Skip to content

Posts from the ‘Activities: indoor’ Category

Aug 1

summercampsun
1 Comment

Summer Camp Reviews, please

 

A long-time kidHaven reader recently asked if I could whip up a little something to get folks talking about their children’s Summer Camp experiences.  Says she’s been hearing a lot of mixed reviews about some of the popular camps around the area.  And I agree.  I hear a lot about a handful of Camps when talking to other parents – Common Ground, Schooner, Eli Whitney and The Y.  These camps ALWAYS come up in conversation.  What are your experiences this year at any of these camps?  But what about other camps in the area – Creative Arts Workshop, Alphabet Academy, Peabody, Audubon Society, Parks & Rec, to name a few.  I know there are a TON of other camps out there, too, what about those ones?

People tell me all the time that they are sooo grateful to hear what other parents have to say when they pose a question here on kidHaven.  It does seem like a pretty awesome idea to collect some of your thoughts about Summer Camps now, while it’s fresh in your mind.

I know what you’re thinking, who has the time to sit down and write a long, beautiful, thoughtful review about What Your Kid Did This Summer?!  So keep it short and simple if you have to.  No worries.  What’s important is your honest feedback.  Doesn’t have to be an essay (but it could be!).  It isn’t going to be graded either way :)  Shucks.  Make it easy on yourself.  Open your computer, go to this page, pose the questions to your child, “What did you like about (blank) Summer Camp?  What didn’t you like?”  Type their answers then and there, fill out the rest of the form and done.  Actually, I think it would be fruitful to include some of our kid’s thoughts among these reviews.

Here are some basics to be sure to include in a Camp Review:

  • Name of the Camp
  • Age of your Camper(s)
  • A few sentences (or more) with some honest feedback – good, mixed, not so good.
  • Specify child-written reviews otherwise it will be assumed your review is parent-written.
  • Note: Your first name will appear below your review unless otherwise requested.

Send me some feedback about Summer Camp in whatever way is easiest for you:

Endless thanks for sharing your thoughts!  ~kim

 

Aug 1

Family Day at the Pardee – Morris House in New Haven

Submitted by Michelle at the New Haven Museum

The New Haven Museum will offer In the Garden, a Family Day, at the Pardee-Morris House on Sunday, August 14, 2011 from 1-5 PM. There will be an interactive tour of the herb garden at the House, allowing visitors to smell, taste and touch some herbs and learn how herbs would have been used in the colonial period. Afterwards, children will be able to plant their own herbs and flowers in small containers after learning about them on the tour. Children will also be able to paint stones to make garden decorations… Read more

Jul 13

Dinosaur Days at Hamden Hall in Hamden

Submitted by Dawn from Hamden Hall

Jun 23

2 Comments

The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk

Submitted by Dave from the Maritime Aquarium

The only Aquarium focused on Long Island Sound presents sharks, seals, river otters, sea turtles, jellyfish and more than 100 other species from Long Island Sound and its watershed. Two staffed touch tanks allow hands-on close encounters with intertidal animals and a chance to pet a stingray. “Frogs!” exhibit displays local species and exotic amphibians from around the world. “Go Fish!” explores our cultural relationship with the sea through fishing and the sustainable seafood movement. “Ocean Playspace” offers fun for toddlers and a rest for big people. Marine Lab shows visitors how we care for marine animals, including raising baby seahorses and jellies. IMAX® theater offers the largest movie screen in Connecticut. Simulator ride-film is fun for kids and adults. And, on weekends (daily in July & August), exciting hands-on study cruises aboard the research vessel Oceanic… Read more

Jun 8

Stepping Stones Debuts access/ABILITY in Norwalk

Submitted by Megan at Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk

New Exhibit to Help Visitors Gain Better Understanding of Challenges Facing People Living with Disabilities

On June 18, Stepping StonesMuseum for Children will unveil access/ABILITY, a new exhibit on tour from the Boston Children’s Museum which will remain at Stepping Stones until Labor Day.  access/ABILITY is a highly interactive, engaging and sensitive exhibit that shows the similarities and differences in how each of us, with or without disabilities, go places, communicate, have fun and learn.  access/ABILITY will be located in the museum’s new Traveling Exhibit Gallery which will be host to a variety of new exhibits on an ongoing basis, creating a succession of fresh and exciting experiences for museum goers.

“The opening of the access/ABILITY exhibit is a huge milestone for Stepping Stones,” said Rhonda Kiest, the museum’s executive director. “Not only is this the first time we are hosting a touring exhibit in our own Traveling Exhibit Gallery, the very message of access/ABILITY significantly supports Stepping Stones mission to broaden and enrich the educational opportunities for children. This exhibit delivers the very important message to children, parents and educators that as human beings, we are more alike than different.”

Designed to raise awareness, encourage curiosity and showcase the latest technologies that enable all people to participate fully in society, access/ABILITY is organized into six main exhibit areas:

  • Going Places, visitors can try out a wheelchair obstacle course and a Multisensory City Walk
  • Talk With Me, guests learn phrases in American Sign Language, type their name in Braille, and communicate using pictures
  • Just For Fun!, museum goers can try a hand-pedaled bike, and create art to experience through sight, touch and sound
  • Think About It, guests can test their attention and memory skills
  • Invent It, experience a design challenge, see how there is more than one way to do something, and learn how things can be designed to work for the most number of people
  • Resource Area, learn more through books and online resources

To celebrate the launch of the exhibit, Stepping Stones will host Accessability Day on June 25 with free museum admission before 10 am for families with children who have special needs. This one-day event focuses on the inspirational stories of those who overcome disabilities every day and guests are encouraged to participate in different programs and activities and will have access to informational resources.

This exhibition was created by the Boston Children’s Museum for the Youth Museum Exhibit Collaborative and was funded in part by the Connecticut Department of Education.

About Stepping StonesMuseum for Children – Stepping Stones Museum for Children is an award winning, private, non-profit 501 (c )(3) children’s museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children. For more information about the museum, to book a field trip or schedule a class, workshop or facility rental call 203-899-0606 or visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.

About Boston Children’s Museum – Boston Children’s Museum exists to help children understand and enjoy the world in which they live. It is a private, non-profit, educational institution that is recognized internationally as a research and development center and pacesetter for children’s exhibitions, educational programs and curriculum. Boston Children’s Museum incorporates two strategies – engaging families and building communities – to impact five outcome areas for children: Creative Kids, Curious Kids, Global Kids, Green Kids and Healthy Kids. More information about Boston Children’s Museum can be found at www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org.

About MetLife Foundation - MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife to continue the company’s long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants are made to support health, educational, civic and cultural organizations and programs. The Foundation contributes to arts and cultural organizations, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for young people, reaching broad audiences through inclusive programming, and making arts more accessible for all people. For more information, please visit www.metlife.org.

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »