Pittsburgh Parent’S Annual Summer Camp Guide Is the Best Place to Start As You Begin to Plan for the End of the School Year and Summer Activities for Your Children

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PittsburghParent.com February 2018 1 Number 2 Volume 31 February 6 what’s inside your community 14 parenting resource for 30 years!

in this issue

1 CreateIt 10 CoverStory Make a bird feeder Out of the ordinary Pittsburgh outings 4 Editor’sNote 29 Around& About Camp is a gift to kids Calendar of events

6 SteamForward 22 Fourth grade homebuilders special section

18 - 28 featured topics camp guide 8 Sharing your love on Valentine’s Day 14 Dental visits without tears 16 Youth hockey in Pittsburgh 19 Prepping your child for overnight camp on the 20 Great benefits for teens who attend camp cover 22 Benefits of special needs camps Cover: Dylan with his dad, Phil 26 Life skills kids build at camp Bourque, the Ol’ Two-Niner and color commentator for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Cover Photo: Trey Thomas Images

2 February 2018 PittsburghParent.com PittsburghParent.com February 2018 3 Editor’sNote Patricia Poshard

e are Pittsburghers! It did not take very long after the frigid cold, snow and icy Wsleet hit for the complaints to begin. Now, we are ready for summer! Pittsburgh Parent’s Annual Summer Camp Guide is the best place to start as you begin to plan for the end of the school year and summer activities for your children. As a parent, I looked forward to finding just the right place for my kids - a place that had programs to meet their individual needs. For us, that meant loads of physical activities and challenges for our son and social opportunities and new friendships for our daughter. We were just looking for a variety of experiences where both kids could explore their likes and dislikes while testing their independence from day-to-day parental supervision. Today, summer camps seem to be more specialized, especially the sports camps where kids are refining their athletic skills and knowledge while preparing for higher levels of competition in everything from all the ball sports to horseback riding to fencing. “It is not easy for parents to make the decision to send their child away into the waiting arms of strangers who promise to take care of them — people who promise to show them the wonders of nature, fun, new skills and friendships,” says Jeff Merhige, a YMCA camp director and father of two. Writing for the American Camping Association magazine, Jeff says: “The world needs the next generation to be more tolerant of each other’s views, ideology, and beliefs. Summer camp is an opportunity for children to be exposed to the best of human character. Carefully selected role models are dedicated to showing your child how to have fun, learn from others, and make friends in person rather than online. Camp allows kids to meet people from all over the world, every race, culture, and socioeconomic level. There is something magical about a summer camp experience. Each and every camp in the world is different. Not merely because of geography or location, but because of the traditions and people who have touched the camp. Every camp has hidden treasures of history and traditions that give it character and identity. Every staff member, alumni camper, and volunteer has memories associated with their time at their camp — memories that stay with them for their lifetime. Camp is an independent experience that shapes one’s character and life — a controlled, safe environment where children and youth are able to make their own decisions about simple things (what activity they want to do, how many s’mores they want to make, or what clothes they are going to wear) and about important things (who they will hang out with . . . who will be their friends). Camp is a place where kids interact with people face-to-face and, at the same time, learn about themselves and others around a camp fire, under the stars, or sitting around a dining hall table. Camps give kids a chance to practice being the best they can be. They experience a place designed to create happy memories and encourage self- expression. They have the opportunity to climb towers, ride horses, shoot an arrow and even experience the success of winning the big game! It stays with them forever. Kids will learn from a full range of emotions and human experiences including homesickness, friendship, disagreements, teamwork, frustrations, jubilant success, and more. As parents, our hopes and jobs are to ready our kids to be productive, independent, and capable people — to prepare them to thrive without us. Camp offers a way for kids to start developing those skills in the best possible environment. There is so much competition for our children’s time in the summer — sports practices, summer school, well-deserved vacations. But let’s not forget the value of a camp experience — camp is a gift we can give our children that they will benefit from and remember forever. If ever there was a time when the world needed a generation of future leaders who understood the intricacies of living in a community, having tolerance, and being open — that time is now.” There is no doubt in my mind – camp is a good thing, a wonderful gift for children.

4 February 2018 PittsburghParent.com PittsburghParent.com February 2018 5 SteamForward Ann K. Howley Fourth grade home builders

irst we had to make blueprints,” Millie said as she showed me the model house that she and her team of fellow fourth graders designed and built. “We learned about energy saving “Fso everything had to be made out of recyclable materials.” The rudimentary structures I was looking at resembled cardboard doll houses, complete with miniature furniture, curtains and rugs, all crafted out of bits of paper, fabric and plastic. They were quite detailed. The most eye-catching feature in another model home was a small box filled with blue-dyed cotton balls. “This is the bathtub,” builders Brett and Rico told me, which is exactly what I thought it was. Millie, Brett and Rico attend Moore Elementary School in the Brent- wood School District. I met them last fall at the STEAM Showcase, an annual event that gives recipients of Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) $20,000 STEAM grants the opportunity to display their award-winning projects. “Several years ago, our mission was to infuse technology in the classroom,” said school librarian, Megan Casey. “But we are a smaller school district compared to neighboring districts. We knew we couldn’t do it with one person.” So Ms. Casey, art teacher Barbara Girone, technology teacher Kate Smeltz and music teacher Britta Schneider joined forces. In 2015, several of the teachers set up a GoFundMe page and raised over $20,000, including a grant from the Sprout Fund, which they used to buy Surface tablets and Hummingbird electronics kits. That was just the beginning. In 2016, the STEAM grant not only helped fund the fourth grade house project, but also gave them a chance to expand STEAM education to the first and third graders, as well. What impressed me most about the fourth grade house project was its cross-disciplinary approach. Every teacher partici- pated by designing a curriculum that contributed to the project. In art class, Ms. Girone invited an architect to visit the fourth graders and talk to them about energy efficiency. The students researched various architectural styles, like Fallingwater and the famous Dymaxion House and had to consider what features a smart house would have. In technology class, they learned how to use Scratch, a coding program that they used to make lights turn on and off. In math class, they had to learn how to measure scale, which they translated on the blueprints. For example, the kids learned that an eight-foot wall was the equivalent of four inches on the blueprint. In music class, they

6 February 2018 PittsburghParent.com learned about acoustics. “They had to plan one ‘loud room’ which might have tile floor and less furniture, and a ‘soft noise room’ which might be carpeted and have more furniture and curtains,” Ms. Casey said. Each team of four or five students appointed a Head Engineer, who helped facilitate team building exercises, like the “maze” in which each team had to give verbal instructions to help a blindfolded student get through a maze taped on the floor. “It was pretty comical at first,” Ms. Casey said. “But once they got the hang of it, they realized they had to look at it from the blindfolded person’s perspective.” As I examined the houses, I was impressed with the kids’ creativity and imagination. A lid from a yogurt container made a tabletop. Some clever kid thought of using the top of a shampoo bottle to make a lamp. It really did look like a tiny lampshade. When you ask fourth graders to use their imaginations, though, you’re bound for some surprises. “My team built a secret money room in our house,” Millie told me, pointing to a small room with a hidden compartment. “Really?” I try to find out if the money was supposed to be used for a specific purpose, but it appears these fourth graders built a secret money room to simply hide money. Hey, why not? Don’t worry, kids. Your secret money room is safe with me. n

Pittsburgh writer, Ann K. Howley, forgot to ask Millie if her team cal- culated how much money would fit in their secret money room. Now she’s curious. PittsburghParent.com February 2018 7 Sharing your lo ve on Valentine’s Day By Judy M. Miller

alentine’s Day is around the corner. And there are other ways to spread the love aside from chocolate and flowers. Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to express our feelings with simple, authentic acts. Here are some ideas for sharing your love. V Create your loved one’s favorite meal Coming together over a meal is about more than nutrition; eating together also promotes communication and connection. Eating together anchors our children, letting them know the importance of family. What is more important to a loved one than letting them know you wish to share this time with them? That you value them? Prepare some of the meal ahead of time if you find yourself in a time crunch. Or have your loved one(s) help with preparation. We try to include everyone’s favorite dish. Time together in the kitchen is always rewarding - full of laughter, story sharing and catching up. As an option formalize your meal by using your best place settings and stemware, in your dining room if you have one. Dress up, too; this adds to the specialness of the occasion.

Create a playlist for your loved one This idea actually comes from my oldest son, now just shy of twenty-five. He burned songs onto CDs before going back to college each semester. He wrote a note to me directly on the CD. He continues to do it, and his thoughtfulness melts my heart, every time. My husband took a “page” from our son and created a unique playlist of our personal favorites for me to play as well. I feel very appreciated and think of him and us whenever I listen to the songs, recalling specific moments spent with my husband.

Stuff a love letter full of paper hearts Cut the heart shapes freehand from red, pink and white scraps of construction paper. They will be irregular in size, but it is the thought that matters. Enclose the hearts in a hand-written love letter to your spouse or child. Decorate the envelope with stickers, colored markers and glitter. Yes, I decorate my husband’s envelope with stickers and glitter. We all have a kid in us. I like to place the letters in different places from year to year: • Under my loved one’s pillow. • Taped on the bathroom mirror, to be seen as my loved one gets ready for their day. • In my child’s backpack. • On the dashboard of my husband’s car. • Next to my child or husband’s plate or bowl at breakfast. Mail the love note with hearts so that it arrives in time for Valentine’s Day. Receiving personalized notes are a big deal – at least in my family. Handwritten sentiments are an excellent personal touch in our overly electronic world. Purchase a heart-shaped paper punch from any craft store if you do not like the idea of irregular-shaped paper hearts. I have raided my scrapbook paper scraps on occasion, adding pattern to the heart shapes. Consider purchasing some Valentine-themed scrapbook paper to add extra pizazz to your handcrafted gift. Make it a date Almost anything can be considered a date – a walk, a picnic, game night or a quick meal and a movie. The focus should be on connection and appreciation. Because we live in the Midwest, Valentine’s Day is typically cold and snowy. Our picnics are relegated to indoors, in the family room by the hearth. We spread out big blankets in front of a roaring fire and have dinner. When our kids were babies and tod- dlers, we had a romantic dinner by candlelight after we put the kids to bed. Bake the family favorites I come from generations of bakers. I bake a special handed-down family recipe for Valentine’s Day. Additionally, I bake a batch of super-nutty oatmeal peanut butter cookies to send out to my oldest son at college, along with his letter of hearts. His favorite. I doubt they will last more than a few hours between him and his friends.

8 February 2018 PittsburghParent.com Sharing your lo ve on Valentine’s Day RIVER PEDIATRIC THERAPIES “Experts in Early Intervention” By Judy M. Miller

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Pay it forward Do an act of kindness for each other. Jump on the opportunity to do something for someone else. I have encouraged this since my kids could understand the concept. Paying it forward fosters cooperation and bonding. Are the dishes in the sink and cleaning them is not your job? Clean them anyway. Does the dog need to be brushed and this is not your chore for the week? Brush them and then take them for a walk. Are the kids’ beds unmade? (In my house, always.) Make them. Better yet, with clean sheets. My kids love it, and perhaps one day they will make their beds themselves. n

Judy M. Miller savors time with her kids. She is a Certified Gottman Educator and the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and many other books.

PittsburghParent.com February 2018 9 rdinary outings to popular family desti- “Out nations are always fun. Kids enjoy going to playgrounds, libraries and local farms. What kid grows out of the excitement of going to a zoo, science center or amusement park? OPittsburgh is a great place to enjoy ordinary out- of the ings. But if you’re looking for somewhere different to take your kids, there are many out-of-the-ordinary places that might interest, educate and delight your family, as well. I recently embarked on a quest to visit out-of-the- ordinary places in Pittsburgh. Here are my favorites: Ordinary” Randyland, North Side “Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon,” said Winnie the Pooh. That’s how I felt about Randyland, the cheeriest, Pittsburgh and maybe the only residence/public art display in Pittsburgh. It was hard to miss. Amidst rows of narrow houses lining hilly Arch Street on the North Side, Randy- land burst into my view with color and whimsy. A life size cutout of owner/artist, Randy Gilson, Outings and Hug-Bot 2.0, a rudimentary, hugging robot, greeted me on the sidewalk. I envisioned how much By Ann K. Howley fun kids would have getting hugged by a home- made robot. Inside the courtyard, the overriding theme is “welcome,” which is painted on walls, doors and on dozens of arrow signs in English and every language imaginable. Flowers and vibrant colors decorate every inch of the buildings, walls and garden. A collection of brightly painted doors are haphazardly lined up against a wall. Several decades ago, this neighborhood was suf- fering blight when Randy bought the property. He started gardening, collecting junk and painting all of it in colors as bright and bold as his effervescent personality. Through a combination of doggedness and, from what I hear, preternatural positivity, Randy turned his little corner of the world into a place of peace, love and fun. While I was there, I met a medical student from New York who was in town for a few days. I noticed that she smiled continually as she wandered through the whimsical garden and I realized that I was grin- ning, too. “You can’t help but smile here,” I commented. “I know! This place is so cool,” she laughed. Although the robot embrace delighted me, my whole Randyland experience felt like a nice, warm hug. I believe Randy and his magical Land will someday be the stuff of Pittsburgh legend. Bring your kids. Don’t let them miss it. Randyland is located at the corner of Arch Street and Jacksonia Street in Central North Side. The courtyard is open daily from 10am to 7pm. Randyland Hug Bot Randyland Garden

10 February 2018 Donora Smog Museum, Donora

I wish there was no such thing as a smog museum. I wish our air was pure, and pollution didn’t kill people. But 70 years ago, a town in southwest Pennsylvania experienced one of the worst air pollution disasters in U.S. history and the Donora Historical Society isn’t going to forget it. “It was another smoggy day in Donora,” Brian Charlton, the curator of the Donora Smog Mu- seum, told me. “Nobody thought anything about it until people started to die.” Donora was a mill town, so residents were accustomed to the smoky clouds that regularly spewed out of the local zinc plant and steel mill. Donora Smog Museum Something unusual happened in October 1948, though, when the area experienced a temperature inversion. In general, air gets colder the higher it rises into the atmosphere, but during an inversion, the opposite happens. A layer of warm air traps a colder layer below and while the inversion lasts, the air doesn’t mix or move. When tons of pollutants got trapped under the inversion in 1948, it Donora Newspaper created a situation that was more than dangerous. It was deadly. At least 26 people died over that October weekend. Funeral homes ran out of caskets and bodies had to be kept on ice. With a population of about 14,000 and only eleven doctors in town, many of the 4,000 residents who needed medical attention were unable to get help. The story of this tragic weekend is told in a room crammed with original newspaper clippings, school reports and mementos from the time. On one wall hangs a large, colorful tapestry promoting The Society for Better Living, which was one of the first grass roots organiza- tions to fight industrial pollution. In the aftermath of the Donora smog disaster, federal, state and local governments, as well as scientists and universities investigated, leading to the first clean air laws that were passed in 1955 and the Clean Air Act of 1970, which is still considered the world’s first and most comprehensive environmental law. The museum is open on Saturdays from 11am-3pm, or by special request. Call (724) 823-0364 or visit www.donoraistoricalsociety.org

Center for Postnatural History, Pittsburgh

“This is the only museum of its kind in the world,” said a bearded man wearing a gray shirt with a patch bearing the Center’s insignia. He looked like a park ranger, but this was Richard Pell, director of this small, shopfront museum on Penn Avenue. “The Center is dedicated to living things that are intentionally altered by people,” he said. This sounded a little ominous to me, and I was wondering if I was going to see creepy, Frankenstein-ish creatures inside until Richard explained that “intentionally altered” referred to processes like selective breeding and domestication, as well as genetic mutation and engineering. I still had no idea what I what I was going to see, but apparently, this is common among adult visitors. “When parents bring their kids here, the kids usually teach the parents. Center Postnatural National Kids are more informed,” Richard explained. For example, when kids talk Geographic article about genes and genetic modification in science class, they are able to quickly understand the Glofish, which is a zebrafish that has been genetically modified to glow. Richard admitted that he suspects some crafty kids are able to convince their parents to take them to the pet store to buy a Glofish after visiting the Center. Everything I saw in this tiny museum surprised me. I didn’t know that the color blue is virtually unknown in nature, and that scientists use regular chicken eggs to incubate selected viruses to make the annual flu vaccine. I still don’t completely understand how e coli cells are used to make a living biofilm out of Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting, but the thought of it fascinated and grossed me out. My only disappointment was that I didn’t get to see Freckles, the stuffed goat that, in her lifetime, was genetically modified to make spider silk in her milk. Known as The BioSteel Goat, she is currently on loan to the Carnegie Natural History Mu- seum. Kids might be more science savvy these days, but I know I have one advantage. I’m sure today’s smartphone-bearing kids have never seen those clunky, old black telephone receivers that visitors use to listen to the audio on the displays. Perhaps that’s another teachable moment at the Center. The museum is open Sundays from noon to 4pm. www.postnatural.org Center Postnatural Biosteel Goat continued on page 12 11 out of ordinary continued from page 11

Bicycle Heaven Shop & Museum, Pittsburgh

Your kids don’t have to be avid cyclists to appreciate Bicycle Heaven. There’s something cool about being sur- rounded by thousands of bikes hanging from the ceil- ing and lining the aisles. Some of these are not ordinary bikes. “That’s Pee Wee Herman’s bike,” said owner, Craig Morrow, who pointed to a familiar red and white cycle on display in front of a poster of Pee Wee Herman with his iconic bike. Mr. Morrow has been collecting bikes for 30 years, Bicycle Heaven ever since he found an old bike in the junk. Although he PeeWeeHerman Bike first started his collection in his Bellevue home, Bicycle Heaven moved into this warehouse in the Casey Industrial Park five years ago. “This is the world’s largest bike shop/museum,” he said. “Parents love bringing their kids to the museum because they love the nostalgia of finding the bike they had when they were kids.” In case you’re wondering, banana seats abound at Bicycle Heaven. As we wandered through the upstairs and downstairs rooms, Craig showed me the museum’s sports section, which pays homage to Pittsburgh’s Black and Gold. A life size Elvis cutout decorates the music section, and nearby, I saw a Beatles bike, Bicycle Heaven Sprocket Room as well as the famous 4-seater bike that 1960s TV rock group, The Monkees, rode. “BMX bikes are really big right now and these are really rare bikes,” Craig said, pointing to several bikes lined up in front of a row of trophies. One of my favorite parts of my museum tour was the Sprocket Room, which is a psychedelic, neon art installation that displays a variety of sprockets, dating from the 1890s, on the walls. Although the museum is a popular draw, Bicycle Heaven also repairs and sells new and used bikes. With such a diverse bicycle inven- tory, the shop sells parts all over the world. Families can also rent bikes and ride on the North Shore Trail, which is right outside Bicycle Heaven’s door. In case mom wants to hang back, Craig’s wife runs a nail salon in one of the rooms. There really is something for everybody. Right now Craig and his longtime buddy, Stu, are organizing the annual Christmas holiday tradition of giving away train sets to kids. “People love it here. I feel pretty lucky.” Bicycle Heaven is open daily from 10am -7pm. www.bicycleheaven.org

Bayernhof Music Museum, O’Hara Township

Driving up a steep hill above Sharpsburg, I wondered if I was lost as I passed rows of neat, tidy houses. I wasn’t sure if this was the neighborhood that an ec- centric multi-millionaire, coincidentally named Charlie Brown, built his 19th century Bavarian mansion. Fortunately, my GPS didn’t fail me and when I reached the top of the hill and pulled into a large circular drive in front of an imposing, stone mansion, I knew I was in the right place. “Welcome to the Bayernhof,” greeted a tall, gray-haired man who opened two large wooden entrance doors. Retired music teacher, Jim Mousseau, is the curator of the Bayernhof, which means “Bavarian Hall” in German. In the Family Room, which features a wall of windows with a spectacular view of the Allegheny River, I got my bearings as Jim pointed out familiar landmarks like the Highland Park Bridge and the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium in the distance. Jim explained that Charles Boyd Brown, III (“Chuck” as his friends actually called him) grew up in Sharpsburg, and out of all the places he could have built a mansion, he chose this hill above his hometown. Chuck made his fortune in the 1960s as founder of the Gas-Lite Manufacturing Company. Inspired by his Bavarian roots, he built his dream home with the intention of someday turning it into a museum to show off his collection of rare music machines. Every room of this multi-level maze of a house features antique machines that play various combinations of instruments, like violins, pianos, trumpets and more. I Bayernhof Staircase had never before heard of a Hupfeld machine or an Aolian Orchestrelle or listened to an automatic banjo play, but every machine was loud and fun. Of all the elaborate

12 February 2018 PittsburghParent.com apparatuses I saw, though, my favorite was a simple, wooden chair that started playing when I sat on it. I was so caught off guard, I kept glancing around the room, wondering where the music was coming from. The music machines were fascinating, but the house itself was more than half the fun. Inspired by Mad King Ludwig, a famous Bavarian monarch with over-the-top castle- building tastes, Chuck built trap doors, secret passageways, winding narrow staircases, an observatory and a cave with fake stalagmites and stalactites. I think I counted four kitchens, including a canning kitchen, which was forever abandoned after Chuck stunk up the whole mansion trying to make sauerkraut. Jim claimed that Chuck originally wanted his house to have a moat and a drawbridge. I think those are the only additional features that could have made this weird and wonderful museum even more fun. Tours for guests aged 12 and above, are by appointment only. Call (412) 482-4231 or visit the website at www.bayernhofmuseum.com There’s no need to be ordinary in Pittsburgh. Try something different with your kids. Your out-of-the-ordinary outing might turn out to be more extraordinary than you expect. n

Author, teacher and popular speaker, Ann K. Howley, is a Bayernhof Musical Chair regular contributor to Pittsburgh Parent. Out of the / [awr-dn-er-ee] / adj. ( not usual ) • exceptional • incredible • notable • odd • off the beaten track • offbeat • one of a kind O i r • out of this world • special • strange • uncommon rd na y • unheard of • unique • unusual • wonderful

PittsburghParent.com February 2018 13 BeHealthy Christina Katz Dental Visits without Tears

By Rachael Moshman

isiting the dentist is a scary experience for many children. The dentist is a virtual stranger, even after several visits. Plus, the dentist and hygienists wear masks Vthat cover their faces for most of the visit, making them appear even less friendly. It can be a very over stimulating experience with the bright lights, loud buzzing and smell of chemicals. Plus, the expectation of holding still for an extended length of time is frustrating for many children. Fortunately, there are some ways to make the visit a bit less frightening and easier to handle. • Find a pediatric dentist – Pediatric dentists have specialized training in treating children. Their offices are often designed to be more comfortable and inviting to children. • Start early – The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a pediatric dentist as soon as their first tooth comes in, typically between six and twelve months of age. Getting children accustomed to dental visits from a young age often makes visits less traumatic.

14 February 2018 PittsburghParent.com • Tell your child what to expect – Children typically only see the dentist twice a year. They may forget what happens at the visits in between appointments. Walk them through what to expect before each visit. Read books about going to the dentist. Don’t gloss over parts that they struggled with last time. For example, if they became agitated when it was time to swish the fluoride rinse around their mouth, gently let them know that they will have to do it again. Neglecting to men- tion it could lead to more anxiety, as well as possibly distrust in you when they are confronted with it again. • Practice good dental hygiene at home – Brushing and flossing your child’s teeth daily will help keep teeth and gums healthy. This may result in quicker and easier dental visits. Feeding your child a healthy diet and limiting sweets will also help accomplish this. • Let the braver child go first – Most people with multiple children have the oldest child receive treatment first. This isn’t necessarily the best order. If a younger child is less fearful, let them go first. • Start some traditions – A few days before the dentist appointment, start read- ing books or watching cartoons about dentists, teeth and tooth care. Find a song about going to the dentist or make up one of your own. Sing it in the car on the way to the appointment. Have a special plan for after the dentist, such as visit to the park or trip to the movie theater. Do these things before and after every visit to give your children good memories of going to the dentist. • Deal with your own fears – Many adults still have severe dental anxiety. Children pick up on their parent’s worries. Your child won’t be able to be calm or relaxed if she knows you aren’t. Take time to address your own issues before the appointment so you don’t project your negative feelings onto your child’s experience. Dentist visits don’t have to be terrifying – for child or parent! n

Rachael Moshman is a mom and freelance writer. She actually enjoys going to the dentist.

PittsburghParent.com February 2018 15 Youth hockey in Pittsburgh

By Ann K. Howley

he Kirchers have always been avid hockey fans. Pittsburgh Penguins games frequently appear on the big screen TV in their family room, and Todd, who grew up playing hockey atT South Park High School, taught his two sons how to skate when they were two-years-old. Still, Aaron and Kyle played other sports like football, baseball and basketball, until one of Aaron’s friends invited him to the Ice Castle Arena in Castle Shannon to participate in a special free program that encouraged kids to try hockey. “He fell in love with it,” says his mother, Dawn. Youth ice hockey is growing in Pittsburgh, with no small thanks to the Penguins and the popularity of Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux. Unofficially, it’s called the Stanley Cup Effect. Every time a team makes it to the Stanley Cup Final, local amateur hockey registration jumps. Here, the Effect is particularly pronounced because even when the Penguins lost to Detroit in the 2008 Stanley Cup final, youth hockey surged in Western Pennsylvania. At the moment, Penguins fans are crossing their fingers, hoping the team makes it to the 2018 playoffs and does what no team has done before: win the Stanley Cup three years in a row. Whether they succeed or not, it’s likely that ice hockey camps, leagues and clinics will continue to enjoy local popularity. If your child has an interest in playing hockey, here are some important factors to consider. The upside Hockey is a great team sport – In other games, star athletes might be able to monopolize playing time and attention, but that’s much harder to do in hockey. It truly takes teamwork to play and win a hockey game. Hockey is fast-paced – It not only requires physical speed and stamina, but mental agility, as well. Strategy is a big part of the game. The sport builds fitness, endurance and eye-hand coordination. Hockey is fun. Aside from the speed, skill and strategy involved, it’s just fun to play a game on a large sheet of ice. Is there a downside? Cost – Between league fees and equipment, it could cost several thousand dollars a year to play hockey. “A hockey stick costs $80 to $300 and a pair of hockey skates might be $400 to $500. It was too expensive for my boys to play any other sport,” Dawn Kircher admits. Cost can be a prohibiting factor for many families. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Since 2000, Pittsburgh I.C.E. (Inclusion Creates Equality) has aimed to provide economically disadvantaged boys and girls the opportunity to play hockey at local community rinks. Sponsored by the Pittsburgh Penguins, this initiative is part of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) “Hockey is for Everyone” program, which strives to promote education and community service and teach leadership skills, in addition to hockey. As in many sports, the risk of injury is another concern – Although all players are required to wear protective gear, like helmets, face masks, chest protectors, knee and elbow pads and gloves, anyone who gets hit with the puck might end up with a nasty bruise. Teams also follow concussion protocol. “Every year, my boys had to do a baseline concussion test screening. That way if they did have a head injury they could compare results to a baseline,” Dawn recalls. Hockey IS for everyone The NHL takes inclusion seriously, and the Pitts- burgh Penguins Foundation does, too. During the 2016-17 season, the Foundation supported the launch of a new organization called Hockey Sticks Together, which promotes a variety of adaptive youth hockey programs to make the sport accessible to physically or developmentally challenged kids. Members of the Mighty Penguins team maneuver around the ice on sleds. Envision is a unique program that gives blind and visually impaired individuals the chance to play hockey. John and Tracey Stevenson also wanted to give disabled kids the opportunity to play hockey. In 2014, they founded a nonprofit organization/team called Pittsburgh Emperors. The organization receives grants, personal donations and corporate sponsorships that pay for ice time, fees and equipment, so that participation is free for every player. Starting with eight kids, the team grew and expanded through word of mouth. Currently, 55 players, aged five to adult, meet every Saturday morning to play hockey at the Spen- cer Family YMCA in Bethel Park. Most of the kids have developmental delays, autism or Downs Syndrome. An inspired group of parents constructed walkers out of PVC pipes for 16 February 2018 PittsburghParent.com two physically disabled players so they could skate on the ice. The team practices every week and in the next few months will travel to New York, Ohio and Michigan for tournaments. Since the point is to teach sportsmanship, every kid has a chance to score at every game. “We try to make it a family atmosphere,” John says. “Everybody on the team is a friend. The kids love it.” The love of the game Studies show that the earlier youngsters start playing hockey, the more likely they are to continue playing throughout their lives. Adult recreational leagues in Western Pennsylvania are popular, too, which demonstrates that for many, hockey is a lifetime sport. Although Aaron and Kyle Kircher are now young adults, they still enjoy playing pickup games at the local rink. “My boys were happy whenever they were on the ice. They were always smiling ear to ear,” Dawn says. “They definitely have a love of the game.” As a lot of Pittsburgh fans can attest, hockey is a great sport to love. n

Pittsburgh writer, teacher and speaker, Ann K. Howley, is a regular contributor to Pittsburgh Parent. PittsburghParent.com February 2018 17 2018

Camp Guide

19 How to prepare your child for a first overnight camp experience 20 Great benefits for teens who attend camp 22 Benefits of special needs camps 26 The well-rounded camper

18 February 2018 PittsburghParent.com How to prepare your child for a first overnight camp experience By Megan Murray Elsener

f your child has brought up the idea of going away to camp this summer, or you think they are ready for a new experience, now is the time to start getting information and making a plan. From day camps to family camps to resident overnight camps, Ithere are options for every child at every age. “Camp provides a perfect setting for youth to branch out on their own, under the guidance of experienced and trained camp staff,” says Colette Marquardt, Executive Director of American Camp Association Illinois. “Camp gives children the opportunity to develop critical life skills that help them excel in life and gain confidence in their ability to be independent.” Since every child is different, the right time to try overnight camp will also differ with each child, she says. “We recommend exploring if your child is ready to be away from home overnight by themselves, in addition to considering the age.” The only way to know if your child is ready for camp is to start talking about it with them. “The earlier a child starts going to camp, the better,” says Kim Kiser, vice president of Camping for YMCA Metropolitan Chicago, where the traditional starting age for resident camp is seven. “When they start young, they become masterful, have tremendous growth and can gain so much more than older kids who start.” One way to test the waters is to try a family camp 19 How to prepare your child for a first “Parents can bring potential campers to family weekend sessions where they do the programming and activities as a family,” says Kiser. “Then the child is prepared to come back on their own and they feel like overnight camp experience they own the camp, know the area and how camp works.” It may seem obvious, but it’s important to allow your child to be part of the camp selection process. 20 Great benefits for teens who attend camp “Look at websites together. Ask your child what they want in a camp experience. Let your child make a list of questions for the camp director,” says Marquardt. “The parent is helping the 22 Benefits of special needs camps child have access to the experience, but the actual experience belongs to the child.” 26 The well-rounded camper Get started today Kiser recommends visiting the camp if possible. “Meet the director and bring your child along. Have your child prepare a list of questions and let them lead the way. See what a cabin is like so children can imagine themselves sleeping there. A visit to the camp shaves off a ton of anxiety for both the child and parent.” If the camp is too far away for a quick visit, Kiser suggests doing an interactive webinar or virtual tour online with a camp director. “More than any other place in life, camp teaches children critical coping skills and resilience,” says Kiser. “Kids truly develop into who they are at camp and they are free to be who they are. ” Check out www.campparents.org – the national American Camp Association’s website for campers and their families. Parents will find information and advice for sending their child to camp, along with an extensive search engine that can direct them to the right camp for their child. Searches can be done by age, gender, interest, zip code and more. The search engine will also tell the parent if the camp is accredited by the American Camp Association. n

Megan Murray Elsener is a freelance writer and mother of three.

PittsburghParent.com camp guide February 2018 19 Great benefits for teens who attend camp By Kerrie McLoughlin

ummer camp is often a place Maybe your teen will learn how to pack have to send elementary-age kids food for the homeless, teach kids how an so they aren’t sitting around to read or work on a project that will entire the house bored and so they’ll benefit the community like cleaning up day, week make friends and learn new things a playground or fixing equipment. They or longer to Swhile having fun. As kids grow out of could even learn how to paint a house, focus on that one their “little kid years” we sometimes care for a yard for an elderly person who activity and really immerse themselves forget that they still need those kinds is unable to do so anymore … or they in it. Who knows? Your teen might find of experiences they had when they may even learn how to plan and build a a new passion that he never thought were younger, just in a different form. house for someone who is in need. of before that could be helpful in his Maybe you don’t think your teen needs 2. Making new friends – It’s important educational or work life later on down summer camp. Your teen should be the road. babysitting, mowing lawns, working at to continue to grow and change and the pool, hanging around with friends, adding new friends to one’s life enriches 4. Deepening their faith – If your teen right? Well, sure! But why not send it at any age. Some teens attend the enjoys church youth groups and activi- them off for a week or more of summer same camp or camps every summer and ties, a church or other organized reli- fun and learning this year for a break? might find the same friends there year gious camp might just be the ticket. The Here are some great benefits for teens after year. Many are attending for the day might begin with a church service, attending summer camp: very first time and need to hone their followed by breakfast, a hike, some time social skills to make new friends and get spent in the cabin with friends memoriz- 1. Learning how to give back – Com- to know other kids in their age range ing Bible verses for a competition at the munity service camps offer a great outside of a school setting. Being in end of the week. Later there could be chance for your teen to make a differ- close proximity for days or weeks helps singing songs around a bonfire while ence and help out in the community kids get closer, faster. roasting s’mores. while also learning skills that will carry 3. Learning new things – Whether your 5. Developing a hobby – When your them through their life. Kids get to teen attends a camp to learn more child is unplugged from the tv, video spend their days helping others, which about horses, adventure, a specific game player, smartphone, etc., they just feels good to everyone involved. sport or any other type of camp, they can really focus on developing a hobby in a creative way. It seems like these days there’s a camp for pretty much any interest your kid has. There are camps for horse and other animal lovers, sports lovers of all types (think developing soccer skills, swimming, football, volleyball, baseball … anything!), Boy Scout camp (covers so many different hobbies and topics), Girl Scout camp (also covers so many great skills) … the list goes on! 6. Working as a team – Your child will be meeting kids of different ages and from different backgrounds. Learning how to get along and work as a team is a huge life skill that will be reinforced at camp. Some camps even have kids do team- building and trust activities to help kids get to know each other. 7. Staying active – Forget sitting around doing “screen time” all day long during the summer! When a teen attends summer camp, they often forget all about those things and focus on having fun with their friends going on hikes, paddle boating, swimming and more, depend- ing on the camp they choose! Bonus points for activity if they choose a camp targeted to a sport your kid is passionate about. 8. Standing on their own – Let’s face it: as our kids get older they start to grow away from us. They are simply preparing to head out on their own and they are also preparing you for that by perhaps

20 February 2018 camp guide PittsburghParent.com being a little distant. They are stuck in between childhood and adulthood, and it’s a confusing time. Going away to camp for even a short period of time helps teach independence. There is a daily structure at camp that’s already in place that teens need to follow. Parents aren’t the ones doing the nagging so teens don’t tune it out and they learn to respect and learn from other adults. 9. Appreciating everything – Away from screens (yes, I keep focusing on this one), it’s easier to focus on nature, learning, forming relationships and more. Being away from parents, kids will come home with a new appreciation for what it takes to be in a family and what it takes to help out in the running of the household. Your teen will probably also appreciate funny things like a full pantry that’s open all day, their comfy bed and privacy! Teen summer camp has so many benefits that cover all the bases, from physical, social, mental and spiritual. As for the rest of the summer? Well, your teen can spend plenty of time doing those odd jobs to help pay for camp next year! n

Kerrie McLoughlin is homeschooling mom of 5. Three of the kids have done overnight camp and loved it!

PittsburghParent.com camp guide February 2018 21 Benefits of special needs camps By Denise Yearian

t age six, Kim Kelly paid her first visit to a special needs’ residential camp. It was an experience she and her family will never forget. Up to this point, she had lived a pretty sheltered life, her mother Ruth explains. “Because she has a hearing loss and an orthopedic problem, it was natural for me to want to hold her close.” By bringing Kim to camp, her mother realized two things: “My daughter needed to learn to do things on her own and I needed to let go a little.” For the Kel- lys, it was a positive experience. AThere’s a host of benefits children derive from attending camp, but for kids with special needs, those benefits are amplified, says Sandy Cameron, editor of the Camping Magazine. “Traditional camps do a great job mainstreaming special needs’ children into their programs, but a special needs camp lets them be with other kids who have similar disabilities. The programs are pretty much the same, but may be altered to meet the children’s needs.” Heidi Haldeen, summer program specialist for Easter Seals, agrees. “At a special needs camp, kids have the same opportunities they have at traditional camps. The only difference is the activities are modified according to the campers’ needs. This gives them a chance to shine.” That’s what nine-year-old Tiffany Wells found when she attended a special needs camp. During the school year, Tiffany, who has cerebral palsy and asthma, played on the children’s softball team and a community bowling league. But because none of the children she played with were disabled, the competition wasn’t always equal. “Attending a special needs camp allowed Tiffany to compete on more even ground because all the other kids were playing with some kind of disability,” reports her mother, Linda. The result? “Tiffany saw that she could actually win and come out on top.” One of the beauties of a special needs camp is that the kids can learn and experience new things with others who have similar disabilities, says Cameron. “It’s like a camaraderie. It gives them the confidence they need to try new things they might not have otherwise tried.” This was the case with Kim Kelly. When she first went to camp, Kim was afraid of the water. “She cried just getting her face wet,” reports her mother, Ruth. Through the encouragement of the trained staff, Kim slowly edged her way into the water. “By summer’s end, she was jumping in the deep end and had received her first American Red Cross swimming certificate.” While some see summer camp as an outlet for fun and recreation, others use it to continue education and therapy goals and teach life skills. This is accomplished one-step at a time. “It may mean being ten minutes late for breakfast so Timmy can learn to tie his shoes by himself,” says Haldeen. Developing new skills isn’t the only thing kids glean at a special needs camp. They learn about friendships, too. Last year when Tiffany went to camp, there was a girl in her cabin with a more severe case of cerebral palsy than Tiffany had. Because Tiffa- ny had spent her whole life with people helping her, she naturally wanted a chance to help others. “When we went to the dance, I

continued on page 25 22 February 2018 camp guide PittsburghParent.com PittsburghParent.com camp guide February 2018 23 All About Camp 2018 special needs continued from page 22 Camps YSpecial Needs nOvernight ACA (American Camp Association) Accredited Comments * Ages Dates Fees ALLEGHENY COUNTY PARKS All Allegheny County’s nine public parks span more than 12,000 All Nine Parks 412-350-2455 Ages V V acres and offer a wide array of events and activities. alleghenycounty.us/parkprograms

CAMP DEER CREEK Wes Weitzel Co-ed June 18 Camping experiences in a rustic outdoor setting P.O. Box 305 412-767-5351 ages thru $310 • Pgh’s oldest and finest day camp • Riding • Swimming Indianola, PA 15051 campdeercreekonline.com 4-15 Aug 10 per wk • Archery • Zip Lines • Crafts • Field games • Climbing Wall

CAMP INVENTION Grades Varies Led by local educators, the week-long Camp Invention Hosted by local schools in 800-968-4332 K-6 by V experience immerses elementary school children in hands-on Southwestern Pennsylvania campinvention.org Site STEM activities that reinvent summer fun. Discounts available!

CARNEGIE MUSEUMS OF ART AND NATURAL HISTORYY Ages June 11 Where else can you get this much art, science, architecture 4400 Forbes Avenue 412-622-3288 4-18 to V and culture all in one place? Weeklong camps go behind Pittsburgh, PA 15213 artandnaturalhistory.org/camps Aug 24 the scenes and offer unique field trips.

CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER Co-ed June V Solve mysteries, learn video game design, create chemical One Allegheny Avenue 412-237-1637 ages thru concoctions, experience 3D printing and laser cutting, and Pittsburgh, PA 15212 CarnegieScienceCenter.org 4-14 Aug program robots – just to name a few.

CENTER FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS Admissions Team Ages June $200 - Week long camps-Discovery camp for ages 3-6, violin, piano, Wexford • Sewickley 724-935-0505 3-6 and $275 cello, guitar, musical crafts, songs & stories • Explorations Shadyside • Fox Chapel youngmusicians.org 7-11 July per wk Camp for ages 7-11, beginner guitar & keyboard

CHATHAM MUSIC AND ARTS DAY CAMP Alicia Danenberg Co-ed June 11 Day camp features Music, Visual & Performing Arts Shadyside *[email protected] ages thru V • Swimming & traditional camp activities • 1, 3 & 6-week 412-365-1174 chatham.edu/daycamp 3-15 Aug 3 sessions • Half day pre-k program • Early bird rates

GYMKHANA SUMMER CAMPS Ages June Full-day and half-day options. Enjoy gymnastics, active Point Breeze, Bethel Park, 412-247-4800 3-16 thru V games, creative crafts and much more! Monroeville & Wexford gymkhanafun.com Aug

HEINZ HISTORY CENTER Nate Rodda Grades July Become an imagineer and explore stories of Pittsburgh 1212 Smallman Street 412-454-6433 3-6 and V innovation or experience Pittsburgh’s place in pop culture! Pittsburgh, PA 15222 heinzhistorycenter.org/camps August

LA SCUOLA D’ITALIA GALILEO GALILEI SUMMER CAMPS Ages June 4 $90 Learn Italian, art, math, science, healthy living, nature & 401 Shady Ave., Suite G101 412-404-7070 1-18 thru to history. Fun & fully immersive • Highly qualified staff Pittsburgh, PA, 15206 [email protected] Aug 24 $190 • Full-day & half-day & morning courses

PENN STATE BEAVER SUMMER CAMPS 724-773-3700 Ages June, $120 Educationally sound programming promoting self- 100 University Drive Dana Alvetro/Jennifer Dilts 7-15 July & to confidence, drama, science, crafts, math and physical Monaca, PA 15061 beaver.psu.edu/ce/youth Aug $273 education.

PITTSBURGH FILMMAKERS / PITTSBURGH CENTER FOR THE ARTS Ages June 11 $180 Full & half-day camps in a variety of art making & media 1047 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Molly Duerig 4-18 thru and production topics, ages 4-18 • New intensive, college-level pfpca.org/summerartcamps 412-361-0455 Aug 24 up high school programs for grades 9-12 • Extended care avail.

SHADY SIDE ACADEMY SUMMER PROGRAMS Ages June 11 Flexible, affordable camps in Fox Chapel & Point Breeze 423 Fox Chapel Road 412-447-2230 3-18 thru V • Day camps, sports & specialty camps • For-credit summer Pittsburgh, PA 15238 shadysideacademy.org/summer Aug 10 school • Lunch included • Buses to N. Hills & East End

SUMMER SCIENCE SPLASH CAMP AT WESTMINSTER COLLEGE n Grades July $450 Campers will spend their days in the lab & in the field explor- 724-946-7206 Sharon Muraco 7-9 8-13 per ing technology & the natural world. Week-long residential New Wilmington, PA 16172 westminster.edu/sciencecamp 15-20 camper camp is for students entering the 7th, 8th & 9th grades.

SUMMER SINGERS CAMP Edwina French Ages Aug $275 Children learn healthy singing and music skills used by Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters 412-281-4790 7-10 6-10 Reg. Pittsburgh Youth Chorus! Offered M-F, 9am-3pm. 2425 Liberty Avenue [email protected] Incl. Register online at pittsburghyouthchorus.org.

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24 February 2018 camp guide PittsburghParent.com special needs continued from page 22 got to push my new friend around in her chair,” says Tiffany. “I also got to help her eat.” “One of the best things to be said about camp – any camp – is the opportunity for the children to make friends. And for children with special needs, it’s especially important. They find out they are not alone, that there are others with similar disabilities,” says Cameron. When camp is over, what do the children take with them? For some, new skills. For others, new friends. And for many more, simply a fond memory of having had a break from their normal routine. Many campers look forward to returning year after year, says Haldeen. “For many, we are their summer vaca- tion. The minute they drive away, they are making plans to return next year.” Inclusion camps While camps designed for specific needs offer very specialized care, some families would prefer to attend a traditional camp that caters to all children. Before enrolling your children in a camp, visit the facility and make sure the layout and surroundings meet your expectations and needs. Following are a few things parents should keep in mind before choosing a traditional or special needs camp for their child: • Is the camp accredited by an organization such as the American Camping Association (ACA, www.acacamps. org) or the National Camp Associa- tion (NCA, www.summercamp.org)? • Does it meet the organization’s standards for kids with special needs, including facility and staffing require- ments? • What training and experience do the directors and counselors have in working with kids with a need similar to your child’s? • Are there other families you can contact whose children have attended the camp that might be willing to discuss their experience with you? • What is the ratio of counselors to campers? For children with severe disabilities, the ratio should be at least one counselor for every three campers. • What are the camp’s health and safety procedures? What about the facility? Is there a registered nurse in residence? If not, who will disperse medication, if needed? How close is the nearest hospital? Have emergency arrangements been made with a local hospital? • Are they able to accommodate special dietary needs? Who will assist with feeding, toileting or other activities of daily living? • Can I visit the camp to see the program firsthand? Do they have sessions year-round? • How do they ensure an inclusive environment when some activities aren’t appropriate for your child? What alternatives are available? • What about the camp’s registration fee? (Keep in mind that expense and quality may not go hand-in-hand, because many specialized camps charge only a fraction of actual costs. Find out if there are scholarships available.) n

Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children. PittsburghParent.com camp guide February 2018 25 The well-rounded camper: 30 life skills kids build while away from home By Christina Katz

eeling anxious about sending your child away to camp this summer? Fret no more. This list of life skills reminds you of all the reasons to send kids to camp in the first place. Remember, being away from the comforts of home offers your camper growth opportunities in a wide variety of competencies. Best of all, once kids are safely dropped off at camp, parents can sit back, relax Fand enjoy some much-needed down time, knowing kids will return home trans- formed by their experiences. Here are thirty skills to remind parents why camp is always a good idea, as well as a panacea for twenty-first century predilections.

Intellectual skills Physical skills Decision-making – Does your Emotional skills child waffle when making decisions, Fitness – If your child is a passionate take polls of other people’s opinions Self-care – Kids can’t learn to take about virtual realities, camp is the per- or go along with the crowd too easily? care of their needs unless they learn fect motivation to get off the couch Then camp is the perfect practice- to pay attention to them. Going to and get moving. You will be pleased ground to determine what he wants camp puts kids’ self-care muscles to when your child returns home tan, fit and needs on a regular basis. Choos- the test. Navigating a new environ- and inspired to keep moving. ing is a crucial ability for creating ment with unfamiliar people helps satisfaction in life. kids learn to trust their intuition and Proficiency – Does your child honor their instincts. complain of boredom? Exposure Accountability – Do you wonder to skill-building activities can con- if you do too much for your child? Listening – Do you get weary vert kvetching into pride. Aptitude, Whether she has to pack her own of nagging and feel your child just discipline and confidence come from backpack for an overnight hiking trip doesn’t listen anymore? Kids can cer- doing new things. or show up wearing activity-appropri- tainly develop listening fatigue with ate shoes, being prepared for what’s parents and other everyday authority Safety awareness – Do you find coming next in life is important. When figures. But after tuning in closely to yourself fretting about your child’s it comes to accountability, daily prac- some new-to-them camp leaders, wellbeing? Then send her to camp tice is always on tap at camp. they just might bring better listening to learn about first aid, water safety abilities back home. and other safety protocols that go Time management – If your child hand-and-hand with learning new is often running late, camp is a great Playfulness – Got a perfectionist things. When she gets home, she can place to learn timeliness. Your child kid on your hands? Sometimes within teach you a thing or two about safety will swiftly master punctuality when the rush and rigors of daily life, fami- awareness. engaged in activities she enjoys. And lies forget how to relax and enjoy life this proactive habit can carry over into to the fullest. Camp is a great place Eye-hand coordination – Con- everyday life during the rest of the to remember how to lighten up and cerned your child may be a tiny bit year. enjoy the day. klutzy? Send him to camp to participate in activities that encourage Tolerance – Kids sometimes live Grit – This trendy term means the process mastery like archery, horse- in homogeneous rather than diverse combination of courage and resolve. back riding or rowing. Having to learn environments. If all the other kids are If your child does not bounce back an ordered series helps dreamy kids the same race, class and social status quickly from disappointments, camp is focus and execute tasks. where you live, how will your child a great place to learn tenacity, conflict learn to be open-minded? Camp is a resolution and problem solving. Healthy risk-taking – Is your child great place to immerse kids in diver- Self-appreciation – Do you an adrenalin junkie? Do you worry sity so tolerance can take root. that she will go too far testing the appreciate the heck out of your kid limits of what’s humanly possible? Assertiveness – When kids lives but wish he would esteem himself Camp is the perfect place to wear out are scheduled from morning to night as much as others? Camp is a place a child with excess energy. Counselors year-round, they miss out on op- where kids can discover new things to can help campers channel a zest for portunities to speak up for what they like about themselves. Increased self- risks into safe outlets while honoring think, need and desire. Camp offers reliance is often the first step towards camp rules. kids opportunities to practice healthy building higher self-esteem. communication all day long because no one is smoothing the path before them.

26 February 2018 camp guide PittsburghParent.com Environmental skills Unplugging – Virtual realities are great when balanced with the real world. If you cannot to make a dent in your child’s obsession with technology, let the staff at camp take a whack at it. Groundedness — The first step to easing anxiety is a sense of earthiness that comes from being in touch with the natural world. Kids benefit in numerous ways from slowing down and keeping their feet firmly on the ground. Navigation – You won’t be able to convince kids that they need to learn old-school map techniques. But put them in the middle of the woods with no Internet connection and they might feel differently. Survival – Would your child know how to build a shelter, purify water, start a fire and find food if lost in the wilderness? Learning naturalism empowers kids to feel competent and confident. Earth stewardship – One of the best ways to teach kids about personal responsibility is to teach wilderness conservation. Learning about flora and fauna can spark kids’ innate respect for the natural world.

continued on page 28 PittsburghParent.com camp guide February 2018 27 well-rounded continued from page 27 Social skills Sociability – Do you have a shy or introverted child? If she lacks peers who are enthusiastic about her passions, an interest-based camp can help her meet more like-minded people. Socially awkward kids feel more accepted and appreciated every time they make a new friend. Emotional intelligence – If you have siblings who bicker quite a bit, they may benefit from getting along more easily with kids who are not kin. Camp counselors have a way of expecting thoughtfulness and encouraging kids to practice it. Lasting connections – Remember pen pals? At camps, kids can make new friends and find ways to keep in touch until they meet again. This is a great way for kids to maintain long-distance friendships and build an extended social network. Self-expression – Parents may unwittingly hold kids back from finding new forms of self-expression. At camp, kids find fresh audiences for the countless ways to share who they are and what they think and feel. Increased self-expression leads to unfolding self-discovery. Cohabitating – If you want your child to learn new things, put him in a tent with roommates and watch the lessons un- fold. Sharing space and resources with others is a crash course in self-awareness and peacekeeping.

Occupational skills Mentoring – Camp counselors provide excellent examples of what a constructive mentor-mentee relationship is like. Go ahead and encourage kids to become counselors in the future if they wish to experience both sides of this educational relationship. Collaboration – Perhaps during the school year, teamwork is limited to sports and cooperation is confined to the classroom. At camp, every endeavor from cleaning a cabin to climbing a rock face becomes a new way to understand the importance of working together. Negotiating – Your kids benefit from learning how to sort things out between themselves at camp. Discussing, bargaining, and coming to agreements that make sense for everyone involved is tool for creating a richer life. Leadership – Camp provides opportunities for kids to discover and nurture the leader inside. Every child is a boss at something. You may not think of a prolific reader as a leader, but what a terrific example she can set at camp for those who avoid books altogether. Diplomacy – With bullying behav- ior at an all-time high, diplomacy is more needed than ever. Camp offers ample opportunities to find common ground, share mutual respect and practice win-win-win relating. n

Author, journalist and writing coach Christina Katz spent ample time outdoors as a child, which fostered her love of nature, gardening and trees. She believes children of all ages deserve to regularly experience the wonders and richness of the wilds.

28 February 2018 camp guide PittsburghParent.com Around& About February

Thursday 1 Winter Indoor Soccer Location: North Park & South Park Pittsburgh Parent Times: M - T - W & S, thru March 17, Dates & 3 times vary at each location. Virtual Education Expo Saturday Visit our website PittsurghParent.com Cost: $$ & click on the Virtual Education Expo for great • (*PR) alleghenycounty.us/soccer school ideas, the expo runs until August! Ages 2 - 7. Our indoor soccer programs are a great way to stay active! Snow Princess and Superhero Skate Free Ice Skating Lessons Thursdays Location: South Park Location: South Park Ice Rink Times: Feb. 3 , 11am - 4pm Times: Thru Feb. 8, 4:50 - 5:25pm Cost: $$ • alleghenycounty.us/special-events Cost: FREE • Ages 5+ (*PR) alleghenycounty.us/events.aspx Brown Bag Concerts Location: Pgh. Opera Headquarters, in the Strip Tiny Tots Story Hour Wizard of Oz Times: Feb. 3, 11:30am Location: Ford City Library Cost: FREE • pittsburghopera.org Times: Every Thursday, 1pm • Ages 3 - 5 Location: Gemini Children’s Theater, Ryan Cost: FREE • armstronglibraries.org/ford-city Arts & Culture Center, McKees Rock Winterfest Times: Thru Feb. 4, S & S, 1 & 3pm Location: Ohiopyle State Park Developmental Hockey League Cost: $$ Times: Feb. 3, 11am - 4pm Location: North Park Cost: $$ • events.dcnr.pa.gov Times: Thru Feb. 11, Sun. 9 -10:30am, North geminitheater.org/tickets.htm Park Ice Rink & Thu., 5 - 6:30pm, North Park Dek Everyone is invited to “Shakedown” the Sunday 4 Hockey Rink yellow brick road as Gemini Children’s Cost: $$ Theater presents the full length, inter- All About You Free Sunday • (*PR) alleghenycounty.us/parkprograms active, musical story of Wizard of Oz. Location: The Westmoreland Museum Ages 4 - 10. Emphasis will be on individual Times: 1st Sunday of each month skill development, as well as team strate- Cost: FREE • thewestmoreland.org gies. Games will consist of three 15-minute periods. Wicked Autism-Friendly Performance COSI - Center of Science and Industry Location: Benedum Center Location: Columbus, OH Times: Feb. 3, 2pm Times: Visit website for days & times Cost: $$ • trustarts.org Cost: $$ continued on page 30 • cosi.org Sensory friendly activites and fun for the whole family.

Friday 2 Groundhog Day

National Wear Red Day Times: Feb. 2 Cost: FREE • goredforwomen.org

(*PR) – Pre-registration required $$ – Cost involved * Highlighted events have an advertisement within the publication

PittsburghParent.com February 2018 29 calendar continued from page 29 Friday 9 Toothache Day Sunday 11

Monday 5 Stage Right – Peter Pan Jr. Packages Basics of Ice Fishing Location: Lamp Theatre in Irwin Location: Raccoon Creek State Park Times: Feb. 9 - 11 Times: Feb. 10, 8 - 11am Give Hockey A Shot Cost: $$ Cost: FREE • (*PR) events.dcnr.pa.gov Location: North Park & South Park Ice Rinks • stagerightpackages.com Times: Mondays thru Feb. 12, 5 - 6pm Dinner, show, overnight stay and breakfast Cost: FREE • Ages 4 - 8 Wednesday 14 Valentine’s Day packages only $199. Plus a fun activity at the • (*PR) alleghenycounty.us/events.aspx Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Valentine’s Day Skate Munchkin Mondays Location: North Park or South Park Ice Rinks Location: Carnegie Science Center Daddy Daughter Dance Times: Feb. 14 , 7:30 -9pm Times: Mondays thru Feb. 26, 10am - 2pm Location: Pine Community Center, Wexford Cost: $$ • alleghenycounty.us/special-events Cost: Free with admission • Ages 2 - 6 Times: Feb. 9, 6 - 9pm • carnegiesciencecenter.org Cost: $$ • (*PR) twp.pine.pa.us Hop Into History: Celebrate Mister Rogers’ Madagascar A Musical Adventure Neighborhood Tuesday 6 Location: Stage 62, Andrew Carnegie Free Location: Heinz History Center Library & Music Hall Times: Feb. 14 , 10:30 - 11:15am • Ages 2 - 5 Cost: $$ • (*PR) heinzhistorycenter.org Free Ice Skating Lessons Tuesdays Times: Feb. 9 - 18, F - S & S Location: South Park Ice Rink Cost: $$ Times: Tuesdays, thru Feb. 6, 4:50 - 5:25pm • stage62.org Friday 16 Cost: FREE • Ages 5+ Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman (*PR) alleghenycounty.us/events.aspx the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of Swan Lake with The PBT Orchestra course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as Location: Benedum Center Toddler Storytime they bound onto your stage in the musical Times: Feb. 16 - 25, F - S & S Location: South Butler Community Library adventure of a lifetime. Cost: $$ • pbt.org Times: Tuesdays, 10:30 - 11:30am • Infant - 3yrs. An evil enchantment and a mysterious love Cost: FREE • southbutlerlibrary.org Saturday 10 story give wings to a ballet that has captured STEM Storytime the public imagination since 1895. Set to the Location: Monroeville Public Library stirring themes of Tchaikovsky’s score, the Times: Feb. 6, 5 -5:45pm • K - 2nd Fiddlesticks Carnival of the Animals split personalities of Odette and Odile mirror Cost: FREE • monroevillelibrary.org Location: Heinz Hall the age-old battle between good and evil Times: 10am, Discovery Time Adventures & 11:15am, show time Valentine’s Pajama Party Cost: $$ • pittsburghsymphony.org Location: Pine Community Center, Wexford Each movement in this orchestral work Times: Feb. 16, 7 - 9pm 7 illustrates a different animal, from the royal Cost: $$ • (*PR) twp.pine.pa.us Wednesday lion to the graceful swan. PB&J: Plenty of Pipes Location: McClintic Hall, Calvery Episcopal Church Times: Feb. 10, 10 & 11:30am 17 Cost: $$ • chathambaroque.org Saturday Young Writers and Illustrators, You’re A Poet! Location: Trust Arts Education Center Times: Feb. 10, 11am - 2pm Cost: $$ • trustarts.org

Winterfrost Trail 5K Family Skate & Location: South Shore, Moraine State Park Half Price Lift Tickets Times: Feb. 10, 9am Location: Family Skate - North Park & Cost: $$ • All ages South Park; Lift Tickets - Boyce Park (*PR) morainepreservationfund.org Times: Every Wednesday Step Into Snowshoes The Pigeon comes to Pittsburgh Family Skate – 4:30 - 7pm : Half Price Lift Location: Jennings Environmental Educ. Center A Mo Willems Exhibit Tickets – 3:30 - 9:30pm Times: Saturdays, Feb. 10 - 24, 9am - 2pm Location: Children’s Museum Cost: $$ Cost: FREE • events.dcnr.pa.gov Times: Feb. 17 - May 13 alleghenycounty.us/winterfun Cost: $$ Carved in Ice Festival & Chili Cook-Off pittsburghkids.org/exhibits/the- Come and enjoy all the Winter Fun Location: Main Street Butler pigeon-comes-to-pittsburgh Activities that the Allegheny County Times: Feb. 10, 11am - 4pm Parks has to offer. Cost: $$ • butleramrotary.com Spend a day with the characters of Teen Chocolate Fest beloved children’s book author and Location: Shaler Library illustrator Mo Willems, including best Times: Feb. 10, 6:30 - 9pm friend duo Elephant and Piggie, faithful Cost: $$ • (*PR) shalerlibrary.org companion Knuffle Bunny and The Pigeon, the wily city bird best known for his antics in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! 30 February 2018 PittsburghParent.com Caddy Stacks! Mini Golf Location: Shaler Library Times: Feb. 17 - 18, Times & age groups vary Cost: $$ • shalerlibrary.org Monday 19 President’s Day 23 Friday

Stuart Little Location: Saltworks Theatre Company, Church of the Ascension, Pittsburgh Times: Feb. 23, 7pm & Feb. 24, 2 & 7pm Cost: $$ saltworks.org/upcoming-events Adapted for the stage by Joseph Robi- nette. Produced by special arrange- ment with The Dramatic Publishing company. Kids Doing Theater for Kids!

Engineering Challenge Sleepover Location: Carnegie Science Center Times: Fri., Feb. 23 , 6pm - Sat., Feb. 24, 9:30am Cost: $$ • carnegiesciencecenter.org Kids Dodgeball Night Location: Pine Community Center, Wexford Times: Feb. 23, 7 - 9pm • Ages 8 - 12 Cost: $$ • (*PR) twp.pine.pa.us

Saturday 24

Special Needs Winter Family Fun Day Location: Cranberry Township Municipal Center Times: Feb. 24, Noon - 2pm Cost: FREE • (*PR) cranberrytownship.org Free lunch from noon -1pm and a variety of games beginning at 12:00pm. Volunteers will assist each participant. Participants will be teamed with a buddy.

(*PR) – Pre-registration required $$ – Cost involved * Highlighted events have an advertisement within the publication

continued on page 32 PittsburghParent.com February 2018 31 calendar continued from page 31

Educational Open Houses coming up!

SKIING ICE SKATING PA Brady’s Run Park Ice Arena The Linsly School • 724-770-2060 February 10 Blue Knob • 800-458-3403 Center Ice Arena, Delmont • 724-468-1100 Trinity Christian School Boyce Park • 724-733-4665 Iceoplex at Southpointe 724-745-6666 February 10 Hidden Valley • hiddenvalleyresort.com Lynch Field, Greensburg • 724-834-4880 Mystic Mountain • 800-422-2736 Mt. Lebanon Ice Center • 412-561-4363 Quigley Catholic High School Seven Springs • 7springs.com North Park • 724-935-1280 February 15 & March 4 Ski Denton • 814-435-2115 Schenley Park • 412-422-6523 Whitetail • 717-328-9400 Hillcrest Christian Academy South Park • 412-833-1499 February 19 Willowbrook • 724-929-2294 The Ice Castle • 412-561-9090 MD UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex Kentucky Avenue School • 724-900-2799 February 24 WISP • 301-387-4911 NY Holiday Valley • 716-699-2345 Kissing Bridge • 716-592-4963 Peek’N Peak • pknpk.com OH Alpine Valley • 440-285-2211 Please submit info for our March Mad River Mountain • 800-231-SNOW Calendar by February 3 Ski Clear Fork • 419-883-2000 Snow Trails • 800-OHIO-SKI [email protected] WV * Please visit the website of the Alpine • 570-595-2150 event to confirm before you go. Canaan Valley • 800-622-4121 All events & costs are subject to change. Snowshoe • 877-441-4386 Timberline • 800-776-9464

Pittsburgh Parent Education Expo With just one click you can view valuable information Starts regarding educational institutions and programs for your February 1 young children & teens.....anytime! • Independent School • Cyber School • Religious School • Private School • Public School We know parents want the best for their children! Visit PittsburghParent.com

32 February 2018 PittsburghParent.com Your Child. Our Care. Their Future.

Bethel Park Monroeville 412-831-7070 412-372-8602 Cranberry Mt. Lebanon/Scott Twp. 724-772-0598 412-279-1077 Green Tree Murrysville 412-928-9628 724-519-9096 Hampton New Castle 412-486-5510 724-656-9350 Hermitage Robinson 724-962-1998 412-444-4600 Jefferson Ross 412-469-3188 412-683-1779 Lower Burrell Shadyside 724-339-7546 412-683-1779 McCandless Wexford 412-367-3269 724-934-0411 Meadowlands Whitehall We exist to 724-222-2600 412-881-6720 help children Learn more about develop a lifelong Tender Care Learning Centers love of learning at EarlyEducationPros.org!

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