AppleTree

Celebrating our Bar Mitzvah Year!

Don

CMIES;I.P.1

SHAAREY ZEDEK

A SMART START FOR
CHILDREN ENTERING
KINDERGARTEN, 1ST, 2ND,
AND 3RD GRADE
IN FALL 2005

8. 17. 2005 ■

•

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Weekdays 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

IRVING AND BEVERLY LAKER
EDUCATION & YOUTH COMPLEX
2075 WALNUT LAKE ROAD
WEST BLOOMFIELD

Camp Betman is an exciting day camp
opportunity for your child to have
a terrific time, make friends and
have new and exciting Jewish experiences.
By giving children an eight-day
Hebrew/Judaic smart-start in Jewish education,
they will gain some solid Hebrew skills and be
more successful in Religious School

e-AL 2118/557451.1.V0 ere-EVVE
YOL112 CAMP SE•MAN
SO MILIET APPLMATION TOPA ►

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WITH PERMISSION OF AND THANKS TO TORAH AURA PRODUCTIONS FOR BETMAN©

SPECIAL PLACES

from page 37

should be the least of a good day
camp.
"Toys are for slow times only,"
Bergstein says. Younger children
should be using their energy discover-
ing and learning and playing outside,
relishing every moment in a safe but
unstructured atmosphere.
Rosenthal also has little interest in
toys — unless they're the kind chil-
dren create themselves.
"Boxes are incredible," she says. "I
like when children are able to use
familiar objects in a new way," such
as when they turn a big, empty box
into a spaceship or a refrigerator.
Older children don't even need
games at camp, Bergstein says.
Instead, they should be enjoying
sports and going on day trips.
Bergstein says it's best for tiny chil-
dren to spend most of their day in
the same, reliable atmosphere. The
older ones, though, need day trips
and planned activities.

Don't worry, Bergstein says.
Children might want to bring their
own water bottle, and they can even
tote it around with them all day. But
when it comes to food, better to
make certain first that your day camp
provides healthy snacks, like fruit and
pretzels, instead of sending extra
goodies with your son or daughter.
Note, however, that parents should
advise camp directors of any special
food or other allergies their child may
have. Don't depend on your son or
daughter, no matter how responsible
he/she is, to do this.
Whatever your child's age, always
be sure you're comfortable with the
physical safety provided at your day
camp. This means fences for young
children, attentive and loving staff,
and a sound knowledge of how the
day camp functions Chen off
grounds.
:The staff should be vigilant at all
times," Bergstein says. "When kids go
on a trip, staff needs to
make certain that the
children are all togeth-
er. Even if they think
they know they're
watching 10 kids, staff
needs to constantly
count and take atten-
dance."
Good day camps that
plan outings know the
value of colorcoding,
Bergstein says. When
off grounds, campers
will be wearing color-
coded hats or T-shirts,
as well as a safety-pin-
A camp :fire truck" is a peifect place to talk to a fireman.
attached label with the
child's name and the
name and location of
Some of these trips and events
his/her camp.
should provide an educational ele-
Rosenthal also advises parents to
ment (Bergstein often invites a
carefully consider the ratio of adults
policeman or a fireman to speak to
to children. "And ask yourself, 'Are
the campers), but most should be
their [staff] eyes always on my
"just plain fun." These might include
child?'" or are the adults standing
a visit to an amusement park, bowl-
around talking with each other, disin-
ing lanes, a trip to go roller blading.
terested in the campers.
Look for programs that nurture their
"Your child should feel happy at
sense of curiosity and even educate
camp," Rosenthal says. "If he isn't,
— like a magic or exotic animal show ask yourself, 'Why is my child
— but don't come in the typical
uncomfortable?' Day camp should
package of a school classroom.
always be a safe, warm and loving
Though many of a child's actions
environment."
(and teen-age speech patterns) are
And basic as it may sound,
alien to adults, like grown-ups chil-
Bergstein says moms and dads would
dren do eat. Perhaps out of an under-
do well to make certain to see if their
standable, but unnecessary, parental
day camp has a sign-in and sign-out
fear, some moms and dads like to
sheet for boys and girls, which will
send a full-course gourmet meal with
provide the most important informa-
their little ones heading off to day
tion parents need to know: "exactly
camp.
where your children are."

"

"

•<•:‘.--, •

Experience a
wild Time on a
Summer Safari
at the Detroit Zoo!

Kids ages 4-13 explore the
animal kingdom through tours, hands-on
activities, games, arts, and crafts. The
Summer Safari Camp is a fun opportunity
to learn about wildlife, wild places, and the
ways that people can help animals.

DETROIT

ZOO

Whether you spend a night, a week, or an afternoon you'll have a
wild time at the Detroit Zoo.

For Information or Registration Materials:

3/3
2005

38

Visit detroitzoo.org, e mail. education@detroitzoo.org
or call 248-541-5717 ext. 3740

❑

942490

