Summer Family Spanish Camp- Camp Wabasso, Bradford, NH- immersion program

I was looking for family camps that offer spanish immersion, and I found Camp Wabasso in Bradford, NH.  This camp is already full for summer 2013, but I put my name on the waiting list anyway as this camp sounds wonderful!  The dates are Sunday, August 11-Saturday, August 17, 2013.  The camp offers children's and adult's spanish immersion programs suitable for children 5 to 14 years old.

Resources:

Camp Wabasso
Bradford, NH
https://sites.google.com/site/lacosta.delespanol/
Prices:  $450. for first adult, $375. additional adult, $325. first child, $225. additional child.
Preference is given to families with Latin American connections.

Old Mill Park, Mill Valley, CA- They even have a hallowed out old redwood tree!

I took my son to Mill Valley today to the parade, plus to Old Mill Park, then to the festival at the community center in Mill Valley.  The highlight of our trip, though, was our visit to Old Mill Park, as he sat in a hallowed redwood tree, played chase with some local children he hung out with, and had fun running around the huge redwoods!

Resources:
Old Mill Park
17 Cascade Way,
Mill Valley, CA

Godly Play Curriculum at Churches, My son loves it!

I found a local church in my area that offers Godly Play and I love it!  The central event of the Godly Play hour is a bible story told using small, three-dimensional wood figures.  The activity time following gives the child of things to do in response to the story.  What they choose to do during the activity time is entirely up to them-draw, paint, work with a story, read another story, etc.

The Last Lecture by Professor Randy Pausch

As I prepare for our school open house this week I feel stressed and overwhelmed, but I remember Professor Randy Pausch's book, The Last Lecture, and it makes me remember what is really important.  These days teachers can so stressed about school open houses.  They worry more than ever about being judged.  Yet, what is important is not what is seen on open house night, it is the collective experiences and learnings from the whole year!

On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams."

I love the book and website, The Last Lecture.  Remembering it helps me remember what is really important!

Resources:

The Last Lecture
http://www.thelastlecture.com/

Hess Hathaway Park, Waterford, MI

I love taking my son to parks with barns and farm animals!  Some people in the area have told me that the Kensington Farm Center is even better, but my son loved this park!  There was a play structure on one side and on the other side, and a barn and farm animals on the other.

Resources:
Hess Hathaway Park
825 S. Williams Lake Road
Waterford, Michigan
48327
(248) 360-3814

Peekadoodle Kids Club, San Francisco, CA- where children as well as parents can make friends!

When I was pregnant with my son, I never realized how my life would change once he was born.  At first, when he was a baby, people wanted to visit and I was always welcome with my son.  At one point, when I could wear him, I felt really mobile and could take him anywhere!  When children start crawling, then it is harder to take a child anywhere and that is when the Peekadoodle Kids Club in San Francisco can really make a difference in the lives of the parents!  There are classes for children such as Pasketti I where parents take the cooking class with their little one.  Then, there is Pasketti II, when children start taking classes alone!    It is like a college campus for babies and children!  Plus, it is a wonderful place to meet other families with young children!

Resources:

Peekadoodle Kids Club
P:  (415) 440-7335
Ghiradelli Square
900 North Point Street, Suite F100
San Francisco, CA  94109
www.peekadoodle.com

children's birthday parties at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, CA-

The Claremont Hotel and Spa offers birthday parties for little ones by the pool!   Birthday parties have changed so much since I was a child.  When both parents are working, a child's birthday party is a time to relax and enjoy being with friends they don't get to see very much.  Plus, at many children's parties are also adults who may not have children.  The Claremont has the following perks:

*reserved, poolside tables, up to two hours
*Decorations
*Party host (1 adult for every 10 children)
*Set up and clean up
*Food options

Resources:

Children's birthday parties at the Claremont Pool and Spa
Sean Minton, Kids Club Manager
(510) 898-0037
sminton@claremont-hotel.com