APRIL 2018
10 TIPS
to Talk to Kids About A Tragedy
SUMMER CAMP GUIDE THE MOTHER OF ALL PARENTING EPIDEMICS —the Preoccupied Mind
Volume 5 / Issue 51
[ PARENTING ] 9 Strategies to Help Kids Cope With Social Exclusion and Friendship Breakups
6 Why We Need to Address Mean Girl Behavior Early and Often
14
“One More Time!” Cultivating Minds and Hearts through Bedtime Reading
The Well-rounded Camper: 30 Life Skills Kids Build While Away From Home
24
29
[ TRAVEL ]
5 Great Reasons to Send Your Child to Summer Camp
Carmel Valley Ranch
32
10
Camp Spotlight
[ SEASONAL FUN ]
10 Tips to Talk to Kids About A Tragedy
39
Summer Camp Guide
34
16
[ EVENTS ] April Calendar
20
The Mother of All Parenting Epidemics —The Preoccupied Mind
22
24 2 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
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20
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Contributing Authors
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Candace Warren Megan Shackley
Roma Khetarpal The Growing Room Katie Hurley, LCSW Signe Whitson Christina Katz Elizabeth Kang Ann Woods Stratford Schools
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Editor’s Note Spring is in the air and summer is just around the corner! As the school year winds down many parents start thinking about how to keep the kids busy during the long school break. We have plenty of ideas starting on page 26. From S.T.E.A.M to equestrian, art, animals and robotics, you will find the perfect program. Be sure to “like” us on Facebook as we push out some awesome Summer Camp discounts! www.facebook.com/activefamilymag. Our world has changed dramatically over the last few years and unfortunately we are forced to have some difficult age-appropriate discussions with our children. ‘10 Tips to Talk to Kids About A Tragedy’ by Dr. Michele Borba on page 16 will provide you with talking points to help navigate this necessary conversation with your family. Wishing you all a happy and healthy Spring! Tracie Brown Vollgraf Editor info@activefamilymag.com
4 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
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APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 5
Active Famil Issue: Apr. 2 Size: 1/2pg, (7.75”x4.8125 DUE: Mar. 15
[ PARENTING ]
Signe Whitson is a certified school social worker, author, and internationallyrecognized speaker with 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families. She presents customized training workshops for professionals, parents, and students on topics related to understanding and ending bullying, managing anger in children, changing passive aggressive behavior, and intervening effectively in crisis situations in schools and treatment organizations. In her articles, books, and trainings, Signe provides down-to-earth, practical advice for navigating the daily challenges of living and working with children, tweens and teens. As a mother of tween & teen daughters, Signe relates to parents on a personal level. Signe is the Director of Counseling & Wellness at The Swain School in Allentown, PA. She is also the Chief Operating Officer of the Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute, an international training and certification program for turning crisis situations into learning opportunities for children and youth with chronic patterns of selfdefeating behaviors. She is the author of six books
6 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
9 Strategies to Help Kids Cope With Social Exclusion and Friendship Breakups by Signe Whitson In their younger years, they were inseparable. They begged for playdates, planned out sleepovers, coordinated afterschool activities, and just seemed to find genuine joy in each other’s company. It was a match made in heaven, you observed, and you felt so lucky that your child had found such a positive friendship so early on in life. Then, things changed. Seemingly overnight. One day, you are cajoling your tween to take a break from her three hour texting marathon with her bestie, and the next you notice that her cell phone suddenly sounds like radio silence. Your daughter is devastated by this abrupt cut-off. You watch as she
[ SEASONAL FUN ]
[ PARENTING ]
desperately tries to figure out why her friend has stopped
in the conversation you had been hoping to have earlier
responding to texts and how come none of the kids at
in the day is to test whether or not you really care.
her lunch table will talk to her anymore. But she can’t seem to glean any understanding of the cause. She only
Why should you have to prove this to your child after
knows with certainty that nothing is the same.
all you have given to them? That’s a story for another article. What’s important to know now is that when
What can you do for your child when he or she is on
young people are hurting over their peer relationships,
the receiving end of a sudden deep freeze from former
they are in need of support from adults. We’re stuck with
friends?
our tasks and our To Do lists until they are (eventually) completed, but our kids grow up — and grow away from
1. Make Time (first and foremost!).
us — very quickly. Don’t miss an opportunity to give them
When kids are little, many parents are diligent about
time, even if they ask for it inconveniently.
establishing a schedule — feeding times, naptimes, bath times, and bedtimes are all guided by the clock
2. Support, Support, Support.
and directed by an adult. By the tween and teen years,
Or, in other words, listen, listen, listen. I talk with so many
however, young people are exercising developmentally
parents who confess to me, “I never know what to say
appropriate behavior when they exert control over their
when she tells me what is going on with her friends. She
own schedules. Too often, however, this control manifests
gets so upset but I don’t know how to fix it for her.”
itself in the frustrating fact that kids don’t want to talk to their parents at traditionally-scheduled times of the day.
As parents, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to have the magic words and the right answers to quickly solve
In fact, chances are excellent that when you first see
our kids’ problems. The bad news is that kids’ friendship
your child after school and ask him about his day, his
struggles are complicated and not easily amenable to
answer will be a simple “Fine,” no matter how terrible,
simple solutions. The good news, however, is that when
horrible, or very bad the day may actually have been.
I talk to young people about what they are looking for
And at the dinner table when you inquire about your
from their parents, most of them tell me things like, “I just
daughter’s school... or friends... or whatever you think
wish they would listen," and “My mom is always trying to
might engage her... she offers an equally unimpressive
give me advice but it doesn’t help because she doesn’t
mono-syllabic answer.
know what it’s like in middle school these days. I just need to be able to vent to her sometimes without her
You are far from alone if you fret that your child won’t
freaking out.” Indeed, overwhelmingly, what I hear from
give you the time of day, but know this: when your child
young people is that they are not looking to be fixed,
does decide he wants to talk about what is going on in
but rather they desperately want to feel heard and
his life, it is critical that you make the time to listen. No
understood.
standing on ceremony, no reminding him that he didn’t want to talk when you approached him at dinnertime. If
3. Help Her Cast a Wide Net.
you want to have a positive relationship with your child
Peer conflicts are very often context-specific. A child
and help him through painful experiences, make time for
who is the target of social exclusion in her school may
him even when it is not convenient. Especially when it is
well find herself accepted and valued by her basketball
not convenient.
teammates or her theatre friends. One of the simplest, yet most powerful prevention strategies for helping kids
I know, I know; you are exhausted at 10:00 p.m. and
cope with friendship challenges is to encourage them
need to get a good night’s rest for tomorrow. You have
to cast a wide net — to seek out friendships both in their
errands to run. You have emails to answer. You are really,
neighborhood, at school, on a team, through a club,
truly busy. I get that. Your child does too. Part of her
and with a youth group, etc. Parents play an important
selecting this most inconvenient moment to engage you
role in making sure that their kids don’t put all of their nest APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 7
[ PARENTING ] eggs into a single peer group basket, but rather develop
parts of a friendship but also to be ready to move on
genuine relationships with multiple peers and all kinds of
from them — when the time is right — with grace and
friendship groups.
with dignity.
Along with offering kids a diverse network of supportive
6. Make Use of Teachable Moments.
peers, cultivating a child’s involvement in teams, clubs,
If there is a situation where you see your child being
theatre groups, etc. has the added benefit of giving
mistreated by a friend again and again, this is an
them interests that they can focus on, rather than
opportunity to teach him or her what real friendship is all
perseverating on a friendship that has gone awry. We
about. In this digital age, some kids start to believe that
want our kids to have passions and purpose. They make
friendship is all about quantity — a number of likes and
kids feel successful and valued and are a far better
followers — instead of quality. Remind your child that a
alternative to the very 21st century adolescent practice
genuine friendship should leave him feeling good about
of basing self-esteem on a number of “likes,” a quantity
himself. If all your child feels is uncertainty and insecurity,
of “followers,” or an amount of texts (not) received from
reassure him that it is a healthy thing to move away from
a friend in a day.
anyone who doesn’t respect him and treat him well.
4. Resist the Urge to Speak Ill of Your Child’s Former
7. Create Distance With Dignity.
Friends.
On that note, teach your child that the way she ends a
I know it can be tempting, especially if a friend or peer
friendship matters. A helpful mantra for tweens and teens
group is especially cruel, but be smart and bite your
is: create distance with dignity. No matter what your
tongue. Here’s why: friendships change quickly. When
daughter’s friends are doing — how cold or exclusive
you trash talk and condemn your child’s former friend
they have become — encourage her to avoid ugly wars
— and then two days later they become BFF’s again —
of words. Remind her not to use fake apologies or justify
things can get awkward between you and your child.
unkindness with “just kidding.” Discourage her from
Even if everything you said was spot on and your child
talking badly about the former friends to others or online.
took comfort in your well-intentioned words at the time,
In fact, teach your child not to put much energy into the
you may well get bumped out of the confidante seat
broken friendship at all. Appreciate it for what it once
when the friendship is back on track — and you don’t
was, but shift her focus to all that is going right in her life
want that.
— to the friendships and activities that help her feel good about herself.
Even if the friendship doesn’t resume, your maintenance of a dignified, respectful regard for the former friend sets
8. Pay Attention to What’s Happening Online.
the tone for how your child will behave toward those with
Help kids disengage from unhealthy friendships online.
whom she is in conflict. Whether we relish the job or not,
For kids caught up in the FOMO (fear of missing out)
we are role models at all times.
and an obsession with likes and followers, it can be even harder to end the online aspects of a friendship than it
5. Help Kids Understand That a Friendship Breakup Is Not
is to let go of the live, personal relationship. Adults need
a Failure.
to be sensitive to this. Well-intentioned advice such as
Parents play a key role in helping kids understand the
telling kids to shut down a social media account or
inevitability of change in interpersonal relationships.
log off entirely is often unrealistic and drives a wedge
In other words, it’s helpful to remind your child that
between parents and kids at just the time that kids need
a friendship breakup is not a failure, but rather a
their parents the most. Every situation is different, but
predictable (albeit painful) part of growing up. Just as
adults are most helpful when they support kids in the
kids’ bodies, interests, and hobbies are changing over
process of disengaging from unhealthy friendships online
time, so will their friendships — and that’s OK! Make it a
rather than demanding that kids stop using technology
point to teach your son or daughter to value the positive
altogether.
8 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
[ PARENTING ] 9. Don’t Take Any of It Personally. There is an old saying that kids who need love the most will ask for it in the most unloving of ways. Truer words were never spoken when it comes to the moody, disrespectful ways that some young people lash out against loved ones when friendship struggles are at their worst. If your child takes his pain out on you, be willing to look beyond her behavior in the moment and empathically tune in to what is really driving her hurtful words and actions.
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APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 9
[ TRAVEL ]
AT CARMEL VALLEY RANCH
I just discovered the winning formula for a perfect Spring Break destination; less than two-hours drive + onsite daycare + activities for everyone. Gorgeous grounds and views don’t hurt either. This magical equation adds up to one fun-filled place — Carmel Valley Ranch. Situated on 500 acres in the breathtaking Carmel Valley, Carmel Valley Ranch is like an upscale family
10 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
sleep-away camp, but with much better amenities. The ranch is neatly tucked away on private property within a gated area, so you can feel comfortable letting your teens roam free to swim or hike while you play a few rounds of golf or relax at the spa. Families with smaller children will appreciate the onsite childcare, as well. The gorgeous Carmel beaches are only a 20-minute drive away, so there’s plenty to see and do in the surrounding areas, as well.
[ TRAVEL ]
Although Carmel Valley Ranch is extremely child-friendly and familyoriented, the property manages to maintain a serene, relaxing aura, which is why it’s also so popular with honeymooners and couples who visit sans kids. There are separate pools for adults and children, with an adults-only pool located near the property’s restaurant and lobby area “The Lodge,” and a family pool located at “River Ranch,” which houses the casual onsite cafe, children’s splash zone, and other fun activities. What also helps to keep a serene, private feel are the location of the guest suites, which are nestled throughout the trees and hills of the property. The suites are situated so that they’re not clumped together all in one area, and thus feel somewhat private and spacious. Our suite had a charming outdoor patio overlooking the valley and hills beyond. It was the perfect spot to enjoy our morning coffee. The rooms are cozy and upscale, decorated with a sparse, traditional aesthetic that doesn't compete with the outside beauty. Our suite had a pull-out bed/couch combo in addition to our comfy king-sized bed, which accommodated our family of four nicely. APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 11
[ TRAVEL ]
Because the property is so expansive, you’ll often need to drive or call a valet to get to the restaurant or pool area from your suite. It’ s certainly possible to walk, however it may be a 10-20 minute endeavor. But with a quick call from your room, a 24-hour, on-call valet will come scoop you up to take you and your family to your destination. There is plenty to see and do at Carmel Valley Ranch, so be sure to take the time to drive through or request a tour of the property grounds, which include a charming garden that grows fresh, seasonal produce for the onsite restaurant, as well as a goat farm, chicken coop, salt house and bee hives. Children will delight in the feeding of the goats activity, which takes place most mornings. There is also a “Bee Experience” activity available, where guests try on a traditional beekeeping suite and get up close and personal with the resident bees and taste the delicious honey produced for the restaurant and spa. Both bees and guests alike appreciate the Springtime splendor on the ranch, when Lavender blooms all over the property (another local product used at the spa) and the valley is lush and green.
one of the loveliest courses around. Designed by Pete Dye, the championship and award-winning course is the perfect way to spend a sunny, coastal day. The exclusive adults-only clubhouse is a great place to enjoy lunch in-between holes, or browse for golf accessories and apparel. After a long day at golf, or perhaps while a significant other golfs, the spa at Carmel Valley Ranch hits all the right places. Spa Aiyana offers tranquil serenity in a relaxing, soothing setting. Enjoy a unique spa treatment using products and methods based on one of four gardens on property: Lavender, Herb, Aiyana, or Alchemist. Choose your treatment based on its invigorating, restoring or relaxing properties. Whether you’re golfing, at the spa or simply want to partake in one of the many exercise classes offered, the onsite childcare facilities are a wonderful amenity to take advantage of. For children ages 2-5, the daily, year-round “Busy Bees” camp keeps younger ones busy on an hourly basis, and children do not need to be potty trained to participate. For children ages 6-12, the “Ranch Hands Kids’ Camp” is the place to be. Kids will make
If you enjoy playing golf, the expansive 18-hole course at Carmel Valley Ranch weaves through valley meadows, overlooking foothills and paralleling creeks, making it 12 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
new friends and enjoy activities such as arts & crafts, swimming, golf, and games. Available in full day or half day packages, with lunch and/or snacks provided.
[ TRAVEL ]
When you want to enjoy Carmel Valley Ranch as a family, you’ll find plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy. At the kid-friendly River Ranch, swim and relax in the family pool and hot tub, and then dry off by the cozy fire pit. Younger kids will enjoy the splash pad, open during warm months, and babies and toddlers can frolic in the shallow toddler pool. Get in a family game of bocce ball at the bocce courts, or practice your archery at River Lawn. There are plenty of hiking trails winding throughout the property, ranging from short and easy, to steep and challenging. Take the children to visit the goats and chickens at the farm, or spy on the many deer, hawk and other wildlife who call the property home. There are also junior tennis and golf lessons available, as well as horseback riding, (by appointment.)
There are three dining options available on the property, ranging from quick grab-and-go bites to elegant but family friendly full-service dining. The River Ranch Cafe is a great spot for a casual breakfast or lunch, or quick snack by the pool. Enjoy a made-to-order burger, cobb salad, or turkey club while kids can choose from favorites like chicken fingers, chicken quesadillas and mac and cheese. Cocktails, beer and wine by the glass are available for purchase, as well. Grab a fresh fruit plate, smoothie or yogurt parfait to enjoy poolside. At the Golf Clubhouse, breakfast and lunch options are available for golfers and club members to enjoy in a relaxing, casual setting. Options include a double-stuffed breakfast burrito, steel-cut oatmeal and buttermilk pancakes for breakfast. Lunch fare includes fish tacos, chili, french dip sandwich, salads and burgers. Enjoy a more formal meal at Valley Kitchen, which is perfect for a romantic date night or family dinner. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Valley Kitchen’s menus showcase seasonal ingredients, often straight
from the property’s gardens. Valley Kitchen also serves a Sunday Buffet Brunch that’s not-to-be-missed. Children’s menus are available for all meals. On our trip we enjoyed a decadent, yet light wild mushroom croquette starter, as well as tangy chicken wings with honey and salt both produced on the property. The Pacific Northwest Halibut was served with a wonderfully silky celery root puree and deliciously earthy chanterelle mushrooms. The Double Cut Honey Brined Pork Chop was served with a roasted orchard apple sauce that we wished we had more of. The wine and cocktail list highlights local vineyards, naturally, as well as some very inventive cocktails (smoked lavender martini!) A Happy Hour menu is available Sunday through Thursday from 3-5 pm, offering half off selected food and wine by the glass. www.carmelvalleyranch.com APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 13
[ PARENTING ]
Why We Need to Address Mean Girl Behavior Early and Often by Katie Hurley, LCSW New research confirms childhood bullying leads to poor mental health for teens. Katie Hurley, LCSW, is a child and adolescent psychotherapist and author of The Happy Kid Handbook. Her work can be found on EverydayFamily, Momtastic, mom.me, Yahoo Parenting, PBS Parents and The Huffington Post. Katie writes the parenting blog, Practical Parenting. Katie splits her time between Los Angeles and the Connecticut coast with her rock and roll husband and their two happy children. For more stress reduction techniques and strategies to empower children to live happy lives, check out Katie’s new book, The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World.
The “mean girl” narrative is so ingrained in our culture that many even consider it a “rite of passage” of sorts when it comes to surviving girlhood. We see it in the media. We see it in literature. We see it in our daily lives. Girls learn that relational aggression is simply something that occurs throughout the course of girlhood. Some lucky girls manage to avoid it, but many fall victim to relational aggression at some point in their lives. One survey of 11,561 third to eighth grade students in rural and urban schools in Oregon revealed that 41 to 48 percent of girls and 31 to 42 percent of boys reported exposure to relational aggression in a thirty-day period. Four to 6 percent of girls and boys reported exposure once or more a week. Relational aggression comes in many forms and can include gossip, rumor spreading, public embarrassment, social exclusion, and alliance building. Given that many children now have access to SmartPhones, tablets, and other forms of technology, relational aggression also bleeds into cyberbullying. The lines are blurry, at best. Relational aggression is linked with school absences, mental health issues, social isolation, somatic complaints, behavioral problems, academic struggles, and even eating disorders and substance abuse as kids grow. In fact, new research shows that severe bullying in childhood puts adolescents at a higher risk of mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors,
14 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
[ SEASONAL FUN ] debilitating depressive symptoms, and/or anxiety.
[ PARENTING ] away.” When children are victims of rumor spreading, social isolation, or public humiliation, it’s downright
The Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development
devastating. It’s essential to teach all kids the power of
included 2,120 children born in 1997/98. 1,363 of those
being upstanders.
children reported peer victimization between the ages of 6 and 13. The children were followed until age 15.
I always tell kids that it only takes one person to help
Results showed that the most severely victimized students
another person in need. While standing up to peers (in
had greater odds of reporting debilitating depressive/
person or online) certainly isn’t easy, kids can practice
dysthymic symptoms, debilitating generalized anxiety
trying one of these strategies:
symptoms, and suicidality at age 15. • Refute the rumor What this study confirms is that we have to help children
• Meet a negative with a positive
build prosocial skills and develop empathy and
• Say something kind to the victim
compassion for others early and often. We can’t afford to
• Stand next to the victim to provide support
wait until middle school to tackle these difficult topics.
• Get help from an adult on behalf of the victim
In my new book, No More Mean Girls: The Secret to
Lecturing kids about bullying doesn’t do much to inspire
Raising Strong, Confident, and Compassionate Girls, I
change. Teaching them how to make a difference gives
help parents and educators navigate this murky territory,
them tools to use when they encounter bullying.
including understanding why this behavior is trickling down to younger students and how we can take a
Create an empathic environment
proactive approach to helping kids stand up to peer negativity and promote empathy and kindness among
Kids who hurt others are hurting. This can be difficult to
young children.
remember when your child is on the receiving end of bullying.
Educate One thing schools and families can do to help children All too often parents are conditioned to avoid difficult
is to create empathic environments. In a time when
conversations with their kids. Many parents indicate that
winning and success are highly valued, we need to help
they hope their kids are unaware of things like relational
kids understand that empathy and compassion are
aggression and want to preserve childhood. The truth is
more important than trophies, test scores, and college
that young kids are encountering relational aggression
acceptances. To do this, we need to show empathy and
and they are not equipped with the coping skills to
compassion for others, and for our children.
confront it. Start and end the days with an emotions check-in. Share Define bullying, cyberbullying, and relational aggression
your highs and lows, and ask your kids to do the same.
for your kids. Give concrete examples and ask them if
Use empathic listening when your kids talk. Don’t listen to
they’ve seen or heard anything like it. Try role plays to
respond or fix; listen to understand. Read books steeped
help your child understand the differences between
in empathy as a family or in the classroom. Talk about
teasing, arguing, and acts of bullying.
ways to help one another when others are unkind.
Teach “upstander” behavior
The more we teach kids that they have the power to help and to heal, the more kids rise to the occasion
It can be very difficult to stand up to peers engaging
and look out for one another. If we truly want to knock
in relational aggression, but it’s also very hard to take
out bullying, we have to stop lecturing and start
the advice kids are given over and over again, “walk
empowering. APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 15
[ PARENTING ] Dr. Michele Borba is an internationally recognized expert and author on children, teens, parenting, bullying and moral development. She is an NBC contributor appearing over 100 times on the TODAY show and is the regular parenting expert on Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers. Her work has been featured on Dr. Phil, Dateline, The View, The Doctors, Fox News, The Early Show and CNN and well as in Newsweek, People, Good Housekeeping, Chicago Tribune, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Post, The New York Times and The Globe and Mail. She was an MSNBC contributor to two televised “Education Nation” specials. Dr. Borba is the awardwinning author of 22 parenting and educational books translated into 14 languages. Titles include: Don’t Give Me That Attitude!, Parents Do Make A Difference, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions: 101 Answers to Your Everyday Challenges and Wildest Worries, and Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me!, No More Misbehavin’, Building Moral Intelligence (cited by Publishers’ Weekly as “Among the most noteworthy of 2001”), and Esteem Builders used by 1.5 million students worldwide. She writes as the parenting expert for Dr. Oz’s website, as well a daily column for her blog, Dr. Borba’s Reality Check: www.micheleborba.com Twitter: @micheleborba
10 Tips to Talk to Kids About A Tragedy by Dr. Michele Borba How to Talk to Kids About a Tragedy Another school shooting. All of us-including our children-are trying to make sense of the unimaginable. But how do we talk to kids about tragedy? Here are tips I hope will help you have a most difficult, but necessary conversation. Gauge these pointers to the age and maturity of your child. My “TALK Model” may help you remember the four important parts to talking about this or any tragedy with a child. Use T.A.L.K. to Talk About A Tragedy With Kids T – Talk about the tragic event Ensure that your child has accurate information that come straight from you. A – Assess how your child is coping Tune into your child’s feelings and behavior. Watch and listen how he deals with the event so you’ll know how to help him cope and build resilience. Every child handles a tragedy differently. There is no predicting. L – Listen to your child’s concerns and questions Use the “Talk. Stop. Listen. Talk. Stop. Listen” model as you discuss a tragedy. Listen more than your talk. Follow your child’s lead.
16 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
[ PARENTING ] K – Kindle hope that the world will go on despite the
that out.” Keep in mind that kids usually ask only what
horror
they can understand.
Help your children realize though there is tragedy, evil
Use a kid-oriented talk framework. You’ll be altering
and horror there is also goodness, compassion and
your talking points to your child’s age and maturity.
hope.
Your discussion can be as long or as short as your child needs. Kids don’t need all the horrific details. For
10 Tips to Talk To Kids About A Tragedy
instance, give only information that is needed or asked. “Yes, people died.” But you don’t have to describe the
1. Keep yourself strong and calm for your child’s sake.
types of injuries, etc. Children can be literal. (“Rapid fire”
Resilient children have resilient parents. Don’t expect
connotes a fire to a child) so try to think like your child.
to be able to help allay your kids’ anxiety, unless you’re
Give information in short nuggets. Talk in small little
keeping your own in check. You can tell your kids you’re
doses–instead of a lecture format. Don’t explain more
calm and not concerned, but unless your behavior sends
than your child is ready to hear. Don’t give out details
the same message, your words have no meaning. Your
that your child doesn’t need to know.
kids mirror your behavior. They will be calmer if you are
Honor silence. Your child may be trying to process what
calmer. You need to be strong for your children. Let your
you’re saying. This is a lot to take in so allow time for your
children know you’re upset, but also what you’re doing to
child to process the information. This is a difficult topic.
stay calm. Mediate. Take a walk. Listen to soothing music.
Answer questions matter-of-factly. You never know what
Do deep breathing. Exercise. Journal.
may be asked or not asked so be prepared for anything. “Why did he shoot those kids?” is one of the toughest
2. Talk about a tragedy to kids in age appropriate terms.
questions. Answer based on your beliefs but don’t give
News is a 24-hour cycle these days. This tragedy will be
kids the view that’s how all people are. You can also flip
played and replayed as details emerge. Chances are
and ask: “What do you think?”
he will hear about this tragedy. Peers do talk, televisions
Keep the conversation going. Let your child know you’re
are left on for snippets to be overheard, newspapers lay
available to talk at any time or any place. Tell him, “You
around, the Internet is a constant source of news. More
may have other questions, so come to me!” Let him know
often than not those facts your child receives about a
this is an ongoing conversation–if he so chooses.
tragedy won’t be accurate and can fuel anxiety. Kids
Use a safe starter. A safe way to begin a conversation
need hear the facts, and you are their best source.
is to ask: “What are your friend saying?” Don’t assume because your kid is older or isn’t saying anything he isn’t
Here are strategies to use (T.A.L.K). as you talk about a
affected by this. Many kids will hold in their concerns
tragedy with your child.
which is why you should initiate the conversation. You might also want to ignite that social justice element in
Plan your chat. This will be a difficult talk, so take time to
your tween or teen: “What do you think our country
plan what you want to say to your child. Think through
should do?” Spark the conversation about gun laws. Talk
your lines. Anticipate your child’s questions (though you
about rights. Teens can get passionate. Listen. Let your
never know what may be asked so be prepared for
kid talk. It’s empowering.
anything). Planning your discussion will help boost your
Assure safety. A prime concern of children is their own
confidence and make you appear calmer.
safety. Young kids are egocentric so don’t be surprised if
Find out what they know. Peers talk. Cell phones access
their big worries appear “self-centered.” A young child
the Internet. Access to news is everywhere. Begin any
may think: “What about me?” “Is he coming to get me,
talk by getting on the same page as your child so you
too?” Young children do not have an understanding of
can direct the conversation accordingly. “What do you
time or space. “That happened way far away.” Or “That
know?’ or “What have you heard?” are good openers.
happened in the next town.” Let your child know what
Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answer. None of us
action your community is taking to assure safety: “The
do. It’s okay to tell your child: “I don’t know, but I’ll find
teachers, police and doctors are all working hard to APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 17
[ PARENTING ] keep us safe.” While you can’t promise safety, you can
Ages 5 to 9: This age is curious and is trying to make sense
assure your child that everyone is doing everything to
of such as tragedy. Questions might include. “Why do
keep kids safe because people care.
people kill? Why did that boy want to kill those kids?” Be honest if you don’t know. And don’t be turned off by
3. Tune into your child’s feelings
those questions. You want your kids to ask, and keep
Do know that kids respond to tragic news differently.
asking.
Follow your child’s lead. Kids need to know that it is okay
Ages 10 to 12: They may not want to chat but it doesn’t
to share their feelings with you and that it’s normal to be
mean they’re not thinking about the tragedy. An opener
upset. Help her find healthy ways to express his concerns.
such as: “What are your friends saying?” may begin the
Feel free to express your own sorrow or feelings: “Yes,
conversation.
I’m upset.” “I feel so sad for the families.” What’s most
Age 13 and over: This age may try to minimize the
important is letting your child know you are available to
event or argue more with you then want to discuss
listen.
what happened. Because victims were teens this age may also be more affected. Tune in. Most teens can be
How A Child May Be Affected By A Tragedy
involved in discussions about the news and stimulating
There are no hard rules but here are things to consider
conversations can result. Teachers, coaches, scout
about a tragedy as to which children are more likely to
masters, camp directors may be discussing this with
be affected but here are things to consider.
your tween or teen so you can spin off: “What have you
• The closer in proximity a child is to the physical event
heard?” Or use a newspaper clipping about the tragedy
– for instance, you live in Florida or you have relatives
to begin the conversation.
there, the more likely the child will be affected. • If the child personally knows the victim, the more the child be affected.
5. Limit or monitor news With news showing such horrific images, it’s especially
• If the child is more sensitive or anxious in nature.
important to monitor how much about this tragedy your
• If the child has endured a recent trauma such as a
kids are watching. If your kids do watch the news, watch
parent’s deployment, a divorce, a death. • If the child identifies with the victim (such as same age, gender, or other characteristic).
with them to answer their questions and certainly limit exposure. Don’t assume that your older child will not be affected by the news.
• A child can also seem fine now but display emotional signs later. • The child may also be unaffected by an event.
Seeing repeated violent images exacerbates existing anxiety and can increase anxiety and fear in some kids. Viewing images of grief could also retrigger feelings of
4. Provide accurate age appropriate information
sadness in kids who have recently dealt with grief.
Always tailor the facts to your child’s understanding
Images of a tragedy can increase aggression in some
and give only those details that he needs to know.
kids.
The American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry offers these tips:
A survey of middle school children found that one of their biggest fears was those late-breaking news reports
Preschool. Don’t assume that your child has not heard
without an adult there to interpret it for them.
about this event. And don’t be surprised if he keeps asking the same questions even if you’ve turned the
Research also shows that younger children do not
television off. Young children are remarkably perceptive.
have the cognitive understanding to recognize that
They often ask the same questions as a way to process
the televised images they are seeing or hearing may
information. So calmly answer and be brief in your
be repeats. Instead, they assume the event they are
responses. Don’t let children watch a lot of TV. Repetition
watching is happening live. For instance, each time
of events are disturbing.
young children saw the televised images of the planes
18 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
[ PARENTING ] hitting the World Trade Center towers they assumed the
If you see anxiety and stress linger, become more
event was live.
pronounced, spill over into other areas of your child’s life, please call for the help of a mental health professional.
Limit your child’s news access over the next few days or turn off the television. Plop in a video that you know will
8. Do something proactive as a family
not have interrupted news broadcasts. Stories providing
One of the best ways to reduce feelings of anxiety is to
such graphic details about the shooting scene or the
help kids find proactive ways to allay their fears. It also
medical condition of victims or how they died can
empowers kids to realize they can make a difference in
induce stress. If your kids do watch the news, watch with
a world that might appear scary or unsafe. If your teen
them. Be there to answer their questions and comfort
is upset, encourage him to write to his congressman.
them.
Tweet out his concerns. Get a group of kids together and discuss what can be done. Channeling fears and
5. Comfort kids with family activities
frustrations into positive activism can be healing and
In times of stress, kids need to feel embraced by their
may even galvanize change.
family. That’s why it’s a good idea to spend plenty of time doing things together over the weekend—it helps
9. Point out the heroism
her feel safe and sends a “We’re all in this together”
Please also draw your child’s attention to stories of
message. Find tension-releasing activities the entire
heroism and compassion: the teachers, police, the
family can do together. For instance, go for walks or
ambulance drivers, parents, paramedics, the doctors–
bike rides, pray or meditate, listen to soothing music or
everyone who was there to try to help. Point out those
watch humorous videos. And engage in—or create—
wonderful simple gestures of compassion, love and hope
comforting family traditions: attend a religious service, or
that people are doing for one another. Find those stories
light a nightly candle to convey your sorrow.
of compassion in the newspaper and share them with your family.
6. Stick to routines One of the best ways to alleviate anxiety is to stick to
Ask your child to watch for little actions of kindness they
your normal routines. It is comforting and soothing to
see others do and report them at the dinner table from
kids to know that life is normal—even though the news
now own. Many families call those “Good News Reports.”
is giving them quite a different message. So stick to your routines. It sends a clear message that even during a
10. Help your child learn to grieve
tragedy parents keep going to work, kids continue going
Now is the time to help your child adopt your religious
to school, and the world will go on.
beliefs or instill your values. Do what you believe with your children. For instance: Pray as a family. Attend a service
7. Tune into anxious kids
together. Light candles together. Doing so is empowering
Watch your more sensitive child closer or your child who
to a child. Your ritual will help them cope now but also
may have experienced a recent trauma during these
know how to handle grief on a more personal issue later.
next days or weeks. Trauma could be the death of a
It’s so important to assure your children that there’s more
loved one, depression, severe bullying, the deployment
to the world than violence, tragedy and fear. There is
of a parent, experiencing a flood, fire, illness, or severe
compassion, and love, and hope. Help your child see
weather. Certain kids are more vulnerable to anxiety
the world as a hopeful place.Your actions can make a
or heightened stress during such tragedies. Of course,
big difference in helping to send that message.
you never know how any child – regardless of age – will respond. It’s why it’s important for you to be available.
Now go hug your kids! APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 19
[ EVENTS ]
April Alameda County APRIL 1 Hunt for Treasure Alameda Antiques Faire Alameda 6:00am- 3:00pm www.alamedapointantiquesfaire. com/index.php
APRIL 1 First Sundays at OMCA Oakland Museum of California Oakland 10:00am- 6:00pm www.museumca.org/2018/firstsundays-omca-mar
APRIL 2-6 Spring Break Camps City of Dublin Dublin Times Vary www.ci.dublin.ca.us
APRIL 4 Visit the Botanical Garden for Free UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley Berkeley 9:00am- 4:30pm www.events.berkeley.edu Spring Break Art Classes at the Bothwell Bankhead Theater Livermore 10:00am www.lvpac.org
APRIL 5, 12, 19, 26 (Thursdays) Farmers Market Emerald Glen Park Dublin 4:00-8:00pm www.ci.dublin.ca.us
APRIL 6 Hop Here on First Fridays Temescal, Ruby’s Garden Oakland 6:00pm- 8:00pm www.rubysgarden.com
$5 First Fridays at Chabot Space & Science Center Chabot Space & Science Center Oakland 6:00pm- 10:00pm www.chabotspace.org/firstfridays.htm
APRIL 12
APRIL 7
APRIL 13
Hands-on History Day Dublin Heritage Park & Museums Dublin 1:30pm-3:30pm www.ci.dublin.ca.us
Jammies Required: Movie Night at the Oakland Zoo Oakland Zoo Oakland 6:30pm- 9:30pm www.oaklandzoo.org/index.html
First Glance: Member Telescope Viewing Chabot Space and Science Center Oakland 7:30pm www.chabotspace.org/calendar. htm?
APRIL 14
APRIL 26
Earth Day 2018 Event Oakland Zoo Oakland 10:00am-3:00pm www.oaklandzoo.org/
Living with Black Bears Oakland Zoo Oakland 6:00pm-9:00pm www.oaklandzoo.org
Woodland Fairy Home Building Workshop Oakland Zoo Oakland 1:00pm-4:00pm www.oaklandzoo.org
Livermore Innovation Fair 2018 Bankhead Plaza Livermore 10:00am-3:00pm www.lvpac.org
Contra Costa County
APRIL 8
APRIL 18
Chores for Little Farmers Ardenwood Fremont 1:00pm-1:30pm www.ebparks.org/parks/ ardenwood#calendar
Jump with Jamie: Music Class The Rec Room, Berkeley Berkeley 10:30am- 1:15pm www.recroomkids.com
Pleasanton Community Concert Band Spring Concert Firehouse Arts Center Pleasanton 2:00pm-4:00pm www.firehousearts.org
APRIL 19, 26
APRIL 10
APRIL 21
Tartan Day Scottish Fair Ardenwood Fremont 10:00am-5:00pm www.ebparks.org/parks/ ardenwood#calendar
APRIL 8, 22
East Bay Playground Destiny Arts Center Oakland 10:00am- 11:30am www.ourfamily.org
20 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
Take Root: Oakland Grows Food Oakland Museum of California Oakland 11:00am- 5:00pm www.museumca.org
Summer Farmer’s Market Carnegie Park Livermore 4:00pm-8:00pm www.livermoredowntown.com Help Clean Arroyo Viejo Creek at the Oakland Zoo Oakland Zoo Oakland 9:00am- 12:00pm www.oaklandzoo.org/programsand-events/arroyo-viejo-creekclean-up
Apple Cider Pressing Ardenwood Fremont 11:00am-11:30am www.ebparks.org/parks/ ardenwood#calendar
APRIL 22
APRIL 5,12 & 19 Taste of the World Market Orinda Community Center Orinda 5PM-9PM www.cityoforinda.org
APRIL 6-7 Jumpin’ at the Sun Spring Performance Dougherty Valley Performing Arts San Ramon Times Vary www.sanramon.ca.gov/calendar
APRIL 13 Preschool Performance Series: Juggler and Comic Fred Anderson Village Theater Art Gallery Danville 10AM-11AM www.danville.ca.gov/calendar
[ EVENTS ]
April APRIL 14 Walnut Creek Downtown History Tour Liberty Bell Plaza Walnut Creek 9:30AM-11:30AM www.walnutcreekdowntown.com
APRIL 21 Earth Day Event Danville Library Danville 11:00am-1:00pm www.danville.ca.gov/calendar Sheep Shearing Forest Home Farm San Ramon 11:00am-3:00pm www.srhf.org/index.php/event/ sheep-shearing
APRIL 27 Middle School Murder/Mystery Night San Ramon Community Center at Central Park San Ramon 5:30pm-8:30pm www.sanramon.ca.gov/calendar
Out of Area APRIL 1 Free Day at the Asian Art Museum Civic Center San Francisco 10:00am- 5:00pm www.asianart.org/ events/search?series_ types=target+sunday Smell the Flowers During Story Time in the SF Botanical Gardens Golden Gate Park San Francisco 10:30am- 11:00am www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/ library/childrens-story-time.html
Presidio Picnic Presidio Main Parade Grounds San Francisco 11:00am- 4:00pm www.offthegrid.com/event/ presidio-picnic/2018-3-25-11am Learn to Ride Stafford Lake Bike Park Novato 9:00am- 11:00am https://visitnovato.com/ Easter Family Picnic Gilroy Gardens Gilroy 12:00pm-2:00pm www.gilroygardens.org/play/ events
APRIL 2 TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Hosts “Spring Theatre Camp” Nixon Elementary Palo Alto 9:00am- 3:00pm www.theatreworks.org/youthprograms
APRIL 3 Explore Big Basin State Park Big Basin Boulder Creek 9:00am- 10:30am www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=855
APRIL 4 Help Plant the Presidio The Presidio San Francisco 1:00pm- 4:00pm www.presidio.gov/page-notfound?requestUrl=https://www. presidio.gov/events/presidionursery-2016-06-1
APRIL 5 Curl Up for Story Time at Diesel, A Bookstore Marin Country Mart Larkspur 10:30am www.dieselbookstore.com/event/ larkspur-childrens-story-timeour-very-own-clare
APRIL 6
APRIL 14
First Friday Family Night San Mateo, CuriOdyssey San Francisco 5:00pm to 8:00pm www.curiodyssey.org/activities/ family-events/first-friday-familynights
Trash Mash-Up at Ruth’s Table Mission, Ruth’s Table San Francisco 2:00pm- 4:00pm www.ruthstable.org
Sleep Seal Adjacent at this Overnighter Fort Cronkhite, The Marine Mammal Center Sausalito 6:00pm- 10:00pm www.marinemammalcenter.org
Cherry Blossom Festival Japantown San Francisco 11:00am- 5:00pm www.sfcherryblossom.org
APRIL 7 Park it for Free on Measure a Days Marin County Parks Marin County Times Vary www.marincountyparks.org/ depts/pk/calendar#/?i=1 Take a Stow Lake Stroll Stow Lake San Francisco 10:00am- 12:00pm www.sfrecpark.org
APRIL 8 Sundays Are for Marine Science The Marine Mammal Center Sausalito Times Vary www.marinemammalcenter.org
APRIL 9 Jamboodas Dance Party in the Playspace Potrero Hill, Recess Urban Recreation San Francisco 12:00pm- 12:30pm www.recessurbanrecreation.com/ schedule
APRIL 15
APRIL 21 You’ll Flip on this Whale Watching Adventure Half Moon Bay 9:00am- 12:00pm www.farallones.noaa.gov
APRIL 21- 22 Children of the Dragon Children’s Discovery Museum San Jose All Day www.cdm.org
APRIL 28-29 Paw Patrol Orpheum Theatre San Francisco 2:00pm www.san-francisco-theater.com
APRIL 28 Cool Chicks Hang Out Here Deer Hollow Farm Cupertino 10:00am- 2:00pm www.deerhollowfarmfriends.org/ events/farm-tours Email info@activefamilymag.com to subscribe to our weekly email blast for more events!
APRIL 12, 26 Spring Bird Walk San Francisco Zoo 8:30am-10:00am www.sfzoo.org
APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 21
[ PARENTING ]
Roma Khetarpal is the author of The “Perfect” Parent: 5 Tools for Using Your Inner Perfection to Connect with Your Kids and the founder/ CEO of Tools of Growth (www. toolsofgrowth.com), through which she helps parents raise kids to “Be Happy, Think Positive, and Do Good.” She is also a contributor to Huffingtonpost.com and Masalamommas.com. She is also an Executive Board Member of the Philanthropic Society Los Angeles, which raises funds for Children’s Institute, Inc., and is Member of the Board of Directors for the Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation, an organization providing support, programs and leadership for K-12 public school education. Khetarpal also serves on the Board of Directors at AM-Touch Dental where she previously served for 20 years as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and where she currently teaches employee relations classes. She is also working on a line of children’s products that will promote self-understanding and emotional intelligence. (Article first published on Huffington Post)
22 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
The Mother of All Parenting Epidemics —The Preoccupied Mind by Roma Khetarpal We rob our kids and ourselves of valuable experiences when we lend our minds to unnecessary distractions. School pickups and drop-offs. Grocery shopping and healthy meal planning. Science projects, essays, and reading assignments. Sports, dance, martial arts, tutoring. Team parenting responsibilities, volunteer commitments. and play dates. That’s a short list of what’s on many parents’ agendas. Yes, the demands of parenting are endless, but our need to fill them all is nothing to boast about. Splattered over the internet are articles from trusted resources about alarming “epidemics”: the epidemic of stressed parents raising stressed kids; the prescription pill epidemic; the over-parenting epidemic; the exhaustion epidemic. They all point in one direction: Parental busyness is overwhelming our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing! How crazy is that! What we should be enjoying, cherishing, and celebrating most – our children – is stressing us out the most. Our kids are not doing this to us. They aren’t saying, “What more can I add to this list to stress out my parents?” Or “I really want to add on four more afterschool activities to stress myself out.” No, we are doing this to ourselves, mostly to meet the preconditioned demands of society or to keep up with peerparent pressure.
[ PARENTING ] Regardless of the source of pressure, however, one thing is clear: A busy schedule busies our minds. A busy mind ignites the need to multitask, and multitasking pulls us out of the moment and throws us either into the past or the future. We are now doing things mechanically – robotically—with our mind elsewhere. This is the birth of the “preoccupied” mind, the mother of all parenting epidemics and an addictive habit that we are all guilty of. While we are physically in one task, our mind is lost in thought. A different thought, that is. So while we are doing this, we are thinking about that. We are abstracted, distracted, absent, and absent-minded. Parents, we are not wired for this. Humans are not wired to thrive – in the long term – when we are not present in what we are doing. It might feel like we are accomplishing something in the now, but with the passage of time this continued habit wears us down by disconnecting our minds from the task at hand. In the process we tax our intellect, emotions, and our physical expressions– how we talk, behave, our tone of voice, and our choice of words. We drain our energy and pile on stress. We then project our “stress” outward. Guess where! Yes, to our kids. Don’t be fooled for a moment that our kids don’t feel the effects of this. Add a preoccupied, disconnected mind to the busyness of life, and we have written a recipe for disaster for both our children and ourselves. It’s no wonder that we are plagued with parenting epidemics. So what should we do? 1. Mind-watch. Every time your mind moves away from the task at hand – for example, if you are doing dishes and suddenly you find yourself thinking about your schedule for the next day – take a deep breath and focus. Remember, the goal is to slowly bring the preoccupied mind back to the task at hand. Visualize a fishing pole, and start reeling your mind back in. When we start to watch our mind in this way, we start to understand our inner nature. Count how many times your mind gets distracted in a matter of five minutes. When I first started to mind-watch, I realized that in a five-minute span, my mind drifted more than 100 times. I wasn’t surprised when, years later, I read research that said the average person thinks more than 50,000 thoughts each day and approximately 35-48 thoughts each minute. So busyness may be in our nature, but if we become busybodies following it everywhere, we will break down
at some point. We don’t need science to confirm that for us. 2. Use your senses to un-occupy your preoccupied mind. Our senses help us make sense of things. It is through our five senses that we experience the world around us. When our mind drifts, we disconnect from our senses and lose out on the experience at hand. So if you’re doing dishes, for example, turn your attention – your mind – back to the physical contact, the touch of your hands on the dishes. If you are wearing dishwashing gloves, watch and listen to the water flowing from your tap. If your kids are talking to you and your mind is drifting, making eye contact with them will help you not only hear them but also really listen to them. In my book, The “Perfect” Parent: 5 Ways to Use Your Inner Perfection to Connect With Your Kids , I explain this in detail in Sensible (Senseable) Parenting, which is a key parenting tool. 3. Embrace the world of mindfulness. Parents ask me all the time, “What does being mindful really mean?” Being mindful is simply being aware, conscious, alert, and focused on the task at hand. Being mindful means being present and fully attentive to what we are doing or feeling or experiencing. When we mind-watch and use our senses to un-occupy our preoccupied mind, we become mindful. We start to focus better and experience more of our lives. When we experience more, we start to enjoy what we are doing. When we add joy to our lives, we reduces stress and anxiety and increase our happiness index, which directly affects our self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-respect—the antidotes to all-too-common parenting epidemics. So when you are doing things for and with your kids, make sure your mind is not preoccupied. The more you practice mind-watching, the more you will start to reel back your distracted mind. Sure, as parents, we are busy. We have to get things done. Just make sure your mind is not preoccupied with the weight of random thoughts drifting in and out. What a waste to rob ourselves of experiencing our life and to deplete the precious energy that we can direct toward raising our children. Always keep in mind that as parents our goal should never be to get through the day relieved that the night has come and that we can stop the busy-ness of our mind, but to get to the end of the day with gratitude for the experiences that enrich our lives because of our children. Can you imagine a life without them? APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 23
[ PARENTING ]
“One More Time!” Cultivating Minds and Hearts through Bedtime Reading by The Growing Room “One more time!” This well-worn phrase has become associated with a child’s transparent effort to delay bedtime. Yet, the plea and the intended result encompass far more for both parent and child. Concerned parents are continually seeking information as to how to raise the happiest, healthiest, most well adjusted humans. Recently the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement saying that all pediatric primary care should include literacy promotion, starting at birth. Enter bedtime reading rituals. Bedtime reading may well be one of the most important health and communication tools available to parents in establishing physical and emotional wellbeing, and literacy skills with their child. The image of child lovingly tucked in bed beside a parent—favorite book in hand—resonates deeply with all of us. The role of storyteller is one of parenting’s most sacred privileges—the beloved nightly ritual of bedtime reading serves as the hallmark of positive parentchild interaction. Here are some of the wonderful benefits that bedtime reading offers children (and parents). Bedtime Reading and Emotional Health/Physical Bonding Remember choosing that favorite dog-eared book and snuggling with your freshly bathed, soft-skinned, wide-eyed toddler? Skin against skin, the unison of heartbeats—reading aloud is the shared attention and emotion between a parent and child. There is nothing that tugs at those parental heartstrings more than those early memories. Not surprisingly, it is the same for your child. What greater gift can a parent give their child then their undivided attention? Children ultimately learn to love reading and books because they are sharing it with someone they love. So… Save the Ritual! The snuggles don’t have to end! Though your child may be beyond the physical snuggles, they are never beyond the “emotional snuggles” that a shared story provides. While bedtime stories are not immediately associated with tools for emotional health, the shared emotions and conversations while reading a book with a parent can foster strong connections between parent and child. Experts suggest that parents continue the bedtime story tradition even into the teenage years. Reading aloud can provide fodder for interpersonal conversations. Bedtime reading allows parents to approach difficult topics in a safe environment. You are able to enter their world through the safety and anonymity of a third party character, gaining insights into your teenager that otherwise may be guarded. Powerful emotions can be explored through stories. Furthermore, by selecting books that are slightly above a teen’s reading level, parents can continue to expose their teenagers to new words to expand their vocabulary. So, don’t stop 24 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
[ PARENTING ] the bedtime reading tradition as the kids reach their
directed” speech. Reading expands a child’s
tweens! By keeping your bedtime ritual alive through the
vocabulary more than just talking with them as books
years, a book becomes the conduit connecting you with
introduce ideas and objects that are out of their direct
your child on a deeper level.
environment and therefore not a part of their daily conversations. When parents read to their children, they
Bedtime Reading and Neural Rewiring
are building an inner dictionary that not only furthers
A powerful benefit that bedtime stories provide is an
speech and reading skills but also promotes better
enhanced mastery of language for the child. Verbal
communication skills with parents and peers. Reading
interaction with a caretaker can rewire a child’s brain
provides skills that movies or video content seem to short
to quicken their mastery of language. Studies at the
circuit.
University of Texas in Austin found that electronic images of children’s brains considered poor readers showed little activity in the verbal-processing areas; however, after being read to for one to two hours a day for eight weeks, the poor reader’s brain images changed to resemble the good readers. Rewiring happens as words and emphasized sounds stimulate the auditory cortex. For the youngest children, the more frequently they hear sounds associated with language, the faster they become at processing them. They begin to hear the difference between similar sounding words. As those children become grade school age, they will be more adept at sounding out unfamiliar words on a page. To break down unknown words into pieces, a child must first learn those pieces. Bedtime reading provides the vehicle for children to hone their skills. In addition to activity in the auditory cortex, children who report being read to at home show significantly greater activation in the parietal-temporal-occipital association cortex region of the left hemisphere of the brain. This area corresponds to multisensory integration, integrating sound and visual stimulation. This area is very active when children read to themselves, but also lights
Bedtime Reading and Anxiety Reduction Anxiety symptoms are on the rise in children. Even young children are exhibiting signs of stress, leaving parents feeling anxious and concerned about how best to help. While there have been no scientific studies on how bedtime stories affect children with spiked cortisol levels, neuroscientists say it stands to reason that being read a familiar book while snuggling close to a parent can comfort a child, thus lowering cortisol levels and aiding in relaxation. The calming nature of bedtime reading— cuddled up with a parent in a comfortable place, with a favorite blanket or toy—is bound to confer soothing benefits. When a child experiences stressors such as bullying, concerns about academics, or relationship difficulties, providing the time and space to open a dialog is of paramount importance—bedtime reading provides this opportunity. It provides the intimacy and space that allows uncomfortable discussions to occur organically. Bedtime reading also allows children and parents a safe place to explore tender topics through characters and storylines. Enchanted worlds help both parents and children de-stress from daily pressures.
up in younger children who are hearing stories. Being able to create visual images from stories read aloud
As every parent who has read a bedtime story knows,
develops skills that aid in language processing and
there is magic that occurs of the hard-to-quantify-kind
comprehension.
in the context of face-to-face, skin-to-skin, heart-toheart contact when snuggled up reading with your
Bedtime Reading and Improved Communication/
child. Bedtime reading rituals are the essential mix of
Language Skills
love, security, acknowledgment, and comfort. It is that
When comparing the language in books to the
magic that makes toddlers and even older school-aged
language used by parents talking to their children,
children clamor “One more time!” It is also the reason
researchers found that the picture books contained
that parents tear up and hearts swell when that well-
unique word types. Reading to-and-with children
loved, dog-eared bedtime book from years past crosses
amplify the language they hear more than “child-
our path. APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 25
[ SUMMER CAMP ]
Spanish Immersion Classes & Camps Engaging curriculum uses music, art & games
Experienced, dynamic teachers Ages toddlers to teens Small class sizes
FIND A
CAMP
r Join us fo g, in ll story te mes a g t, r a music, f F UN & TONS o l! ño - in espa Mention ACTIVE FAMILY and receive a FREE first time trial class!
www.vivaelespanol.org • 925-962-9177
Lafayette • Pleasanton • And schools all over the Bay Area
PERSONALIZED INSTRUCTION FOR ADULTS, CHILDREN AND TODDLERS. SUMMER CAMPS & HORSEMANSHIP CLINICS
.............................................
Coaching for the beginner and competitive show rider. CALL NOW FOR MORE INFO:
925.960.9696
............................................. Ask for:
Samantha Lazone & Barbara EnDean •
5111 Dolan Rd, Livermore CA 94551
www.showstables.com
26 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
t h a t FITS!
[ SUMMER CAMP ]
y da 8 o 0 T er 0-58 t s gi -82 e R 25 9
KinderPrep Academy
Now Offered at The Growing Room Academy
KinderPrep Teaches:
Oral Language Skills • Listening Skills • Independence Social Skills • Basic Letter and Number Recognition Fostering and Enthusiasm for Learning
2340 SAN RAMON VALLEY BLVD · SAN RAMON · CA · THEGROWINGROOM.ORG
The #1 Summer STEM Camp for Ages 7–18 Empower your child to take their STEM skills to the next level. From coding and game development to robotics and design, your child will develop in-demand skills and ignite lifelong passions—all within a fun, inclusive environment. Get ready for the best summer ever!
CAMPS & ACADEMIES
Held at 150 Prestigious Universities UC Berkeley | St. Mary's | Las Positas Carondelet High | Stanford | SJSU | Santa Clara U
Get a brochure and find a camp near you! iDTechCamps.com | 1-844-788-1858 APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 27
[ SUMMER CAMP ]
2018
ZOOCAMP ZooCamp is an exciting week of animal adventure, nature discovery, and FUN for kids pre-K through high school.
Camps run mid-June through mid-August
Affordable Family Vacations at Lake Tahoe
Registration opens mid-March!
Family Camp Sessions: June 22 through July 14 & July 30 through Aug 12
connect with Oakland Zoo online
campconcord.org ● (925) 671-3006
oaklandzoo.org
Summer @ Stratford
Discover where the Extraordinary begins Stratford School infuses its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum into an innovative and enriching summer camp experience for children in Preschool through Middle School.
Camp Sessions June 18 – August 10
ALL NEW!
WE S
RN
ASSOCIAT I
O
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Accrediting Commission for Schools
O
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28 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
SCH
Preschool State License Numbers: 073402482, 013417816, 013420588, 434404890, 434408056, 434407977, 434404336, 434406722, 434408877, 384001837, 434410807, 434410816, 073406680, 013420939, 414004014, 434413440. Copyright © 2018 Stratford Schools, Inc.
ON
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Explore Summer@Stratford StratfordSchools.com/summer-camp AND CO
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[ SUMMER CAMP ]
Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz has learned that seeing kids as the individuals they truly are always pays off in the long run. She also knows it can be a mistake to do what everyone else is doing, even if that’s what the child wants in the short run.
The Well-rounded Camper: 30 Life Skills Kids Build While Away From Home by Christina Katz Feeling anxious about sending your child away to camp this summer? Fret no more. This list of life skills reminds you of all the reasons to send kids to camp in the first place. Remember, being away from the comforts of home offers your camper growth opportunities in a wide variety of competencies. Best of all, once kids are safely dropped off at camp, parents can sit back, relax and enjoy some much-needed down time, knowing kids will return home transformed by their experiences. Here are thirty skills to remind parents why camp is always a good idea, as well as a panacea for twenty-first century predilections. Physical Skills Fitness. If your child is a passionate about virtual realities, camp is the perfect motivation to get off the couch and get moving. You will be pleased when your child returns home tan, fit and inspired to keep moving. Proficiency. Does your child complain of boredom? Exposure to skill-building APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 29
[ SUMMER CAMP ] activities can convert kvetching into pride. Aptitude,
same race, class and social status where you live, how
discipline and confidence come from doing new things.
will your child learn to be open-minded? Camp is a great place to immerse kids in diversity so tolerance can
Safety awareness. Do you find yourself fretting about
take root.
your child’s wellbeing? Then send her to camp to learn about first aid, water safety, and other safety protocols
Assertiveness. When kids lives are scheduled from
that go hand-and-hand with learning new things. When
morning to night year-round, they miss out on
she gets home, she can teach you a thing or two about
opportunities to speak up for what they think, need
safety awareness.
and desire. Camp offers kids opportunities to practice healthy communication all day long because no one is
Eye-hand coordination. Concerned your child may be
smoothing the path before them.
a tiny bit klutzy? Send him to camp to participate in activities that encourage process mastery like archery,
Emotional Skills
horseback riding or rowing. Having to learn an ordered
Self-care. Kids can’t learn to take care of their needs
series helps dreamy kids focus and execute tasks.
unless they learn to pay attention to them. Going to camp puts kids’ self-care muscles to the test. Navigating
Healthy risk-taking. Is your child an adrenalin junkie?
a new environment with unfamiliar people helps kids
Do you worry that she will go too far testing the limits of
learn to trust their intuition and honor their instincts.
what’s humanly possible? Camp is the perfect place to wear out a child with excess energy. Counselors can help
Listening. Do you get weary of nagging and feel your
campers channel a zest for risks into safe outlets while
child just doesn’t listen anymore? Kids can certainly
honoring camp rules.
develop listening fatigue with parents and other everyday authority figures. But after tuning in closely to
Intellectual Skills
some new-to-them camp leaders, they just might bring
Decision-making. Does your child waffle when making
better listening abilities back home.
decisions, take polls of other people’s opinions or go along with the crowd too easily? Then camp is the
Playfulness. Got a perfectionist kid on your hands?
perfect practice-ground to determine what he wants
Sometimes within the rush and rigors of daily life, families
and needs on a regular basis. Choosing is a crucial
forget how to relax and enjoy life to the fullest. Camp is
ability for creating satisfaction in life.
a great place to remember how to lighten up and enjoy the day.
Accountability. Do you wonder if you do too much for your child? Whether she has to pack her own backpack
Grit. This trendy term means the combination of courage
for an overnight hiking trip or show up wearing activity-
and resolve. If your child does not bounce back quickly
appropriate shoes, being prepared for what’s coming
from disappointments, camp is a great place to learn
next in life is important. When it comes to accountability,
tenacity, conflict resolution and problem solving.
daily practice is always on tap at camp. Self-appreciation. Do you appreciate the heck out of Time management. If your child is often running late,
your kid but wish he would esteem himself as much as
camp is a great place to learn timeliness. Your child will
others? Camp is a place where kids can discover new
swiftly master punctuality when engaged in activities
things to like about themselves. Increased self-reliance is
she enjoys. And this proactive habit can carry over into
often the first step towards building higher self-esteem.
everyday life during the rest of the year. Social Skills Tolerance. Kids sometimes live in homogeneous rather
Sociability. Do you have a shy or introverted child? If she
than diverse environments. If all the other kids are the
lacks peers who are enthusiastic about her passions,
30 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
[ SUMMER CAMP ] an interest-based camp can help her meet more
things out between themselves at camp. Discussing,
like-minded people. Socially awkward kids feel more
bargaining, and coming to agreements that make sense
accepted and appreciated every time they make a new
for everyone involved is tool for creating a richer life.
friend. Leadership. Camp provides opportunities for kids to Emotional intelligence. If you have siblings who bicker
discover and nurture the leader inside. Every child is a
quite a bit, they may benefit from getting along more
boss at something. You may not think of a prolific reader
easily with kids who are not kin. Camp counselors have a
as a leader, but what a terrific example she can set at
way of expecting thoughtfulness and encouraging kids
camp for those who avoid books altogether.
to practice it. Diplomacy. With bullying behavior at an all-time high, Lasting connections. Remember pen pals? At camps,
diplomacy is more needed than ever. Camp offers
kids can make new friends and find ways to keep in
ample opportunities to find common ground, share
touch until they meet again. This is a great way for kids
mutual respect and practice win-win-win relating.
to maintain long-distance friendships and build an extended social network.
Environmental Skills Unplugging. Virtual realities are great when balanced
Self-expression. Parents may unwittingly hold kids back
with the real world. If you cannot seem to make a dent
from finding new forms of self-expression. At camp, kids
in your child’s obsession with technology, why not let the
find fresh audiences for the countless ways to share who
trained staff at camp take a whack at it.
they are and what they think and feel. Increased selfexpression leads to unfolding self-discovery.
Groundedness. The first step to recovering from too much anxiety is a sense of earthiness that comes from being
Cohabitating. If you want your child to learn new things,
in touch with the natural world. Kids benefit in numerous
put him in a tent with roommates and watch the lessons
ways from slowing down to the speed of life and keeping
unfold. Sharing space and resources with others is a
their feet firmly on the ground.
crash course in self-awareness and peacekeeping. Navigation. You won’t likely be able to convince kids Occupational Skills
that they need to learn old-school map techniques while
Mentoring. Camp counselors provide excellent examples
they have a GPS in their pocket. But put them in the
of what a constructive mentor-mentee relationship is like.
middle of the woods with no Internet connection and
Go ahead and encourage kids to become counselors
they just might feel differently.
in the future if they wish to experience both sides of this educational relationship.
Survival. Would your child know how to build a shelter, purify water, start a fire and find food if lost in the
Collaboration. Perhaps during the school year, teamwork
wilderness? Learning naturalism empowers kids to feel
is limited to sports and cooperation is confined to the
competent and confident in every area of life.
classroom. At camp, every endeavor from cleaning a cabin to climbing a rock face becomes a new way to
Earth stewardship. One of the best ways to teach kids
understand the importance of working together.
about personal responsibility is to teach them about wilderness conservation. Learning about flora and fauna
Negotiating. Your kids benefit from learning how to sort
can spark kids’ innate respect for the natural world. APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 31
[ SUMMER CAMP ]
Ann founded Roughing It in 1972 with her husband, Hobie and together they serve as Camp Directors. Roughing It is celebrating its 43rd year this summer and offers camp programs for children aged 4-16. An all outdoor traditional Day Camp Roughing It is located at the Lafayette Reservoir each summer and continues a proud tradition of helping children grow in wonderful ways each summer. Roughing It offers free transportation to and from camp each day with 36 bus stops across the Tri Valley, Contra Costa, East Bay and San Francisco communities. For more information go to www.roughingit.com
5 Great Reasons to Send Your Child to Summer Camp by Ann Woods Camp is a great way for your child to spend their summer! There are countless benefits to sending your child to camp that will last them for the rest of their life. Ann Woods, Director of Roughing It Day Camp, shares how camp can positively contribute to children's development, based on her over 40 years experience operating a camp. Here are the top 5 skills children can learn in a single summer: #1 Gain Independence If your child is 4 or 14, spending time away from parents and familiar friendship groups helps to develop a child’s independence and sense of who they are. A summer at camp is a great place for them gain independence as
32 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
[ SUMMER CAMP ] they try rowing a boat across a lake, cooking a new dish
Courage, resilience, and perseverance are all wonderful
on the outdoor grill, and catching their own fish on a rod
skills to develop at camp that all help children grow in
they have baited themselves. All these challenges will
confidence.
develop independence in your child and fill them with a real sense of achievement.
#4 Surround your child with positive role models Great camp counselors are engaging, wholesome,
#2 Learn to work as a team and make new lifelong
accomplished, responsible and caring. Camp counselors
friends
can be the best people for your child to spend their
Camp brings with it a chance to meet new people and
summer surrounded by - so make sure the camp
make new friends from outside their existing social group.
program you choose only recruits the best! A great
Summer Camp is wonderful preparation for the years ahead and the community environment at camp offers children the opportunity to meet people from different schools and backgrounds and make new friends beyond the school gates. By spending each day with a group of children, enjoying activities, fun and laughter campers enjoy a shared experience and form real connections and bonds of friendship. Each summer we see children learn to express themselves, negotiate, cooperate, be part of team and leave the summer with many new friends.
#3 Learn to take safe risks and challenge themselves Summer Camp is a chance to face new challenges and campers are always encouraged to try something new and push the boundaries of what they are capable of. Camp activities such as riding, swimming, sports and wilderness skills provide campers with the opportunity
summer camp program will take great care to employ counselors and staff who are exemplary role models for your child to be mentored by. Children will emulate the behavior they see in their camp counselors so good team players, good listeners, caring and enthusiastic leaders are essential to any program.
#5 Enjoy a summer full of outside adventure away from screens and technology Camp offers children the chance to ride a horse, canoe across a lake, fish on a dock – all real outdoor experiences free from technology! Most camper parents want their child to spend their summer days free from the computer screen, cell phone and social media and a traditional summer camp experience will deliver this! Summer camp also offers the perfect environment for children to immerse themselves in nature and actually
to try something different, practice, to persevere, and
experience the natural world without screens and
ultimately experience a sense of achievement at the
technology surrounding them.
end of camp. After 43 years of running a summer camp I have seen Camp is also a great place for children to take risks when
how camp can change and transform young lives. Many
challenging themselves. These risks can involve anything
of our campers from recent years are now sending their
from rock climbing, kayaking on open water, or diving off
children to camp to give them the traditional experience
a diving board. Children learn to be resilient in the face
they enjoyed when they were campers. I believe camp
of new situations. The risks are safe because they are in a
is an excellent complement to the school year and is an
supportive, community environment at camp where they
investment in your child's growth and future! Give your
are both supervised and mentored by adult counselors.
child the best summer of their life - A Summer of Camp! APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 33
[ SUMMER CAMP ]
Summer Alameda County ALAMEDA Alameda School of Music 1307 High St. 510.769.0195 www.alamusic.org
Camp Bladium 800 West Tower Ave 510.814.4999 www.bladiumalameda.com/ youth-kids/kids-camps
BERKELEY Music Discovery Workshop 2005 Berryman St. 510.528.1725 www.sfems.org
St. John’s Camp Elmwood 2727 College Ave. 510.845.6830 www.stjohnsberkeley.org/ campelmwood
Sticky Art Lab 1682 University Ave. 510.981.1148 www.stickyartlab.com
City of Dublin 100 Civic Plaza 925.556.4500 www.ci.dublin.ca.us
Young Writers Camp UC Berkeley Campus 510.642.0971
Valley Christian School 7500 Inspiration Dr. 925.560.6270
www.bawpwritingcamp.org
www.ValleyChristianSchools.org
Green Stuff Summer Camp UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens 510.643.4832
Edge Gymnastics Training Center 6780 Sierra Court St. K 925.479.9904
www.botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu
www.edge-gymnastics.com
Lawrence Hall of Science UC Berkeley 510.642.5134
Kidz Kraftz Quail Creek Cir. 925.271.0015
www.lawrencehallofscience.org
www.kidzkraftz.com/camps
BERKELEY/ECHO LAKE
Tri-Valley YMCA 6693 Sierra Ln 925.263.4444
Berkeley Echo Lake Camp Lot #7 Echo Lakes Rd 530.659.7539 www.cityofberkeley.info/camps
CASTRO VALLEY Skye Valley Training Camp 10250 Crow Canyon Rd 925.858.8825 www.psi.lunariffic.com/~skyev0/
Sarah’s Science 21525 Knoll Way 510.581.3739 www.sarahscience.com
Camp Kee Tov 1301 Oxford St. 510.842.2372 www.campkeetov.org
Bee Best Learning 20394 San Miguel Ave. 510.728.2110 www.beebestlearning.com
Habitot 2065 Kittredge St. 510.647.1111 ext. 14 www.habitot.org/museum/ activities_camps.html
Monkey Business Camp 2880A Sacramento St. 510.540.6025
www.trivalley.ymcaeastbay.org
Extended Day Child Care 8435 Davona Dr. 925.829.4043 & 7997 Vomac Rd. 925.551.8170 7243 Tamarack Dr. 925.833.0127 & 5301 Hibernia Dr. 925.803.4154 & 3300 Antone Way 925.826.5538 www.extendeddaychildcare.com
Quarry Lane School 6363 Tassajara Rd. 925.829.8000
DUBLIN
www.quarrylane.org
East Bay SPCA Animal Camp 4651 Gleason Dr. 925.479.9670
FREMONT
www.eastbayspca.org/camp
www.monkeybusinesscamp.com
34 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
Learning Bee Summer Camp 39977 Mission Blvd. 510.226.8408 www.learningbeeusa.com
Ohlone for Kids 43600 Mission Blvd. 510.659.6000 www.ohlone.edu/org/ ohloneforkids
HAYWARD Hayward Area Recreation Park District (H.A.R.D.) Day Camps 510.881.6700 www.haywardrec.org
LIVERMORE Horizons East Equestrian Center 5111 Doolan Rd. 925.960.9696 www.showstables.com
Roy’s Magic Camp 2466 8th St. 925.455.0600 www.magiccamp.org
Camp Arroyo Taylor Family Foundation 5535 Arroyo Rd. 925.371.8401 www.ebparks.org/activities/ daycamps/parks_camp_arroyo
Saddle to Ride Topline Training, Inc. 4180 Greenville Rd. 925.858.3933 www.saddle2ride.com
Xtreme Force Dance Company 847 Rincon Ave. 925.455.6054 www.xtremeforcedanceco.com
Double Diamond Sports Academy 2272 Research Dr. 925.830.9765 www. doublediamondsportsacademy. com
[ SUMMER CAMP ]
Camps Valley Montessori 1273 N. Livermore Ave. 925.455.8021
MOCHA Summer Camp 1625 Clay St. 510.465.8770
Contra Costa County
www.valleymontessorischool.com
www.mocha.org
OAKLAND
PLEASANTON
Lakeshore Children’s Center 3534 Lakeshore Ave. 510.893.4048
Gingerbread Preschool 4333 Black Ave. 925.931.3430
City of Antioch Parks and Recreation 213 “F” St 925.776.7070
www.lakeshorechildrenscenter.org
www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/services/ recreation/gb/gbhome.html
Urban Adventure Camp 5701 Cabot Dr. 510.339.0676 www.urbanadventurecamps.com
Extended Day Child Care 5199 Black Ave. 925.846.5519 www.extendeddaychildcare.com
East Bay SPCA Animal Camp 8323 Baldwin St. 510.569.0702 www.eastbayspca.org/camp
Quarry Lane School - East 3750 Boulder St. 925.846.9400 www.quarrylane.org
California Shakespeare Theater Summer Conservatory 4660 Harbord Dr. 510.809.3293 www.calshakes.org/v4/educ/ summer_conservatories.html
Oakland Summer ZooCamp 9777 Golf Links Rd. 510.632.9525 www.oaklandzoo.org
Lake Merritt Boating Center Youth Boating Camps 568 Bellevue Ave. 510.238.2196 www.sailoakland.com
Raskob Learning Institute 3520 Mountain Blvd. 510.436.1275 www.raskobinstitute.org
Kids N’ Dance 3840 Macarthur Blvd. 510.531.4400 www.kidsndance.com
Quarry Lane School - West 4444B Black Ave. 925.462.6300 www.quarrylane.org
ANTIOCH
City of Danville Camps 420 Front St. 925.314.3400 www.danville.ca.gov/Recreation/ Camps
www.ci.antioch.ca.us/Recreation
Four Stars Gymnastics Academy 1799 Vineyard Dr. 925.778.8650
Vision Tech Camps 117 Town & Country Dr. St. B 925.699.9602 www.visiontechcamps.com
Athenian Summer Programs at Athenian School 2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd 925.837.5375
www.fourstarsgym.com
CONCORD City of Concord Parks and Recreation 925.671.3404
www.athenian.org
www.cityofconcord.org/recreation/ summercamps
Camp Concord in South Lake Tahoe 1000 Mt. Tallac Trailhead Rd South Lake Tahoe 530.541.1203
Yang Fan Academy 4160 Hacienda Dr. St. 100 925.699.4664
www.ci.concord.ca.us/recreation/ camp
www.yfacademy.org
Backyard Explorers Corner of Babel Ln & Cowell Rd. 925.671.3118
City of Pleasanton Summer Programs 200 Old Bernal Ave. 925.931.3436
DANVILLE
Color Bundles 301 Hartz Ave. #104 925.727.3137 www.colorbundles.com
Camp Brainy Bunch 741 Brookside Dr. 510.548.4800 www.campbrainybunch.com
Quest Therapeutic Camps Charlotte Wood Middle School 600 El Captain Dr. 925.743.2900 www.questcamps.com
www.cityofconcord.org/recreation/ summercamps/backyardexp.htm
www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us
Expressions Dance & Art 3015 Hopyard Rd. Ste. I 925.200.9908 www.expressions-dance-arts.com/
Young Ivy Academy 5460 Sunol Blvd (#3) 925.548.0188 www.youngivyacademy.com
Inspire Music Academy 2340 Santa Rita Rd. Ste. 7 925.461.3266 www.inspiremusicacademy.com
APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 35
[ SUMMER CAMP ]
Summer LAFAYETTE California Shakespeare Theater Summer Conservatory 1000 Upper Happy Valley Rd 510.809.3293 www.calshakes.org/v4/educ/ summer_conservatories.html
Kids N’ Dance 3369 Mt. Diablo 925.284.7388 www.kidsndance.com
Sienna Ranch 3232 Deer Hill Rd. 925.283.6311 www.siennaranch.net
Sherman Swim School 1075 Carol Ln. 925.283.2100 www.shermanswim.com
www.frenchforfun.com
Lafayette Tennis Club 3125 Camino Diablo 925.937.2582 www.lafayettetennis.com
Husky House for Kids 3855 Happy Valley Rd. 925.283.7100 www.huskyhouseforkids.org/ summer-camp-programs
Lafayette Community Center Camps 500 Saint Mary’s Rd. 925.284.2232 www.lafayetterec.org
Roughing It Day Camp 1010 Oak Hill Rd. 925.283.3795 www.roughingit.com
BandWorks Summer Camp 28 Orinda Way 925.254.2445 www.bandworks.com/summer_ orinda.php
Orinda Academy 19 Altarinda Rd. 925.478.4504
Camp ARF for Kids 2890 Mitchell Dr. 925.256.1273 www.youth.arf.net
City of Walnut Creek Summer Camps 1666 North Main St. 925.943.5899 www.walnut-creek.org
Merriewood Children’s Center 561 Merriewood Dr. 925.284.2121
www.orindaacademy.org
Camp Doodle 66 St. Stephens Dr.
Castle Rock Arabians 1350 Castle Rock Rd. 925.933.3701
www.merriewood.org
www.campdoodles.com
www.castlerockarabians.com
MARTINEZ
PLEASANT HILL
John Muir Mountain Day Camp John Muir National Historic Site 925.680.8807
City of Pleasant Hill Camps 147 Gregory Ln 925.682.0896
Multiple Locations
www.johnmuirassociation.org/ muircamp/index.php
French For Fun 3381 Mt. Diablo Blvd 925.283.9822
ORINDA
Rancho Saguaro 1050 Pereira Rd. 925.788.5200 www.ranchosaguaro.com
MORAGA Gaels Summer Camp 1928 St Mary’s Rd. 925.631.4FUN www.smcgaels.com
Camp Saklan 1678 School St. 925.376.7900
www.pleasanthillrec.com
PITTSBURG City of Pittsburg Parks and Recreation 300 Presido Ln. 925.252.4842 www.ci.pittsburg.ca.us
SAN RAMON City of San Ramon Camps 2226 Camino Ramon 925.973.2500 www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us
Adventure Day Camp Dorris-Eaton School One Annabel Lane 925.937.6500
www.saklan.org/about-us/campsaklan
www.adventuredaycamp.com
OAKLEY
Adventure Day Camp Seven Hills School 975 North San Carlos Dr. 925.937.6500
City of Oakley Parks and Recreation 3231 Main St. 925.625.7044 www.ci.oakley.ca.us
Diamond Hills Sports Club 1510 Neroly Rd. 925.420.4575 www.sparetimeclubs.com
36 ACTIVE FAMIL Y | APRIL 2018
WALNUT CREEK
www.adventuredaycamp.com
Lindsay Wildlife Museum Summer Science Camp 1931 First Ave. 925.935.1978 www.wildlife-museum.org
The Growing Room Academy Various locations around the Bay Offers: 3,4 and 5 Day Camps 925.837.4392 www.thegrowingroom.org
Camp Rocks: Girl Scouts of Northern California Offered at 5 locations: San Rafael (Camp Bothin), Santa Cruz (Skylark Ranch), San Jose (Camp Metro Day Camp), North Lake Tahoe (Deer Lake), and the Sierra Nevada Mountains (Sugar Pine) 800.447.4475 ext. 2091 www.camprocks.org
Mad Science Camp Offered at several local Recreation sites and Community Centers 925.687.1900 www.mtdiablo.madscience.org
Steve and Kate’s Camp Danville, Dublin, Fremont, Oakland, Walnut Creek and Berkeley 415.389.5437 www.steveandkatescamp.com
[ SUMMER CAMP ]
Camps Camp Galileo Alameda, Alamo, Berkeley, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Fremont, Oakland, Lafayette and Orinda 510.595.7293
Club Sport Fremont, San Ramon, Pleasanton and Walnut Creek 925.938.8700
Camp Unalayee 3921 East Bayshore Rd. Palo Alto 650.969.6313
Almaden Equestrian Center 20100 Almaden Rd. San Jose 408.927.0232
www.clubsports.com
www.unalayee-summer-camp.com
www.almadenequestriancenter.net
www.galileo-learning.com
Camp Edmo Alameda, Fremont, and Oakland 415.282.6673
CYO Summer Camp 2136 Bohemian Hwy Occidental, 95465 707.874.0200
Silver Creek Sportsplex 800 Embedded Way San Jose 408.224.8774
www.campedmo.org
www.camp.cccyo.org
www.gotoplex.com
Kids’ Carpentry Berkeley, Lafayette, Alameda, Oakland, Alamo & Walnut Creek 510.524.9232
Mountain Camp Woodside 302 Portola Rd. Portola Valley 650.576.2267
KinderCare Walnut Creek, Concord, Danville, Martinez and Clayton 888.523.6765 www.kindercare.com/ summercamp
Viva el Espanol! Lafayette, Piedmont, Pleasanton & San Anselmo 925.962.9177 www.vivaelespanol.org/ summerprograms.php
Stratford School Summer Sports Camp & Enrichment Danville, Fremont, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill and Pleasanton 925.737.0001
www.techknowhowkids.com
www.stratfordschools.com
888.709.8324
Sky hawk’s Sports Camp Various locations around the Bay Area 800.804.3509
Out of Area
www.skyhawks.com
Lango Language Summer Camps Serving Alamo, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Briones, Canyon, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pacheco, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek and surrounding regions 888.445.2646
iD Tech Camp Moraga, Concord, Livermore, Berkeley and other Bay Area locations www.idtech.com
www.collegeforkids-smccd.com
www.mountaincampwoodside.com
School of Rock Summer Camp 711 South B St. San Mateo, San Jose & Palo Alto 650.347.3474
www.kidscarpentry.com
TechKnowHow Kids Dublin, Berkeley, Fremont, Livermore, Oakland & Pleasanton 650.638.0500
College For Kids 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd. San Mateo 650.574.6149
Camp Tawonga 131 Steuart Ste. 460 San Francisco 415.543.2267 www.tawonga.org
www.schoolofrock.com
SF Zoo Camp Sloat Blvd. & the Great Highway San Francisco 415.753.7080 www.sfzoo.org
Kennolyn Camps 8205 Glen Haven Rd. Soquel 831.479.6714 www.kennolyncamps.com
Golden Arrow Camps 644 Pollasky Avenue, Ste. 100 Clovis, 93612 800.554.CAMP www.goldarrowcamp.com
Coppercreek Camp 1887 Williams Valley Rd. Greenville, 95947 800.350.0006 www.coppercreek.com
www.langokids.com/parent/kidslanguage-summer-camps
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Walnut Creek traditional summer camp experience AA Traditional Summer Camp
925.937.6500
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San Ramon & Alamo
Adventuredaycamp.com
[ SUMMER CAMP ] X
Camp Spotlight innovative and enriching summer camp experience. A wide-variety of camp sessions are designed especially for children entering Preschool through 8th Grade. Campers preschool and older collaboratively tackle ageappropriate, real-world problems guided by cross-curricular
OAKLAND ZOO SUMMER CAMP – FOR YOUR ANIMAL LOVERS! The Oakland Zoo takes great pride in creating age-appropriate programs for campers in Pre-K – Grade 8 and High School. They offer a multigrade nature exploration class and themes include Busy Beasts, Furry Friends, Animal Adventures, and Eco-Explorers. Full-day and Half-day camps available. To register: www.oaklandzoo.org/summerzoocamp
principles in a fun and engaging way. Themed project-based learning sessions include: Worldly Adventures, Innovation Design, Culinary Exploration, and Team Building Challenge. Innovation labs, Challenger Sports Soccer, Speech and Debate and more. Middle School camp sessions offer a robust
CAMP GALILEO Galileo believes the world needs innovators. They also think kids who learn to explore and fail without fear—the essence of innovation— are happier, more creative and more confident when faced with life’s challenges.
assortment of academic classes including advanced mathematics from Pre-Algebra to Algebra II/ Trigonometry, as well as amplified STEAM sessions designed to inspire innovation, curiosity, and creativity.
SUMMER@STRATFORD – DISCOVER WHERE THE EXTRAORDINARY BEGINS
Camp begins June 18. Explore
Stratford School infuses its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) program into an
To register:
Summer@Stratford
www.StratfordSchools.com/summercamps
Grouped by grade and nurtured by their incredible staff, campers take on art, science and outdoor activities tailored to their level, and they learn lasting innovation skills like collaboration and reflection. As campers grow, Galileo’s curriculum evolves to include more advanced concepts, complex projects and creative freedom. To register: www.galileo-camps.com APRIL 2018 | ACTIVE FAMIL Y 39
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