AppleTree
Celebrating our Bar Mitzvah Year!
Chflii!GN
SHAAREY ZEDEK!
A SMART START FOR
CHILDREN ENTERING
KINDERGARTEN, 1ST, 2ND,
AND 3RD GRADE
IN FALL 2005
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
WITH PERMISSION OF AND THANKS TO TORAH AURA PRODUCTIONS FOR BETMAN©
Experience a
Wild Time on a
Slimmer 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:
3/10
2005
68
Visit detroitzoo.org, email education@detroitzoo.org
or call 248-541-5717 ext. 3740
942490
SPECIAL PLACES from page 67
Bergstein and Rosenthal, though,
say toys should be the least of a good
day camp.
"Toys are for slow times only,"
Bergstein says. Younger children
should be using their energy discov-
ering and learning and playing out-
side, 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
children to spend most of their day
in the same, reliable atmosphere.
The older ones, though, need day
meal with their little ones heading
off to day camp.
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 pro-
vides 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 phys-
ical 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 func-
tions when 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 together. Even if
they think they know
they're watching 10
kids, staff needs to con-
stantly count and take
attendance."
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,
A camp fire truck" is a perfect place to talk to a fireman.
as well as a safety-pin-
attached label with the
child's name and the
trips and planned activities.
name and location of his/her camp.
Some of these trips and events
Rosenthal also advises parents to
should provide an educational ele-
carefully consider the ratio of adults
ment (Bergstein often invites a
to children. 'And ask yourself, Are
policeman or a fireman to speak to
their [staff] eyes always on my
the campers), but most should be
child?" or are the adults standing
"just plain fun." These might
around talking with each other, disin-
include a visit to an amusement
terested in the campers.
park, bowling lanes, a trip to go
"Your child should feel happy at
roller blading. Look for programs
camp," Rosenthal says. "If he isn't, ask
that nurture their sense of curiosity
yourself, 'Why is my child uncom-
and even educate — like a magic or
fortable?' Day camp should always be
exotic animal show — but don't
a safe, warm and loving environ-
come in the typical package of a
ment."
school classroom.
And basic as it may sound,
Though many of a child's actions
Bergstein says moms and dads would
(and teen - age speech patterns) are
do well to make certain to see if their
alien to adults, like grown - ups chil-
day camp has a sign-in and sign-out
dren do eat. Perhaps out of an
sheet for boys and girls, which will
understandable, but unnecessary,
provide the most important informa-
parental fear, some moms and dads
tion parents need to know: "exactly
like to send a full-course gourmet
where your children are."