Camp Guide 2012

PAGE 2 — CAMP GUIDE — MARCH 2012

B a l l e t • Ta p • J a z z • H i p - H o p • A d u l t C l a s s e sB

2012 Summer Dance CampsPrincess Ballerina Camp: 4-6 yearsLet’s Dance! Beginner’s Camp: 7-9 yearsSummer Dance Intensive: Level I, Pre-Teen; Level II, Teen

(706) 974-9161 • 258 Beartooth Pkwy, Suite 170, Dawsonville • www.bal letetc .org

REGISTERING NOW!6285 Post Road, Cumming, GA 30040www.MontessoriVickery.com770.310.2998admissions@MontessoriVickery.com

2830 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041www.MontessoriAcademyGeorgia.com

[email protected]

NOWEnrollingfor 2012

Toddlers Pr imary Elementary Middle

Summer Camp Fun!

It can be difficult to envision warm summer days when the wind is blowing and the rain is falling. However, the winter months are a great time to explore summer camp options. In fact, many camps have strict enroll-ment timelines that require deci-sions to be made prior to spring.

Attending summer camp has been a tradition in the United States for more than 150 years. Statistics indicate that around 30 million American kids attend summer camp each year.

There are many benefits to summer camp. Camp enables children to stay engaged during the summer when there may be limited interaction with school friends. It also gives parents both a safe and viable day care solu-tion during the summer.

Summer camp pulls together children from different neighbor-hoods, social classes and back-grounds, which can make it a good place to meet new people — some of whom may become lifelong friends. Camps also pro-vide a variety of activities that can challenge children to try new things that go beyond their com-fort zones.

Some children are receptive to the idea of attending summer camp. Others need a little coax-ing. But summer camp should never be forced on a child who does not want to go. In such instances, consider local daytime programs that may fill the void instead of programs that require being away from home.

Once the decision for summer camp is made, there are some questions to answer.

• What are your finances like? Do you have a budget for sum-mer camp?

• What size camp do you desire?

• Should the camp be co-ed or single sex?

• How far do you want your child to travel for summer camp? What are the options in your area?

• Are there any camps that have been recommended by friends or family members?

• What kinds of activities do your children enjoy?

These types of questions will help you narrow down your options.

Then you can visit and inter-view camps to find one that is the

best fit. When visiting camps, go armed with a checklist of ques-tions. Some of these can include:

• What is the philosophy of the camp?

• Can you explain a typical day?

• What are the types of activi-ties and facilities offered?

• What is the camper-to-coun-selor ratio?

• What is the camp’s drug/alcohol policy?

• Does the camp have insur-ance and security personnel?

• What percentage of staff return each year? How are staff

selected and trained?• What do you do in the event

of emergencies?There are many different

camps available. Some offer a “little bit of everything.” Others cater to academics, sports, spe-cific hobbies or even religious preferences. Don't wait too long to research and sign up for camps because many fill up quite early or have an extensive wait-ing list. That is why choosing a camp should be part of a winter to-do list.

— Metro

Choose the right one for children

Courtesy MCT

Summer camp is a fun way that millions of children spend their summers each year. And for some kids, daytime programs closer to home are a better option.

Summer camp

About this guide

Summer is the time when students are on break and parents won-der how they’ll keep their children active and learning. In the 2012 Camp Guide, you’ll find information about sum-mer camp and day camps, as well as other topics of interest to keep kids healthy and active through the summer.

Over the last 12 months, few issues have been more widely discussed than the econ-omy. As the market continued to falter, the unemployment rate continued to rise. As a result, many families were forced to alter their lifestyles in order to get by.

One less publicized side effect of the economic downturn had to do with those people who managed to maintain their jobs throughout the year.

In many such cases, those people who did hold onto their jobs were often buried with work, the result of laid off cowork-ers whose work still needed to be done. Such a reality had a ripple effect on many families across the country, as parents were forced to spend more time at the office and less time with their kids.

For single-parent homes, that reality has proven especially disheartening. According to the National Mentoring Partnership, more than 17 million young people between the ages of 10 and 18 live in situations that put them at risk of not living up to their potential. While that’s disconcerting, there are ways in which adults looking to help can pro-vide some guidance and support for kids in need.

Open up your businessMany businesses, particularly those

that aren’t in retail, might feel as though there is little they can do to help neigh-borhood kids in need. However, even high schoolers can work as interns, helping in the day-to-day operations of the office while also gaining some insight into how a business is run.

Be it a small business or a large cor-poration, an internship program for high schoolers can make a positive impact on kids who otherwise might not have daily access to adults who care about them.

Consult local religious leadersOftentimes, local churches, syna-

gogues or other houses of worship offer programs spanning a wide variety of topics for the local youth. Many times, these religious organizations are in dire need of a helping hand.

Even if it’s only volunteering to speak to kids about business, applying for col-lege or any other advice an adult can offer, it will be appreciated and make a positive impact.

Share expertiseAdults often have hobbies they have

been cultivating since their childhood or young adulthood. While they might not realize this or be too modest to admit it, that experience has given them a certain level of expertise that can be valuable to youths.

For example, adults who are avid mountain bikers can start a mountain biking club for kids. Chances are, local cycling shops would help fund such a program (more cyclists will eventually be good for business), and adults will still be participating in a favorite hobby, only now they’ll be helping kids while doing it.

Opportunities also abound for former athletes who competed at the high school or collegiate level. Volunteer with the local high school, Little League or other youth athletic organi-zations to put your past experience to good use.

Take children’s friends along on trips

Another easy way to make a positive impact on youths is to invite your chil-dren’s friends along for camping trips, jaunts to the beach or a night at the ball-park. Many children from two-parent homes have friends from single-parent homes. Those friends might need anoth-er positive adult figure in their life, and inviting them along for any of the afore-mentioned trips will make your own kids happy and give their friends a fun night out on the town or off at the camp-site.

To learn more about becoming a men-tor, visit the National Mentoring Partnership Web site at www.mentoring.org.

— Metro

CAMP GUIDE — MARCH 2012 — PAGE 3

Come have some fun in the sun!

Experienced Adult Drivers | Special Teaching Bar for BeginnersMaximum 7 Students per Boat | Safe, Quick-learning Methods Used | Private Lessons Available

Improve YourWater Skiing Skills• Basic Skiing• Trick• Wakeboard

• Slalom• Barefooting• Kneeboarding

Operated by the Barnes family since 1985

For more information call Sheila Barnes770-889-2849

www.waterskicamp.net

Easy ways for adults to mentor less fortunate

For the newspaper

Taking kids to the beach is one way in which adults can make a positive impact in the lives of children who might otherwise never get the chance to leave their neighborhood.


CSI - Crime Scene Investigation

Art Explosion

Space O Rama

Snack Attack!

Sewing/Crochet/Crafting

Picture This

Chinese Immersion Camp

Twirl Mania

Mad Crazy Science

Top Chef

Day Camps in DahlonegaSession I: July 9 - 13

Session II: July 16 - 20

Cool Camps for a Hot Summer!

www.northgeorgia.edu/ce/summercamps

706-864-1918

Fun and fresh activities, games & � eld trips specially designed to help children develop skills which are the foundation of

doing well in school and life!

While having loads of fun, they will also be learning to problem solve, focus, make choices, socialize/work with

others, and manage their emotions. We encourage creative thinking and support individual ideas.

(Math/Science and Reading/Writing will naturally be part of daily activities)

Create Your Rate!We o er a exible hourly/daily program.

� ere are no charges for absences or school/holiday closings.Cumming

1011 Canton Hwy(770) 889-1020

Alpharetta6180 Atlanta Hwy

(770) 475-7196

Building Blocks Child Development Centers

www.buildingblocks2.com

Safety First and Always

Pancake sandwiches, chicken and waffles, egg casseroles —breakfast seems to be inspiring creativity and breaking barriers morning, noon and night.

The only challenge the most important meal of the day has is its designated time slot.

With morning madness, some days pulling together a delicious, satisfying breakfast can be noth-ing short of impossible. Easy and delicious one-dish breakfast pud-ding, strata and casseroles can be made the night before, eliminat-ing the breakfast “scramble.” These hearty meals provide a tasty, warm way to kick-start the day.

While we normally think of puddings as dessert, they make a satisfying breakfast that can be customized based on seasonal ingredients and toppings. These puddings feature dairy products

which will help keep your hunger at bay until lunch. Follow these tips for embracing this timeless trend and heating up your morn-ings.

Make it a habitBreakfast puddings help start

your morning on the right foot by filling your bowl with ingredients found in your recommended daily food groups.

According to the USDA, peo-ple who miss breakfast often weigh more than those who don’t.

Children who eat breakfast have shown improvement in school subjects and having an improved memory.

For parents, get the kids involved. Research has shown that young adults who participate in food preparation are more like-ly to meet dietary objectives in

fats, calcium, fruit and whole grain consumption. Some experts also believe breakfast helps get your metabolism running in the morning, helping to make better choices the rest of the day.

Stick to the basicsDid you know that breakfast

contributes important vitamins and minerals your body needs?

Milk, a key ingredient in most breakfast puddings, is a rich source of both calcium and vita-min D, important nutrients for all age groups. Instead of reaching for that toaster tart, go back to the basics of breakfast with com-fort foods like oatmeal and breakfast puddings. These cozy dishes are perfect for a cold morning in the mountains or breakfast in bed on a spring day.

Breakfast can be exciting

See BREAKFAST | 4

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Find creative ways to make the meal more exciting.

For the newspaper


419 Tribble Gap Rd. • Cumming, GA 30040www.cummingdanceacademy.com

"The perfect dance facility for both the serious and the recreational dancer..."

Cumming Dance Academy, Inc.

NEED DANCE SUPPLIES?“Tutu’s & Taps” Dance Boutique Located in CDA!

Shoes, Leotards, Tights & Accessories, Come by Today!

REGISTRATION FOR FALL CLASSES BEGINS MAY 1, 2012!

Niki J. WatkinsOwner/Artistic Director

Professional Instruction in:Ballet ~ Tap ~ Jazz ~ Hip-Hop ~ Irish ~ Lyrical Contemporary ~ Pointe ~ Modern ~ Kinder-Gym ~ Acro-Cheer ~ Adult Classes ~ Musical Theatre

2 Year Creative Movement

Voted 2010 & 2011 Best Studio in Cumming

by a local publication

For more information or to register for dance summer camps & fall registration,

visit us online at www.cummingdanceacademy.com or call

770•781•4922

New for Fall 2012-2013 Schedule: Hop-Hop classes starting for 2nd grade and up!

2-6 Year Fantasy Camp June 25-29 and July 16-20

Summer Dance Intensive: Jr & Sr Level: July 23-27

Turns & Leaps, Hop-Hop, Jazz, So You Think You Can Dance, & Much More!

Summer Dance Intensive: 2nd Grade-Adult: July 16-20

Hip-Hop, jazz, So You Think You Can Dance, Stretch & Strength Conditioning Classes as well as Boot Camp Jam for high school age students and adults!

CDA II Performance Academy

Opening Fall 2012A new division of CDA offering a complete

performance package for young stars!

Register now for Summer Dance

Camps!

Don’t count on running lateToo many people skip breakfast

because of the fear of missing the car-pool or client meeting. Recipes like Raisin Bread Pudding with Spiced Apples (featured below) include micro-wavable instructions to enjoy your breakfast in a speedy fashion at home or at the office. Plus, this recipe also has baking instructions for those weekends you have some extra time to warm up the oven and let the aroma fill your kitchen.

Enjoy with companyDon’t wait for the next big holiday to

enjoy brunch with friends and family. Invite them over this weekend. Most breakfast recipes are made to serve more than six, which make them perfect to enjoy with your favorite guests. Make a breakfast pudding and serve with sliced fresh fruit, yogurt and a warm pot of coffee.

Enhance with favoritesOnce you’ve tried this recipe as is, try

making it your signature dish by substi-tuting your favorite bread, dried fruit and toasted nuts. Most breakfast pud-dings, stratas and casseroles start with a base that can be easily tweaked to make endless flavor possibilities.

FROM 4

Breakfast

2 large eggs1/2 cup packed brown sugar1 teaspoon vanilla 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 cups nonfat or lowfat milk 8 slices cinnamon-raisin bread, toasted and cut into 1-inch cubes

(about 4 cups) 1 tablespoon apricot jam 1 tablespoon water Spiced apples (recipe below) Whipped cream (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, vanilla and salt. Gradually whisk in milk. Scatter bread in a shallow 1 1/2-quart casserole or 8-inch baking pan. Pour milk mixture over bread, pushing bread down to thor-oughly saturate. Bake about 40 minutes or until puffed and browned, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Mix apricot jam and water and brush on top of hot pudding. Serve bread pudding warm or at room temperature with spiced apples and a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

Bread pudding may be assembled the day before and refrigerat-ed covered. Allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes baking time.

Spiced apples1/4 cup butter 1/3 cup water1/4 cup packed brown sugar3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice3 small or 2 large red-skin apples,

cored, quartered and sliced 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Melt butter in a medium saucepan; stir in water, sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Stir over medium heat until sugar melts and sauce is smooth. Add apples; cook, basting with sauce, until apples are barely tender. Stir in lemon juice. Serve hot with bread pudding.

Milk raisin bread pudding with spiced apples

Many parents can attest to the chal-lenges in encouraging children to eat healthily, including incorporating plenty of fruits and vegetables into their daily diets.

Children tend to become picky eat-ers for a number of reasons, accord-ing to the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Some children are just natu-rally more sensitive to taste, texture and smell of some foods.

Others may learn their picky eating from parents who pick and choose among their meals. Still other chil-dren learn to be selective through bribes and punishments around meal-time.

However, there needn’t been fuss-ing and feuding over food choices — particularly produce — when parents employ a few creative ideas to entice children to dig into healthy foods.

1. Ask for your child’s help: Have your child ride along to the grocery store and take an active role into picking out healthy foods that he or she may be willing to try.

Most nutrition experts find that if children take in interest in what they will be eating, and are instrumental in making some choices, they will have a higher rate of eating those meals and foods.

2. Understand your child’s eating habits: Some children will eat the crown of broccoli but leave aside the stems. There are kids that will eat anything as long as it’s dunked in ketchup.

They may enjoy pears as long as they are cut up into pieces with the skin removed.

Pay attention to how your child likes to eat the food and present it that way. It could mean fewer argu-ments at the dinner table.

3. Explore new flavor combina-tions: Oftentimes mixing certain fla-vor combinations can entice children to eat foods they may have never con-sidered trying. Just think about the popularity of fruit juices mixed with vegetable purees. Some children have an inclination toward favorite flavors or just can benefit from a little vari-

ety, which can sometimes prove chal-lenging when produce is out of sea-son.

4. Try creative presentations: Simply presenting the foods in a unique way can make them fun to eat. Try making fruit creations, such as “snowmen” out of stacked grapes, or orange and peach skewers. Children may be more inclined to drinking fruit smoothies mixed with yogurt, or giving foods fun names, such as banana bombs, which are just chunks of banana rolled in honey and grano-la. All it may take is creating a fruit face on a plate with different fruits resembling features.

Try kiwi eyes, apple slices for a mouth, a blueberry nose, or whatever you come up with.

5. Be patient with new foods: It can take a few attempts and repeated exposure to get children to try new foods, says the Mayo Clinic. Serve new foods along with children’s favorite foods, like apple slices added to a peanut butter sandwiches.


Make fruits fun

For the newspaper

Add a fun twist to a favorite fruit.

Here are more ideas about incorporating apples in snacks

Crunch slices Core, cut and slice two apples, crush 1/2 cup of your favorite cereal,

mix 1 teaspoons packed brown sugar and 2 tablespoons peanut butter together. Spread the brown sugar and peanut butter onto Grapple slices and roll in cereal.

Apple kabobsCore, quarter and cube a apple. Slice some cheese into similarly sized

cubes. Skewer the apples and cheese alternately on toothpicks, adding a raisin or other dried fruit. If packing for school lunch, dip the apples into a little lemonade first to keep them from turning brown.

Dried applesYou can easily dry your own apples without any preservatives. Cut an

apple into 1/4-inch thick slices. Dip them into a bowl of lemon water or lemonade. Spread out on a metal rack and set into a warm oven (180 degrees) for two or three hours. Turn off the oven and let them cool.

Baked applesPlace a cored apple in a buttered ramekin. Add 1 teaspoon of butter, 1

teaspoon of brown sugar and a 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon into the cen-ter hole. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes.


SportsCheerleadingGymnastics &TumblingDriver’s EdScienceFirst AidBabysitting& More!

wwwwwwwwwwwwwww.PINECREST.PINECREST.PINECREST.PINECREST.PINECRESTAAAAACADEMYCADEMYCADEMYCADEMYCADEMY.or.or.or.or.org/summerg/summerg/summerg/summerg/summercampscampscampscampscamps

Join the fun this summer at one of over 50camps Pinecrest Academy has waiting foryour child. Browse the catalogue availableon our website at:www.pinecrestacademy.org/summercamps.

770.888.4477955 Peachtree Parkway

Cumming, GA 30041RRRRReeeeegister online agister online agister online agister online agister online at:t:t:t:t:

Kids love video games. They’re exciting, fun and engrossing. While games can promote learning and growth, too much video gaming — or playing inappropriate games —can lead to negative conse-quences. What should parents know to make good game choices for their children?

Ola Gardner, a faculty mem-ber in game art and design at The Art Institute of Atlanta, offers these tips when select-ing games for kids:

• Become familiar with the E n t e r t a i n m e n t S o f t w a r e Ratings Board. These ratings are designed to help potential players understand the game’s content and offer guidance on which games are appropriate for different ages.

• Explore www.family -

friendlyvideogames.com. This site provides a report card on games, with detailed descrip-tions of game content, techni-cal performance and kid friendliness.

• Understand the types of games on the market: edutain-ment (educat ional games focusing on teaching the play-er), role playing games (that offer deep story and character development), action games (that train and enhance hand-eye coordination), simulation games (building vehicles such as planes or cars) and strategy games.

• Use online reviews, ask other parents, ask the staff at your local store — and play games with your kids.

It’s also important for par-ents to understand the different

game platforms. “Generally Nintendo (Wii

and the portable 3DS system as well) is a very kid-friendly plat-form to purchase for younger children. The Sony PlayStation3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 have kid-friendly games to play as well, though parents need to exercise caution as some of the games released are for adults only,” said Nick Viola, a game art and design faculty member at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. “The Wii and the Xbox 360 Kinect encourage families to play together and get the players off the sofa.”

Whatever the game and what-ever the platform, video games for kids — like those for any age — need to be engaging.

“The interactivity of these games seems to be the crucial

factor that engages kids of all ages. Exciting visuals and action are also key,” said David March, a media arts and anima-tion faculty member at The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta.

And what children’s video games do these experts like

best? “My favorite kids’ games are the Ratchet and Clank series and the Super Mario franchise,” Gardner said.

Super Mario Brothers is a favorite of Viola’s as well. “Its bright bold colors, simplistic playing mechanics and iconic sound effects will always draw my attention,” he said. For March, favorites include “the side-scrollers like Prince of Persia — things with lots of lush graphics. And I’m a total sucker for almost any game involving flying an aircraft.”

Bottom line? Video games are here to stay. And when appropriately used, they can provide an opportunity for fam-ilies to play together as well as for kids to learn and grow.

— ARA Content

What video games should kids play?

For the newspaper

Parents should help guide children when choosing video games.


Metro Atlanta’s premier swim club – o� ering swim lessons for everyone from infants to adults, and boasting one of the country’s most competitive swim teams.

Cumming (Midway)770.888.00105059 Post Road, Cumming, GA

Johns Creek770.622.1735

4050 Johns Creek Pkwy., Suwanee, GA

FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS!Receive a FREEPair of Goggles when you register for our Spring Session Only!Limited Time O� er!

OFFER ONLY APPLIES AT CUMMINGAND JOHNS CREEK LOCATIONS

More than two-thirds of children will have at least one cavity before their 19th birthday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While tooth decay remains one of the most common health problems in chil-dren, it is also the most preventable, experts say.

“With proper education and regular dentist appointments, children can go their whole life without dental health problems,” said LaVerne Johnson, den-tal assistant instructor at Everest College — Fort Worth South in Texas.

Johnson, along with other dental assistant instructors, understands the importance of maintaining good dental health. Johnson has a few tips on what children and parents can do to protect and strengthen their smiles for years to come.

• Brush and floss daily — the right way. It’s not new advice, but brushing and flossing remain the two most

important ingredients for a healthy smile. However, to truly be effective, they must be done correctly. Parents should model and teach their children the correct techniques to keep their teeth healthy and clean. Brushing should require only a pea-sized amount of tooth-paste and incorporate circular brush strokes to reach all surfaces. Often, because of their limited dexterity, chil-dren will brush too hard, which can lead to increased tooth sensitivity and reced-ing gum lines.

• Proper flossing requires wrapping the floss around the fingers and then gliding the thread between teeth in a C-shaped motion. This prevents plaque buildup between teeth and under the gum line. Make sure your child uses a new section of floss each time he or she goes between two new teeth to avoid spread-ing bacteria throughout the mouth.

An apple a day keeps the dentist away

For the newspaper

Regular visits to the dentist can help keep dental health problems to a minimum.See DENTIST | 9


www.creekstoneacademycumming.com5415 Settingdown Rd., Cumming, GA 30041

678-455-9292

Your kidscan have a BLAST going on exciting

fi eldtrips with NO academic backsliding!

We offer a full summer-long camp with threetwo-week programs for our drop-in campers. • Science & Discovery • Sports Camp

(Basketball, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Softball) • Around the World in 10 Days!

• Limit sugary snacks and drinks. The bacteria that form plaque feed on sugar and use it as a glue to stick to teeth. Be aware of the snacks you pro-vide your children.

Foods like raisins, peanut butter, taffies, toffees, soft can-dies and pastries stick to teeth and provide a long-term feast for bacteria. When your chil-dren do eat sweets, have them eat them after a meal. When eaten alone, sweets are more likely to stick to teeth and bond until the next brushing.

Crunchy foods like apples, carrots and other raw vegeta-bles, as well as foods high in vitamin C, like citrus fruits and broccoli are not only healthier, but also naturally clean teeth while kids eat them. Limiting consumption of sugary foods

and drinks will not only help promote healthier children, but will also reduce cavities.

This advice is not just for older children. Many parents don’t realize infants are also susceptible to cavities and often get “baby bottle cavi-ties.” Allowing a child to sip through the night on a baby bottle filled with fruit juice or milk can cause cavities.

• Protect their teeth. Using f luor ide toothpaste helps your child’s teeth to be less soluble to the acids created by bacteria. However, using too much creates a condition known as mottled enamel, which appears as brown spots on teeth.

The key to avoiding mot-tled enamel is using the right amount o f f luor ide . For infants, a small smear of flu-oride toothpaste is sufficient, and for children younger than 7, use no more than a pea-s ized amount . I t i s a l so important to know if your

child is consuming fluoridat-ed water.

Check wi th your loca l water utility to find out if your water has fluoride in it as well as the amount it con-tains. Along with fluoride, dental sealants are an excel-lent way to prevent tooth decay in children.

The dental sealant proce-dure takes only minutes, is painless, is less than half the cost of a filling and is virtu-ally 100 percent effective at stopping decay.

• Proper procedures can save teeth. Children involved in sports need proper mouth protection to prevent mouth injuries, knocked-out teeth and possible concussions. Ask your dentist about cus-tomized mouth guards. If your child knocks out a permanent tooth while playing sports, gently rinse the tooth off and place it in a cup of warm milk. If warm milk is not available, salt water or plain water will also work. Call your dentist and bring your child and the soaking tooth in immediately for re-implanta-tion and stabilization.

• Make dentist visits fun. If children have a good attitude about their dental hygiene, they will be more likely to take proper care of their teeth. Appointments should be made right at the appearance of the first tooth, according to the A m e r i c a n A c a d e m y o f Pediatric Dentistry.

Early visi ts make for a

more pleasant experience for the child and help prevent future health problems. In fact , s tudies done by the AAPD show improper oral hyg iene may inc rease a child’s r isk of eventually developing heart disease or suffering a stroke as an adult. Be positive about the dentist and explain to your children that the dentist is a friendly doctor who is helping to take care of their smiles.

“The most important thing for parents to remember is that taking care of a child’s teeth is very important for his or her future health,” Johnson said. “Although your children will lose their baby teeth, that doesn’t mean they are not important. Healthy baby teeth influence jaw placement and future alignment of permanent teeth, which is one of the rea-sons parents can end up spend-ing hundreds of dollars on future dental work and ortho-dontics.”

FROM 8

Dentist‘Taking care of a child’s teeth is very important for his or her future health.’

LaVerne JohnsonDental assistant instructor

When shopping for a home, parents often mar-vel at properties that fea-ture a pool in the back-yard.

Once they see a pool, parents envision their kids having fun in the sun with friends and family.

While days spent pool-side with the family are fun, they can also be dangerous, especially for children.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates, and fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years.

It’s no wonder then why parents place such a strong emphasis on pool safety. The following are some preventative mea-sures parents can take to reduce their child’s risk of an accident in the pool.

Ensure children know how to swim

Teaching kids to swim might sound obvious, but many kids jump into pools before having any formal swimming train-ing.

But a child who has received formal swim-ming lessons has a signif-icantly smaller risk of injury or drowning than one who has not received formal lessons.

A 2009 study published i n t he Arch ive s o f Pediatrics and Medicine found that participation in formal swimming lessons

can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children ages 1 to 14 years.

Local community cen-ters as well as the YMCA and even the Red Cross likely offer swimming les-sons for children, so par-ents should take advantage of these highly effective programs.

Pay constant attention when kids are in the pool

Kids should never be left unattended when in a pool. But accidents hap-pen even when parents are nearby.

However, how quickly adults or others respond to a child in danger can have a significant impact on the outcome of an emergency situation.

A study in the medical journal Pediatrics deter-mined that the more quickly someone is able to intervene, such as admin-istering CPR, the better the chance of improving the outcome.

So parents should respond as quickly as pos-sible whenever they sus-pect something has gone wrong in the pool.

Don’t rely on air-filled, foam toys

Parents should not rely on air-filled flotation devices such as “water wings” as a safety mea-sure.

Such dev i ce s can deflate, putting kids at risk, especially if parents are under the assumption that the devices are enough to keep kids safe

while they man the grill or mow the lawn.

Even if kids wearing flotation devices have had swimming lessons, the likelihood kids will panic and forget those lessons if the devices deflate is significant enough that parents should pay con-stant attention.

Do not consume alcohol

Adults should never consume alcohol while children are swimming in the pool.

Alcohol can negative-ly affect judgement, bal-ance and coordination, making it more difficult to respond to a pool emergency should one occur.

In addition, the effects of alcohol are heightened by exposure to the sun and heat, so consuming alcohol on hot summer days while kids are swim-ming in the pool could be an unnecessary risk.

Put all toys away after swimming

A pool and its sur-rounding deck should not have toys lying around, as this only entices children to go into the pool area when Mom and Dad might not be home or watching them.

A s tudy f rom the C o n s u m e r P r o d u c t S a f e t y C o m m i s s i o n found that most young children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home and had been out of sight for less than five minutes.

Kids can quickly dis-

appear, and it might be too late before parents notice their youngster has jumped into the pool unsupervised.

Put all toys away once a swimming session ends, so kids don’t feel the urge to go play by the pool unsupervised.

A backyard pool is both fun and potentially dan-gerous.

A few safety measures can drastically reduce the risk of drowning or inju-ry, but parents should remain alert and attentive whenever kids are swim-ming or playing around the pool.

— Metro


Registering forFall 2012 Now!2, 3 & 4 Year Olds

Mothers’ Morning Out

Small Classes • Experienced Staff • A Confi dence Building Program

724 Pilgrim Mill Rd.Cumming, GA

678.372.0778www.ecohspreschool.org

“Helping Children Develop

Their Whole Personalities.”

Est. 1989

For the newspaper

Parents should take safety measures to prevent kids from injury or drowning when swimming in a backyard pool.

Pool safety tips for parents


“I just wanted to take a moment and tell you all how impressed we were with Camp Kerusso last summer...

something special happened at Camp Kerusso with the love that your staff showed those kids. We will defi nitely be back next summer!!! Thanks for all you do for our community!”

-KELLY, CAMP MOM

REGISTER BY JUNE 1FOR ONLY $109!

Register online TODAY:

www.campkerusso.orgCAMP KERUSSO DETAILS

Dates: Week 1: June 4-8 Week 2: June 25-29 Week 3: July 16-20 Week 4: July 23-27

COST: $119 per weekAGES: 1st - 5th gradersHOURS: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

DETAILS: Camp Kerusso is a sports day camp in Forsyth County (GA 400, Exit 16/Pilgrim Mill Road) all about having fun and new experiences. Activities include golf, swimming, soccer, kickball, capture the fl ag, and awesome games. Campers also choose a specialty track for two hours each day.

WILDERNESS TRACK: Activities include fi shing, canoeing, archery, outdoor education, and orienteering.

HORSEMANSHIP TRACK: Additional $30Activities include an introduction to care and maintenance, ground handling, basic horsemanship, and the proper seat on the horse. This track meets off-site for two hours each morning. Transportation is provided. The additional $30 fee covers the cost of the horses and transportation.

When the subject of giving something back to a communi-ty comes up, many people for-get about the environment.

But giving back to the great outdoors is a great way to improve your community while enjoying some fresh air and soaking up some sun.

For those who want to give back to their community while helping the environment, there are a num-ber of ways to do just that.

Park cleanupState and local parks rely on vol-

unteers to perform a number of tasks that are ideal for nature enthusiasts who want to give back to the environment while enjoying the great outdoors. Among the tasks parks often need help with are trail and campground mainte-nance which helps keep parks free of litter and debris.

Some parks even enlist the help of volunteers to lead park visitors on guided tours.

Visit the Web site of a nearby park or contact your local parks department to find volunteer opportunities in your area.

Beach, lake cleanupJust like parks, beaches need

cleanup, and communities often rely on volunteers to keep beaches clean, particularly in the offseason.

Volunteers who love to soak up sun throughout the summer can help maintain and improve their local beaches during the offseason.

AdvocacyEnvironmental advocacy is anoth-

er way eco-conscious men, women and children can give back to the environment. Nonprofit groups are always in need of volunteers who are will-

ing to help educate others about issues facing the environment.

These groups are both local and national, and advocacy groups help inform people on issues ranging from global warming to something as simple as learning how to camp proper-ly without leaving a negative impact on the campground.

For those who don’t have much time but want to help educate their communities about national and local envi-ronmental issues, advocacy groups accept and often need donations.

Encourage young people

One of the best ways to give back to the environment is to encourage young people to appreciate and respect the great

outdoors. Teach kids how to fish or

camp, and encourage them to join local Boy Scout or Girl Scout troops.

Such activities are both fun and educational, and kids will

develop their own relationships with the planet, no doubt instilling a sense of environ-mental responsibility at a young age.

— Metro

Give back to the environment

File photo

Volunteering for a beach cleanup program is one way to give back to the environment.

Few vacation ideas are as family-friendly as camping. When vacation-ing, families may be concerned about financing their trip. In camping, how-ever, individuals often find an afford-able vacation alternative both parents and kids can enjoy.

That affordability is why camping con-tinues to be overwhelmingly popular. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, about 1 in 5 Americans went camping in 2008. While that’s good news for outdoor enthusiasts, it’s not always great news for the environ-ment.

When camping, campers need to remem-ber to be clean and environmentally con-scious.

Even a campsite with maintenance staff needs to be treated like a remote spot in the woods with no one to clean it up. When camping, consider the following eco-friendly tips to ensure your vacation is as good for the environment as it is for the family.

Purchase reusable cookwareThough you might not be in the comforts

of your own kitchen, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring some reusable cookware with you to the campsite.

Instead of paper plates, plastic utensils and foam cups, purchase some inexpen-sive reusable dishes, utensils and coffee mugs.

Many camping stores sell supplies that will be exactly what you’re looking for.

Reusable items will greatly reduce the trash you produce and save you money over time.

Don’t forget to recycle Particularly when in a remote camping

area. If you recycle at home you should bring that eco-conscious practice with you to the campsite.

The campsite you visit may or may not have recycling bins, so bring some extra

trash bags with you to separate your recyclable from garbage while in the woods.

Cook around the fireTrue campers will insist that meals are

cooked over a fire they started them-selves. However, families without a camping history often choose to bring along stoves that use propane or electrici-ty to operate.

Fuel-powered options are not as envi-ronmentally friendly as cooking over a fire. Wood is typically easy to gather around a campsite, and cooking over a fire lends a more genuine feel to any camping trip.

Just be sure to properly extinguish any fire afterward.

Sleep in tentsMost families already bring along tents,

but those that don’t often sleep in campers or RVs. While these might be more luxuri-ous accommodations, they’re also less environmentally friendly. RVs use more fuel than a car or smaller SUV and likely more electricity since many campers or RVs boast many of the same amenities of home.

Kids will also likely prefer sleeping in tents than inside, as it’s more fun and closer to a genuine camping experience than sleeping in a camper or RV.

— Metro


Camping is an affordable and fun vacation for families. But they should keep the environment in mind when visit-ing camp-sites.

For the newspaper

Stay eco-friendly when camping

Even a campsite with maintenance staff needs to be treated like a remote spot in the woods with no one to clean it up.


$100 OffYour Third

Week’s Tuition!

Coupon must be redeemed

with enrollment package.

Offer expires June 1, 2012

Willow Brook Academy

Are YOU ready for another year of fun, adventure, and learning?

Come join us for Camp Fun Tastic!• Curriculum-based lesson

plans with new themes each week

• Weekly Field Trips• Hip Hop Dance and Soccer

Coaching available• Annual Talent Show• Camp Fun Tastic T-shirt

& Tote Bag Provided

Water Play Activities • Game AreaComputer Lab • Ice Cream & Pizza Parties • Arts & Crafts • And more!

678.455.0555 • 8150 Majors Rd. • Cumming, GAwww.willowbrookacademy.com

We look forward to spending the summer with YOU!

When everything comes up roses, so do spring allergies. Forty million Americans suffer from outdoor and indoor allergies in the United States, making it one of the country’s most common, yet overlooked health con-ditions. In fact, allergies are the fifth-leading chronic disease in the U.S. for all ages.

Allergic symptoms occur when a person’s body overreacts to “aller-gens,” often referred to as triggers. While people can experience allergy triggers any time throughout the year, the pollen released from trees, grass and weeds in the spring is a b ig t r igger for many sufferers . Al le rgy symptoms may inc lude sneezing; runny nose; itchy, watery eyes and itchy nose or throat.

More than 2 million school days and 4 million missed or lost work-days are racked up each year due to seasonal allergies. However, with proper management and education, allergy symptoms can be relieved, allowing adults and children alike to continue their favori te activi t ies inside and outside.

“As an allergist, I’m often address-ing my patients’ concerns about treating their allergy symptoms with a medicine that can relieve their symptoms quickly and doesn’t make them tired or groggy,” said Dr. Eli Meltzer, Allergy & Asthma Medical Group and Research Center.

Dr. Meltzer has some additional tips to reduce allergen exposure and/or relieve allergy symptoms this spring:

• Garden with greater ease: When doing yard work, keep hands away from your face to avoid contact with your eyes and nose. When finished pruning, planting and potting, don’t bring gardening tools indoors, and immediately change into clean cloth-ing. Showering following a garden-ing session can also help reduce

symptoms. • S l eep more sound ly : P l ace

removable allergen-resistant cover-ings on mattresses, pillows and box springs, and wash your bedding in hot water every seven to 14 days.

• Keep indoor air clean: Keep the windows in your home and car closed, and don’t forget to change filters in air conditioning units and vents frequently this time of year.

• M o n i t o r t h e p o l l e n c o u n t : Seasonal allergy symptoms can flare up when pollen counts are particu-lar ly h igh. Before heading out , check the local news or Internet for current pollen counts. If high pollen counts are forecasted, take an allergy medication before symptoms set in, and keep outdoor activity to a mini-mum when possible.

— ARA Content

Nip seasonal allergies in bud

For the newspaper

Forty million Americans suffer from outdoor and indoor allergies in the United States. Follow a few guide-lines to help lessen the symptoms.

Well-meaning parents or grandparents often tell children not to do some-thing with the warning that a serious health implication could result.

Kids often take their elders at their word. But some of these warnings bear more truth than others.

Here’s the scoop on some of the more com-mon misconceptions.

Myth: Swallowed chewing gum stays in the stomach for seven years

While chewing gum cannot be digested and is meant to be chewed and not swallowed, acci-dentally swallowing a piece here and there w o n ’ t c a u s e m a j o r issues.

That’s because the gum will simply pass through the digestive system whole and come out with stool.

If a large amount of gum is swallowed in a short period of time, then there could be issues, including consti-pation and intest inal blockage in children.

Myth: If you keep your eyes crossed too long, they will get stuck that way

The muscles in the eye are just like any muscles elsewhere in the body. Although they may tire and get sore, they are

relatively resilient and can take a lot of wear and tear.

Crossing your eyes may tax these muscles, but you won’t do any permanent harm.

R e s t a s s u r e d t h a t crossing the eyes will not leave them stuck that way.

Myth: Going outside with wet hair will make you sick

Although you will feel colder stepping outside with a part of your body wet, it won’t make you more suscep t ib le to catching a cold.

Researchers a t the Common Cold Research Unit in England once tested a group of volun-teers who were given the cold virus.

One half of the group stayed in a warm room, while the others took a bath and stood wet in a hallway for a half hour. The wet group didn’t catch more colds than the dry.

Myth: You lose 75 percent of your body heat through your head

This calculat ion is m o r e f o r a n i n fa n t whose head makes up a greater percentage of his or her body. In an adult, the figure is closer to 10 percent. Heat can escape from any exposed area of the body. Therefore, it

is helpful to bundle up all areas of the body when spending time out-doors in the cold weather.

Myth: Don’t swim right after eating

The basis of this man-tra is that when digest-ing food, the digestive system pulls blood away from the muscles and the idea is that you could cramp up and drown. While you may have less energy to swim vigorously, chances are you won’t be so weak as to drown.

Although many health myths prevail, knowing the truth can help par-ents educate their chil-dren better about which behaviors are safe and which are risky.

— Metro


Popular health myths debunked“Don’t swim right after eat-ing” is just one of the many myths that have been around for years.

For the newspaper


Fees: $280.00 Per Two Week Session $150.00 Per One Week Session $1300.00 -11 Weeks ( Must be paid in full

prior to camp.) Registration Fee (non-refundable)-$75.00 Camper will receive two T-shirts to be worn on all � eld trips, and a swim bag.

Swim Team, Swimming Lessons & Specialty Camps Available Lunch-Campers must bring their lunch daily.

Cornerstone Schools Summer Camp 20124888 Browns Bridge Rd. Cumming GA 30041 (770) 205-6860

www.cornerstonesch.com

Camp Hours-Mon. to Fri. -9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.(Extended Day 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)

Group 1 - (7 & under) Field Trips) Session 1 - May 29 to June 8 Wed. - 5/30- Park (Coal Mtn.) Thurs. - 5/31- Skating Wed. - 6/6- Catch Air Thurs. - 6/7- Scavenger Hunt/Ice

Cream Party

Session 2 - June 11 to June 22 Wed. - 6/13- Ink Thurs. - 6/14- Skating Wed. - 6/20- Forsyth City Races Thurs. - 6/21- Movie

Session 3 - June 25 July 6 Wed. - 6/27- The Trout Place Thurs. - 6/28- Skating Tues. - 7/3- Movie Thurs. - 7/5- Park

Session 4 - July 09 to July 20 Wed. - 7/11- Sawnee Mt. Preserve

(Insects) Thurs. - 7/12- Skating Wed. - 7/18- Monkey Joe’s Thurs. - 7/19- Scavenger Hunt

Session 5 - July 23 to August 3 Wed. - 7/25- Ranch Alegro –Pony

Rides ($10.00) Thurs. - 7/26- Skating Wed. - 8/1- Elachee Nature Ctr. Thurs. - 8/2- Park

Session 6 - August 6 to 8 Wed. - 8/8- Pool Races/Party

Group 2 - (8 & Up Field Trips) Session 1 - May 29 to June 8 Tues. - 5/29- Park (Coal Mtn.) Thurs. - 5/31- Skating Tues. - 6/5- Laser Tag/Go Carts Thurs. - 6/7- Scavenger Hunt/Ice

Cream Party

Session 2 - June 11 to June 22 Tues. - 6/12- Tubing Thurs. - 6/14- Skating Wed. - 6/20- Forsyth City Races Thurs. - 6/21- Movie

Session 3 - June 25 July 6 Tues. - 6/26- Big Splash Water

Park Thurs. - 6/28- Skating Tues. - 7/3- Movie Thurs. - 7/5- Park

Session 4 - July 9 to July 20 Tues. - 7/10- Lanier Aquatic Thurs. - 7/12- Skating Tues. - 7/17- Rock Climbing

($12.00) Thurs. - 7/19- Scavenger Hunt

Session 5 - July 23 to August 3 Tues. - 7/24- Tubing Thurs. - 7/26- Skating Tues. - 7/31- Horseback Riding

($10.00) Thurs. - 8/2- Park

Session 6 - August 6 to 8 Wed. - 8/8- Pool Races/Party

Daily ActivitiesSwimming, Archery, Sports, Zip Line, Indoor Sports in new gym , Arts & Crafts,

Hiking, Nature Walks (30 acres), Indoor/Outdoor Sports and more.

S’mores is one of the most popular des-serts enjoyed around the campfire and at cookouts. Now you can enjoy the flavor of this delectable dessert without the fuss of toasting marshmallows over an open flame.

S’mores history dates back to the early 20th century. While the actual recipe origin is unknown — considering most camping recipes were passed down from generation to generation — the first printed recipe for s’mores appeared in 1927 in the Girl Scout Handbook.

S’mores were popular campside treats because of the portability of ingredients. It was easy to pack a bag of marshmallows, a box of graham crackers and a few bars of chocolate.

The combination of sticky marshmallow, smooth, rich chocolate and crunchy graham crackers provides a perfect melding of fla-vors. However, s’mores weren’t the first

pairing of these ingredients. Mallomar cook-ies and Moonpies also featured these ideal components.

To make a delicious dessert that builds upon the s’mores flavors and theme at your next summertime event, try this recipe for frozen s’mores cake.

— Metro

Campside treat gets revamped

For the newspaper

Crush graham crackers in a zipper-lock bag or pulse in a food processor until made into crumbs. Add sugar and melted butter to the crumbs, mix and press into the bottom of a spring-form pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until the crust browns a bit.

Soften ice cream by letting it sit out of the freezer for a few minutes. Use a spatula or spoon to spread the chocolate ice cream over the cooled graham cracker crust. Spread desired amount of fudge topping over the chocolate ice cream. Then spread the softened vanilla ice cream over the fudge layer.

Coat a microwave-safe bowl with a thin layer of shortening. Add most of the marshmallows, reserving a few for garnish, and the water to the bowl. Microwave for about a minute to a minute and a half until the marshmallows are melted. Top the vanilla ice cream with the melted marshmallows.

Place the cake in the freezer overnight to harden.When ready to serve, place the garnish marshmallows on top and driz-

zle with a little melted hot fudge. You can use a kitchen torch or a barbe-cue lighter to add a little browning to the garnish marshmallows to make them look like they were toasted over a fire.

Frozen s’mores cake1 quart vanilla ice cream1 quart chocolate ice cream10 or 12 graham cracker squares1/4 cup melted butter1/2 tablespoon sugar

1 jar of hot fudge1 bag mini-marshmallows2 tablespoons waterVegetable shortening


Summer Camp at Carrington Academy!Fantastic Field Trips

Every Week!

Educationally BasedAccredited Programs

Up to $2,250 inSummer Camp

ScholarshipsAvailable Per Family!

Register Today!

Windermere Campus: 770.888.8011Midway Campus: 770.777.2811

McFarland Campus: 770.777.6771Visit us online at:

www.carringtonacademy.com

Documents

Camp Guide 2012