March 25, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 SCHOOLS & CAMPS Children, counselors benefit from relationships likely to drink (26 percent vs. 36 percent); use marijuana (8 percent vs. 18 percent); or engage in sexual behavior, such as intercourse (29 percent vs. 40 percent) or oral sex (29 percent vs. 39 percent) than are their non-camper peers. The ACA reports that there are 1.2 million camp staff nationwide who benefit from serving as mentors to children and 10 million children who attend camp annually who benefit from having mentors at camp in their lives. “The camp experience has always encouraged children and young people to adopt healthy lifestyles and to take positive risks in a safe and nurturing environment,” says Peg L. Smith, CEO of ACA. “It is no surprise to us that camp counselors and campers positively benefit from the mentor relationship fostered at camp.” There are other important benefits as well. Young people with a mentor are more likely to report having a high sense of self (46 percent vs. 25 percent) and to say they take positive risks (38 percent vs. 28 percent), such as performing charitable work, starting a business, taking advanced placement courses, or trying out for a sports team. Also, sense of self and positive risk-taking are each linked to lower incidences of destructive, or potentially destructive, behaviors and to overall mental health. “This new research demonstrates that there are a whole host of opportunities for adults to influence teenagers outside of formal or planned mentoring programs,” said Stephen Wallace, school psychologist, adolescent counselor, and the chairman and chief executive officer of the national SADD organization. “We see this research as a call to action to adults who interact with teenagers—either in their professional lives or in their daily routines. This research shows that adults who make extra efforts to connect with teenagers can have a profound impact in guiding our nation’s youth.” The American Camp Association works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org. The relationship between camp counselors and campers has long been a strong example of positive mentoring, according to the American Camp Association, and research from Teens Today corroborates the view of ACA. Teens Today research recently released by SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and Liberty Mutual Group verifies that young people benefit from strong mentoring relationships. This research supports the viewpoint of the American Camp Association that the relationship between camp counselors and campers has long been a strong example of positive mentoring. According to Teens Today, middle and high school students reporting a high level of mentoring are significantly more likely than those reporting a low level of mentoring to avoid risky behaviors. More to the point, young people who have attended a day or overnight summer camp are less Local Art School adds new classes Sue Stoll, founder of Art with Class is offering several new classes this spring. In addition to the already popular drawing and painting classes and studio workshops, the spring session will include four new classes with an emphasis on commercial and professional art skills. Offered for the first time will be comic and sci-fi art, graphic design, book illustration, and “Drawing What You See.” As many schools cut back on art instruction, Stoll felt this was the right time to launch these new career-oriented classes. High school students thinking about art and graphics majors in college will need to learn these skills. And, because there is always a demand for commercial art jobs, many people are considering career changes in the new economy. They will need to hone their skills. These evening classes will be taught by Sue Stoll and Richard Mesick, the newest member of the Art with Class staff. Mesick has been an award-winning art director, graphic designer, and freelance illustrator for over 30 years. He has taught a wide variety of art classes for adults and children at venues that include the Ridgewood School of Art & Design, and the Glen Rock and Teaneck community schools. He owned and operated the RM Studios School. Classes are scheduled to begin April 13. Art with Class is an art school and working studio located at 2 Godwin Plaza directly behind 644 Godwin Avenue, in Midland Park. To learn more about classes, including the summer art camp, stop by or register online at www.ArtWithClass. com. Phone (201) 444 6155. ® REGISTER NOW! GOOD FUN, IN GOOD HANDS! RIDGEWOOD YMCA DAY CAMP 2009 Y’s KIDZ 3–6 PAMACKA 6 – 13 TEEN TRIP 11 – 15 Safe, affordable. Call for FREE brochure and scholarship application. Pre-Summer Fun Ages 5-10 June 22-26 9am-5pm • sports • swimming • cooking • art projects • field trips • CATCH Kids Club Ridgewood YMCA www.ridgewoodymca.org 201-444-5600, ext. 394 Membership is open to all. For individuals and families in need, contact John Duke ext 337 for confidential assistance information and application.