Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 74

page Ft www.app.com FEATURES AS8URY PARK PRESS FRIDAY. MARCH 9. 2007 Winter is time to pkn for sraircr F7. "RI' L- 1 1 -V-C s. UhulrMcd Man Fwftna Wnttni hjr Em Hunting if I Share Irish lore and history with the lads From toft: Campors Daphno McLaughlin, Korbyn Portorffofd and UHy lataa play a gamo in this 2008 photo of a Mnmmr camp in Edfowood, Ky.

Now to tho thno to start making plana for your chHd's camp oxportonco this aummor. (gnsphotoi Small in size (less than 400 by 200 miles) the country of Ireland holds a big place in world and human history. And many from around the globe proudly lay claim to an-cestral ties there. Q. Some camps offer financial aid.

What else is important to know? A. Ask if (the cost) is all-inclusive, or if children go on a trip will it be extra? Is the photo extra? Do I have to buy uniforms? Know what the costs are if your child wants an extra snack or an additional horseback ride. Q. Finally, how do kids benefits from going to camp? A. They learn to be independent; they meet new friends, and develop social skills and loss, space and aviation, circus camps.

And there's a tremendous development of specialized programs for teens, whether it's college prep, leadership, study abroad, teen tours those are growing very fast. Q. List some money-saving tips. A. Often camps have early-bird discounts.

Sometimes they have sibling discounts. Don't be afraid, if something's not publicized, to ask. Often, a parent who wants to work at a camp can get reduced tuition. We have a comprehensive job site, campjobs.com. ers health and safety? Ask about the communication that's allowed between you and your child.

At overnight camp, do they have scheduled phone calls? Are cell phones allowed? What are rules for visiting camp? Q. What trends are you seeing? A. There's a lot of specialization. What's really nice is that there's a camp for every child. We've noticed a big increase in the special-needs camp offerings, everything from autism to oncology camps.

Aside from sports camps or art camps, we have sewing, culinary, weight is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet" by Eve Bunting ($17.95, Sleeping Bear Press) gives readers a guided A-Z tour of this island country whose influence extends far beyond its sea borders. Patti Martin, Staff Writer By JOHN JOHNSTON GANNETT NEWS SERVICE Frigid temperatures and we still have snow: Yep, it's time to make plans for summer camp. Here, president and founder of the American Camp Association Nancy LaPook Diamond answers questions for parents beginning their first quest for the right camp. Q. When is the best time to search for a summer camp? A.

It's never too soon to look. In fact, many families use the summer before as a way of visiting the camps and getting a first hand look. It's important to see how they're actually functioning. For overnight camps, a lot of families schedule their vacations to visit summer camps much like how people do with summer college tours. You get a sense of the activities and how the camp is run, and a feeling for the environment and the staff and the other children.

But now is certainly not too late. Q. I know you're not a psychologist, but you probably hear the question: When is a child ready for camp? A. I really think the best answer is, as a parent, you know when your child is ready. Q.

Besides basics such as cost and duration, what goes into the selection of a camp? A. You first have to decide what kind of experience you want your child to have. Why are you sending your child to camp? What do you want your child to get out of it? You can use a directory to help narrow that down. You have to (understand) it's your child who is having the experience, and not you. Q.

After narrowing down the choices, then what? A. What's key is parents must take time to speak with the camp director. Ask what is the camp's philosophy? How is the staff selected and trained? Do they background-check their staff? What are their policies for situations such as bullying or if a child becomes ill? Is there a refund policy? It's really good to get a reference of a family who has attended the camp. And if you're able to visit, that's always a great thing. Q.

Do those tips apply to both day and overnight camps? A. Yes. If it's a day camp, why wouldn't someone visit and sit down with the director and make sure it's the right fit for your child? Q. What are other pertinent questions? A. Ask about the camp's risk-management (or emergency notification) system, as unpleasant as that might be.

What do they do to maintain the camp- PEOPLE IN SEARCH OF A CA.VIP FOR THEIR CHILDREN CAN TAP INTERNET RESOURCES The American Camp Association's Resource for Families has a database of more than 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that are searchable by location, religious or cultural affiliation, specialization, cost, age, gender or special needs. See www.CampParents.org. Another option is www.Kid-sCamps.com, which debuted in 1995 and claims to be the Internet's most comprehensive camp directory. It's published by Florida-based Niche Directories. IOTED TIME HIV mi MOOT KOO ft lew THE POWER TO GET MORE PH03E FOR LESS.

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Try the Sprint Network risk free for JO days. IV 1-800-Sprint-1 Sprint POWER UP MM I sprint.com I to the nearest Sprint or Nextel store Tbfrthtr with NKTB. WATCHUNC Blue Star Shopping Ctr.H 90M90-1199 UuXPMOO Beyond Bccpcn 259 Second St USTHONSWa Solutions Center 6EdgeboroRd BJZAKTH Beyond Beepers 588 Broad St WonlbhdgeMalll 732-3260277O Woodbfidp Ccntcf 250WKi6ndge Center Drive 908-644-7876 fa. 1 North 732-602 2375 WPttBPPWflB EASTItUNSWUI HOUUB NOtTHKMNFCU) Splint Bmmwid Square rVUI 2130outeS S27loute22W. StOreS 75S State Routt 11 770fr28WO 90S7S44217 73W1W2M HOWEU PtSCATAWAT 252 loute 18 North 4705 Route 9 North 1344 Centennial Ave HaUamitipM 732-432-6040 732)5-237t 732-46M500 iHeiWSmiMSfnMirDtotl EATONTOWN kVUMUNN TOMSBVB MKITDWNSHO Monmouth Mall loute 9 South Ir Craig M.

Ocean County Mat BndPWaH 732-578 1500 7324834740 732244-4122 73226M8U 65Koutt3(W. Ocean County Mai HBCEWATa 732544-2444 300 Route 73 1201 Hooper Avenue IfidgewatnCornmomMalia EUZAKTH 8S0797-M340 732-557-5467 90S722340J leneyCardemMaia MmxnOWN IMC fcxtgewater Commons 908 35MH9O 770 loute 35 South Uiwe's Or U45A Morrh Aw 400 Commons Way Jtney Gardens 732-671-6842 9084644133 90S'874 SISill0id- inrrHituiewia 2565oute22West 20V9SM581 North Vlllagea 9O8-624-078O 7328434271 Drifters to hold annual luncheon A luncheon and fashion show to benefit the Ocean Chapter of Drifters will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Branches on Monmouth Road. Spring and winter garments from Karen's Boutique in Spring Lake and Winters Furs in Red Bank will be featured, organizers say. Entertainment personality Wendy Williams will present the Third Annual Wendy Williams' Scholarships to a male and a female pursuing a communications career.

The scholarship recipients also will receive internships with WBLS, New York. Tickets for the luncheon cost $40 and will benefit the Ocean Chapter of Drifters, a nonprofit organization with a mission to enhance the lives of youth and senior citizens. For more information, call (732)43y210. PrivnnlM Kantuiin. Staff Wrwr Wireiess Warehouse 291 loute 72 East MMKHBia Comfort Cd 2138 loute 70 HUH EeiMSWCK Digital Eipresi 377 George St OCEAN Beyond Beepers 2301 loute 66 West STtaKflOD Jen Electric 631 Morris Ave Lynn's Absolute Wiretess 5010 loute 33 34 Rf0U SeyondBeepen 31 East Main St iMobile 37loute9 CKDSMCK Solutions Center 349USHwy22 Wireless Communication Stoker 427 East Main Street CLAM Gl Wireless KSWestfieldAve tes exlude taw and SprM Fees Nud GMrap not available evnvwhe tee and $200 early termination per tne apply A dqwsKrr to reared cashbadMaiHnhrjate lrespwrivisebyO FOCUS restrnurs.

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