May/100
Summer Camp? Ask These Questions
So you are thinking of sending your child to summer camp! Here are a few questions you need to ask that may affect your child's stay at camp. If an area is really important for your child and you can not find the information be sure to call the Summer Camp Director and ask questions.
Facilities Take careful note of the condition of the facilities. Are the buildings well maintained, or do they show clear signs of a lack of maintenance. Though well worn and rustic buildings are perfectly ok, make sure that they are not being neglected. Specific things you'll want to look for and ask about include:
Bunks: * Do children live in cabins, tents, or dorms? * How many beds are in each cabin? * Are they bunk beds or individual cots? * How do the campers choose which beds they want? * Where do the campers store their belongings? * Are the cabins to crowded? Is there enough storage space? Has the camp overbooked and crowded extra campers in? * Are the cabins clean? Are beds made by the campers and belongings stowed? * How many counselors sleep in each Cabin?
Bathrooms: * Where are the toilets? Does each bunk have it's own toilets or is there a common bathhouse? * If there is a common bathhouse, do children have to walk alone at night? Is the path lighted? * Are there showers in each bunk? * Do campers have to walk in their bathrobes/pajamas to the showers? * If the camp is coed, how separate are the shower facilities? * Who cleans the facilities, and how often?
Waterfront or Swimming Pool: *Can pool accommodate all of camps swimmers? * Is the waterfront areas for swimming, boating, water skiing and diving separate and clearly marked? * What waterfront equipment is provided? * What is the supervision and ratio of lifeguards to swimmers? * Are life jackets worn during water activities? * Is swimming areas marked? * How are swimmers counted and watched? Buddy board?
The Grounds: * Are playing fields freshly reseeded and mowed? * Are the trails clearly marked? * Is the equipment in good condition? * Does the camp have the activities your child wants?
Dinning Hall: Believe it or not this one of the most important areas at camp. Nearly 25% of their day is spent in the Dinning Hall. So the Camp needs to understand this and work to make it a clean, exciting and nutritious experience Will the camp meet your dietary needs. Don't be forget to make sure they can accommodate you Kids Summer Camp * Are there alternatives if your child does not like the offering? Is there a salad bar? * When, how and what Are the snacks? Is there a canteen/camp store? * What does a typical menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner look like?* Is there enough space for the whole camp to be served in one seating? * Do cabins eat together? This is your child's friends. * Are meals buffet style or are campers served family style? If they are served, who serves the food? * Who is the kitchen director and what are his or their credentials? How long have they been at this camp? * What are the safety and cleanliness standards? Who inspectes the state and local codes?
Remember this article has to do with the comforts of camp and not with safety at camp. The American Camp Association has a certification program that looks at over 300 different aspects of camp. It is always best to select a camp that has been ACA Accredited.
You can learn more about selecting a wonderful Teen Summer Camp by visiting SummerCampAdvice.com
Swift Camp a non-competitive, traditional Overnight Summer Camp for Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. We promote Nature & Science along with traditional camp activities. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as a Teen Adventure Camp.
Apr/100
Popular Destinations In San Antonio
Whether you're a tourist visiting San Antonio or a resident living in the city, you'll always find something fun to do there. There are lots of opportunities both for adults looking to enjoy the nightlife and for families spending time together in the city.
Everyone loves a good movie, and this city has several modern, comfortable movie theaters available. Both kids and adults can enjoy the state-of-the-art theaters in the city.
The malls of the area are another popular attraction. The city boasts several large malls, and the neighboring town of San Marcos also offers several malls and outdoor shops as well as the River Walk, where many people go to enjoy the scenery.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in the city is the Alamo. This monument attracts thousands of visitors, who visit the site for its historical significance and find themselves learning about the city's rich history. People come from all over the United States to see it, and if you happen to be visiting San Antonio, you should definitely make plans to see the Alamo.
There are many attractions in the city that are suitable for the whole family. Kids will love the two major theme parks within San Antonio, as well as the various water parks in and around the city. There are also many parks with playgrounds for the kids and beautiful scenery.
Those who enjoy watching sporting events will find a lot to like about this place. The city hosts an NBA team as well as minor league baseball and basketball teams.
The city also provides ample opportunities to enjoy the arts, with museums, poetry and art cafes, and local music venues right in town.
As a bonus, booking a trip to San Antonio is a fairly painless experience. There are flights coming in to the city every day from various cities around the country, and you'll find that the rates for hotels within the city are reasonable.
See more tips penned by this very author covering things like Windows remote access and remote desktop support software.
Oct/090
We need more from Earth Day
Million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day in 1970. It was a bad time for the environment, their was smog and polluted rivers caught fire. Today, Earth Day is celebrated annually no longer natiionally but around the world. It was the efforts of grassroots organizations, and citizens like you, combined with the government that started this day of environmental recognition which has evolved into a worldwide campaign celebrating our environment.
The earth is in better shape than those early days yet, there is a staggering divide between children and the outdoors. Richard Louv, child advocacy expert, directly blames the lack of nature in the lives on today's wired generation. He calls this phonomenon nature-deficit order and he links it to some of the most alarming trends for our kids. Including rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.
Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder has spurred a national dialogue among educators, health professionals, parents, developers and conservationists. This is a book that will change the way you think about your future and the future of your children. The bottom Line we and our youth need to spend time outdoors.
Teacher Judith Millar, from NJ, Over five years ago, began introducing nature in her school. Our courtyard now has several habitat areas, including a Bird Sanctuary, a Hummingbird/ Butterfly Garden, A Woodland Area with a pond, and even a Meadow. My classes oversee the care of this "Outdoor Classroom", but now it's practically a full time job, making it difficult to find time for all my other subjects My students currently maintain the Bird Sanctuary. In addition, this spring they will be a major force in the clean up and replanting process. They always have energy and enthusiasm for anything to do with "their garden".
Despite schools doing their best to get kids in nature , we as a nation have lost the ability to just send our kids out to play. Summer Camps are a great way to fill this void. A recent study finds that todays parents overprotect their kids. Kids have stopped climbing trees, been told that they can't play tag or hide-and-seek Not to mention THE STICK and how it will put out someone's eye.
It is easy to blame technology for the decline in outdoor play, but it may well be mom and dad. Adrian Voce of Play England says 'Children are not being allowed many of the freedoms that were taken for granted when we were children,' 'They are not enjoying the opportunities to play outside that most people would have thought of as normal when they were growing up.'
According to the Guardian, "Voce argued that it was becoming a 'social norm' for younger children to be allowed out only when accompanied by an adult. 'Logistically that is very difficult for parents to manage because of the time pressures on normal family life,' he said. 'If you don't want your children to play out alone and you have not got the time to take them out then they will spend more time on the computer.'
Many play providers see the benefits to children of taking risks. "Risk-taking increases the resilience of children," said one. "It helps them make judgments," said another. We as parents want to play it safe and we need to rethink their benefit of adventure in a child's life.
Examples of risky play that should be encouraged include fire-building, den-making, watersports and climbing trees. These are all activities that a Summer camp can provide. At camp children to get outside take risks and play, this while being supervised by responsible young adults.
A Noncompetitive, Traditional OUTDOOR CAMP in Wisconsin called Swift Nature Camp is a wonderful place to start. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. enjoy Animals, Science along with Traditional camping activities out in nature . Swift places an emphasis on being an ENVIRONMENTAL CAMP where we work with kids in acquiring a deep respect for nature. It is our meaningful, fun-filled learning through active participation that makes it so fun. . We focus on natural curiosity and self-discovery...This is NOT School.
In addition, regarlss of skill level, Swift Nature Camp has activities that allows kids to get better and enjoy. We promoted a nurturing atmosphere that gives each camper the opportunity to participate and have fun, rather than worry about results.
Out-of-camp trips, such as biking, canoeing, backpacking and horse trips are a great way to get kids out in nature. Kids love to discover new worlds and learn to be comfortable in them. This is why Swift is so much more than just a SCIENCE CAMP.
Earth day has provided so much..but their is more we can learn from nature. This summer help your child regain their appreciation for nature by sending them to Swift Nature Camp. This is an opportunity that will be treasured the rest of your child's life.
Aug/090
Discover GPS Navigation
GPS systems are used for a wide range of purposes. From getting you to your destination to keeping track of your children, they are gradually becoming more and more ubiquitous in our culture. All GPS navigation devices work on the same principle but the GPS systems themselves vary in their application.
The most used GPS system is the Car GPS device. This is a fantastic device that will calculate the route from wherever your present position is, to the desired end point. All you will need to know is the address, or place name if its a stadium or other point of interest. After this information is loaded into the device, it will perform course calculations and graphically display directions to your destination. If you need to deviate from the planned course, for a rest stop or restaurant, the GPS device will quickly recalculate the new coordinates and map out a revised route. Another nice option on some of the newer models is the ability to hear voice commands. The voice feature allwos drivers to remain focused on the road in order to minimize accidents.
Boaters and fishermen also use a type of GPS navigation when they using marine GPS devices. These GPS systems check with the satellite and display the underwater landscape so the captain of the boat can keep the boat from running aground. Another aspect of this type of system is the ability to use it to find out where fish are schooling. This last feature is a boon for fishermen.
Parents want to keep track of their children and GPS for children is a boon to them. GPS navigation allows parents the peace of mind to know that if their child is ever lost they can find them. Simply by placing a small GPS locator device on the child will allow the parent to use GPS tracking to find them if they are ever missing.
If you have been shopping online for GPS you will already know that there are tons of different models and manufacturers out there. The market leader in GPS devices is Garmin. There are other big GPS companies such as Magellan and Tom Tom but Garmin is the one that is most recognizable. The number of different devices these manufacturers have brought to market is considerable. The best place to find them all and compare is to go online and see.
There are a number of different manufacturers who offer their own unique version of GPS navigation. The leader in the GPS devices market is Garmin followed by Magellan, TomTom and the rest. The market is growing and new devices are released all the time. Check them out online to see the types of devices that will make your life a lot easier and your family alot safer.