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Summer Means It's Girl Scout Camping Time!

One of my fondest memories from childhood is Girl Scout Camp. I loved the campfire, all the fun songs and sleeping in a tent with my other giggling friends. If you're looking for something fun and educational for your daughter this summer, Naomi Lawson sent us all the details on Girl Scout Camp 2009.

Summer is here!  It’s Girl Scout Camp Time!

The weather is warming up and flowers are in bloom, the first signs of summer have appeared.  Are your children cooped up inside watching television or playing video games?  Well look no further – it’s Girl Scout Camp time!

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore is proud to offer resident camp at two different locations this year:  Camp Anna Behrens in Greenville, Michigan, and Camp Sakakawea in Traverse City, Michigan.  Both camps are equally beautiful and have so much to offer.  Girls grades K-12 can enjoy horseback riding, archery, canoeing, swimming, arts and crafts, tennis, outdoor cooking, hiking, and much more! 

Girls attending resident camp will come home with so many memorable experiences and friendships that will last a lifetime.  Whether they prefer to sleep under the stars, create a work of art, or go horseback riding, we have something for everybody!  “Some girls come to camp who have never camped before, and they are thrilled to see the beautiful clear lakes, nesting loons and eagles, and so many other outdoor experiences that they will carry with them for a lifetime”, said Jenn Cook, Camp Director.

All Camp Staff are highly experienced and certified in CPR, First Aid, Life Guarding, and Diversity Training.  Also, both Camp Anna Behrens and Camp Sakakawea are licensed by the State of Michigan and GSUSA Safety-Wise.  Transportation is available to both camps from many different areas and is very flexible to fit your individual needs.

To register your girl for camp, simply call the service center at 1-866-566-7434 for a registration form, or check out our website at www.gsmists.org for more information and the Summer Fun Guide.  Happy Camping!

Camping With The Kids... Cheap, Fun and Great Togetherness

If you are planning on heading the the campground with the family soon... good for you. It is hard to find a family activity that allows adventure, team building and fun without electronics like camping. And I mean old fashioned tent camping. Making camp, building campfires, cooking, swimming and hiking through the woods sparks your children's creativity and allows them to just be kids.

If you've never camped before, it is an inexpensive way to get out of the house and see everything there is to see Up North. State park and state forest campgrounds have  many different options and there is a campsite just for you nearby. Many are on lakes and offer round the clock views and swimming.

If you've thought about camping, but not sure if it's for you, the Michigan State Parks and Gander Mountain have an offer you can't refuse. For $20.00, you get two nights in a participating state park plus a welcome kit full of what to pack and what to wear. And when you check in, the DNR will help you with all your questions including how to make an awesome campfire! And if you don't have gear, no worry.... Gander Mountain has gear to lend to help you make your first camping trip one you'll want to do again and again. To read more and find out what Michigan State Parks are participating, go to
MyNorth.com for all the details.

And if you need a easy and tasty breakfast recipe that the kids can help make, Omelettes in a Bag are easy and really good!

Omelette in a Bag
Quart size resealable bags (half gallon size for hearty eaters)
Eggs
Whatever fixings you like in your omelette (ham, cheese, mushrooms, etc.)
Salt and Pepper
Milk (optional)
Directions:
Fill a large pot half full with water and bring to a boil. Break eggs into resealable bag along with milk, salt and pepper if you wish. Seal the bag and mix (squish the ingredients together with your fingers). Once mixed, add other ingredients. Leave some room for eggs and air to expand. Reseal and tumble (mix everything together). Make sure to remove as much air as possible, seal the bag, and drop into boiling water. The bags will float on top, and the air will expand in the bags when it gets warm. Cook approximately 10 minutes.
Comments:
We usually have at least four bags in the water at one time. On cold days, cover pan while cooking.

Make Summer Count... A Week At Camp Daggett

Brent Marlatt, director at Camp Daggett wants to remind everyone that summer camp season is nearly here! 

Over the winter, the Camp Daggett staff has been planning the best summer camp season yet for 2009.  Even better, there are still spaces available, and registering your child is only a click away at www.campdaggett.com.

Every year, over 1,000 children ages 7-14 get the opportunity to spend a week at Camp Daggett. They experience the beauty of the natural environment that the camp provides, make new friends, try new things and have loads of fun. The summer program also develops a feeling of acceptance, respect and courage that campers take home with them. Camping provides a setting in which children can live, learn, and develop skills that are useful throughout their lives. Activities include adventure ropes courses, archery, group sports and games, sailing, swimming, canoeing and fishing, arts and crafts and nature study, hikes, campfires and camp outs.

Camp Daggett offers eight one-week coed camping sessions starting in June 14 and ending August 8. Campers range in age from 7 through 14 years. They are housed in rustic cabins designed for 10 campers and two staff members.  The program answers a child’s search for adventure in an environment that is upbeat and wholesome. Appetites are satisfied with nourishing, family style meals served in beautiful Mac Hall, a picturesque log dining room overlooking Walloon Lake.

Get Outdoors!
Over-scheduling in adults and children, and the increasing need to be “plugged in” to electronic devices disconnects us from nature. This “nature deficit disorder” can lead to obesity, attention deficit disorders, depression and shortened life expectancy. According to “Getting Kids Outdoors”:
• 91% of parents cite TV, computers and video games as the main cause of their children’s disinterest in outdoor play
• A study found that young people could identify 1000 corporate logos but fewer than 10 plants or animals native to their backyards.
• 47 million Americans live in neighborhoods with rules against outdoor play (e.g., rules against tree houses, climbing trees, skateboards, basketball nets, and even sidewalk chalk).
• 40% of schools nationwide have cut recess due to funding cuts and/or need for more instructional time due to pressure created by high-stakes academic testing
• Fewer than 1 in 5 children walk or ride a bike to school.
• 500% increase in childhood obesity since the 1960’s (from 4% to 20%).
• Greatest increase in child obesity in our history occurred during the same decades as the greatest increase in organized sports for children.
• Our children may be the first generation at risk of having a shorter lifespan than their parents
For more information, call 1-877-582-9742 or 231-347-9742.  One-week sessions are $375 for Charlevoix and Emmet County residents. Scholarships are available to campers who need financial assistance.

Join the family of thousands of campers and give your child the meaningful, memorable and motivating experience of a lifetime.

Free Movies For Spring Break

If you're staying Up North for Spring Break, the State Theater has a great program you won't want to miss. Starting Friday, March 27th through Saturday Morning, April 3rd... the movies are FREE! Great classic movies for everyone from chick flicks to family favorites. If you haven't been to the restored theater yet, this is the perfect time to not only marvel in the restoration of the great State, but to see some quality films on the big screen at a price that still allows you to buy popcorn and some Twizzlers!

The free movies start on Friday at 1pm with The Lord of the Rings movie The Fellowship of the Ring and continue on through the day with the Terminator series. Saturday includes Ratatouille for the kids and Titanic later in the day. Other great movies showing during the week include Monsters Inc., A Bugs Life and Finding Nemo and for the adults... Something About Mary, The Rear Window and The Notebook, just to name a few.

For the complete guide and schedule, visit the State's website at www.statetheatertc.org or call them at 231. 947.4800.

Movies and Your Children.... Using Them As A Teaching Tool

Movies to Watch (and Talk About) as a Family

As a parent, it’s sometimes hard to begin talking with your kids about anything that’s embarrassing or uncomfortable. But Hollywood can help. Watching movies with your children can be natural conversation starters and also help teach life lessons. So, head to the video store, check out your local library, click the on-demand button, or stock up your Netflix lineup with some of these movies:

Bend It Like Beckham

Talk about: Facing new experiences and taking risks
This film can show your kid that it’s okay to step out of her normal world and that girls can do anything boys can do.

Juno

Talk about: Sex and teen pregnancy
It can be awkward to talk to teens about sex and pregnancy. After watching this movie, you can share feelings about how the main character handled her decisions.

Hoop Dreams

Talk about: Setting goals and learning from failure
This documentary shows how two boys pursue their hopes of playing basketball. By talking about the two story lines, you can see how your child sees himself when it comes to handling successes and failures.

Freaky Friday

Talk about: House rules and clothes choices
When a mom and daughter swap places, you can swap ideas about house rules and offer opinions about the character’s wardrobe choices without sounding like you’re preaching.

Shrek

Talk about: Being a good person on the inside
That lovable green monster teaches us that what’s inside a person is more important than what’s outside. It’s a good movie if your child is upset about teasing from other kids.

Old Yeller

Talk about: The loss of a family member or pet
This movie can help kids express grief over a loss. Just have plenty of tissues handy.

The Karate Kid

Talk about: Determination and the value of hard work
Wax on, wax off, then repeat lots and lots of times. Preparation, even if it sometimes doesn’t make sense, pays off. Got a kid bummed about schoolwork? This’ll help you talk about how such hard work pays off.

13 Going on 30

Talk about: Being responsible
What should your tween or teen expect when they get older, need to work a job, and pay bills? This movie shows the differences between teen life and adult life, helping you talk about responsibilities.

Searching for Bobby Fischer

Talk about: Competition
The parent in this film tries to live through his child. Your kid’s reaction to the movie may tell you if you’re too involved in your child’s activities and decisions.

Evan Almighty

Talk about: Faith and religion
Teens are beginning to form their own ideas about faith and religion, and sharing your beliefs can help.

Happy Feet

Talk about: Peer pressure
The penguin in the movie went against the crowd. You can ask your child to talk about times when they have felt pressured by friends and how they reacted.

Preview Before You Watch

Want to know more about the content of a movie before you turn it on? The Internet Movie Database (imdb.com) has a parents’ guide where people who have already seen the movie can prepare you for things like bad language, gory scenes, or sexual situations. The reviewers at Plugged In Online (pluggedinonline.com) provide a similar service.

Snowshoe Event For The Whole Family

One way to beat cabin fever is to get out and enjoy the weather. With all of the new snow, it is a perfect time to take the kids snowshoeing. And this weekend, BearCub Outfitters has a way for you to try it out for free! Now how's that for budget friendly entertainment!

Becky Philippe-Kranig shared the details on their event this weekend.

Bearcub Outfitters will be hosting their second snowshoe demo at Camp Daggett for this season. Come out for a great night of torch lit snowshoeing on Camp Daggett’s beautiful trails. Snowshoes are supplied, but please feel free to bring your own. Enter your name to win prizes, relax by a campfire, and enjoy hot chocolate. Come Saturday February 28th, from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. The event is open to the public and it is all FREE!  Donations to Camp Daggett are greatly appreciated.  For more information contact the staff at Bearcub Outfitters either by phone (231)439-9500, or by email at sales@bearcuboutfitter.com.