Rebecca Cronin Childcare Expert and Placement Specialist

Cultural Cares Kids first project donates 455 books to Saint Mary’s Academy in New Orleans. Watch the video to see the children’s faces as they receive this great gift

Dealing with Teenagers can be tough for Parents and childcare providers. Here is a great video with some great tips on  how to deal with tough situations.

September and back to school  is around the corner and with that is the opportuntiy to take same classes. Remember ALL Au pairs must complete 72 hours of non credit classes or 6 credit classes by their 11mth if they want to extend or by there 12mth if they want to recieve their deposit back.

The August Au pair meeting will be held at Harcum college and it will be an opportunity to learn about the classes available this fall at Harcum. It is also an opportunity to ask the the directors about the classes and get your questions answered. you will also be able to receive a $30 discount off the registration fee for enrolling that evening.

Please review the classes on offer by going to this link

http://www.harcum.edu/englishlanguageacademy.aspx

For more information on the Meeting at Harcum please refer to this page

http://rcronin.aupairnews.com/meeting-schedule/august-make-up-meeting/

For those Au pairs wishing to take classes at Montgomery County community college please click on the link to view all the Fall English classes available as well as all the other classes at the Blue Bell campus.

http://www.mc3.edu/Media/Website%20Resources/pdf/coned/brochure-cc.pdf

if you have more questions about the classes please contact

Marjorie Labe: ESL advisor 215 619 7396

For a list of classes available at Delaware community college please click on the link below

http://www.dccc.edu/admissions/pdf/NC%20Mailer%20Fall09-DCCC.pdf

This week’s tip comes from supernanny.com. She usually gives a lot of helpful techniques and advice that any parent, nanny, babysitter or au pair could use with their children. One of the items she frequently talks about is the use of a “Reward Chart.” Some host families may already use something like this, and it is important to check with them first to see if this is something they would be okay with you incorporating into your day, should you want to!

The following comes from http://www.supernanny.com/Advice/-/Supernanny-techniques/-/Discipline-and-reward/The-reward-chart.aspx

Introduction

Positive attention and praise are the most effective rewards for good behavior. As used on Supernanny, the reward chart is the perfect way to reinforce good behavior on the spot.

Reinforcing good behavior

Positive attention and praise are the most effective rewards for good behavior, because they reinforce it on the spot and a child can make the connection between what you’re saying and what he’s just done.

Step 1: Choose your chart! (or download one FREE!)

Get creative - develop a chart based on something your child loves and make it together. If he loves drawing make a dot-to-dot chart, allowing one line to be drawn in for good behavior (or erased for bad behavior!). Or design a color-by-numbers chart where each of your kids has a color and a picture gradually emerges as the chart is filled in (this type of chart has the added bonus of encouraging sibling co-operation). And don’t forget to check out Supernanny’s great print-and-color reward charts.

***NOTE: There are charts for varying age groups - 3 to 5, 5 to 7, 8 to 10+

Step 2: Decide on rewards

Mutually decide on the rewards your child will earn once he hits the targets on his chart. If you can, avoid candy–instead perhaps your child could earn a book or a trip to the movies with you. For younger children, a rewards box works well: just fill a cardboard box with inexpensive party favors he can fish out when he reaches his target.

Step 3: Use it!

Use the reward chart to award stickers for good behavior, and when your child has collected enough stickers to get him to the top of the chart, you can reward him. When your child misbehaves, remove a sticker from the chart. Tell him why you are doing this, so he understands there are consequences for bad behavior.

Step 4: Tailor your chart

Now you’ve got the basics sorted out, think about ways you can make a reward chart more specific. For example, if morning mayhem is your main problem, use categories like ‘brushed teeth’, ‘dressed” and ‘made bed’ in a morning-themed reward chart or try our Get Up and Go! chart. Give the kids a sticker for each activity they do on time, so you get out of the door feeling less stressed!

Don’t feel daunted if these charts sound too much like hard work. Making them should be fun for you and the kids and the benefits of the reward system will become immediately apparent as soon as you start using them. Remember to get your chart laminated so that you can re-use it and peel the stickers off as well as put them on!

If you (or your au pair!) create one of these and starts to use it, please pass it along!

Good luck!

Kids Lose One to Three Months of Learning

Did your child’s brain shrink last summer? Probably not, but it may have shifted into reverse, according to a study by Dr. Harris Cooper, professor of psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The study found that when students return to school after a long summer vacation, they’ve lost one to three months worth of learning.

Kids Lose Most in Math

The decline is more detrimental for math than it is for reading. “All students lose math skills,” says Cooper. It may be because community and home environments give kids more opportunities to practice reading than math. The study also found that income has an impact on how much a student loses or gains in reading. Middle-class children actually gained in reading over the summer, while lower-income students experienced losses. Cooper attributes this to the enrichment activities that many middle-class kids participate in over the summer, such as camp and trips.

What You Can Do

Your kids don’t have to spend the summer stuck in reverse. “Parents can help their kids retain educational skills,” says Cooper. He suggests the following five tips to kick off a learning-filled summer.

1. Keep lots of books around and make regular trips to the library. Most libraries schedule special summer events for kids. Sign up your family!

2. Think about what your kids may be learning next year when you plan the family vacation. Talk with teachers to find out what they’ll be covering in class. If it’s a unit on the civil war for example, you may want to schedule a visit to Gettysburg. If it’s geology, visit a national park.

3. Keep math in mind. Since kids lose more math skills than anything else over the summer, try to do some special planning to find math-related activities. For example, if you can’t decide whether to sign your child up for “Shakespeare’s Theater” or “Math Magic” at the local community center, go with the math.

4. Consider summer school or tutoring. Struggling kids can get a lot of different kinds of help from these programs. Summer school can also enrich and accelerate learning in areas where kids show a special interest.

5. Call the curriculum coordinator in your child’s school district, visit the school board office, or contact the schools of education at local colleges and universities to find out what educational programs will be offered in your area over the summer.

Remember to keep it fun! You don’t want to sour your kids on learning during the summer break.

It sure is HOT!!! so here are some tips for Families to ensure every one stays safe and cool during this Summer heat wave…

Schedule physically strenuous activities for cooler times. And yes, that includes walking around the theme parks. Walking around in the heat and humidity can make ALL parts of your body sweat, and that includes your poor feet. When feet are wet,blisters can develop, so try to wear socks that are not 100 percent cotton. If you feel a hot spot developing, find a place in the shade to sit down. Take off your shoe and sock and inspect your feet. Put a bandage on the tender area, and let your feet dry. Dry feet are happy feet!

Dress in light, loose, cotton clothing. Natural fabrics like cotton are much cooler than most synthetics (though there are new high-tech synthetics made specifically to keep you cool). Protective hats (Wide-brimmed) keep the sun out of your eyes and provide some cooling shade. Loose fitting clothes allow air to circulate, keeping you cooler. The fewer clothes, the better, but make sure to be appropriate to the circumstances

Never leave children or pets inside a car, even if the windows are open.

drink, drink - WATER and Non-Alcoholic drinks!! DON’T wait until you feel thirsty -STAY HYDRATED. In hot weather, as much as 3-4 quarts per day are recommended while exercising. Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Food should be safe as long as the outage lasts NO MORE than 4-6 hours. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which are diuretics — substances that increase water loss via the urine

Use sunscreenof SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels). You can get painful sunburn even on a cloudy day, so slather on the sunscreen every morning before you start out. Don’t forget lips, ears, back of neck.

Replace Salt and Minerals

Heavy sweating diminishes salt and minerals from your body. These are necessary and must be replaced. A sports beverage (like Gatorade) can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you’re on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE PLEASE READ THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE AND EXHAUSTION AS IT CAN BE LIFE THREATENING ESPECIALLY  TO CHILDREN…

Heat exhaustion: This condition often occurs when people exercise (work or play) in a hot, humid place and body fluids are lost through sweating, causing the body to overheat. The person’s temperature may be elevated, but not above 104 F.

Heat stroke: Heat stroke, also referred to as heatstroke is a life-threatening medical condition. The person’s cooling system, which is controlled by the brain, stops working and the internal body temperature rises to the point where brain damage or damage to other internal organs may result (temperature may reach 105 F or greater).

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Symptoms

Heat exhaustion symptoms

• Often pale with cool, moist skin

• Sweating profusely

• Muscle cramps or pains

• Feels faint or dizzy

• May complain of headache, weakness, thirst, and nausea

• Core (rectal) temperature elevated-usually more than 100°F-and the pulse rate increased

Heat stroke symptoms

• Unconscious or has a markedly abnormalmental status (dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, or coma)

• Flushed, hot, and dry skin (although it may be moist initially from previous sweating or from attempts to cool the person with water)

• May have slightly elevated blood pressure at first that falls later

• May be hyperventilating
  

Don’t know where to see the  local fireworks this July 4 th ? Well here is a guide see them all and you be the judge of who had the best!

The Narberth 4th of July Committee

Proudly Presents:
4th of July
at
Narberth Park
Saturday, July 3rd
Food, Music & Fireworks

10:00 am - 2:00 pm Daytime Activities
Narberth Playground
7:30 p.m. Night-time Program
Fireworks at “Dusk”

Looking for fun FREE activities to do this JULY 4th week? Check out all the GREAT FREE or ALMOST FREE activites happening this July 4th weekend

Free or almost Free activities for the kids

Summer “PLAY DAYS” 2010
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
Tuesdays and Wednesdays in July and August
Children ages 0 - 5+ with an adult
The Young-In-Arts Center at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
625 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr PA (across from Harcum College)
Only $5.00 for the first child per visit, ages 0 - 5+
$3.00 for each additional sibling per visit, ages 0 - 5+
Pay at the door! Exact change is appreciated. Adults are free!
No registration necessary!

Join us anytime between 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  to explore the wonderful world of the arts in the music room,
with instruments to play and songs and chants to sing;
the art studio, with paints, fun dough, collage and many other
projects; the play room, with puzzles, games, puppets, and lots of
fun things to nurture children’s creativity; and the quiet reading
reading room, with pillows to flop on and books to enjoy. If that isn’t enough, join us in the music room for a fun 15 minute music class, and/or interactive story time/Signing Time Academy class at 10:45 a.m.

Please call Sandy Martin at 610-520-8838 or sandymartin@bmpc.org for more info. Check out the blog at Summer “PLAY DAYS” 2010.

Splish Splash Streamwalk

Thursday, July 1st

7:00 PM
Rolling Hill Park

1301 Rose Glen Road, Gladwyne
Lower Merion Conservancy Members Free!

Non-members $4/person, $10/family
Audience: Children ages 3-10 and their parents

Our family summer series is designed to celebrate the simple pleasures of the summer season. Splash through the sparkling waters of Mill Creek to uncover the creatures that live there. Don big rubber boots and use nets to nab aquatic insects like midges and mayflies, caddisflies and crayfish. We’ll begin the evening with a story and with a creek-side snack. Wear boots or old sneakers and bring a change of socks.

Program runs from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Meet at the top of the park. Pre-registration required.

Splish Splash Streamwalk

Regal Free Family Film Festival

Selected G or PG movies start at 10:00am every Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served on the day of the show and are limited to theatre capacity. Did we mention tickets are free?!

Main Street 6

3720-40 Main Street, Manayunk
6/29-6/30 Mr. Bean’s Holiday (G) & Barnyard (PG)
7/06-7/07 Wallace and Gromit (G) & Evan Almighty (PG)
7/13-7/14 Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything (G) & Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)
7/20-7/21 Rugrats In Paris (G) & E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (PG)
7/27-7/28 Rugrats The Movie (G) & Surf’s Up (PG)

Edgemont Square 10

4777 W Chester Pike, Newtown Square
6/29-6/30Wallace and Gromit (G) & Evan Almighty (PG)
7/06-7/07 Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything (G) & Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)
7/13-7/14 Rugrats In Paris (G) & E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (PG)
7/20-7/21 Rugrats The Movie (G) & Surf’s Up (PG)
7/27-7/28 Adventure Of Pipi Longstocking (G) & Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG)

Regal Free Family Film Festival

ACTIVITES IN OR AROUND THE CITY THIS WEEKEND

From 5pm to 8pm, every Thursday til August 26th, visitors can explore theConstitution Center and check out their fantastic exhibits, like Ancient Rome & America, for only $5.

The National Constitution Center has a number of events scheduled around this promotion, so keep an eye on their website (or here!) for updates.

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 409-6700
www.constitutioncenter.org

POPS ON INDEPENDENCE – FREE CONCERT

Those aren’t the only free concerts during Welcome America, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops perform Friday, July 3rd at their annual free concert in front of Independence Hall at 8:00 p.m.

Starting this Thursday, July 1st, the National Constitution Center is launching their5 After 5: Summer Nights promotion, offering up discounted ticket prices through the Summer.

Hoagie lovers rejoice! Wawa Hoagie Day returns Wednesday, June 30th after a ten-year absence and in celebration, a 1 and 1/4 mile hoagie (weighing four tons!) will make it’s way from Wawa, PA to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of Welcome America. And yes, it will be available for public consumption!

At 7 p.m., the massive sandwich will be served, moments before Mayor Nutter declares June 30th Hoagie Heritage Day. While the hoagies are being distributed, Philadelphia Police Officers and Firefighters will square off in a hoagie building com

petition, with both teams building as many hoagies as possible in three minutes.

After enjoying the delicious sandwich, prepare yourself for an evening of Rocky Balboa, beginning at 8 p.m. with the Rocky Idol lookalike (and soundalike) contest. Then at 9 p.m., find a spot on the famed Art Museum steps for a special screening of the classic original Rocky film. Hoagies and Rocky, it doesn’t get much more Philly than that!

Wawa Hoagie Day and Rocky Screening
When: June 30, 2010, 7 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, 26th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: FREE!

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops’ free concert at Independence Hall has become one of Welcome America’s most popular traditions, with 2010 marking the ninth consecutive year the Pops have wowed crowds in Historic Philadelphia.

To help kick-off Fourth of July weekend, Friday evening July 2nd, the Pops will perform American classics including patriotic anthems, rousing marches and holiday favorites, all set against the fitting backdrop of Independence Hall. In addition to the music, there will also be a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson.

Seating is limited, but that’s hardly a problem. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic basket and lay out on the lawn of Independence Mall while enjoying the show.

Pops on Independence
When: July 2, 2010, 8 p.m.
Where: Independence Hall, 5th and Chestnut Streets
Cost: FREE!

Taste of Philadelphia!
This amazing eat-everything-in-sight event kicks off today and lasts all weekend. Admission is free, and tastings from the 20+ restaurants will only run you a few dollars here and there. Show up hungry!

Want to get outside this weekend? Then, head to historic Manayunk for their 21st Annual Arts Festival!

Talented artists from across the country with a wide range of artwork, from paintings to drawings, glass to mixed media, will cover the entire length of Main Street. Whether you’re a collector in the mood to shop or simply want to admire the work of others, there is a little something for everyone.

If art isn’t really your thing, the festival has plenty more to offer, including activities for kids, musical performances, and of course, a beautiful, scenic view looking over the Manayunk Canal and Schuylkill River.

Spend the entire day and enjoy shopping at Manayunk’s chic boutiques along the way, and then grab a bite to eat at one of the neighborhood’s many restaurants. You won’t want to leave.

Philadelphia, the city where America’s independence was born, is the best place to celebrate Independence Day. The eleven-day Wawa Welcome America! festival kicks off on June 26 with a free waterfront concert and fireworks show and continues through July 4 with a flag-waving parade through Historic Philadelphia followed by the nation’s largest free outdoor Fourth of July concert by the Goo Goo Dolls and fireworks spectacular on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

BEST PLACES TO WATCH THE FIREWORKS ON JULY 4TH:

There are several perfect places to watch the fireworks. However, if you want to see the concert (headlined by Goo Goo Dolls), you’ll need to watch from Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Giant screens and speakers will broadcast the concert all along the Parkway, so you won’t miss a note!

- Lemon Hill
– Benjamin Franklin Parkway
– Boathouse Row
– Kelly Drive
– Martin Luther King Drive
– Schuylkill River Park

FIREWORKS TIME: Fireworks start in or around 10:30 pm

Facebook , Twitter, Youtube, Formspring, I pod , I touch DSI  all such names we never knew of when we were kids.  Now as our children and host kids enter a different world of social media and never ending digital products it is important to know some rules.

Please watch these videos for some helpful tips

Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts

June 12th: XPN Welcomes Steve Forbert / Opener: Lauren Hart

June 19th: Tom Chapin

June 26th:  David Wilcox/ Opener: Jonathan Doh

Saturday @ 7:00 PM
Gazebo Park, 9 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr
$10 Donation (Kids 16 & under - free)

This is a smoke-free and alcohol-free venue. Donation is $10.00 per person, children ages 16 and under are free.

All concerts are held outdoors (rain or shine).  Bring lawn chairs and blankets (Beach chairs and blankets only in front of white line). Picnics are welcome. Handicapped accessible. Free parking!

For more information: call (610) 864-4303 or email dbroida@gmail.com .  For a list of upcoming concerts, visit www.brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com

Narberth Park Wednesday Summer 2010 Concert Series

Wednesdays

7pm to 9pm

No Rain Dates

The pavilion is located next to the Narberth Library at
80 Windsor Avenue Narberth

Wednesday, June 10th:

Beaucoup Blue; Americana, Blues

http://www.beaucoupblue.com

Wednesday, June 17th:

Jim Boggia; Singer/Songwriter, Pop

http://jimboggia.com

Wednesday, June 24th:

The Zing Kings: Blues/Rock

http://www.myspace.com/zingkings

FREE Car Wash! The Friends of Troop 181 Sat., June 19th 8:00am to 2:00pm Behind the Wayne United Methodist Church 210 S. Wayne Ave. The Boy Scouts of Troop 181 wash cars for free, but will accept donations, pledges and corporate sponsorships to help fund activities and expenses for Boy Scout events throughout the year. Troop 181 is a group of over 40 scouts and adults committed to the ideals of Scouting. They participate in events ranging from day hikes and community service projects to week-long camping adventures. We look forward to serving you! OUTER LIMITS: Recreational Program for people with special needs Outer Limits is a recreation program for people with special needs sponsored by Radnor Township Parks & Recreation, Upper Merion Parks & Recreation, and Lower Merion Parks & Recreation.  It provides a challenging, adventure-oriented recreational experience that will assist participants in developing physically, emotionally and socially.  Activities will promote athletic and creative skill development, ego-enhancement, improve self-confidence and increase self-reliance.  Activities are directed by instructors who are highly qualified in the activity skill as well as in working with individuals with special needs. Please contact Daniel Russell at 610-265-1071 for a list of program dates and activities, and to obtain a registration form. Ready, Set, Java, Bet: Free Preschool Program Wednesday, June 16th 10:00 am to 11:00 am Town Hall Coffee Co. 358 Montgomery Ave., Merion Station For more info contact Robin Kahn at 610.667.1651 www.bethamisrael.org Bring your toddler for a fun filled hour of songs, stories, puppets, movement and more! Join Rabbi David Ackerman, Hazzan Harold Messinger and Education Director Robin Kahn at the newly opened TOWN HALL COFFEE CO. and experience what is being hailed as, “simply the best cup of coffee on the main line.” Healthy snacks for the kids will be available. Citizens Bank Baseball Glove Drive Heading to the Phillies game? Donate new or gently used baseball gloves at the kiosk in Ashburn Alley. Donations will go to the Phillies Jr. RBI League which was created to encourage inner-city youth to participate in baseball programs. Since 2005, Citizens Bank has purchased and collected more than 3,800 gloves for the 7,000 participants in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. If you donate a glove, you may enter for a chance to win a glove autographed by Chase Utley. An entry form is available at the kiosk. Good Luck! Glove Drive Run For Cover 5th Annual 5K Run / 1 Mile Walk Sunday, June 27th Race Time: 9:00AM / Walk Time: 9:15AM Same Day Registration: 7:30 - 8:45AM Post Race Awards Ceremony: 10:30AM The Wachovia Complex Please join Ann and Rich Beston of Paoli, board members of The Noreen O’Neill Foundation for Melanoma Research at the 5th Annual Run For Cover. Rich was diagnosed melanoma (skin cancer) Stage IV in 2000. Miraculously, he has been beating this very deadly form of cancer for a number of years now. Join Ann and Rich and other runners and walkers at the annual event to raise awareness for melanoma research, celebrate survivors and honor loved ones who lost their battle with melanoma. The Noreen O’Neill Foundation for Melanoma Research (FMR) was founded in 1999 by Noreen O’Neill after being diagnosed with malignant melanoma. The Noreen O’Neill Foundation for Melanoma Research is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funding melanoma research. Historically, this is the first time the famous Wachovia Complex has been used as a route for a run. Register Here!

Now that the most pools are officially open for the season it is important to remember some life saving pool and water safety rules to keep every one safe this season.

Kids need constant supervision around water — whether the water is in a bathtub, a wading pool, an ornamental fish pond, a swimming pool, a spa, the beach, or a lake.

Young children are especially vulnerable — they can drown in less than 2 inches (6 centimeters) of water. That means drowning can happen where you’d least expect it — the sink, the toilet bowl, fountains, buckets, inflatable pools, or small bodies of standing water around your home, such as ditches filled with rain water. Always watch children closely when they’re in or near any water.

It’s a good idea to learn to swim, and kids older than 4 years should learn to swim, too (check the local recreation center for classes taught by qualified instructors). Younger children older than age 1 also may benefit from swimming lessons, but check with your doctor first. And don’t assume that a child who knows how to swim isn’t at risk for drowning. All kids need to be supervised in the water, no matter what their swimming skill levels. And infants, toddlers, and weak swimmers should have an adult swimmer within arm’s reach to provide “touch supervision.”

Invest in proper-fitting, Coast Guard-approved flotation devices (life vests) and use them whenever a child is near water. Check the weight and size recommendations on the label, then have your child try it on to make sure it fits snugly. For kids younger than 5 years old, choose a vest with a strap between the legs and head support — the collar will keep the child’s head up and face out of the water. Inflatable vests and arm devices such as water wings are not effective protection against drowning.

Having a Pool at Home              

Having a pool, pond, spa, or hot tub on your property is a tremendous responsibility when it comes to safety issues.

Hot tubs may feel great to adults, but kids can become dangerously overheated in them and can even drown — so it’s best not to let them use them at all. Having a fence (one that goes directly around the pool or spa) between the water and your house is the best safety investment you can make. This could go a long way toward preventing pool-related drownings.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), fences should meet the following rules:

• Fences should stand at least 4 feet (130 centimeters) high with no foot or handrails for kids to climb on.
• The slats should be less than 4 inches (110 millimeters) apart so a child can’t get through, or if chain link, should have no opening larger than 1¾ inches (50 millimeters).
• Gates should be self-closing and self-latching, and the latch should be out of kids’ reach.

You can buy other devices, such as pool covers and alarms, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that they have not proved effective against drowning for very young children. The AAP strongly supports fencing as the best measure of protection.

At Lakes, Ponds, or Beaches

First, teach kids never to swim alone. Using the buddy system means there’s always someone looking out for you. Make sure your kids understand that swimming in a pool is different from swimming in a lake or the ocean — there are different hazards for each.

Here are some tips:

At the Lake or Pond

• Don’t let kids swim without adult supervision — lakes or ponds may be shallow near the bank and then increase in depth sharply further out from shore.
• Ponds and lakes may hide jagged rocks, broken glass, or trash.
• Make sure kids wear foot protection; even in the water, they should wear aqua socks or water shoes.
• Watch out for weeds and grass that could entangle a leg or arm.
• Most boating accidents, particularly among teenagers, are related to alcohol. When you and your family are boating, assign a designated driver who won’t drink. Be sure teens know about the dangers of alcohol, on and off the water.

At the Beach

Teach kids to always swim when and where a lifeguard is on duty. They shouldn’t swim close to piers or pilings because sudden water movements may cause swimmers to collide with them.

• Unlike the calm waters of a swimming pool, the beach has special dangers like currents and tides. Check with the lifeguard when you arrive to find out about the water conditions.
• Don’t allow kids to swim in large waves or undertows, and tell them never to stand with their back to the water because a sudden wave can easily knock a child over.
• Teach kids that if they’re caught in a rip current or undertow, they should swim parallel to the shore or should tread water and call for a lifeguard’s help.
• The stings of jellyfish or Portuguese man-of-wars can be painful, so tell kids to avoid them in the water and to tell an adult right away if they’re stung.

Whether at the lake or at the beach, teach your child to get out of the water during bad weather, especially lightning.

What to Do in an Emergency            

Whenever a child is missing, always check the pool first. Survival depends on a quick rescue and restarting breathing as soon as possible.

If you find a child in the water, immediately get the child out while calling loudly for help. If someone else is available, have them call 911. Check to ensure the child’s air passages are clear. If the child is not breathing, immediately start CPR as necessary.

Do five cycles of rescue breathing and chest compressions, which takes about 2 minutes. If the child is still not breathing, dial 911 to get help if someone hasn’t already called. Continue giving CPR.

If the child does start breathing, lie the child on his or her side. (This helps keep the airway open and allows fluids to drain so that the child doesn’t choke.) Also, dial the emergency number and follow any instructions that the emergency operators provide.

If you think the child may have suffered a neck injury, such as with diving, then keep the child on his or her back and brace the neck and shoulders with your hands and forearms, until emergency help arrives. Don’t let the child move. Speak in calm tones to keep the child comforted. Continue to watch for adequate breathing.

For more important  water safety tips check out the following sites

http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/water.html

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/safety/water_safety.html

http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/drowning/

SUNDAY JULY 18, 2010

Join your Au Pair friends for a day at the Hershey Park Amusement Park!! Hershey Park has over 60 rides for various ages and interests. There are NINE roller coasters! 6 Water Rides! Live Dance and Song Shows! Dolphin and Sea Lion Shows! AND a small Zoo! There also is a short (10 minute) ride thru a “simulated” chocolate factory AND lots of little shops!! Lots of food is available – but may be a little expensive.  (*Backpacks Are Allowed In Park But Will Be Searched – No Food/Water Allowed In Park – But This Is Subject To Change At Any Time – Plan on No Food/Water).

*Swim Suits Recommended if you wish to use “water slides” .. However, you MUST have “regular” clothing for the rest of the park.  Your swim suit should be under your regular clothes!  Lockers are available at a small charge where you can leave your “regular” clothes while in the water park area.

After arrival at the Park, you will have the day on your own to do and see whatever you wish.   Time and location for meeting the bus for home will be announced upon arrival to the Park. íTrip will be “Rain or Shine”

PRICE FOR TRIP (including Bus and Admission to Park):     $53.00

íIncluded Trip are:   Bus Transportation to Hershey Park  & Admission to Hershey Park/Hershey Zoo  (food is on your own!)

íBus Pick-Up  Locations  (Note:  Times for Bus to Leave Change Per Location) [Note:  Once Buses are filled – Emails Will Be Sent Out CONFIRMING Trip – Once Bus Is Filled – Pick-Up Times Will Be Confirmed.   Please Watch For Emails!!!]

This Year We Have Only ONE (1) BUS Scheduled For Hershey Park (Usually We Have Two).  IF we do Fill the FIRST BUS – it is possible that a Second Bus Will Be Added to the Trip!  Second Bus Will Most Likely Have An Added Charge (minor increase to be announced to those on the Waiting List For 2^nd Bus).   Pick-Up Times “Could”  change if we have two buses – BELOW ARE ANNOUNCED PICK-UP TIMES!

DEPARTURE TIMES WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA EMAIL ONCE THE FIRST BUS IS FILLED (and possibly the 2^nd Bus).  PLEASE WRITE (PRINT) YOUR EMAIL CLEARLY!

PICK-UP LOCATIONS BELOW  (again pick-up times to be announced at later date):

West Chester Pick-Up:  6:30 A.M. Route 202/Route 926  (Acme Parking Lot) 6:30 – 7:00 P.M.   Anticipated Return.

Wayne, PA Pick-Up:  7:00 P.M. Gateway Shopping Center (Outback Steakhouse), 299 Swedesford Road,

6:30 – 7:00 P.M.   Anticipated Return to Wayne Area

(CAR POOLING Recommended for This Location – Leaving Cars Could Get Ticketed)

Quakertown Pick-Up:  8:00 A.M.Kmart Store Parking Lot (Intersection of Rt. 663 & 313 Quakertown)

6:30–7:00 P.M. Anticipated Return to Quakertown. (Kmart is in Trainers Corner Shopping Center/McDonalds)

Allentown Pick-Up:  8:30 A.M.  Pick-Up Location To Be Announced Later

6:00-6:30 P.M.   Anticipated Return to Allentown Area    (Cars Can Be Parked At This Location)

4

íDEADLINE for Hershey Park Tickets is JULY 2, 2010.   Remember that the bus fills on a “first come/first pay” basis.   Monies are NON-REFUNDABLE. (Buses Filled Quickly)  However, money will be refunded only if the bus has been filled and you are on a “waiting list”.

í DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO SEND IN YOUR RESERVATION. IN ORDER TO GET THE “GROUP PRICE (CHEAPER PRICE)” THAT THIS TRIP INCLUDES, WE MUST PURCHASE TICKETS EARLY!!! PLEASE SEND IN YOUR RESERVATION NOW!!

**** YOUR MONEY AND RESERVATION FORM MUST BE RECEIVED

BY HELEN COOK NO LATER THAN JULY 2, 2010 !!!

íCheck/Money Order (Non-Refundable) should be made out to “Helen Cook” for $53.00. Send Check/Money Order AND Coupon Below to below address. (Reservations are on a “first receive/first pay” basis.).  PLEASE DO NOT WAIT TO SEND RESERVATION.

Helen Cook, (Hershey Park), 3521 Bittersweet Road, Center Valley, PA   18034

(HERSHEY)

Au Pair Name: ________________________Your Home Phone# ______________——-Your LCC is: ____________________

Address:   ________________________________________     Host Family: _________________ Home Country: ______________

________________________________________     Au Pair Email Address (PRINT CLEARLY):

Au Pair CELL No.: ________________________________      _______________________________________________

Bus Pick-Up Location (Check One):     *______ Rt. 926 & 202 (Acme Shopping Center – West Chester)

*______ Gateway Shopping Center, 299 Swedesford Rd, Wayne, Pa (Outback)

*______ Quakertown (Kmart Shopping Center, Rt. 313 & 663)

*______ Allentown (Mack World Headquarter Bldg.)

As we welcome in June  it is time to get thinking about the fast approaching appreciation day for that special Dad in your life . For Au pairs not only will you be remembering  your own Dad from a far this year but you will also have a Host Dad to give thanks to..

Here are some fun Craft and gift Ideas that you can make with the kids or on your own to show your appreciation. Remember that a gift does not need to be expensive to be appreciated sometimes it is the gifts from the heart that mean more…

Trophy for Dad

Difficulty: Easy

Age: 7 and up

Is your dad worthy of an award? Of course he is! Make him this shiny, gold trophy for Father’s Day.

Looking for more Father’s Day fun? Get creative with one of these Father’s Day crafts and recipe ideas.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Turn cups upside down and trim bottom lips to make them flush.
2. Glue the bottoms of the two cups together.
3. Tape the square box shut by covering the entire box with masking tape.
4. When glue on the cups have dried, wrap a piece of masking tape around the middle where the two cups meet.
5. Cut the chenille stem in half and insert into each side of one of the cups as trophy handles.
6. Cover cups completely with masking tape.
7. Paint masking tape on both the trophy and the box gold. Let dry.
8. Write “Awarded World’s Best Dad” on the black construction paper with white paint pen. Glue to the front of the box.
9. Pipe white glue onto the bottom of the cup that does not have the chenille handles. Press onto the top of the box and let glue dry completely.

Our Family TV

Difficulty: Very Easy

Age: 5 and up

Holiday Links

What a great way to display your family photos! Kids can make their very own vintage TV to keep on a shelf, Mom or Dad’s desk, or anywhere the family thinks it will look great.

What you’ll need:

• 1 empty cereal box
• 3 sheets tan or brown construction paper
• Copy of a 4×6 photo
• 2 plastic lids from milk or juice containers
• 1 gold chenille stem
• Brown marker
• Zipper sandwich bag filled with rice, beans, or sand
• Tape
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• White craft glue
• Pen

How to make it:

1. Place the sandwich bag filled with rice, beans, or sand inside the empty cereal box. Tape the top of the box closed.
2. Use glue stick to completely cover the box with the brown or tan construction paper.  Lay the box down on the work surface.
3. Trim your photo to have rounded edges in the corners. If you photocopied or printed your photo onto white paper, trim around the edge of your photo, leaving a small white border around the picture. Use the glue stick to attach the picture to the upper right section of the box.
4. Use white craft glue to attach the two drink lids to the left of the photo for the TV knobs.
5. Use a pen to poke two holes in the side of the box, above the photo (which will be the top of your TV). Cut the chenille stem in half and insert each half into a hole. Add a little craft glue to the hole to keep them in place.
6. Use brown marker to write your family name across the bottom, such as “Smith Family TV”.

Tips:

1. If you prefer, you can use a color copier for your image, thought the black and white looks more vintage and matches the design of the TV.
2. For a more futuristic looking TV, use black construction paper instead of brown, cover the lids in foil, and use silver chenille. A color photograph and white craft pen will finish off the project!
3. To simplify this project, instead of using a cereal box, just use construction paper glued to a piece of cardboard or poster board. You can also use buttons or pennies for the knobs.

MORE inexpensive gift Ideas from the HEART

Yard Service

“I asked our two teenagers to do some yard work that my husband had not had the time to do.  They worked really hard at it most of the day.  They accomplished a lot.  That afternoon I gave them a hand made card and they wrote a note in it and shared about the work they had done for him.  It was a great gift and cost no money.” -

Personalized Stepping Stones

“I have two kids ages 8 and 3.  Last year we made 3 stepping stones for my husband.  They each got to decorate one and I had enough left over for a thinner stone, so that one I wrote Happy Father’s Day on with the date.  I bought from the dollar store a few different size cake pans just for making stones.  Also bought some gem stones to decorate with and other little things.  I bought a bag of cement from the craft store and a few mosaic pieces.  We plan to do that every year.  My husband really enjoyed them.  My kids were thrilled they were able to decorate them any way, especially my then 2 year old.  You may need a week in advance to get them done.” -

Free Car Wash

“Our 3 children worked together to wash my husband’s car and presented him with coupons for more ‘free’ service. This gift was almost completely cost-free, except for a little soap and water.” -

Homemade Pizza

“This year for Father’s Day, I made my dad frozen pizzas.  He loves pizza so I bought some pre-made crusts (not the Boboli but the cheaper ones from the bakery), a can of pizza sauce, some cheese and pepperoni.  They only took a few minutes to assemble and then I froze them.  I’m sure he will like them and they cost under $10 for 5 small pizzas.” -

Special Dinner

“You can make a great dinner for your dad… for $15 or less, fresh vegetables, fish and salad with strawberries and whipped cream.” -

Photo Mugs                                              

“For Father’s Day this year, we purchased coffee mugs for 98 cents at the local craft store, they were the type that come with pictures that the kids can color, but we took the coloring pictures out and replaced them with photos of the children that I printed from our computer and the kids added little messages.  So now while at work, every time my husband gets his coffee he will think of our children and have a picture close at hand too.” - Tanya R.

Father’s Day Book“Each year the kids write their dad a letter about whatever they want (no help from mom). Then they decorate their page and we print a picture of all 5 kids together on our computer and that serves as the cover of their “Father’s Day Book.” We staple all the pages together. They love doing this and he loves reading his book. We have been doing this for about 6 years now and he still loves to go back and read his books from the kids and so do they!” -

My Life

“For Father’s Day in 1984 I wrote my dad a letter about all the ways he had positively impacted my life.  When he died six weeks later very unexpectedly, I discovered he had requested this letter be put in the coffin.” -

Car Wash Kit

Here’s a great gift I had my daycare children make for their fathers on Father’s Day.  They enjoyed personalizing the items and the dads enjoyed them, too.  I started with a package of inexpensive chamois cloths (found at Wal-mart) and stamped an automotive design on them with textile paint.  Be sure to use fabric paint that stays soft, so it won’t be scratchy when it’s dry.  We created a stamp by carving a simple car shape into half a potato, but you can easily use premade rubber stamps.  I also bought an inexpensive pail for each gift and let the kids decorate it with permanent markers or stamps.  We made car air fresheners out of felt (cut any shape, let kids decorate with a photo, glitter glue, markers, etc—then spray with automotive freshening spray and hang on a ribbon).  The dollar store usually has large, soft sponges for car washing—load your pail with the chamois, sponge, air freshener, and maybe some homemade coupons for helping with the car wash, wrap it in cellophane—and you have a cute, personal gift that the kids can really participate in.” -

“Handy” Chores

“First you start off by tracing your hand and then write all the chores that you hate doing such as dusting, washing dishes, that kind of stuff. So you write five chores for five fingers and after Father’s Day he can use those five things to make you do the chores for free.” -

Forever Sunset

“If you love to take pictures like me then you could take a big picture of you and your family holding signs, but I took a sunset picture from my house and I printed it out on my computer. Then my father will hang it up any where he wants to and it will be there forever.” -

TIP #2:  Provide kids with a predictable daily routine.

Providing Structure and Routine Throughout the Day

Children, regardless of age, need to have a daily routine. Children tend to thrive much better by knowing what is coming and what will happen each day. I’m sure your host families have already established routines with their children, such as morning and bedtime routines, but why not use that same idea in your daily interactions with them?You may find they will be much easier to deal with, if they have some structure throughout the day.

The following article may help you see the reasons behind this.

Create a Daily Home Schedule to Provide Routine and Structure for your Children

By: Simplified Spaces | Posted: 05th February 2009

Copyright (c) 2009 Simplified Space

Devoting time to establish consistency and structure is often one of the biggest challenges that parents face when trying to teach responsibility to their children. Life skills are best learned by example and repetition, meaning that consistency is of utmost importance in building the skills that your children will need in the future in order to survive successfully in today’s society.

While imposing a daily home schedule may seem restrictive, the opposite is actually true. Children need to be able to depend on the adults in their lives and they feel safe and secure when they have a structure and routine to count on. Children do not yet have the maturity level to know how to structure their time on their own. They learn these skills from institutions like school and from the adults in their lives. For the parents, establishing a family schedule provides consistency and routine in a busy household. Consider our society in general, and you will find time schedules regulating most everything we do. Companies have standard hours, schools offer classes with a defined beginning and end, and mass transportation runs on a tight, proven schedule that is dependable to all who use it.

By establishing and posting a daily schedule in your home that includes chores and times that tasks are expected to be performed and completed, you are providing the structure and consistency that your children need in order to grow and mature. Schedules at home help regulate your children’s lives so that they have a model to learn from that they can take into their adult lives.

Start with a morning routine that includes daily tasks required to get ready for a new day. Have a set time to be out of bed and a list of preparatory activities, including getting dressed, brushing teeth, and combing hair. Give a reasonable time frame to complete these activities, and require the children to be at the breakfast table by a certain time.

After breakfast, allow time for checking that all school supplies and homework are properly stored in backpacks and any accessories - gloves, jackets, etc - can be donned in time to either get in the car or meet the school bus. Once you have set a morning regime, it is time to work out the evening plans, outlining homework time, mealtime, showers, chores, and any other activities that are involved in daily life, while still maintaining a consistent bedtime. We are a sleep deprived culture. Make efforts not to pass this way of life on to the next generation.

Establishing a visible daily schedule for your children to follow provides consistency and a foundation from which they can build on. It will also help you with organizing your own day because you will now have a structure and schedule to manage your time effectively and efficiently as well. With a daily schedule in place for the adults, prevents you from having to reinvent the wheel every day. All family members know the routine and in that they learn and can trust. Providing these routines and structure for your children while they are young not only provides them with a model of how to manage a home and how to perform routine home tasks, but it also helps them develop critical time management life skills that are essential to later life success.

——
Janet Nusbaum (AKA the Organizing Genie), WAHM of two, is an Organizing Consultant, Speaker & Author of ‘Mom, Can I Help Around the House? A Simple Step-by-step System for Teaching your Children Life-long Skills for Pitching in & Picking up’. Grab a FREE chapter of her book & household chore system by visiting http://www.KidsandChores.net . Get even more organizing & family management help by visting her blog: http://www.TheOrganizingGenie.com

This article is free for republishing

Printed From: http://www.articlealley.com/article_779248_27.html

Here is a sample schedule you could have for your kids (and yourself!) each day! You can use your Daily Communication Log to write down what you plan to do with the kids, either at your weekly meeting with your host family, or plan ahead for the next day at the end of each day that you work.

You can structure your day however you and your host family wish—this is simply an example to help you, if you need it 

Morning Schedule:

8:00 am – Give children breakfast and eat with them. Ask them what they want to do that day, or what they will do in school that day, etc. If they are old enough to do so, ask them to help you clean up afterwards (even little kids can help with this, and like to be helpers).

8:30 am – Play time. (Play with them, don’t just watch :).

9:30 am – Play a game with them. Teach them a game from your home country; play hide and seek, play outside—be creative. Plan a play date with an au pair friend, where you both get to interact with them.

10:30 am – Quiet time. This could be spent reading books with them, making up stories with them, coloring with them. If parents allow TV time, you could watch a show or DVD with them.

11:30 am – Lunch time. Have the children help and eat with them. Use lunch time to teach them a new word in your native language (maybe do one new word a day with them—for example, different food items like milk; utensils, things in the room, etc).Introduce them to something you might eat for lunch back home. Have them tell their parents the new word you taught them at dinner.

AFTERNOON SCHEDULE:

12:00 pm – Nap time. Use this time to do any chores such as laundry that you have to do. This is also an appropriate time to check email / Facebook, make any phone calls, if you don’t have any chores that need to be done.

2:00 pm – Craft / Fun time. Use the ideas on my Lesson Plan page or come up with your own. This could also be another time to plan a playdate and do a craft, outing or activity together with an au pair friend. You could also plan a fun outing on your own, perhaps to the library, the park, the playground, a museum…

Pretty soon, your day is done and you can relax or go out with your friends.  Obviously, if your kids are in school or are babies, your daily schedules and routines will be different, but I hope this will help you anyway, especially with school vacations coming up.

I hope this will give you some help and maybe some ideas too! If you haven’t set up a daily routine, a good time to start may be after the Thanksgiving holiday!

EKATERINA DOBRYNINE FROM SALISBURY MARYLAND

I would like to give a special heart felt thank you to Katya pictured above for her AMAZING fundraising efforts this Weekend at the Au pair Amazing Race. She single handedly raised $505 for kids first as a FAST FORWARD option.

She asked for donations from neighbors and community businesses and we HONOR her for her AMAZING EFFORT

We also want to thank

CHIKONDI CHIJOTA  FROM EXTON PA

Chikondi  helped to raise an AMAZING $152 by asking for donations from her local  the community. Chikondi’s host Dad also helped by offering to match what she raised . Thank you Chikondi  your efforts are also GREATLY  appreciated

And a final thank you to the following au pairs who also took the time to support the kids first charity  by collecting sponsorhip for the Au pair amazing race….

Carla McConnell, Jenni Morton. Elisa Sonza, Nina Lange, Malin Fogelvik, Carolina Sanchez, Keely Mitchell, Jing Jing Liu, Ying Bi, Olena Liakhova, Marie Paul, Kirralee Bayley, Katharina Kuhring, Carolina Rojas, Tais Cruz, Marketa Salamankova.

Click here for more information about KIDS FIRST

Despite the rain showers, 200 au pairs converged on Eakins Oval in front of thePhiladelphia Museum of Art this weekend to compete in the first annual Au Pair Amazing Race.  We had over 30 teams going from station to station beginning at the Art Museum steps and ending up in Old City.  They took photos, answered questions, gathered information about the history of the U.S. and ate some pretty interesting foods.

The winning team came away with a trip to New York City, including a $50 Visa gift card, a Megabus ticket from Philly and a night’s accommodation at the Big Apple Hostel for all six team members.  Second and third place teams got gift cards fromStarbucks and Target.  The winners of the Suntrek Challenge each received a 50% discount voucher for a future Suntrek trip.  All remaining team numbers were put in a jar and a lucky final team winner was randomly chosen to get gift cards just for participating!

Congrats to our group of DE / MD au pairs for racing to a third place finish!  Great job, ladies!

The other great part of the day was the amount of money raised for Kids First.  Au pairs had the option to raise money prior to the race to earn a Fast Forward card, which helped them complete the race faster.   A couple of girls were extremely inspired to raise funds and came to the race with donations of $162 and $505 respectively.  Katya, the au pair who came all the way from the Ocean City, MD area with her LCC and au pair group, raised the most money and won a gift certificate for a facial or massage at Terme Di Aroma Day Spa on 3rd Street in Old City.

Between these and other funds raised by au pairs before and during the race, as well as the $1 taken from each registration fee, I am proud to say that we were able to raise over $1,123; Cultural Care Au Pair matches our donations dollar for dollar, bringing our grand total to over $2,246!!  We are so happy with this and the generosity we saw truly exceeded our expectations.

We’ve heard great feedback about this event and are already looking forward to making it even better in the coming years!  Thank you to Level 1 Fitness and Mirror Image Duplication for sponsoring our event, as well as to the local LCCs who came out to help and support our event!

Extra special thanks go out to the senior members of the Cultural Care Au Pair staff who came to join us for the event, including Program Directors Veronica Thibodeau& Judith De Kort, Development Director Sierra Rix, Director of Sales and Business Development (Northeast) Jenn Guarracino, Director of Customer Service (Northeast)Kristen Tanner, Vice President of US Operations (Northeast) Samantha Janney and Senior Vice President Natalie Jordan. THE BIGGEST THANK YOU OF ALL GOES OUT TO AMY BRYAN LCC in Middletown DE WHO WAS CO ORGANIZER … THANKS AMY

Here are some pictures I took–you can see more here.

We are so Excited to see you today at the Au pair amazing RACE Make sure you are on time for your train and  have all the things you need . If you do not know what you need check out he info below.

Au pairs will be given T- shirts which they MUST wear to participate in the Race; each team member will also need to wear their team number badge.

Each team will receive an Amazing Race survival bag which will include most of the things needed for the race. However, we advise au pairs to bring the following to assist them in their goal to be first over the finish line:

Au pair teams will need to bring:
* Pen
* Watch
* Rain gear and/or sunscreen
* Comfortable clothing and footwear - sneakers preferable. (They will be doing A LOT of walking).

Au pairs are advised to bring:
* Snacks and / or water for the duration of the race. (Eating lunch before the event is advised.)
* Money for incidentals, food, souvenirs, etc

Au pairs will not need:
* Maps
* Philadelphia guide books

RACE DETAILS:

The Race will be started by Cultural Care’s very own Senior Vice President Natalie Jordan SHARPLY at 1pm. There are 5 checkpoints located throughout the city, which need to be completed to finish the race. Like the TV show, there will be Detours, Road Blocks and Fast Forwards that will make the race fun and challenging for all. Throughout the race, teams will also have the opportunity to fast forward the checkpoint if they can raise money and awareness for the Kids First charity on the day through the challenges we have prepared. This may just give one team the lead they need to win the race. Be prepared for physical challenges, eating challenges, performance challenges and more to get them out of their comfort zones a bit, but ahead of the pack to be the first team to the finish line!

There will be individual checkpoint winners but the Grand Prize of the FREE TRIP TO NY is for the first team to successfully complete all 5 checkpoints.

Philadelphia is an old city rich in history and culture. This event will ensure the au pairs leave with not only a sense of team accomplishment, but also with a better knowledge of the birthplace of America!!!

When school lets out next month most of my Host Families with Cultural Care Au Pair will not be worried. Their childcare will be taken care of by  their Au pair. But there will be some who need to juggle some schedules with camps and playdates so not to go over the state department reules of 10 hrs a day and 45 hours a week

If you do not have an Au pair you  might be in a state of panic , but don’t worry there are still plenty of camps with spaces left for your child.

Check out the local links below to see what your children may enjoy and if  camp is not an option that will work for you take a look at this website for more information on hosting an Au pair.

If you an Au pair looking for Ideas to keep your children busy this summer check out these links

www.lmls.org for FREE reading programs

www.lowermerion.com for parks and FREE community activites

www.lakeshorelearning.co for FREE craft activities

Camps on the Mainline PA

Here on the mainline we are very fortunate to have many GREAT camps for  every kind of child

For the sports lover I suggest

Julian Krinsky Camps & Programs

814 Yarrow Street
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3525                                                    
(610) 265-0956

For the Music lover I suggest

For Affordablility and  reliability I suggest

YMCA

100 Saint Georges Road Ardmore, PA 19003-2596 - (610) 649-0700 www.ymca.net Or Lower Merion parks and recreation programs visit www.lowermerion.org for more info

For the Pre - Schooler I suggest

Montgomery Early Learning Centers -> Programs -> Summer Camp …

For the Naturopath

Riverbend Environmental Ed - www.riverbendeec.org 1950 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne - (610) 527-5234

For the Scientist I suggest

the Mad science workshops                                                              

For the Swimmer  I suggest

For the Book Worm I suggest

Check out the summer reading programs

Welcome to the Lower Merion Library System

For more Camps and Summer Ideas check out this camp guide

Au pairs who have registered for the Au Pair Amazing Race have a great opportunity to help themselves and some very special children around the world.

By printing out the “Au Pair Amazing Race Sponsorship Form” and getting up to 5 donations in any amount for Kids First, you can earn a very special advantage for your whole team!  You will earn a “Fast Forward” card, which will allow you to skip a challenge later in the race, bringing you closer to the finish faster.

kids-first-sponsorship-pdf

Not only will this help Kids First and help your team, but you can also earn a personal reward!  The au pair who raises the most money individually will win a great prize — a spa treatment gift from Terme Di Aroma Day Spa, located at 32 North Third Street in Philadelphia.  This prize is valued at over $75!

It is completely up to you whether or not you choose to complete this prior to the race; it is absolutely optional. However, those teams who do will earn themselves a great benefit.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

Are you considering taking a class at the Maryland Au pair class at Sojourner Douglass College??? please read this account form an Au pair who recently took the class…

I took my second au pair weekend class in Baltimore Maryland that is offered by teachers of the Sojourner Douglass College.

I did my first weekend class in Silverbay which is 6 hours away from here. It was fun, but it is hard to get there without a car and 6 hours driving is not the best thing.

I heard about the weekend class in Maryland and found the homepage at the internet. If you sign up early enough the registration fee is $289 dollar which includes coursework, lodging, social activities and meals.

The sessions are held in hotels near and around the Airport.

Each weekend session is different. They have classes like Nutrition, American History, American Justice, Psychology, American Culture, History of American music, Smithsonian System, Entrepreneurship in America, Hospitality Industry, Harlem Renaissance, American family, Educational games, Children and Poison, Storytelling through crafts and TOEFL review course.

Due to the weekend everybody had to do paperwork. The first part of the homework was to write 5 pages about you and your live, how you grew up, why you decided to become an aupair and how your future will look like. The second part was either to make a activity journal or to make a food journal over three weeks.

I chose the second opportunity and wrote down what I ate everyday and discussed in the end what has changed during my time here. The homework was corrected till Saturday and a list said who had to work on it again till Sunday.

It is a way easier to get to Baltimore than to get to Silverbay. You can take the Chinatown bus to Baltimore or drive the 2 hours. They also offer shuttles to the Amtrak station and the Baltimore International Airport.

Check in time on Friday was 5pm-6pm. We got our personal class schedule and had some time to see our room which was pretty nice. At 6pm they had some food out like chicken fingers, spring rolls, salad and fruits. Angela Garnett, the director of the program welcomed us and told us about some rules.

The first class session started at 7pm. My class was called American Holidays.

Class was over around 9.30pm and everyone had to join the social activity which was line dancing this night. We had a lot of fun  They also offered a movie night and karaoke.

Breakfast on Saturday morning was at 8am. They had cereal, bagels, cake and fruit. So everyone could find something. First class session was from 9am to 12pm. I took the Behavior Management class where we talked about problems with host children and how we can change bad behavior.

Lunch was around noon in the restaurant where they had a big buffet.

Next class session was from 1pm to 4pm. We always had breaks during each session to eat some of the snacks they provided. After the class we had a one hour private time till Dinner at 5.

The last class session for the day started at 6pm till 9pm. I took boxing which was pretty fun though it was exhausting. The social activity for the night was a pool party at the hotel indoor pool. They also offered karaoke and a movie again.

The last class on Sunday morning started at 9 am. My class was called Idioms and Slang. It was pretty interesting. After the last session Angela Garnett said a few word about the weekend and handed out our certificates which show that the weekend classes are equal to 4 CEU’s.

I really recommend this weekend class. It is cheap, close by and you have a lot of fun at the social activities. The classes are interesting and I really liked all of the teachers I had.

So before you start thinking about driving 6 hours to Silverbay consider this weekend class as a equal or I would say even better opportunity.