Amish Friendship Bread Starter to the Pan~~

Starter Recipe:
1 package active dry yeast
2 - cups warm water (110 degrees)
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar

For Amish Friendship Bread Starter: Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of the warm water in a deep glass container. Stir in remaining warm water, milk, flour and sugar. Beat until smooth. Cover a large glass jar or bowl with a tight fitting lid works best for this. DO NOT REFRIGERATE! The starter requires 10 days for fermentation as follows: DAYS 1, 2, 3 and 4:... Stir batter
DAY 5:................ Add 1 cup each milk, flour, sugar and stir
DAYS 6, 7, and 8,9..... Stir batter each day
DAY 10: ............. Add 1 cup each flour, sugar, milk; stir.
Put 1 cup of starter in each of three containers or larger zip lock bags. Give away to friends and keep one. This will begin their Day 1.

Directions after you have your Starter:
Do not use any type of Metal Spoon or Bowl Mixing. Do Not Refrigerate.
It is normal for the batter to rise and ferment. Do not taste raw batter and Date Bag.

Day 1: Do Nothing.
Day 2: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 3: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 4: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 5: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 6: Add to the bag 1 Cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Mush the bag and let the air out.
Day 7: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 8: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 9: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 10: Mix and divide starter as follows. Pour the entire contents of the bag into a non metal bowl. Add 1 1/2 Cups Flour, 1 1/2 Cups Sugar, and 1 1/2 Cups Milk. Next measure 1 Cup Batter into 4 gallon size zip lock bags. Keep one for yourself and give the other 3 to friends along with a copy of the recipe. You will end up with 5 batches of bread (4 bags and 1 in the bowl)

I make a double batch yielding in (6 loaves) then i only have 2 starters left, one to give out and one to keep for myself and start all over again in 10 days.

Amish Friendship Bread(to bake the bread)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees 
 To the remaining batter in the bowl (about 2 cups) add:

3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 baking soda
1 cup sugar
1 large box instant pudding (or 2 small boxes)
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup oil
2 cups flour

If using Self - Rising Flour omit soda, salt and baking powder.

Grease two large loaf pans or one 9x13 inch pan. I use the disposable loaf pans, you get 3 loaf pans for $1.29. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon. Dust the greased pans with half the mixture. Pour batter into the pans and sprinkle the remaining cinnamon mixture on top. Bake for about 1 hour cool until bread loosens from the pan.

Wrap your breads in a decorative wrap with ribbon, add the recipe above and
you have the perfect pick me up gift for a friend, neighbor or coworker.
Enjoy!

Frugal Ideas ~ Vinegar ~ Unleash the Power!

Or if they are worn, she is a mom and a homemaker most likely. Frugal is where its at lately at this house, anything to save a dime and I am all over it! I recently bought a big gallon jug of white vinegar to use for cleaning and then I read this fantastic post by one of my friends via our Centralfoothillsmommies.com domestic goddess forum. I was happy to see so many uses for white vinegar!

~~Unleash the power of white vinegar―an all-purpose cleaner, brightener, herbicide and more. Just a bit of this multitasker, straight up or mixed with water, can replace many pricier products huddled under your sink. Try these tips to see how vinegar can make your life cheaper and easier.

1. Freshen up the fridge. Clean the shelves and walls with a solution of half water and half vinegar.

2. Brighten coffee cups and teacups. Gently scrub stains with equal parts vinegar and salt (or baking soda).

3. Eliminate odors. Swab plastic containers with a cloth dampened with vinegar.

4. Kill bathroom germs. Spray full-strength vinegar around the sink and tub. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

5. Save a garment. To remove light scorch marks on fabrics, rub gently with vinegar. Wipe with a clean cloth. This technique also works on antiperspirant stains.

6. Tidy up a toilet. Pour a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar into the bowl. Let sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with a toilet brush and flush.

7. Lose the carpet stain. Make a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and ¼ cup salt or baking soda. Rub into the stain and let dry. Vacuum the residue the next day. (Always test an out-of-sight part of the carpet first.)

8. Renew paint brushes. To remove old paint, place brushes in a pot with vinegar. Soak for an hour, then turn on the stove and bring the vinegar to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.

9. Wipe off a dirty faucet. To get rid of lime buildup, make a paste of 1 teaspoon vinegar and 2 tablespoons salt. Apply to sink fixtures and rub with a cloth.

10. Stop static cling. Add ½ cup of white distilled vinegar to your wash cycle. The acid reduces static and keeps dryer lint from sticking to your clothes.

11. Make old socks look new. Get the stains out of old socks and sweaty gym clothes by soaking them in a vinegar solution. Add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring to a boil and drop in the stained clothes. Let them soak overnight, and in the morning stained clothes are fresh and bright.

12. Restore handbags and shoes. Wipe white distilled vinegar on scuffed leather bags and shoes. It will restore their shine and help hide the marks.

13. Banish weeds. Pour white distilled vinegar on the weeds growing in the cracks of your walkway and driveway. Saturate the plant so the vinegar reaches the roots.

14. Liven droopy flowers. Don’t throw out cut flowers once they start to wilt. Instead, add two tablespoons of white vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar to a quart of water. Pour the solution into your vase, and the flowers will perk up.

15. Put an end to itching. Dab a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar on mosquito bites and insect stings. It will stop them from itching and help disinfect the area so they heal faster.

16. Whiten your teeth. Brush your teeth once a week with white distilled vinegar. Dip your toothbrush into the vinegar and brush thoroughly. It will help prevent bad breath, too.

17. Make nail polish last longer. Before you apply your favorite polish, wipe your nails with a cotton ball soaked in white distilled vinegar. The clean surface will help your manicure last.

18. Keep car windows frost-free. Prevent windows from frosting over in a storm by coating them with a solution of three parts white distilled vinegar to one part water. The acidity hinders ice, so you won’t have to wake up early to scrape off your car.

19. Let your dog shine. Spray your dog with one cup white distilled vinegar mixed with one quart water. The solution is a cheap alternative to expensive pet-care products, plus the vinegar will help repel pests like fleas and ticks.

20. Battle litter-box odor. Cat litter can leave behind an unwelcome smell. Eliminate it by pouring a half-inch of white distilled vinegar into the empty litter box. Let stand for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water.

21. Kill bacteria in meat. Marinating in vinegar knocks out bacteria and tenderizes the meat. Create a marinade by adding ¼ cup balsamic vinegar for every 2 pounds of meat to your own blend of herbs and spices. Let the meat sit anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours, depending on how strong you want the flavor, then cook it in the morning without rinsing.

22. Prevent cracked eggs. Prevent eggs from cracking as they hard-boil by adding two tablespoons of white vinegar to the water. The eggs will stay intact, and the shells will peel off more easily when you’re ready to eat them.

23. Steam away a microwave mess. Fill a small bowl with equal parts hot water and vinegar, and place it in the microwave on high for 5 minutes. As the steam fills the microwave, it loosens the mess, making clean up a breeze.

24. Repair DVDs. If you have a worn DVD that skips or freezes, wipe it down with white distilled vinegar applied to a soft cloth. Make sure the DVD is completely dry before reinserting it into the player.

25. Get those last drops. If you can’t get that final bit of mayonnaise or salad dressing out of the jar, dribble in a few drops of vinegar. Put the cap on tightly and shake. The remaining condiments will slide out.

26. Rinse fruits and vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to one pint water. Use the mixture to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly. The solution kills more pesticide residue than does pure water.

27. Brighter Easter eggs. Before your kids dye Easter eggs, mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar with ½ cup of hot water, then add food coloring. The vinegar keeps the dye bright and prevents the color from streaking.

28. Loosen a rusted screw. Pour vinegar onto the screw, and it will easily unstick.

29. Remove gum. To remove gum from fabric or hair, heat a small bowl of vinegar in the microwave. Pour the warm vinegar over the gum, saturating the area. The gum will dissolve.

30. Keep cheese from molding. Wrap cheese in a vinegar-soaked cloth, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate.

31. Renew a loofah. Soak your loofah in equal parts vinegar and water for 24 hours to dissolve soap residue, then rinse in cold water.

32. Remove wax. If you get melted candle wax on your wood furniture or floors, gently wipe it away with a cloth soaked in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.

33. Take a relaxing bath. Add ½ cup of vinegar to warm bath water for a cheap spa session at home. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving you feeling soft and smooth.

34. Brighten your hair. Remove hair product buildup by rinsing a tablespoon of vinegar through your hair once a month.

35. Freshen fabrics. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spritz your home to neutralize odors in fabrics, carpets, shoes or any sprayable surface.

36. Erase crayon. If your kids get crayon marks on the walls or floor, dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and gently scrub. The vinegar breaks down the wax, making for an inexpensive, nontoxic way to clean up after children.

37. Sticky stickers. Don’t scratch at the residue left by stickers or price tags. Instead, apply vinegar to the gunk, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the glue away.

38. Clean the dishwasher and coffee pot. Reduce soap buildup and food residue by pouring a cup of vinegar into your empty dishwasher or coffee pot once a month and letting it run a full cycle.

39. Sanitize pet accidents. You can remove the stain―and smell―of your pet’s accident by mixing ¼ cup vinegar with a quart of water and blotting the mixture onto the mess with a washcloth. Continue dabbing until the spot is gone.

40. Prep for summer grilling. To remove charcoal buildup from your grill, spray white distilled vinegar on balled up aluminum foil and scrub the grate thoroughly.

41. Restore shower head pressure. If your showerhead gets clogged with mineral deposits, soak it for 15 minutes in a mixture of ½ cup vinegar and 1 quart water.

42. Clean your scissors. When your scissor blades get sticky, wipe them down with a cloth dipped in full-strength white vinegar. Unlike soap and water, vinegar won’t ruin the blades or rust the metal.

43. Unclog drains. For a natural, nontoxic way to clean clogged pipes, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of white vinegar, down the drain. Let the products bubble and foam, then flush the pipes with a pot of boiling water.

44. Eliminate dandruff. If your scalp is feeling dry or flaky, vinegar can be a simple at-home remedy. Once a week, pour one cup of apple cider vinegar over your scalp, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

45. Soften your feet. Summer sandals leaving you with cracked heals and calluses? Soak your feet for 20 minutes a day in one part vinegar to two parts warm water. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving your feet soft and smooth.

http://www.allyou.com/budget-home/organizing-cleaning/uses-for-vinegar-00411000074974/


Now I am off the clean up the dog vomit present that somebody left me while I was busy blogging away......ughhh!!
Stupid dang dogs!!

Family Rules for your house

I have a copy of these on our wall in the living room, a great reminder for all the
members of your household and yourself to remember.

Hug often, and always say I love you!
Leslie

Death By Oreo's ~~ @Pinterest find

Source: via Lynn on Pinterest

Oreo Bowl - 1 bag Oreos, crushed ~ 8 oz cream cheese, softened ~ 1/4 cup butter ~ 1 cup powdered sugar ~ 3 cups milk ~ 2 sm boxes instant vanilla pudding ~ 1/2 tsp vanilla ~ 12 oz Cool Whip, thawed --- Cream together cream cheese, butter &; powered sugar &; vanilla - In separate bowl mix milk &; pudding - chill until set - fold in Cool Whip after pudding has set - Add cream cheese mixture - Layer with Oreos

Friday Fun: 4th of July Crafts

4th of July is coming up fast and it’s time to make some easy kids crafts, treats and red white and blue decorations for your house. These are some of our favorite 4th of July crafts and if it’s on this site you know it’s easy. I am far too impatient for anything complicated! I hope you find a patriotic craft that fits your family and have fun making it together.

Hand print Fireworks
Uncle Sam Puppet
Star Rice Crispy Treats
Flag F Letter Craft
Easy 4th of July Wreath
USA Silhouette Map Art
Sponge Painted American Flag
Cupcake Liner Fireworks
American Flag Place Mat
Star Cookie Cutter Prints
American Flag Cupcakes
Red White and Blue Sensory Bin
Crayon Resist Flag Craft

15 Fun Outdoor Summer Fun Ideas for Kids!

Do your kids like water fun? I know mine do! some great ideas I found via Pinterest.

 

Source: notimeforflashcards.com via KaBOOM! on Pinterest

These 15 outside activities for kids are fun and educational and will make a few great summer memories too.
Painting With Water
Nature Color Hunt
Squeezie Sidewalk Chalk
Angry Birds Water Balloon Game
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Painting Like Monet
Water Balloon Color Mixing
Driveway Graffiti
Sound Safari
Mud Soup
Spray Painting
Backyard Dinosaur Dig
Find & Count Bug Hunt
Fly Swatter Painting
Backyard Car Wash

Have a Totally Wacky Day!

It's Wednesday, hump day, again what can we do for fun to liven up this week?
How about a Wacky list of fun things to do if you so choose.

30 Things to do for fun on Wacky Wednesday or at least dream about

1. Slide down grass hills on card board boxes. 
2. Go play in fountains until you get caught.
3. Paint your cat's toenails. 
4. Wear pajamas in public.
5. Buy or make a crazy hat and wear it!
6. Stay up all night with someone, sitting on their kicthen counter brewing and drinking endless cups of tea while talking and laughing the night away.
7. Spend a couple hours talking to a stranger (maybe not this one)
8. Laugh until you cry.
9. Do something worthwhile for the needy.
10. Go caroling, even though it isn't Christmas. 
11. Play spin the bottle.(keep your clothes on kids)
12. Swim in the ocean at night and watch the stars from the water.
13. Go skinny dipping! (adults only)
14. Meet and hang out with someone famous.
15. Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
16. Go to Paris and sketch the Eiffel Tower. (this would be neat)
17. Eat pizza at the leaning tower of Pisa. (Pizza maybe)
18. Write a song.
19. Make someone's wish come true.
20. Design my dream home and live in it.
21. Have a tree-house in the forest with rope swings.
22. Own a gumball machine.
23. Get in touch with old friends-and stay in touch.
24. Have a tea party.
25. Have an old movie marathon.
26. Learn to speak another language.
27. Have a foreign pen-pal.
28. Go hiking in the rain. 
29. Go slip and sliding in your front yard. 
30. Do synchronized swimming with a friend. 

Good Parenting?

This Momma is not going to take any crap I believe! Go girl go! Tough Love is on the streets, literally!
 

The Fascinating Transit of Venus 2012

 Transit of Venus 

2012 Live Webcast from Hawaii

Transit of Venus | exploratorium.edu/venus

 

 AJBRREBBTK9N

So How do I explain this to my kids?
Start with a book? Reading a library or book you borrow or buy on the topic with
some pictures to explain science is a good start.

Transit of Venus: 1631 to the Present

www.amazon.com

A visually spectacular guide to the history, science and significance of Venus’s rare transits across the sun—the perfect companion to the transit on June 5, 2012 (the last one until 2117!)  

A transit of Venus is one of the rarest and most historically significant planetary alignments—since the invention of the telescope in 1608, there have been only seven. A must-have for all sky-watchers, Transit of Venus is packed with scientific and historical context—for example, astronomers calculated the distance from Earth to the Sun by studying the 1769 transit, which Captain Cook famously sailed to uncharted Tahiti to observe. Here also is an unsurpassed breadth of visual material: NASA photographs of Venus, illustrated observations of earlier transits, and rarely published images of the instruments and expeditions made to study them. With this book, the grandeur and history of transits will be accessible to everyone interested in the ceaseless, wondrous movements of the planets in our solar system.

The Web: 

This website has some fabulous information I found on the Venus transit  http://www.exploratorium.edu/venus

A Venus transit is a phenomenon in which the disk of the planet Venus passes like a small shadow across the face of the Sun. The transit can be seen (with proper protection!) by the unaided eye and looks something like a moving sunspot. (Sunspots take about two weeks to cross the face of the Sun, however, while Venus takes a little over six hours). Among the rarest of astronomical events, Venus transits occur eight years apart—and then don’t happen again for more than a century. The last transit before 2004 took place in 1882.

 A Venus transit is similar to a solar eclipse, in which the face of the Sun is blocked by the Moon. But we don’t see a solar eclipse every time the Moon is between Earth and the Sun—which is every time there’s a new Moon. Similarly, we don’t see a transit of Venus every time Venus is between Earth and the Sun—which happens about every 584 days or 1.6 years. That’s because both Venus and the Moon, from our earthly point of view, can be above or below the Sun (Fig.2), and sunlight reaches us undisturbed.
The orbit of Venus around the Sun is tipped in relation to the orbit of Earth. As viewed from the Sun, the orbits cross at two points (called the nodes), and it is only at these points that the planets and the Sun line up directly (Fig.3).

 1996: Venus was too far south to transit the Sun.
2004: Venus transits the southern hemisphere of the Sun.
2012: Venus transits the northern hemisphere of the Sun.
2020: Venus will be too far north to transit the Sun.

Pretty interesting stuff, exciting that this year Venus will be closer and we will get to see it possibly. This would make a great science fair project or presentation! Even for traditional schooling kids!

Happy Homeschooling

Winged Wednesday~ Butterfly Montessori Unit Study

 

Montessori-Inspired Caterpillar-Butterfly Unit

Written on May 17, 2012 by Deb Chitwood in Activities - Cultural, Homeschooling, Unit Studies

 

One of my favorite sites is Living Montessori - Deb Chitwood is just awesome and so inspiring to any homeschooling momma! Had to share this butterfly inspired unit and save it here so we can continue to work on it here at the Blockhouse :)

 

Caterpillar to Butterfly Tray (Photo from Little Wonders' Days)

I’ve had fun lately checking out all the great caterpillar-butterfly unit studies available online! There are so many fun activities you can do with a caterpillar-butterfly unit … and what a great way to introduce insects and metamorphosis!
Here are some of the Montessori-inspired printables and activities I’ve found:

Montessori-Inspired Caterpillar-Butterfly Printables

Butterfly Counting Book

Butterfly Counting Book (free number book printable) – part of Small Hands Creating Hope eBook/printable book
Butterfly Lifecycle Cards (free) from Homemade Montessori
Butterfly/pupa/caterpillar cards (free) and butterfly and moth activities from Beautiful Sun Montessori
Butterfly Printables (free) from Liat’s Montessori
Butterfly Life Cycle Cards (free) and butterfly activities from Montessori Mom

 

Butterfly Nomenclature Cards for Ages 6-9 (Image from Montessori Helper)

Butterfly Nomenclature Cards for ages 6-9 (free) from Montessori Helper

Butterfly Nomenclature Book (Image from Montessori Print Shop)

Butterfly Materials (available for purchase) from Montessori Print Shop
Butterfly Materials (available for purchase) from Montessori for Everyone

Montessori-Inspired Caterpillar-Butterfly Activities

Montessori-Inspired Insect Unit (my roundup post)
From Caterpillar to Butterfly (photo at the top of this post) and Nature Table from Little Wonders’ Days

Activity of the Week – Life Cycle of a Butterfly (Photo from Spell Outloud)

Caterpillars and Butterflies from Following His Lead Today
Caterpillar to Butterfly Toddler/Preschool Unit from Carrots Are Orange
Roly Poly Caterpillar, Butterfly Life Cycle, Handprint Butterflies, Butterfly Theatre, and Parts of a Butterfly from Montessori MOMents
Montessori Homeschooling Tip of the Week from Montessori 3-6 Homeschool
Butterfly Project Outline from Muddle Puddle
Butterflies….updates, activities, and links from Simply Montessori
Butterflies in the Herb Garden from Montessori Muddle
Montessori Video, Infant – Concentrating, Focusing on a Butterfly Mobile from Montessori Child Development Stages: First Year+

 

Spring Sensory Tub (Photo from Counting Coconuts)

Spring Sensory Tub and Butterfly Matching from Counting Coconuts

Butterflies and Power Magnets (Photo from Mama of Many Blessings)

Butterfly Posts from Mama of Many Blessings (Photo from Lots of Butterfly Work)

Butterfly Play Doh Mat (Photo from 1+1+1=1)

Butterfly Posts (and free printables) from 1+1+1=1 (Photo from Tot School ~ Butterflies)

Nature Shelf from Very Hungry Caterpillar Party (Photo from The Education of Ours)

Very Hungry Caterpillar Party (great for end-of-unit celebration) from The Education of Ours
Where to Buy Montessori Materials (links to sources for suppliers with lots of hands-on materials such as butterfly puzzles)

Caterpillar-Butterfly Pinterest Board

Pinterest - Caterpillar-Butterfly Unit Study

There are more great resources (Montessori-inspired and all types) than I could list here. I have a Caterpillar-Butterfly Pinterest board with many more activities.

A caterpillar-butterfly unit is a wonderful unit for spring or summer. Have fun!




What a great idea, a Pinterest Board with just Butterflys, I am off to pin now...bye

Carolina Summer Camps to the Rescue

Are your kids going to camp this summer?

Schools are finishing up for the year, students and teachers are ready for a break!

Summer camps are gearing up for the arrival of new campers, but wait.............you forgot to sign the kids up for summer camp, ekkkkkk!! What now?
Are you going to be stuck with those kids all summer yelling...MOMMY!!......."I'm bored"....No!!

It's not to late to check out some of the best camps around you, Carolina Summer Camps is just the place to visit! Carolina Summer Camps to the Mommy rescue!
They have done all the work for you, compiling a comprehensive list of camps that will suit your family's needs. This awesome list has something for your sports fan, horse lover, artist, musician, chef, outdoors-man, camper, cheerleader, day camper or residential camper, even legos.
What kind of camp are you looking for? Listings and information about :

• Arts Camps
• Sports Camps
• Academic Camps                                       
• Church Camps
• Residential Camps
• Specialty Camps

Take your pick of areas all across North Carolina from Asheville, Charlotte, Winston Salem, Greensboro, Kernersville, Cary, Durham and even on the coast at Wilmington!

 FAQ for parents

Are you a parent with questions, worried about sending your child away to summer camp?, think you can't afford summer camp, are you a teen that wants to work at a summer camp? All of your questions can be answered here and on the Carolinas Summer Camps website HERE

How can parents save money when enrolling their child in a summer camp?
	• #1 Register early to take full advantage of all early-bird discounts! • #2 ASK if they have scholarships, financial aid or a sliding scale. • #3 Offer to volunteer at camp for a reduced or free camper registration. • #4 Ask friends of your child(ren) to register together for a group discount.

 

How can parents prepare their children for attending their first summer camp?

• Day camps are more fun when children know at least one other camper who will be attending. Don't assume that they will be in the same group, let the camp director know your preferences when you initially register your child. • Take a tour of the facility. Let them view their website ahead of time. The more familiar they are with the environment, the less overwhelming they will feel. • For residential camps, make sure that this isn’t the first time your child will be sleeping away from home. Let them practice overcoming their separation anxiety with a couple of sleep-overs with friends or family before going to a residential camp.

  

How do parents find if a summer camp has had any complaints filed against them?
	• Look up the camp on the Better Business Bureau for any grievances. (BBB.org) • Ask your friends through social media (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.) if they have had any positive or negative experiences with the camp. Your friends will tell you!

   

When should teens start sending in their resumes to camp directors for summer jobs?

• Many Camp Directors start receiving resumes in January and February. Don't wait. With the high levels of unemployment, there will be a tremendous competition for jobs. Send follow-up emails and make phone calls to show your interest. • Camp Directors want fun camp counselors who campers will enjoy being around, while also respecting and obeying them. The more experience you have working with kids, the better. Volunteer with your local schools, YMCA, churches, scouts, and other civic organizations to build your experience levels.

    

What qualities should parents look for in a great summer camp?
	• A high percentage of returning campers shows that the campers had fun last year. • A low camper-to-counselor ratio. 10:1 is good. 5:1 is great! • Staff trained in CPR, first aid skills, and conflict resolution techniques. • Low staff-turnover shows good experience.

    

If my child takes medication during the school year, should he/she take it for summer camp?

• First, consult with your child's pediatrician before ever deciding to stop treating your child with any medication. • Most children with allergy, asthma, diabetes, attention and impulsivity conditions are not "healed" during the summer months. Many times it can be worse with the heat, additional exercise, and being outside. Children with medical issues usually need special treatment to help them enjoy their summer camp experience the most. • For children who take medication for their attention or impulsivity, it can be especially hard for them to listen to instructions, get along with peers, and control their impulses when they are not on medication.

So pack that bug repellent, NC has some giant mosquitoes you know,

Prepare to have a fabulous summer!