A Madison-area

parents guide
to everything kids!

A 2015 special supplement by

2 Unified Newspaper Group

March 26, 2015

Technology helps parents plan for summer

Apps, websites offer advice, games, memories

Scott Girard
Unified Newspaper Group

Technology can be a distraction for kids, and sometimes

may seem like the enemy for a
parent trying to get their child
to study or engage at the dinner
table.
Other parents may use it as
a way to keep their kids busy
while they have some quiet
time.
Whatever your strategy with
technology and your children
may be, it might be time to
pick up the laptop or tablet and
delve into the variety of applications and blogs dedicated to
parenting.
Many websites, blogs and
phone or tablet applications
offer both new and experienced
parents some extra tools to
find engaging activities, record
memories or just get advice on
handling a tough situation.
Madison Mamas blogger

Turn to Page 3

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March 26, 2015

Unified Newspaper Group 3

Continued from Page 2

Rachel Barns began her blog
five years ago, when she was
home full-time and was getting a little stir crazy and was
always on the computer looking for stuff to do.
But now, Barns said, there
are plenty of resources online
for parents looking for something to do in the Madison area.
More and more has been
popping up as its fairly easy
now for people to blog or create websites, she said. Its
not just for tech people.
Her own blog has become
one example, offering stories
from guest mom bloggers, recommendations on products and
local event listings. She also
has links to other websites that
are good resources.
Websites can be really helpful in that respect of just figuring out the local happenings
and events and just things that
people might not know about,
she said.
Another local blog, MomsInMadison.com, includes a regularly updated Facebook feed
of events around the Madison
area, tips on gentle parenting
and information on pregnancy

offers ratings of local childcare

centers along with details on
recent monitoring and violations.
If youre looking for more
of a community-oriented babysitting experience online, SittingAround.com provides an
option of creating or joining a
co-op baby-sitting group in
your neighborhood. Participants receive and give points
for baby-sitting each others
children. The site also offers
more traditional baby sitters
that you pay.

App options
and birthing classes. It also
offers plenty of links to other
outside resources.

Finding services
But its not just activities
some parents are looking for
that technology can help with.
Finding childcare, for example, can be overwhelming,
Barnes said.
She mentioned YoungStar
as a really helpful resource
for finding childcare. The site

If you dont feel like grabbing your computer and cruising the web, there are also
some apps you can get right
on your phone to help you capture your childrens precious
moments and share them with
loved ones.
Tinybeans or iBearBaby, for
example, can both be found on
the App Store for Apple devices. Tinybeans is also available
for Android devices.
Those and similar apps offer
a chance to journal, store photos and create albums to share
with family through email or

Helpful tech
blogs
MadisonMamas.com
MomsInMadison.com

Websites
dcf.wisconsin.gov/
youngstar
SittingAround.com

apps
iBearBaby
Tinybeans
by printing.
Take the time to look at the
specific features of any app
you consider, though, and
make sure its what youre
looking for.
Dont forget to look at the
Education section on the app
store for chances to keep your
children interested while also
teaching them. They might
enjoy the learning even more
on a device.
Whatever stage your child is
at, remember: theres an app
for that.

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4 Unified Newspaper Group

March 26, 2015

Stop the slide with summer reading programs

2015 theme is Every
Hero has a Story
Scott De Laruelle
Unified Newspaper Group

With the school year hitting

the spring home stretch, its
a great time to start planning
for summer family activities.
When finding things that are
both fun and educational for
kids, free summer reading programs at public libraries are a
popular choice that have proven to help young learners.
According to a Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction (DPI) report, numerous
studies have shown that children reading during the summer can prevent, or at least
diminish reading losses. Four
or five read books over the
summer can have a significant
impact for middle schoolaged readers, the report said.
The summer slide happens when children who dont
read during summer break fall
behind classmates who do.

And the effects add up.

By the end of sixth grade
children who lose reading
skills over the summer are
two years behind their classmates, the report read.
The DPI urged families to
take advantage of summer
programs at public libraries,
because kids who get involved
tend to come back the next year,
and help children build reading
into their summer routine.
Free, voluntary reading is
essential to helping students
become better readers, writers,
and spellers, the report read.
Students read more when
they can choose materials
based on their own interests.

Every Hero has a Story

Verona Public Library
interim director and head of
youth services Stacey Burkart
said reading for children during their summer break from
school is important, and can
Photo by Samantha Christian
do more than prevent the
Fitchburg
Public
Library
hosted
a
magician
during
its summer readdreaded summer slide as
many kids even make gains in ing program Fizz, Boom, Read last year. Children volunteered to help

Turn to Page 5

demonstrate science experiments.

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March 26, 2015

Unified Newspaper Group 5

Continued from Page 4

their reading skills.
We encourage kids to read
whatever they want to foster a
love of recreational reading,
she said. Kids who read for
fun often outperform kids
who don't in school.
This years theme for the
national Collaborative Summer Library Program is
Every Hero has a Story. In
Verona, the library is offering
an online reading tracker and
game in addition to the traditional reading logs and prizes.
As children record their
reading, they progress
through levels of a story,
unlocking different powers
and accessories to build their
own unique superhero.
Burkart said the best part
is that the game doesn't end
when the summer is over.
You can keep playing and
use it to track reading development all year long and even
from year to year, she said.
In keeping with the theme,
the Oregon Public Library is
hosting a Superhero Academy among a variety of
other events throughout the

Photo by Samantha Christian

Mary McFarlane reads "From Head to Toe" by Eric Carle to her grandson, Graeme McFarlane, 4, at the Oregon
Public Library.

summer. Youth services

librarian Kelly Allen said the
idea is to make reading fun
for kids and not a chore.
Participants earn prizes by
reading, being read to, and
doing fun literacy-building
activities, she said. Reading

programs are powerful tools

parents can use to help ensure
their children read during the
summer months, which stud- For more information on the
ies have shown enhances stu- Collaborative Summer Library
dents academic success and Program and this years theme:
overall literacy.
cslpreads.org

On the web

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a patch so, youll earn a GirlTime patch to wear proudly.
Ideal for girls thinking about joining Girl Scouts!
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6 Unified Newspaper Group

March 26, 2015

Start planning family-friendly vacations

Old-fashioned family vacations are a treasured part of
many family traditions. Such
excursions may be the only
time families get to spend
any extended time together.
Families have plenty of
vacation prospects at their
disposal. If this is the year
your brood bucks tradition
and tries a new vacation destination, explore these family-friendly possibilities.
Find a location with
hands-on activities. Children may grow bored of
simply taking in the sights.
Vacations that enable them
to "do" instead of just "see"
may be more enjoyable. Visit
locations with "touch" museums or science centers that
encourage kids to get in on
Photo courtesy Metro News Service
the action. Historic locales
may do demonstrations or Canoeing and camping at a nearby lake or park makes for a fun, affordable and memorable family experience.
reenactments of how life was
in eras past. Remember to
include children in the fam- a canoe or light a fire on a theme parks. While kids the widely popular theme
ily activities and give things camping trip.
may have their hearts set on parks, do not rule out options
a try, such as helping paddle
Don't overlook smaller traveling long distances to
Turn to Page 7

2015 - 2016

Soccer
Tryouts
www.veronasoccer.org

2015-2016 SOCCER TRYOUT SCHEDULE

Age

Dates

Rain Date

Notification

U11

May 18 & 19

June 10

June 13

U12

May 18 & 19

June 10

June 13

U13

May 20 & 21

June 11

June 13

U14

May 20 & 21

June 11

June 13

U15-U18

June 8 & 9

June 12

June 27

TIMES: Boys at 5:00 pm; Girls at 6:45 pm

Premier Soccer Fields

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Verona, WI 53593
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admin@veronasoccer.org
U7-U10 programs offered too!

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Online Registration OPEN

March 26, 2015

Unified Newspaper Group 7

Continued from Page 6 excite children, includ- memorable family vacacloser to home. Smaller parks may not have
every attraction, but
they do boast a variety
of activities and rides
that can keep children
occupied for hours.
Remember that amusement parks reach peak
capacity when kids aren't
in school. It may be
wise to vacation at offpeak times to avoid the
crowds and save time
spent waiting in line.
Choose places of
cultural impact. Family
vacations do not need
to be limited to riding
roller coasters. Children
can learn a lot and take
away lasting memories from vacations that
open children's eyes to
something new. Visiting a large city, such as
Los Angeles, New York,
Chicago, or Atlanta, can
be a vacation in education. Metro areas boast
attractions that can

ing tall buildings, museums and public transportation hubs just waiting
to be explored. Families
venturing internationally
may want to see the cultural centers of Rome,
London or Athens.
Consider a family resort. If a beachside
adventure is your family's idea of the perfect
retreat, explore your
options with regard to
family resorts. For an
all-inclusive price, these
resorts may couple food
packages with accommodations and activities
to keep families happy.
Check with popular
hotel chains to see if
they offer all-inclusive
packages in destinations your family wants
to visit. Parents who are
pressed for time often
find all-inclusive resorts
offer great values and
don't involve too much
advanced planning.
Go off the grid. A

tion does not have to be

spent in a the heart of it
all. Booking a campsite
location and then spending a few days in the
great outdoors allows
families to get back to
nature while enjoying
an inexpensive vacation. Families can camp
in lodges or basic cabins, or rough it outside
in a tent. Some families
enjoy the benefits of
renting an RV and visiting various campsites on
their vacations. Let the
activities unfold as you
explore different trails
and backroads along the
way.
Family-vacation season is around the corner.
No matter where travelers end up, the ultimate
goal should be to have
fun, experience something new and spend
quality time together
with loved ones.

Take a little trip

Vacationers dont have to travel
far to feel like theyre taking a little
break from the normal routine.
Dane County and nearby areas
have plenty of camping spots that
can offer a quick retreat:
Blue Mound State Park
dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/
bluemound/
Capital Springs State Park and
Recreation Area
countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/
lake_farm.aspx
Devils Lake State Park
dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/devilslake/
Governor Dodge State Park
dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/govdodge/
Lake Kegonsa State Park
dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/
lakekegonsa/
Tower Hill State Park
dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/towerhill/
Mark Ignatowski

Metro News Service

Week 1: Spirit Week

The ultimate camp experience through team building, group games and
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Week 2: Whos Your Hero?

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Activities focusing on personal heroes, local heroes and super heroes.

Week 3: Summer Brain Gain

STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) will cultivate the

campers mind.

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A variety of games from baseball to scrabble with focus on

sportsmanship and teamwork.

Week 4: Lights, Camera, CAPA! Badger Ridge Only

Our Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) team will provide

introductions to instruments, dance, and a recording studio visit.

Week 5: Lights, Camera, CAPA! Savanna Oaks Only

Our Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) team will provide

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A variety of games from baseball to scrabble with focus on

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Week 6: Mind, Body, and Soul

Focuses on healthy food choices, staying active, Soul-building and

positive relationships.

Week 7: Explore and More

Bring out the wild-side through exploration and a sense of adventure.

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Its time to pay it forward! This service learning week is all about
learning to celebrate the community and giving back.

Week 9: Camp Carnival

Snow-cones, games and bounce houses and all things carnival.

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8 Unified Newspaper Group

March 26, 2015

Springing into tournament season

Youth sports tournaments from March-June

Compiled by Anthony Iozzo

Unified Newspaper Group

There are plenty of youth

spring tournaments this year,
some close by and others just
a short ride away.
Here is a listing of some of
the upcoming tournaments:

Baseball

Mount Horeb Summer Frolic Tournament 10U, 12U

June 11-14
Stoughton Summer Slam 11U June 13-14
East Madison Little League Classic 10U, 14U June
26-28

infosports.com/listing.cgi?t=t&s=b&lr=WI
USSSA Spring Tournament 14U AA April 18-19
Beloit
Play for the Trey Open 10U, 12U April 25-26 Whitewater
Badgerland Spring Series 10U-11U May 2 Marshall
Junior Blackhawk Baseball Classic 9U-13U May 9-10
Fort Atkinson
Americas Veterans Are Legends Baseball Tournament
9U-12U May 22-24 East Troy
Waunakee Early Season Tournament 10U-14U May
23-24
Middleton Baseball Diamond Showdown 10U, 12U
May 30-31

Dane County West-Fall

Alliant Energy Expo Center, Madison, WI

Fri 9AM-7PM Sat 9AM-5PM Sun 9AM-2PM

Alliant Energy Expo Center, Madison, WI

Fri 9AM-7PM Sat 9AM-5PM Sun 9AM-2PM

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$3 Friday only. All other days free entry. Cash (preferred), Visa, MasterCard & Discover accepted.

Badger City Classic (NCAA Certified Event) 5th-8th

grade, JV, varsity April 10 at the Sports Enhancement Academy in Verona and Stoughton Cost: $395 for high schoolers;
$295 for middle and elementary schoolers
North American Youth Sports 25th Annual Spring Youth
Basketball Tournaments - 5th-8th grade, JV, varsity April
10, May 29 East Troy High School Cost: $155
3rd Annual Columbus Courtside Organization 3 on 3 Tourney 5th-8th grade, JV, varsity, adult April 11 Columbus
High School Cost: $60
THE ROCK Spring Classic Boys National Tournament
8th grade, HS April 17 Sports Enhancement Academy in
Verona and Stoughton Cost: $400 for one team/$375 each
for 2 teams or more
Capitol City Classic 6th-8th grades, HS April 24
Verona Athletic Center Cost: $325 for HS; $295 for MS/ES
North American Youth Sports 25th Annual Spring Youth
Basketball Tournaments 5th-8th grades, HS May 1, June
12 Madison Area Technical College Cost: $155 for May 1;
$250 for June 12
4th Annual HOOPS 4 A CAUSE Girls Basketball Tournament 3rd-8th grades, HS May 9 Sports Enhancement
Academy in Verona and Stoughton Cost: $225

Turn to Page 9

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Expand your childs horizons by engaging them

in activities that encourage them to grow into
their uniquely wonderful self!

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Dane County West-Spring

Basketball

March 26, 2015

Unified Newspaper Group 9

Golf
wiscjuniorgolf.com
WIJrPGA future tour June 12 Vitense Golfland
WIJrPGA future tour June 19 Monona Golf Club
WIJrPGA tournament June 29 Yahara Golf Club

Soccer
soccer-tournament-guide.com/reddan-spring-shootout.html
Reddan Spring Shootout U11-U19 April 12-14 Reddan Soccer Park in Verona Cost: U11-U12 $400; U13-U14
$455; U15-U19 $465
Rock Soccer Clash U10, U12, U14 April 26-27 Rock
Soccer Club in Janesville Cost: $275-300
Rush Classic U9-U19 April 25-27 Rush Wisconsin
in Middleton Cost: U9-10 $360; U11-12 $505; U13-19 $550
Futbol Frenzy Soccer Tournament U9-U12 May 19
Milton Soccer Club Cost: U9-10 $225; U11-12 $250
MAYSA Cup U9-U14 May 17-19 Reddan Soccer
Park in Verona Cost: U9-10 $255; U11-12 $270; U13-14
$300
Aces Cup 4v4 U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, Adult May
23 Ace Soccer Club in Stoughton Cost: $90-120 per
team/$25-40 per individual
Reddan Thunder U11-U19 May 31 through June 2
Reddan Soccer Park in Verona Cost: U11-12 $380; U13-19
$445

Photo by Anthony Iozzo

Turn to Page 10 Youth soccer tournaments kick off April 12.

Swimming
the only sport that can
save your childs life

New Themes for 2015 Exciting New Field Trips

Choose individual sessions or join us all summer

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Fitchburg

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Behind Pancake Cafe

10 Unified Newspaper Group

March 26, 2015

Softball
softballtournaments.com/index/id/tourn_find/st/WI
Play for Trey Class B May 2-3 Starin Park in Whitewater
Janesville May Melee 10U-14U May 16-17 JYBSA
Sports Complex
Spring Fling Open June 13-14 Racetrack Park in
Stoughton
12th annual SYS Summer Sizzler Class A June 20-21
Racetrack Park in Stoughton

Volleyball
badgervolleyball.org/tournament-schedule/
Capital Spike-A-Rama G18F April 4 Sports Enhancement Academy in Verona

Photo by Anthony Iozzo

Youth baseball tournaments start April 18.

80%

Of Learning
Is Done Through
Sight!
Its not too early to have your childs vision checked.

320 S. Main Street, Verona

(608) 848-5168
www.VeronaVisionCare.com

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Dr. Tami S. Hunt, Optometrist

Dr. Emmylou Wilson, Optometrist

March 26, 2015

Unified Newspaper Group 11

Verona rec offers

range of programs
Director cautions of
over programming
By Samra Teferra
Unified Newspaper Group
correspondent

younger kids.
Dudley said that while it
is nice to have children try a
variety of activities, it can be
too much sometimes.
Being the parent of a firstgrader and a 4 year old, we
try to expose our oldest to a
few educational and sports
related activities each season, he said. Our 4 year old
will begin some activities this
spring and summer. It is nice
at the younger ages to expose
kids to different sports and
activities available to them.
Registration is now open
for the Verona Recreation
Department spring and summer programs. The brochure,
which features athletic and
enrichment programs for
adults and youth, can be
accessed online at veronawi.
gov/recreation.

With springtime here and

summer around the corner
most children are itching to go
outside and play in the sun.
Verona Parks and Recreation hopes to help parents
and kids with
those needs
in
mind.
The department offers
a wide range
of programs
to match childrens interests Dudley
and provide
healthy outlets.
Programs range from sports
Scott Girard also
to engineering to art.
contributed
to this story
City director of recreation
Casey Dudley encourages
summer programs, but he
cautions parents of overwhelming children.
I would say that is ultimately up to the parents and To register for spring and summer
their schedules, he said in an programs:
email. I would not recomveronawi.gov/recreation.
mend over programming

Photo by Samantha Christian

Kids mud run is May 30

The Tri 4 Schools Spring Youth Mud Run will be held Saturday, May
30, at Festival Park in Verona. Kids can also compete in the Madison
Mud Run earlier that morning. For more information, visit tri4schools.
org/events/mudrun. The entry fee of $20 per child goes to schools of
the registrants choice.

On the web

Providing Comprehensive Services For Children Of All Ages

Services Include:

Its your paper, too

Unified Newspaper Group accepts submissions of photos,
events, charity work and other local news. To submit an item for
consideration, e-mail communityreporter@wcinet.com.

The Caring Center/Verona Montessori House

Summer Enrichment Camps

Verona
Clinic
Opening
Soon!

Speech/Language Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Educational Programs
Physical Therapy
Social Skill Development
Music Therapy
Aquatic Therapy
Tutoring
Transitional Services
Call Today to Schedule a FREE Consult or Developmental Screening

Like Us on facebook for updates and events!

Now enrolling for summer and fall!

Visit our website for more info:

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Because learning doesnt stop in the summer!

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Convenient Locations

2927 S. Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg, WI

7600 Terrace Ave., Ste. 104, Middleton, WI
395 E. Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie, WI
608-819-6394 www.therapymadison.com
info@communicationinnovations.com

12 Unified Newspaper Group

March 26, 2015

Make a splash

Four spots to cool off this summer

By Samantha Christian
Unified Newspaper Group

Wisconsinites wait all winter for warmth, but the spring

thaw brings soaring temps
that well soon want some
relief from.
When that time comes, the
kids will be ready to jump in
the water. Fortunately there
are a few places nearby they
can check out to cool off and
have fun.
New to Fitchburg since
2013 is a nearly 5,000-squarefoot splash pad that kids can
jump around and play in at
McKee Farms Park.
For kids who are looking
to get fully submerged and
take a swim, Firemans Park
Beach in Verona and Troll
Beach (formerly known as
Mandt Park Pool and the Mud
Hole) in Stoughton are other

Fitchburg
Splash Pad
Where: McKee Farms
Park, 2930 Chapel Valley
Road, Fitchburg
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Memorial Day weekend
through Labor Day
Cost: Free
Info: Search for splash
pad on city.fitchburg.wi.us
options.
If the weather turns rainy or
gray, kids can still stop by the
indoor Oregon Community
Pool, complete with a diving
board.
Mark Ignatowski and
Samra Teferra contributed to
this compilation

Photo by Samantha Christian

Symone Edwards, 4, plays at the splash pad in Fitchburg last summer.

3 Words Every Teenager

Hates to Hear

Kids
Need
Good
Homes
Foster Parents Needed!
Desire to make a difference in a childs life?

TAKE THE BUS!

Family Works Programs, Inc. is looking for people interested in

becoming treatment foster parents.
We provide:

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Make a difference, call today!

608-233-9204 or 800-660-9204
www.family-works.com

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Call today & make an appointment

to have the teenmobile serviced!

March 26, 2015

Unified Newspaper Group 13

Firemans Park
Beach
Where: 600 Bruce St.,
Verona
When: Noon to 6 p.m.
June 12 through Aug. 22
Special hours: Open
until 7 p.m. June 23
through Aug. 8; open at 9
a.m. Fridays from June 19
through Aug. 7
Cost: $2 youth, $3
adult; $4 youth nonresident, $5 adult nonresident per day
Info: veronawi.gov/320/
firemans-park-beach
Photo by Samantha Christian

Hannah Stubitsch, 13, does a

karate kick into the water at the
beach in Verona.

Photo by Samantha Christian

Kids play volleyball at the indoor swimming pool in Oregon.

Oregon Community Pool

Troll Beach

Where: 249 Brook St.,

Oregon
When: Daily starting April 6,
hours vary

Where: 509 Mandt

Pkwy., Stoughton
When: Noon to 5 p.m.
starting Saturday, June 13
Cost: $2.75 ages 15 and
under, $3.75 ages 16 and
up; $3.25 non-resident
ages 15 and under, $4.25
non-resident ages 16 and
up per day
Info: facebook.com/
TrollBeachStoughton

Cost: $1.50 for kids, $3 for

adults per day
Info: oregonsd.org/pool

Come Join
the Fun!
Oregon Preschool Inc.
has openings available for
children ages 3-4 for the
2015-16 school year.

Photo by Mark Ignatowski

OPI is Oregons only

parent cooperative
preschool.

WE CATER TO
Parties
Festivals
Events
Or just
Movie Night
for fun!

OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY

Inflatables for
KEVA sports center

FREE DELIVERY IN DANE CO.

608-235-8999 WWW.FUNPLAY.BIZ

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LOCALLY OWNED FITCHBURG

BUSINESS FOR 8 YEARS

The parent co-op

setting is a great
way to meet
other parents
and playmates for
your child.

Contact us now so your child can

get a head start on learning!

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Kids play on inflatables at Troll

Beach in Stoughton.

835-9216 or www.oregonpreschool.org

14 Unified Newspaper Group

March 26, 2015

Too busy or bored?

Finding a balance of
summer activities
By Cynthia DiCamelli

Photo by Samantha Christian

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Lucy Fradkin-Annen and Braden Bartlett complete their space drawings

during an after-school art workshop at Netherwood Knoll Elementary
School in Oregon.

A couple of generations
ago, summer was a time for
kids to take a break from
school, build a tree fort
(where they could spend glorious summer days reading
comic books) and run through
the night catching fireflies
or at least thats how we think
it was.
In reality, kids have always
had chores,
activities and
stuff going
on in their
lives. Little
league, a summer job and
even summer
s c h o o l h a v e DiCamelli
been part of
kids lives for
generations.
Todays world offers kids
so many more opportunities
that summer days are hardly
lazy. Kids spend time dashing between sports teams,
enrichment classes, special
interest summer camps and
much more. Older kids may
have required reading or volunteer hours to complete over
summer, too.
So how much is too much
(or not enough)?
The number, intensity and
type of activities your child
can and should be engaged
in depends on your childs
personality, energy level and
interest.
Generally younger children
should be in fewer activities,
and those activities should
last a shorter time. Most 5- or
6-year-olds probably arent
going to be engaged in even
the most exciting thing they
could imagine for more than
an hour or so, while an older
sibling can stay on task for
much longer.
Try taking a cue from your
children by asking them to
make a summer to do list.
The child whose list includes
a lot of reading, taking walks
or other solitary activities will
probably also only choose

one or two summer activities, and might need a little

encouragement to spread his
or her wings a little. The child
with a huge list, who wants to
join everything and go everywhere might need a reminder
to build in some down time.
Is your child in too many
things? A truly overscheduled child often looks overwhelmed and stressed, no
matter what time of year it is.
Look for changes in sleep patterns, either more or less, or
difficulty getting to sleep.
Overscheduled kids can
also have mood swings. The
normally even-tempered child
who suddenly starts yelling at
siblings or crying over small
things might need a break
for a few days. Stressed kids
may have changes in appetite, physical symptoms like
headaches or stomachaches or
even develop behaviors.
Be prepared to keep the
magic in summer! Throw out
the schedule for a day and
take everyone to a beach, a
park or on a special adventure. Create some summer
traditions like a special treat
on Friday night or dancing
to oldies on the deck by starlight.
Summer is a great time for
everyone, old and young, to
relax and recharge!
Cynthia DiCamelli is the
family resource coordinator
and homeless liaison with
Oregon School District.

Oregon
summer
activities
Summer playground
Playground field trips
Community Ed
summer mini camps
Web: oregonsd.org/
community
Phone: 835-4097
Email: srl@oregonsd.net

March 26, 2015

Area youth
centers offer
fun spaces to
hang out
Stoughton and Oregon invite
kids to stop by their youth centers to play games, talk with
friends and participate in new
activities through their various
programs.
The Oregon Youth Center is a free, supervised place
for youth in grades 6-9 in the
school year and youth going
into grades 6-10 in the summer.
The Stoughton Area Youth
Center offers a variety of activities such as basketball, ping
pong and video games. There
is also a computer lab.
Both youth centers also offer
homework clubs with tutors on
site if students need help. Kids
are also encouraged to read
books during homework time.
- Samantha Christian

Unified Newspaper Group 15

Oregon Youth
Center
Where: 110 N. Oak St.,
Oregon
When: 3-6 p.m. Monday
through Friday during
school; Noon to 5 p.m. on
no school and half days
Phone: 886-9093
Web:
oregonyouthcenter.org

Summer
programming
Mondays: Kids Choice
Day
Tuesdays: 2-4 p.m.,
games at Jaycee Park
Wednesdays: 1-3 p.m.,
swimming at Oregon Pool
($1)
Thursdays: 2-3 p.m.,
outdoor yoga; 3:30-5 p.m.,
daily craft
Fridays: Theme Days

(608) 630-9800
5200 Anton Drive, Fitchburg
www.madisonswimacademy.com
Come Swim with Us!
Ongoing Open Enrollment in Swim Lessons
Small Classes Taught in Warm Water

At top, kids relax at the Oregon Youth Center after school.

Stoughton Area Youth Center

Where: 567 E. Main St., Stoughton
When: 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday on school days; Noon
to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday on non-school days
Phone: 877-9980
Web: ci.stoughton.wi.us/youthcenter

Check out MSA for:

Stroke Clinics
Otter Adventure Summer Camp
Swim Birthday Parties
Family Open Swim
Senior Water Aerobics

Swim Believe Achieve

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Photos by Samantha Christian

Above, Jasmine Gibson, 10, of Stoughton, and Evie Schulfer, 8, of

Stevens Point, use an old-fashioned egg beater to mix their salad dressing during a Kids Chef program at the Stoughton Area Youth Center.

16 Unified Newspaper Group

March 26, 2015

Feeding
the Leaders of Tomorrow!

210 South Main Street, Verona

608-845-6478

Proud upporter of todays kids.

Monday-Saturday 6:30 am - 9 pm
Sunday 6:30 am - 7 pm
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