camps. Grins are in at Time To Reconnect With kids at camp, summer can be good for Muddah and Fadduh, too. Nina Polien Light Special to the Jewish News 2 YEARS - KINDERGARTEN BOUND 2, 3 & 5-MORNING PROGRAMS 3 OR 5 FULL DAYS Water Play with Wading Pools Weekly themes Outdoor Adventures Nature Crafts Hebrew Specialist Choo-Choo Train Magician • • • • Session I: June 18 - July Session II: July 9 - July 20 Session III: July 23 - August 3 Session IV: August 6 - August 1 * • • 4,, • • • it.11111111E31011E 16 MONTHS - 2-1/2 YEAR PARENT TODDLER & JUST FOR ME CALL FOR A CAMP APPLICATION, 248-851-5105 For more information, please contact Julie Eisman, Director in the Adat Shalom Early Childhood Center office, 248-851-5105. 28 February 9 • 2012 W hen the kids are away, mom and dad can play — and they shouldn't feel guilty about it. Yes, adults can enjoy themselves, clear their heads and com- plete a project or two while youngsters are at overnight camp. They can also look forward to greeting more inde- pendent, mature children when the camp bus returns. Sending youngsters to sleep-away camp "allows parents time to recon- nect with each other as husband and wife versus father and mother, spend time focused on the two of them, and appreciate each other:' said Anna Solomon, a licensed social worker and clinical therapist at Levine, Risen '& Associates in Beachwood, Ohio. "It also gives them the flexibility of not being ruled by the kids' schedules and constantly having to coordinate things with their spouse. It's a respite from their role as the primary caregiver:' On a practical level, the free time provides an opportunity to tackle personal, household and professional projects neglected during the hectic school year, which leads to a sense of accomplishment and relief. For single parents, the temporary separation from children offers an opportunity to recharge batteries, especially if they are doing most of the child rearing without assistance from the other parent. The time also gives single parents the freedom to enjoy hobbies, dating and other activities they can't squeeze in when kids are home. It's not uncommon for younger chil- dren to remain at home when older siblings are at camp, however. "There is not as much time as there would be if all kids were away, but it does allow the parent to spend qual- ity time with the child who is still at home and strengthen that relation- ship:' Solomon said. Nervous parents should strive to allay concerns about their child's wel- fare and, instead, concentrate on the positives. "Recognize that by sending your child to camp, you send them a power- ful message: I believe in you, trust you and will be here when you get back," Solomon said. "That does wonders for their self-esteem. The camp will contac you with any emergencies. If you don't hear from them, that's a good sign:' Because Jewish camps incorporate prayer, Torah and Judaic-centered activities daily, many youngsters return with a renewed zeal for spiritu ality and ritual. Taking a long-range view, parents also appreciate studies indicating that sending children to Jewish over- night camp makes them more likely to choose Jewish spouses, become involved in synagogue life and make donations to Jewish federations. Yehuda Rothner, director of Camp Stone, a Modern Orthodox Zionist camp in Sugar Grove, Pa., agrees that parents gain the greatest joy from watching their children apply to daily family life what they learned at camp. "When a child goes to camp, it enhances their independence, which makes things easier at home for the parents:' he said. "Having kids set, serve and clean the entire dining hall gives them a sense of ownership. I hear from parents, 'Oh, my gosh, my kid came home doing things I never expected him to do!" That often means actively engaging in home Shabbat observances. "They learn zmirot (songs) at camp and that engenders a greater spirit that enhances the family' Rothner said. "Parents say, `(Camp) did what it needed to do for our family, and that' a wonderful benefit" ❑ Reprinted with permission from the Cleveland Jewish News.