Westchester Parent March 2017 by City Guide NY

WestchesterParent MARCH 2017

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Great Veggie Debate The

Kids & SOC I A L MEDIA

To hide or not to hide?

Navigating the challenges

The Impact of

Summer Camp Lessons we use every day

HORSEBACK RIDING STABLES

•

BABY’S FIRST 1,000 DAYS

Premier camp in every way! »Programs for ages 3-16 »8:30am - 5:30pm »Extended hours available »Healthy, hot lunch option »AC transportation available »Low staff/child ratios »Flexible enrollment

dobbs ferry @ mercy college & the masters school.

Fun For Everyone! »Sports, games & outdoor adventure »Visual arts, crafts & performing arts »Special events & theme days »Carnivals & color wars »Traditional camp activities » Red Cross Swim Instruction.

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Join us for an info session! Upper Camp at Mercy College (555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522) March 11, 2017 at 11:30 am Main Hall Room 204/211 March 25, 2017 at 11:30 am Victory Hall Room 107 Lower Camp at The Masters School (49 Clinton Ave, Dobbs Ferry NY 10522) March 11, 2017 at 1:00 pm March 25, 2017 at 1:00 pm Both in Middle School Bldg

VISIT US ON

Touring Tuesdays 9-11am or by Appointment

33 WESTCHESTER & PUTNAM SCHOOLS, 5 ROCKLAND SCHOOLS, 7 DUTCHESS SCHOOLS, 36 BRONX SCHOOLS, AND MANY ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS IN THE GREATER HUDSON VALLEY AND NEW YORK CITY REGION.

MARCH 14 & APRIL 4 Touring Tuesdays are universal open houses at Catholic elementary schools, a learning environment where respect, courtesy and service to others are always part of the curriculum. We invite you to see the value of a Catholic education for your kids. Visit one or more Catholic schools on our next Touring Tuesday, and experience our Pre-K3 & 4, FREE Universal Pre-K and elementary school programs forÂ yourself. Reservations are required. RSVP today. VISIT CATHOLICSCHOOLSNY.ORG OR CALL (646) 794-2885

WestchesterParent

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

March 2017 ››

Features

16 The Great Veggie Debate Is hiding vegetables in your kids’ food the best strategy for healthy eating? 18 Baby’s First 1,000 Days Exploring the growing body of research showing the impact proper nutrition can have on long-term health 20 Preparing for the Careers of the Future How children can learn skills now that will help them when they enter the workforce 22 Social Dilemmas Navigating the new, new world of social media 24 Celebrate National Chip and Dip Day Three takes on our favorite party snack

40 24

40 Lessons from Camp We Use Every Day Some of the most important things learned are the ones you can’t see.

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 12 NYMP Q&A: Hilaria Baldwin talks living clearly with kids 66 Voices: How I juggled motherhood with a dream role in a special musical

Fun & Activities

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

14 15 26 29 38

Original photo by PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)

DIY Corner: Story Stones Media Matters: Games That Teach Kindness Outing: Hudson River Museum Family Activities Calendar Where-To Guide: Horseback Riding

Directories 42 62 63 63 64 64 65

Camp Guide Party Central Professional Services Meet the Health Care Professional Open Houses Party Planner and Family Resource Guide Advertisers’ Index

››

ON THE COVER ›› 16 The Great Veggie Debate 18 Baby’s First 1,000 Days facebook.com/nymetroparents

38 Horseback Riding Stables

@NYMetroParents

22 Kids & Social Media 40 The Impact of Summer Camp

Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

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MARCH 2017 • Vol.16 • No.7

EDITOR’S NOTE

Healthy Choices, at Mealtime and Beyond

o what lengths have you gone to get your kids to ingest a vegetable? Bargained, begged, demanded, reasoned, even threatened? Has it worked? Didn’t think so. So many of us struggle to get our kids to eat even a small amount of vegetables that it’s become common to hide them in otherwise kid-friendly dishes. I’ve added miniscule shreds of spinach to taco filling, and my kids have devoured muffins that just happen to be baked with zucchini. Yes, I was once foiled by a toddler who ate an entire plate of mac and cheese and somehow managed to leave the tiny veggie shreds that were barely visible to the naked eye. But more often I consider it mission accomplished. However, is this what’s best for kids in the long run? For our food and nutrition issue, Bethany Braun-Silva explores the debate over hiding veggies (p. 16). Ask new parents about their biggest concerns for their babies, and they’re likely to mention nutrition (along with sleep, of course). This after nine months during which many pregnant women worry about how their own eating affects their babies’ health. These anxieties are not misplaced. As Caitlin Berens reports (p. 18), the first 1,000 days—from the beginning of pregnancy through age 2—are, indeed, crucial for children’s development, though just how central they are is a matter of some debate. As our kids get older, they will inevitably start asking for (or begging, nagging, and demanding) social media accounts. And while most of us grown-ups spend our fair share of time—or more—on our social platforms of choice, the issues young people face when they plunge in can be challenging. And what was true when social media involved Facebook and Twitter almost exclusively becomes even more complicated in a world with Snapchat, Yik Yak, and many other options, often too many for parents to keep track. To help, we asked experts how parents should help their kids venture onto social media, and we’ve created a handy guide to some of the most popular platforms they’re using (p. 22). March means spring is right around the corner, and with that, the final stretch of the school year is almost in sight, even if it still feels far off. Have you made summer plans for your kids yet? If not, check out our guide to area summer camps and programs (p. 42). And if you need convincing about the lifelong benefits of enrolling your child, read our feature on lessons from camp that we use every day (p. 40). Until then, enjoy all our region has to offer in the late winter and spring! Michael Kress Editorial Director

NYMetroParents Publications EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Sabrina Sooknanan

ADVERTISING SALES Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 Jeunesse Jackson, Linda Pierce Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Ellen Klein Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Ellen Klein, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager, Dani Pollack Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Lisa Herlihy, Karen Shapiro To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Ray C. Guédez, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan

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Mommybites.com recently joined the NYMetroParents family, and we couldn’t be more excited! Take advantage of the site’s helpful services for local parents, including: The Nanny Board: Find an experienced caregiver for your little one, or post on behalf of a beloved babysitter who is in need of a new job at mommybites.com/child-care. Online Classes: Get advice from experts on a wide range of relevant parenting issues, including whether a gifted program is right for your child (March 8 at 12pm) and everything moms need to know about breast-feeding (March 16 at 12pm). Find more information and register at mommybites.com/ parenting-classes. See more at mommybites.com. 6

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 nymetroparents.com davlermedia.com nybarbatmitzvah.com

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WestchesterParent

NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

nymetroparents.com/np-wp

Who: The Masters School What’s New: The Masters of Summer program, which will provide three weeks of enrichment classes and recreational activities for students entering fifth through 12th grades. Most classes will be taught by Masters School teachers or, in rare cases, a thoroughly vetted instructor. Some offerings include musical theater, fencing, robotics, and graphic novel workshops. “It is very important that the programs are taught by our teachers,” says John Chiodo, director of Masters of Summer. “If we are going to manage the quality of the program, we need it to be run by people we know and trust.” Want More Info: 49 Clinton Ave., Dobbs Ferry; 914-479-6400; mastersny.org

Courtesy The Masters School

Local Private School Introduces Summer Program

Students can learn about robotics, 3-D printing, and more during the Masters of Summer program.

Who: White Plains YMCA What’s New: All youth classes—starting at age 3—will be included with family memberships. Family memberships will now include access to more than 20 youth programs (swim lessons not included) for children older than 3, including ballet and basketball, which families previously had to pay for. The addition came about in response to a community need. “Not much was included in the family membership for the 3- to 13-year-old children,” says Heather Bell, White Plains YMCA’s associate executive director. “We asked ourselves how we could offer more to the families that we serve.” Want More Info: 250 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains; 914-949-8030; whiteplains.ymca-cnw.org

Courtesy White Plains YMCA

Area Gym Expands Family Memberships

The White Plains YMCA has more than 20 youth programs, including ballet, basketball, and soccer.

Who: Badger Day Camp What’s New: Nature and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) programs will provide campers with a variety of hands-on learning opportunities. Through the nature program, campers will learn about the environment by going on hikes, meeting little creatures, working with sustainable gardens, and more. The STEAM program will offer hands-on projects such as rocket building, coding, race cars, and 3-D printers. Through a partnership with the tech store MacInspires, Badger Day Camp aims to exceed the offerings of traditional day camps. Located in Larchmont, Badger Day Camp serves kids ages 3-12, and has an Olympic-sized pool which campers can swim in twice daily. Want More Info: 119 Rockland Ave., Larchmont; 914-834-1084; badgersportsclub.com; info@badgerdaycamp.com

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Badger Day Camp

Day Camp in Larchmont Adds Programs

Badger Day Camp’s STEAM program offers hands-on activities such as rocket building.

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UOTABLES Words have always come easy to me. My parents told me I was speaking full sentences by the time I was 18 months old. At 2, I corrected my grandmother’s pronunciation of Santa Claus. Words came easy. My voice was another matter. It wasn’t until I became a mother that I found it. —Long Island mom Kathy Radigan, in a post entitled “It Took Becoming a Mom for Me to Find My Voice as a Woman,” on her blog mydishwasherspossessed.com.

in an instagram so proud of my marching buddy today, today was powerful, peaceful, united and filled with love! #womensmarch #womensmarchonwashington (Posted by @strollerinthecity, aka Brianne M., who blogs at strollerinthecity.com)

THE WOMEN OF THE WHITE HOUSE “I wanted to offer kids a richer view of presidential history and show them that even when women weren’t expected or allowed to participate in policymaking, most first ladies contributed in surprising ways that were outsized to traditional women’s roles in any given era.”

in an instagram As my workload increases, so does my awareness. I know that when I get busier, things can fall through the cracks and I don’t want that to happen so I start taking extra steps to make sure it doesn’t…..Because there is definitely an art to balance….Chasing after this girl is no joke.

—Ruby Shamir, in an interview about her new children’s book, What’s the Big Deal About First Ladies. Read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/first-ladies.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS:

(Posted by @momcrushmonday, aka Destiney L., who blogs at momcrushmonday.com)

LIQUID GOLD: Where to go maple sugaring in the NYC area (nymetroparents.com/maple-sugaring-nyc)

“You’ll continually reach new levels of parenting. Like when I understood why my dad called my sister and me ‘you people.’”

CELEBRATING WOMEN: March is Women’s History Month. Find where you can celebrate at nymetroparents.com/womens-history.

—Jennifer S. White, in a post entitled “12 Hilarious Truths of Raising Kids,” on her blog jenniferswhite.com.

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

SPRING IS HERE! Discover 100 things to do in our area this season (nymetroparents.com/spring). CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Make this delicious and healthy Shamrock Shake (nymetroparents.com/shamrock).

WestchesterParent 11

NYMP Q&A

MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 Experience the finest Kosher Wines from around the world!

THE JEWISH WEEK’S

GRAND WINE TASTING AT CITY WINERY, MARCH 20, 2017 FROM 5:00 p.m.* - 9:00 p.m.

Plan to attend the GRAND WINE TASTING event

• Taste over 200 kosher wines, including the winners of The Jewish Week’s recent Top 18 Kosher Wine Competition • Talk to kosher wine vintners, wine experts and local retailers • Order your favorite kosher wines to enjoy at your Seder, for your simcha and all year long • Get your free copy of The Jewish Week’s Kosher Wine Guide packed with wine features, as well as the Top 18 kosher wines in 9 categories and more

Information and tickets at: jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/events/the-jewish-weeksgrand-wine-tasting/

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(Between Spring and Vandam Streets) New York, NY 10013 • 212.608.0555

* Admission is $50 starting at 6:00 p.m. “VIP/Early Access” 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. is $75 and is capped at 125 guests with premium wine selection and admission to the Grand Wine Tasting, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The ticket cost on the day of the event for the main Grand Wine Tasting will be $60 and $85 for VIP/Early Access if available.

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Living Clearly With Kids ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva

ilaria Baldwin is a yoga instructor, health guru, wife, and mother. Her recent book The Living Clearly Method lays out five principles for moving through our lives consciously and positively. What does living clearly mean? Being present. Living clearly means getting to a place where you’re living each moment as a well as possible, as strongly as possible, as passionately as possible. So many of us get wrapped up in daily life that feels monotonous. Becoming clear gives you the ability to say, “Hey this is what’s going on, and I’m snapping out of the monotony” and snapping into a place where you can start to make changes that potentially need to be made in order to live your moments in this life as strongly and as best as you possibly can. What advice do you have for parents who are feeling overwhelmed by everyday life? When I find the moment where I feel like I might snap I realize that I’m not taking care of myself as best as I should be. The most important thing is to tap inside yourself and summon the strength because getting angry or reacting never makes the situation any better. Getting a little perspective, which is the first principle in the book and saying “this is what it is” and realizing that it will pass at some point. Checking in with your breathing—if you can start to regulate your breath, you are less likely to be tense and then you’re less likely to lash out. If you breathe your body will soften. And then grounding, take notice of your surroundings and become very present, and connect to your physical form and then you can start to find balance, ask yourself “what needs to be done?” And then letting go, letting go of these things. In the hardest moments creating a little more consciousness and a little more clarity will give you a lot more strength. How do you keep it healthy in your home with young kids? A lot of it is getting out the bad and having the perspective of knowing your kids might be upset that you’re taking away their junk food, but in the end they are going to be healthier. So knowing that you might have to go through a little bit of a difficult phase in order to get to a place where everybody is healthier. I talk about recipes in my book that appeal to each principle, and there are recipes for improving lung health, brain health, and that help you root yourself to the ground using vegetables that come from the ground, and a salad dressing that has lavender and honey that helps with relaxation. I have toddlers and they can be a real pain to feed. One day they will eat something and the next day they are like, “No, I will never eat that.” You do the best you can with toddlers. They will not be toddlers forever, so you want to encourage them to eat good things so they do eventually grow out of that “no” phase and into being healthy individuals.

Where Your Child Comes First Schedule your annual physical

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Get Answers: SpeechLanguageFeeding.com

145 Huguenot St., Suite 200 New Rochelle, NY www.pasw4kids.com • 914.235.1400

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WestchesterParent 13

DIY CORNER IMAGINATION INSPIRATION

Story Stones

Make a set of story stones by drawing out characters, places, and objects onto pebbles, which you can either collect from a beach or pick up from a garden center. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to draw the pictures, you could also add stickers to the stones; just make sure you add a layer of varnish to hold them in place. Keep the pebbles in a bag and draw them out at random to build a whimsical little tale that will keep little ones enthralled. You will need: 10-15 smooth pebbles White acrylic spray paint (optional)

Colored permanent markers Gloss craft varnish Paintbrush

1. If you would like the pebbles to be white (you can leave them natural if you prefer, but the pictures will show up better on a light surface), spread them out on a sheet of newspaper outside and spray them with the paint. This should only be done by an adult. Leave the pebbles to dry for nearly 30 minutes before flipping them over and spraying on the other side.

2. D raw a picture on each pebble in permanent marker pen. Cover surfaces and clothing and supervise children using these pens. 3. Brush a thin layer of varnish over the pebbles to seal in the color and to add some shine.

Story Stone Picture Ideas Characters: King, queen, mermaid Places: Castle, forest, mountain

Creatures: Kangaroo, unicorn, dragon

Objects: Key, map, balloon

Food: Ice cream, apple, pizza

Transport: Boat, bus, plane

Reprinted with permission from GMC Publications, The Big Book of 100 Little Activities ÂŠ 2016 by Laura Minter and Tia Williams, RRP $19.95. Available from all good bookshops.

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Peek-a-Zoo by Duck Duck Mo

Media Matters: Apps

Recommended age: 2+ H

Games That Teach Kindness

ose (Free)

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Touch and Learn – Emotions

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Who Am I? Race Awareness

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Stop, Breathe & Think (Free)

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In Theaters March 17: Beauty and the Beast Parents need to know Beauty and the Beast is a live-action remake of the iconic 1991 animated Disney musical. It’s the story of Belle (Emma Watson), a beautiful, book-loving inventor from a small town who dreams of greater things. She ends up imprisoned in an enchanted castle by the fearsome Beast (Dan Stevens), with no one to talk to besides a few friendly furniture and household items (voiced by Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, and more). Expect a strong message about looking beyond appearances and not judging a book by its cover—and, of course, fantastic, familiar songs, as well as a few new ones. But the switch to live action will likely make this version more intense than the animated one, so keep that in mind.

Our Partner: Common Sense Media An independent nonprof it that helps families make smart media choices. Check out thousands of ratings and reviews at commonsensemedia.org

See more at NYMetroParents.com/media

IS YOUR CHILD DIAGNOSED OR SUSPECTED TO HAVE AUTISM? IS YOUR CHILD BETWEEN 6-9.5 YEARS OLD? • Your child may be eligible for a 24-week study on behavioral treatments to improve functional skills in children with autism • Participants receive autism diagnostic testing, assessments of functional skills and sensory behaviors. • The study also uses EEG to observer brain activity • Participants are compensated. • We are located at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.

For more information call or email us at: 718-862-1860, cnl@einstein.yu.edu or visit us @http://www.cognitiveneurolab/autisim WestchesterParent 15

The Great Veggie Debate ››

Many parents hide vegetables in foods their kids love, but is this really the best strategy for healthy eating? By Bethany Braun-Silva

s any parent knows, the struggle to get kids to eat healthy can sometimes be, to put it mildly, a challenge. To put it more bluntly, if I were to reveal what’s going on inside me every time I try to convince my 4-year-old son to eat a vegetable I would surely end up in a padded cell somewhere. Save for carrots, he doesn’t touch the stuff. As much as I want to do what’s right for his health and, of course, be the best mom I can be, sometimes I just give in and let him munch on crackers. But ultimately that’s not good enough for the long term. Good nutrition is obviously essential for kids, and that means getting them to consume vegetables, no matter how impossible it seems. To accomplish that, a “by any means necessary” approach has become popular among parents who sneak veggies into sauces, juices, and even desserts—anything kids will eat without recognizing those dreaded healthy ingredients. If you’re like me, you breathed a sigh of relief when you discovered this method. But not so fast, some experts warn, insisting this is not the best way to get kids to eat healthy. So, to hide or not to hide? That is the question, and it will ultimately be up to you to figure out what’s best for your family. To help, here are the arguments for and against the practice.

Hide ‘Em

Of course our kids’ health is of the utmost importance, but one of the parenting lessons I learned early on was to pick my battles. While many parents may argue that a battle about healthy eating is well worth waging, others may say it’s not, claiming as long as kids are eating all the right nutrients, how they eat them doesn’t matter. Take for instance, Jessica Seinfeld, author of the cookbook Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food (and wife of Jerry). Seinfeld was among the first to put sneaky vegetable recipes on parents’ radar, and her book’s recipes include macaroni and cheese with cauliflower and chocolate cake baked with beets. “Parenting solutions are the ones that build good habits—invisibly,” she writes. “I want my kids to associate food and mealtimes with happiness and conversation, not power struggles and strife. With a little sleight of hand, you can make the issue of what your children will and will Lucas, one of our 2016 Kids Cover Contest finalists, poses with hands full of healthy vegetables.

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

not eat disappear from the table.” Sounds good, right? Kids are getting their healthy fix without the stress and struggle. As a mom of little ones, to me this sounds like great advice; however some experts argue that it’s not what’s best for our kids.

No Child Should be a Lonely Child.

Don’t Hide ‘Em

When it comes to sneaking vegetables into recipes, “I understand why parents do it because it has a short-term benefit—to get more nutrition into their kids’ bellies at that meal,” says Sally Kuzemchak, M.S., R.D., who blogs at realmomnutrition.com. “But long term, it’s not very helpful and doesn’t teach them any valuable habits.” Many nutritionists argue that when it comes to lifelong benefits, the veggie battle is one well worth fighting and that by hiding veggies big lessons are being neglected in exchange for a peaceful dinnertime. “When you sneak veggies into other foods, you usually can’t taste the flavor of the vegetables at all and you can’t detect the textures of the vegetables, so it’s not teaching kids anything— except perhaps not to trust mom and dad, who might sneak kale into their cookies,” Kuzemchak says. So perhaps a little struggle today can lead to a lot of healthy habits later on. But as many parents of defiant or oppositional kids (ahem, toddlers) know, it’s easier said than done.

Now What?

As with all parenting advice, ultimately you must decide what’s best for you and your family. Personally, I will be doing a little of both, sneaking in veggies when I can, but not forgoing raw veggies altogether when it comes to my kids’ diets. As Kuzemchak suggests, “If you want to go the sneaky route, that’s okay—just be sure to have actual whole veggies on the side, too. Or if you want to make black bean brownies or zucchini muffins, tell your child about the secret ingredient and even have them help you make them.” Sneaking vegetables into food might be a great idea when kids are young, but as they grow it’s important to be upfront about the nutritional benefits of whole veggies. Kuzemchak suggests parents keep serving their kids the foods they want them to eat and to keep offering vegetables in a “no-pressure” environment. “As a former picky eater myself, I can say with confidence that it can take months, even years, for some kids to work up the nerve to try certain foods,” she says. “Overall, parents tend to give up too quickly or take it personally when their kids won’t eat certain foods. Stay the course and your kids may surprise you.” Ph Here’s hoping. And until ot oO then, a little deception could p N YC go a long way.

For information, tips, and strategies to help your child have friends and manage relationships go to www.WhereICanBeMe.com Do you still need to find a summer camp? ResouRces ARticles

Find everything you need, faster at

WestchesterParent 17

Baby’s First 1,000 Days

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A growing body of research has shown the impact proper nutrition can have on long-term health, starting early on. But can the first 1,000 days really decide a child’s future, or is it a bit more complicated than that? By Caitlin Berens

n any given day, a young child in America is more likely to get sweets or sugar-sweetened beverages than a serving of fruit or a vegetable,” according to a recent report by the 1,000 Days organization. Let that sink in. We know that good nutrition is important. Heck, “eat your vegetables” is a mantra ingrained in us since our highchair days. But we’ll have to keep on trying, especially as a growing body of research is making more and more clear the connection between long-term health and good nutrition during pregnancy and throughout infancy and early childhood. “We’re looking a lot more at obesity and what kids eat [now] because it used to be that we figured oh, they’re just a kid, they’re fine, the chance of diabetes or heart disease or obesity is really, really small, and, you know, when they’re an adult we’re going to worry about that stuff,” says Robin Jacobson, M.D., a pediatrician and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical Center. “But now we’ve found that if kids are eating unhealthy and they’re overweight and obese, they’re more likely to have problems when they’re an adult. So if we deal with all [of] those issues and deal with them eating better and being more healthy as a child, they’re more likely to have a better life and less problems later on in life.” But is there a particular period in a person’s life when nutrition matters the most?

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Yes, according to 1,000 Days. Founded in 2010 and dedicated to “working to ensure a healthy first 1,000 days for mothers and children everywhere,” the group released the aforementioned report last year called “The First 1,000 Days: Nourishing America’s Future.” The report laid out the long-term importance of a child’s—you guessed it—first 1,000 days, from pregnancy, continuing through infancy, and ending at age 2. We spoke with local experts to get their opinions on how central these 1,000 days really are and what matters most during this period.

Do the First 1,000 Days Really Decide it All?

There is no question among the experts we contacted that nutrition during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood matters, both in the short- and long-term. But while some spoke of the real, irreversible implications of a pregnancy with insufficient nutrition, others claimed you can’t pinpoint a specific period where it matters the most and that good nutrition in isolation during the younger years is simply not enough to promise long-term health. Embracing the 1,000-Day Window The experts we interviewed suggested focusing on good nutrition and healthy eating habits during pregnancy and in the early stages of children’s lives would not only save money in the long run by preventing costly health problems—it could save lives.

The 1,000 Days report even goes as far as to say that providing the right nutrition in these early days can have “a lasting effect on a nation’s health and prosperity.” Angela Bianco, M.D., associate professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains the shift that has occurred as scientists have learned more about these issues: “There’s more and more research being done about how important the provision of nutrients and diet is during fetal life and its sort of long-term implications on adult life. Twenty or 30 years ago we never really thought that these two sort of separate and distinct periods in our lives influenced each other, but there’s more and more data to suggest that they’re actually very much integrally linked.” According to Rebekka Levis, M.D., a pediatrician at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, it’s important to never lose sight of good nutrition, though there are some critical times where we need it most. “Adequate nutrition is important at all stages of the life cycle, from pre-conception to older adulthood. But I definitely agree that it’s essential during these critical growth periods such as pregnancy and infancy and early childhood, and if nutrient needs are not met during these critical periods, it’s impossible to actually go back later and correct the errors in growth and development that have occurred as a result,” Dr. Levis says. Caitlin Mattina, R.D., CDN, CDE, an outpatient dietician at Westchester Medical Center, drew the connection between iron and brain development as just one example of the importance of those first 1,000 days. “Iron deficiency during pregnancy is actually related to lower scores on intelligence, language, motor skills, and attention tests in early childhood. So children aged 4-5 are testing lower in these areas if the mother was iron deficient during pregnancy. So there’s a definite correlation there,” she says. Seeing Past 1,000 Days While experts agree with the concept that nutrition in the first 1,000 days can have a lasting impact on long-term health— and none argued that this period of time didn’t matter—many considered the time period simply a good start, and only one piece of a longer-term puzzle. “I think giving them [babies] access to appropriate nutrients is definitely important first off in infancy, but that in isolation won’t really help. It’s a lifelong process that you’re just kind of setting up,” says Corey Wasserman, M.D., a pediatrician with Weill Cornell Medicine. Though a lot of development takes place during the first 1,000 days, there’s more to come that one shouldn’t lose sight of: “I think it’s hard to say that there’s one period that matters before all others because infancy all the way through adolescence is a time of brain maturation and physical growth and developmental achievements,” Dr. Wasserman says. Though she notes the impact good nutrition can have during the early stages, Dr. Levis sees nutrition as an ongoing process. “The first 1,000 days are extremely, vitally important, but a healthy diet should be maintained throughout life,” she says.

Advice For the First 1,000 Days and Beyond Pregnancy: A Nutrient-Rich Diet and Appropriate Weight Gain According to The First 1,000 Days report, “Nearly half of women [in the U.S.] gain an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy.” Excessive weight gain can cause issues for both the mother and baby, and so Dr. Bianco provides simple, succinct advice:

“Essentially, the higher your BMI is prior to conception, the lower your weight gain should be during pregnancy.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women carrying one child with a pre-pregnancy BMI at a “normal” level (18.5-24.9) should gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy, while someone who is obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30) should aim for just 11-20 pounds. Regardless of weight gain, all pregnant women need to pack in the nutrients. “The nutrient needs increase but the calorie needs don’t increase as much, so that can also be a little challenging for patients,” Mattina says, dispelling the common adage that a pregnant woman is “eating for two.” Calorie needs typically don’t increase in the first trimester, according to Mattina. In the second, women generally require an additional 340 calories per day and in the third trimester an additional 450 calories per day, “like a sandwich and a glass of milk,” she says. These additional calories can add up quickly, so it’s important to look for nutrient-rich foods to add to your diet, particularly those including iron, zinc, protein, copper, folate, iodine, multiple vitamins, and certain fats. Newborn to 6 Months: Breast Milk to the Extent Feasible The report acknowledged the recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics that babies be exclusively breast-fed for the first six months, while saying that “the majority of U.S. babies are not breastfed in accordance with AAP and WHO [World Health Organization] recommendations, and 1 in 5 babies in America are never breastfed at all.” The report labeled breast milk as “nature’s superfood,” noting how it helps early brain development and helps protect babies from infection. The report did acknowledge the absence of support mothers face when it comes to breast-feeding, including a lack of paid time off for new moms in the U.S. And there are other reasons a mother might not breast-feed her child—and that is okay, too, experts say. “You’re not going to find a doctor who is going to argue with you [about] the benefits of breast-feeding, but I think it’s important to understand that if for whatever reason women don’t want to or can’t [breast-feed] it is not necessarily a neurodevelopmental tragedy for the baby. Babies can grow up happy and healthy on exclusively formula,” Dr. Wasserman says. “So I think the take-home message really would be that breastfeeding is not all or nothing.” 6 Months and Older: Healthy Foods, Eating Habits, and Minding Beverages As children reach 6 months and beyond, this is a time to provide them with a diverse diet of nutrient-rich foods to both help development and help shape their taste preferences for healthy foods. To develop healthy habits and eat a well-balanced diet, experts stress the importance of slowing down, putting away the tech, and eating meals as a family. They also encourage parents to have a wide variety of healthy snacks and food available and for parents to lead by example. “Children learn by observing, so it’s really important for parents to model what a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle is,” Dr. Levis says. To add an element of fun, make the whole event of having a healthy meal a family activity—kids of all ages can lend a hand in meal planning, shopping, and even cooking.

WestchesterParent 19

Chloë May

Young students at Léman Preparatory School in Manhattan spend time learning about STEM skills at the WonderLab.

Preparing for the Careers of the Future ››

How children as young as 3 can learn skills now that will help them once they enter the workforce By Samantha Neudorf

elieve it or not, today’s 3-year-olds will be graduating from high school in 2031. No one knows exactly what the world will look like 14 years from now, nor can anyone predict it. That’s why schools are equipping these students now with valuable skills to ensure they will be able to enter the job market and thrive in the future. The truth is, many of the jobs these children will do may not yet exist today—especially those in fields relating to STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM jobs are expected to grow by more than 9 million between 2012 and 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, so it is clear these careers will continue to be in demand. Jason Tyszko is the executive director of the Center for Education and Workforce—a nonprofit program affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that aims to help students learn the necessary skills to enter the workforce. He foresees that there will be many STEM jobs in the future within different industries, and that routine work will continue to be replaced by automated 20

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

technology, or will be outsourced. “Anything that even hints at routine work is in danger in this economy,” Tyszko says. “It’s something that will eventually be phased out… it’s something that’s now affecting white-collar jobs, too.” This is why kids need to start thinking about their futures now.

Lessons Learned Beyond the Textbook

To succeed in tomorrow’s workplace, Tyszko recommends that kids master “innovation skills.” Innovation skills are qualities that make a person employable, including the ability to be adaptable, think critically, collaborate with a team to solve problems, and work on project-based learning. “It gets students to go through the process of solving a problem and their experiences to better reflect the kind of teambased experience that they’re going to be expected to fit into when they transition into a place of employment,” Tyszko says. These innovation skills are necessary for every type of job, and are often overlooked as a crucial factor in entering the workforce.

Tyszko proposes schools disrupt educational “silos” that divide subjects and instead mesh them together to create new types of challenges that mirror real world jobs. This type of disruptive learning cannot be implemented in every classroom just yet, but there are ways to hone in on innovation skills. Tyszko suggests students join clubs that participate in competitions or take part in summer immersion projects to work with others—especially kids with different backgrounds and in other age groups.

Early Introductions

When it comes to STEM, many kids have a hard time meeting standard math and reading skills needed to succeed in a postsecondary education or work-training environment, Tyszko says. School are working hard to change that, and some children are exposed to STEM concepts as early as age 3. At Léman Preparatory School in Lower Manhattan, children ages 3-5 can spend 2-3 hours a week at the newly renovated and interactive WonderLab filled with blocks, building materials, iPads, 3-D printers, and more to build science, mathematics, coding, and engineering skills. “It’s a place for them to work in small groups and collaborate with a range of different materials that help them understand how to problem solve, work together in a group, and take risks to push themselves out of their comfort zones,” says Paige Murphy, head of marketing, admissions, and communications at Léman. Along with STEM, Léman believes in ensuring that students are exposed to other cultures so they will become “global citizens,” Murphy says. Students at the school start learning foreign languages such as Mandarin at 3 years old and need to master two languages in order to graduate. “I think students come to us, even at 3 years old, being able to navigate a technological world and we want to build on that and help them to use it responsibly and how to continue to grow their ideas,” Maria Castelluccio, head of school, says.

Raising Global Citizens

The importance of foreign languages and understanding other cultures is emphasized at other schools as well as a means of preparing for the future, personally and professionally. At ThorntonDonovan School in New Rochelle, kids begin learning foreign languages in kindergarten and have the opportunity to participate in exchange programs in high school. With more than 40 sister schools, students at Thornton-Donovan have options to study in Hiroshima, Arezzo, Buenos Aires, and Hamburg. “Our school immerses students within the real world,” Douglas Fleming, headmaster of Thornton-Donovan, says. “Whatever you learn in school doesn’t come alive until you find practical use for it.” Thornton-Donovan is a college preparatory school, and students move on to study at colleges and universities around the world. Through extracurricular activities such as Model United Nations—an academic competition for students to debate and negotiate diplomacy and decision-making—students are learning real-life skills to develop career interests that will carry throughout college and beyond. “Our school is strong in advocating for better diplomatic skills, and to do that, you try to train young people as ambassadors for America,” Fleming says. International barriers are constantly being broken down every day, thanks to technology and exchange programs. Introducing kids to worldly concepts such as different cultures, foreign languages, STEM principles, and interaction skills will shape them to take their next steps and proceed as citizens of the world.

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Social Dilemmas Navigating the new, new world of social media

yber-bullying and harassment. Embarassing photos and posts forever searchable. Personal information put out for the whole world to see. These are just some of the concerns parents may have as their kids come of age and embrace social media. The questions and dilemmas are endless: Should your child be allowed to post photos that show her face? Or develop an online friendship with another child across the country? Should you use a GPS app to track your child’s whereabouts? How do you start the conversation with your kids about the ramifications of sexting? It may feel to some of us like we only recently adjusted to life with Facebook and Twitter, maybe Pinterest and Instagram—and here come even newer platforms, such as Snapchat and Periscope, posing their own set of challenges. Just how should you make sense of this new digital world and what it means for our kids? Much as some parents may want to, it’s no longer possible to avoid using social media—it’s where we share and receive information, stay connected with our social circles, and make new connections. And what’s true for us grown-ups will be true for our kids, sooner or later (probably sooner); they will be joining social networks and downloading social media apps. It can be hard to know how to strike the right balance between permissiveness and restrictions on social media usage, so we asked the experts for help.

The Good and Bad of Social Media for Kids

Because this is the first generation of kids to go through their formative years using social media, discerning what impact it has on 22

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By Kathryn Sheridan

them is tricky. On one hand, they have more avenues than ever to build connections and friendships with their peers. On the other, exposure to public criticism and bullying can take a toll on their self-esteem. A majority of teens say they feel more connected to their friends’ lives and feelings due to social media, according to a 2015 study by the Pew Research Center. At the same time, a majority of teens also say that they’ve experienced drama between friends on social media. Anxiety about what other friends are posting can also lead to FOMO, the “fear of missing out.” But the news is not all bad. Social media also can provide support and acceptance to kids who are feeling marginalized in their offline lives. Research has shown that today’s teens are less lonely than ever before, possibly because advances in technology have allowed them to become more individualized and socially adept. Laurie Wolk, family coach and author of Girls Just Want to Have Likes: How to Raise Confident Girls in the Face of Social Media Madness, encourages parents to not let themselves be paralyzed by social media fear. “Parents should look at it like you have a lens into your child’s life that our parents never had,” she says. “My parents never knew when I was left out or how girls my age were dressing, so you can have conversations with them about what you can see.” Wolk recommends parents take advantage of this lens and use it as a jumping-off point for conversations with their children about what’s going on in their life.

It’s essential that kids understand their words and actions can be harmful even when they’re online, says Katie Schumacher, founder of the Don’t Press Send campaign (dontpresssend.org), which encourages responsible social media use. “Social media is not the problem, it’s when it’s used and abused in ways that are hurtful,” she says. “We have all—myself included—given our children devices they are not mature enough for. Because the social and emotional growth of an adolescent, they are impulsive by nature, and now we’re giving them a device where they can be impulsive.” Because of this, Schumacher believes parents need to explain the serious consequences social media mistakes can have. Sending private photos while you’re underage can lead to real trouble, to name just one.

Regulating and Policing

So just how should parents approach the task of making sure their kids are being safe with social media? In addition to the many privacy settings most apps offer, Schumacher says it comes down to knowing your kid and what he can handle. While some teens are impulsive, others can handle more independence. Schumacher thinks boundaries are important, and while she knows what apps her kids are using and follows them with her own account, she says parents can go overboard with policing. “It’s very important that my kids know that I trust them and it’s my job to make them independent,” she says. Don’t Press Send offers guidelines and suggestions for parents who want sensible rules for their children, including what they can and can’t share online and what the consequences will be if the rules are broken. Wolk suggests parents should set boundaries and discuss them with their children so they understand their parents’ motivations and values. “Pick what’s important for your family and explain that to your child. And let them know you can discuss it with them if they have legitimate arguments,” she says. She thinks kids should be able to speak up if they feel the rules are unfair, but certain rules can be non-negotiable. Her website includes social media agreements that prompt families to decide what they feel is important to them and encourage two-way conversations.

Age Limits

Most social media platforms have minimum ages for their users, though many parents break those rules and allow their kids to use social media sooner. At the same time, reaching those ages is no magic moment and not all kids are ready for all media at the same time. As technology becomes an even bigger part of our lives, deciding when to let kids start using social media is tough. Wolk recommends holding off for as long as possible. “Don’t start giving your kids lollipops before they know what sugar is—there’s no reason to develop that taste. But if your kid is interested and intrigued and they’ve got friends that are socializing through it, I say let’s get on board at the same time and start the conversation,” she says. Schumacher gave her kids phones when they got to middle school, after realizing they would be at a social disadvantage without one. And while she set down strict rules and consequences, she loosened the reigns once they got to high school, and at that point she stopped reading their texts. “Every parent has to do what they feel is best. But I know what they’re on, they know what I do, and they know the phone will be mine if they don’t abide by the rules,” she says. Since the phone is their lifeline to their peers and friends, Schumacher says that temporarily cutting off access after a rule is broken is enough motivation to never do it again. Kathryn Sheridan is a former NYMetroParents intern.

BEYOND FACEBOOK & TWITTER: A GUIDE TO COMMON SOCIAL MEDIA APPS Kik, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, Yik Yak, Periscope—trying to keep track of all the apps your teen or tween may be using can seem like a fruitless endeavor. Here are some basic facts about the most popular social media platforms right now: Instagram: This photo-sharing app allows you to document your life one picture or video at a time. Throw on a pretty filter and add a funny caption, and you’ve got a successful post. Following friends, family, and celebrities offers you a curated feed of what they’ve posted. By default, your Instagram profile and pictures are public and able to be viewed by anyone. But it is possible to limit views to only those people who are approved by the user. Tagging your photo with where it was taken also allows people who search for that location to see it, so parents should be wary of their kids giving out that sensitive information. Snapchat: Snapchat is a way to stay in touch with friends that seems more casual and fleeting than a permanent social media post. Users can take pictures and add captions, drawings, and funny stickers before sending it to specific friends or posting it to their Snapchat “story.” The user chooses the amount of time for which their friend will be able to view the snap, from one to 10 seconds, before it disappears. Snaps collected in your story will be visible to an audience that you can regulate for 24 hours only. It’s important to remember that nothing on the Internet truly disappears; it’s possible to save snaps with a screenshot or other apps. Parents should encourage good judgment and explain the ramifications of an unflattering screenshot. Kik: For those who want an alternative to basic text messaging, Kik offers a wide range of options for kids to keep in touch. The free texting app has no message limits, allowing users to get around the restrictions of their cellphone plan. Downloading apps within Kik allows users to get creative with their messaging and send drawings and videos. You don’t have to tie your account to your phone number, as only a username is necessary to sign up. Parents should be wary of the ease with which strangers can potentially contact any username. Messages are contained within the app, potentially hindering parents’ ability to check them. Periscope: Periscope is a live-streaming video app that connects users from around the world. Using just your phone, you can offer your audience a live glimpse into your life. Broadcasts are public by default, although you can choose to make them private and invite specific people. Periscope also relies on users to police content on the app; inappropriate content is regularly shared by people around the world. As always, it should be understood that everything posted on the internet can be saved; Periscope streams can be recorded by anyone watching. Yik Yak: This anonymous chat app is geographically based, allowing users to share messages with people near their location. Yik Yak uses GPS to identify where the user is, and that location can be seen by others unless you turn that feature off. The anonymity leads many users to post gossip about people and events in the local area without repercussions. The app developers have to comply with law enforcement, so posts that include threats of violence are not guaranteed to stay anonymous forever. For a more comprehensive list of trending apps, visit commonsensemedia.org. WestchesterParent 23

Celebrate National Chip and Dip Day ››

Did you know March 23 is National Chip and Dip Day? In honor of our favorite party snack, we’ve gathered three recipes to celebrate.

Chunky Guacamole Want a little more going on in your guacamole? This Tex-Mex version blends traditional thick guacamole with pico de gallo for a hearty chip topping. It’s great for nachos! Be sure to remove the seeds from the tomato and cucumber, or your guac may get watery. Makes approximately 1 cup Ingredients 2 tablespoons chopped red onion ½ small Roma tomato, seeded and finely diced ½ jalapeño, seeded and diced 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

2 tablespoons cucumber peeled, seeded, and finely diced 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice 1 teaspoon lime zest ½ teaspoon sea salt 1 fresh avocado, diced

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Directions 1. In a small bowl of cold water, put the onion, and set it aside for at least 10 minutes. Drain well, and then place the onion in a separate medium bowl. 2. Add the tomato, jalapeño, cilantro, cucumber, lime juice and zest, and salt to the bowl. Mix well. Stir in the avocado, folding to incorporate but leaving the avocado cubes mostly intact, and serve immediately or cover well and refrigerate for up to an hour.

© 2016 by Lara Ferroni. All rights reserved. Excerpted from An Avocado a Day: More than 70 Recipes for Enjoying Nature’s Most Delicious Superfood by permission of Sasquatch Books. Photography by Lara Ferroni.

Classic Hummus Makes approximately 2 cups Ingredients 1 (15.5-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 garlic cloves, crushed ½ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons tahini 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

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Directions 1. S et 5-6 whole chickpeas aside for garnish. Transfer the rest to a food processor and add the garlic and salt. Puree to a paste. Add the tahini and lemon juice and process until smooth and completely blended, scraping down the sides a few times. 2. T ransfer the hummus to a shallow bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop. Serve chilled or at room temperature garnished with the reserved chickpeas and chopped parsley, if desired.

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Variations Low-Cal Hummus: Substitute water for the tahini. Roasted Garlic Hummus: Replace the raw garlic with 1 whole bulb garlic, roasted and squeezed out of their skins. Hot ’n’ Spicy Hummus: Add 1 tablespoon of Sriracha or chipotle chile in adobo to the recipe. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: Add ¼-1/3 cup chopped, jarred roasted red pepper. Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus: Add 2 tablespoons minced oilpacked or reconstituted dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes. Spice It Up Hummus: Add ½ teaspoon each of ground cumin and smoked paprika

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Reprinted from The Book of Veganish by arrangement with Pam Krauss Books/Avery, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © 2016, Kathy Freston and Rachel Cohn. Recipe by Robin Robertson.

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Fennel Frond Dip The bright, light flavor of the fennel and the earthy flavor of the beans and pine nuts, also called pignoli, make for a dip that plays well with many of your party dippers. Serve it with crostini, carrot sticks, steamed artichoke leaves, or tortilla chips. Makes 1½ cups Ingredients 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed ¼ cup fennel fronds 1 garlic clove ¼ cup olive oil

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¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1-2 lemons), with their zest Salt Freshly ground black pepper

Directions 1. I n a blender or food processor, puree the beans, fronds, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and serve. 2. The dip keeps, covered and refrigerated, for 2-3 days

Excerpted from Eat It Up!: 150 Recipes to Use Every Bit and Enjoy Every Bite of the Food You Buy by Sherri Brooks Vinton. Copyright © 2016. Available from Da Capo Lifelong Books, an imprint of Perseus Books, LLC, a subsidiary of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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OUTINGS: Hudson River Museum

nymetroparents.com/outings

Westchester’s Museum on the Hudson River 1

All images: Courtesy Hudson River Museum

This institute aims to enhance visitors’ understanding of the art, history, and science of the region. ›› By Kathryn Sheridan 3

1 During Hudson River Museum’s Family Day in March, museumgoers can build the museum and surrounding area out of Legos with Brick U. 2 Red Grooms’

Lincoln on the Hudson, on display through May 14, is a larger-than-life walk-through scene of the historic appearance of President-elect Abraham Lincoln in the village of Peekskill. 3 In a Family Art Studio session, children create paintings of Civil War personalities and scenes inspired by the paintings of pop artist Red Grooms, whose exhibitions The Blue and The Gray and Lincoln on the Hudson are at the museum through May 14. 4 Created by dollhouse enthusiast Mark O’Banks, Nybelwyck Hall is 8 feet wide, 3½ feet tall, and features 24 rooms with more than 900 interior objects. 5 Hudson River Museum’s Andrus Planetarium screens its shows Saturdays and Sundays, including The Sky Tonight, which shows what the sky will look like the very night you see the show.

riginally founded in 1919 as the Yonkers Museum, the Hudson River Museum has continued to expand throughout the years. Along with views of its namesake, the museum features art galleries, programs for children, and educational performances for culture-seeking families.

Year-Round Fun

Permanent installations at the museum include Red Grooms: The Bookstore, a cartoonish, colorful bookstore that visitors can walk through. Dollhouse-lovers can view Nybelwyck Hall, based on historic Hudson Valley homes, such as Ogden Mills House in Staatsburg. It features 24 rooms overflowing with detail and showcasing the members of the dollhouse family, the Van Nybelwycks. The permanent teaching gallery at the museum, Hudson Riverama, is an interactive experience in which kids can learn about the Hudson River and how to care for it. Live fish, videos, and interactive computers teach 26

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

visitors about finding environmental solutions and identifying local birds. Visitors at the Family Studio can create art and science projects on the weekends. For the younger kids, the Early Explorers Space in the Education Center is a safe place to explore books, blocks, a dollhouse, and puppet theater. Located on the property is Glenview Mansion, built in 1877, which overlooks the Hudson River and contains six period rooms displaying furniture and décor from that era.

Andrus Planetarium

The gem of the museum is the Andrus Planetarium, originally built in 1969 and restored in 2014. Planetarium shows take place on Saturdays and Sundays for various age ranges. Younger visitors might enjoy One World, One Sky, an adventure with Big Bird from Sesame Street, while older museumgoers can experience the hunt for alien life in We Are Aliens, narrated by

Rupert Grint from the Harry Potter films. Note: Featured shows change monthly.

March Highlights

In celebration of the museum’s newest exhibit, Wyeth Wonderland (photographs of the people and places that inspired Andrew Wyeth), the museum will host Family Day March 12, 12-5pm. Activities include tours of the exhibit, a photography workshop, and building the museum out of Legos with Brick U. The planetarium will screen The Girl Who Walked Upside Down, Sky Tonight, and Undiscovered Worlds.

Details

Address: 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-5pm Admission: $6; $3 ages 3-18; $4 seniors and students. Planetarium tickets are an additional: $4; $2 ages 3-18; $3 seniors and students. For more information: 914-963-4550 or visit hrm.org

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• Story Book Camp age 3-5: June 5 -July 21 (weekly sessions) • Dance Camp Grades 1-5: July 10-21 • Moving Wheels & Heels Adaptive Kids Camp: June 26-29 • Pre-teen & Teen Musical Theater and Dance Intensives July 24 - August 18

PLACE FOR FUN!

school of dance celebrating 80 years of dance

216 Central Ave. steffinossen.org White Plains 914-328-1900

PINKALICIOUS sat & sun, mar 11 & 12 @ 11am & 1:30pm Children will delight in this fun-filled musical adaptation of the sparkling picture book by Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann. A Vital Theatre Company Production. Ages 2+

SEUSSICAL sat, apr 29 @ 11am & 1:30pm “Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’s best-loved stories collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper. A TheatreworksUSA production. Ages 4+

for tickets & more info

emelin.org | 914.698.0098 153 library lane mamaroneck, ny 10543

Come in for eat, play and drink anytime. Also booking camp outings, birthday parties, award ceremonies, club get-togethers, graduation parties, after-prom parties, Sweet 16s, Quinceaneras and more!

Delicious food, unlimited drinks, and Power Cards for play in our Million Dollar Midway.

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MAY 2–5, 2017

Great Speakers. Great Learning. Helping Young Children Learn & Grow

WYNDHAM NEW YORKER HOTEL

14TH ANNUAL

Over 100 Speakers More than 80 Conference Sessions Pre-Conference Workshop

To register go to: www.YoungChildExpo.com or call 212-787-9700, ext. 333 Early Bird & Group Discounts Available

40 Exhibitors & Over 1500 Attendees

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Autism Intervention Summit Day

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(see our calendar, p. 26)

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Events

Plus: Learning to Let Go

Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child

Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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Dinosaur Fun

Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science

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Turn the page for details on ‘Pinkalicious!’ (No. 4 on our list).

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MARCH CALENDAR

30 Editor’s Hot Tickets 32 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, On Screen 33 Crafty Kids, Must-Sees in NYC WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: JAMIE MCGILLIAN calendared@davlermedia.com

34 The Great Outdoors, Smarty Pants

35 Mini Musicians, Special Needs 36 Animal Lovers, Once Upon a Time 37 Show Time!

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the eight events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’

WHEN: March 11-12, Saturday-Sunday, 11am and 1:30pm WHERE: Emelin Theater, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck AGES: All WHAT: Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe—a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. WHY WE LOVE IT: Pinkalicious fans unite for this wonderful show. WANT TO GO? $15. 914-698-3045. emelin.org.

Family Art Project: A Living Wall

‘A Year with Frog and Toad’

WHEN: March 4-5, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Using the shapes, colors, and names of familiar, green plants, make paper collages incorporating many verdant hues, then participate in a group installation project—a green wall. WHY WE LOVE IT: Your child will learn to appreciate the art of recycling. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-854-3200. wavehill.org.

Sugarfest 2017

WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 9am-2pm WHERE: Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Kisco AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a homemade pancake breakfast served with New York maple syrup. Then, explore the harvesting and processing techniques used by the Native Americans and early colonists to make maple syrup. WHY WE LOVE IT: Your child can become a maple sugar expert. WANT TO GO? $15; $7 for children younger than 10. 914-66-8448. westmorelandsanctuary.org.

‘Pinkalicious!’

WHEN: March 3-5, Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday, 1pm and 7pm; Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Yorktown Stage, 1974 Commerce St., Yorktown AGES: All WHAT: Having lived a life in selfishness, a young prince is cursed by a mysterious enchantress to having the appearance of a monstrous beast. His only hope is to learn to love a young woman and earn her love in return in order to redeem himself. WHY WE LOVE IT: Enjoy a family-sized slice of princess. WANT TO GO? $20; $16 children. 914-962-0606. yorktownstage.org.

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, March 12, 2pm WHERE: Tarrytown Music Hall, 130 Main St., Tarrytown AGES: All WHAT: Based on the beloved children’s books by Arnold Lobel, this whimsical musical follows two great friends—the cheerful, popular Frog and the curmudgeonly Toad—through four, funfilled seasons. WHY WE LOVE IT: Wonderful life lessons abound in the Frog and Toad stories. WANT TO GO? $28. 877-840-0457. tarrytownmusichall.org.

Wintertime Wonders

WHEN: Through March 19: Tuesday-Sunday, 1:305:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5:30pm WHERE: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Kids of all ages will love examining the wonders of plants and animals. Make tree rubbings and other goodies. WHY WE LOVE IT: Activities to make your child love winter. WANT TO GO? $30; $18 children ages 2-12. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

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Begins June 26

‘PAW Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue’

WHEN: March 23-26, Thursday-Sunday, see website for show times WHERE: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: With the Great Race between Adventure Bay’s Mayor Goodway and Foggy Bottom’s Mayor Humdinger about to begin, Mayor Goodway is nowhere to be found. It’s Paw Patrol to the rescue! WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s every preschooler’s favorite! WANT TO GO? $30 and up. 866-858-0008. theateratmsg.com.

Spring Fun

WHEN: March 21-April 21, Tuesday-Friday, 1:30-5:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5:30pm WHERE: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Watch the garden’s plants and animals wake up from winter with buds bursting, birds nesting, and seeds sprouting. Investigate the ways that nature signals spring and help feathered friends build their nests with special nesting bags to take back to your neighborhood. WHY WE LOVE IT: A nice way to celebrate the coming of spring. WANT TO GO? Weekdays: $20; $8 children ages 2-12; weekends: $25; $10 children ages 2-12. 718-817-8700. nybg.org. ››

Go wild and roam free Teatown Natural Science Day Camp At Teatown, kids learn by exploration and creative play, and grow respect for each other and all living things. Four 2–week sessions for kids ages 4 to 14. 1600 Spring Valley Rd. Ossining, NY 10562 (914) 762-2912 Register at www.teatown.org

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Free Tinkergarten Trial Class FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 31, 10-11:15am WHERE: Willow Park, Curry Street and Tulip Drive, Yorktown Heights AGES: 3-5 WHAT: In this free trial class, Tinkergarten leader Kate Lanfer will facilitate an expert-designed play scenario, allowing children of various ages and needs to explore, problem solve, communicate, collaborate, and create together. WANT TO GO? 914-420-3262. tkgtn.com/jullk.

ON SCREEN WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE

Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. Gan Shabbat Family Service FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 4, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Bet Torah Synagogue, 60 Smith Ave., Mount Kisco AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Come to Gan Shabbat, a program of children’s Sabbath services for nursery school-age students and families. This interactive introduction to Shabbat songs, stories, and prayers for toddlers includes a kid-friendly Kiddush of refreshments following each service. WANT TO GO? 914-666-7595. bettorah.org.

Camp Open House FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 4, 10am-2pm WHERE: Harvey Cavalier Camp, 260 Jay St., Katonah AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Come and visit the beautiful 125-acre campus in Katonah to meet the directors, tour the state-of-the art facilities and discover what makes our program unique. Campers create their own summer schedule, selecting from more than 50 electives taught by professional artists and coaches, with recreational swimming and ice-skating, sports, computers, martial arts, science, and more. WANT TO GO? 914-232-0581. harveycavaliercamp.org.

Gaming Thursday FREE

WHEN: Thursday, March 16, 3:30-4:45pm WHERE: Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Come play on PS4s, iPads, and laptops. WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500. ypl.org/riverfront.

The Photographer’s Journey: A Tribute to Larry Salley FREE

WHEN: Through March 17: daily, 12-5pm WHERE: ArtsWestchester’s Gallery, 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains AGES: All WHAT: In celebration of the life and contribution of Lawrence Salley, ArtsWestchester and the African American Men of Westchester are proud to present this retrospective exhibition of Salley’s photographic work. The exhibition showcases images from regional jazz performances and from his travels. WANT TO GO? 914-428-4220. artsw.org/tributesalley.

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Viewing & Doing: An Afternoon of Film & Family Fun

WHEN: Sunday, March 5, 1pm WHERE: Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Road, Pleasantville AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Join E.T. and Elliott, a lost alien and a 10-year-old boy, as they form an unlikely friendship and work together to help E.T. find his way home. After the movie, enjoy an interactive, intergalactic, and intergenerational party highlighting the technology and creative possibilities at the Media Arts Lab. WANT TO GO? $45 and up. 914.773.7663. burnsfilmcenter.org.

‘Journey to Space’ 3D Movie

WHEN: Through June 30: Monday-Friday, 12pm and 3pm; SaturdaySunday, 1pm and 4pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Moviegoers will learn about the important role of the International Space Station, uncover what NASA and the space community are working on, and the challenges they face to carry out bold missions such as capturing asteroids and landing astronauts on Mars. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children with admission: $15; $12 children, students, and seniors. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

‘A Beautiful Planet’

WHEN: Through Dec. 1: check the website for specific dates and times WHERE: IMAX Theater, Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT AGES: All WHAT: Made in cooperation with NASA, the film features a breathtaking portrait of Earth and the effects humanity has had on it over time, captured by the astronauts aboard the International Space Station. WANT TO GO? $9.50; $7 children ages 3-12. 203-852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org.

CityBound

N Y C Courtesy Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment Group

Must-Sees in

Armour for Amor

WHEN: March 11-12, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Inspired by Wave Hill’s illustrious former resident Bashford Dean and his passion for armor, make your own protective gear that shimmers. Using up-cycled materials and colored aluminum foil, emboss and bedazzle a pair of shiny cuffs, a modern helmet, or a fancy shield. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

PAW Patrol is On a Roll Your preschooler’s favorite TV show comes to the stage in this high-energy, musical adventure. PAW Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue is all about the Great Race between Adventure Bay’s Mayor Goodway and Foggy Bottom’s Mayor Humdinger. But just as it is about to begin, disaster strikes. As always, PAW Patrol comes to the rescue! Fans get the chance to see their favorite pups on stage. Ryder summons Marshall, Chase, Skye, Rubble, Rocky, Zuma, and the newest pup, Everest, for the mission. The show combines theatrical scenery with a high-tech video wall to visually transport families to popular locations from the TV series. March 23-26; see website for show times. Age: 6 and younger. $30-$145. The Theater at Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, Midtown. 866-858-0008. theateratmsg.com. My Life As A Zucchini, dir. Claude Barras.

CRAFTY KIDS

Watch the pups of PAW Patrol come to the rescue!

St. Patrick Day Craft FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 17, 4-5pm WHERE: Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a craft. Listen to traditional Irish music as you make your own pot of gold and don’t forget to wear green. WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500. ypl.org/riverfront.

Spring Pajama Party

WHEN: Friday, March 24, 5:30-7:30pm WHERE: Artistree Performing Arts, 114 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Send your children in their PJs to our awesome pajama party complete with games, dancing, face painting, crafts, pizza, movies, and more. WANT TO GO? $35. 914-835-2200. artistreearts.com.

Clay Art Center Spring Youth Classes 2017

WHEN: March 26-May 18, Sundays, 10am-6pm WHERE: Clay Art Center, 40 Beech St., Port Chester AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Build your inner artist while creating picture perfect pottery. Work with clay to develop creative problem-solving skills and building confidence while making new friends and having fun. WANT TO GO? See website for prices. 914-937-2047. clayartcenter.org. ››

The New York International Children’s Film Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary.

My First Film Fest Back for its 20th anniversary, the New York International Children’s Film Festival presents hundreds of the best new films from around the world for kids and teens. Every year it provides a full film festival experience for kids including premieres, Q-and-A’s, and filmmaking workshops. The 2017 lineup features some exciting movies, including short films from the festival’s 20-year history and an opening night treat nominated for an Academy Award. Feb. 24-March 19; see website for show times. Age: 3-18. Tickets start at $13. IFC Center and other theaters. 212-349-0330. nyicff.org. WestchesterParent 33

Winter Light

WHEN: March 1-19, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Park, Rye AGES: All WHAT: An art exhibit featuring work by Michelle Sakhai with luminous, colorful paintings that introduce children to abstract art. WANT TO GO? $7. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.

Wintertime Wonders

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Family Nature Walk

WHEN: Sunday, March 12, 12:30pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Join naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow on a familyfriendly walk through the gardens or woodlands. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

The Orchard Show: Thailand

WHEN: March 1-April 30, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: The Orchid Show celebrates its 15th year with an homage to the wealth of orchids and rich cultural history of Thailand, home to more than 1,200 native orchid species. Round out your visit with tours, orchid care demonstrations, expert Q-and-A’s, traditional Thai dance performances, and films on select weekends. WANT TO GO? Weekdays: $20; $8 children; weekends: $25, $10 children. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

SMARTY PANTS Scout Day

WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 10am-5pm WHERE: Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT AGES: All WHAT: Scout Day offers hours of fun for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of all levels. As a troop or with their families, Scouts can get close to sharks, seals, sea turtles, and all of the aquarium’s fascinating marine animals, most of which are native to Long Island Sound. WANT TO GO? $22.95. 203-852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org.

Shabbatini: Young Family Service and Dinner

WHEN: Friday, March 17, 6-7:30pm WHERE: Bet Torah, 60 Smith Ave., Mount Kisco AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Please join us for a Kabbalat Shabbat family service, followed by a catered dinner. WANT TO GO? $35. 914-666-7595. bettorah.org. 34

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: March 1-19, Tuesday-Friday, 1:30-4:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4:30pm WHERE: NY Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Inside the cozy Discovery Center, kids of all ages can take a closer look at the wonders of plants and animals in winter. Make bark rubbings, count tree rings, craft a bud necklace, and head back into the winter garden with a field notebook to discover the vital sparks of life that lie just below the surface of this quiet season in the Northeast. WANT TO GO? Weekdays: $20; $8 children; weekends: $25; $10 children. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

Wind Tunnel Design Challenge

WHEN: March 1-25, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Park, Rye AGES: All WHAT: Explore what makes things fly by using odd materials to create a flying object, and then experiment with it in the museum’s fantastic wind tunnel. WANT TO GO? $7. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.

Last Days of Pangea: In the Footsteps of the Dinosaurs

WHEN: Through April 3: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT AGES: All WHAT: The exhibit features fossils and life restoration models of some of the species that thrived in the Triassic period. WANT TO GO? $7; $6 students; free for children younger than 5 and on Tuesdays. 203-869-0376. brucemuseum.org.

Science Fiction, Science Future

WHEN: Through April 30: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm; SaturdaySunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: This temporary exhibition gives visitors a deeper understanding of how science fiction ideas and concepts might become the science reality of tomorrow. Hands-on exhibits incorporate robots, holograms, and augmented reality. WANT TO GO? $16; $13 seniors and children ages 2-17. 718-6990005. nysci.org.

¡Cuba!

WHEN: Through Aug. 13, daily, 10am-5:45pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: A bilingual exhibit exploring Cuba like never before, in partnership with the Cuban National Museum of Natural History, featuring live animals and a chance to explore recreations of the island’s wetlands, as well as a typical Cuban street. Featuring live animals and interactive zones that kids will love. WANT TO GO? $27; $17 students and seniors; $12.50 children ages 2-12. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

What in the World is a Herbarium?

WHEN: March 1-Oct. 31, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-6pm

WHERE: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: With more than 7.8 million preserved specimens, the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium is the largest herbarium in the Western Hemisphere. Through this exhibition, learn some of the many ways that garden scientists are working to study and save the plants of the world. WANT TO GO? Weekdays: $20, $8 children; weekends: $25, $10 children. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

MINI

MUSICIANS Concert: Ray Vega Latin Jazz

WHEN: Sunday, March 5, 2pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: 9-12, adult WHAT: The South Bronx native and his Latin Jazz ensemble return triumphantly to Armor Hall with a mix of his own works and his unique take on standard tunes. WANT TO GO? $28; $15 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Graham Clarke FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, March 8, 11am WHERE: Ardsley Library, 9 American Legion Drive, Ardsley AGES: All WHAT: Kids of all ages will love the music man, Graham Clarke. He’s funny, musical, and very engaging. Pre-register for this popular event. WANT TO GO? 914-693-6636. ardsleylibrary.org.

Celtic Crossings Featuring Phil Coulter and Andy Cooney

WHEN: Sunday, March 12, 3-5pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: Celtic Crossings promises an evening of Celtic tranquility with the great songs of Phil Coulter sung by the magnificent voice of Andy Cooney, with special guests Geraldine Branagan, and the Irish Pop Ensemble. WANT TO GO? $30 and up. 914-739-0039 x2. paramounthudsonvalley.com.

The Young Irelanders

WHEN: March 13-14, Monday-Tuesday, 11:15am; Tuesday, 6:15pm WHERE: Westchester Broadway Theater, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Composed of the best rising talent Ireland has to offer, The Young Irelanders combine the best sounds and traditions of traditional Irish and Celtic music with folk, pop, and world sounds. WANT TO GO? $50 show only. 914-592-2222. broadwaytheatre.com.

Story Garden with Miss Alexia FREE

WHEN: Friday, March 17, 11am WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 4 and younger WHAT: Join Miss Alexia for stories, songs, and her magic ukulele. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

FIESTA! With Flor

WHEN: Saturday, March 18, 11am WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: A fun free bilingual (English-Spanish) music program for

children with a parent or caregiver. Flor Bromley teaches Spanish through music, movement, puppetry, and theatre-based games. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Seuss is Loose in Scarsdale FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 25, 11am WHERE: Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Join Miss Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band for lots of fun and frivolity as they celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday. WANT TO GO? 914-722-1303. scarsdalelibrary.org.

Musical Tots FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, March 29, 11:15am WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Join Lori Cohen for an interactive program of music and movement. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

SPECIAL NEEDS Sensory Storytime FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, March 14, 4pm WHERE: Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Play therapy for children with special needs. The program is inclusive, all children are welcome. WANT TO GO? 914-722-1303. scarsdalelibrary.org. ››

Cooking Party for Kids • Cupcake Wars • Candy Sushi • Pretzel Creations • Pizza Creations • Chocolate melting/molding/decorating

Amy Rosen Cooking Coach Book a party at 917-903-1451

amyrosencookingbydesign@gmail.com amyrosencookingbydesign.com instagram: cookingcoach_amyr

FALL PROGRAM

Family Owned & Operated Since 1973 Experienced Teachers • Serving Children 2 months–14 years • Field Trips • Stimulating Environment • Flexible Schedules • Beautiful Campus Setting

www.annandandychildcare.com • 914-592-3027 2170 Saw Mill River Rd, Elmsford WestchesterParent 35

Animal Storytimes

WHEN: March 4-25, Saturdays, 10:15am WHERE: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Read an animal-themed story and then meet a special animal guest up close. WANT TO GO? $30. 718-220-5100. bronxzoo.com.

The Butterfly Conservatory

ANIMAL LOVERS Coyotes: Behavior, Ecology, and Coexistence

WHEN: Saturday, March 4, 2pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Coyotes are one of the most successful carnivores in North America because of their ability to cope, if not thrive, in the face of human-caused changes to the environment. Dan Bogan, Ph.D., will discuss his research into coyote behavior and ecology in suburban landscapes where people and coyotes coexist. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $15; $12 for children younger than 12. 914-7632373. nywolf.org.

Evening Howl for Pups of All Ages

WHEN: Saturday, March 18, 5:30-7pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy visiting the wolves during their favorite hour: dusk. Learn about the mythology, biology, and ecology of wolf families and discover why March is a magical time for packs in North America. Bring flashlights; registration required. WANT TO GO? $16; $13 for children younger than 12. 914-7632373. nywolf.org.

Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Course: Wolves of Isle Royale

WHEN: Saturday, March 18, 2pm WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Isle Royale is both a national park and a national forest, and home to a wolf population that is on the verge of extinction. Learn about the causes of the drastic decline in the wolf population and what is being done to prevent their extinction. Dress for cold weather; registration required. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 for children younger than 12. 914-7632373. nywolf.org.

Pack Chat for Kids

WHEN: March 4-18, Saturdays, 11am WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: Kids will learn about the mythology surrounding wolves and the important role of wolves in the natural world. Dress for cold weather. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 for children younger than 12. 914-7632373. nywolf.org.

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through May 28: daily, 10am-5:45pm WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park W., Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: One of the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular, annual events, this exhibit features up to 500 live, iridescent, tropical butterflies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. WANT TO GO? $27; $22 seniors and students; $16 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

ONCE UPON A TIME Tales for Tails FREE

WHEN: Thursday, March 2, 6pm WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children in first grade and older are invited to read to a certified Good Dog. Sign-up is required. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Picture Book Time FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, March 7, 11-11:30am WHERE: Yonkers Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Stories, rhymes, fingerplays, and songs for children accompanied by a caregiver. WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500. ypl.org/riverfront.

Storytime FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 10am-12pm WHERE: Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Storytellers from Yonkers Public Schools will amaze children with stories, puppet shows, interactive music, singing, dancing, and more. WANT TO GO? 914-337-1500. ypl.org/riverfront.

Book Babies FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, March 22, 11am WHERE: Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill AGES: 3-5 WHAT: An interactive program for the littlest library lovers and their caregivers. Enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and play time. WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. fieldkids.wordpress.com.

Interactive Story Time FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 9: Wednesdays, 11am WHERE: North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Road E., Armonk AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Come listen to stories, sing songs, and play games with an interactive felt board every other week. WANT TO GO? 914-273-3887. northcastlelibrary.org.

Rye Figure Skating Club 80th Anniversary Celebration on Ice FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 8pm WHERE: Playland Ice Casino, 1 Playland Parkway, Rye AGES: All WHAT: A free ice-skating show featuring the Theatre on Ice troupe, award-winning synchronized skating teams, and local talent who compete on the regional, national, and international level. Food and drink will be available for purchase. WANT TO GO? 914-481-5941. ryefsc.org.

Dar Williams

SHOW TIME!

‘Piff the Magic Dragon’

WHEN: Thursday, March 2, 8-10pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: The stand out star of season 10 of America’s Got Talent, Piff the Magic Dragon, is returning to the Paramount stage. When it comes to Piff, think Larry David in a dragon suit (with a trademark Chihuahua named Mr. Piffles) who performs jaw-dropping magic tricks and you’re on the right track. WANT TO GO? $37. 914-739-0039 x2. paramounthudsonvalley.com.

Australian Bee Gee’s

WHEN: Friday, March 3, 8pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: It’s “Saturday Night Fever” every night with the Australian Bee Gee’s Show—a tribute to the Bee Gee’s. One of the most successful and adored acts in musical history is recreated on the stage with hits like, “Staying Alive,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “How Deep is Your Love,” and “Jive Talkin’.” WANT TO GO? $30-$50. 914-739-0039. paramounthudsonvalley.com.

Anne Hutchinson & Ballet: Women’s History Month Program FREE

WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 1-3:30pm WHERE: St. Paul’s Church N.H.S., 897 S. Columbus Ave., Mount Vernon AGES: All WHAT: In recognition of March as Women’s History Month, enjoy a living history presentation at 1pm and talk exploring the remarkable life of Anne Hutchinson, who lived near St. Paul’s in the early 1640s. At 2pm, the world renowned Ajkun Ballet Theatre presents a special dance sequence evoking the lives of three prominent American women associated with St. Paul’s: Anne Hutchinson, Abigail Adams, and Eleanor Roosevelt. WANT TO GO? 914-667-4116. nps.gov/sapa.

WHEN: Saturday, March 18, 8pm WHERE: Emelin Theater, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Dar Williams has remained a much-heralded force at the peak of American folk music for more than two decades. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 914-698-3045. emelin.org.

The Bikinis

WHEN: Through March 19: Thursdays and Sundays, see website for times WHERE: Westchester Broadway Theater, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford AGES: All WHAT: These Jersey Girls relive their heyday in a non-stop celebration of song with more than 30 hits including “It’s In His Kiss,” “Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” “The Twist,” “Heat Wave,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” WANT TO GO? $50 show only. 914-592-2222. broadwaytheatre.com.

‘The Lightning Thief’

WHEN: Tuesday, March 21, 10am WHERE: Tarrytown Music Hall, 130 Main St., Tarrytown AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy’s Greek mythology textbook and into his life—and worse, he’s angered a few of them. Zeus’s master lightning bolt has been stolen and Percy is the prime suspect. WANT TO GO? See website for prices. 877-840-0457. tarrytownmusichall.org.

Puppet Playtime FREE

WHEN: Thursday, March 23, 10:30am WHERE: Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale AGES: 3-5 WHAT: An interactive, story-based puppet show for preschoolers. WANT TO GO? 914-722-1303. scarsdalelibrary.org.

Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone

WHEN: Saturday, March 25, 8pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: 13 and older WHAT: At 15 years old, Peter Noone achieved international fame as “Herman,” lead singer of the legendary pop band Herman’s Hermits. WANT TO GO? $50 and up. 914-739-0039. paramounthudsonvalley.com.

Rhythm in the Night

WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 11am and 7pm WHERE: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill AGES: All WHAT: Rhythm in the Night, the Irish Dance Spectacular, is an epic journey derived from a tale of good versus evil with a storyline that will capture the imagination of everyone in the family and transport them to a mystical time and place of heroes and redemption. WANT TO GO? $30-$40. 914-739-0039 x2. paramounthudsonvalley.com.

Coming up next month: APRIL 1: Pete the Cat at Emelin Theatre, Mamaroneck APRIL 29: Run for the Wild at the Bronx Zoo, Bronx DAYS IN APRIL: Spring Fun at The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx

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WHERE-TO GUIDE

Horseback Riding

››

Research by Lauren Diaz

Horseback riding offers kids many benefits. Exercise is one, of course. Riding is aerobic, but it also builds muscle strength and increases balance, not to mention coordination, visual spatial skills, faster reflexes, and all-round circulation. But riding offers more than just physical benefits. A child who is able to master the skill of synthesis with such a large animal will have improved self-confidence, self-discipline, and the appropriate ability to take risks. A child caring for a horse learns patience, care, respect, and responsibility. Here’s a list of local horseback riding stables that offer children’s riding lessons. Hours are subject to change; call ahead to confirm availability.

Boulder Brook Equestrian Center 291 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale 914-725-3912 boulderbrookequestrian.com Private and group lessons for children and adults (ages 6 and older) are offered at Westchester’s largest indoor riding ring. Its summer camp includes daily lessons in riding and stable management. Pony rides are given daily and birthday parties are available on Sunday afternoons. Chicory Meadow Farm 76 Jack Road, Cortlandt Manor 914-737-7814; chicorymeadowfarm.com Group, semi-private, and private lessons are offered daily. Customized lessons are available based on a rider’s specific 38

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

needs, abilities, and goals. A summer camp is offered and features hands-on horsemanship, riding, horse care, arts and crafts, nature walks, picnics, and games. The facility includes indoor and outdoor arenas. Fox Hill Farms 204 Old Sleepy Hollow Road, Pleasantville 914-769-9813; foxhillfarms.com English-style riding lessons available in a group or private setting. Guided rides are available through the Rockefeller Preserve in the spring, summer, and fall. A weekly summer camp in June through August includes riding lessons, horse care, and games. Pony rides are available during the summer.

JT Farm 1125 Route 35, South Salem 914-763-3705 jtfarm.com Provides lessons for all levels and ages. Facility includes 45 miles of trails, an indoor ring, two outdoor rings, and a Grand Prix field. Stratford Stables 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase 914-939-9294 stratfordstables.com Offers year-round lessons for ages 6 and older. Small mini-camps are available during school vacations and include lessons in horsemanship. A summer camp is offered June through August

nymetroparents.com/where-to for ages 6-12 and features riding, grooming and tacking the horses, and art projects. Boarding and leasing of horses and ponies, as well as showing opportunities, are also offered. Twin Lakes Farm 960 California Road, Bronxville 914-961-2192 twinlakesfarm.com Private, semi-private, and group lessons are available daily, year round. The farm’s summer camp includes riding lessons, horsemanship, and arts and crafts. Westchester Trail Rides 6 Croton Lake Road, Croton-on-Hudson 914-539-2987 westchestertrailrides.com This stable offers guided horseback trail riding for all ages. Trails traverse more than 7,000 acres of land surrounding the Croton reservoir and dam. English and Western riding styles are accepted.

Bronx Bronx Equestrian Center/ Pelham Bit Stable 9 Shore Road, Southeast Bronx 718-885-0551 bronxequestriancenter.com English- and Western-style riding lessons available by appointment for ages 6 and older, and pony rides are offered daily, 9am-5pm. A children’s summer program is offered weekly from late June through mid-August for ages 6-17 interested in horses and horsemanship. Birthday parties, carriage rides, a petting zoo, and pony rides are also available. Riverdale Stables 6394 Broadway, Kingsbridge 718-548-4848 riverdalestables.com The center offers lesson programs for young riders as well as adults. An after-

school riding program features lessons in riding, grooming, stable management, and horse care with pick-up at some Manhattan schools. The center’s summer camp (offered weekly throughout the summer) features riding lessons, leisure rides, and horse care.

Planning an Activity or Event for Children or Families?

Rockland County

Minetto’s Stonehedge Farm 1152 Haverstraw Road, Suffern 845-354-2838 stonehedgefarmstables.com Lessons are provided for all experience levels, as well as grooming, tacking, and stable management lessons. The farm has both outdoor and indoor riding rings, and it features the RideKind therapeutic riding program for those with emotional, physical, and psychological special needs. Nickel-O-Farm 369 Strawtown Road, West Nyack 845-353-8006 nickelofarms.com Private Western- and Englishstyle riding lessons are offered for ages 4 and older. Petting zoos and “pony parties” are available remotely. There is a weekly summer riding program June through August in which kids ride and learn to groom the horses, as well as special activities. Ramapo Equestrian Center 1152 Haverstraw Road, Suffern 845-354-7669 ramapoequestriancenter.com Private English- and Westernstyle, jumping, and dressage lessons are available. Birthday parties are also offered. Summer camp runs daily late June through late August; campers take lessons, learn stable management, and participate in arts and crafts, games, and outdoor activities.

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CAMP MARKETPLACE

Lessons from Camp We Use Every Day ››

Some of the most important things learned are the ones you can’t see.

f you’ve ever been a camper, counselor, worked at a camp, or knew someone who did, you know there’s something special about the anticipation of summer camp. Many live 10 months for two, waiting for the minute they can fling off their school backpacks and run full speed ahead toward their summer home. Sleepaway evenings are spent around a campfire. Day camp afternoons are filled with special activities and snack-time galore. There’s canteen and cabin nights, swimming and sports competitions, whimsical adventure and waterfront fun. Ask those of us who went to camp (no matter how long ago it was) and you’ll find smiles, friendships cultivated, and words to songs that we can sing at a moment’s notice. We can tell you about our beloved counselors, reminisce about a shared past, and recall our fondest camp memories. We went to camp, our lives have been enriched, and we want others to share the same experience. There’s wisdom in summer camp and it seems that it’s not until we leave that we realize the weight of so many of its gifts. Today, there are lessons from camp I use every day. There were, of course, the tangible lessons, such as learning to swim and clearing your plate from the table, but the most important lessons may be the ones you can’t see.

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

By Stacey Ebert

Be the Change

Spending time with people from different places provides a time to share stories and hear various ways of life. At camp, kids learn that if there is an unfair practice somewhere (whether it’s how the captains for a team are picked or that a friend might struggle with a difficult home life), the way to make a difference is to listen, get involved, and act with a kind heart.

Have Patience

In my Counselor-In-Training program, we did many activities that continue to apply to life today. One was an exercise in giving directions. While some had to write directions, others had to draw a map. It showed us how people view things, learn, and deliver information differently.

Include and Value People

Whether it’s day or sleepaway, camp showcases fun and inclusivity for all. Regardless of the activity or role, kids quickly learn there is a vital place for everyone. There are the experts at storytelling, acting, geocaching, swimming, arts and crafts, sports, and ropes courses, and others who are able to have their firsts in these experiences. There are cooks and maintenance workers, nurses and swim staff, directors

and CITs, and campers and counselors from every walk of life—and everyone plays a vital role in making camp the special space it is. Knowing she is valued and that she matters is something your child takes with her when camp closees at the end of the summer.

Embrace Diversity and Don’t Judge

At camp, I met counselors from Camp America (a camp counselor exchange program) whose accents and histories were different from mine. My friends and fellow campers all had different religions and came from varying socio-economic backgrounds. Whether listening to stories around the fire or having snack time chats with counselors, the message gets across: Each upbringing is different and each struggle or triumph should be valued equally.

Cultivate Independence

Camp helps kids find themselves. She’s away from home, but cared for, fed, and provided with a safe space. Little by little, she takes her first steps at independence. With each summer, the scary becomes less so and her confidence builds. Cultivating your child’s independence in a safe environment at an early age leads to strong personal development and continued growth.

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Whatever it was that seems different, terrifying, or impossible is achievable at camp. I learned to swim at camp and later became a lifeguard and aquatics director. Leaving home for camp was difficult the first time, but it made going away to college that much easier. He’ll learn that although experiences may be filled with nervous anticipation at the start, what he gets when he reaches the other side of that fear is priceless.

Be True to Yourself

My three closest friends (from camp) and I are each incredibly different. There were four different religious beliefs, four different hometowns, varied socio-economic backgrounds, unique style senses, each with a different conglomeration of immediate family, and yet, 30 years later we’re still on each other’s speed dials.

The Simple Things Matter Most of All

Camp is ghost stories and campfires, beach days and arts and crafts, free swim and nature hikes and sea glass hunting and searching for shooting stars. Without the need for high tech screens, the camp experience reminds kids that it’s the simple things that matter most.

Treat Others How You’d Like to Be Treated

Campers learn lessons of working as a team, sharing kindness, and trying to lift others up on a regular basis. The overall message of treating others as you’d like to be treated flows through the day’s activities from cabin chores to sharing chocolate for a s’more.

Take Time Out for Yourself

Day camps have snack time and many sleepaway camps have canteen or time to relax, recuperate, and rejuvenate. This translates years later to a community of people who know they need to listen to their bodies, take a break at times, and care for themselves.

Believe in Yourself

Staff members believe in campers and often propel them to believe in themselves. Knowing someone believes in him at a young age stays with a child—it’s what he will grab onto as an adult when things get tough. People believing in you so fiercely makes you believe in yourself.

Don’t Be Afraid to Try New Things

I learned to silkscreen, took my first horseback ride, and took a fearful plunge off of a 10-foot boulder into open water—all for my first time at camp. Knowing there is always someone there to encourage her to take the plunge, hold her hand, and catch her if she falls makes the anticipation of trying new things easier. Later in life, being scared but plunging ahead anyway takes different forms. Whether it’s starting a new school, a first job, learning to drive, or going away to college, those lessons from camp stay with her—always.

We All Have Talents

He might be the best listener or love to help others find their smile. She might love to build things or solve problems. Camp provides outlets for all to find their talents, embrace them, and thrive.

Show Compassion and Learn Empathy

At camp, I met people who were different from me, which helped shape my perspective of the world. For two weeks each summer, kids living in foster care in New York City came to camp. For many, it was their first time to see a large body of water or to work on a farm. For those two weeks we all had a fabulous time—just like any other session. Camp allowed relationships to grow, people’s stories were shared, and we learned that people most certainly do change people.

Share What You Have

I’ve been borrowing my best friend’s clothes since the age of 12. Flip flops made their rounds and whatever sweatshirt one could grab in the morning became yours for the day. We shared hair dryers, canteen money, memories, and experiences. Sometimes sharing meant your bed when a friend had a nightmare. Sometimes sharing meant your family when someone else’s wasn’t around. Sometimes sharing meant your experiences to put someone else at ease. Camp showcases that sharing is necessary, teaching us to build bridges, not walls.

Always Try Your Best

The only failure at camp is in not trying. Putting your best foot forward, jumping in, and trying your best is one of the hallmarks of camp. New campers learn there is no harm in coming in second or not getting the lead in the camp skit. This lesson transfers through the decades, keeping camp’s positive attitude afloat in all of us.

Nature is Good for You

Whether it’s sleepaway or day camp, each day kids return to their cabins or homes dirty and tired after an energetic day. Inspired by nature’s ability to flip a mind switch, lower blood pressure, and change our perspective, kids who go to camp turn into adults who appreciate the magic of nature.

Relationships Matter

Friendships forged at sleepaway camp are some of the best I know. Counselors from 20 years ago continued to be my mentors for years after camp, and today we share travel advice and are willing to meet up all over the world. My best friends from camp have been a part of my story for more than 30 years. Today we may utilize social media and technology to communicate, but these friendships stand the test of time. Stacey Ebert is a camper at heart who has spent more than 25 years in the camping and education industries in New York as a teacher, club advisor, counselor, and aquatics director. She is a writer, blogger, event planner, and volunteer manager based in San Diego, CA. She loves travel, the beach, yoga, and all things chocolate; has visited more than 50 of the world’s countries; and met her Australia-born husband while on a trip in New Zealand. Check out her blog at thegiftoftravel.wordpress.com.

WestchesterParent 41

camp GUIDE 2017 DAY CAMPS

Acres of Adventure Summer Camp at Ann and Andy

2170 Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford 914-592-3027 annandandychildcare.com Acres of Adventure Summer Camp at Ann & Andy’s is a oneto nine-week program for children ages 3 months to 14 years. We are situated on 5 acres with more than 15 play areas. The outdoor program includes baseball, soccer, climbing wall, bocce ball court, water slide, zip line, mini golf, kickball, basketball, dodge ball, drama, and off-campus swimming and bowling. We also have a tween travel camp for ages 11-14. We offer customized schedules, individualized attention, and hot lunches daily, as well as barbecue Fridays. All buildings are air-conditioned.

Alcott Montessori School

535 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry 914-693-4443 27 Crane Road, Scarsdale 914-472-4404 46 Fox Meadow Road, Scarsdale 914-595-7551 alcottschool.org Alcott School’s Summer Fun program offers a variety of schedules for children ages 2-5. The program is designed to be an enjoyable summer experience for the child attending for the first time or for the experienced preschooler. Weekly themes are incorporated into outdoor play, science and nature exploration, water play in sprinklers and water tables, open-ended art, tricycle riding, and group games. The multicultural program is enriched by early childhood music and nature specialists and staffed with experienced head teachers, assistants, and summer counselors. Visit us at alcottschool.org.

Badger Day Camp

119 Rockland Ave., Larchmont 914-834-1084 badgersportsclub.com info@badgerdaycamp.com Badger Day Camp is a located in

Westchester and we provide doorto-door supervised transportation, daily hot lunch, superior counselor-to-camper ratio, and a wide variety of summer activities including swimming, nature programs, arts and crafts, sports, and drama. New this upcoming summer, we have weekly hockey clinics, Ben Foster’s soccer clinic, as well as a new addition to our incredible swim staff, Olympic medalist Lea Loveless. We will also be partnering with MacInspires STEAM Program to teach and educate our campers in a fun and safe way!

Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester

Camp Adventure 351 Main St., Mount Kisco 914-666-8069; bgcnw.com Summer Adventure Club is a four- or eight-week camp for children entering first-ninth grades. Located on 12 acres in Mount Kisco, the camp offers on-site swimming, sports, outdoor games, arts and crafts, digital arts, game room, and dance. Campers enjoy special programming (STEM, inflatable waterslides, petting zoo, and Camp Olympics), and trips (Playland, adventure ropes course, and more). Camp includes snack and lunch (prepared by Ladle of Love). New for seventh-ninth grades, Adventure Travel Camp will feature three trips per week. Camp hours: 9am-4pm, early and late care available. Call to register.

Breezemont Day Camp

Gordon A Josey, owner and director 62 Cox Ave., Armonk 914-367-1936 breezemontdaycamp.com matt@breezemont.com Located on an expansive 18-acre property in Armonk, Breezemont is nestled in its natural surroundings. Our campus maintains large green fields, towering trees, and a beautiful lake, which is a unique feature for a day camp. Complete with state-of-the-art facilities, Breezemont preserves the appearance of an overnight camp, while implementing a creatively robust day camp schedule. Heated

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

swimming pools, and towel service provided. Hot lunch served daily. Pre and post child care available. Snacks provided as well as door-todoor transportation. Ages 3-13.

Camp Ramaquois

30 Mountain Road, Pomona 845-354-1600; ramaquois.com Camp Ramaquois is “a day camp as complete as sleepaway camp,” situated on 44 acres in Rockland County. From adventurous activities to creative arts and athletic activities, boys and girls ages 3-15 experience a traditional day camp program filled with a variety of stimulating activities. Facilities include a 5-acre crystalline lake; nine heated swimming pools; a splash park; tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts; hockey rinks; ball fields and soccer fields; a petting zoo; and special events. Many air-conditioned buildings. Visit us on our website or call for a personal tour.

Camp Young Judea Sprout Westchester

500 Yorktown Road (Route 129), Croton-On-Hudson 914-271-7563 cyjsproutlake.org/daycamp/ sprout-westchester/ cathy.deutchman@youngjudaea.org Sprout Westchester, a Young Judaea Day Camp, is a place where Jewish children entering pre-K through sixth grade join together to create a diverse, joyful community based on fun, Jewish values, friendship, personal growth, and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Sprout Westchester provides campers with an inclusive and supportive community, an opportunity to grow, and a place to develop a connection to Israel. Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake has been a residential camp for more than 40 years in the Hudson Valley. We also offer an urban day camp in Brooklyn.

Children’s Place at the John A. Coleman School

317 North St., White Plains 914-597-4055; colemanschool.org Our inclusive preschool offers a variety of enriching experiences

that stimulate children’s natural curiosity and interests, promote well-being, and encourage pride and mastery in each child. Activities develop creativity, language, reasoning, social competence, and early readiness. Curriculum based on NYS Common Core with iPad and Smart Board technology. Children’s Place is licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services and offers full and half days for ages 3-5. Hours are 8:45am–2:45pm with extended hours from 8am5pm. We are staffed by experienced teachers and administrators. Parent references available.

Concordia Summer Camp

171 White Plains Road, Bronxville 914-395-4848 concordiadaycamp.org Concordia Summer Camp offers a variety of programs for campers of all ages. Our Early Childhood Program, for ages 3-5, offers art, music, science, literature, and outdoor play. Our Enrichment Program for first-ninth grades offers classes in oil painting, science, Lego Spybotics, cooking, and computers. The Concordia Conservatory and OSilas Art Studio offers classes in music and art. If your interest is sports, we offer programs for both Early Childhood and first-ninth grades.

Easter Seals New York

Project Explore, Project Imagine, and Project Inspire 70 Columbus Ave., Valhalla 914-328-1578; eastersealsny.org We serve children with and without disabilities in inclusive, integrated, small classrooms. We offer high-quality full- and part-time programs, school year and year-round, for children ages 18 months to 5 years, from 8:30am-2:30pm. Beforeand after-school care, vacation clubs during school breaks, and summer camp are available options. We follow the Creative Curriculum™ that is aligned with the NYS Common Core Learning Standards. We have special classes in art, music, and science, including interactive SMART Board activities. Our master teachers are New York state-certified in early

childhood and special education. NAEYC accredited.

Gate Hill Day Camp

750 Gate Hill Road, Stony Point 845-947-3223 gatehilldaycamp.com Unconditionally welcoming since 1951. Gate Hill is a place where you matter most. Campers receive individual attention, and parents are kept involved with personal conversations by phone and email. A first rate, 33-acre facility, a thoughtful, varied program and an infectious culture of nurturing improvement makes Gate Hill the ultimate day camp experience. Highlights include a proven learn-to-swim program, door-to-door “Camp on Wheels” transportation fun, and unique programs for STEAM, teens, and early childhood campers. Book a tour online today!

The Goddard School

1 Jackson Ave., Hastings-on-Hudson 914-478-1390; goddardschool.com At The Goddard School®, summer is full of fun and learning. Energetic teams of teachers plan developmentally appropriate activities to instill a lifelong love of learning. Children are exposed to exciting learning opportunities in a safe and secure environment. Children march in playground parades, learn about creepy crawlies, send letters to pen pals, and enjoy splish-splash days. To discover how Goddard can make this summer your child’s best learning experience yet, visit goddardschool.com.

Green Meadow Waldorf School

307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge 845-356-2514; gmws.org Green Meadow Waldorf School offers infant-toddler and family programs, serves children from nursery through 12th grade, and runs popular summer programs. Founded in 1950, we are one of the oldest, largest Waldorf schools in the U.S., with nearly 350 students. Benefiting from discovery and play in our Early Childhood program, skill-building in our Lower School, and rigorous intellectual challenges in the High School, Green Meadow students go on to top colleges, fulfilling careers, and are known for their curiosity, confidence, resilience, and creativity.

Harvey Cavalier Summer Camp at the Harvey School 260 Jay St., Katonah Off-season: 845-677-0491

Summer: 914-232-0581 harveycavaliercamp.org cdelcampo@harveyschool.org The Harvey Cavalier Summer Camp for children ages 4-14 offers programs filled with electives in fine arts, crafts, theater, music, and dance, as well as swimming, ice-skating, gymnastics, sports, and science. Guided by professional artists and educators, campers enjoy an adventure of self-exploration. Harvey’s sprawling 125-acre campus provides a perfect setting for summer fun: an outdoor pool, indoor ice-skating rink, the state-ofthe-art Walker Center for the Arts, open fields for sports, and shady pathways through our woods. The Harvey Cavalier Summer Camp— Northern Westchester’s best-kept secret in summer day camps.

Hudson Country Montessori School

340 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle 914-636-6202 hudsoncountry.org Programs for campers ages 18 months to 12 years are offered. The summer 2017 season is June 26-Aug. 18, from 9am-4pm. The program features a full range of recreational activities, special events and trips, swim instruction, sports, and a splash-andslide zone. Hudson has extended hours options for campers ages 18 months to 12 years, an optional catered lunch program, and an air-conditioned facility.

Iona College Day Camp

715 North Ave., New Rochelle iona.edu/about/iona-in-community/ summer-camp.aspx mreddington@iona.edu This summer children ages 5-13 will enjoy exciting, fun-filled days at Iona College Day Camp. Our state-of-the-art athletic facilities and pristine college campus serve as the setting for an exciting summer. Your child will experience two periods of swimming daily led by members of our Iona college swim team. Our goal is to not only teach your children how to swim but to have them excel at swimming. Other activities include sports, dance, art, and music. Contact us at mreddington@iona.edu.

Jewish Community Center of Harrison Ann Pardes, early childhood director 130 Union Ave., Harrison 914-835-2850 jcch.org; apardes@jcch.org The JCC of Harrison Early Childhood Center offers programs for

toddlers through pre-K. Bright, modern classrooms, an indoor gym, and outside playground are on nature-filled grounds. Professionally-trained, warm, nurturing teachers provide developmentally appropriate curriculum across all educational domains. Both morning programs and afternoon enrichment specialty classes are available. Summer programs for Almost Twos and children eligible to enter a fall 3s program are enrolling now, as are all programs for fall 2017. OCFS licensed. Call us to arrange a visit.

Jodi’s Gym

25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 244 E. 84th St., Manhattan 212-772-7633 jodisgym.com Jodi’s Gym Camp is a morning of nonstop, action-packed fun! Your child will run, jump, tumble, balance, stretch, sing, create, move, and groove, all under the supervision and care of our welltrained and certified staff. Come experience the joys of gymnastics, music, and art. It’s a mix your child is sure to love. Super flexible scheduling—you choose the days and weeks. Join us in our 36th year! Offered for children ages 3-7.

Kids’ B.A.S.E. & The Little School

307 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale 914-472-5409; kbls.org The Little School Summer Enrichment Program provides a preschool experience for ages 3-4. We create a climate of learning and fun, which will further the development of each child socially, physically, and creatively. We strive to help each child adjust easily, strengthen values of cooperation, and have a positive group experience. Little School children swim and receive instruction during the week at the Scarsdale Pool. In everything we do, we promote each child’s positive self-image through a variety of age-appropriate physical and creative activities.

The Masters School

June Program at The Masters School 49 Clinton Ave., Dobbs Ferry 914-479-6400 mastersny.org/mastersofsummer mastersofsummer@mastersny.org Open to students in fifth through 12th grades, the Masters of Summer program is three weeks of enrichment classes and recreational activities in June. Courses include musical theater, robotics, coding,

Shakespeare, song writing, basketball, fencing, swimming, tennis, kayaking, leadership, and NYC experiences. Innovative courses custom-designed and taught by experienced Masters faculty on its beautiful 96-acre campus and new 75,000-square-foot Athletics and Arts Center. Flexible weekly scheduling plus morning and afternoon classes from June 12-30. Cafeteria lunches included. Visit our website to see how you can give your child the Masters advantage!

Oasis Summer Day Camp in Dobbs Ferry at Mercy College

Upper Camp-Mercy College 555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry 646-519-5057 Lower Camp-Masters School 49 Clinton Ave., Dobbs Ferry oasischildren.com dobbs@oasischildren.com Oasis Camp offers programs for children 3 years to sixth grade! With facilities in Manhattan, Queens, Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey, Oasis features mature staff with low camper-to-staff ratio and a warm environment in which kids can participate in activities tailored to their interests. The Early Start camp for kids 3 years to kindergarten offers sports, daily Red Cross swim, arts, dance, theater, and a Ready for September enrichment program. The Traditional Camp (first-sixth grades) provides campers with sports, crafts, theater, dance, and Red Cross Swim. Teen Travel has daily trips, team building, and overnights.

Squire Camps Inc.

at Maria Regina High School, Hartsdale 914-328-3798 squirecamps.com squirecamps@gmail.com Celebrating our 44th year! Matt Davanzo operates Squire Advantage Camps, a distinctive camp for children in kindergarten-ninth grades at the Maria Regina High School in Hartsdale. Campers design their own custom schedules from more than 50 exciting activities including robotics, art, cooking, swimming, computers, photography, Legos, and sports. All courses are taught by certified teachers in air-conditioned classrooms. Squire also operates an All-Sports and Tennis Academy at Maria Regina High School. Hot lunch, T-shirt, early dropoff included. Transportation, extended day, and three, four, continued on next page ››

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or seven-week sessions available. June 26-Aug. 11. Contact us now for the best summer ever!

Summer Stars at Mazel Tots

Scarsdale Synagogue 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale 914-723-3001 mazeltots@sstte.org Summer Stars is the perfect place for your child’s first camp experience. Friendships and children grow as they engage in fun, stimulating summer activities. Campers are engaged in activities including sports, music, art, story time, water play, and special theme days. Our new playground features life-sized playhouses, a garden, and two climbing structures. We offer a three-day option for ages 18-30 months and a five-day option for ages 2-5 years from June 26-Aug. 11. For information contact Jody Glassman at 914-723-3001 or mazeltots@sstte.org, or our website bit.ly/metrosummer.

Teatown Lake Reservation

1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining 914-762-2912; teatown.org Teatown’s Natural Science Summer Day Camp 2017 is jam-packed with adventure, discovery, and hands-on fun in the outdoors. We’re catching frogs, collecting bugs, climbing rocks, and exploring natural habitats all summer long! Teatown Camp brings kids outside to learn about and explore the natural world in four two-week sessions that provide age-specific activities to encourage the spirit of discovery. Each session includes exploration and creative play that fosters childrens’ innate curiosity while teaching ecology and stewardship in Teatown’s abundant meadows, forests, lakes, and streams.

Thornton-Donovan School

100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle 914-632-8836; td.edu Founded in 1969, the Summer Challenge has been a source of joy, entertainment, enlightenment, and playful fun for boys and girls ages 3½-14. Stop by and see our sports field, basketball court, and new playground! Door-to-door transportation and lunch are included. With an instructional pool on-site, swim instruction and recreational swim are major components of the program.

Wagon Road Camp

Vince Canziani, director 431 Quaker Road, Chappaqua

914-238-4761 childrensaidsociety.org/ wagon-road-camp vincec@childrensaidsociety.org Wagon Road is about community, discovery, and fun. Campers enjoy a comprehensive program featuring Red Cross swim instruction, water slide, free swim, horseback riding, ropes course, archery, sports, dance, music, drama, cooking, and arts and crafts. Campers are organized in small groups with two counselors. We offer overnights with special evening activities and flexible enrollment plans. Fees are reasonable and include lunch and snacks. Transportation is available at central pick-up locations, as well as early drop-off and extended day.

White Plains YMCA

YMCA Central and Northern Westchester Family of Camps 914-949-8030 ymca-cnw.org whiteplains.ymca-cnw.org Whether your child is a nature enthusiast, an aspiring chef, or an athlete, we’ve got the camp for you! With locations at the White Plains YMCA Camp Combe, and our Community Camp—both in Northern Westchester—our camps provide an environment in which your child can grow and learn, and maybe one day be one of our counselors! All camps have inclusion specialists on staff. Swimming lessons, field trips, STEM, art, and zip lining! The Y turns nobody away for financial need—we are here for our community!

OUTINGS Sportime USA

380 Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford 914-592-2111 x2; sportimeusa.com Come to Sportime USA, where the sun always shines! Sportime USA is the ideal place for your next camp trip. Fully air-conditioned with a restaurant on premises. Activities for all ages include laser tag, 4-dimensional motion theater, rock-climbing wall, bumper cars, Himalaya coaster rides, more than 200 video and prize ticket games, batting cages, billiards, foam ball blaster arena, and soft play zone. Organized check-in and personalized service have made us the premier choice for camps and groups, year after year. Come out of the heat and rain and step into the fun.

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SLEEPAWAY CAMPS Camp Clio

Held at Camp Claire, Lyme, CT and Middlesex County Camp, Moodus, CT 212-472-5207; campclio.org Camp Clio and our new Camp Clio Teen offer a unique experience for adopted children (ages 9-12) and teens (ages 13-17). Camp Clio campers and counselors (themselves adopted and serving as role models) share the intimacy and safety of being with other adopted friends, providing the opportunity to share feelings and adoption stories with others who understand adoption without explanation because they are “just like me”—all in a fun camp environment. Camp Clio Teen: June 25–July 7. Camp Clio Youth: July 2-22. Campers may come for one or more sessions. Scholarships available.

Camp Huntington

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com Camp Huntington, a coed, residential summer camp for children and young adults with autism and related developmental and learning disabilities and ADD; ability levels: mild to moderate-severe. Located in High Falls in the beautiful Catskill Mountain region, the camp provides therapeutically and instructionally designed recreation programs in summer and certain weekends during the year. Programs offer structured daily activities designed to be safe, learning-based, fun, and rewarding. Positive reinforcement motivates children to be happy and participate meaningfully. Activities encourage improvement in self-management and independence, and advancement in social and life skills. camphuntington.com.

Camps Pequot and Sherwood

253 Bushy Hill Road, Ivoryton, CT 860-767-0848 pequotsherwood.org info@incarnationcamp.org Located in coastal Connecticut, on 700 wooded acres surrounding a mile-long private lake, Incarnation Camp is the country’s oldest coed camp. Since 1886, we have provided a fun-filled, traditional camp with hands-on learning and group living in the great outdoors. Our camps include Pequot for boys,

Sherwood for girls, and Pioneer Village for teens. Our camps are amazing places to spend your summers—there is nothing quite like the bonds you build with camp friends as you experience the adventures of summertime together. Campers participate in well-rounded and adventurous programs.

SPECIALTY CAMPS Artistree Performing Arts

114 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck 914-835-2200 artistreearts.com heather@artistreearts.com Artistree Performing Arts is a performing arts studio offering classes and camps for children ages newborn to 18. We strive to foster a community of performers who can build confidence and friendships in a supportive and engaging environment. Camp Artistree runs President’s week, spring break week, and all summer (June 12-Sept. 1) for ages 3 and older. Musical Theater Intensives The Lion King (July 10-28) and Grease (July 31-Aug. 18) are available for fourth to 12th grades. Outdoor time at Harbor Island every day! Join us for a magical summer of performing and fun! Sign up online or call.

Bach To Rock Mamaroneck

130 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck 914-341-1457 mamaroneck.bachtorock.com mamaroneck@bachtorock.com B2R’s summer camp has a unique approach that makes it possible for students with no previous musical training to be rocking out in a matter of hours. B2R teachers transform music instruction to a joyous and exciting team activity. Our youngest rock stars go on a global musical vacation in Rock City World Tour through instrument exploration and imagination. For the more mature rock’n roller, there are opportunities to join a band or vocal ensemble and learn all about recording a studio demo in our state-of-the-art B2R studios!

Camp Clio

friends, providing the opportunity to share feelings and adoption stories with others who understand adoption without explanation because they are “just like me”—all in a fun camp environment. Camp Clio Teen: June 25–July 7. Camp Clio Youth: July 2-22. Campers may come for one or more sessions. Scholarships available.

Camp Huntington

The Children’s Jewish Education Group SUNY Purchase 914-864-1267; cjeg.org Do you want a Jewish education for your child without joining a synagogue? CJEG is a community-based school that emphasizes Jewish cultural studies, including Jewish tradition, history, and holidays, for children in kindergarten through seventh grade. We offer a professional teaching staff supported by a parent co-op administration. Private or group bar and bat mitzvah lessons are also available. Classes are held Sunday mornings at the SUNY Purchase campus. For more information, please visit, cjeg.org or call 914-200-1520.

Clay Art Center

40 Beech St., Port Chester 914-937-2047 x222 Kelly O’Sullivan, camp director clayartcenter.org communityarts@clayartcenter.org Make friends, memories, and art! This summer join half-day or full-day clay camps for ages

6-15 running July 5-Aug. 25. Discover the “art” of summer during camps such as Emojis in the Round, STEAM Camp, and Wheel Thrown Sculpture. Clay Art Center is a nonprofit art organization offering classes for adults and children year-round.

Dicker Reading Center of Westchester 75 Brook St., Scarsdale 914-472-0600; dickerreading.com Our ongoing and summer revolutionary reading program will teach any child to read, even children diagnosed with a learning disability, dyslexia, ADD, or ADHD. Whether your child is reading above, below, or at grade level, they will accomplish three to six years of reading achievement in just one year. Parents will see immediate improvement in reading achievement, comprehension, and vocabulary development. More than 10,000 children from preschool to 12th grade have accomplished these remarkable results. Your child’s grades, confidence, and self-esteem will soar as he or she learns to love reading and school.

The Emelin Theatre

153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck 914-698-0098; emelin.org Give your child the chance to act on a professional stage! Missoula Children’s Theatre Camp returns to the Emelin Theatre to stage two great productions this summer. No acting experience is necessary. Everyone gets a part. Cinderella, July 24-29; Jack and the Beanstalk, Aug. 14-19. $165 for ages 6-7 and $195 for ages 8-16. Register at emelin.org, 914-698-3045 x200.

FashionU

32 Cedar St., inside PopShop Style, Dobbs Ferry 914-222-3709 fashionu@helpprom.org FashionU offers a variety of different courses for kids ages 8-12. Camp sessions include fashion design, sewing, jewelry making, and cosmetics creation. Courses are taught by fashion industry professionals. We offer school break and camp sessions, as well as Saturday classes. Learn to sew on our Singer sewing machines, or join us for knitting and crocheting. We also have fashion styling and merchandising courses. There is something for every kid who loves fashion! Faculty-to-student ratio is 1-to-5. FashionU is a nonprofit program

operated by Operation PROM, operationprom.org/fashion-u.php.

Fin 2 Swim

858-539-3209 fin2swim.com; info@fin2swim.com Can your child “really” swim? Has she had lessons for several summers but still won’t put her head under water? Does he run and jump in without knowing how to save himself? Let us help you! One-on-one private lessons will have your child swimming independently from one side of the pool to the other in approximately six weeks. Don’t miss this limited opportunity! Lessons are held in Bergen, Rockland, and Westchester counties, from midJune through July, and in the Hamptons in August. Call now to reserve your time slot.

Future Stars Summer Camps Purchase College

Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase 914-273-8500; fscamps.com Weekly day sessions for ages 4-16, June 19-Aug. 25 at state-ofthe-art facilities in the heart of Westchester. Our staff and limited enrollment allow each camper the opportunity to maximize their skill development. Campers can choose and combine weeks from 19 individualized specialty programs: Tennis, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Football, Multi-Sports, Field Hockey, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Circus Arts, Magic, Softball, Diving, Horseback Riding, Swim, Academic, STEAM Education, and Rising Stars (our youngest campers). Supervised swimming is included, as is instructional swim for Rising Stars. Lunch option and door-to-door transportation from most of Westchester available.

Golf Camp at the Mitchell Spearman Golf Academy

800-733-1653 spearmanjuniorgolf.com The premier golf experience in Westchester and voted Best Junior Golf Instruction in New York! Camps are designed for juniors ages 4 (PeeWee session) to older teens, with all skill levels welcome. Groups are divided by similar age and skill. From putting and short game training to swing development and on-course play, we make it our mission to provide a fun and exciting learning environment. Each junior has a swing reviewed

and analyzed by Top-100 golf teacher Mitchell Spearman. Safe, fun, effective: Our specialty is junior golf! See website for details.

Gymcats Gymnastics Summer Camp

1 Odell Plaza, Yonkers 914-965-7676; gymcats.net GymCats Summer Camp program offers quality instruction for boys and girls ages 4-12, including beginner through advanced gymnastics, sports performance, tennis, arts and crafts, trips, games, and special themed days. We have a low student-to-teacher ratio, campers are grouped by age, and our facility is fully air-conditioned. Full, half, and extended days are available. Our program enriches development by providing attitudes and skills that carry over to many of life’s activities. Our goal is to provide a safe, fun, and fit camp experience.

House of Sports Westchester

1 Elm St., Ardsley 914-479-5419; houseofsportsny.com The House of Sports is your one stop shopping for weekly sports camps this summer! From ages 3 through high school, the House of Sports offers programming for children of all ages and ability levels. For younger campers we offer a multi-sport camp that incorporates both learning and playing a variety of sports each day. For third grade and older we offer sport specific camps in lacrosse, basketball, soccer, and baseball. All camps take place in our 100,000-square-foot, climate-controlled facility in Ardsley, and are staffed by professional coaches and instructors.

Junior Sailing at Huguenot Yacht Club

Harbor Lane West, New Rochelle 914-636-6300 juniorsailingclubhouse.com hycjuniorsailing@gmail.com Learning to sail is a great way for children to become self-reliant, learn a lifelong sport, and make lasting friendships and memories. Located at the historic Huguenot Yacht Club (near Glen Island), our unique summer program teaches sailing to children 8-16 in a safe, caring, and fun environment. They learn to sail their own boats, plus enjoy organized games, picnic lunches, and supervised swimming in the club’s pool. We offer two three-week sessions, and an intro-to-sailing clinic the first week. Sailboats available for charter; basic swimming skills required. continued on next page ››

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Kids Cookery

914-937-2012 lovekidscookery.com kidscookery@yahoo.com Traditional Cooking Camp: The children will prepare, cook, and enjoy a variety of foods and desserts. During this week, the children will prepare breakfast, lunch, appetizers, dinner, and dessert! Each day is a different theme and our menu is filled with delicious recipes. Cooking around the World: The children will go on a tasty tour of nations far and wide. They will prepare summer rolls using rice paper, Mexican flatbread pizza, and breakfast crepes. They will explore foods and desserts while learning cultural facts. Find more information and register online.

Kinetic Sports Club

872 Pelham Parkway, Pelham Manor 914-738-4000; kineticsportsclub.com Our camp program is enthusiastic, encouraging, and sensitive with staff that will help your camper experience sportsmanship and good social dynamics in a fun, safe environment. We use fun, fitness, and friendships to create great memories. We help your camper learn, participate, and succeed in all sports and activities. Counselors and coaches create a safe environment. We have a new water park along with an indoor soccer field, basketball court, and indoor pool. Come meet our sports director to see why families love our camp.

Little Gym

777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072; tlgscarsdaleny.com 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-799-1225; tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side, Manhattan 212-787-1124; tlguppereastsideny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444; tlgwaldwicknj.com Since 1977, The Little Gym has been promoting the healthy and successful physical and mental development of children. Its “Anytime Summertime Kids Fun” includes parent and child classes (ages 4 months to 3), preschool and kindergarten classes (ages 3-6), and grade school gymnastics (non-competitive only!) for beginner, intermediate,

or advanced gymnasts. The Little Gym also offers its world-renowned “Anytime Summertime Kids Fun” camp for children ages 3-9 years, with flexible scheduling to work around your summer plans. Its unique theme-based curriculum takes children on weekly adventures. Half-day and full-day sessions available.

Music Conservatory of Westchester

216 Central Ave., White Plains 914-761-3900; musicconservatory.org Join us for Summer Music and Arts at the Music Conservatory. We offer instrumental instruction, singing, songwriting, musical theater, improvisation, dance, games, and arts and crafts. Choose all or some of our four exciting sessions: June 26–July 7; July 10–July 21; July 24–Aug. 4; Aug. 7-Aug. 18. It’s never too early to think about summer! For students in kindergarten-sixth grade.

MVP Basketball Camp

29 Homeside Lane, White Plains 914-946-1231 John Nemsick, director of basketball operations mvpbasketballcamp.org nmuyskens@mvpbasketballcamp.org Westchester’s largest sports day camp, located in Rye and White Plains, brings together boys and girls ages 6–16 from all over the county to develop basketball skills in a safe and fun environment. MVP’s size allows for multiple teams in narrow age groups and daily competition leading to a Friday playoff. Campers can attend any week that fits their summer schedule, or attend multiple weeks for discounted pricing. The camp day is 9am-4pm with early drop-off and extended day options. Call or sign up online.

PlayLand Ice Casino

100 Playland Parkway, Rye 914-481-5941; playlandice.com Kids and families love PlayLand Ice in Rye. Operating year-round, PlayLand Ice offers learn-to-skate and learn-to-play hockey classes, public ice-skating, figure skating, clinics, and camps for all ages and abilities. Birthday parties are always a huge hit at PlayLand Ice and feature private rooms, private ice, party helper, dance and black lights, and music. Visit us online for more information.

The Pre-School Dicker Reading Center of Westchester 75 Brook St., Scarsdale 914-472-0600

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mommyicanread.com Your child, age 3-5, will learn 15-30 words in his first session. He will learn to read his first book fluently. Every two months, your preschooler or kindergartner will achieve one year of reading enrichment. Her self-esteem will soar as she develops a love for reading and school. It’s easy, fun, and life’s most exciting game.

Purchase College Summer Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts

Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase 914-251-6500 purchase.edu/youth laura.vuli@purchase.edu Summer Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts at Purchase College, State University of New York. For more than 39 years, these programs have been much more than camps. Summer students experience a rich environment full of exciting beginnings, new friends and achievements, growth and independence. They are immersed in a variety of exciting and enriching learning opportunities, such as songwriting, acting, architecture, visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, video game and app creation, voice, STEM, and musical theater. Visit us at purchase.edu/youth to learn more. Contact Laura Vuli with questions: laura.vuli@purchase.edu or 914-251-6511.

Purchase Sports Camp at Manhattanville College

2900 Purchase St., Purchase 914-315-7507 purchasesportscamp.com info@purchasesportscamp.com Purchase Sports Camp is on the scenic campus of Manhattanville College. The facilities include six tennis courts, a brand-new state-of-the-art astroturf soccer field, outdoor basketball courts, an indoor pool, and an indoor gymnasium that can be used for basketball and volleyball. While the primary focus of the camp will be tennis, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, cheerleading, and flag football, the children will have the opportunity to cool off at the pool and the option to play field sports. For children ages 3–15. Weekly sessions June 26-Aug. 11.

SPORTIME Camps - Westchester SPORTIME Lake Isle 660 White Plains Road Lake Isle Country Club Tennis

Courts, Eastchester 914-777-5151 sportimecamps.com/lisle campslisle@sportimeny.com SPORTIME Harbor Island Tennis Courts in Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck 914-777-5050 sportimecamps.com/lisle campslisle@sportimeny.com SPORTIME’s tennis for kids under 10, Tennis & Sport, and high level EXCEL and John McEnroe Tennis Academy Training Camps are designed for youngsters who want to focus their camp days on playing and learning tennis. Campers will be taught proper tennis technique and strategies while participating in competitive drills, games, and match play. Camp days also include field sports, special events, and swimming at Harbor Island’s beautiful beach, and access to the Lake Isle Country Club pool. Visit us online at sportimecamps. com/hi or sportimecamps.com/lisle to find out more!

Steffi Nossen School of Dance

216 Central Park Ave., White Plains 914-328-1900 Church of St. Mary the Virgin, South Greeley Ave. Chappaqua steffinossen.org Experience the Joy of Dance! Fun, high-quality dance programs for all ages and levels June 5–Sept. 1! Moving Wheels and Heels Adaptive Adult Camp June 19–24; Moving Wheels and Heels Adaptive Kids Camp June 26-29; Musical Theater Intensive July 24–Aug. 4; Master Class Boot Camp Aug. 21-Sept. 1; New Story Book Camp June 5-July 21; Dance Camp for first-fifth grades, July 10-21; Summer Dance Intensive fifth-eighth grades, Aug. 7-18, Summer Dance Intensive grades seventh-12th, Aug. 7-18. Use the summer months to keep skills sharp, work on new techniques and explore artistic goals.

Studio B Dance Center

277 White Plains Road (entrance on Prospect Avenue), Eastchester 914-793-2799; studiobdance.com Daily and weekly camps available June 26-Aug. 25. Ages 3-12 can pick and choose individual days or weeks to come dance, play, and create! Learn different dance styles, dive into amazing art projects, and interact with peers. Saturday and weekday summer classes are available as well. The beautiful new facility features one-way viewing windows into

all three spacious studios, two comfortable waiting rooms, and convenient sibling classes, which allow parents to enjoy watching two or more siblings dance at the same time. For ages 2 and older.

Summer Kids College at Westchester Community College Extension Centers

Multiple Locations in Westchester Ossining: 914-606-7400 Peekskill: 914-606-7300 White Plains: 914-606-7500 sunywcc.edu/locations/extension-centers-course-schedules/ jeanne.maloney@sunywcc.edu The Summer Kids College at Westchester Community College Extension Centers. Connect to the perfect summer experience for your child or teen! Westchester Community College offers affordable summer learning opportunities for children and teens with specific interests in the arts, science, health careers, and digital arts. All programs are offered in convenient locations using state-of-the-art equipment. Our caring instructors create a learning environment that is stimulating and fun. Contact us for more information on the exciting programs we offer, and plan to register for your child’s enriching summer experience at Westchester Community College.

Sylvan Learning Centers - Westchester

Sylvan Learning Center of Bronxville 850 Bronx River Road, Bronxville 914-237-4396 sylvanlearning.com/bronxville bronxville.ny@sylvanlearning.com Sylvan Learning Center of White Plains 180 S. Broadway, White Plains 914-948-4116 sylvanlearning.com/whiteplains sylvan4202@msn.com sylvanlearning.com/bronxville Avoid summer learning loss at Sylvan! Summer academic camps, STEM classes, and personal

tutoring programs will boost your child’s confidence and enhance academic skills. Keep your child’s mind growing over the summer with Reading, Math, Writing, or Study Skills camps, plus STEM classes in Robotics and Coding. Summer programs are offered for students entering kindergarten-ninth grades. Space is limited. Sylvan Learning Centers are conveniently located in Bronxville and White Plains. Call Sylvan today for details and to reserve your space. Bronxville: 914-237-4396; White Plains: 914-948-4116.

Twin Lakes Farm

960 California Road, Bronxville 914-961-2192 twinlakesfarm.com camp@twinlakesfarm.com Summers are filled with riding lessons, horsemanship, mounted games, camp olympics, paint the pony, scavenger hunt, and games and activities! Offering full- and half-day options Monday-Friday for campers. The facility includes an indoor ring, two outdoor arenas, a classroom for rainy day activities, and a grass field for games. Some previous riding experience is required with limited space available for first time riders. Students not currently riding at Twin Lakes Farm should schedule an evaluation lesson or join us prior to the start of camp to develop the necessary skills.

Westchester & Fairfield Swim Camp at Pace University in Pleasantville 914-588-2971; westfairswim.com kpalladino@westfairswim.com Westchester & Fairfield Swim Camp offers a progressive swim camp for ages 5-14, operating daily from 9am-3pm. Swimming is taught by certified water safety instructors, and daily intensive swim instruction is geared for all levels. Westchester & Fairfield

Swim Camp offers comprehensive preparation for summer swimming, and is also a great supplement for summer swim teams. Camp emphasis is on swimming, but other activities include diving, junior lifeguard training, varied special activities, fun fitness, snorkeling, and outside sports and games. Extended care hours are available before and after camp. Weekly availability. Free T-shirt!

Westchester County Parks Sports Camps and Programs

914-231-4673 westchestergov.com/parks Whether your youngster is a nature enthusiast, an aspiring musician, or a sports hound, Westchester County Parks’ popular summer camps offer something for kids of all ages and interests. Boys and girls can develop their skills in baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, or volleyball, or learn about their natural environment or favorite musical instrument. Sessions begin in late June or early July. Complete information on hours and session dates, along with brochures and applications can be found at westchestergov. com/parks or call 914-231-4500.

Westchester Skating Academy (WSA) Summer Camp

91 Fairview Park Drive (Route 9A), Elmsford 914-347-8232; skatewsa.com Weekly camps for all ages and abilities. Mini Camp, designed for preschool through age 8, includes two daily skating lessons, plus nature, science, magic, soccer, and crafts from June 12-30 and Aug. 14-Sept. 1. Figure Skating Camp runs for 11 weeks beginning June 19, with Olympic coaches. Hockey Camp runs for nine weeks beginning July 3 and offers excellent player development.

The Windward School Summer Program

40 W. Red Oak Lane, White Plains 914-949-6968 x1250 Christopher Q. Eberhard, director of the Summer Program ceberhard@thewindwardschool.org Christine Teahan, co-director cteahan@thewindwardschool.org thewindwardschool.org select summer program from the menu The Windward School Summer Program is designed for children entering third through ninth grade desiring to improve their skills in reading, writing, study and organizational skills, math, and science. Classes are taught by Windward instructors trained, via the renowned Windward Teacher Training Institute, in the school’s research-validated multi-sensory methods of instruction. In addition to academics, the Summer Program also offers students social opportunities via sports, art, drama, or computer activities. The summer program offers public and private school mainstream students an opportunity to learn from a multisensory, direct instruction model.

Young At Art Workshop Inc.

1088 Central Ave., Scarsdale 914-723-9229 Nurturing creativity without boundaries for more than 35 years. We offer art classes for children ages 2-18. A unique summer camp experience in which each child brings home a personalized piece of art that can be displayed and, in many cases, is also an interactive toy they will enjoy for years. Anticipated weekly summer schedule will include a Mini-Camp for ages 3-5, Yoga Art for ages 3-5, Art and Science Camp for ages 3-5, and Art Camp for first-sixth grades. Maximum enrollment for camps is 12 children, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 6-to-1.

CAMP MARKETPLACE

For info or a visit: 914-835-2850 x109 www.jcch.org Ann Pardes, Director apardes@jcch.org Licensed & Registered

Jewish Community Center of Harrison Early Childhood Center • Toddler to Pre-K • Modern Classrooms, Gym, Playground & Outdoor Classroom • A.M. & P.M. Programs Afternoon Enrichment • Summer Camp • Free 1-year Synagogue Membership with enrollment WestchesterParent 47

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Children’s Place OPEN ENROLLMENT

An extraordinary environment where children develop a lifelong passion for learning • Curriculum based on Pre-K Learning Standards with focuses on social skills, literacy, creativity & physical development ● Certified and experienced teaching staff ● Inclusive preschool with flexible full and half-day classes for children ages 3 to 5

EXTENDED HOURS Contact Maria Leitenberger, Principal, at: (914) 597-4055 or MLeitenberger@colemanschool.org

Located at the John A. Coleman School 317 North Street • White Plains • www.colemanschool.org

Learning the right answers will get your child through school. Learning how to learn will get your child through life!

Open House at 9:30am Weekdays

Please call to join one of our tours.

914-636-6202

Hudson Country Montessori School

Inspiring curious, creative, and gifted minds. Toddlers through 8th grade. 340 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804 • 914-636-6202 • www.hudsoncountry.org 48

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Camp Huntington A Special Camp for the Special Camper

90 Minutes north of NYC Call Today: 855-707-2267

www.camphuntington.com

REGISTER FOR THE WINTER SESSION NOW! • Children ages 2-7 years old • Basketball, Baseball, Soccer & Multi-Sport classes • Weekly 50 minute classes • Classes oﬀered 7 days a week - various times • Learn to play in a fun and supportive environment

DAILY HOLIDAY CAMPS FEBRUARY 20 - 24! • Full-day (9am to 3pm) camps in Basketball, Baseball, Soccer and Multi-Sport: $65 per day • Partial-day camps in Boy's Lacrosse, Girl's Lacrosse and Learn to Play (3 and 4 year olds): $45 per day • Sibling and multi-day discounts available

www.houseofsportsny.com info@houseofsportsny.com House of Sports - Westchester Parent Print Ad - January 30, 2017: 7.375 x 4.75

914.479.5419 1 Elm Street, Ardsley, NY 10502

WestchesterParent 49

CAMP MARKETPLACE

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE

TWIN LAKES FARM "Where Westchester Learns To Ride!"

Riding Camp! Girls & Boys Age 6 and Up Offering full- and half-day options Monday-Friday for campers Indoor and Outdoor Arenas • Daily Riding Instruction • Arts & Crafts Stable Management • Horsemanship • All In The Heart of Southern Westchester! Contact Us: 960 California Road Bronxville, NY 10708 (914) 961-2192 • Camp@TwinLakesFarm.com • www.TwinLakesFarm.com A Facility of the County of Westchester Department of Parks and Recreation

SPORTIME SUMMER CAMPS

Call and about ou ask r Sc Break Ca hool mps!

SPORTIME U10 Ages 3-7

Tennis Ages 8-15

EXCEL Tennis Ages 12-16

JMTA Tennis Training Ages 7-18

3950WP

Two Great Locations in Westchester! Register Today!

SPORTIME Harbor Island, Mamaroneck | 914-777-5050 | www.SportimeCamps.com/HI SPORTIME Lake Isle, Eastchester | 914-777-5151 | www.SportimeCamps.com/LISLE Camp programs vary at each SPORTIME location.

SPORTIME also has camp locations in New York City, throughout Long Island and the Hamptons and in the Capital Region. Visit us at www.SportimeCamps.com to find out more.

WestchesterParent 51

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Summer College for Kids 2017 at Westchester Community College connect to the perfect summer experience for your child or teen!

Center for the Digital Arts, Peekskill Extension Peekskill Extension Center Youth Arts Technology Program Summer 2017

July 10th – 20th July 24th – August 3rd 914-606-7300 peekskill@sunywcc.edu/ peekskillyouth

Westchester Community College Center for the Arts White Plains

Visit us online at www.KineticSportsClub.com 872 Pelham Parkway, Pelham Manor, NY 10803 • 914-738-4000

PRE-COLLEGE ARTS PROGRAMS, PUBLIC SPEAKING & DEBATE CAMP

June 26th - August 4th Ages 10-18 914-606-7500 sunywcc.edu/arts Arts@sunywcc.edu

Ossining Extension Center SCIENCE ACADEMY

July 31st - August 10th August 14th - 24th Ages 8-17 914-606-7400 ossining@sunywcc.edu

OPEN & CLOSED WATER SLIDES WATER SPRINKLER AREA FAMILY CHANGING ROOMS

OPEN FOR RESERVATIONS TO LOCAL CAMPS & ORGANIZATIONS CALL OR EMAIL: 914-738-4000 MIKEB@KINETICSPORTSCLUB.COM 872 PELHAM PARKWAY, PELHAM MANOR, NY 10803

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Join us for the

BEST SUMMER EVER

at the White Plains YMCA

We put

awesome on ice

at Westchester Skating Academy & Playland Ice

LEARN TO SKATE REGISTER NOW!

CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW! CAMP STARTS JUNE 26TH 8:00am - 4:00pm $385/week Extended (Additional Cost) 4:00pm - 6:30pm $85/week

Some of the exciting activities we will provide: STEM (Science Program), Art, Cooking, Sports (Soccer, Basketball and More), & Instructional Swimming *SPACES ARE LIMITED*

ble Availa Ages L for AL ities! l i b &A

• 30 minute weekly classes • Rental skates included • Excellent student/teacher ratio

the COOLEST Parties in Westchester! OUR PACKAGES INCLUDE EVERYTHING!

HES

Skating, Food, Servers, Private Party Room, & Paper Goods

91 Fairview Pk.Dr., Elmsford

The Family YMCA, with all inclusive memberships! Plus... swimming lessons & summer camp whiteplains.ymca-cnw.org | 914.949.8030

100 Playland Pkwy, Rye

914.347.8232 914.481.5941

skateinfo@skatewsa.com PlaylandIce.com Parties@skatewsa.com parties@playlandice.com skatewsa.com skateinfo@playlandice.com WestchesterParent 53

Westchester Parent: WSA/Playland Ice combo ad January 2017: 3.55 x 9.6

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Learn and Grow at Windward School.

Windward School Summer Program is designed for students entering third through ninth grades who want to improve their skills in reading, writing, study and organizational skills, math or science. Classes are taught by Windward instructors at the Westchester Middle School in White Plains. The summer program offers public and private school mainstream students an opportunity to learn from a multisensory, direct instruction model.

July 5- July 28, 2017 Half-Day and Full-Day Sessions Available Space is Limited! Register by June 9, 2017

Contact Christopher Eberhard

Director of the Summer Program • ceberhard@thewindwardschool.org or Christine Teahan, Co-Director of the Summer Program cteahan@thewindwardschool.org • (914) 949-6968, ext. 1250 www.thewindwardschool.org (Select summer program from the menu)

Now enrolling for Fashion Design, Sewing, Knitting, Jewelry Making and more! School Break Sessions, Saturday Classes , and Summer Camp!

MASTERS OF SUMMER at The Masters School • June 12-30

Innovative, Fun and Enriching

June Program for Grades 5-12

MASTERS OF SUMMER

WEEKLY ENRICHMENT CLASSES & RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Robotics, coding, musical theater, song writing, fencing, swimming, kayaking, NYC experiences and more • Courses custom-designed and taught by experienced Masters faculty • Flexible scheduling, morning and afternoon classes • Beautiful 96-acre Masters campus

49 Clinton Ave., Dobbs Ferry, NY 914-479-6400

MastersOfSummer@MastersNY.org 54

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

NEW Location! Inside PopShop Style: 32 Cedar Street Dobbs Ferry, NY 914-222-3709

Enroll NOW!

We register children all year long! The Children’s Jewish Education Group offers Jewish cultural studies for grades K-7, with emphasis on tradition, history and holidays. A professional teaching staff is supported by a parent co-op. Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons available. Interfaith families welcome. Classes held Sunday mornings at Purchase College.

Call now to plan a Visit

914-200-1520 or visit our website www.cjeg.org

CAMP MARKETPLACE

S E I E T R E R H A N P E N PP

Weekly: 6/26/17 – 8/11/17

A fun and safe place where top-notch coaches help children of all levels feel at home and bring their game to the next level! We welcome any child from the ages of 3 to 15, no matter his or her level of ability. We provide a well-rounded camp experience, where the focus is on developing skills, discovering new interests, meeting new friends, and most importantly, having fun!

FU HA

OPEN HOUSES

February 18th, March 18th, April 15th 2:00 – 4:00pm Richard A. Berman Student Center Lobby May 6th 2:00 – 4:00pm East Room (Benziger Hall)

SOCCER • LACROSSE • CHEERLEADING • TENNIS BASEBALL • SWIMMING • FIELD SPORTS • BASKETBALL

PurchaseSportsCamp.com

info@purchasesportscamp.com • (914) 315-7507 Register by March 31 for $75 early bird discount ( Use code NYMP3 ) CAMP ADDRESS:

Manhattanville College 2900 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY 10577

BOOK YOUR DATE TODAY!

Junior Golf Camp

June 5 - September 1 / Ages 6 - 16 Multi-Week Camps - Best in New York Multi-Week and Multi-Golfer Discounts Register Online Today!

Chelsea Piers is the area’s top destination for awesome birthday parties, offering fun activities for kids of all ages.

Full Swing • Short Game • Putting • Course Play Games • Challenges • Prizes • Tournaments • Contests Small Groups - All Skill Levels and Abilities Advanced Video Analysis & Stat Tracking Special PeeWee Camps - Age 4 & Up!

GOLF INSTRUCTION IS WHAT WE DO www.spearmanjuniorgolf.com / (800) 733-1653

203.989.1004

chelseapiersCT.com/birthday

Located at Doral Arrowwood in Rye Brook, Westchester

WestchesterParent 55 CT WP 1-2p 3-17 Parties.indd 2

2/8/17 2:45 PM

CAMP MARKETPLACE

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF NORTHERN WESTCHESTER

351 Main Street, Mount Kisco, NY 10549 914-666-8069 • www.bgcnw.com

SWIMMING! • • • •

Swim classes for kids 6mos - 18yrs Staff with over 110 years combined experience 45,000 swim class graduates Multiple child discounts

CAMP! • • • • •

Fun, affordable camp (grades 1-9) Swimming, sports, game room, trips! 4 or 8 week sessions 9am - 4pm daily with early/late care available Includes snack & lunch (prepared by Ladle of Love)

• • • • •

Year round program Kids ages 3 - 5 Flexible hours (7am - 6pm) Includes meal prepared by Ladle of Love Kindergarten prep, swimming & more!

PRESCHOOL!

For more information, please call 914-666-8069 or visit www.bgcnw.com

MAMARONECK@B2RMUSIC.COM (914) 341-1457 130 MAMARONECK AVE, 10543

Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont & EmanuEl 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583

Nursery School & Summer Programs For Children 18 months through Age 5 www.sstte.org | 9147233001

Want to know the best

activities for families? Subscribe to our family activity

email newsletter NYMETROPARENTS.COM/REGISTER 56

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Westchester’s BEST Summer Camp!

CONCORDIA

Summer Camp 2017

AITIRIONED

ES! ILITI

D CON

FAC

FRIDAY IS... WATER INFLATABLE FUN! H Grades 1–9 CAM H Early Childhood TOUR P H Enrichment Program AVAIL S ABLE H Sports Program H Basketball Camp H Conservatory Music Programs H Early Drop-off & Late Pick-up

www.concordiasummercamp.org

914-395-4848

Exciting New Birthday & Event Packages

FREE party upgrade!

Add an EXTRA activity to your party for FREE!

since 1980

Call for exact details. Restrictions apply. Must present this ad. Exp. 3/31/17

Enroll Early & SAVE S U N Y P U R C H A S E C O L L E G E

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

DOOR TO DOOR TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE

19 sports & specialty camps 914.273.8500

fscamps.com ·

P L A Y

Thrilling SUPER FLY ride

Can You Handle The Thrilling Excitement?

WEEKLY SESSIONS

T R A I N

50,000 Square Feet of PURE FUN! LASER TAG • 4D Motion Theatre • 200 Video & Prize Games • 30 Foot Rock Wall Himalaya Soft Adventure Zone for Little Tykes Bumper Cars • Pool Tables • Air Hockey Batting Cages • Restaurant

B E L I E V E

Ask about our private parties, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs & Sweet Sixteens 380 North Saw Mill Road, Elmsford

914-592-2111 www.sportimeusa.com Like Us & Receive Special Promotions

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Kid's Drop-Off Mini Camp 4/17 – 4/21 & 4/24 – 4/28 WestchesterParent 57

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Wagon Road Camp is part of The Children’s Aid Society a non-for-profit charitable organization

• Land Sports erforming Arts • Fine & Performing • Pools & Lakes se • Adventure Course

For Children en 3 to 13 Call to schedule a tour 914-367-1936 gordon@breezemont.com

For information, tour appointments & registration: 914.238.4761 janetl@childrensaidsociety.org • www.childrensaidsociety.org/wagon-road-camp

THE EXPERIENCE THAT AT LASTS A LIFETIME A

www.breezemont.com

Summer at

Continuing Education

SUMMER 2017 SERIOUS FOUNDATION. SERIOUS FUN.

Youth & Precollege Programs in the Arts

SAVE THE DATE!

Open House is Saturday April 22

Architecture, Creative Writing, Digital Arts Journalism, Music, Performing Arts, STEM, Visual Arts

10 a.m.

YOUTH: Grades 4-8

1, 2, & 4 Week Programs

PRECOLLEGE: Grades 9-12

June 26 – August 4, 2017

Questions? Call 914-251-6500 or email pre.college@purchase.edu Register Today! www.purchase.edu/youth

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

277 White Plains Rd Eastchester, NY

(914)

793-2799

-Ages 3 & Up -Daily & Weekly Drop in Camp -Saturday Dance Classes Available -Ages 2 & Up -Teen Intensives -Camps through Aug. 26th

CAMP MARKETPLACE

yrs. of Fun, Friends, & Fitness!

Great Perks For Members

For Kid 9 mos s to 12 yrs

For Boys & Girls, 4-14

Days Filled With Fun & Excitement!

2-8 Week Programs Available Operated by Licensed Teachers & Administrators We Accept All Union Rates Field Trips to Movies, Bowling & Magic Shows Sports & Games, Swimming, Soccer & Basketball Arts & Crafts, Face Painting & Talent Shows And More!

FOR INFORMATION ON OUR NEXT

Open HOuse CAll 1-914-792-6555 OR 1-800-dAyCAMp (329-2267)

Flexible MP SUMMER CA scheduling You choose the days! You choose the weeks!

gymna ninja c stics hallen ge pla presch ytime ool alt ernativ e cam best bir ps thdays !

Nothing Else Even Comes Close!

www.jodisgym.com

25 Hubbels Dr. Mt. Kisko â&#x20AC;¢ 914.244.8811

WestchesterParent 59

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Come learn from our experienced Montessori teachers who provide an individual, hands on lea rning environment. W e offer a variety of toddler and pre-K programs! Extended hours are available. Scarsdale 27 Crane Road 914-472-4404

This summer, children ages 5-13 will enjoy exciting, fun filled days at the Iona College camp. Our athletic facilities serve as the setting for an exciting summer. Your child will experience two periods of swimming, sporting events, a variety of dance, arts and crafts and music.

www.alcottschool.org Dobbs Ferry 535 Broadway 914-693-4443

Scarsdale 46 Fox Meadow Road 914-595-7551

OPEN HOUSE FEB 4TH 1-4 PM!

SUMMER CAMPS 2017 July 3 - August 25

Celebrating Our 44th Year!

Summer 2017 Camp Sessions

Session 1 : June 26th-July 21nd • Session 2 : July 24th-August 11th Offering Stimulating Courses Like... • Extended Day Available

• Computers • Theater • Robotics • Swimming • Digital Photography • Sports

• Hot Lunches Included • Transportation Available

Hartsdale, NY • Call: 914.328.3798 Email: Squirecamps@gmail.com

MAKE

Friends Memories Art

40 Beech Street, Port Chester, NY 10573

www.clayartcenter.org

P: 914-937 2047

SUMMER ART CAMP WWW.SUMMERATMCW.ORG -Half, Full and Extended Day Options The most flexible summer program in Westchester!

MUSICAL THEATRE & VOICE ARTS, CRAFTS & MUSIC DANCE & MOVEMENT HIP-HOP, ROCK, SALSA & MORE... Choose all or some of our four exciting sessions:

June 26 - July 7 July 10 - July 21 July 24 - Aug 4 Aug 7 - Aug 18

914-761-3900 216 Central Ave. White Plains, NY 10606 musicconservatory.org

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

914-723-9229 info@youngatartworkshop.com www.youngatartworkshop.com Half-Day Weekly Camps June 13-Sep 1 Grades 1-4 Ages 3-5 9:30am-12:00pm 1:00-4:00pm Daily Daily

Visit Us at NYMetroParents.com

CAMP MARKETPLACE Ask About Our Toddler Open Gym Programs! A walk in, non-instructional playtime for crawlers to 4 year olds

America’s oldest continuously running co-ed camp!

Summer Camp

Full, Half & Extended Day • Boys & Girls Ages 4½-12 Gymnastics, Sports Performance, Trips, Games & More Ask about our early bird special until 2-28-17

Affordable rates for sessions in June to August Beautiful 700 acre property in Southern CT Programs for campers aged 7 to 15

Gymnastics Classes

Boys & Girls • Ages 20 months & up Beginner-Advanced Cheerleading • Private Lessons

2, 4, 6, & 8 week sessions available. Many activites to choose from including; Sports, Arts, Music, Ceramics, & Waterfront options.

Private Birthday Parties

Air castles • Trampolines • Giant Slide Obstacles Courses, foam filled pit & more All of our famous parties are private, and our interactive staff will make your child’s party a very special one.

One Odell Plaza, Yonkers/Hastings border (exit 9 off Saw Mill River Pkwy)

914-965-7676 gymcats.net

CRAYON CRAYON

AY O N

The Goddard School's Summer Camp offers a broad range of programs and mini camps crafted to pique the interest and curiosity of every child; there is something for everybody!

Located At

CRA YO N

www.incarnationcamp.org Spring open houses and tours available. info@incarnationcamp.org or 860-787-0848 for more details

Call today to enroll!

JULY 5TH - AUGUST 31ST • 1 YEAR - 5 YEARS

NOW ENROLLING! HASTINGS ON HUDSON • 1 Jackson Avenue • 914-478-1390

GoddardSchool.com The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with Goddard Systems, Inc. Programs and ages may vary. © Goddard Systems, Inc. 2017.

License #00546763DCC

WestchesterParent 61

PartyCentral BIRTHDAY GIFTS GIRL AGAIN 4 Martine Ave., White Plains 914-358-1460 girlagain.com girlagain@yesshecaninc.org Girl AGain is a resale boutique for gently used American Girl dolls and books, which make great birthday gifts! PARTY ENTERTAINMENT AMANDABEAR PARTY RENTALS 347-326-5567 amandabearpartyrentals.com AmandaBear Party Rentals provides everything you need for an unforgettable party. AMY ROSEN COOKING BY DESIGN 917-903-1451 amyrosencookingbydesign.com amyrosencookingbydesign@gmail.com Have a cooking party for your child’s next birthday. From Cupcake Wars to Pizza Creations to chocolate melting, molding, and decorating, your kids will enjoy the fully hands-on experience. CLOWNS.COM Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals. DAVE’S CAST OF CHARACTERS 914-235-7100 davescast.com Make your party a special one! Dave’s entertainment services include more than 100 costumed characters. From princesses and superheroes to pirates and tea parties, there’s something for everyone. KIDS COOKERY 914-937-2012 lovekidscookery.com kidscookery@yahoo.com Kids Cookery’s passion is to make 62

your child’s birthday a memorable, unique, exciting, and creative cooking experience! LONGFORD’S MOBILE SCOOP SHOPPE 197 Lakeview Ave., West Harrison 914-804-6969 Longford’s Ice Cream 4 Elm Place, Rye 914-967-3797 longfordsicecream.com Westchester’s first mobile scoop shoppe serving our award-winning ice cream at all of your parties, celebrations, and private events. Book your event today. Also, visit our retail store in Rye to order one of our custom cakes for your next party celebration. PARTY PLACES A-GAME SPORTS 856 Main St., New Rochelle 914-278-9477 agamesports.net info@agamesports.net A-Game Sports offers a variety of birthday party packages for children of all ages. Each 90-minute party includes supervised playtime with two coaches on a private section of turf. ARTISTREE PERFORMING ARTS 114 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck 914-835-2200 artistreearts.com heather@artistreearts.com Artistree Performing Arts creates amazing birthday parties for children ages 1-10. Have your party in our beautifully renovated studio or let us come to you with just the entertainment. BACH TO ROCK MAMARONECK 130 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck 914-341-1457 mamaroneck.bachtorock.com mamaroneck@bachtorock.com Looking for a fun birthday party at a reasonable price? We have three different parties: Rock Star, Karaoke, or Rock City, for an unforgettable experience! BLUE MOON MEXICAN CAFÉ 7-27 Pondfield Road, Bronxville 914-337-4000 42 Kinderkamack Road, Woodcliff Lake, NJ

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.

201-782-9500 23 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ 201-541-0600 327 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 201-891-1331 595 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 201-784-3311 bluemoonmexicancafe.com Looking to spice up your child’s next birthday party without sending your savings south of the border? Your party guests will revel in a fun-filled celebration with a mouth-watering menu. Call today to find out more! CREATIVE CORNER OF LARCHMONT 7 Addison St., Larchmont 914-833-2880 creativecornerlarchmont.com creativecornerlarchmont@gmail.com Creative Corner is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday! Art party options include wood toys, treasure boxes, canvas bags, ceramic piggy banks, and canvas paintings. We will help every step of the way. DAVE AND BUSTER’S PELHAM MANOR 881 Pelham Parkway, Pelham Manor 914-380-8506 daveandbusters.com/specialevents beatriz_peneda@daveandbusters.com Dave & Buster’s of Pelham Manor is the best place for birthday parties, with great food and games all in one place, it’s the perfect party space. FASHION ARTS STUDIO OF WESTCHESTER 168A Irving Ave., Port Chester 917-995-3191 fashionartsstudio.com Have a fashion design theme party with The Fashion Arts Studio. It offers three themes: a Fashion Drawing Party, a Fashion Tote-Making Party, and a Fashion T-Shirt Decorating Party! FUNFUZION AT NEW ROC CITY 29 LeCount Place (Exit 16 off I-95), New Rochelle Party Central: 914-637-7575, option 1 funfuziononline.com Calling all birthday superstars! You and your guests will be dazzled by a unique, interactive party experience! GYMCATS GYMNASTICS AND BIRTHDAY PARTY CENTER 1 Odell Plaza at Equalize Fitness, Yonkers

914-965-7676 gymcats.net We are famous for our unique private birthday parties. Our enthusiastic, interactive staff will have partygoers laughing and yelling as they swing on rings, jump, bounce, climb, and roll through our super obstacle course. HOMMOCKS PARK ICE RINK Boston Post Road and Weaver Street, Larchmont 914-834-1069 hommocksparkicerink.org Have your birthday party on ice! Host your next special party at the coolest place in town, Mamaroneck’s popular enclosed Hommocks Park ice-skating rink. HOUSE OF SPORTS WESTCHESTER 1 Elm St., Ardsley 914-479-5419 houseofsportsny.com The House of Sports is Westchester’s ultimate birthday party zone for children of all ages! Give your child the party of their dreams by hosting a sportsthemed bash at Westchester’s premier athletic facility. JODI’S GYM 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 244 E. 84th St., Manhattan 212-772-7633 jodisgym.com Kids run, jump, climb, tumble, slide, bounce, and giggle to their hearts’ delight at Jodi’s Gym, at which action-packed parties and unmatched experience have won children’s hearts for 35 years. THE LITTLE GYM 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-799-1225 tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side, Manhattan 212-787-1124 tlguppereastsideny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444 tlgwaldwicknj.com A private party at The Little Gym is a perfect way to celebrate your child’s next

birthday. Gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, trampoline, sports, and music are tailored to your child’s interests! MUSICAL MUNCHKINS 167 Scarsdale Road, Tuckahoe 914-771-7000 musicalmunchkins.com Musical Munchkins is the perfect birthday party activity for babies through age 5! Enjoy group drumming, funny favorite sing-along songs, fabulous dancing scarves, and more! PLAYLAND ICE CASINO 100 Playland Parkway, Rye 914-481-5941; playlandice.com Kids and families love PlayLand Ice in Rye. You and your guests can have the ice all to yourself. Visit us online for more information. SPORTIME USA 380 Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford

914-592-2111 x2 sportimeusa.com Birthday parties? That’s our specialty! Celebrate your birthday at Sportime USA, the coolest place to have a party in Westchester. WESTCHESTER SKATING ACADEMY (WSA) 91 Fairview Park Drive (Route 9A), Elmsford 914-347-8232; skatewsa.com Westchester Skating Academy: the coolest place to have your party! All parties include ice-skating, skate rentals, a private party room, a party facilitator, pizza, and beverages. YOUNG AT ART WORKSHOP INC. 1088 Central Ave., Scarsdale 914-723-9229 A unique birthday party experience— each child brings home a personalized piece of art!

Professional

Meet the Health Care PROFESSIONAL Caring for Kids Dr. Ivis Getz 140 Lockwood Ave., Suite 315, New Rochelle 914-355-2265 caringpediatricdentistry.com caringpediatricdentistry@gmail.com

Dr. Ivis Getz, a board-certified pediatric dentist, is committed to providing the highest quality dental care to infants, children, adolescents, and those with special needs. Dr. Getz recognizes that each child is a unique individual who deserves compassion and respect, which is evident in her friendly manner and calm demeanor. The dental team truly enjoys working with kids and will treat your child with warmth and compassion. The practice participates in many dental insurance plans and has convenient after-school and Saturday appointments available.

A Lavishly Illustrated Children’s Story of Friendship and Overcoming Obstacles

Tilly...

services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS

COLLEGE ADVICE 101, JANE C. HOFFMAN, M.B.A., C.E.P. Larchmont 914-833-1573 collegeadvice101.com jane@collegeadvice101.com Personalized advice and support to students and parents as they navigate the increasingly complex college admissions terrain and research, apply, and gain admission to colleges.

WESTCHESTER PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING CENTER Dr. Friedmutter, director 1088 Central Park Ave., Suite 224, Scarsdale 914-548-7509 wptcenter.com; wptcenter@gmail.com At Westchester Psychological Testing Center we offer psychological, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological evaluations to determine if an individual has a learning disability, autism, or Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and what specific test accommodations or special education services are necessary and appropriate.

A Deer’s Tale (BASED ON A TRUE STORY)

Follow the adventures of a rescued baby deer. Share Tilly’s courage and valiant recovery. Call 914-764-5564

Want to know the Best Activities for Families? LEGAL SERVICES

BAKSHI LAW Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester 917-244-6133 lawbakshi.com lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law, representing parents and children with disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE, and resolution meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance on a sliding scale.

to schedule a free Tilly Event for schools, libraries & hospitals Available at Barnes & Noble, Walden Books and at Amazon.com For books preview and sale, visit us at:

www.tillyadeerstale.com

Want to know the Best Activities for Families?

SPECIAL NEEDS

BAKSHI LAW

Officesactivity in the Financial District, Long Subscribe to our family Island, and Westchester email newsletter. 917-244-6133

lawbakshi.com; lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law, representing parents and children with disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE, and resolution meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance on a sliding scale.

Subscribe to our family activity email newsletter.

NYMetroParents.com/register WestchesterParent 63

Want to know

OPEN HOUSES 2017 Harvey Cavalier Summer Camp at the Harvey School

260 Jay St., Katonah Off-season: 845-677-0491 Summer: 914-232-0581 harveycavaliercamp.org cdelcampo@harveyschool.org Harvey Cavalier Summer Camp open house will be held on March 4.

Hudson Country Montessori School

340 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle 914-636-6202 hudsoncountry.org Tours are available each weekday beginning at 9:30am. Please call to schedule a visit and see how we inspire a love of learning in each child.

Oasis Summer Day Camp in Dobbs Ferry at Mercy College

Upper Camp-Mercy College 555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry 646-519-5057 Lower Camp-Masters School 49 Clinton Ave., Dobbs Ferry oasischildren.com dobbs@oasischildren.com Join us for an information session for Lower Camp, ages 3 to entering first grade, on March 11 and 25, April 8 and 29, and May 13 and 20 from 1-2pm Masters School Middle School.

Purchase College Summer Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts

Purchase College 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase Music Building, Room 0078 914-251-6500 purchase.edu/youth laura.vuli@purchase.edu Learn more about the programs, take a tour, and meet the instructors! Saturday, April 22 from 10am-12pm. Visual Arts tour begins at 10:30am. Performing Arts tour begins at 11:15am. RSVP online or call 914-251-6500.

Purchase Sports Camp at Manhattanville College

2900 Purchase St., Purchase 914-315-7507 purchasesportscamp.com Join us for an open house on Feb. 18 and March 18 from 2-4pm in the Richard A Berman Student Center at Manhattanville College.

Thornton-Donovan School

100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle 914-632-8836 td.edu Join us for Thornton-Donovan School’s open houses on Sunday, March 26 from 2-4pm, and Sunday, April 23 from 2-4pm.

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March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS Gym Cats Gymnastics.................................................... 61 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................................... 59 BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES Amy Rosen Cooking by Design...................................... 35 Bach to Rock - Westchester........................................... 56 Blue Moon Mexican Café .............................................. 27 Chelsea Piers - CT......................................................... 55 Clay Art Center............................................................... 60 Dave & Buster’s Pelham Manor..................................... 27 Gym Cats Gymnastics.................................................... 61 House of Sports.............................................................. 49 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................................... 59 Little Gym - Westchester................................................ 11 PlayLand Ice Casino....................................................... 53 Sportime USA Inc........................................................... 57 Westchester Parent Party Planner................................. 64 Westchester Skate Academy.......................................... 53 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 53 CAMPS Ann & Andy..................................................................... 35 Bach to Rock - Westchester........................................... 56 Badger Day Camp.......................................................... 50 Boys & Girls Club........................................................... 56 Breezemont Day Camp.................................................. 58 Camp Clio....................................................................... 57 Camp Huntington............................................................ 49 Camp Pequot / Camp Sherwood.................................... 61 Camp Ramaquois........................................................... 50 Camp Young Judea Sprout Westchester........................ 61 Chelsea Piers - CT......................................................... 55 Clay Art Center............................................................... 60 Concordia College.......................................................... 57 Emelin Theatre............................................................... 27 FashionU........................................................................ 54 Future Stars.................................................................... 57 Gate Hill Day Camp........................................................ 59 Goddard School - Hastings............................................ 61 Green Meadow Waldorf School...................................... 67 Harvey School Cavalier Summer Camp......................... 21 Hudson Country Montessori....................................... 7, 48 Iona College Summer Day Camps................................. 60 JCC of Harrison Early Childhood Center........................ 47 Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................................... 59 John A. Coleman School................................................ 48 Kinetic Family Sports Club............................................. 52 Little Gym - Westchester................................................ 11 Masters School (The)..................................................... 54 MVP Basketball Camp.................................................... 56 Oasis Children Services................................................... 2 Purchase College-Youth & Pre-College Programs......... 58 Purchase Sports Camp.................................................. 55 Scarsdale Synagogue.................................................... 56 Spearman Golf Academy................................................ 55 Sportime......................................................................... 51 Squire Advantage Camps............................................... 60 Studio B Dance............................................................... 58 Teatown Lake Reservation............................................. 31 Thornton Donovan School................................................ 9 Twin Lakes Farm............................................................ 51 Wagon Road Camp........................................................ 58 Westfair Camp @ Pace Aquatics................................... 59 Windward School............................................................ 54 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 53 Young At Art.................................................................... 60 Young People’s Day Camp - Westchester...................... 59

CHILD CARE / DAY CARE Ann & Andy..................................................................... 35 CLASSES Alcott Montessori............................................................ 60 Amy Rosen Cooking by Design...................................... 35 Bach to Rock - Westchester........................................... 56 Boys & Girls Club........................................................... 56 Clay Art Center............................................................... 60 Easter Seals Project Explore.......................................... 49 FashionU........................................................................ 54 Fin 2 Swim...................................................................... 54 Gym Cats Gymnastics.................................................... 61 Harvey School Cavalier Summer Camp......................... 21 JCC of Harrison Early Childhood Center........................ 47 John A. Coleman School................................................ 48 Kinetic Family Sports Club............................................. 52 Music Conservatory of Westchester............................... 60 PlayLand Ice Casino....................................................... 53 Sportime......................................................................... 51 Steffi Nossen School of Dance....................................... 27 Studio B Dance............................................................... 58 Twin Lakes Farm............................................................ 51 Westchester Comm College - Extention Program.......... 52 Westchester County Parks............................................. 50 Westchester Skate Academy.......................................... 53 Windward School............................................................ 54 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 53 Young At Art.................................................................... 60 DANCE Steffi Nossen School of Dance....................................... 27 Studio B Dance............................................................... 58 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 53 DEVELOPMENTAL Isa Marrs Speech Language Pathology, P.C............ 13, 17 Young Child Expo........................................................... 27 EDUCATION Alcott Montessori............................................................ 60 Bakshi Law..................................................................... 27 Camp Young Judea Sprout Westchester........................ 61 Children’s Jewish Education Group................................ 54 Dicker Reading Method.................................................... 5 Goddard School - Hastings............................................ 61 Green Meadow Waldorf School...................................... 67 Hudson Country Montessori....................................... 7, 48 JCC of Harrison Early Childhood Center........................ 47 John A. Coleman School................................................ 48 Masters School (The)..................................................... 54 Scarsdale Synagogue.................................................... 56 Sylvan Learning Centers................................................ 25 Thornton Donovan School................................................ 9 Westchester Community College - Extention Program..... 52 Westchester County Parks............................................. 50 Windward School............................................................ 54 FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS Chelsea Piers - CT......................................................... 55 Dave & Buster’s Pelham Manor..................................... 27 Emelin Theatre............................................................... 27 House of Sports.............................................................. 49 Ski Butternut................................................................... 13 Sportime USA Inc........................................................... 57 FITNESS Jodi’s Gym - Westchester............................................... 59

HEALTH Caring for Kids Pediatric Dentistry.................................. 63 Einstein College of Medicine.......................................... 15 Pediatric Associates of Southern Westchester............... 13 LEGAL SERVICES Bakshi Law..................................................................... 27 MUSIC Bach to Rock - Westchester........................................... 56 Music Conservatory of Westchester............................... 60 Purchase College-Youth & Pre-College Programs......... 58 PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING Emelin Theatre............................................................... 27 Purchase College-Youth & Pre-College Programs......... 58 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 53 RELIGIOUS Archdiocese of New York.................................................. 3 Children’s Jewish Education Group................................ 54 RESTAURANT / FOOD SERVICES Blue Moon Mexican Café .............................................. 27 RETAIL Tilly...A Deer’s Tale......................................................... 63 SPECIAL EVENTS Dave & Buster’s Pelham Manor..................................... 27 Jewish Week (The)......................................................... 12 Young Child Expo........................................................... 27 SPECIAL NEEDS Bakshi Law..................................................................... 27 Camp Huntington............................................................ 49 Dicker Reading Method.................................................... 5 Easter Seals Project Explore.......................................... 49 Isa Marrs Speech Language Pathology, P.C............ 13, 17 Young Child Expo........................................................... 27 SPORTS Badger Day Camp.......................................................... 50 Camp Ramaquois........................................................... 50 Fin 2 Swim...................................................................... 54 Future Stars.................................................................... 57 Iona College Summer Day Camps................................. 60 Kinetic Family Sports Club............................................. 52 MVP Basketball Camp.................................................... 56 Purchase Sports Camp.................................................. 55 Spearman Golf Academy................................................ 55 Sportime......................................................................... 51 Squire Advantage Camps............................................... 60 Twin Lakes Farm............................................................ 51 Westfair Camp @ Pace Aquatics................................... 59 YMCA - White Plains...................................................... 53 THEATER Emelin Theatre............................................................... 27 TUTORS Dicker Reading Method.................................................... 5 Sylvan Learning Centers................................................ 25

WestchesterParent 65

Stage Mother

Melissa Errico

VOICES ››

How I juggled motherhood with a dream role in a special musical By Melissa Errico

y kids regularly see me get ready for auditions, dressing up like a lawyer or the Queen of England, only to come home later and say I might not have gotten the job. We laugh. It’s Mommy’s life. They have learned that actors muster up their confidence and their passion, while having to accept a certain amount of powerlessness. I hope, above all, they learn from me that the process is as important as the final result. But—drum roll, please!—sometimes an actor gets super lucky. Just as the school year was beginning, I was asked to star in an off-Broadway musical called Finian’s Rainbow. Written in 1946, the show deals head on with the America of the Jim Crow South and its racism—and features incredible singing and dancing. I was excited for the role because I knew it was a special, timely musical as well as a worthy piece of Broadway history, having been the first musical in which black and white actors shared the stage and shared dressing rooms. However, with three daughters—a 10-year-old and twins who are 8—I had to figure out how to juggle a theater schedule and a family. I fretted about the details of home life that I would not be able to manage while I was at work during the hours of 4-10pm. Matinee days would bring even longer hours, and every day I would need to get plenty of sleep and protect my voice. To complicate matters further, my kids were starting a new school, and I so wanted to help them with everything that transition entails. On the other hand, the show was scheduled to run merely for six weeks, and so I accepted the job, figuring two months of work was manageable. As it turns out, blessedly, our production of Finian’s Rainbow became a hit. Every night was an incredible experience, and I felt I was a part of something important. The show was extended many times, and suddenly I was working through Thanksgiving, and then through Christmas, and then New Year’s Eve. It grew into a five-month commitment. My kids are torn. They want it to end but also feel proud that it has been going so well. They come to the theater sometimes and sit in my dressing room on weekend matinee days. We take it day by day. As I write this, I still have another three weeks to go. Here’s how I’ve made it work: I wake up at 6:30am with the kids and my husband, and I prepare their breakfasts, after which one of us walks them to school. I then go back to bed but get up in time to take them to lunch (which their school allows) on days

The author and her daughters backstage in her Finian’s Rainbow dressing room

when I don’t have a matinee. And then it’s off to work. I don’t get to help them with their homework or put them to bed. We talk on the phone, and I FaceTime with them from my dressing room. I placed a box on the kitchen table where they leave any homework or tests they want me to see. They know that as soon as I come home, I’ll sign parent forms and read their returned homework. I’ll track missing gloves and a (still) missing blue sneaker. When they can’t sleep, I tell them to text me messages I’ll see during my breaks from the stage in Act Two. I text them selfies of myself blowing them kisses from my dressing table, and they do the same from their bedrooms. I miss them every day, but I also know the work I am doing is important for them to take part in, even at a distance. They have adjusted amazingly well to a new school, without me home to help at night. I am proud of the juggling we have all done as a family. Being an actress in the New York theater is no different than being any other working mom—except it keeps me out at night. Going to bed late means I have to catch up on sleep with naps while doing whatever I can to connect to the children in every way possible. My family has taken on a lot of challenges so I can be a singer, and we talk about it often. I applaud them regularly for their strength, understanding, and flexibility. They also appreciate what a beautiful production I am in, and that it has a remarkably important message to give audiences. We also know that one of the greatest things about New York City life is live theater. It is rare to have the opportunity to star in a show all of us believe in so strongly. The show will be over soon enough, and the next challenge of being an actress mommy will present itself. Until that happens, I will be able to slow down for a moment and make up for many missed bedtime kisses. Though I sing at bedtime, it is not always a mother’s intimate lullaby. My hope is that my daughters will always hear two things in my song: That my voice is inspired by loving them, and that a woman’s work can be fascinating and fulfilling.

Tony Award-nominated singer and actress Melissa Errico has three young girls and is married to ESPN commentator and former tennis pro Patrick McEnroe. They are lifelong New Yorkers. Finian’s Rainbow closed in late January.

March 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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WestchesterParent 67

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