a unique program customizing the summer experience for children ages 2-15 including an extraordinary CIT program for children entering 8th thru 10th grades.

Families can choose the program most appropriate for their child from our traditional day camp celebrating its 36th season with an incredible breadth of experiences to our full –immersion arts camp, a full-immersion sports camp, sports clinics, academic enrichment, trips and 1-week specialty camps including Magic Camp, Aviation Camp, Camp Band, Trapeze Camp, Lego Camp and more. Experience the LWA difference.

Lawrence-Woodmere Academy Summer Day Camp • 516-374-9000

CulturePlay

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts

At CulturePlay we provide youth with a transformative learning environment that is engaging and interactive drawing upon the ideas, actions and creations of their diverse cultures. We encourage students to be playful in their learning because we believe that this type of active learning increases their engagement with their ideas, and strengthens their capacity to work with others. Our aim is to provide opportunities that allow youth to integrate both their imagination and intellect to become knowledge creators of their generation.

CulturePlay 516-222-0031

Usdan is the nation’s preeminent nonprofit arts day camp. TimeOutNY/Kids declared Usdan a “Best Of” camp, and Usdan has been profiled in The New York Times and Time Magazine. Each day, 1,600 students, ages 6 -18, travel to Usdan’s Wheatley Heights campus from all LI neighborhoods. Usdan offers 40 programs in Music, Art, Theater, Dance, Writing, Chess, and Nature and Organic Gardening. Usdan is chartered by the NY State Regents. www.usdan.com.

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts 631-643-7900

For summer 2015 HASC Woodmere, a not-for-profit preschool program and CPSE evaluation site, provides an all-inclusive, integrated preschool program for children with and without special needs.

Multicultural programs are held in a warm, nurturing and safe environment where highly trained staff provide the latest innovative early childhood techniques.

Children ages 3 to 5 years learn and grow in a variety of full day class sizes. Your children experience the benefits of low student-teacher ratios in center-based classes. In addition to a language based preschool curriculum, classes participate in gym, music, class trips and special events. The school has a team of dedicated and highly qualified professionals including certified teachers, speech/language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, social workers and a full-time nurse. If you are looking for a caring and supportive preschool that can offer your child a well rounded program, look no further than HASC! HASC, Woodmere (516)295-1340

Twin Oaks Country Day School & Camp Twin Oaks, at 459 Babylon Turnpike, in Freeport, has been a leader in camping for all ages for over 35 years.

From tots to teens, we offer progressive programming including sports, crafts, swimming, drama and a full summer of special events, which are sure to make each child cheer with excitement. As our campers grow, so does their program. From our youngest “Barney” campers to our “Gemini” Adventure and Gemini Teen travelers, Twin Oaks is the perfect place for your child to spend the summer. Enroll early for fantastic savings. For more information, call 516623-4550 or visit www.twinoaksdaycamp.com www. twinoaksdaycamp.com.

Twin Oaks Country Day School & Camp 516-623-4550

Tutor Time of East Rockaway Tutor Time of East Rockaway, a state licensed childcare program, is a state-of-the-art facility with both an indoor and outdoor playground, convenient for all types of weather. The highly qualified staff provides a caring and stimulating environment year round.

The entire staff is CPR & First Aid certified and the center is licensed to administer prescription medication. Here at Tutor Time East Rockaway, we offer three distinct camp programs. Our Cub Camp provides children 18 months to 3 years with a wide variety of hands-on thematic based experiences. Petting zoos, pony rides, magicians, puppet shows and other enrichment activities add to the fun. Our Mini-Travel Camp provides our pre-kindergarten students with weekly trips in addition to the basic Cub Camp program. Our Adventure Travel Camp is available for 2, 4, 6, 8, or 9 week sessions for children 6-12 years old.

Campers in this program go on different exciting trips each day, including Atlantis Marine World, Circle Line Cruises, Deep Sea Fishing, and The Air and Space Museum, to name a few. Several enrichment programs are also offered, including foreign language instruction, sign language instruction, gymnastics, karate and swimming lessons. Full and part time programs are available or ask us how to customize your summer fun. Tutor Time is open 12 months per year, 6:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Tutor Time of East Rockaway 516-596-1010

Royal Learning Institute Royal Tutoring Service started to help students by taking a unique and innovative approach to teaching that helps students connect with the subject matter they need to master. Through personalized and Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) standards and practice, our students develop the tools they need for ongoing success in their fields of study. Our success depends on our attention to the needs of our clients and truly helping they achieve - we don't succeed unless our clients succeed. We offer a wide range of academic subjects such as Math, Science, Social, Language and prep for SAT/ACT/AP Exams. Sessions can be set up as one-on-one or groups for tutoring.

Royal Learning Institute • 516-295-5111

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Preparing for an enjoyable camp experience

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where Children & Childhood are Celebratedâ&#x20AC;?

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Summer camp is about having fun, and is also a time of significant emotional growth, development and transition. uneasiness about going away. Encourage your child to talk about these feelings rather than acting on what you think his/her feelings may be. Communicate confidence in your child's ability to handle being away from home.

Have realistic expectations. Camp, like the rest of life, has high and low points. Not every moment will be filled with wonder and excitement. Encourage your child to have a reasonable and realistic view of camp. Discuss both the ups and downs your child may experience. Your child should not feel pressured to succeed at camp, either. The main purposes of camp are to relax and have fun.

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"Summer camp is more than a vacation for children," says Bruce Muchnick, Ed.D., a psychologist who works extensively with day and resident camps. "As a parent, there are a few things to consider to increase the opportunity for a rewarding camp experience for your child."

Some helpful suggestions provided by Dr. Muchnick and the American Camping Association include: Consider camp as a learning experience. This is an opportunity for your child to explore a world bigger than his/her neighborhood and a chance for you and your child to practice "letting go." Letting go allows children to develop autonomy and a stronger sense of self, make new friends, develop new social skills, learn about teamwork, be creative, and more. This time also allows parents an opportunity to take care of themselves so that they will feel refreshed when their child returns home.

Prepare for camp together. Decisions about camp â&#x20AC;&#x201D; like what to pack â&#x20AC;&#x201D;should be a joint venture, keeping in mind your child's maturity. If your child feels a part of the decision-making process, his/her chances of having a positive experience will improve.

Talk about concerns. As the first day of camp nears, some children experience

NASSAU HERALD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; May 7, 2015

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© § © ¨©ª Avoid summer eating pitfalls

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alk of the lazy, hazy days summer doesn't sit well with pediatrician Sarah Armstrong, M.D., whose chief concern is pediatric obesity.

"Routines go hay wire, and with nothing to do after a few days in the pool, some kids head straight for the refrigerator or snack bar because they think they're hungry when they're actually just bored," she says.

Add in regular ice cream stops on a hot summer night, hot dogs at the ball park, and funnel cake at the fair, and you've got the recipe for a summer-long bad-eating binge.

That vicious cycle of poor eating habits leads to weight gain and, ultimately, if left unchecked, the potential for early onset of chronic diseases.

As kids prepare to kick back for summer, Dr. Armstrong wants to arm parents with knowledge about the nutritional obstacles that can derail their best efforts.

Sweet treats are part of summer's fun, but only when eaten in moderation. Here, more of her advice on how to stay on track over the coming months: Get enough sleep. Studies already show that late nights and sleeping in are

known risk factors for weight gain. "When kids stay up late, they are more likely to watch TV and snack on dense, low-nutrient foods," she says. And, a shorter night's sleep limits the body's production of leptin, a hormone known to promote satiety. That means kids wake up hungrier, and are quicker to reach for high-carb, calorie rich foods.

It's okay for your child to stay up a little bit later during the shorter summer nights, but keep on hand late-night snacks rich in nutrients like creamy, nonfat yogurt, a handful of crunchy roasted nuts or fruit.

In the morning, encourage healthy breakfasts like fruit smoothies, high fiber cereal or even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat bread, even if it's close to lunch time. "Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day," she says.

Take a fast food vacation. Kids crave fast food but that doesn't mean you should park your family at the nearest McDonald's

romper room every day to escape the heat.

Trade french fries and big macs for picnics at the park or beach. Take a pass on the ball park hot dog and instead, load the cooler with healthy alternatives like turkey sandwiches or light salads. Whatever you choose, "incorporate protein in every meal," Armstrong says. "It releases insulin at a slower rate, and that keeps your blood sugars — and your energy level — constant throughout the day."

Check out the summer camp menu.

Your child's summer camp may not follow the same adherence to nutrition that is being accepted by many public schools these days. Check ahead with the summer program where your child will be eating lunch to find out what types of meals and snacks are served. If you don't like what you find out, pack a healthy lunch including lean lunch meats, raw vegetables, or whole wheat crackers.

Limit the sweet stuff. Carnivals, fairs, vacations, beaches, they're magnets for candy-coated apples, snowy funnel cakes and slushies. "I would never tell a parent not to give their child cotton candy, but I do tell them to balance the bad with the good." Likewise, when you're hot and thirsty, keep sweetened fruit juices, teas

and sodas to a minimum, and opt instead for thirst-quenching water. "It will make you feel full without the calories," she says.

Keep active! Sure it's hotter than heck, and few kids want to run around outdoors in the heat of the day. But find other ways to stay active. Encourage swim races at the pool and playing Manhunt after dusk. If all else fails, turn on the Wii in an air conditioned room.

Keep exercise a part of your vacation too.

Biking, jogging, and signing up for active activities, rather than lazing at the pool or beach, will do everyone's body and brain a whole lot of good.

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BY DIANA K. RICE, RD As any parent knows, equipping kids with the life skills they’ll need to make good decisions and live independently is among the primary goals of parenting. But we usually think of this as a long-term goal instilled indirectly by our day-to-day actions. So in the hustle of preparing kids for a few weeks away at overnight camp — what to pack, how to stay in touch, what to do if they feel homesick — the realization that your child will need to rely on those good decision-making skills right now without you around can come as quite a jolt to many parents.

Of course, campers will still have their counselors to help guide their decisions and keep them safe. But what about that tricky buffet line that kids must navigate for themselves, often piled high with tempting options like chocolate chip pancakes, hot dogs, and chicken tenders?

Surely summer camp is a time to allow your kids to let loose a bit and indulge in the occasional popsicle and s’more, but with a little planning — and a lot of open communication — you can also help your child make healthy food choices away from home.

Start by researching your camp’s food options. Many camps post a typical menu on their websites, but if you can’t find it there, call the camp and ask for a description of the offerings or sample menu. Then try these strategies: Determine the “always” and “sometimes” foods. Sit down with your child to talk about the food options you’ve researched. Start by asking him what he’s excited about eating and how the experience will be different from eating at home.

Overnight camp is a time for children to express their independence, so be careful not to emphasize that your child must follow exactly the same eating pattern your family does at home. If your camper has indicated that he’s excited about options that aren’t ideal for everyday consumption, work together to determine the “always” foods, such as fruit, vegetables, plain milk and yogurt, and baked chicken, as well as the “sometimes” foods: fried foods, desserts, and the like. Together, come up with a number of “sometimes” choices that you both feel is reasonable, be it once a day, three times a week, or “anything goes” Fridays.

Discuss balanced meals. Com-mon offerings such as cereal, granola, or pan-

NASSAU HERALD — May 7, 2015

How to talk to your child about choosing healthy food

cakes can all be healthy breakfast choices, but they don’t represent a balanced meal all by themselves. Use a tool such as MyPlate to discuss all the elements of a healthy meal, especially produce, grains, and protein. Then go back to your camp’s menu to see what combinations you and your child can come up with. Emphasize that choosing items from multiple food groups at each meal isn’t simply because it’s “healthy,” but rather because it will give your child the energy to engage in all of the fun activities the camp offers throughout the rest of the day.

Go for a practice run. Although many camps now offer well-stocked salad bars, children may shy away from this offering if

they’ve never been tasked with preparing their own salad at home or school. Go on an outing to a local salad bar and put together your own balanced salad plates.

Talk about healthy strategies such as including a rainbow of colors and using a light hand with “extras” such as cheese, croutons, dressing, and salted items.

In your communication with your child while she’s away, ask if she’s enjoying the food and whether she’s discovered any new favorites. And when your child returns home, keep the camp experience alive by maintaining at least one new food tradition from camp.

Courtesy American Camp Association

Temple Am Echad

2015

Rabbi Stuart M. Geller

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2015 - 2016 Limited Openings

Where your day camp dreams come true…

• Chocolate Making • Swim • Creative Cooking • Golf • Arts & Crafts • Tennis • Martial Arts

• Chinuch • Creative Movement • Soccer • Basketball • Softball • Drama

Sports Coaches & Clinics, Overnights, Amusement Parks, Game Shows, Water Carnivals AND MUCH MORE!

Ari Solomon, Director Evan Leibowitz & Jordan Nadelbach, Assistant Directors Alyssa Schechter, Program Director

516-569-3370

info.hilleldaycamp.org

767684

www.hilleldaycamp.org

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May 7, 2015 — NASSAU HERALD

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