The air is getting warmer, days are getting longer, the kids are getting restless- there's no denying it, summer is just around the corner!  Whether your family embraces the flexibility of a summer schedule or you cringe at the thought of making arrangements to keep your kids occupied for 11 weeks, deciding how they will spend their summer is often a stressful time for families.  While many parents of elementary aged children aren't quite ready to send their young ones off to overnight camp for week, summer camp programs have huge benefits for kids.

Luckily, there are options for families to keep kids closer to home while still reaping the benefits that summer camp programs have to offer.  Day camps are a time for kids to expand their horizons and learn new skills that schools just aren't able to provide.  During the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities' Spring Break Adventure Camp, children were given the opportunity to explore their world through bird watching, fishing, and hikes in our community.  Through partnering with several organizations, this week off from school was not a week off from learning, rather kids were empowered to ask questions and search for answers outside of the school setting.  Campers in the program reported that, "It was the best week ever!"  and, "We had a fun time getting to know each other and volunteers."

But is it worth it?  Some parents feel that kids need a break from structure during the summer, or that it's easier to have a family member care for them rather than paying for camp.  While those are valid reasons to keep your children home, the value of even one week in a summer camp program that encourages an active lifestyle, outdoor play, new friendships, and exposure to a variety of activities is priceless.  Many programs also offer partial scholarships to families in need of assistance.

Summer day camp registration opens in the spring and some programs fill quickly. Find out more about YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities camp programs.

ENTER TO WIN!!!

COMMENT with your favorite camp activity to be entered to win a $100 voucher for any 2013 YMCA Summer Camp ... there are 4 to choose from! (some restrictions may apply.)  Winner will be announced on June 1!  Good LUCK!

I have been teaching summer art classes the last four years at my home studio in West Richland. Previously I taught at the Allied Arts Summer program. I feel the arts are very important in a child's intellectual and educational development.

Arts are needed by our young people as a forum for safe expression, communication, exploration and imagination. With the arts students learn skills in problem solving, decision making along with developing cognitive and creative skills and develop their imaginations.

Homemade snow globes are always a fun project whether it is for the holiday season or a rainy day project. Homemade snow globes allow you to create a wintry scene out of your imagination. You can access: www. marthastewart.com/273254/snow-globes or check out other tutorials on Pinterest.com.

Here is a tutorial for making Snow Globes at home.

Materials

Martha Stewart Living, December/January1998/1999

• Straight sided jar (preferably) baby food jars, olive jars, etc.
• Sand paper Glycerin (found drugstore or craft store)
• Distilled water
• Small figurines
• Waterproof glue
• Glitter (optional)

1. Sand the inside of the lid of the jar. Glue your figurine to the jar. I have used E-6000 also Epoxy. Make sure that the glue is dry.

2. Fill the jar with distilled water

3. Add glitter

4. Add 3-4 drops of glycerin.

5. Screw the lid on tight. Optional: Paint the lid before hand with spray paint

6. Check to make sure you have enough water and that everything fits. You can then glue the lid on.

Summer 2013 Classes

This year I will be teaching 3 clay arts class, 2 jewelry classes and 1 Craftapaloosa class.

The clay arts class has been popular with girls as well as boys. We will be working with ceramic clay, making magical creature, small pots, figurines, sculpture, masks and decorating tiles.

In the jewelry class we will be making out own beads. We will incorporate these with glass, wood and metal beads to make pins, necklaces, earrings and bracelets. We will work with Shrinky-dink and make altered domino necklaces.

In Craftapaloosa we work with paper mache, making masks and sculptures, Mardi gras masks, painting tiles and making snow globes.

ENTER TO WIN!

Comment with your favorite spring or summer craft project to be entered to win a one week class for one child from Lisa Day (some restrictions may apply.)  Winner will be announced on April 30!  Good LUCK!