Sleeping bag? Check. Bug spray? Check. Bathing suit? Check. EpiPen/Inhaler? Check.

Sending child to camp with a food allergy or asthma throws another wrench into the works.  This coming week (May 12- 18) is National Food Allergy Awareness Week, and according to Food Allergy Research and Education, 1 in 13 kids is affected by food allergies. Additionally, May is the month for awareness of asthma, which affects 1 in 10 kids. If your child is one of them, there are some very important things to know before sending him or her off to camp.

1. Pick the right place. Activity Rocket is a great starting point for locating camps, but you should follow up with the camp to learn more about how they can accommodate your child’s needs. Some questions to ask:

• What are their food containment/food preparation policies?
• Are the facilities air-conditioned? How about the presence of asthma triggers such as pollen, molds, dust, etc.?
• Do they have experience with children with similar needs?
• How do they handle medical emergencies? Where is the nearest hospital?

If possible, it is wise to check the facility out firsthand. If not, seek recommendations from parents of other children with asthma/food allergies. If your child’s asthma or food allergies are more severe, you may opt for a camp specifically for children with allergies/asthma.

2.    Inform the camp of your child’s needs. Let the camp personnel know the extent of your child’s allergies/asthma symptoms. Make your child’s counselors aware of the specific symptoms your child manifests when having an episode or adverse reaction. Most importantly, make sure you’ve develop an asthma or allergy action plan, and share it with camp staff. Access templates here (for asthma) and here (for food allergies).

3. Educate your camper. Make kids play an active role in their own health and safety. For kids with food allergies, make sure they know not to trade food with other campers or eat foods if they’re not sure of the ingredients. Teach them how to read a food label (if age appropriate) and identify potential allergens. For kids with asthma and allergies, tell them to be proactive if they feel a reaction or an asthma attack coming on so they can tell an adult. They should know to keep their inhaler or EpiPen on them at all times and how to use it if need be.

Whether preparing for your kid’s stint at sleep away or day camp, following these tips can help ensure a fun, safe summer for your child!

Additional resources:

http://www.foodallergy.org/managing-food-allergies/at-camp

http://www.asthmaandallergycenter.com/w/seasonal.mvc/Details/4

Rochelle Coleman of RAC Basketball

Basketball has indeed been my passport to visit new places, people, and experiences. Now I do have a literal United States Government issued passport, I just used it on my trip to Israel. The connection I had to visiting Israel in the first place was because of basketball. My friend David Lasday runs the Netayna Hoops for Kids program in Netanya, Israel and for the past two years I have worked with the organization to help run basketball clinics in the city. The amount of Hebrew I speak and the amount of English the children speak can be counted on one hand, but we are able to work together. Basketball crosses all types of barriers; language, ethnicities, mental and physical disabilities, you name it basketball can bridge the gap.

I have visited places that I would have never thought of, but because of playing and now coaching I am visiting the world and meeting people from all walks of life. I have played or taught basketball in 23 states and two countries. In the last two years I have been able to meet children and coaches from Indonesia and the Republic of Congo to share information with each other on what we know about basketball and life. I have the opportunity to work with KEEN of Greater Washington, a great organization the works with children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities through sport and recreation activities. I was approached because of my basketball background to run their basketball Saturday clinics, which I have been for the past two years. We have create a team at KEEN we are the “Wildcats” and it is great to see them work hard and improve their skills and the best part many of the drills I conduct with them I would conduct with someone without disabilities.

Would I have had these connections without basketball? Maybe, but I doubt it. Basketball is a non-discriminatory sport, I can proudly say my life revolves around it or as my players at Paint Branch would say, “Ball is life”. I started playing as a child and now I teach others how to play. My company teaches children how to play basketball, but the truth is I am a motivator and instructor teaching children how to work through problems, finding joy in accomplishing goals, and how to keep an open mind that anyone can contribute to this game and to life.

I am excited to see where or what experience basketball will bring next. Whichever way the ball bounces I will be sure to follow. So yes it can be just a “game”, but keep in mind if you stay focused, keep your eyes up, and take advantage of what’s in front of you this “game” can be so much more. There are many means to explore this world but basketball is definitely my passport.

Rochelle Coleman, Owner, RAC Basketball 

Activity Rocket makes it easy to locate fun physical activity classes and camps in your area. But how can you incorporate more exercise into your kids current schedules? One mom has the answer:

A fun and easy way for kids to get more fresh air and exercise is to walk or bike to school.  Give it a try this Wednesday May 8 on International Bike to School Day, when kids all over the DC area will be rolling and walking.

Start now so your family is ready and relaxed when the big day comes:

1.  Brush up on your bike-to-school know-how on the  parent info page of the national Safe Routes to School program.

2.  Map a safe route with this free online tool.

3.  Talk to your child about safety. Watch this tried-and-true safe cycling video together.

4.  Give your child’s equipment a once-over.  Make sure:

• tires are full
• brakes work
• chains are tight
• helmet fits!

Kids younger than middle school age will need you to walk or bike with them. Or perhaps your child can jump in with a group of kids led by a parent guide such as this dad who started a “bike train” in Fairfax County. Often, kids with disabilities or live too far to walk or bike can also take part. It’s up to parents to decide whether their middle-schoolers are mature and confident enough to ride or bike on their own.

And remember, for those with older kids—walking and biking isn’t limited to pre-drivers. High schoolers can get fit and reduce traffic and air pollution around school if they walk and bike, too!

Read more here about how biking/walking to school is picking up speed in Vienna, VA!

This post is courtesy of The Durable Human – a blog by NoVA writer mom Jenifer Joy Madden.  Read more about how to raise active, durable kids in her just-released Durable Human Manifesto: Hooray for Humans! – a picture-filled quick-read “booklette” you can download here for free!.

Learn more about JJ on Google+. 

Dedicated sports fans are always game to try out new and exciting ways to show their teams how much they are loved. Getting the entire family involved is a special way of spending quality time with the kids and embracing the home team at the same time. Check out these ideas for sparking some new fire into rally time. 

Adopt a Player – Most people have specific players that they adore. Find out which players your kids admire most and “adopt” them. Help the kids make homemade cards to send to team members, and be sure to let the kids sign their own names. You never can tell if one of the players might just send a note back.

Hold Your Own Pep Rally – Time to call all the friends and relatives and invite them over for a pep rally! Remember the good old days of high school rallies before a big game? Recreate them at home to bring back that spark of excitement. Haul out the sports trivia games, decorate with the team colors and don’t forget the party favors! To get the kids involved, have them help make theme related snacks to serve throughout the rally.

Get Other Families Involved – If the sports team you happen to be rooting for is your kid’s local team, get other parents involved and show your children a united front of support. Come up with a special cheer or fight song to rally the kids on to success. Your child will be so excited to see the entire family and all of her friends showing support for her team that she’s sure to be psyched for the big game.

Create a Cheer Squad – The home town team may not have a cheerleading squad of its own, especially if you live in a particularly small community. Get the kids and a few friends together and create one to cheer the team on to victory. Crafty moms can even sew up cheerleading uniforms for your little cheerleaders, and the kids can help you put together pom-poms! Work with the kids to come up with some original cheers or borrow a few from your own school days.

Enroll the Kids in a Team-Sponsored Sports Clinic – Many professional teams will sponsor sports clinics for kids during the summer vacation. Kids will learn about the sport they love and get a chance to play with some of the team members. They may also have opportunities to get t-shirts, posters, autographs and other memorabilia. Just think of how exciting it will be for your kids to cheer on the players who helped them learn and love the sport.

Make a Sports Board – Grab a bulletin board and encourage the kids to cut out stories and pictures of their favorite teams. Be sure to discuss the additions to the board as a family, too. You can also keep track of the teams’ stats here, as well as stats for favorite individual players. Pretty soon you will have a complete sports collage!

Pick a Women’s Team to Follow – Female athletes are growing in popularity all the time. Following a women’s team in the sport your daughter enjoys is a wonderful way to support the team and your daughter, too. Girls need to know that they can aspire to make it in professional sports just like boys, and by supporting a female team you are sending a positive message to the girls in your household.

Attend Special Events Hosted By Your Favorite Team – From time to time, professional teams will sponsor special events. Sometimes they’re sports related, and sometimes it may be for charity or to support cause awareness. Taking the kids to such an event lets them know that the players do more than just play sports; it’s good for kids to see the players caring about and participating in the community.

Take the Kids to a College Game – Colleges often have several different sports programs, and each one has a team. Find out what your kids are interested in and take them to some of the college games in those sports. Some college student athletes can provide good, accessible role models for your kids. You can also discuss what it takes to be a collegiate athlete. Who knows, maybe your kid will want to pursue a path in college athletics as a result.

Go to a Game Together – Tickets to professional sporting events aren’t cheap, but the prohibitive price tag doesn’t have to keep your family from making an event of seeing the game! Lots of restaurants now have big screen TVs so you can watch the games with lots of other dedicated fans. Choose a place that caters to families and have a night out on the town. The kids will have loads of fun cheering along with all the other sports fans around them. This night out is sure to be one that will stick in their memories for a long time to come, and one of the really cool things is that you don’t have to clean up the mess!

For more great blog posts like this one visit summernanny.com.

Gaithersburg Book Festival

My almost three-year-old daughter recently has become the queen of the bedtime stall tactics.

“One more Strawberry Shortcake,” she’ll ask. More TV? No.

“I’m thirsty” or “I’m hungry” will be the next plea. I’ll give her a sip of water, but that’s it.

Then comes the kicker, the one she knows she’ll win. “I want you to read me the bunny book.” Or “… the monkeys book.” Or whatever she’s in the mood for that night.

Already, she knows I’ll never say no to reading… even if it is bedtime. It’s also why most Saturdays, after spending our morning at Barnes & Noble, we come home new book in hand, despite bookshelves that already are packed to capacity with her books.

I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember. I can still name the book on which I learned to read: “Put Me in the Zoo” by Robert Lopshire.

So it’s no surprise to those who know me that I give away a lot of my free time to help plan, promote and run the Gaithersburg Book Festival. It may be a one-day affair to everyone who attends – with that one day being Saturday, May 18 this year – but for those of us who plan it, it’s a 365-day labor of love.

One of the best aspects of the festival is it’s truly a family affair. It doesn’t matter what you like to read – chick list, serious fiction, mysteries, non-fiction, current events, history, poetry, cookbooks, biographies and more – you’ll find at least one author to love at the book festival. And if you’re lucky, you’ll discover a year’s worth of exciting new authors and books to explore. (That’s what happens for me every year.)

And for parents? The Gaithersburg Book Festival Children’s Village is a gold mine of activities that will keep your kids (of all ages) busy all day. And this year’s festival has one of the best line-ups of authors for children and young adults we’ve ever featured, including Walter Dean Myers, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature; Jon Scieszka, former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and founder of “Guys Read,” a literacy initiative for boys (He’s also well known for being the “stinky cheese guy.”); Adele Griffin, two-time National Book Award finalist; Maggie Stiefvater, 2012 Printz Honor; Sheila Turnage, 2013 Newbery Honor; Mac Barnett; Fred Bowen; and Julia Devillers.

In addition to author presentations, the festival’s Children’s Village features activities throughout the day, and the Imagination Station stage, where attendees can be treated to performances by storytellers, puppeteers, jugglers, authors and even a little magic. And if you have a budding author (ages 8-18) at home, he or she can learn more about the craft by taking in one of the free writing workshops presented by Writopia Labs.

At 3, my daughter is too young this year to enjoy the book festival, especially since I’ll be working all day. I look forward to the day that my parents can bring her to the festival for me. For now, she’ll have to settle for enjoying the festival vicariously through me, as our Author Q&A series on our blog helps me to rediscover some of my favorite childhood books (like “The Giant Jam Sandwich” by John Lord), which I’ve been purchasing for her. 

By Robin Ferrier, Chair, PR Committee, Gaithersburg Book Festival

The 2013 Gaithersburg Book Festival will take place Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the grounds of City Hall in Olde Towne Gaithersburg.Parents, this year’s Gaithersburg Book Festival is one event you really shouldn’t miss. It’s free, close to home and a place where you can spark your kids’ imaginations, foster their love of the written word and give them experiences to last a lifetime. For more information, visit www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@GburgBookFest). 

Activity Rocket was an official sponsor at last weekend’s Tots2Teens Expo, a collection of the best vendors for families in the greater DC area.

On Saturday, April 20, the Washington Convention Center was bustling with parents and kids alike, looking to see the best of the greater DC’s vendors for families. Naturally, Activity Rocket was in the building. Nestled between the booths of partners Bricks4Kids and Bach To Rock, the Activity Rocket booth piqued the interest of many a curious parent.

As parents discovered the features and functionality of Rocket, they were impressed.”This is a GODSEND!” one mom remarked, ecstatic that the frustration of booking her kids was soon to be ended by Rocket.

Families were greatly entertained Rocket partner booths by My Gym, Bach to Rock, and Bricks4Kids.

Another mom mentioned how she had been putting off the headache of summer activity searching until the last possible minute; now with the ease of Rocket, there’s no more need to delay!

Kids were equally excited about the new possibilities Rocket would bring. Their worlds were about to be expanded to include the diverse activities listed on Rocket’s site. Upon hearing that Activity Rocket’s site included the option to search for Archery programs, one little girl immediately begged that mom sign her up!As parents at Tots2Teens discovered, Activity Rocket is a revolutionary new service that’s taking the entire activity experience to new heights! Come experience the Rocket power first hand at Celebrate Mama! this Saturday!

What does your kid dream of being when he or she grows up? A dancer, an athlete, or a firefighter perhaps? Whatever your little one’s ambitions may be, statistically speaking, American kids show a relative lack of interest in STEM fields, despite our economy’s immense need for these career skills.

Indeed, much attention has been given to how to solve our student’s math and science lag and the importance of STEM fields to progress. A new movement is finding that a key component is missing from the mix. Championed by Rhode Island School of Design, the STEAM movement seeks to emphasize the importance of creativity in innovation by adding art to the science, technology, engineering and math mix.

STEAM initiatives are popping up all over the country, across the country, including H.R. 51, a bill advocating the integration  of art and design to Federal programs targeting the STEM fields.

Read more about the case for STEAM here, or visit stemtosteam.org.

What do you think? Is arts education just as important as traditional STEM fields?

Luckily, Activity Rocket connects parents to a diverse range of classes and camps to inspire the budding artist or engineer.

Family vacations are one of the best ways for the family unit to bond. A break from the everyday struggle to stay on schedule with homework, team practice, play rehearsal and more is just what today’s families need to reconnect. While mom and dad may yearn for a chair on the beach, there are loads of engaging destinations offering time to learn, explore and bond. One of my favorite destinations for this kind of therapy is Costa Rica, what I call a mini-max country. With multiple eco-systems in a country smaller than West Virginia, you can craft a vacation with many different experiences, maxing out your vacation dollars’ value. 

Every first-timer to Costa Rica should start in the Arenal area, Costa Rica’s adventure capital. Surrounded by lush green hillsides, the resting volcano is a great base for multiple adventure activities. Zip-lining, canyoneering, white water rafting and hiking are just a sampling of what can be experienced here. At the end of the day, rest and relax in the area’s many hot springs created by geothermal activity beneath the volcano. 

Costa Rica is also home to some amazing nature preserves. Manual Antonio National Park, on the Pacific Coast, is internationally recognized as one of the most bio diverse parks on the planet. Here you can find 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds all while exploring the lush tropical forests, lagoons, mangroves and pristine beaches. You can amplify the experience by staying in one of the many eco-lodges known for meticulous attention to the surrounding environment. 

Lastly, the vacation wouldn’t be complete without some time on the beach. The west coast of Costa Rica is known for its stunning shoreline. In addition to that chair on the beach, there are opportunities to surf, snorkel, sail, fish, kite surf and more. A perfect ending to that active vacation. 

By Lisa Cohen-Dumani is the owner at The Travel Fairy, a full service agency, specializing in making your travel dreams come true. An avid traveler, Lisa spent many years living overseas, travelling abroad and exploring new places. In addition, a mother of four, she has loads of experience travelling with kids. Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose Travel, one of the top Travel Management Companies in the US, the Travel Fairy is able to offer access to the top suppliers in the industry. Get in touch with Lisa at lisa@thetravelfairy.net.

We all know that yoga is good for us and that we need it in our lives, but it’s just as amazing (and necessary) for kids! Kids of all ages can and should practice yoga. These days it’s hard to keep kids focused and entertained (especially when many of their eyeballs are glued to TVs, video games and computers). Perhaps introducing something new like yoga might open their eyes to a whole new way of looking at things… with the computer off. The reasons as to why yoga and kids mix are endless. You want to know why? Oh,well, here’s just a few: 

Physical:

Yoga promotes physical strength, encouraging children to use all of their muscles in new ways. This is great for non-athletic children who typically shy away from physical activity in fear of failure or being picked last. It also helps athletic children to excel in other physical activities and sports. Yoga promotes body awareness. Young children learn about their spines, joints, and muscles. They learn how to manipulate their bodies and maximize their mobility.

The flexibility that results from a child’s yoga practice increases his or her range of motion and helps prevent injuries. Yoga helps children to develop improved posture. Children actually become excited to sit up straight and stand up tall. Make sure that they understand that this rule applies outside of yoga, too! Yoga teaches children to listen to their bodies by modifying or changing poses that are too hard or cause pain.

Mental:

Yoga builds self-esteem and self-respect. A child’s yoga practice is a rare opportunity to do something without ever having to worry about being wrong. Yoga is non-competitive. It is one of very few (if any) non-competitive activities that a child can participate in. In day-to-day life, children compete on everything. Who’s the smartest? The tallest? The prettiest? The most popular? Acceptance is a large part of yoga. Children learn that they are okay just the way they are. And when they don’t feel the need to constantly compare themselves to others, they become more accepting of everybody else’s differences.

Yoga helps children to focus and concentrate in school and get better grades. A child’s yoga practice helps in developing creative thinking skills and encouraging original thought. In yoga, children learn to take turns, to be nice, and to respect others. When children practice yoga, they learn how to be still (and quiet!). This helps them to listen with attention and make good decisions.

Both:

Balance is a key element of yoga. The balancing poses promote mental and physical balance. Mental clarity and balance emerge from the effort of trying the poses. Even if a child never learns to stand on one foot, if they can learn to stay calm when they fall—and to get up and try again—they’ve learned balance.

The only way that anyone grows in life is through challenge. When a child is facing an extreme challenge with a particular pose or activity, the child can learn to modify the pose in order to find the success within the challenge.

When children learn to breathe deeply and fully, and become more aware, they can bring peacefulness or energy to their bodies.

As with all forms of exercise, a good yoga practice can mean a good night’s sleep!

YOGA IS FUN!

By ExtendYoga – this summer at extendYoga check out their camps – June 24-28, 2013. It’s a jam packed week full of awesome, not-just-yoga, but crafts, games, music, community service projects and more!

What does the coming of spring have to do with the safety of kids’ brains? Well, as the weather warms up, kids are gearing up for the beginning of spring sports seasons. And sports, is one of the highest causes of concussions, second only to car accidents.

March is  Brain Injury Awareness Month. Here are some startling figures you may not have known about brain injuries, according to the Brain Injury Association of America.

• 475,000 children sustain traumatic brain injuries every year.
• 75% of traumatic brain injuries are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury.

So what can parents do to to protect their young athletes? First, make sure they have the proper protective helmets for their specific activity. Second, know the signs and symptoms of a concussion, which include headache or a feeling of pressure in the head, temporary loss of consciousness, confusion or feeling as if in a fog, amnesia surrounding the traumatic event, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nausea or vomiting, slurred speech, and fatigue. This way, you can seek medical attention right away. Last, make sure kids don’t play through concussion- the risks can be serious.

For more information, visit Brain Injury Association’s website. We at Activity Rocket wish you a safe spring sports season!