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-Jessica’s Mom

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4th April 2013

PARENTS SHOULD DO HOMEWORK WHEN CHOOSING SUMMER CAMPS FOR KIDS

MALVERN, PA April 3—Summer is just around the corner and now is the best time for parents to start planning how their kids will be spending their time off from school. Unlike when they were children, summer camps have expanded their offerings from color wars and cook-outs to space science and interpretive dance. While the choices are endless for the more than 10 million children who attend summer camp each year, making the right choice can mean the difference between a positive camp experience and a nightmare.

There are numerous options when it comes to choosing a camp that is right for both children and their parents. With smaller family sizes, financial constraints, and technology giving kids more do in the summer at home, camp programs have seen a decline in enrollment. Yet, according to the American Camping Association (ACA), more than 75 percent of camps in the U.S. have added new programs and activities to bring kids back into the fold. They hope to attract new campers with a wide array of specialized experiences including: performing arts, computers, magic, space science, weight loss, sports, fitness, and many others. There are for-profit and not-for profit camps, as well as religious and government- affiliated programs, giving parents no shortage of camping options.

With such a wide array of choices, parents need to do their homework. Of the many summer camp programs in the U.S., only 2,400 are accredited by the ACA. While the application is voluntary, the ACA requires that a camp program meets 300 health and safety standards to receive the designation.

According to Kristen M. Waterfield, president and CEO of The Malvern School, which also runs an ACA-accredited summer camp program, there is no regulation of summer camps in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. “While pre-schools are regulated by a government agency, summer camps are not, so it’s especially important to make sure parents ask the right questions before enrolling their children in camp,” she said.  “In addition to making sure they have the ACA accreditation, parents should also check to see if there is a full time medical staff person on board, a counselor-to-camper ratio of 1: 8, and 1:3 for the pool area. Also, they might want to ask about the training and experience of the counselors.”

Waterfield added that parents should check to see if the camp has the following: a Red Cross-certified swimming program; air-conditioned areas where kids can get away from the heat; water areas that are well staffed; and programs that are available for kids who may not be athletic or who need special attention. They should also ask if they can speak to a few parents about their children’s camp experience, and schedule a site visit, if necessary.

As the head of a private pre-school, Waterfield knows that young children are prone to experiencing some anxiety when they leave for summer camp for the first time. One of the best ways parents can help their children leave the structure of school behind, and embrace the relaxed atmosphere of summer, is by frequent communication. Waterfield, who began her career as an elementary school teacher, said that knowing what a child needs, and taking steps to meet those needs is crucial in helping them make the adjustment. “Every child is different. Some don’t do well in a less structured environment, and others may have issues with separation anxiety. Generally, it’s best to talk to your children about their fears, then create a game plan to tackle their particular issues,” said Waterfield.

Waterfield recommends some tips for helping children acclimate to summer camp. “I like taking young children to meet their counselor before camp starts; having the counselor assign them a buddy during the first week; encouraging them to write postcards to their friends over the summer; discussing the new bedtime rules and more relaxed schedules one week before camp starts; putting photos or favorite snacks in their camp bags; and spending time talking about how much fun the summer will be in the camp environment.”

For more information on how to choose a summer camp, visit www.acacamps.org or www.malvernschool.com.

16th November 2012

FORMER FIRST LADY BARBARA BUSH ENCOURAGES PRE-SCHOOL TEACHERSAND STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN MRS. BUSH’S STORY TIME ACTIVITIES

The George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and the Malvern School created special programs to encourage young children to read based upon Mrs. Bush’s popular 1990’s radio show.

COLLEGE STATION, TX- NOV. 15—Learning to read at a young age has been one of the major precursors of success in life, according to many education experts. For the past two years, more than 3,000 pre-school children who attend the Malvern School in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have been living proof of the power of literacy. Each semester these pre-school children listen to Mrs. Bush reading some of the country’s best-loved children’s books, then work on activity plans that encourage their cognition and creativity. Read More >>

16th November 2012

Malvern School Gets A Big Thank You from the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

17th October 2012

Malvern School Big Check Presentation to the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

The Malvern School Presents a Big check for $60,000 to Jay Scott from the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

30th July 2012

Malvern School Lemonade Day to Raise Funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

26th June 2012

The Malvern School Alex’s Lemonade Day

6th June 2012

The Malvern School Sponsors the CBS3 Alex Scott Phone Bank for the 5th Year

 

THE MALVERN SCHOOL SPONSORS THE CBS3 ALEX SCOTT PHONE BANK FOR THE FIFTH YEAR

For the fifth consecutive year, Kristen Waterfield, President of The Malvern School is proud to sponsor the CBS3 Alex Scott Phone Bank to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and help raise awareness and funding for research in the fight against pediatric cancer.

This year during the CBS3 Phone Bank Waterfield, will be announcing an on air pledge of $50,000 to be raised during the Fifth Annual Malvern School Lemonade Day to be held on July 18, 2012 from 9:00 – 6:00 pm. at each o the 20 Malvern School locations in PA and NJ.

To date The Malvern School has collected close to $118,000 in private donations for the children’s charity. In 2011 The Malvern School was recognized by the ALSF as one of the TOP 100 individual fundraisers for the foundation in this area.

The foundation emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott.　 In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement. Alex died in 2004 but the little girl left a big legacy proving how one idea can make a huge difference. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of volunteers across the country carrying on her legacy of hope.  To date, the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised more than $50 million towards fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 200 research projects nationally. Visit www.alexslemonade.org for additional information.

The Malvern School has sponsored the Alex Scott PHONE BANK since 2008 and has also independently raised almost $118.000 in private donations during the annual Malvern School Alex’s Lemonade Day held at each of their schools each July. The Malvern School President, Kristen Waterfield as a mother and school founder is compelled to continue the school’s contribution to the ALSF.

17th May 2012

Choosing The Right Summer Camp

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS

GLEN MILLS, PA. May 14–For anyone who has ever been to camp, there is nothing quite like the experience. From feeling a warm summer breeze while canoeing on the lake or singing camp songs on the bus—most kids remember their camp experience forever.
Today, there are more than 10 million children attending summer camp in the U.S., according the American Camping Association (ACA).
Just like choosing a private school, or finding the best public school, parents need to do their homework. Of the many summer camp programs in the U.S., only 2,400 are accredited by the American Camping Association. While the application is voluntary, the ACA requires that a camp program meet 300 health and safety standards to receive the designation.
Fortunately, there are plenty of choices when it comes to choosing a camp that is right for both children and their parents. With smaller family sizes, and technology giving kids more to do in the summer at home, camp programs have seen a decline in enrollment. According to the ACA, more than 75 percent of camps in the U.S. have added new programs and activities to bring kids back into the fold, and attract new campers. There are a wide array of specialized experiences including performing arts, computers, magic, space science, weight loss, sports and fitness, and many others. There are for profit and not-for-profit camps, as well as religious and government- affiliated programs, giving parents and kids no shortage of possible choices.
According to Kristen M. Waterfield, president and COO of the Malvern School, which also runs an ACA-accredited summer camp program, it is important for parents to do their homework before enrolling their children in summer camp, whether it be a day camp or overnight program. “While pre-schools, like the Malvern School are regulated by a government agency, summer camps are not, so it’s especially important to make sure you ask the right questions before enrolling your child,” she said. “For example, in addition to making sure they have the ACA accreditation, parents should also check to see if there is a full time medical staff person on board, a counselor-to-camper ratio of one- to-eight, and one-to-three for the pool area. Also, they might want to ask about the training and experience of the counselors.”
Waterfield said some other questions parents should ask before making their summer camp decisions include: is there is a Red Cross-certified swimming program; air-conditioned areas where kids can get away from the heat; are the water areas well staffed; can you bring your child in for a site visit and talk to the camp director; are programs available for kids who may not be athletic or need special attention; and can parents have access to parent evaluations and testimonials?
-more-
Waterfield added that for young children, leaving the security of home to go to summer camp for the first time can be the cause of anxiety. “One of the best ways parents can help their children leave the structure of school behind, and embrace the relaxed atmosphere of summer, is by frequent communication,” she said. Waterfield, who began her career as an elementary school teacher, believes that knowing what a child needs, and taking steps to meet those needs, will help them make the adjustment from school-to-camp. “Every child is different. Some don’t do well in a less structured environment, and others may have issues with separation anxiety. Generally, it’s best to talk to your children about their fears, and then create a game plan to tackle their particular issues.”
Waterfield recommends some steps for helping children acclimate to camp such as, taking them to meet their counselor before camp starts, having the counselor assign them a buddy during the first week, discussing the new bedtime rules and more relaxed schedules one week before camp begins, putting photos or favorite snacks in their camp bags, and spending time talking about how much fun the summer will be in the camp environment.

27th April 2012

Green Power Purchase for The Malvern School

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27th April 2012

The Malvern School on CBS Talk Philly

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