Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & IV • March 17, 2010 SCHOOLS & CAMPS With so many opportunities, why summer camp? Families today have more options than ever before. Although most families are limited by time, what they choose to do with that time is a buffet of movies, museums, picnics, parks, classes, vacations, and so much more. With all of these options, why should families choose camp? Camp is an experiential education like no other. Children and youth learn life lessons like independence, leadership, and self-confidence in an environment designed specifically for them. Camp is made up almost entirely of teachable moments. Through fun and hands-on experiences, campers have the opportunity to grow and develop the skills needed to be productive, successful adults. Camp is fundamental in the national discussion about the need for high-quality summer programs to keep students engaged in learning, and encourage them to develop new skills and previously unseen talents. Camp offers children the opportunity to form relationships with caring adults, helps them stay fit and active, and fosters creativity and innovation. Camp also plays a strong role in reducing summer learning loss. In a speech given to Teachers College at Columbia University, US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, said “I don’t worry about the students (who) are going to summer camps. I worry about the millions of students who don’t have the resources to go to summer camps.” The American Camp Association is committed to providing a camp experience resource site, www.campwizard.org, families can search for the perfect camp experience. The site allows families to look for a camp based on region, activity, cultural focus, budget session length and much more. Parents are also welcome to call 1800-777-CAMP to speak one-on-one with a camp placement specialist who can assist with choosing a camp. Adam Weinstein, executive director of the American Camp Association, New York said, “Camp offers children the best of all summer opportunities from providing children with positive role models and fostering meaningful relationships to playing a variety of sports to experimental learning. Although there are many summer programs for families to choose from these days, camp provides children with a wellrounded summer experience with lessons and skills learned that last a lifetime.” 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. This article was provided by the American Camp Association. for every child. ACA’s camp community provides more than $39 million each year in camp scholarships, and with a camp at every price-point, there is a camp for every child. Camp belongs in summer – acting as an equal opportunity life-changer and allowing everyone the opportunity to be successful, not just the A-student or the athlete. With a wide variety of offerings and programming and a wide variety of prices, there is a camp ideally suited for every child. By visiting ACA, New York’s family 3-17-10 janine FashionDesignWorkshop3x3Color(3-17-10) 3 x 3” �������� ������� ���������� ��������������������� ��������� �� YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER �����������������