I just heard that Bank of America card holders get free entrance the first weekend of every month to many museums across the country, including the Discovery Science Center and the Laguna Art Museum here in Orange County. I understand that it’s only the first Saturday of every month at the Discovery Science Center. What a great deal! Get details at Bank of America.
April 30, 2009
April 27, 2009
Check out the Bees!
What do your kids think when they hear about bees? Bugs, stings, honey? There’s something much more important than these things, and Orange County has the perfect place to learn about it.
Bees are critical to plant pollination. This has always been true, but bees are getting extra attention these days because their numbers are mysteriously declining. Without bees, a lot of crops that we grow for food would be in danger.
Centennial Farm at the Orange County Fairgrounds has a great hive that’s set up so that kids can see how bees live. There are crops growing in their farm, so you’re likely to see bees in action pollinating real food.
But what can a kid do about the problem of dying bees? Plenty! Be nice to bees, plant a flower that they’ll like. Older kids might make this into a project. Is there a scout badge that requires learning about an animal or the environment? What about extra credit in science? Or a current events report?
Sweeten the pot with a little extra fun. Centennial Farm has a whole farm with goats, pigs, horses, chickens and more. That alone is enough to make the trip exciting. Books are always popular with kids. A picture book about a bee would delight a little one, while photos of bees and beehives might interest someone who loves to see the nitty gritty of how things work. What about watching the Bee Movie? Honey makes a great treat. If you can find them, pick up some honey sticks. If your child is under one year old, you might want to forgo the honey this time around. A ziploc bag of Honeycomb cereal would be memorable, especially if you don’t normally buy sugar cereal.
And don’t forget the Benadryl, just in case!
April 23, 2009
It’s Summer Camp Time in Orange County!
The weather is warming up, the schools are focused on year end activities, and parents are starting to think about what the kids are going to be doing this summer.
What’s different about the summer? After all, your kids participate in extracurricular activities all year long, and if you work, they need supervision during the day. But summer is different.
During the school year, the choices are limited by time and geography. The kids need to go to school until about 2 or 3 o’clock, so they only have a couple hours each day, and they need to do homework too. And how far can you drive them after school, especially while you work? But summer is a different matter altogether. Kids can go to a summer camp that lasts a few hours every day, up to the entire day while Mom and Dad work. There are general camps where kids go to play, learn, get exercise and have fun. Then there are specialty camps of every flavor. Is your child an aspiring dancer, skateboarder or water polo player? What about art, marine biology, fencing, or horseback riding? If your child wants to pursue a favorite activity a little further, this is a great time. If he or she wants to try something new, this is their opportunity. Many camps allow you to enroll your child for one week at a time, so they can participate in a variety of activities over their summer break.
Here’s the part that might surprise you. It’s time to start researching summer camps now, especially if your child is interested in something specific. Spaces fill up fast, especially for some of the specialty camps.
Summer Sports Camps are Popular
Start out with any camps that just occur once during the summer. Vacation bible school at your church, girl scout overnight camp, or that clinic offered by a club or studio that your child attends during the school year. Groups that just gear up for one big week need to plan ahead and when they’re full, they’re full. Is your family vacation already scheduled? Once those dates are on your calendar, go looking for camps to fill in the breaks. Does your child like to try something new every week, or are they more comfortable with a consistent camp for most of the summer? The choices in Orange County are almost endless, but if you wait until the last minute you’ll be taking whatever still has open spots.
April 20, 2009
How to Protect Your Child on the Internet
Do you pay attention to ratings on movies, video games and music? What about websites, emails and text messages? That’s harder because there are no ratings and your kids can get there without asking you.
The internet provides access to a world of information
Websites
The internet is a wonderful tool. I can hardly remember the days when I did research with real old-fashioned reference books in a library or got out the yellow pages to find a local business. You can get everything you want on the world wide web. Unfortunately you can also get some things you don’t want.
You can install a program to block websites containing certain words, but they’re pretty easy to trick. All you have to do is misspell a word, using wrong letters, spaces and symbols. Then the blocking program can’t recognize it. And there is no way for a computer to interpret the contents of a picture or video. All it sees are a bunch of pixels in different colors. This means that your kids can go to a site and see pornography, violence, anything. And when one kid finds something cool, you can be sure that the word gets around their school about where to see this material.
There are a lot of websites out there that have good material and bad. On YouTube, for instance, kids can watch funny cartoon videos, see a science experiment in action, or learn how to pole dance. And the comments that viewers make about some of these videos are full of bad language.
So how do you keep your kids safe while allowing them access to this invaluable tool?
Setting Boundaries
Make it clear that there are some things they can see on the internet, just like on tv, and some things they can’t. Using the computer is a privilege that they’ll only get as long as they follow the rules. Here are a couple of good basic rules to start off with:
1. Don’t give out any personal information other than first name without parents’ permission.
2. Give them some idea what’s acceptable and what’s not. This will depend on their age. They must ask you before going on any website that’s questionable. If your kids break the rules, you can lock the computer down so that it can only access the sites you specify, but that’s really restrictive.
3. Don’t click on links in emails from someone you don’t know.
4. Tell your parents if someone sends you something that makes you uncomfortable.
5. Any chat rooms must be pre-approved by parents.
Supervision
Keep the computer in an open area, not in kids’ bedrooms where they can go online with their door closed. The possibility that you might walk by at any moment will discourage them from having something embarrassing up on the screen. Don’t give them internet access on their phones. Not only will they have the freedom to go online unsupervised, but a group of kids on the playground with internet access is a recipe for sharing inappropriate material.
Check the History
Check your computer’s history periodically. You can get instructions on how to do this at webwisekids.com/how-to-check-your-computer-history.pdf
There is no automated way to protect your kids. You have to learn enough about the technology and you have to supervise their use of it.
April 18, 2009
Family Pet Expo Going on Now!
Looking for something fun to do in Orange County this weekend? Something outdoors and kid-friendly? I have just the thing for you. The Family Pet Expo is going on this Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, 2009 at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
Family Pet Expo at OC Fairgrounds
Events include
- Dog and cat fashion shows
- Creepy Crawly Critter Show
- Splash Dogs
- Free Flight Bird Show
- Petting Zoo
- Pony Rides
- Police K-9 Demonstrations
- Bathing Demonstrations
- Pet Adoptions
In addition to dogs and cats, kids will get to see birds, fish and reptiles. Many vendors are offering special show prices on pet products.
Hours are 10-7 on Saturday and 10-6 on Sunday. Prices are $12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 6-12 and free for kids 5 and under. You can save $2 on adult tickets and $1 on kids tickets by buying them online before you go.
Have fun!
April 16, 2009
Special Help for Special Kids
Public schools need to make an education available to everyone, and sometimes that means making special accomodations for students with special needs. So if you have a child with special needs, you’ll go to the school and they’ll explain the available services, right? Wrong. Schools have a lot of students and limited budgets. Special services are expensive, especially because different things are needed by different students. They even try to avoid promising things that don’t cost money. Any written agreements tie their hands.
Not a confrontational person? That’s okay. You don’t have to argue, beg and be difficult. You do have to take the time to learn what your child’s rights are and ask for them in the correct way. The schools are governed by laws. If you ask for something specific that is available and appropriate, they will comply. If you just mention to the principal that your child is struggling, nothing will happen. There’s only one person (well, two in a two-parent household) who is going to advocate for your child. Without your help, your child will slide along while the schools meet the needs of the majority as best they can.
So what help is available from the public schools?
Before Kindergarten
Special students often need preparation for Kindergarten. There are services available, including assessment, therapy and preschool programs. When they’re too young for the school to step in, services are available at the Regional Center.
Assessments
The school will conduct tests to identify special needs. If you disagree with the results, you have the opportunity to get your own outside evaluation, but you might as well start with the school’s assessments.
IEPs and 504s
These are written contracts between the school, parent and (when they’re old enough) child. Agreements can include anything from having the child sit in the front of class to a school-provided laptop to an aide. Once you have an agreement in place, the school must review it with you every year.
Technology
There is so much technology now that can help a person with special needs. Your teacher or school may not know what’s available, so it’s up to you to find out what tools are out there that can help your child. The TECH Center at TASK is a good place to start.
How do you learn what you need to know?
There is a great non-profit organization called TASK: Team of Advocates for Special Kids. They hold workshops for parents in everything from legal rights to how to negotiate an IEP or 504. Their specialists are also available to work with you one-on-one. Their services are very affordable, for example, membership is $30/year per family, and a full day workshop is only $35.
Some disabilities are obvious. Many are not. Just because it’s not obvious to everyone doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. There are also many levels of functioning for special kids. You want to get enough help for your child so that they can learn with others their age, while allowing them to accomplish what they’re able to. Getting individualized help like that requires a team of people. You, as the parent are the team leader. You’ll also need resources to educate you and to assist your child, inlcuding the school, doctor, therapist. etc. Every child should go as far as their abilities can take them.
April 13, 2009
The One Day Family Vacation
We are lucky enough to live in a place where other people go for vacation. The trick for locals is to go somewhere that we don’t usually go. So here’s a trip that has the vacation feel but the stay near home price.
Take the train to San Juan Capistrano. There are 12 stations in Orange County, and fares are lower on the weekends. Even if you don’t live right near a train station, drive to the closest one and take the train to San Juan. Even if your kids have ridden the Disneyland Railroad a hundred times, this is different. Taking a different type of transportation, especially public transportation is something many of us only do while on vacation.
San Juan Capistrano has been around since its mission was founded in 1776. It still has the feel of an old western town, and all the fun things to see are within easy walking distance of the train station.
Los Rios District
Los Rio Street
Take a walk down Los Rios Street, the oldest residential neighborhood in Orange County. Many of the houses were built in the late 1880s and early 1900s. Three of the adobe homes were build in 1794. Many of the homes are still private residences and can only be seen from the street. Others have been converted into businesses, including shops and a tea garden. The O’Neill Museum is a restored home that you can tour.
San Juan Capistrano Jail Cell
Along the way you’ll see the old jail cell built in 1896 as a holding cell for criminals on their way to the county jail. Good photo opportunity.
The Old San Juan Jail
Lunch
If you bring a picnic lunch, there are plenty of places nearby to sit and eat. Or you could stop at one of the restaurants on Los Rios Street or near the Mission. The El Adobe Restaurant is the site of the old town jail, which is now used as a wine cellar. Even if you don’t eat here, they’re very nice about letting people see it.
Zoomars
At this petting zoo, the kids can ride ponies, and interact with goats, sheep, ducks, llamas, bunnies, emus and more. You can buy carrots to feed to the animals. Admission is $5 and pony rides are $4.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Mission SJC
Take a tour of the Jewel of the Missions. If your kids are nearing fourth grade, maybe they can share their photos of the mission when their class gears up for the famed Mission Report.
Before You Go
This area is a history lesson waiting to happen. Go to the Historical Society or SJC.net to get some info about the area before you go. Depending on the age of your kids, they could read the material ahead of time, or you could tell them about some of the things while waiting for a train. If your kids like spooky stories, there are many ghost tales about the inhabitants of Los Rios Street. You can print a map of the downtown area too.
Train Information
Metrolink has two lines that go to San Juan. The Orange County line travels between Union Station in LA and Oceanside, stopping at Commerce, Norwalk, Buena Park, Fullerton, Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano, and San Clemente. The Inland Empire – Orange County line travels between San Bernardino and Oceanside, stopping at Riverside, Corona and Anaheim Canyon before joining up with the Orange County line in Orange. If you live further away than LA, Oceanside or San Bernardino, your local train service probably hooks up with one of these Metrolink lines.
Kids love trains
April 9, 2009
Camp James Open House
Fishing is one of the many activities at Camp James Summer Camp.
Camp James is holding open houses in April and May. Families can come check out the facility and meet the staff. Week-long day camps are offered during summer, spring break and other school holidays. Summer camp activities include sports, rock wall, go-karts, dance, martial arts, nature lore, miniature golf, boating, fishing, archery, music, crafts and of course visits to Wild Rivers! Specialty camps and overnighters are also offered. Teens ages 14-16 can volunteer to work at camp.
Camp James is located next to Wild Rivers in Irvine.
Open House Dates:
April 8th 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
May 7th 4:00 pm – 7 pm
May 31st 11 am – 2 pm
Summer Camp is a Blast!
April 6, 2009
Watch Chicks or Ducklings Hatch
Baby Quail
Do your kids like animals? This idea is part pet care and part science lesson. You can get eggs, take care of them for a few weeks, watch them hatch into adorable baby birds, then return them. It’s easier than you think.
Wagon Train Feed & Tack in Orange sells chicken, duck and quail eggs and rents the incubators. You bring them home, keep them warm in the incubator, turn them over regularly, and in a few weeks little beaks will start breaking through the shells. Play with the babies for a day or two and the return them to Wagon Train.
It costs $25 to rent the incubator. Eggs cost between $12 & $30 a dozen depending on the type. If you’re going to do this regularly (if you’re a teacher or if you can share with your neighbors or your moms group), you might want to buy an incubator. Eggs are available year round.
Duckling
Don’t discount older kids. We always think of this kind of activity taking place in a Kindergarten classroom, but older kids enjoy it too, and they actually understand more than they did when they were five. You might have to answer more challenging questions, though!
This is something that you do indoors and for a short period of time, so if you’ve hesitated to get a pet because you don’t have enough space or time, this could be the ideal way to expose your kids to pets. You could also offer to organize this for your child’s classroom.
Here’s the information about the store:
Wagon Train Tack & Feed
7618 E Chapman Ave
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 639-7931
They get the eggs in on Tuesdays, so be prepared to pick them up on Tuesday or Wednesday. You also need to call ahead to order the eggs and reserve the incubator.
I’ve called around, but I haven’t found anyone else who offers this service in Orange County. If you know of anyone who does, please leave a comment below.
Thanks to Mrs. Maffetore, Kindergarten teacher extraordinaire, for this info!
April 2, 2009
Summer Day Camp at a Bargain Price
It’s hard to believe, but the kids will be out of school in a few months. The best summer camps always fill up fast, so it’s time to start making your plans!
Woodwork
In these difficult economic times it’s more important than ever to spend money wisely, and this is a bargain. Cub Scout Daycamp is offered in 8 locations in Orange County this summer. What is Cub Scout Daycamp? It’s hiking, games, push carts, crafts, archery, woodworking and water wars. It’s loud, dirty, exhausting fun. Just what every boy needs after a long school year.
Here’s the part that will surprise you. The cost is only $115 for the week. Compare that to $225 for a week-long basketball camp or $190 for a science camp. How do they do it? The staff is free. That’s right – these camps are run by volunteers.
Pushcarts
Here’s how it works. Each pack collects applications from its scouts and parents. For each age group on each day, they must have a ratio of 4:1 or better. Can’t get away from work for a week? That’s okay. If one parent from each family takes one or two days off to go to camp, your child can go to camp all 5 days.
What do parents do at camp? Most choose to accompany their son and his den to the program areas to supervise the scouts and assist in the activities, but there are other volunteer positions available.
What if you have other kids who are not cub scouts? While you are with the scouts, your other children can play in the supervised Sibling Camp. Older kids can work as youth volunteers.
Archery
What if your child is not in Cub Scouts? Now is a great time to join. If your son will be in 1st through 5th grade next year, he’s just the right age. Contact a pack at your local school or church to join or contact the Boy Scouts Orange County Council.
What if you can’t go the week that camp is being held in your area? No problem. Go to a different district’s camp on a different week. They’re all fun!
Packs are collecting applications now. They need time to compile the applications and coordinate ratios, especially for the camps that take place early in the summer. Registration closes as early as next month for some camps.
Just watch out. Parents have been known to have so much fun at camp that they keep coming back year after year. Even after their kids have grown up!
