Meet Heather Posner - our fabulous Camps Coordinator. We sat down for a quick chat to learn more about our summer camps, which start on Monday!
What's new to Discovery Camps this year?
We're offering snacks for the first time this year - we have 100 pounds of Cheddar Bunnies ready to go - we'll see how long they last! Also, the way the ages are distributed is new, so that we could meet the developmental needs of the children better. Now 4-year-olds and 6-year-olds wouldn’t be in the same camp. More fun for all.
Any specific camps you're particularly excited about?
I’m really excited about our kid building camp – the teacher worked at adventure playground in Berkeley. They’re going to use real tools, real wood, build forts, it will be awesome. The yoga camp will be great too – she’s a professional kids' yoga instructor and mom, they’ll go on hikes, make art, and of course learn yoga.
Sounds fun! Are there still spots available?
We still have openings in yoga July 14, 21 and 28, and there are spots in many sessions in the kid building camps too. You can sign up online!
What else should we know?
Well, we'll be posting to this blog regularly – so parents know what their children are up to, have a better idea of what their kids do during the day, and see pictures too.
To read all the camp blog entries, just click the keyword "camps" from the tag box to the right!
Have you been to see our new special exhibition Tales from the Land of Gullahyet? Get a taste of what you'll see by visiting Gullah.Net before you come - or check it out after if you're looking for ways to extend your visit.
My favorite part of this interactive site is the Music section - kids can listen to Aunt Pearlie-Sue (a character on the web site and in the exhibit!) explain the origins of African music and instruments, play their own Gullah songs, and even explore a musical map showing how African music influenced music today, from bluegrass to rock 'n roll.
You can also watch videos of Gullah islanders knitting fishing nets with a needle made of palmetto wood, and listen to samples of the Gullah language. Did you know Gullah was developed among Africans as a way to communicate with people from other tribes and Europeans? It's made up of English and over 4,000 words from many different African languages, but sounds very similar to Krio, one of the common languages from Sierra Leone in West Africa.
The National Wildlife Federation is supporting the Bay Area Discovery Museum by donating a portion of each subscription to these award-winning magazines:
Wild Animal Baby (ages 0 - 3): Filled with bright colors and delightful stories, Wild Animal Baby is a wonderful learning and interactive reading experience for parents and toddlers to share.
Your Big Backyard (ages 3 - 7): Let young children know the world is their “big backyard”…a place filled with interesting places to go, fascinating creatures to meet, and fun things to do.
Ranger Rick (ages 7+): Take kids closer to nature with amazing photographs, real adventures, rain-or-shine activities and intriguing information about animals and natural wonders.
I have very fond memories of reading stacks of Ranger Rick magazines on lazy summer days as a child. Your Big Backyard just won a coveted Parent's Choice Award. And it's great to see Wild Animal Baby is printed on coated card stock which will stand up to the gnawing gums of a 1-year-old!
To take advantage of this great offer, visit www.nwf.org/museums enter special order number PACM721.
We are proud to present in out Art Studios an installation of photography and drawings from the Timothy Murphy School in San Rafael, Ca. a non-profit special education school for boys (K-12).
The photo mural is a collection of photos that were taken on campus through the artistic eye of the high school students in the art program at Timothy Murphy School. The Bay Area Discovery Museum has previously featured young artists as part of our mission to engage our visitors.
My favorite piece is a drawing of a symbol which has no title but beneath lies a statement, "This symbol doesn't mean anything to me. I am an artist."
It's on display until September 7 in the Art Studios. Come see it soon!
Tykes on Bikes Sunday, June 29 10 a.m. Market Street, San Francisco
Celebrate the joy of families of all compositions by walking with us in the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade. Bring your decorated tike, trike, stroller or wagon and we’ll provide treats to give to the crowd. To join our contingent, email jherrera@badm.org.
We will be positioned with other family groups and various participating schools near the front of the parade. It is a family friendly environment and we look forward to celebrating all kinds of families in this year's Pride Parade. Please join us!
Preparations for Summer Camp are in full swing at The Bay Area Discovery Museum; a magnificent staff has been hired, snacks have been ordered, and mountains of art supplies delivered! As the countdown to the first day of camp begins I know I’m getting excited, as are legions of parents and kids. I also know that parents have lots of questions, and I’m happy to say I have answers! If you’ve signed your child up for summer camp please download our parent handbook and rest assured that if you have any other burning questions I’m only a phone call or e-mail away.
Stay tuned to Camp Blog for more information in the coming days, like staff bios and pictures!
Tales from the Land of Gullah May 17 - September 14.
Tales from the Land of Gullah builds bridges into the ancestral home that exists in the hearts and minds of many Gullah people today. Taking us back to the 1940s, long before the existing bridges were built to connect the islands to the mainland and the culture began to blend. In today’s society, values and traditions are assimilating into one as advances in technology bring the world together.
It has elements for older children in addition to the younger children. From interactive kiosks to a puppet theater where they can learn how history was carried on through story telling.
Come and experience a rich cultural exhibition at Discovery Hall!
Congratulations to our Aquarist, Glen Decker! He is now the proud parent of our two new baby Big Skates. Glen arrived last week to find a little one trying out his wing-like pectoral fins. After a few days, the second skate was gently encouraged and pushed out of the egg casing. We have all enjoyed watching the skates grow inside their egg and hope they settle into their new home. Come see the baby skates in Wave Workshop and ask a Discovery Guide to touch a real skate egg.
To learn more about Big Skates, and how to protect them and other ocean creatures, check out some of the following sites:
Playdate 2008: An Evening by the Cove resulted in raising $570,000 for the Museum! We give a big thanks to everyone who helped bring this all together. The Council, Board, volunteers and the Museum Staff.
Everyone looked beautiful and had a fun time. See some photos of the event on our Flickr page here.
