Parents Press February 2024 by Parenting Media

FEBRUARY 2024

Get Ready for Summer How to Pick the Best Camp for Your Child Which Type of Camp Would Best Suit Your Child? Sending Teens to Summer Camp Is Your Child Ready for Overnight Camp?

FOLLOW THE LEADER: 9 Ways to Instill Leadership Qualities in Kids PEACE OF MIND for Parents about Locker Rooms

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CONTENTS

Volume 43 • Number 6

FEBRUARY 2024

www.parentspress.com

Get Ready for Summer 26 How to Pick the Best Camp for Your Child 28 Which Type of Camp Would

Best Suit Your Child? 30 What Do You Envision for Your Child’s Camp Experience?

WHAT’S INSIDE

34 Is Your Child Ready for

Overnight Camp?

6 Good to Know •

31 Sending Teens to Summer Camp

• •

Get Ready for Summer! Looking for a Great Summer Camp? Baby Name Trends for 2024 2024 National Parks Fee-Free Days

10 11 Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids

15 Mailing Address: 875-A Island Dr, Ste 421 Alameda, CA 94502

www.ParentsPress.com 4 Parents Press | February 2024

11 How to Extinguish Parent Burnout

14 Family Cents: Consider a ‘No-Spend‘ Month

15 Follow the Leader: 9 Ways to Instill Leadership Qualities in Kids 22 Peace of Mind for Parents about Locker Rooms

Publisher | Parenting Media, Inc. Art Director | Debbi Murzyn Account Managers Carol Flores, Sophie Archer Advertising Sales & General Info sales@parentspress.com Copies of Parents’ Press are distributed to locations throughout the Bay Area. Send letters to the editor to editor@parentspress.com

Calendar submissions are due six weeks prior to publication date. Send calendar information to calendar@parentspress.com

February 2024 | ParentsPress.com 5

Good to Know Take Five (or 20) minutes to tackle a little post-holiday toy overload and pare down clutter with these 5 steps. 1. Look for things that never get used

2. Remove toys your kids have outgrown

3. Say goodbye to toys with missing or broken parts 4. Create a temporary home for items you are not sure about removing

5. Ask kids if there are toys, books, or crafts that they no longer want or need that can be donated to

children in need

Baby Name Trends for 2024 GET READY FOR op baby naming trends for 2024 focus on non-binary names T names for boys. Geographical names (London, SUMMER! Looking for Cairo,andCali,softer Sydney) except Milan, up 223 spots, are losing favor being replaced with nicknames, such as Josie, Ellie, Theo, a Great Summer Camp? and and Leo, instead of the more formal versions of these names.

on’t miss the Parents Press 2024 Virtual Camp & Summer Expo starting on February 24. This year, we are doing a virtual program for camps that can be customized so you receive the information you want. Please register to receive your customized package of camp information: https://parentspress.com/summer-camp-expo. html

TOP BABY Names in 2023

Three- letter names are jumping up the list. On the playground, you will hear more names such as Teo, Koa, Jay, Kai, Lia, Tia, and Joy in the years to come. Names from Taylor Swift’s songs, Bettie, Marjorie, and Ivy are popular after The Era’s Tour. Other Hollywood-influenced names from popular characters, Wednesday & Jenna (Wednesday Addams), Daisy (Daisy Jones & the Fifth), and Ronald (Jury Duty), are more popular. Hopefully, the name 6:30 (Lessons in Chemistry) will only go to the dogs.

oah and Olivia topped the list of the most popular baby names, with Noah jumping to the top spot for boys this year, replacing Liam in 2022, according to Babycenter.com. New names that appear on the top ten boys list are Ezra and Luca, bumping off Asher and James. There were no new names on the girls top ten list this year, only a little movement, with Charlotte moving up to the #5 spot from #9 in 2022, while Luna fell to #9 from the #7 spot.

TOP BOYS NAMES OF 2023 1. Noah 2. Liam 3. Oliver 4. Elijah 5. Mateo 6. Lucas 7. Levi 8. Leo 9. Ezra 10. Luca

TOP GIRLS NAMES OF 2023 1. Olivia 2. Emma 3. Amelia 4. Sophia 5. Charlotte 6. Ava 7. Isabella 8. Mia 9. Luna 10. Evelyn

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Good to Know California Leads Other States with Policies to Educate K-12 Students on Media Literacy

2024 National Parks

K-12 Students to Learn About Media Literacy in California

ccording to National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, “The entrance fee-free days encourage people to discover the beauty, history, and inspiration awaiting them in the more than 400 national parks throughout the country.” Only about 100 of the 400+ national parks have an entrance fee, with costs ranging from $5 to $35+. Detailed information about what to see and do in each park is available on NPS.gov or the NPS app. People to know what is open and available before they go, especially if they stay overnight. Fee-free days apply only to entrance fees and do not cover amenity or user fees for camping, boat launches, transportation, special tours, or other activities. The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass allows the pass holder and companions accompanying them unlimited access to over 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks. There are also free and discounted passes available for currently serving members of the U.S. military and their dependents, military veterans, Gold Star Families, fourth-grade students, disabled citizens, and seniors.

In October, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Bill No. 873, which Assemblymember Marc Berman (D- San Mateo) introduced, requiring media literacy to be taught to all students. In a statement via his website, Berman highlighted the importance of integrating the course into the school syllabus, saying, “Teaching media literacy is a key strategy to support our children, their families, and our society that are inundated with misinformation and disinformation on social media networks and digital platforms.” The statement continues,” As we’ve seen too often in the last decade, what happens online can have the most terrifying of real-world impacts. From Climate denial to vaccine conspiracy theories to the January 6 attack on our nation’s Capital, the spread of online misinformation has had global and deadly consequences.”

State of California to Provide AI Guidance for Educators California is one of two states, the other is Oregon, that have begun to provide Artificial Intelligence (AI) use guidelines for K-12 students and educators, with the initial guidance published in August 2023. Teachers and school administrators have never struggled more with increased student use of platforms such as ChatGPT and plagiarism. There are many levels to tackling AI use. Education on how to use AI properly for students is a changing and evolving topic. Current guidance focuses “on the ethical and equity implications of AI’s use, recommendations for teachers’ and students’ appropriate use of AI, and emerging best practices to enhance instruction,” according to the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CERP), a nonpartisan research center at Arizona State University. CERP contacted all 50 states plus the District of Columbia to ascertain each state’s AI policies wanting to know what the state thinks AI is; how it might apply to the classroom; how schools, teachers or system leaders might be thinking of building effective or ethical use practices, according to a recent article on Axios. Most states stated to CERP questions that they are still dealing with post-pandemic recovery, learning loss, and mental health issues. The introduction of AI and its rapidly changing and upgrading of AI resources has felt like another big question educators need to grapple with but lack the resources to do so. Guidelines provided by the state are a good start for educators. But, realistically, in the classroom, the challenge of presenting AI tools, the positive and negative aspects, is daunting. Will ChatGPT going to become the equivalent of the math calculator for English students? Or will useful AI platforms be overshadowed by the nefarious versions? Recently, several New Jersey male students were recently for distributing online AI-enhanced pornographic images of female classmates created from photos of fully clothed females. Unfortunately, new AI sites that monetize making AI-enhanced photos, especially of females, are growing. 8 Parents Press | February 2024

FEE-FREE Days

Free Entrance Days for 2024 January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day April 20: First day of National Park Week June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day August 3: Anniversary of Great American Outdoor Act September 28: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day 

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Good to Know Fold the arms over as if they are giving the heart a hug. This makes a great decoration around the house or a great gift for a loved one.

4 Sweets & Treats 5Handmade Valentines 6Valentine Crayons

Head to the kitchen and make cookies or cupcakes to decorate with pink frosting and sprinkles. Make Valentines for your children’s friends and loved ones, or even deliver to a local nursing home!

Valentine’s Day Ideas FOR KIDS

alentine’s Day is all about romance and chocolate. Once you have children, the holiday tends to change a little. It usually includes spending time celebrating with your children – and having to share that box of chocolate with them. Make this year’s Valentine’s Day fun and special for your children. Check out the 10 ways to celebrate below.

1 2Breakfast Surprise Get Crafty

Decorate a T-shirt or onesie with your child. They can decorate with hearts and puffy paints, and wear it proudly! Surprise them with cupcakes for breakfast, surrounded by candy hearts. You can tie a heart balloon on their chairs for an extra surprise.

Create Hearts

Trace your child’s arms and hands. Cut them out and then attach to each side of a heart. In the center you can write a saying (Happy Valentine’s Day XOXO, A Valentine’s Day Hug) and let your child decorate the heart and arms with markers, crayons, glitter, stickers and/or stick on gems.

Buy a silicon tray with hearts (you can pick these up at a craft store). Collect all your broken crayons and fill each heart with different colors. Place in a 200 degree oven and watch closely until they melt. Let cool and you now have a great Valentine crayon heart to give out to friends.

7Crafts

Decorate the house with Valentine’s Day crafts. For an easy craft, cut strips of paper and fold them into a heart shape. Great way to make paper chains!

8Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt 9 Family Move Night

Write clues on pieces of paper that lead children to a special treat or gift. Get the popcorn ready and snuggle in to watch a cute Valentine’s Day movie like Lady and the Tramp or Mickey and Minnie’s Sweetheart Stories.

10Love Letters 11Game Night

10 “love” notes telling your children something special you love about them. Have a special dinner with the family, then enjoy a night playing their favorite games. These 10 ideas, crafts and treats are the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with you family.

1822

Valentine’s Day just wouldn’t be the same without a signature heart-

shaped box of chocolates. But do you know who originated the sweet treat? In 1822, John Cadbury, originally a coffee and tea shop owner, began producing chocolates. That very same year his son Richard brainstormed the idea of packing them up in the first-ever heart-shaped box. We’d love to know if recipients back then looted through to find the caramels like we do. 10 Parents Press | February 2024

How to Extinguish “My number-one tip to overcome parent burnout is connecting with friends. That is something that often goes by the wayside when parents are struggling. When you are working and raising children, you feel like there is no time...Friends can also provide a support system by listening, providing helpful feedback, or commiserating about the challenges of parenting and feelings or parenting burnout.”

ennifer first noticed feeling burned out when her daughter hit puberty. She said she felt “emotionally and physically drained and absolutely failing as a parent in every way.” At her worst, she remembers thinking, “I’m doing it all here, giving it my all. Why isn’t everything perfect here?” Her feelings of being overwhelmed became so severe that she met with a therapist to talk about her parenting exhaustion. “I see parenting burnout more with parents of teenagers than with parents of toddlers. When you are a new parent, it’s early in your parenthood so you still feel like you are learning things,” says Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, psychologist and author of Mommy Burnout. “It’s not burnout until you feel like, ‘I’ve been doing

By Cheryl Maguire this over and over, and I keep getting the same results.’ Parents think, ‘I’m ineffective, they don’t listen to me, and I’ve lost myself.’” The years of parenting older kids can be some of the most stressful. A research study published in Developmental Psychology found that mothers of middle-school age children reported the highest levels of emptiness and lowest levels of life satisfaction compared to moms of other age groups. And parenting burnout can be serious. A recent research study in Clinical Psychological Science found that parental burnout—characterized by overwhelming parenting exhaustion, emotional distancing from children, and a sense of parental ineffectiveness—is strongly associated with neglectful and violent behaviors toward children. Continued on page 12 >>> February 2024 | ParentsPress.com 11

<<< Continued from page 11

How to Overcome Burnout: Help for Overwhelmed Mothers Here are some ways to help parents who are struggling with parenting exhaustion: SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS “My number-one tip to overcome parent burnout is connecting with friends,” says Ziegler. “That often goes by the wayside when parents are struggling. When you are working and raising children, you feel like there is no time.” Ziegler explains that many parents don’t realize how important friendships are to their emotional health. Research shows that spending time with friends triggers the release of the feel-good hormone oxytocin, Ziegler says. Friends can also provide a support system by listening, providing helpful feedback, or commiserating about the challenges of parenting and feelings of parenting burnout. If you find it too difficult to get together in person, try FaceTime, Zoom, or even try an old-fashioned phone call to help. FOCUS ON WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY Ziegler explains that some people think more options are better. So parents spend hours researching the best choices for their kids. However, she has found that more options can lead to parenting burnout and exhaustion. “Whatever a parent picks, they feel like maybe the other option would have been better,” says Ziegler. “They can also get paralyzed in fear. Then they either don’t make a decision or make a poor on based on fear.” She recommends prioritizing what is necessary by differentiating between wants and needs. She suggests shifting your mindset from “the best” to “what works.” That’s especially important as the pressures of society present lessthan-ideal choices for schooling and other aspects of everyday life.

12 Parents Press | February 2024

The more balls you have in the air, the more likely you will drop one. Multitasking is a primary driver of burnout. FOCUS ON DOING JUST ONE THING AT A TIME If you have to work from home and homeschool your child you may be tempted to multitask, but try to avoid it to the extent you can. Dr. Carla Naumburg, a clinical social worker and author of parenting books including How To Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids stresses The importance of avoiding multitasking: The more balls you have in the air, the more likely you will drop one. “Multitasking is a primary driver of burnout,” says Naumburg. Instead, she suggests that you accept that you will not get everything done. Instead, encourage your kids to help with chores to avoid feeling overwhelmed. LET GO OF YOUR KIDS’ HAPPINESS Naumburg explains that taking responsibility for someone else’s emotions is an unwinnable challenge, that will wear you out. “Emotions aren’t something we can create or control,” she says. “Rather, they’re something we experience. Sometimes it’s because of the choices we make, or what happens to us, or for no clear reason at all.” Our society’s obsession with happiness, aided by researchers, clinicians, social media, and advertisers leads us to believe that “if we’re not happy, we must be doing something wrong,” says

Naumburg. And focusing on our kids’ happiness, like helicoptering and other hypervigilant parenting behaviors, can make parents feel burned out. In addition to it being exhausting for parents, she says that when parents hyperfocus on their children’s happiness, kids learn—often inadvertently—that it’s not okay to be unhappy, and that’s confusing. “We’re missing out on an opportunity to teach our kids and ourselves how to deal with unpleasant or uncomfortable emotions,” says Naumburg. IF NECESSARY, SEEK COUNSELING “My therapist was incredibly helpful in guiding me and my husband as a parenting team to help get my kid through their issue and get our family back on track,” says Jennifer. “Thanks to my therapist, I’m able to manage the stress and get through it on my own in healthy ways.” Jennifer explains that because she went to counseling her family is happier and healthier. She also feels better equipped to help her children manage their stress and be a role model for them.  Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA.

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By Aaron Crowe

f you can withstand a financial emergency, give yourself a pat on the back.

“Wants” can include eating out, going to a movie, vacation, a Nearly half of Americans are living paycheck to date night, drinking paycheck, 52 percent don’t have enough money to alcohol, shopping, and anything you can live cover six months of expenses, while over half of without, such as cable Americans are uncomfortable with their level of emergency savings, according to a Bankrate.com TV. “Needs” are pretty survey. obvious. You’ll want to pay your rent or mortgage, buy necessary The rut of working just so you can groceries, get medical care you need, and cover day-to-day expenses can lead to the worst money mistake of your life—not pay your monthly bills. Don’t live without hot water or electricity just to save some having an emergency fund. cash. Without it, you could be forced to go into debt to pay for emergency medical PAY IN CASH ONLY care, a broken car that you rely on to get The mortgage and water bills can be to work, a busted water heater, job loss, or any other unexpected event. Sooner or paid with a check or transfer from your checking account. All “needs” should later, something will pop up. be paid with money you already have in A “no-spend month” could help solve that problem so that you’re not part of the hand and not with a credit card. “Wants,” however, are often paid with 22 percent of U.S. adults who don’t have a credit card and not thought about until any money in an emergency fund or the a month later, when the bill arrives. For 63 percent who don’t have at least $500 most of these, use cash if you want to take set aside for emergencies, according to a “no-spend month” at least semiseriousthe survey. ly. If you’re really committed, then avoid these “wants” entirely and don’t spend NOT SPENDING FOR any money on them for a month and see A MONTH how it goes. The first goal for an emergency fund Go to the coffee shop a few times a should be to accumulate enough to cover week? Either pay with cash—not your six months of living expenses. After that, work to increase it to a cushion of 18 to 24 phone app—or make coffee at home. The same goes for any other daily living months. expenses. Leave your credit cards at home To give it a good kick-start, eliminate all nonessential spending for a month. Do for a month and bring snacks and lunch this by sorting your expenses into “wants” to work. Watch broadcast TV and cancel your cable TV for a month. Go ride a bike vs. “needs.” for a picnic in the park with your loved You know what these are. If you have one instead of going out for dinner and a children, you constantly have to explain movie on date night. these to them whenever you take them Do whatever it takes to not spend any to a store, and they demand cookies or money for a month beyond the basic something else they want when all you necessities. want to do is get some milk and eggs and leave. 14 Parents Press | February 2024

WHAT TO DO WITH THE SAVINGS

At the end of the month—or beginning if you’re sure your budgeted numbers are correct—move the unspent money to a savings account or another account where you can get the money relatively quickly if needed. The point is to have it set aside for emergencies, which by definition can require quick access. Hopefully, the savings from your “no-spend month” will be enough to cover your expenses for a month in an emergency fund. If possible, continue the no-spend month for another month, or at least cut out nonessentials that you’ve found you can live without. Cable TV may not seem so important after a month away from it. After that difficult first month, decide how much you can now afford to put aside each month in an emergency fund and have it automatically transferred to that account. You may not feel you need to put aside all of that first month’s savings each month and can add some “wants” back to your monthly expenses. Security and peace of mind in knowing you can handle paying for life’s emergencies may be worth sacrificing luxuries such as expensive dinners or vacations. If all it takes to beef up your emergency fund is downsizing to mid-priced dinners out and shorter vacations closer to home, then a good night’s sleep and not worrying about paying for emergencies is probably worth it.  Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist in the Bay Area who specializes in personal finance writing. He writes for various websites and has worked as a reporter and editor at newspapers throughout California.

By Sarah Lyons ids with well developed leadership skills are more confident, responsible, and push themselves to their full potential. Leadership helps them develop better and more creative coping skills when it comes to problem solving and project management. The art of compromise, empathy, and good decision making skills, things most parents strive to teach their children, are also important benefits of having well developed leadership skills. For some children, leadership comes naturally and for others it must be developed and encouraged over time. Either way, parents can help develop their child’s leadership qualities so that when they are ready to attend college and enter the workforce, leading others and knowing when to follow someone else’s lead are already second nature.

SET AN EXAMPLE

Parents can help their kids develop good leadership by showing them what a good leader looks like on a daily basis. When you lead others, including your own children, try to be optimistic, a good listener, treat people fairly, and do the right thing. Your kids will learn these skills simply by modeling your good example.

SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS

Kids who are successful at the things they try are more confident and are more willing to get out of their comfort zone and help others in the future. You can do this by encouraging them to try activities where they have natural strengths and talent or assist them in projects just enough to help them succeed while still allowing them the majority of the decision and work the project entails.

BUILD COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Listening and good communication are keys to making a leader successful and well-liked by peers. Encourage your child to put their communication skills into practice by developing listening skills, public speaking, and expressing their frustrations in a healthy way. Parents can do this by asking your child to order their own food at a restaurant, encouraging them to approach coaches or teachers themselves when there is a problem, and teaching them to ask questions after listening to a friend talking.

BE A TEAM PLAYER

School projects, team sports, clubs, or being a part of a band, orchestra, or choir helps kids understand how to work towards a goal as a group. These experiences help your child Continued on page 16 >>> February 2024 | ParentsPress.com 15

<<< Continued from page 15 understand how to be a good leader and when to listen to others and why both are equally important.

Encourage lifelong skills

Integrity, empathy, work ethic, respect, negotiation, and compromise are great skills for any leader, as well as, any student, employee, or friend. You can encourage these skills by setting a good example and talking through situations where they were or were not utilized well. Ask your child how they would have handled this differently and why. Praise them when they have done a good job using these skills and encourage them when needed.

Show them the value of diversity

There is great value in diversity. Everyone has different backgrounds, experiences, and gifts. Encourage your kids to learn about other cultures and experiences and that differences are what make us a stronger team. They can learn to stand up to those who are singled out or viewed as different from others. This is what makes a great leader.

Ask for help

Kids who know when to problem solve and when to ask for guidance are better teammates and stronger leaders. It’s also important to offer help to others in the group who may be struggling. Lead by example and be encouraging and helpful when needed.

Develop good work habits

Kids who have responsibilities at a young age are better prepared to lead others. Encourage your child to get a part time job at a young age or pick up jobs like yard work, babysitting,

or volunteer work so they can build their leadership skills, develop their work ethic, and get experience in a variety of areas.

Time management

When your child has a large project to complete, encourage them to map out their plan for getting it done on-time. Create steps and set goals to accomplish to meet the deadline. Good project management skills will serve them well as a leader and an employee in the future. As your child develops strong leadership skills, it’s important to understand that they will not always be the person in charge. Having good leadership skills doesn’t mean you are always the one who is leading. Being respectful and willing to listen to others and compromise while not officially being the person who is “in charge” of the group is still a way to lead others. Whether your child is a natural leader or a great teammate, these leadership skills will serve them well in the future.  Sarah Lyons is a mom of six, including triplets. She enjoys writing, reading, and spending time outside with her kids.

Extracurricular Activities that Build Leadership Skills TEAM SPORTS

Being part of a team helps build leadership and helps kids learn to work as a group and understand the art of leading and following others.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Being part of student council or government helps kids learn to lead and build speaking and negotiating skills.

START YOUR OWN CLUB

If your child is interested in something specific, chances are others their age are as well. Starting their own club is a great way to learn how to lead others and share common interests.

VOLUNTEER WORK

Giving your time helps kids put others first, work on a project for the greater good, develop a good work ethic, and build leadership skills.

ACADEMIC TEAMS OR CLUBS

Being part of an academic team or clubs such as robotics, mathletes, speech and debate, National Honors Society, and science club are great ways to build skills in areas that interest them but also give them leadership skills they can use in college and the workforce.

MUSIC AND ARTS

Not everyone is drawn to team sports, but being part of a choir, orchestra, band, theater, or working on a creative project as a group can have the same benefits as team sports do when it comes to leadership skills.

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www.thechildunique.org February 2024 | ParentsPress.com 21

PHOTO BY THE U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT

By Ju’Riese Colón, CEO, U.S. Center for SafeSport

Where can you find snapping towels, pranking, name calling, and all-around misbehavior? You guessed it. The locker room.

xcusing “locker room talk or behavior” is all too common, but it shouldn’t be ignored or brushed off. While the locker room can foster team bonding and comradery, without proper education and protocols, it can also be an epicenter for unsafe and abusive behavior. At the U.S. Center for SafeSport, we focus on preventing abuse in sports and educating communities on how to respond when it does occur. As CEO, I regularly talk to athletes, parents, coaches, and sport administrators about creating safe spaces. I often hear concerns about hazing, bullying, and sexual misconduct. A common question is: how do we keep kids safe in the locker room?

Adult supervision is key

Let’s start by acknowledging the truth—adults can be uncomfortable in locker rooms. Kids are changing and showering. Some of them are teens with developing bodies. And that can make adults nervous. Many teams rely on parent volunteers to monitor locker rooms. Maybe the girls’ swim team has a male coach. That team needs to find, screen, and train at least two women 22 Parents Press | February 2024

willing to be in the changing area. It can be a time-consuming process, and one that some parents may not be willing to do. But kids are (sometimes literally) exposed in the locker room. This is where adults should be monitoring behavior. Changing areas make young athletes vulnerable to abuse from adults—and from each other.

What happens without adult supervision?

To parents it is no surprise to hear that kids often resort to juvenile and inappropriate behavior when left on their own. Kids in locker rooms are usually full of energy, noisy, and acting silly. But that behavior can sometimes turn aggressive or dangerous. Take “locker boxing” or “cage raging” as an example. Our hockey and lacrosse communities told us that this has been going on for years. Kids put on their hockey gloves and helmets to box until someone taps out or passes out. Parents and coaches have legitimate concerns that concussions are happening in the locker room even before young athletes take the field or ice. <<< Continued on page 24

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We provide a Year Round Program Infant and toddler care for ages 12-24 months Preschool for ages 2-5 years Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Extended Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Full-day program: 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

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February 2024 | ParentsPress.com 23

<<< Continued from page 22

HERE ARE 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Your child should always have a private or semiprivate area to change. This can be a bathroom stall with a door or an area partitioned off with a drape.

Adults need to monitor locker rooms and changing areas. They should do this in pairs because your child should never be alone with an adult. Every adult interaction with a minor athlete should be observable and interruptible. That means there is always another adult around to observe what’s happening, and nothing happens behind closed doors.

Coaches and officials should have separate changing areas, or they need to schedule locker room time for adults separately from young athletes. They also shouldn’t share showers with kids, though there may be some exceptions, like when swimmers and their coaches are rinsing off in their suits.

No cell phones, cameras, or tablets in the locker room. Sports organizations should foster a device-free locker room culture by clearly explaining and enforcing consequences if devices are used inappropriately.

Be aware of media or championship celebrations in the locker room. Your child’s sports organization should seek your consent for any recording in the locker room. Two or more adults should be present, and everyone should be fully clothed. Youth sports are supposed to be fun, but young athletes must be safe to thrive and enjoy the many benefits of athletics. SafeSport provides educational resources for parents to help make sure their young athletes feel safe, supported, and strengthened. Visit uscenterforsafesport.orwg/abuse-preventionresources for more tools to help you recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse in sport. If you or someone you know has experienced abuse or misconduct by a participant of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement, you can make a report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/  Ju’Riese Colón is the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the nation’s only nonprofit organization committed to ending all forms of abuse in sport. As CEO, Ju’Riese leads the strategic vision and direction of the organization to ensure every athlete is safe, supported, and strengthened through support. An experienced child advocate who serves as an expert on issues related to child safety, Ju’Riese has led prevention and outreach initiatives with youth-serving organizations serving families, educators, law enforcement, and diverse communities. She earned bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and Spanish from Virginia Commonwealth University.

PHOTO BY THE U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT

We’ve also heard of cases of boys filming the girls’ swim team through a gap in the ceiling between changing rooms, or girls taking pictures of other girls getting undressed and posting them online. Parents are understandably outraged by these kinds of privacy violations. This is why clear rules and adult supervision are necessary. To change locker room culture, you should have open communication with your child’s sports organization and understand best practices for making locker rooms safer.

To change locker room culture, you should have open communication with your child’s sports organization and understand best practices for making locker rooms safer.

24 Parents Press | February 2024

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p m a C t s Be

HOW TO PICK THE

FOR YOUR CHILD

N THE BAY AREA, WE’RE INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE of summer camps to choose from for our children. Whether you’re looking for a day or sleepaway camp, one that focuses on the performing arts, science, or whatever else your child is passionate about, it more than likely exists in our region.

Continued on page 28 >>>

26 Parents Press | February 2024

DAY CAMPS ACADEMIC CAMPS

CAMP S Presc

SPORTS CAMPS

WE S

ASSOCIAT I

SCH

Accrediting Commission for Schools

*Camps offered vary by location. Preschool State License Numbers: 013420588, 013423042, 434404890, 434413440, 434410816, 434408056, 013420939, 414004014, 384001837, 384004006, 434407977, 434408877, 434410807, 434404336, 434406722. Copyright © 2022 Stratford Schools, Inc.

Locations throughout the Bay Area LS

With more options to explore, you can build a one of a kind Summer@Stratford experience for your child!

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SPECIALTY CAMPS

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February 2024 | ParentsPress.com 27

<<< Continued from page 26

Which Type of Camp Would Best Suit the Needs and Interests of Your Child?

he opportunities that summer camp provides are endless: the ability to try new things, the chance to make new friends, and the prospect of gaining independence are just a few. Consider the possibilities: DAY CAMPS typically serve children ages 3-15. Session lengths typically vary from one to eight weeks. Some camps offer up to ten weeks of programming. Before camp and after camp programs are offered for an additional fee at some day camps. OVERNIGHT (also called Resident or Sleepaway) Camps usually serve children ages 6-18. Campers stay at camp for one to eight weeks, depending on the camp’s session length.

SPECIALTY CAMPS are based in day or resident settings. Popular options for specialization may include horseback riding, the arts, sports, computers, or travel. Programming revolves around intensive exposure to the specialty area. CAMPS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS serve specific clientele like children or adults with particular medical conditions, disabilities, or special needs. Some camps focus on campers who share very specific diagnoses, while others are geared to meet a broader array of needs at any one time. RELIGIOUSLY-AFFILIATED CAMPS offer religious education formally and informally. Review materials carefully for explanations of how religion influences a camp’s culture to find one with the balance that best matches your family’s values and beliefs.

GENERAL CAMPS offer a broad range of activities. Many provide campers with the opportunity to focus on one or a few areas while encouraging them to try a variety of others. It is FAMILY CAMP SESSIONS include family sometimes possible to explore an activity or interest members of all ages, from grandparents to in depth within the context of the whole program. infants. Accommodations vary, as do program options and session length. The focus is on being TRIP & TRAVEL CAMPS involve outdoor together as a family—to learn, to relax, and to exploration through active sports like biking, hiking, enjoy new experiences and adventures. climbing, and canoeing. Campers spend most of their time traveling and preparing to travel. The only downside to having so many options is that it can truly feel like an exhausting search to find exactly the right fit for your kids. We want them to be happy. We want them to feel comfortable. And, most of all, we want them to be safe. But how does a parent know they are making the right choice? Read on to find a wide range of information that will answer your checklist of questions regarding how to best decipher the information in all of those brochures and how to make the most of an informational visit. You’ll have better peace of mind and, chances are, your kids will have one incredible summer.

BE PREPARED

Before you start scheduling camp interviews, research all of the options that appeal most to your family, then weigh the pros and cons of each (you can even grade them on a points system if you like). After you’ve compiled a list in order of interest, start eliminating some. You don’t want to drive yourself crazy going on interviews for camps that aren’t really all that appealing to you. It’s a waste of your time and theirs. 28 Parents Press | February 2024

Once you’ve ruled out camps that don’t meet your essential search criteria or expectations, begin exploring the details of each option you like. Sometimes, the filtering process yields too many camps to interview personally; sometimes, it doesn’t yield enough. Adjust key variables, such as location and session length, to narrow or expand the number of options on the results page. Use the results page to go directly to camp websites.

GET ORGANIZED

Camp interviews may feel a bit tedious at times, especially depending on how many you plan on talking to, but they are so necessary in determining how your child might fit into the environment. Go into each interview armed with knowledge of your pros and cons so that you have your questions firmly planted in your mind. How does the camp convey who they really are and reflect the world they’ve created exclusively for a child’s benefit? Camp seekers can learn so much from a close look at camp websites, brochures, photos, videos, FAQs, newsletters, social media, and camper or parent testimonials. Many

camp websites are a gateway to most camp information on this list, from video content to downloadable brochures and forms, all reflecting the camp’s culture. Camps are much more than lists of activities they offer; they are vibrant educational communities – and no two are exactly alike. There is probably not just one perfect camp for your child. More than one camp may turn out to be a great fit, given your search criteria, so the interviewing stage will most likely factor into your final decision and help you to pinpoint the camp. So, how do you decide between two (or a few camps) with comparable activities, locations, schedules, amenities and prices? Enough research will provide answers to your questions without you having to utter a single word. Camps try to anticipate what families need to know and provide this information online. You’ll want to use interview time to ask questions that haven’t already been answered – questions that explore the fit for your child. Running low on time? Interviews with some camp head honchos may already be available online. You can also consult with friends who’ve previously met with the camp for information you never even realized you might want. Look for an interview with the example, you might see photos on the website or on Facebook showing the salad bar or a cabin group sitting around the table with food served family-style. This might spark a question about camp food and how your child’s dietary needs can be met. Or, combing through the part of a website developed exclusively for parents of overnight campers might enable you to understand the camp’s plan and suggestions for communicating with your camper. Perhaps reading the director’s blog from last summer or looking at newsletters might give you some insight into the camp’s philosophy and culture.

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You’re the expert on your child! What aspects of his personality might affect the camp fit? (Your child is shy and cautious in new situations, for instance. Or your child needs to have a certain amount of time to practice music, sports or academics.)  Submitted by American Camp Association.

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What Do You Envision for Your Child’s Camp Experience? electing a camp for your child can be exciting. You know that camp is a wonderful way for your child to develop independence, new skills and new friends. But now you need to figure out which camp is the right choice. Consider these questions as you go through your search:

What is driving your camp search?

Fun and learning? New experiences and skills? A need for child care? Family tradition? Encouragement from friends?

What are your leading camp search criteria?

Which ones are “non-negotiable” and which are “preferences”?

Which of your family’s values should be reflected in the camp philosophy? How religious

should it be? How competitive? How diverse? How much camper choice should be given?

What activities or programs interest you and your child? What level of intensity are you looking for? Are you looking for opportunities for your child to try new activities, to play, to advance current skills, to practice, to compete or to specialize?

What kind of facilities will your camper consider? Discuss electricity, bathrooms and dining. What session length, from eight weeks to a few days, is comfortable for you, for your child, and for your family’s summer schedule? The most common session lengths are: full season (seven to eight weeks), half season (three to four), two weeks and one week.

What camp clientele do you want to consider? There are camps for only boys or girls, coed,

brother/sister, religious groups, underserved populations and children with special needs.

How far are you willing to commute your child? Is there a good local source or is it worth driving to a destination camp?



Sending Teens to Summer Camp By Kerrie McLoughlin

ummer camp seems the perfect sum-

Community mertime solution for elementary-age kids so they don’t sit around the house service camps bored and so they can make friends and learn offer a great chance new things while having fun. As our children grow out of their “little kid years,” we somefor teens to make times forget they still need those kinds of experiences they had when they were younger, a difference and just in a different form. Maybe the thought hasn’t crossed your mind that your teen help out in the need to find a fun summer camp. Your community while might teen should be babysitting, mowing lawns, working at the pool, making TikTok videos, also learning hanging around with friends, right? Well, lifelong skills. sure! But why not send teens off for a week or more of summer fun and learning this year for a break? Here are some great benefits for teens attending summer camp: Learning how to give back. Community service camps offer an excellent chance for teens to make a difference and help out in the community, while also learning lifelong skills. Kids get to spend their days helping others, which just feels good to everyone

involved. Maybe your teen will learn how to pack food for the homeless, teach kids how to read or work on a project that will benefit the community, like cleaning up a playground or fixing equipment. Teens even could learn how to paint a house, care for the yard of an older person who is unable to do so anymore … or they may even learn how to plan and build a house for someone in need. Deepening faith. If your teen enjoys church youth groups and activities, a church or other organized religious camp might be just the ticket. The day might begin with a church service, followed by breakfast, then a hike and some time spent in the cabin with friends memorizing Bible verses for a competition at the end of the week. Later, there could be singing songs around a bonfire while roasting s’mores. Working as a team. Your child will be meeting kids of different ages and from diverse backgrounds. Learning how to get along and work as a team is a huge Continued on page 32 >>> February 2024 | ParentsPress.com 31

<<< Continued from page 31 life skill that will be reinforced at camp. Some camps even have kids do teambuilding and trust activities to help them get to know each other. 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 transition by perhaps 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. A daily structure at camp is already in place, which teens need to follow. Because parents aren’t the ones doing the nagging, teens don’t tune out but rather respect other adults and learn from them. Appreciating everything. Away from screens, a person finds it 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 help out in the running of the household. Your teen will probably

Working as a team, your child will be meeting kids of different ages and who are from different backgrounds. also appreciate funny things like a full pantry that’s open all day, a comfy bed and privacy! Teen summer camp has so many benefits that cover all the bases, including 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!  Kerrie McLoughlin is the seasoned homeschooling mom of five. Find them at TheKerrieShow.com.

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www.cityofberkeley.info/Recreation 32 Parents Press | February 2024

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February 2024 | ParentsPress.com 33

Is Your Child Ready for Overnight Camp?

Day Camp or Overnight Camp

eciding between day camp or residential (overnight) camp is one piece of the decision for families. Camp is an experience and not limited to a singular location. Campers can develop the same skills, both hard and soft, whether they’re sleeping away from home or returning to their own beds each night. While there are differences between day and residential camps, above all else, the most important outcome of this decision is finding the right fit for your camper and family. This begins with knowing your camper. Many overnight camps begin taking campers between ages 7-9 years old. However, some children may be ready at 6 and some others may not be ready at 10. While there is no clear, linear checklist to determine whether day or overnight camp is right for your child, the questions listed here can help guide that conversation. These questions can help begin a dialogue with your family about which camp experience is the best fit for you. The choice of day versus residential camp is one important aspect of the overall decision. But even then, make sure you follow up with those potential camps. Talk to directors. Ask for tours. Ask for references. Do your due diligence. In the end both you and the camp want this summer to be the first of many and the beginning of a great relationship. 

34 Parents Press | February 2024

• What is the primary reason for wanting to go to camp? • Has your child ever spent multiple nights sleeping away from home? • What’s your budget for camp? • Can your child bath and dress independently? • How far away from home do you want your child’s camp experience to be? • What activities are important to your camper’s experience?

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