jasonp

If themes like Wizarding Wednesday, Disney Day, Superhero Day, and Decades Day intrigue your child, they’ve come to the right place! Welcome to 2024 Wacky Wednesdays at SLC … the day we all get to act a little … well … wacky! Here’s the best part: EVERYONE gets wacky! Dress up, grab your props, and prepare for a day filled with themed activities, games, and enough silliness to power a rocket ship to Mars! Here are Our Wacky Wednesday Themes for 2024: Session One:  July3 - Wizarding Wednesday:  Are you a Gryffindor or a Slytherin? Do you prefer lord of the Rings or Harry Potter? Dress up as your favorite characters or just don a hat and cape and come along on a day where you can make your own wand, complete in Wizarding challenges, and create your own magic!  July 10 –   Purim in July:  We all love to dress up, so pick a costume — either on your own or in a group — and get ready for our costume parade to see who wears it best. There are prizes to be won for best ...

Trees! They are certainly all around us at Surprise Lake Camp and we never take them for granted: Tomorrow we celebrate our trees on the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the birthday of trees - which is similar to Arbor Day. Tu B’Shevat, celebrated on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, honors the time of year when almond trees typically bloom in Israel. Here are 7 reasons trees rule at SLC: 1. Trees are like people:  Trees breathe, eat, grow, age, live, and die. And like children. young trees need nourishment and care to grow into strong , healthy trees. At SLC, we think of our campers as saplings and have created a nurturing environment in which they learn essential life skills by being   immersed in nature , developing relationship, and   exploring Jewish values. 2. Trees are fragile:  Like people, trees can get sick. Each winter, we give our trees an annual checkup. We remove trees that have reached the end of their lifespan and ha...

  Packing for camp? How exciting! We hope after reading our summer camp packing list that you'll feel prepared for fun-filled summer at Camp Friendship.  Camp gear to bring  Suitcase or duffel? It doesn't matter which! Campers are free to bring a large duffel bag, a suitcase with or without wheels, a large plastic tub, or even a set of plastic drawers. There's no need to buy anything specific, whatever you have at home will work just fine, but we don't recommend large trunks because of their size. Please note that all our cabins and bunks are different, so there's no guarantee that luggage will fit under the bed. However, our awesome counselors will help campers store luggage so that it's out of the way of cabin fun.  Clothing  Pack comfortable clothes that are okay to get messy and are adventure-ready. Kids go through more clothes at camp than you'd expect. While they're actively enjoying the outdoors, they're actively getting dirty tool Please ensu...

  I've been meaning to share an article I found back in March. It's an overview written by Emily Oster on a Commentary published in the Journal of Pediatrics entitled, "Decline in Independent Activity as a Cause of Decline in Children's Mental Well-being: Summary of the Evidence" (Published first online, February 23,2023). The overview article is entitled, "What's Behind the Decline in Teen Mental Health?" You may have read that different organizations are observing a troubling trend among young people, specifically a marked decline in their sense of well-being. Especially recently, professionals that work with children and adolescents are puzzled why reports of feeling unhappy, dispirited, and anxious are rising. The data shows that this trend began around 2012 (long before the COVID pandemic, by the way). This article attempts to explain why we are seeing this trend among our young people.  Essentially, it claims another trend is (at least partiall...

  Technology has revolutionized many areas of toddler's life, including the way we learn. In the past, preschool education was just limited to traditional methods like storybooks, chalkboards, and hands-on activities. Today, technology has completely changed the methods of learning and teaching of the preschool curriculum. From interactive whiteboards to learning apps, technology has made it easier for teachers to retain their students' attention making the classroom a more interesting place to learn.  Preschool education is a very important part of child's growth. During this stage, children learn the basic ideas and skills that will help them do will in school in the future. In recent years, technology has grown to be a crucial part of preschool education. It given teachers and students a wide range of tools and resources to help them learn. In this blog, we'll talk about how technology can help young students in their preschool learning.  Advantages of Using Technolo...

  In today’s digital age, technology has become an integral part of our lives, including the field of education. At Yang Fan Academy’s   Preschool in Pleasanton , successful technology integration is a cornerstone of the educational experience.   This forward-thinking approach to early childhood education aims to prepare young learners for the many challenges and opportunities of the digital world while maintaining a balanced and holistic learning environment.   The Role Of Technology In Early Childhood Education In today’s rapidly evolving world, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. It is no longer limited to computers cell phones and tablets; it encompasses a wide range of digital tools and resources that can enhance the learning process.   At Yang Fan Academy, we recognize that when used thoughtfully and in moderation, technology tools can have a profoundly positive impact on children’s development.   Our approach to integrating tec...