Syracuse parent june

JUNE 2014

My journey to becoming a mom Make Father’s Day all about dad

Building a field of dreams

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some helpful information for your family

family

FYI

Make Father’s Day all about dad

Sports Sunday: If dad is a sports

fan, his idea of spending a fun-filled afternoon very well may be cheering on his favorite players. Whether your father enjoys golf, tennis, baseball, soccer, or another sport like hunting or fishing, chances are there is a television broadcast on that you can watch together. Otherwise, you can surprise dad by purchasing tickets to a

sporting event and making a day of it at the ballpark.

Beach bound: A relaxing day at

the beach may be the perfect way to spend Father’s Day. dad can enjoy the entire family while sitting back in his beach chair and watching the waves roll in. Pack a picnic lunch with his favorite foods and a cold beer, and Dad may just say this was his best celebration yet.

Adventure seeker: If yours is

a father who enjoys living on the edge, a Father’s Day activity built around action and adventure should be a winner. Take dad base jumping, rock climbing, scuba diving, or race car driving. Any of these activities is bound to get dad’s adrenaline pumping.

R&R: Dad’s idea of the

perfect Father’s Day may be an

afternoon free of obligations and deadlines. A relaxing day in the yard swimming laps in the pool or hitting a few grounders to your waiting baseball mitt may be all the excitement he needs. Toss a few steaks on the grill to give Father’s Day a truly perfect ending.

Impromptu party: Some dads like

to be the center of attention. A Father’s Day party thrown in his honor — complete with friends and family, can be an entertaining way to spend the day. If you are worried about interrupting others’ Father’s Day plans, host the gathering on the Saturday before Father’s Day and let dad be the life of the party. Finger foods, barbecue, a limited list of cocktails and other beverages and some background music are all that you need to host a festive function.

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Dad gets to be king of his castle at least one day during the year.

Come mid-June, children near and far scramble for ideas to treat their fathers to a special day and award him with gifts for being a role model, provider and confidante. Father’s Day activities should be centered around dad’s interests. With that in mind, the following are some ideas to honor Dad or another special man in your life.

JUNE 2014 SYRACUSE PARENT

3

meals in minutes

fast and easy meals to get your family to the table on time

Fresh-picked & Mini tarts

Prep time: 30 min Cook time: 18 min Yield: 70

Ingredients:

fabulous

2 8-ounce packs cream cheese, softened 2 cups butter 4 1/2 cups flour 3 (3 ounce) packs strawberry gelatin mix 1 cup sugar 3 drops red food coloring 3 1/2 cups boiling water 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/4 cup water 3 lbs strawberries, sliced 1 1/2 cups whipped topping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease mini muffin pans.

2. Beat cream cheese and

Strawberry mousse

Prep time: 10 minutes Set time: two hours Yield: 6

Ingredients

1 quart fresh strawberries 1 1.4-ounce package strawberry gelatin 1/2 cup boiling water 4

SYRACUSE PARENT

Strawberries pack a punch in these summery desserts

butter in a bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in flour until all is incorporated.

Roll dough into 70 small balls, and press each into a muffin cup.

3. Bake crusts until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes.

Remove and cool.

4. Stir gelatin, sugar and food coloring into the boiling water. Place over high heat; bring back to a boil. Stir together cornstarch and water to make a paste, then stir into the boiling gelatin until dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.

1/4 cup sugar 2 cups heavy cream Whole strawberries and whipped cream for garnish

5. Spoon cooled gelatin mixture evenly into tart shells. Push a strawberry half down into each tart. If desired, top each tart with a small amount of whipped topping just before serving.

water over gelatin and sugar. Stir until dissolved.

Pour pureed strawberries into gelatin and stir until combined. The mixture Directions Wash and trim strawberries. should be room temperature Cut each in half and puree in at this point. If not, refrigerate until cool. a blender or food processor Whip cream until stiff until smooth. Set and fold into gelatin and aside. strawberry mixture until well In a large bowl, pour blended.

Refrigerate for two hours. boiling

what’s inside

feature story

14 Building a field of dreams

meals in minutes 4 Fresh picked and fabulous

from the editor 6

Disney: Ever-changing and updating

healthy family 16 19

contents

family FYI

3 Make Father’s Day all about dad 20 It’s not all fun and games 22 Make your own family-friendly vacation

learning curve

11 My journey to becoming a mom 12 When quality matters 17 We’re in this together: Father’s Day Q&A 25 Summer camp ... paradise

When should my child start seeing the dentist Is it fix-up time for your home?

calendar 8 What’s happening around you

cover photo East Syracuse dad Dom Cambareri gets ready for the local Challenger Baseball season with sons, Antonio, 11, and Domenico, 19. Photographed by Raine C. Dufrane, owner of Raineydayz Photography. 430.3229 or visit raineydayz.com.

JUNE 2014 SYRACUSE PARENT

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from the editor

Disney: Ever-changing and updating We recently returned from our visit to Walt Disney World in sunny Orlando, Fla., and back to the reality of work, chores and, unfortunately, the cooler temperatures of Central New York.

As with any visit to Disney, I find that I am not relaxed from the trip. After all, it’s up to me to get everything organized from the early planning stages to the wakeup calls each day for breakfast at whatever park.

This year, there was the added stress of a new system for Disney’s Fast Pass.

What is a Fast Pass, you ask? A Fast Pass enables park guests to return later in the day to a popular ride that has a hefty wait time and skip to the front of the line within an assigned onehour window. Previously, guests would simply feed their park ticket into a machine at the ride’s entrance that would then spit out a Fast Pass with an assigned time, such as 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. for the return to the ride.

Now, with Fast Pass Plus, these “jumps” to the line can be set up online ahead of time or at Fast Pass Plus kiosks located throughout Disney’s four parks.

Although it is certainly convenient to be able to set up your Fast Passes before you even leave home, there are some drawbacks: 1. You are only allowed to set up three Fast Passes ahead of time.

2. You can’t split those three Fast Passes among parks.

3. You can only have one Fast Pass for a ride. For instance, if you have already done a Fast Pass for Expedition Everest, you cannot schedule another one for that day.

This changed the dynamic of our trip, as we have favorite rides on which we typically would try to squeeze in more than one ride a day via the Fast Pass of old. But with stand-by wait times sometimes exceeding 100 minutes, this no longer is a possibility, unless one is willing to come to the park when it first opens and lines are not long.

Disney is a typically a very guest-oriented company and, thus, the Fast Pass Plus option is a work in progress, so things may change. In fact, before I left for the trip, those three passes were the only allotment doled out to guests per day. By the time we arrived in Disney, they had changed that rule to allow guests to get additional Fast Passes once your three initial ones were used up (one at a time and only on rides you had not already expended Fast Passes on, and you had to be in that ride’s park in order to book subsequent passes.)

We adjusted and still had a great time, with surprisingly very little difficulty using the updated service. Perhaps you can teach an old dog new tricks, after all.

Stay up-to-date with us on Twitter, @SRYparent, and at facebook.com/SyracuseParentMagazine. Jennifer Wing can be reached at jwing@eaglenewsonline.com

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SYRACUSE PARENT JUNE 2014

Jennifer Wing Editor

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David B. Tyler 434-8889 ext. 302 dtyler@eaglenewsonline.com

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434-8889 ext. 331 art@eaglenewsonline.com We want your news! Contributions can be sent to Farah Jadran, Associate Editor, Syracuse Parent Magazine, 2501 James Street, Suite 100 Syracuse, New York 13206. Original contributions become the property of Syracuse Parent Magazine. Contributions cannot be acknowledged or returned. To contact us please call 315.434.8889, or fax 315.434.8883 Syracuse Parent Magazine is a unit of Community Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 10th day of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates available upon request. Syracuse Parent Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services, or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this paper. Copyright © 2008 by Syracuse Parent Magazine. No portion of Syracuse Parent Magazine may be reproduced without permission from the editor.

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Staff on call 24 HOURS A day!

calendar

here is what’s happening around you

Sun June 1 BUILD YOUR WORLD. 11 AM. Toothpick building contest orientation at the MOST, 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse. This summer, the MOST is holding a toothpick building contest for everyone in Central New York. Come to the orientation meeting for a copy of the rules and to get tips from the master, Stan Munro, creator of Toothpick World, which is currently on display at the MOST. He will be offering a 45-minute class outlining the techniques he uses to build landmark towers, religious buildings, baseball stadiums and even the U.S.S. Enterprise from toothpicks. Deadline to submit your masterpiece is Aug. 16. Orientation class is free with exhibit admission; a second orientation class will be at 11 a.m. June 21.

“PRACTICING FORGIVENESS IN MARRIAGE.” 7 to 9 PM. “The Way We Start Over.” Sponsored by THE THIRD OPTION, an on-going program to build better marriages and the Family Life Education Office. Holy Cross Church, 4112 E. Genesee St. Syracuse. Walk-ins welcome. For more information see thethirdoption.com or call 472-6728. A Family Life, Hope Appeal program.

Mon June 2 MAKING WISHES TRUE. 10:30 AM. 27th Onondaga Beverage Make-A-Wish Open Annual.

Central New York invites the public to take part in the annual Onondaga Beverage Corp. This year’s event will take place at the Bellevue Country Club in Syracuse. For more than two decades, golfers have come together for this competitive golf tournament to help make wishes come true for children in Central New York. For the first time ever, your team can choose Team Best Ball or Captain & Crew. Tournament registration will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by an 11:45 a.m. shotgun start. To register in advance for the Make-A-Wish Open, call Make-A-Wish Central New York at 475-9474.

CAMILLUS

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8086 Oswego Rd. Phone: 652-1070

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Tue June 3 FABULOUS 4’S AND 5’S STORYTIME. Tuesdays at 10:30 AM. Help your preschooler get ready to read as we enjoy stories together and build important early literacy skills. Fayetteville Free Library. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

CRAFTASTIC CRITTERS. Every Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. Drop-in and make craft mermaids, for kids aged 4-10. fflib.org.

Wed June 4 TERRIFIC 2’S AND 3’S STORYTIME. Wednesday at 10:30 AM. Nurture a love of books with

e aldwinsvill 3275 Cold Springs Road • B rms.com fa 315-638-7783 • abbott

Shop at our Farm Store

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U-Pick

Strawberries: June Cherries: late June - July Raspberries: June- July Blueberries: July- August

the Farm Sign up for Art on

Visit Our Barnyard!

Animals

your 2 or 3 year old. We will learn letters, sounds and words as we share stories, songs and rhymes.

Fayetteville Free Library. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

BRANCH OUT AND GROW. 7 to 8:30 PM. A support group for separated and divorced.

Bishop Ludden High School, 815 Fay Road, Syracuse. Besides support, we will also be showing a meditative video: “Facing My Anger” by DivorceCare and discussing it. All are welcome. Sponsored

by Family Life Education (A Hope Appeal Agency). 472-6754, ext. 5. familylifeeducationsyracuse. org.

FIRST STEPS. Wednesdays at 9:30 AM. Calling all Toddlers! First Steps is an action packed, language building program that features music, movement, rhymes and stories. For children who are good walkers. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

Thu June 5 ICE CREAM SOCIAL. 4 to 8 PM. The Friends of NOPL Cicero are having their annual Ice Cream Social and will be selling chocolate or strawberry sundaes for $1.50 each. Please come and support the library. NOPL Cicero Library, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. $1.50/sundae. 699-2032. nopl.org.

CUDDLETIME. Thursdays at 9:30 AM. Enjoy rhymes, songs, stories and more with your baby at

Book your birthday party, Farm tour or special event with us!

Gifford Ice Cream 8

SYRACUSE PARENT JUNE 2014

this language-building program. For babies not yet walking. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

TALK & SIGNING. 7 PM. James K. McGuire: Boy Mayor and Irish Nationalist by Joseph Fahey.

We are pleased to welcome Joseph Fahey for a talk and signing of his biography of James K. McGuire, a significant figure in U.S. political history and the Irish-American community. Barnes & Noble. 3454 Erie Blvd East, DeWitt.

calendar continued on next page

calendar STORYTIME WITH MISS COLLEEN. Every Thursday at 10 AM. Barnes & Noble story times are always fun, filled with great books, silly songs and cool activities. Great for toddlers and preschoolers. Barnes & Noble. 3454 Erie Blvd East, DeWitt.

AFTER SCHOOL STORYTIME & SNACK. Thursdays from 4:15 to 5 PM. After school, stop by the Fayetteville Free Library for stories, an after school snack and activity. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

Fri June 6 SUMMER READING KICK-OFF EVENT. 7 PM. Students entering grades 1-6 and their families are invited to our 2014 Summer Reading kick-off event. Learn how to earn a free book just by reading this summer and celebrate the imagination with dragon themed activities. Barnes & Noble. 3454 Erie Blvd East, DeWitt.

Sat June 7 BREEDING BIRD HIKE. 1:30 to 3 PM. Montezuma’s forests and wetlands are teaming with life. Neotropical songbirds like the yellow warbler, Baltimore oriole, and scarlet tanager, and waterfowl have also returned. A 2-mile long walk over flat terrain will provide excellent opportunities to hone identification skills of songbirds and waterfowl. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair from us. Fee: $4/child; $6/adult; $20/family.

Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 State Route 89, Savannah.

IMAX SPECIAL: “EVEREST.” 5 PM. June 7, 14, 21 and 28, at the MOST, 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse. Follow an international team of climbers attempt to ascend Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak on Earth, in spring 1996. The film depicts the challenges the group faced, including avalanches, lack of oxygen, ice walls, and a deadly blizzard.

Cost: For members, $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for children ages 2 to 17 and seniors age 65 and up. For nonmembers, $10 for adults, $8 for children 2-11 or seniors age 65 and up. 425-9068.

WORLD OCEANS DAY. 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Free with paid admission or zoo membership. Life on earth depends on water, and oceans connect us all. From the air we breathe, to the food we eat and the climate we live in, the world’s oceans are crucial to the survival of the planet. Enjoy feeding demonstrations and keeper talks featuring our aquatic residents, and learn how you can help make a difference. Together we have the power to protect the ocean. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, One Conservation Place, Syracuse. 435-8511.

CNY ROCKET TEAM CHALLENGE. 8 AM to 1 PM. Skytop Field, Syracuse University.Teams of middle and high school students from across Central New York will launch high-powered rockets that they designed and built at the 11th annual Rocket Team Challenge. The event is held at Syracuse University’s Skytop field, and the public is invited to come watch.

Free.

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LOCAL AUTHOR SHAIRON BAILHE OF “THE GREAT DANE AND LITTLE TURTLE.” 2 to 4 PM. Sharon Bailhe, the author of “The Great Dane and Little Turtle” a cookbook with recipes and stories about life and love. Bailhe will be available for a book discussion followed by a book signing. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

calendar continued on page 10 JUNE 2014 SYRACUSE PARENT

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calendar

here is what’s happening around you

Sun June 8 MONTEZUMA BIRDING HIKE. 9 to 11 AM. Montezuma Audubon Center’s forests and wetlands are teaming with life. A two-mile long walk over flat terrain will provide excellent opportunities to hone visual and audio identification skills of songbirds and waterfowl. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair from us. Fee: $4 per child; $6 per adult; $20 per family.

Savannah, N.Y. audubon.org.

“HIKE ON A BIKE” BOOK TALK & SIGNING. 2 to 4 PM. Join us for a book talk with Bernard Gero, author of the storybook “Hike on a Bike”, followed by a book signing. Fayetteville Free Library. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

Mon June 9 FREE DENTAL SERVICE. 7 AM to 4 PM. Free dental service for retired police, firemen, EMT’s. Eastwood Dental Office will be providing a free cleaning or extraction or one filling to retired police officers, firemen and EMTs. The free service will be on a first-come, first-served basis. This is the first year Eastwood Dental Office will be providing the free service to retired police officers, firemen and EMTs. Last year Dr. Laura provided the service to retired military on Veteran’s Day. For more information go to eastwooddentaloffice.com. 438-3333.

Wed June 11 FAMILY CRAFT NIGHT: DIY WINDSOCKS. 6 to 7 PM. This month, we will be creating DIY windsocks. All supplies will be provided. A $5 donation per person is suggested. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

Sat June 14 MONTEZUMA BIRDING VAN TOUR. 8 to 11 AM. Migrating songbirds and raptors are back on their breeding grounds and raising their young. Hop in our van for an excursion to Montezuma’s backcountry birding hotspots where dozens of neotropical migrants can be seen and heard! Participants are encouraged to bring their camera and binoculars.

Fee: $8/child; $13.50/adult. Savannah, N.Y. audubon.org.

TALK & SIGNING. Toward a Womanist Ethic of Incarnation: Black Bodies, the Black Church, and the Council of Chalcedon by Eboni Marshall Turman. 2 PM. We welcome Eboni Marshall Turman for a talk and signing. The Black Church is an institution that emerged in rebellion against injustice perpetrated upon black bodies. Barnes & Noble. 3454 Erie Blvd East. DeWitt. 449-2948.

SUMMER BOOK SALE. 10 AM to 4 PM. The biggest and best FFL book sale of the year is June 14 and 15. You will find great deals on all your favorite books! With thousands of choices in fiction, non-fiction, storybooks, board games, cookbooks, history, gardening and more, you will be sure to find a gem for you and the family. Stop in before noon and pay $5 to get the first pick. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

SENSORY FRIENDLY TIME. 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the MOST, 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse. Staff turns down the noise, turns off flashing lights, and shuts off the air compressors so people with sensory processing challenges can enjoy the museum. The museum also offers quiet areas where participants can sit, relax, and regroup. Cost: $5 per person for nonmembers, free for members. 425-9068, ext. 2143.

WEBELOS WORKSHOP – OUTDOORSMAN. 1 to 3 PM. The Montezuma Audubon Center is the perfect place for cub scouts to connect with nature. Scouts will learn the true meaning of being an outdoorsman during this outdoor program! Scouts will learn several skills to become more advanced campers. Fee: $7/scout. Savannah, N.Y. audubon.org.

FATHER’S DAY STORYTIME. 11 AM. Join us for a storytime featuring Mighty Dads, a new picture book from New York Times bestselling author Joan Holub and “Pete the Cat” creator/illustrator James Dean, dedicated to hardworking fathers and the subtle ways they teach their boys and girls to follow in their tracks. Children ages 3-5. Barnes & Noble. 3454 Erie Blvd East. DeWitt. 449-2948.

“THE LIFE OF A SEED” – ART ON THE FARM. 10 AM to Noon.

Abbott Farms, Baldwinsville. Explore the wonders of seeds at Abbott Farms and how they grow into colorful plants and food for people and animals. Plant a sunflower seed and also create a personal work of art to take home. Activity for first through thirrd grade. All materials provided $15 per artist Register via tours@abbottfarms.com. 289-2706.

Wed June 18 MARSH VOLUNTEER EVENT. 9 AM to 1 PM. MARSH is part of a larger effort to restore, protect and enhance wildlife habitat on nearly 50,000 acres of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Volunteers will remove Eurpoean frogbit from the waterways at Howland’s Island. Work side by side with NYSDEC Wildlife Biologists and other like-minded individuals to make Montezuma a better place for birds and other wildlife.

Bring your own canoe/kayak or borrow one from us. Lunch will be provided. Free. Savannah, N.Y. audubon.org.

BRANCH OUT AND GROW. 7 to 8:30 PM. A support group for separated and divorced. Bishop Ludden High School, 815 Fay Road, Syracuse. Besides support, there is a showing of a meditative video: “Facing My Depression” by DivorceCare and discussing it. All are welcome. Sponsored by Family Life Education (A Hope Appeal Agency).

472-6754, ext. 5. familylifeeducationsyracuse.org.

LEGO BRAINSTORM. 3:30 to 5 PM. Join us for an introduction to basic LEGO Robotic programming followed by a mission challenge.

Participants will work in groups of 4 to design and program their robot to complete the mission. Grades 3-5. Please register. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

Thu June 19 TEEN HOME SCHOOL NATURE SERIES. 1 to 3 PM. Manage a Forest A forest must be managed to provide food, water, and shelter for birds and other wildlife. Homeschoolers ages 11 and up will take care of the forests wildflowers, shrubs and seedlings by removing invasive plants, watering the native vegetation, and ensuring protective guards are in place. Bird songs will rain down upon us as we work to conserve the bird’s habitat. Fee: $8/student. Savannah, N.Y. audubon.org.

SMARTPLAY. 10:30 AM to 12 PM. Drop in and shop at the FFL Grocery Mart or put on your own puppet show! Play with games, puzzles, storyboards and more! Smartplay encourages discovery, creativity and the development of early literacy skills. Appropriate for young children ages 5 and below. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

calendar continued on page 26

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SYRACUSE PARENT JUNE 2014

the ins and outs of educational and stimulating activities for your children

learning curve

My journey to becoming a mom

By Tami Scott It’s 6:30 a.m. Aside from the clicking sound my keyboard makes when I type, the house is quiet. A different quiet than it was just a half a year ago. Then, it was just my husband and me. Now, there are four of us.

Our son, who is 6, and our daughter, 12, have another hour of sleep before they have to wake up for school. The morning will become brighter.

“It’s time to get up, Sunshine,” I’ll say to my son, then walk to my daughter’s bedroom to ruffle her hair.

Our daughter is by far the easier of the two to get out of bed; our son will take another 20 minutes before he wipes the sand away from his eyes.

The house is now swinging into action and soon the kids, with full stomachs and backpacks in place, will be on their way to the bus stop.

This has become the new normal in our home — it’s a change that we chose to embrace, body, mind and heart, when we decided to adopt.

During the summer of 2012, Tim and I began the physical process of starting a family when we signed on with Grace International Adoption Agency and Family Connections for our home study. After doing our research, we had found Colombia to be our best match. Tim teaches and speaks fluent Spanish, he was familiar with the country having traveled there a few years prior, the government was stable and the distance was not too far.

We also knew we wanted siblings and Grace offers a program in Colombia that focuses on the adoption of healthy, older children. And though we wanted our children to be as young as possible, we were open to a wide range of ages, boys and girls.

It wasn’t until a full year and one month later in August 2013 when we were given the referral for our kids. In fact, our caseworker was hesitant to hand it over due to our daughter’s age — she was already 12 going on 13 soon. Was she too old?

No, we realized, and we accepted the referral.

On Friday, Oct. 19 — after just one week’s notice — we were on our way to Bogotá, where we stayed a couple nights to meet up with our agency’s attorneys. We then flew to the city of Pereira, located 35 minutes west of Bogotá by air, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, to meet our children.

Two nights prior to our meeting, the owner of our hotel who is an active volunteer at the orphanage where our daughter was living, walked us to a nearby grocery and department store. God works in mysterious ways. We ran into the nun in charge of that particular orphanage; a petite woman originally from Spain who has dedicated her life to raising and preparing these beautiful souls for a family of their own.

Rosario, the hotel owner, grabbed Sister as she was leaving the store and excitedly told her who we were.

Sister took our hands, embraced us strong and began to tell us the first of many stories we would hear about our girl. Our daughter was the oldest in the orphanage.

Having been there for six years, it was starting to weigh on her, especially when she would have to say goodbye to other girls who had found their forever families.

Our daughter was failing classes; losing hope. She thought it wasn’t going to happen, that no one wants a 12-year-old child. When she learned of us — a couple from the United States who wanted to adopt her and her little brother — Sister said everything changed. Her hope returned, her grades got better and she was happy. Both me and my husband wore tear-stained cheeks the remainder of that evening.

The day had finally come on Tuesday morning, Oct. 22, when we would meet our children. Social workers from the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) and sisters from the orphanage accompanied them. We bought gifts, ice cream and cake to celebrate and help “break the ice.” We were told all children react differently. They may hold back, cry or scream, or they may run to their new parents with open arms and an open heart. I am grateful to say, we experienced the journey continued on page 24

JUNE 2014 SYRACUSE PARENT

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learning curve

the ins and outs of educational and stimulating activities for your children

When Quality Matters Submitted by Learn As You Grow Inc. Child Care Centers

Decisions, decisions, decisions! We make them every day, but no decision is more important or long-lasting than a decision that involves our children. In our ever-changing world, raising children and making decisions in their best interest can be challenging, to say the least. One such decision is finding quality child care.

For years, families have been faced with the challenge of finding child care that meets the needs of their family.

Often times two of the initial criteria in finding child care are affordability and convenience. There is another very important key piece in finding child care that cannot be overlooked.

That key piece is finding child care that continually maintains the highest standards within their entire program. Here are a few questions that will assist you in finding quality care for your child:

Does the provider you are looking into or are currently using offer…

… clean and safe environment?

Is the program clean and welcoming?

Are you encouraged to stop in and visit without having to make an appointment?

Is the building secure, having a single point of entry? Does anyone picking up your child have to show proper identification prior to picking your child up? Is there an age appropriate playground where your child can play and explore safely?

Does your program provide well-balanced meals and snacks?

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SYRACUSE PARENT JUNE 2014

…learning spaces which are age and stage appropriate?

Are the materials appropriate and safe? Are the materials accessible for your child to make their own choices? Does the curriculum allow your child to grow while encouraging independence and individuality? Are there enough materials to accommodate the number of children in the program?

… continuity of care?

Are there seasoned staff that have been with the program for an extended period of time? Are there ongoing trainings for staff? Are staff members accessible and knowledgeable about child development?

…information and communication to parents?

Do the staff welcome and greet you and your child? Does the program communicate with you about your child’s day?

Are you made aware of developmental milestones your child is reaching? Is the person in charge accessible and knowledgeable about child development? Are parents encouraged to participate in daily programing or special events?

Finding quality child care is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. Before selecting a program, put yourself in your child’s shoes… is it a fun, safe and educational place where I would feel cared for and comfortable? If you can answer, “yes,” then you should feel comfortable with your decision!

Visit learnasyougrowccc. com for more information.

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JUNE 2014 SYRACUSE PARENT

13

feature story

Building a field of dreams

Community gathers for Syracuse Challenger Baseball

By Farah F. Jadran Photos By Raine Dufrane “The greatest of virtues is that of humility. Its meaning is that of sacrifice for others.” — Dom Cambareri There’s not one cloud in the sky, the sun is shining and the air is fresh.

The scent of freshly-cut grass fills your nostrils. The ground feels soft and plush under your cleats. You’re wearing your team colors and you can’t wait to high-five your teammates.

There’s no other time like it.

For most kids, their little league’s opening day is a given, it’s expected and it’s generally never in question.

But for more than 200 Central New York kids, prime weather and field conditions are not always promised.

This league of kids is no different than all the other little leaguers out there. They all have their idols — Derek Jeter, Giancarlo Stanton or Chase Utley, to name a few. And they all have dreams of rounding the bases and crossing home plate with their best friends and family cheering them on.

A league of their own

The members of the Syracuse Challenger Baseball League love their baseball sports heroes and their passion to play is growing. Twelve teams with 230 total members include players between the ages of 5 and 21 with various special needs, physical handicaps and developmental delays to play ball.

The program was started in the ‘80’s by parents who wanted their children to play baseball. The Syracuse chapter is under the umbrella of the District 8 Little League. The purpose of the program is to allow all these wonderful kids to enjoy the game of baseball in a relaxed setting that is supervised by

14

SYRACUSE PARENT JUNE 2014

coaches and parents.

More than 10 years ago, Dom and Valerie Cambareri’s son Domenico started to play in the Syracuse Challenger Baseball League. Dom has been the league president since 2004. “[Domenico] is the reason I got involved in this,” said Dom, a proud dad to two boys playing in the league. “This was a good way to get him involved and help him get physical.”

Domenico, who has autism, is now 19 and has been working to enhance his fine complex motor movements through playing baseball. “He had difficulty holding the bat, running or walking the bases straight and

throwing and catching.”

However, Domenico has come into his own with his baseball skills.

When Dom took over the league he called a meeting with all the coaches and the deputy program director, Dee Perkins, to discuss the opportunity to expand the league and allow more players in to the league. “Everyone was for it,” Dom said.

And now, Dom’s son Antonio, 11, is also a baseball player in the program.

If you build it, they will come

While the league has made it possible for kids of all abilities to play ball over the past years, there’s still one more mountain to climb. There is no official home field for the Syracuse Challenger Baseball program.

feature story “The local little league season ends in mid-June,” explained Dom. “The Challenger kids are unable to play side-by-side in a season with their peers in the regular little league season. Then they wait to play on the fields when their season is over.”

Starting in the middle of the summer means extreme heat and summer rain means muddy or flooded conditions on the fields made available to the Challenger players. “The heat index is unbearable,” Dom said. “We have kids on medicines or they have conditions that won’t allow them to play in the heat and humidity.”

The team also has kids using wheelchairs, braces and Canadian crutches. “Some of those [borrowed] fields became mud pits,” Dom said. “It is difficult to navigate the bases and for a wheelchair to access them.”

The call to action is clear — the kids need their own home field.

Over the past two years, Dom and all the families and community supporters have come together to find the home and to fundraise for the Carrier Park Challenger Field of Dreams.

After sharing his dream with community members like DeWitt Town Supervisor Ed Michalenko, Challenger supporters David and Rebecca Shiroff and other government officials such as Onondaga County Executive Joanne Mahoney, the field was becoming more of a reality.

As of now, the program has raised more than $2.2 million in cash, pledges, grants and in-kind contractor service donations. The group is looking to complete the project during the year of 2015.

“We’re making a difference for all the children and adults by building something very special for them,” Dom said. The new fields and envisioned

sports complex located adjacent to the Carrier Corporation in East Syracuse will not only be home to the Challenger Baseball players, but will be available for other sporting events and as an eventual site for adults with special needs to experience wellness.

“We need to educate the community and the public, more people are going to realize that this is such a win-win for the community,” Dom said. “If you build it, people will see it and they will love it, they will embrace its uniqueness and they will come.”

For more information on the program, visit eteamz.com/ syracusechallengers.

Challenger Field of Dreams Baseball Bash WHEN: 5PM, Saturday, June 7 WHERE: The Oncenter WHAT: Evening of food, cocktails, live music, dancing, live and silent auctions with special guests Goose Gossage and Jim Boeheim. Event benefits Carrier Park Challenger Field of Dreams build project.

TICKETS: eventbee.com/v/ challengerfieldofdreams

JUNE 2014 SYRACUSE PARENT

15

healthy family

tips and ideas for keeping your family fast, fit, and feeling great

When should my child start seeing the dentist?

By Cosmina Nolan, DDS and Tansy Schoonmaker, DDS In the March issue, we explored the importance of preserving and maintaining the health of your child’s deciduous dentition (or “baby teeth”). Now, we’d like to address how you can properly take care of your child’s teeth so they can remain cavity-free until the tooth fairy finally takes the last tooth from under their pillow around age 11 and for years beyond.

The first question regards what the ideal age is for a child’s first visit to the dentist.

Many people wait until five years of age or later. By that time, 40 percent of children have developed dental decay.

The guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics state that a child should visit the dentist within six months of their first tooth coming in or by their first birthday (whichever is first). This will allow the dentist to assess your child’s

dental development, look for possible decay and acclimate your child to being at the dental office. This way, they are introduced to the dental office gradually so that they aren’t fearful.

It also helps establish a “dental home” for your child, which is to say that your child will be a patient of record at a dental office for regular dental checkups and

have the ability to have emergency dental needs addressed more promptly. This way, should your child have a traumatic injury to their tooth (as accident-prone toddlers are sometimes known to), they will already have an established dentist with whom they are already comfortable to treat their needs.

All dental care starts with what we put in our mouths. Nutrition is most likely the biggest factor in the development of cavities in young children.

The frequency and texture of the carbohydrates and sugars your child is eating determines the likelihood that they will develop decay.

Even some healthy drinks like

milk can devastate their teeth when sipped frequently through the day or given to your child in a bottle at night.

The American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines recommend just four to six ounces of juice per day, and only at mealtime. Sweets, particularly sticky ones like

gummies, can adhere to your child’s teeth all day and if not brushed can cause serious damage. Please limit the amount of sugars and carbohydrates your child consumes, and never let a child have a bottle of milk or juice with them while they sleep.

The final component of dental care we’ll discuss is home hygiene. This ideally starts before your child’s first tooth comes in. Starting in early infancy, after every feeding, wrap a wet washcloth around your index finger and use it to wipe your child’s gums and tongue. This will prepare your child for tooth-brushing in the coming months.

Once your child’s first tooth erupts, it is time to make their first dental appointment and time to start brushing.

We recommend using an infant toothbrush with a very small smear of non-fluoride toothpaste (or fluoridated toothpaste if your child is at high risk for decay). With the child reclined in your lap, brush the teeth, gums and tongue as best you can. This will get easier as your child grows accustomed to this routine. Also we recommend that you use floss, such as a handled flosser, on your child once multiple teeth have erupted, particularly if the spaces between your child’s teeth are tight.

Cosmina Nolan, DDS and Tansy Schoonmaker, DDS are the owners and pediatric dentists at Little Jaws Big Smiles Pediatric Dental Care.

For more information, visit littlejawsbigsmiles.com; 4605 E. Genesee St., DeWitt,(315) 299-4681.

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SYRACUSE PARENT JUNE 2014

the ins and outs of educational and stimulating activities for your children

learning curve

Father’s Day Q&A a n Cole man

W e’re

t in this toge

here or go out somewhere. We will also spend some time with Rich’s family. It’s a special time to see him with his dad with Henry nearby.

Plus, it’s a great time for Henry to bond with his grandfather.

A few weeks before Father’s Day we will fly out to Kansas to see my family. We will have an early celebration there for my dad.

he

r

It’s amazing what you can learn in five minutes, so we did just that with your local NBC 3 and CW 6 evening anchorwoman, CNY Central’s Megan Coleman! Read on and learn about her thoughts on this month’s topics.

How did you celebrate the family’s first Father’s Day? It was exciting when Rich had his first Father’s Day. It’s a very special time when it’s the “first� of something. I helped make a card that was from Olivia, and we did the same when Henry was added to the celebration. It was even more special when Henry was born because he is Rich’s first son and I can see different bonds between him and our kids. I made breakfast that day and we just hung out.

We also took a family walk in the neighborhood.

How will the family celebrate Father’s Day this year?

We will both be off from work, which is nice since we both work full time. Our weekends are very coveted. We will either do a brunch

With the season change, what summer safety precautions do you take with the kids?

I was about to step outside the other day and Olivia told me that I forgot to put on sunscreen. I guess I have been teaching her so well that she now reminds me! Olivia is also sure to help me put sunscreen on Henry. We’ve also become very aware of bees. There have been quite a few buzzing around in our backyard. Again, Olivia protects Henry and tells him, “If you get stung, you’ll get a ‘boo-boo.’� She’s very good at making sure he is OK. We’re also making sure the kids are aware of cars when we’re crossing a street or walking near it in the neighborhood. And, of course, we’ve been talking to Olivia about “stranger danger,� and what to do in this situation.

What efforts have you made in teaching the kids good hygiene habits?

From the time they were really little, they have been brushing their teeth. It’s been a complete routine. They already want to do it themselves, but we help them first and then they can give it a try. I know a few friends whose young kids have already gotten cavities, so

I was reminded on how important this hygiene habit is.

The kids have also come to love washing their hands thanks to a PBS program for kids called, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,� which has many lessons taught through songs and games. So, when it’s time to wash up, I just have to say, “What would Daniel Tiger say?� If you make it fun, then they will enjoy doing it.

Megan Coleman is the content managing editor at CNY Central and an evening NBC 3 news anchor. Follow her and start a conversation on Twitter at @ MegsNewsFlash; we already do!

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SYRACUSE PARENT JUNE 2014

tips and ideas for keeping your family fast, fit, and feeling great

healthy family

Is it fix-up time for your home?

By Ann Barnett, Public Health Educator

 Enclose the work area using heavy

It’s that time of year when homeowners start planning home repairs and remodeling projects. Before you start, the Onondaga County Health Department’s Lead Poisoning Control Program would like you to consider the following questions:

 Use a spray bottle to wet an area

 Was your house built before 1978?

 Will you be working on painted

plastic (6 mil).

before sanding or scraping.

 Avoid eating or drinking in the work area.

 Wash your hands often with soap and water.

 Clean up the work area using wet methods and a HEPA vacuum,

fold up plastic barriers and place in a garbage bag. Put sealed garbage bag in the trash.

Contact the Onondaga County Lead Poisoning Control Program to get more information about lead paint home repair grants, childhood lead testing, safely remodeling your home and free home lead inspections.

Call 435-3271, visit ongov.net/ health/lead or on Facebook at facebook.com/ongov.health.

surfaces?

 Have you had the paint tested to see if it is lead-based paint?

 Are you planning to do the project yourself?

 Are you planning on hiring

someone? Are they EPA Lead Certified?

 What safety precautions will you

or your contractor/handyman take to protect yourself and your children from exposure to hazardous lead paint/lead dust?

 Do I qualify for a lead home repair grant?

If your home was built before 1978, it may contain hazardous lead paint. Remodeling projects, home repairs and normal wear and tear on painted surfaces like opening and closing of windows and doors can create invisible lead dust. Inhaling and ingesting lead dust is dangerous.

Young children and pregnant women are especially at risk for exposure to lead paint and dust.

When remodeling an older home, it is important to follow these steps:

Work smart, work wet, work clean:

 Keep pregnant women and

36263

children out of the work area.

 Work on one area at a time.

JUNE 2014 SYRACUSE PARENT

19

family

FYI

It’s not all fun and

Why play is importan

By Jennie Mazza Jones

38219

Why play?

In a time when children’s access to play is becoming restricted, it is important to understand the benefits of play to the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of a child.

20

SYRACUSE PARENT JUNE 2014

Social development Peer interactions offer the opportunity for children to navigate and negotiate social norms. A playground game of tag does not just teach a child how to play tag. It also allows him or her to navigate the unwritten rules associated with the playground. Children are given the opportunity to practice communication skills, listening and cooperation.

One child tripping in his attempt to escape being tagged offers the other children the opportunity to learn nurturance and caretaking, as well as empathy by being exposed to the feelings of others.

Taking turns, being chaser and “chasee,” allows children the opportunity to practice sharing, interacting and negotiating conflicts.

Emotional development Often times pretend play allows children to work through an event that is confusing or scary in an attempt to ultimately gain mastery over the experience.

A child involved in a car accident may repeatedly reenact the accident through play. This helps the child explore feelings associated with the accident to better cope with the fear and anxiety he or she is experiencing.

Cognitive development Opportunities to play freely help children with creative development, decision

FYI

games:

nt to a child’s development making, problem solving, language development, communication skills, abstract thinking, improved attention span and focus and memory and recall. Building a fort with friends begins first by developing a picture in the mind of what the fort should look like. The next step is to communicate a plan of what is to be created.

Gathering needed items and supplies involves creative thinking and further planning. Physically building the fort requires problem solving and communication, in addition to attention to detail and concentration. The brain can then take a snapshot of what was created, what went well and what should be done differently next time.

Physical development Let’s take a look at some of the examples above. The physical

component of tag allows children to work on gross motor skills (i.e. running, jumping); increases coordination, flexibility and endurance; and helps them develop an understanding of, and learn more about, their bodies in relation to space. Building a fort aides in the development of a child’s fine motor skills (i.e. using their hands to hold and secure objects into place). This also increases a child’s hand eye coordination and ability to focus.

Let’s not forget about the benefits of physical exercise in reducing stress and anxiety, increasing energy and improving sleep.

One key thing for adults to keep in mind while providing a child with the opportunity for free play, in the absence of any safety concerns, is to allow the child to direct the play, even when he or she is struggling. Working through frustration, struggle and disappointment while accomplishing a task allows him or her to experience these strong emotions. In turn, he or she becomes better able to handle them. When children are given the chance to independently see a task through to completion they realize they are able to achieve success. This increases their feelings of competency, confidence and self esteem.

References: Landreth, G. “Play Therapy: The Art of The Relationship,” second edition.

Jennie Mazza Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and children’s therapist. Jennie’s private practice is located in Clinton NY, where she specializes in providing therapeutic services to children and their caregivers utilizing a play therapy approach. Jennie invites you to contact her for more information on play based therapy and how she can help a child you care about. You may reach Jennie at 737-3094.

Gambling might seem like harmless fun at first but can become an obsession and can lead to other risky behaviors.

More than financial health is at risk.

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21

family

FYI

some helpful information for your family

Make your own family-friendly vacation So many resorts are billed as the best for families, and do live up to the hype for the throngs of visitors who plan vacations each and every year.

But if your's is a family that would be interested in avoiding the long lines and the franchised fun, you may be happy to know you are in good company. It's possible to manufacture your own family vacation without partaking in one of the pre-assembled family plans.

According to the travel planning site Expedia(R), a few countries are more

When planning your next family quest, consider these vacation pointers.

•

for a week so you will have more room to stretch out -- something that is advantageous with an entire family in tow -- and a kitchen to make a few meals "at home." This saves on expenses and arguments over when and where to dine out.

•

Plan activities around your youngest traveler. While you may want to scale mountains or dive the depths of the ocean, having a young child in tow may hamper some of these intense plans. That isn't to say you cannot try things outside of the comfort zone.

While you may not be able to scuba dive, you may be able to snorkel with a toddler coasting along on an inflatable raft. Or, you may need to bring a child carrier along for a challenging hike.

Cater to your "weakest link" so you are not left with high expectations and cranky kids.

Just because a hotel or resort is not billed as a family place doesn't mean it isn't family-friendly. Read reviews from people who have stayed at the hotel.

See how they rate the hotel in terms of amenities and figure out what strengths the property has. If people remark about the romantic atmosphere, it probably caters to couples. If an array of food options and activities are touted, the hotel could be good for families.

Choose a resort that offers babysitting services or a few child-central activities. While the goal of the family vacation is to spend time together, there are likely to be moments when each person may want to do his own thing. Parents looking for some time away will benefit from a resort that has a childcare center on the property. Plus, kids may appreciate being independent from their parents for a few hours and having fun with others their own ages.

•

"vacation deprived" than others. These include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. North Americans earn fewer vacation days than most countries. Even still, they're also more likely to leave two or more days of earned vacation time unused. Affordability and saving days for future obligations is why people are apt to squander away vacation time.

When vacations are taken, however, families could want to maximize time spent together and look for some key features.

22

SYRACUSE PARENT JUNE 2014

Find a destination with a mix of ethnic and familiar cuisine. Of all the people in the family, children tend to be the most finicky when it comes to dining options. Some parents are lucky enough to have kids open to any and all food suggestions, but most have children who have a few favorites and don't stray far from those options. Therefore, opt for a port of call that not only enables you to sample the local cuisine, but also has a chain restaurant or familiar foods that children will be sure to eat.

•

Think outside the hotel box. When vacation deals pop up on your Internet search engines, it can be easy to think these plans are the only ones out there.

However, with a little more research and work, families can often custom tailor a vacation that is memorable. For example, many local property owners sublet their condominiums or vacation houses to others throughout the year. Instead of booking a hotel in a resort, you may be able to rent a house or condo

•

•

Schedule some down time to just enjoy your surroundings. The vacation cannot be all about a strict itinerary.

With children along for the experience, they'll appreciate some moments to just venture and explore or engage in some imaginative play. Don't feel the need to over-schedule every minute of the vacation. Otherwise you may leave feeling more spent than relaxed.

•

Don't cut too many corners. A couple traveling may be able to make due with the bare minimum, but the entire family traveling together will benefit from some creature comforts. It could be wise to fly to your destination rather than enduring 12 hours of the dreaded "Are we there yet?" chant. Find a hotel that will offer some of the kids' favorite cable channels, so they can catch up on cartoons while parents are sleeping in. Opt for the two-room suite rather than the efficiency if you can afford it, so that everyone will have more elbow room. Splurge on that goofy $20 photo that shows the entire clan mouths agape while riding down the log flume. Create memories that you will want to recall for all of the good reasons instead of the poor ones.

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learning curve

the ins and outs of educational and stimulating activities for your children

journey continued from page 11

latter. They called us ma and pa from the get-go.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the first night that tears were shed at bedtime, first by our daughter, then, by our son.

But overall, their transition was virtually seamless.

Colombia is an excellent choice for international adoption, however, the stay is extensive and not all people can meet the requirements due to jobs or other personal commitments. We were there a total of six weeks and one day, the majority of our stay having been in BogotĂĄ. On the upside, if you are married, one spouse may leave after the one-week bonding period has been approved, which begins the instant you meet.

If you are single, it may be an obstacle. But if you can work it out with your employer, you will reap many rewards.

We found that by staying in the environment familiar to our children gave us the best opportunity to bond. We learned more about their behavior, how they interact with other children and families — both Colombian and foreign, native foods they like, whether they’re adventurous or the laid back type.

We had the opportunity to live like a family at the Zuetana, a hotel in BogotĂĄ designed to accommodate well those who are adopting. We met other couples and single parents from New York, Maryland, California and as far as Italy. We, too, bonded over day trips, dinners, frustrations, concerns,

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s 2EGISTERED AND !CCREDITED WITH THE .EW 9ORK 3TATE %DUCATION $EPARTMENT LICENSED BY .93 /#&3 SINCE s .EW 9ORK 3TATE #ERTIlED 4EACHERS WITH #REDENTIAL IN %ARLY %DUCATION s 3MALL CLASS SIZE CHILDREN TO TEACHERS s ,EARNING PROGRAM TAILORED TO MEET AND EXCEED LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS CURRICULUM s .93 #ORE "ODY OF +NOWLEDGE AND THE .93 4EACHING 3TANDARDS TO REINFORCE THE DEVELOPMENTAL CONTINUUM s #ALENDAR AND DAILY HOURS AM TO PM OR AM TO PM CONDUCIVE FOR PARENTS SCHEDULES s #%$3 IS /PEN WHEN 0UBLIC 3CHOOLS ARE CLOSED FOR (OLIDAYS 6ACATIONS AND 3NOW $AYS s $AILY MUSIC CLASSES TAUGHT BY OUR -USIC 4EACHER s #OMPUTER EDUCATION AND EXTENSIVE LIBRARY COMPLETE WITH AGE APPROPRIATE MEDIA s 0HYSICAL %DUCATION AND 'YMNASTICS s .UTRITIOUS HOT LUNCHES AND HEALTHY SNACKS PREPARED FRESH IN OUR KITCHEN AND APPROVED BY A REGISTERED DIETICIAN /PTIONAL BREAKFAST AVAILABLE DAILY s )NTERESTING lELD TRIPS AND SPEAKERS FROM THE COMMUNITY s 2EGISTERED .URSE !MERICAN 2ED #ROSS &IRST 2ESPONDERS -EDICATION !DMINISTRATION 4RAINED -!4 3TAFF AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES

joys and the idea of finally becoming parents. We still keep in touch. No one can truly understand the enormity of your emotions during this transitory time like those you meet along the way.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, we packed our bags and were on our way back home — this time with two beautiful children by our side. Though we live in Central New York, we flew into New York City in the early morning hours, then drove our family to see the Statue of Liberty from the view at Battery Park before making the long drive home.

Once home, our family and friends greeted us with the love and enthusiasm equal to the birth of a newborn baby.

And it felt precisely so. Life for us as a family of four had just begun.

Family Connections is located in Cortland and offers services for both prospective adoptive families and biological parents seeking to place their child. Grace International Adoption Agency currently has adoption programs in Colombia and Ukraine. For more information on its services, visit graceinternationaladoptionagency.org.

Tami Scott is editor of the Baldwinsville Messenger. Contact her at editor@baldwinsvilllemessenger.com.

the ins and outs of educational and stimulating activities for your children

Summer camp … paradise

r ga mo -M n Be

re oo I enjoyed with no real responsibility Ka past writing home once and knowing my music before the end-of-camp concert. Paradise.

Back then, camp was about finding something out of the ordinary to do for one week out of the summer. Today planning summer A begins in April and involves child, mo ve ther parent, grandparents, family and work ’s perspecti schedules. NASA put less planning into shuttle launches.

I offered The Boy all the camp alternatives: sports, general, Scouts, science, writing. But in the end, he chose to return to the day camp he’s gone to for years that has solid programming, field trips and, most importantly, his buddies that he’s known since he was a Little Boy. Because, in the end, that’s really what camp is all about - those friendships that burn brightest in the summer months and keep us warm in the chilly winter.

re

I want to go to summer camp.

Not a yoga retreat, a women’s get away, a weekend seminar, an empowerment conference or any place where I gain from the experience and come out a better person.

Summer camp - where the most that will be expected of me is to show up at arts and crafts and keep my bunk neat.

I want to pack a bag with a week’s worth of shorts, T-shirts, one sweatshirt, some hiking boots, bug spray, sunblock and call it good.

No. Scratch that. I want someone else to pack me a bag with a week’s worth of shorts, T-shirts, one sweatshirt, hiking boots, bug spray, sunblock and call it good.

As I looked through a stack of summer camp ads and brochures to fill The Boy’s summer, I was envious. Have you seen all the options out there? Soccer camp, lacrosse camp, horseback riding camp, science camp, Scout camp, dance camp, theatre camp ... How does one choose?

What would I choose if I was making the choice for myself? Would I go to a specialized camp where I would focus on one thing? Or would I pick a camp that offered a smorgasbord of activities? Would I pick a theatre camp and get my Shakespeare on or maybe find one where I would develop archery skills to rival Katniss Everdeen?

I went to summer camp once - music camp, to be exact. (Yes, I can legitimately say, “one summer... at band camp.”) I realize I didn’t fully appreciate the experience. One week devoted to something

learning curve

Karen Bergamo Moore lives in Camillus with her husband and son. She works in the communications office at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, is active in Boy Scouts and enjoys running 5Ks with her son. Follow her on twitter at @ kmoore623.

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JUNE 2014 SYRACUSE PARENT

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Fri June 20 YOUTH HOME SCHOOL NATURE SERIES.1 to 3 PM. Manage a Forest A forest must be managed to provide food, water, and shelter for birds and other wildlife. Homeschoolers ages 5-10 will take care of the forests wildflowers, shrubs and seedlings by removing invasive plants, watering the native vegetation, and ensuring protective guards are in place. Bird songs will rain down upon us as we work to conserve the bird’s habitat. Choose from one of the three sessions. Fee: $8/student.

Savannah, N.Y, audubon.org.

Sat June 21 TACNY JUNIOR CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE 9:30 to 11 AM. “Engineer Your Life: Redux”.at the MOST, 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse. Howard Hollander, president of the Technology Alliance of Central New York and an engineer who retired from Lockheed Martin, will introduce and explore tips for preparing for careers in STEM fields inside and outside of school.

The free presentation, which is sponsored by the Technology Alliance of Central New York, is aimed at middle school students with the goal of interesting them in a STEM career. A continental breakfast is provided.

Underage attendees must be accompanied by an adult, and both are invited to tour the MOST exhibits for free after the event. RSVP to jrcafe@ tacny.org by June 17 with the number of people attending.

LEARN TO PAINT: FLOWERS. 2 to 4 PM. Learn to paint a still life featuring flowers. For beginner or intermediate painters alike. A $5 donation is suggested to offset the cost of supplies. Adults and teens ages 12 and up are welcome. fflib.org.

Sun June 22 BRIDAL FASHION SHOW. 11 AM to 1:30 PM. Café at 407, Liverpool. Syracuse Woman Magazine is hosting a bridal fashion show featuring real women in bridal, mother-of-the-bride and bridesmaid fashions. Also, fashions for flower girls and grooms. Attendees will enjoy a fashion show from noon to 1 p.m. with a brunch before the show, door prizes and raffles. Tickets are $35 each and will benefit Ophelia’s Place.

Limited amount of tickets. Visit facebook.com/SyracuseWomanMagazine for more information.

FAMILY MOVIE MATINEE: THE LEGO MOVIE. 2 to 3:45 PM. Summary: The original 3D computer animated story follows Emmet, an ordinary, rules- following, perfectly average LEGO mini-figure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. Rating: PG. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

Mon June 23 SUMMER READING KICKOFF PARTY. 4 to 6 PM. Attention families: don’t miss our Summer Reading 2014 Kickoff party! This summer’s theme is “Fizz, Boom, Read!” Drop in for pizza, fun activities, and to find out more about how you can attend special events and win prizes by reading and learning at the library all summer long. 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. fflib.org.

Tue June 24 ART ON THE FARM. 10 AM to 2 PM. Young artists will explore the wonders of seeds in, “The Life of a Seed,” and how they grow into colorful plants and food for people and animals. Each artist will plant a sunflower

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seed to take home and care for. Activity for grades first through third. $15 per artist. All materials provided. Register via email tours@abbottfarms.com or call 289-2706.

BARNES & NOBLE BOOK CLUB. 6 PM. Join the group by the fireplace as they discuss The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht, a novel of enormous ambitions that manages in its modest length to contain the conflicts between Christians and Muslims, Turks and Ottomans, science and superstition. Barnes & Noble. 3454 Erie Blvd East. DeWitt. 449-2948.

BIRDING AND BOATING ON THE SENECA RIVER. 1 to 4 PM. Come for the first canoe-kayak paddle of the season on the Seneca River.

Bird songs will rain down from the tree canopy while paddling the tranquil waters around Howland’s Island. Bring your own canoe or kayak or rent one from us. Fee: $8 per child without rental, $13.50 per adult without rental, $25 per solo kayak rental, $40 per canoe rental (maximum two adults plus one child). Savannah, N.Y. audubon.org.

SOCIETY OF CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS GROUP. 7 PM. Welcome, Central New York children’s writers and illustrators! Come for a discussion at our children’s stage.

A great way to get information and connect with local authors and illustrators. Barnes & Noble. 3454 Erie Blvd East, DeWitt.

FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED STORYTIME. 11 AM. Join us for zany monkey fun at our Storytime featuring Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. Includes reading and activities. Barnes & Noble. 3454 Erie Blvd East. DeWitt. 449-2948.

Sat June 28 ART ON THE FARM - “WHO GREW UP MY SOUP.” 10 AM to Noon. Abbott Farms, Baldwinsville. Come listen to Phineas’ story to learn how healthy food begins on the farm. Participate in a group nutrition activity and then create a colorful collage to take home. Activity for K through third grade. All materials provided $15 per artist. Register via tours@abbottfarms.com or call 289-2706.

BIRDING AND BOATING ON THE CAYUGA-SENECA CANAL. 1 to 4 PM. Join us for a canoe/kayak paddle on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal through the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Raptors, shorebirds and songbirds soar around the forests and wetlands adjacent to these tranquil waters. Bring your own canoe/kayak or rent one from us.

Fee: $8/child without rental, $13.50/adult without rental, $25/solo kayak rental, $40/canoe rental (maximum 2 adults plus 1 child). Savannah, N.Y. audubon.org.

Ongoing ANIMAL DEMONSTRATIONS. 10 AM to 4:30 PM weekends through June 29. Daily June 30 through Sept. 1. Free with paid admission or zoo membership. “In the Wings” bird show, the everpopular Elephant Encounter, penguin feedings, keeper talks and various animal demonstrations. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, One Conservation Place, Syracuse. 435-8511.

DR. ENTOMO’S AMAZING ARTHROPODS. All month at the MOST, 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse. Come face-to-face with bird-eating tarantulas, black widow spiders and cyanide-secreting millipedes. You’ll learn the deadly reputation of some of these insects is undeserved. Exhibit is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Exhibit is free with regular admission, which is free for members and costs $10 per adult and $8 per child ages 2-11 and senior 65 years or older. 425-9068.

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s u o m r o n E BE PLAY PARK

Find us at: Destiny USA Syracuse, NY (315) 741-5099 facebook/billybeezsyracuse bbzbb02@retailgroupamerica.com

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Come inside and see what all the

Each Billy Beez indoor playground is filled with colorful murals, whimsical characters and giant play structures built around a maze of dizzingly high and wildly twisting slides. There are dozens of activities inside the playground that encourage physical, mental and social development through play.

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Our Goal at Billy Beez is to provide your child a unique learning environment without video games or mechanical amusement rides. We want to build a better future for your child through safe and fun play.

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