Great activities for kids this summer YMCA of Sumter prioritizes water safety
Gear for firsttime campers
The sweet truth about fruit and sugar
Fresh fruit is a delicious treat that can be enjoyed any time of year, but consumption seems to heat up as the mercury rises. Many fruits come into season in spring
and summer. Cherries, melons, plums, nectarines and blueberries are just some of the tasty fruits that are typically enjoyed during warm months. But for those who are trying to eat healthy, they may wonder if fruit — which tends to be high in sugar — aligns with their diet and exercise plans.
People long have been advised to monitor their sugar consumption.
Harvard Health reports that the effects of too much sugar intake can result in elevated blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes and fatty liver disease. Yet fruits are listed on the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines
for Americans, with experts saying adults should aim for 1.5 to two cups of fruit per day, or about two servings. That’s because not all sugar is created equal. Fruit contains naturally occurring sugar (fructose) rather than the added sugar that is in many foods, baked goods and candy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the body processes natural sugars differently than it would sugar in cookies and cakes. Healthline indicates that fructose is only harmful in large amounts, and it is difficult to get excessive amounts of fructose from fruit. That means for most people, the amount of sugar in fruit is safe to eat.
Fruits tend to be loaded with fiber and water, which can help a person feel fuller, longer. And the high fiber content means fruits will take a while to digest and the fructose will be processed by the liver slowly, which should not cause a sugar spike like added sugar would.
That isn’t to say that all forms
of fruit are the same. Eating whole fruit is the best type because of the fiber and the protective nutrients, including antioxidants. Fruit juice is a more concentrated source of fructose that doesn’t have the fiber to moderate sugar absorption. Excessive fruit juice intake can cause fat deposition in the liver, obesity and insulin resistance since juice is stripped of the fiber and often nutrients during processing. Those who want to avoid the fruits with the highest sugar concentration should skip mangoes and apples, which have 46 and 25.1 grams of sugar in one piece of fruit, respectively. However, unless a person has diabetes or another health condition where blood sugar levels need to be monitored, individuals shouldn’t fret about the fruit in sugar, as most don’t eat enough for the sugar to be a concern.
Great activities for kids come the dog days of summer
The arrival of summer is a momentous day for children.
Summer means school is closed and weeks of rest, recreation and fun in the sun are on the schedule.
Although summer may start off with a bang, it may not be too long before kids are uttering the dreaded, “I’m bored,” leaving parents and caregivers looking for ways to keep children occupied. Having a list of activities at the ready can help families stay active and engaged during the dog days of summer.
Summertime swimming
Those lucky enough to have a backyard pool have a great source of entertainment right at home. Swimming alone can grow monotonous for kids, so work with friends’ parents to devise a schedule to have the kids alternate whose house they visit for swimming sessions.
Standard games like water volleyball or diving retrieval games can add some fun, but many times kids are happy to splash and float with friends. Stock a cooler
with water, juice and healthy snacks so kids can just hop out of the water and grab a refreshment, rather than leaving a water-logged trail into the kitchen.
Those who do not have a pool can consider membership to a township pool, where everyone can mingle with neighbors.
Host a movie night
The dog days of summer tend to be humid, hot and sometimes uncomfortable.
Scheduling activities for later in the day makes the most of weather that has cooled off a bit. Purchase or borrow a projector that hooks up to a computer or tablet, and set up a screen in the yard. Stream a family friendly movie and prepare ready-made bags of popcorn or cotton candy for the show.
Add water to everything
Favorite backyard games can be enhanced with the use of a little water. For example, instead of tossing bean bags for cornhole, fill up water balloons. Kids who are playing tag or games like capture the flag may have
to run through a garden sprinkler to get into their opponent’s territory. Kids can put their engineering skills to use by building an obstacle course of hurdles and the like from tires or pool noodles. Poke holes into one pool noodle and feed a garden hose into the end to create a water hazard.
Go on a scavenger hunt Whether at a beach,
USC SUMTER
park or even walking the neighborhood, families can have a list of objects that must be found. The first child to find all of the items on the list gets a prize, such as choosing which ice cream shop to visit.
Dance in the rain
Summertime is known for the sudden arrival of storms.
When a downpour occurs, have the family head into the
garage with the door open to catch the amazing sights of Mother Nature. Take turns briefly running out into the deluge to dance and splash in the rain. Retreat to the indoors when thunder and lightning are close by. Families have plenty of ways to fill the dog days (and nights) of summer with entertaining games and other activities.
SUMMER CAMPS
Students will be introduced to STEM topics including physics, engineering, biology and chemistry in fun and interactive ways. Conduct scientific experiments and explore firsthand the environment in which we live.
(Formerly SLED’ing Into Summer)
Co-hosted with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Join us for a week of exploring the world of criminal justice. Learn about tactical operations, SWAT, aviation, K9 programs, forensics, and more!
USC Sumter’s Creative Studio is a weeklong summer camp for middle schoolers (rising 6th-8th graders). Campers will explore their creative passions through Studio Art, Musical Theatre, Creative Writing, and Art History. Campers should bring a bag lunch and water bottle everyday.
Dates: July 7 - July 11
Time: 9am - 12pm
Ages: 9-14
$80 per student
July 28 - August 1 9 am - 12 pm
Dates: July 14 - July 18
Time: 9am - 3pm
Ages: Rising 6th-8th graders
$125 per student
Learn more by visiting https://sc.edu/about/system_and_campuses/sumter/community/summer_camps/index.php
SC Sumter offers a variety of youth programming throughout the summer. These camps provide an opportunity for children to explore and discover new areas of interest.
games to try at the next backyard bash 8
Games can enhance any outdoor function. Whether at the beach or in one’s backyard, activities can keep guests entertained in between the food and other refreshments. And the good news is that most games designed for these types of functions are appropriate for players across a wide range of ages.
The following are eight games that can add to the excitement of any outdoor gathering.
1. Ladder toss: Also known as ladder golf, this game requires players to toss string-attached balls onto a ladder-shaped target. Points are awarded depending on which rung the ball lands on.
2. Kubb: Pronounced “KOOB,” this Swedish lawn game believed to have originated during the era of the Vikings is best described as a blend of bowling and horseshoes. Two teams compete to knock over their opponents’ wooden blocks by throwing batons.
3. Cornhole: Many people have played cornhole, which involves tossing bean bags at the cornhole board. The objective is to get the bag into the hole or on the board to score points. The game can be played as singles or doubles. The first team to reach 21 points wins.
4. Spikeball™: Also called
Roundnet, this two-on-two sport is played by hitting a ball off a net with the goal of preventing the opposing team from returning the ball within three touches.
5. Ring toss: This is another game that tests hand-eye coordination. Players take turns tossing the rings onto the target pegs. Each peg is worth a different number of points. The first player to reach the agreed-upon amount of points wins.
6. Connect four in a row: Giant versions of familiar tabletop games also are available for yard use. With this game, players need to get four chips in a row, either up and down or diagonal.
7. Kan Jam®: Similar to cornhole or horseshoes, Kan Jam® features two teams of two that alternate between throwing a frisbee and trying to deflect it. The goal is to get the frisbee into the can.
8. Rollers: Goals are placed 25 feet apart and then players roll wooden discs to try to get closest to the goal. Each side of the disc has a different number to determine the point value.
Backyard events can be enhanced with some game play. There are plenty of fun options for your next gathering.
Tips to prevent SUMMER SLIDE
(StatePoint) Students of all ages are at risk for “summer slide.” The good news is that this seasonal phenomenon, where academic skills are lost or forgotten during the long summer break, is not inevitable. Here are a few strategies that parents can use to help their students confidently return to the classroom in fall:
Visit the library once a week: Regular library visits promote literacy and reading comprehension. They also demonstrate to students that reading can be enjoyable while giving them an opportunity to choose books that align with their interests. Investigate whether your local library is hosting a summer reading challenge or any other events that will encourage a reading habit.
Subscribe to a daily
student develop critical thinking skills while giving them a leg up in their history and social studies classes by subscribing to a daily newspaper or weekly news magazine.
Upgrade their math tools: Why wait until backto-school shopping season to upgrade your student’s math tools? Encourage them to test prep, code and use their math skills throughout summer with a tool like the fx-9750GIII graphing calculator. With Natural Textbook Display and an intuitive icon menu, students will find its features — such as graph plotting, probability distribution, vector arithmetic and spreadsheets — incredibly easy to use. Capable of programming in CASIO Basic and MicroPython and approved for the SAT, PSAT, ACT and AP tests, the fx-
making this summer a great time to get acquainted with its interface.
Make conversation happen: Is your student taking a foreign language? Arrange for them to meet with a language partner so they can keep the conversation going throughout summer. Also, check out the wide variety of foreign language movies, music and other media available through streaming platforms, so your student can stay immersed in their language of choice, even when class is out of session. With a few measures designed to stem the tide of summer slide, you can help ensure that when your student returns to the classroom, they are prepared for the next level of instruction, not playing catch-up.
Board games are popular ways to pass the time and socialize with family and friends. Board games have been played for centuries. The oldest board game is believed to have originated in the Middle East. It was discovered at the Royal Cemetery of the Sumerian city of Ur in 1928 by a British archaeologist. Highly decorated boards made of wood and inlaid shell and lapis lazuli were found and believed to be made between 2,600 and 2,400 B.C. The game was dubbed the Royal Game of Ur since its original name wasn’t known.
YMCA of Sumter urges community to prioritize water safety by joining national “Phones Down, Eyes Up” campaign
The YMCA of Sumter is proud to participate in the launch of YMCA of the USA’s National Phones Down, Eyes Up campaign this May in honor of National Water Safety Month. This campaign is focused on reducing distractions around water and raising awareness about the importance of vigilance when families visit pools and waterfronts this summer.
Statistics from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance show that 88% of drownings occur with at least one adult present, highlighting the critical need for caregivers to stay alert when supervising children around water. The Phones Down, Eyes Up campaign encourages families to keep their phones away and stay focused while supervising children at pools, lakes, beaches, or other bodies of water.
“The YMCA of Sumter is excited to be part of this important national campaign,” said Missy Corrigan, CEO. “We are committed to empowering families with the tools and information they need to stay safe around water.”
As part of the Phones Down, Eyes Up campaign, the YMCA of Sumter is calling on families to designate a “Water Watcher”— an adult
About the Y
whose sole responsibility is to supervise children near water, free from distractions like phones, conversations, or alcohol. “We know how easily distractions can happen around water, but just one moment of inattention can have serious consequences.”
“People think they’ll hear someone if they’re struggling in the water, because that’s what we see in TV and movies,” says Kelley Torres, aquatics director. “In actuality, drowning is silent and can happen in as little as 30 seconds. When we’re looking at our phones, we don’t see what’s happening around us.”
The campaign’s website, PhonesDownEyesUp.org, offers a variety of helpful resources for families, including digital safety materials, a pledge to commit to water safety, and educational tools to help families stay safe this summer. Families who take the pledge will have access to resources such as phone wallpaper reminders, monthly safety tips, and downloadable Water Watcher lanyards.
For more information on how you and your family can become Water Watchers and take part in the Phones Down, Eyes Up campaign go to phonesdowneyesup.org.
Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for more than 177 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they are from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. ymca.org
(StatePoint) Even if you have lush, green grass, your lawn may still have bare spots. Bare spots occur for a variety of reasons, and when they do, seldom fix themselves.
To repair these areas and earn the title of best lawn on the block, consider these insights and tips from lawn care equipment manufacturer, Exmark.
Clear Your Lawn: The first thing you’ll need to do is clear your lawn of invasive weeds, dead grass and thatch. To give your new grass a fighting chance, the soil underneath needs to live its best life, first and foremost.
Prepare and Reseed: Soil that’s become hard and compacted won’t be ideal for the seed germination needed to replace barren spots with fresh growth. So, use a good, heavy garden rake to loosen the soil two to three inches deep.
If your soil’s dry, add fresh topsoil for a hearty mix of nutrients and grass-growing energy to the depleted
ground. Work the new soil in with the old and you’re on your way. Now that your soil has what it needs, you’re ready to repair bare spots by applying new seed. Rake a seed type that matches your grass type into the soil. Always follow the directions on the bag closely, as applying too much seed in too small an area can cause the grass to grow to the point of choking itself out. This will land you right back to square one with a new bare spot to repair, so make sure you don’t put down too much seed.
Feed After You Seed: All plants require six essential nutrients: oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, which are received above-ground through air and water, and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which come from the soil. Every bag of plant food will contain three numbers separated by dashes. Understanding lawn and plant fertilizer numbers can help you grow your greenest lawn ever.
Post-Bare Spot Repair:
You’ll want to keep your re-seeded area moist for at least a few weeks before new growth appears. Sprigs of new grass will start appearing before you know it, but it’s important to wait a few more weeks before mowing to allow new grass to become established. For more insights, watch “How to Repair Bare Spots in Your Lawn,” an episode of “Backyard Smart,” an original series from mower manufacturer, Exmark. To watch the video, visit Backyard Life at https:// backyard.exmark.com,, which is part of a unique multimedia destination with a focus on helping homeowners improve their outdoor living spaces. There you can also download additional tips and view other Exmark Original Series videos.
By following these steps, you can make lawn bare spots a thing of the past— and your dream lawn a reality of the near future!
(StatePoint) Whether you’re launching a career in the financial planning profession or seeking professional advancement, summer is the perfect time to pursue CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification. Here’s why a CFP certification is worth your time and how to go about pursuing it:
A Career With It All: Landing a dream job can sometimes require sacrificing a high salary, but a career in financial planning means not having to choose. It’s both a career that pays well and one where you’ll be able to positively impact the course of people’s lives. The median total compensation for financial planners in 2023 was $192,000. And CFP® professionals, with their competitive edge, earn 10% more than other financial planners.
A Promising Future: While inflation is causing many Americans to worry about their wallets, financial advisors are shielded from some of these concerns. That’s because their
2022-2023 year-to-year compensation outpaced inflation by 10%. With demand for financial professionals high and expected to grow, working toward CFP® certification can offer security in the years to come.
A Professional Difference: Many people with no credentials call themselves financial advisors. CFP® professionals, however, have met extensive requirements that prepare them to competently and ethically advise their clients. They also commit to CFP Board’s ethical standards that require them to put their clients’ interests first. With 86% of consumers preferring an advisor who has passed a certification exam and rigorous education program, CFP® certification can position you to attract and retain clients.
A Flexible Process: CFP® certification is flexible, typically taking 18-24 months to complete. It requires completing coursework through a CFP Board Registered Program,
passing an exam and gaining experience hours. For certification, you must also hold or earn a bachelor’s degree and sign an ethics declaration.
Ongoing Support: Available tools can support you during the CFP® certification journey. For example, you can track your progress with the CFP® Certification Tracker, find jobs and internships at the Career Center, connect with other candidates in an online forum and stay motivated with mentor guidance. Once you are certified, CFP Board resources can help you market yourself to employers and clients.
To get started on your CFP® certification journey, visit cfp. net.
Make time this summer for your future. Between trips to the pool and family vacations, take the right steps toward launching a successful financial planning career.
Gear first-time campers will want to take along to the campsite
The natural beauty of the great outdoors compels millions of people to incorporate nature into their daily routines. Whether it’s a morning walk around the neighborhood, an oceanfront weekend spent with toes in the sand or an afternoon lounging on a lake, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping is a wildly popular way for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy nature. Spending daylight hours in a wooded area or forest may not be unusual for outdoor enthusiasts, but camping under the stars at night can be intimidating for first-timers accustomed to comfortable, climatecontrolled bedrooms. The right gear can calm any nervousness first-time campers may have, and the following are some items to take along.
• Tent: A tent is obviously a must-have when planning to spend the night under the stars. Shelter protects campers from the elements, insects and wildlife, so it’s imperative that first-time campers bring along enough tents to accommodate everyone on the trip. Novice campers may be overwhelmed by the assortment of options available when they look to buy a tent, so it’s best to visit a local outdoor retailer for advice. Share the specifics of the trip, including how long it will be and how many people will need to be accommodated. Such information will help to determine the best tent for your trip.
• Sleeping bag, pad and pillow: A sleeping bag is another necessity, but it’s also important to bring along a sleeping pad. Temperatures drop at night, so a well-insulated sleeping bag can keep campers warm at night. A multi-season sleeping bag can be an especially useful investment that helps campers prepare for fluctuating temperatures. No matter how comfortable a sleeping bag may seem, the hard ground does not typically increase the chances of a good night’s rest. That’s why a sleeping pad is vital, particularly for first-time campers unaccustomed to sleeping in anything other than a bed. Round out your sleeping must-haves by bringing along a pillow.
• Chairs: Of course, camping trip comfort isn’t all about sleeping. A comfortable and foldable chair for everyone in the party is another essential. Chairs should be sturdy and ideally not too heavy, particularly if the campsite is a long walk from the car.
• Kitchenware: Cooking is a fun part of camping, especially when campers remember to bring along the appropriate kitchenware. A camp stove with two burners can make it easy to whip up just about anything. A singleburner stove might suffice for small camping parties, but the double-burner stove
SUMMERSwim
enables cooking more than one item at once. In addition to a sturdy stove, bring along some forks, knives and plates.
• Bug spray: Bugs won’t get the hint that campers don’t want them around the campsite, so don’t forget to pack some bug spray to repel these unwanted guests.
• Sunscreen: Even if you’re staying in a wooded area or forest with ample shade overhead, you’ll want to apply sunscreen to avoid skin damage. Even a mild sunburn can make sleeping in a tent for the first time more difficult, so apply sunscreen early and reapply as directed on the bottle.
• Miscellaneous items: Lighting to augment light coming from a campfire, toiletries to ensure bathroom breaks are as comfortable as possible, garbage bags and containers to secure trash and reduce the risk of attracting wildlife, and a few books or magazines to read while resting at the campsite are some additional items first-time campers won’t want to forget.
Camping is a fun activity that’s even more enjoyable when campers remember to pack the right gear.
Open swim season begins Memorial Day weekend, May 26, at the City of Sumter Aquatics Center, 1115 S. Lafayette Drive. The center is equipped with a six swim lane pool, diving blocks, lazy river, waterslide and wade pool with beach entrance and fountain and also offers hot showers, a concessions area, party rental, life jackets available at no charge, and lockers available for rent. Certified Pool Operators and Aquatic Facilities Operators. Lifeguards, Swim Coaches, Water Aerobics and Water Safety Instructors employed during the season are certified through the American Red Cross. The center is open to the public from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For additional information, visit https://www.sumtersc.gov/aquatics; call (803) 7743998; or email aquatics@sumtersc.gov.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin damage builds up over time, beginning with a person’s very first sunburn. The more a person’s skin burns, the greater his or her risk for skin cancer becomes. The SCF notes that the same ultraviolet (UV) rays that damage skin alter a tumorsuppressing gene. That alteration gives injured cells a smaller window to repair before a tumor becomes cancerous. Five or more sunburns in a lifetime doubles a person’s risk for melanoma, which can be deadly. That cumulative effect underscores the need to emphasize skin protection methods, such as wearing sunscreen and avoiding exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
