Reviews – Page 15 – Rockland NY Mom

Summer Camp Spotlight- Champion Day Camp!!!

Posted on June 8, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Camps .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are our own.

Summer is approaching fast and parents are looking for great options for the kids for the summer!! Check out Champion Day Camp!!!

Champion Day Camp
175 W. Clarkstown Rd.
New City, NY 10956
(845) 356-5005

www.championdaycamp.com

champion@championdaycamp.com

Champion Day Camp located in New City, NY has provided campers with a warm friendly summer camp experiences for over 30 years. Every summer, old and new friends come together and the camp memories that are made last a lifetime.

The summer camp program is designed with the intent of kids gaining skills in an engaging environment while having a blast with their camp friends. The staff works towards ensuring that each camper is having a great day, each and every day.

The 10 acre facility contains heated pools with great water slides, numerous sports fields and courts, creative arts buildings, a go-karts track, a mini-golf course, a skateboard park, creative play areas, a cooking room, an archery range, a computer lab, a stage area, ropes courses, ziplines, a 52 ft. climbing tower and so much more.

The Kiddie Corral (Pre-K and entering Kindergarten), All-Activity (1st thru 8th grade) and Teen Leadership Corp (9th and 10th grade) programs provide our campers with an age appropriate traditional all-around day camp experience. Campers see, experience and live for the excitement and adventure that each day produces.

The All-Sports (2nd thru 8th grade) provides a complete sports program for kids who love sports and only sports. Campers are exposed to different sports, improve skills, play games and have a blast in our various action activities.

Summer Camp Spotlight- Girl Scouts- Heart of the Hudson

Posted on May 26, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Camps, Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are our own.

I have fond memories of attending girl scout camp as a child. So many friends, activities and learning experiences were had there. If you are looking for a fabulous camp for your little girl- take a look at all they have to offer.

camp@girlscoutshh.org

855.232.GSHH

This summer, bring her somewhere safe, enriching, and most importantly, full of nonstop FUN! No matter what her preference is -We have something for the artist, adventurer, animal friend, crafter, scientist, water lover, performer and her inner leader. Throughout their camp experience girls are encouraged to make positive choices, think outside the box, develop trust in themselves and others, and work as part of a functional team.

GSHH offers three competitively priced, American Camp Association (ACA) accredited Girl Scout camps.

· Camp Addisone Boyce (CAB), right here in Tomkins Cove, Rockland County, provides experiences that will build lasting relationships and memories. Each session, in addition to activities associated with that week’s theme, includes all the traditional camp activities such as daily swim lessons and free swims in the pool, arts and crafts, boating, hiking, cook-outs, camping skills, campfire sing-a-longs, games, environmental exploration, archery, and the ropes challenge course.

· Rock Hill Resident Camp provides the perfect setting for outdoor adventure! Located in Mahopac, NY, with 190 acres for hiking, archery, climbing one of our high ropes courses, or swimming and boating in our lake, Rock Hill Camp is the perfect place to spend your summer! Most campers will stay in either a platform tent with access to modern washhouses or in one of our all-weather cabins.

· Rocky Brook Day Camp in Eastchester, NY is one of Westchester’s best-kept secrets. Every day at Rocky Brook will find you involved in traditional camp activities such as arts and crafts, games, sports, and nature. Every session will include exciting trips as well as boating, swimming, and special leadership overnights for girls in 4th grade and above at our sister camp Rock Hill.

Click Below for Useful Links:

· Camp Brochure

· Camp Application

· Aplicación de Campamento

Each camp meets the stringent safety standards set by the New York State Health Department, Girl Scouts of the USA’s Safety Checkpoints, and the ACA.

To see our complete list of camps visit our directory here.

Wayne’s World- Party Time!

Posted on May 16, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Direct Sales, Food, March of Dimes, Party, Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is an unsponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

This past month we held our first “Wellness Workshop” with Jamie Silver of Norwex and were dazzled as we learned how to eliminate chemicals from our cleaning routines. The party was held at Wayne’s World in Nanuet.

The workshop was a great success in that those who had questions and doubted the products were impressed by the science behind them. I myself am most looking forward to going through and de-cluttering my cleaning products, getting rid of my “Swiffer” and introducing my new (sturdier) mop system that doesn’t require me to re-attach a cloth to it several times.

Additionally, I am obsessed with the bathroom buddy that the kids can use to dry their hands in the bathroom- special side note- it has the special silver in it, so as they wipe, any bacteria that was still on their hands (after their super thorough washing) is removed. THAT’S A WIN IN MY BOOK!!! Seriously considering getting them for all of the teachers in my life (elementary).

Then there’s the health benefits…. Maybe little (E)’s allergies and asthma will improve now that the harsh chemicals are gone, and its so easy for me to clean up!!

The evening went super smoothly in no small part due to the activities put on by Wayne’s World itself. Who in addition to opening their doors, set up the kids activities, AND donated a percentage of their proceeds that DAY to the March of Dimes.

This was my first visit to Wayne’s World. The food was yum (as was the wine), the establishment super clean (yay!) and the kids had a blast! They got to make their own pizzas, and ice cream and also had a really cool tour of the kitchen!!! They had the opportunity to watch Chef Paulie through dough… a fabulous evening for them!!!

The look on their faces tells it all. Wayne’s World is a great family location (with specials for free kids on Mondays and Tuesdays). We will most certainly be back.

UPDATE: We earned $150 for March of Dimes at this event from Wayne’s World (which is great) and we also earned another donation from Jamie for the evening! So happy to have combined this event to support the March of Dimes!!!

Summer Camp Open House: Kids Can Make a Robot, Special Fx Video, Spygear, Video Game This Saturday!

Posted on May 12, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Camps, Things to Do! .

Summer Camp Open House: Kids Can Make a Robot, Special Fx Video, Spygear, Video Game This Saturday!

This Saturday, your kids can. . .

Film a Special Effect Video . . Invent a Digital Gadget. . . Build & Program a Robot. . . Create & Code a Video Game or Mobile App. . . . Animate a Digital Story. . . while you meet our director and camp staff and learn more about Little Ivy Academy’s Summer Explorers, RealScience! & Express Yourself! summer day camps for your campers ages 6-14.

Little Ivy Academy’s Welcome Summer Campers Open House is from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. this Saturday, May 14 on the campus of St. Joseph Regional High School, 40 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale, NJ. Directions are available at: www.littleivyacademy.com/openhouse.html. No RSVP is required!

For more information about Little Ivy Academy’s summer camp programs, on select campuses just around the corner from you in the Pascack-Northern Valley/Rockland County and Ridgewood-Glen Rock areas, visit: www.littleivyacademy.com/summercamp.html.

You are welcome to contact Little Ivy Academy’s director, Erich Bassler with your questions by e-mail at info@littleivyacademy.com or by phone at 201-444-8400.

Campers celebrate after successfully road-testing the mobile robot they built and programmed during Little Ivy Academy’s RealScience/Express Yourself summer camp.

————————————————————————————–

Media Contact:
Richard Bassler, Little Ivy Academy, 201-444-8400, richard@littleivyacademy.com

LIGHTSCAPES

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Ashley Carmichael Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, as we were invited back to visit LIGHTSCAPES. All opinions expressed are my own.

-Ashley

The rain and the crazy weather have been killer lately! All my boys want to do is be out of the house, and lets face it – so do I! So I was thrilled at the opportunity to visit LIGHTSCAPES at Van Cortlandt Manor.

I’m sure many of you are familiar with the Great Jack-o-lantern Blaze that happens every fall, well this magical event is created by the same people. I have yet to bring my boys (4 and 3) to the Blaze, but after our experience at LIGHTSCAPES we will definitely be there this year!

I’ll start off with some main points: There are snacks available for purchase with cash or card: popcorn, baked goods, coffee, tea etc. However, the delicious ice cream from Blue Pig is cash only. There are no bathrooms, but port-a-potties available. I would also advise not to bring a stroller as it can get crowded, and parts are narrow and bumpy. A baby carrier is best.

The entrance is beneath a color changing rainbow that leads you to walk through a bubble storm, where I realized you are never really too old to enjoy popping bubbles!

A large number of the sculptures are made from recycled objects, so I had the boys guessing at each one what they were made of (a fun and interactive game). Yelling in excitement “Look, bowling pins! Water jugs! They are so silly, they used milk jugs!”

What a great way to have a conversation about waste, and art?!

(S) standing in the Castle made of milk jugs, large plastic bottles and water jugs.

Butterfly with a bowling pin as a body!

The boy’s favorite, the praying mantis.

As we walked through, I felt like Tinkerbell among the huge lit flowers, mushrooms, and insects. We were whisked away to someplace magical.

My favorite part, the flower garden.

Gorgeous HUGE vase of flowers, incorporating all different types of flowers.
This picture does it no justice.

We took our time and strolled the path, being sure not to miss anything and we were finished in about an hour. Driving home (W) asked if we could save some of our recycling to make a project. So we are saving up milk jugs and egg cartons to come up with a fun project for this weekend (I will show you all when we are done)!

Hurry and grab your tickets, this event is only through May!
May 12th-15th
May 19th-22nd
May 26th-30th
Buy Tickets HERE!

http://www.hudsonvalley.org/events/lightscapes

Baby-To-Go Car Seat Consultation

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Ashley Carmichael Posted in Reviews, Services, Uncategorized .

As a Mom, my main concern is the safety of my children. With a new baby on the way, I wanted to make sure I was up to date on the new car seat laws and to be sure my seats were installed correctly.

I set up an appointment for a Car Seat Consultation with Sarah Ludwig of Baby to Go a SafeKids Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Sarah came to my home, and the consultation began with a short quiz about basic car seat safety, and I honestly didn’t know all the answers! Some of them were shocking. For example she explained how 4 out of 5 car seats are not installed correctly even when parents think they are. Scary!

Sarah went through the New York State Laws regarding car seats in addition to what she refers to as “Best Practices.” For example: there are no NY state laws stating how long a child should remain rear facing, but there are no car seats on the market that will allow a child to forward face until age 1. As well as the AAP and the NHTSA recommend a child remains rear-facing until age 2. Another thing to keep in mind is that we live so close to New Jersey that their law is to rear-face until age 2 (which we must follow when we drive through the state). So many factors to take into consideration.

We headed outside so she could help show us how to install our seats correctly. Sarah began by asking my ideal location for the seats, and she instantly saw a problem! According to the manufacturer of our harness boosters, I couldn’t have one of the boys in the middle seat because the booster was overhanging the seat slightly! Sarah emphasized the importance of reading both the car manual, as well as the car seat manual to be sure everything is installed correctly.

We began with Sarah installing the 1^st harness booster seat, as I watched and she explained each step. She then removed the seat, and watched as I installed it to be sure I could do it correctly.

We moved on to the baby seat. Sarah pointed our seat is stamped with the expiration date – which also matched the expiration date on the base. Thankfully, the installation is the same as when I had my last little one, so it was a quick refresher! Not all brands stamp their seat with the expiration date, but there will always be a sticker with the date of manufacture and you can consult your manual for expiration date, and some seats have the expiration listed right on the sticker. All depends on the manufacturer.

Sarah then asked me to install the final harness booster seat to finish it off, and I passed the ‘test!’ We finished up with discussing proper belting of the children.

I wanted to be sure and ask Sarah the most popular questions all Moms see the most on the Facebook posts.

“What seat is the best car seat ?”
— There is no BEST seat. It depends on the child and the car.

“What do I do if I am in a car accident? Do I have to get a new seat?”
— For replacement after a car accident, some brands require replacement after any collision, while others follow NHTSA guidelines. NHTSA guidelines include the point of impact, but that’s not the only criterion, and ALL must be met for the seat to be deemed usable.

“Is my child old enough for a high back booster without a harness?”
— Giving a child the freedom of a seatbelt depends greatly on the maturity of the child. If the child is wiggling out of the proper position during a crash, they could sustain serious injury.

“When can I turn my child front facing?”
— American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children now remain rear facing until age 2. However, best practice would be to keep your child rear facing as long as you can.

I learned a ton from the consultation, but what stands out the most is not to rush the car seat milestones, and be sure to read your car seat manual as well as your car manual to be sure your seats are installed correctly.

Sarah is not only a SafeKids Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, she is also a trained Doula, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, and a Babywearing Educator!

Sarah is an amazing resource for Moms To Be and New Moms. Be sure to check out her website for her class offerings and services.

www.Baby-to-go.com
facebook.com/BabyToGo
Sarah@baby-to-go.com
914-999-BABY

Sarah is offering a $5 off a single car seat consultation when you mention RNYMOM!

Need more?! Sarah is giving away one free consultation to a lucky reader!!! Random name to be drawn on Wednesday 5/11/16!! Like, comment and share to enter!!! Remember to tag a friend who may need this!!!

Rock and Roll with R&R Music School

Posted on May 3, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Classes, Classes for Kids, Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

My kids love music. They are a direct product of their parents who were once in a classic rock band together, and grandparents who played in bands (some who still do), and great grandparents who were professional musicians. Although my singing was just for fun, RNYD still plays (in the house) and has actually been recorded. This love of music has absolutely rubbed off on the kids. We enjoy listening to records together (yes records) and discuss different types of music frequently.

When R&R Music School joined our directory we were excited to offer our readers another excellent music program in the county. Once I read their bios (see here) I was even more excited to try it out. We went as a family and I learned a lot about how they operate.

“We believe that music provides a sense of community and is an integral part of life. Our mission is to provide quality education in traditional methods and theories while fostering creativity and passion for the art.” – R&R

As an educator, I know the value in “differentiating” for the varying learning types of my students, I was so glad to see that Ryan and Ryan (R&R) do too, and they incorporated it into our lesson.

Inside their studio is a fantastic space with several rooms available for lessons, a comfortable waiting couch, a kitchenette, nice (clean) bathroom, recording studio, and instruments EVERYWHERE.

We spent the first 10 minutes of our visit just walking around and looking at the instruments and allowing the kids to ask questions. Once they had been given a chance to look around the kids split up and had separate lessons.

(A) went into the room next door and practiced drums with Ryan (M). He LOVED this. When I went in and watched he was actually keeping time with snares, cymbals, and the base drum. It was awesome- he looked so very proud!!! He is currently obsessed with the song “We Will Rock You” so Ryan made sure to teach him that. (A) didn’t even realize that he was learning while Ryan was counting and helping him keep time. Ryan picked up a guitar and played along- they were jamming!

You can see (A) counting as he keeps time in this one.

Ryan and (A) rock out!

I can’t get over the proud look on this face.

In the other room little (E) was learning about the different sounds in the string instruments she got to strum and listen to a banjo, a ukulele, a guitar, and a bass. She and Ryan (T) discussed the high versus low sounds. Then Ryan showed her where to find the corresponding low and high sounds on the piano.

(E) learns about different instruments and their sounds.

Ryan takes (E) to the piano to transfer her new knowledge about high and low.

The kids switched rooms and (E) was given a chance to play drums while (A) came into the room with Ryan (M). He wanted to do some piano and I was very nervous. (A) is a typical 5 year old and doesn’t sit well for long periods of time.

(E) hits some drums. She will rock you!

To my surprise, his approach was completely different. Instead of lecturing (A) on posture and finger position, he taught him where middle c was, and then showed him where it was on a simple sheet of music. He showed him the relationship between the keys, the alphabet, and the sheet music. Then they played the song…. They played it a few times with reminders and by the end (A) was playing a song on his own. What a sense of accomplishment!!!

Ryan shows (A) how to read some music.

(A) plays a song on the piano.

When they were done with their individual lessons we all got together and “jammed” in a group lesson where the kids were allowed to showcase what they had learned in a band atmosphere. They even invited RNYD to play with them. The kids got to play the drums (another reprisal of “We Will Rock You” ensued). At first, (A) played the drums and then, (A) “played” his own bass that he had brought along, as the kids took turns singing and playing other percussion instruments.

All together now!

RNYD gets in on it!

We really had a blast during our lesson. I loved that (A) felt such a sense of accomplishment plus was able to have such a great time. When we got home he said “I can’t believe I had my first Rock and Roll Lesson today”. That’s great. Learning in a different way really had him wanting more (he went home and showed his grandfather who plays keyboard immediately).

Music is wonderful. The value in learning how to play and having music in your life has been proven time and time again to be beneficial. I love the divergence from a “once size fits all” theory behind learning music. The basics are all there, but they are hidden in an experiential approach where students leave feeling accomplished, and are somewhat unaware that they have learned something. When I am in the classroom, I often utilize similar techniques, and they work.

For some video of our lesson visit our YouTube Channel~ Click here!

To inquire about lessons contact Ryan and Ryan at:

16 North Route 9W
Congers, NY 10920
Phone: (845) 267 – 3311

RnRmusicschool@gmail.com

Summer Camp Open House: Make Special Fx Videos, Robots, Video Games, Digital Spy Gadgets!

Posted on April 18, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Camps, Day Trips, Out and about..., Reviews, Things to Do! .

Summer Camp Open House: Kids Can Make Special Fx Videos, Robots, Video Games, Digital Spy Gadgets!

You and your families are invited to join us for a morning filled with real, hands-on discovery and real fun Saturday, April 23 at Little Ivy Academy’s Welcome Summer Camp Open House.

Your kids can. . . CREATE a video game. . . INVENT an electronic spy gadget. . . FILM a special effect video. . . BUILD & LAUNCH a LEGO robot. . . ANIMATE digital story characters. . . and more while you meet the director and learn about Little Ivy Academy’s summer day camps for campers ages 6-14 in both the Rockland County/Pascack-Northern Valley and the Ridgewood-Glen Rock, NJ areas.

Saturday’s open house is from 10 am– 1 pm at St. Joseph Regional High School, 40 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale, NJ. No RSVP is required and directions are available at:

www.littleivyacademy.com/openhouse.html

For additional information, visit www.littleivyacademy.com/summercamp.html or contact Little Ivy Director Erich Bassler at info@littleivyacademy.com or 201-444-8400.

Stew Leonards Easter Bunny Brunch- Review

Posted on March 27, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Easter, Events, Out and about..., Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited to attend. All opinions expressed are my own.

There are a lot of great activities out there to do for the holidays. So many that we bring you various posts for each where you can choose which to attend. We don’t list EVERY single event because it would be overwhelming. Instead, we bring you the ones we think are really great. We love the Trains (Delaware River. and Catskill Mountain), and last year we attended a great egg hunt at Greenburgh Nature Center that will remain on the list.

This year we attended the Stew Leonard’s Bunny Brunch (Yonkers), and boy did we have a great time! If you follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Youtube) you saw some of our real-time posts. This event was ADORABLE. We had such a good time, our Auntie and I really got to sit back and watch the kids enjoy themselves.

Firstly, many people shy away from events in Yonkers thinking its far away, but its such a straight trip and only takes about 25 minutes. There are a lot of great things to do on that side of the bridge that we have highlighted (keep an eye on our events page).

The brunch was held in the party room in a nice secluded area where we were let in and the door was closed (no fear that a child would escape or someone not involved could get in. This bit of safety and security really helped to put me at ease. The room was decorated very nicely with Easter embellishments everywhere. There were table markers with our name on it to indicate where we should sit (if you want to sit with friends let them know when you register, although you can also just ask one of the many helpers to be moved if necessary.

There was a buffet on the right hand side that we could begin eating right away. The event was such a great manageable size that the line never got very long and the kids were even able to get back up and have seconds without waiting. The meal included basic brunch elements, but I was very happy to see some great healthy options as well. The food was delicious (both kiddos wanted seconds). They especially loved the silver dollar pancakes (kiddo size) and the fresh fruit.

When everyone had eaten, there was an announcement and music started playing. Then came the entertainment. The Easter Bunny and his friends came in to play with the kids. They danced and walked around the whole room high fiving the kids (and parents) as well as posing for photos. Once they made it through the crowd they moooved to the front where they danced to some popular songs that involve the crowd (whip nae nae, cha cha slide, and the chicken dance). This was SO MUCH FUN! The kids really enjoyed dancing around with the characters (who were so good with them and really looked out for them), and watching it was really heartwarming.

You can watch (E) dance with the characters on this YouTube video and see how adorable it was :o)

Neither the kids nor the adults stopped smiling from ear to ear. After a few dances an announcement was made to go back to our tables where we would be called to come up for pictures with the Bunny. Photos can be purchased (right then and there) or you can use your own camera/device for free.

The event lasted about an hour and a half, which was perfect. The kids had fun, ate well, but there was no burnout like there can sometimes be at overwhelming events. On our way out the door the kids were given coloring pages and a book on eating healthy (a major plus in my eyes). I really hadn’t expected this either and the kids loved getting a “gift”.

Stew Leonard’s does a lot of these adorable events which we will be making sure to add to our “must do” lists and our events calendar. We highly recommend them (we will certainly be back)!

Delaware River Rail Road’s Easter Bunny Train and Egg Hunt

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Ashley Carmichael Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Reviews, Uncategorized .

This past summer we had a BLAST at Dino Days on the Delaware River Railroad, so we were ecstatic when we were invited back to ride the Easter Bunny Train this past Saturday.

The train station was a quick hour and a half trip into New Jersey, right to the boarder of Pennsylvania. Parking was simple, and free. There were guides sending you to an empty lot where a school bus will bring you to the entrance. Lines moved quickly at the ticket booth, to pick up your will call tickets.

As you walk down the path leading to the train (pretty steep hill, go slow. If you need assistance ask at the ticket booth and they will drive you down in a golf cart) you can hear the mechanical organ playing festive music, and smell the yummy food from the food tent.

The train was ready as we arrived, so we jumped right on with excitement! There was PLENTY of room allowing us to spread out so both the boys could see out their own window. The cars were decorated with Easter garlands, and Easter music playing over the loud speaker. A fun bonus was that there was a snack car! Sandwiches, popcorn, candy and drinks all for purchase (bring cash) Oh, and bathrooms!

The train traveled along the Delaware River for about 45 minutes the first leg of the trip. The kids were wildly entertained by the jugglers coming through the cars interacting with everyone, as well as the banjo player walking passed singing fun songs, and of course the Easter Bunny made is way through taking pictures and dancing with all the kids. They have a professional photographer taking the pictures, but you are more than welcome to use your own camera as well.

As the train turned back we rode for about 15 minutes before we stopped for the Easter Egg Hunt! Each child was allowed to gather 4 eggs, (and there were plenty of eggs available, so no need to rush off the train.) The eggs were filled with toy rings, bracelets, stickers, temporary tattoos and chewy candies. (If you have young kids – under 2 years – I would recommend bringing your own treats to sneak in the eggs) They had 2 Easter Bunnies sitting and available for pictures, the banjo man rocking out, and the fabulous jugglers.

The Easter Bunny made another quick round through the train, along with the jugglers and the banjo player. Before we knew it the trip was over! The whole trip was about 2 hours long, and we LOVED every second of it!

Tickets are still available for this Saturday – 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm. Purchase tickets here: http://www.877trainride.com/easterticketoffice.htm

Delaware River Railroad has excursions through out the year.
Stop by www.877trainride.com to check out all the fun!

Happy Easter!

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