Telfair Museums in Savannah offers fun and enlightening summer camps for Pre-K through high school age students. Camps are taught by professional artists and educators and include hands on studio activities, visits to the museum exhibitions, and an exhibition of campers’ projects at the Jepson Center. Discount registration for museum members. Contact Kip Bradley for more information at 912.790.8823 or bradleyk@telfair.org . Register online here.

Here are just a few of the creative summer camps offered:

GEEK BLING, TECHNO – JEWELRY AND FASHION ACCESSORIES
Ages 13-18
July 9-13 / 9 am-3 pm
Members $175 /
Non-members $195
Learn basic jewelry-making skills and explore accessory design by transforming outdated technology into wearable art. Students will create unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings and even a handbag using recycled computer parts, LEDs and electro luminescent wire. This class is ideal for middle school to high school students with an interest in jewelry and fashion. The program culminates with a reception and exhibition of the participants’ work .

VIDEO GAME DEVELOPMENT
Ages 14-18 / July 9-13 / 9 am-3 pm
Members $175/ Non-members $195
In this week long camp student will build their own video game. Students will explore, play, and develop video games while learning computer programing from scratch using Game Maker.
The summer camp culminates with a reception and exhibition of the participants’ work in the Jepson Center’s Morrison Community Gallery.

CREATIVE TRANSFORMATIONS – PRE-K CAMP
Ages 4-6
August 6-10/ 9 am-12 pm
Members $100 / Non-Members $125
Students in this camp will be met each day with a creative challenge. Inspired by current DIY trends, we will encourage your Pre-K student to turn the everyday into art. They will explore craft, sculpture, and fine art materials to make their own ingenious nothing/something. Projects include making your own water color kit and sketch book, building the best paper airplane, sculpture and light with LED’s and the DIY paint brush set. The program culminates with a reception and exhibition of the participants’ work in the Jepson Center’s Morrison Community Gallery.

Contact Kip Bradley for more information at 912.790.8823 or bradleyk@telfair.org . Register online here.

Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

UPDATE: Winner is Laura Whitener Caputo! Congratulations Laura!

Enter to win a FREE Sonicare for Kids! To enter to win, “LIKE” Dr. Steven G. Berwitz DMD’s Facebook page here and share your trick for making tooth brushing fun! Deadline to enter to win is May 6. We’ll pick a winner at random & announce the winner on SouthernMamas Facebook page.

The efficient Sonicare for Kids toothbrush includes a timer that allows them to brush on their own, without us parents to have to nag – yet it reminds them how long they should be brushing. Plus, Sonicare means that it’s made to brush effectively, reaching each angle and surface.

Guest post by Savannah dentist Steven G. Berwitz, DMD

“Not only am I a dentist, but I am also the dad of a high-energy three-year old. Just like you, I’ve learned that I need to do things a certain way if I want my son to do what I want him to do. When you’re little, it just takes a little extra to make a boring task more exciting—and sometimes it takes a little persuasion to show that boring chores can be fun! Brushing teeth is one of those chores that parents ask me about all of the time. Daily I get the question “What is the trick to getting my kid to brush???”

Win a Sonicare for Kids from Savannah dentist Dr. Steven G. Berwitz DMD

As a family dentist who sees kids of all ages in my office on a daily basis, I can tell you about a few tips and tricks I use both at home and in my chair to deal with the ever so important task of brushing teeth.

1. Foam Wars! This is a favorite of little kids who love MESS! My 3 year old is a big fan of this game. Grab mom, dad, brother and sister, your favorite tooth brush, age-appropriate tooth paste and start brushing. The longer you brush the more foam there is! Make sure your kid is hitting all surfaces—back teeth, front teeth, top and bottom—showing them how a circular motion with the brush creates more foam. The winner with the most foam gets to stay up an extra 5 minutes, a sticker, or any other reward that your child will think is awesome.

2. Teddy Bear Dentist: My son loves to pretend he is a doctor with his stuffed animals—bandaging them up, checking their heart beat, taking their temperature–so we started to use this same method with brushing teeth. He knows that Daddy is a “tooth doctor” and at night before bed we set-up the Teddy Bear Tooth Doctor Office. One by one he brushes their teeth with a spare tooth brush, telling them to swish, spit and dry their mouth. When one of the bears is “scared” to brush his teeth, we ask our son to show the bear how it is done—this is when we jump into action. We have our son show the bear that it’s not scary to brush tops, bottoms, backs and sides. It can be a long pre-bedtime routine, but it does make it fun!

3. Get the bugs! Your kids have probably heard about cavities, but they may not fully understand how they get them or what they are. After my son eats a sugary treat, I tell him that there are little bugs on his teeth that we need to catch so that they don’t snack on the sugar on his teeth. We make it into a “chase game” where I need to catch the bugs with his tooth brush to get them off. After we have caught all of the bugs we let him swish and spit, which he thinks is a blast.

No matter how you tackle tooth brushing, don’t assume that it’ll be easy — and don’t expect perfection. Most toddlers are not cooperative about getting their teeth brushed and some older kids just will not do it without constantly being reminded. For younger kids, be sure to match their tooth-cleaning attempts with thorough cleaning of your own, and for kids of all ages, introduce them to a dentist at a young age so they are comfortable in the chair and know the importance of oral hygiene.

Dr. Berwitz is a Savannah-area dentist who is here to meet the dental needs of you and your entire family. He sees patients of all ages and welcomes you to make an appointment with him today by calling 912-355-5004 or visiting his web site at www.stevenberwitzdmd.com .

Steven G. Berwitz, DMD, 7805 Waters Ave., Suite 1A. For more information or to make an appointment, call (912) 355-5004. Visit the Dr. Steven Berwitz Website www.stevenberwitzdmd.com/ or email Dr. Berwitz with any questions at rebecca@stevenberwitzdmd.com

What a fun, creative theme for a camp: Alice in Wonderland Summer Camp.
9 AM-Noon June 25-29.
For ages rising Kindergarten through 4th grade girls & boys.
The camp will be at Hancock Day School, 6600 Howard Foss Dr. Savannah, 31406
Cost: $130 includes daily snacks and all supplies.

Under the guidance of Hancock teacher Nancy Martin, the students will:
-learn about the literary elements from this classic children’s novel
-play hedgehog crochet
-perform skits with masks they’ve made
-have their faces painted
-find that Cheshire Cat that keeps disappearing
-and have a Grand Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on Friday

Join Mrs. Martin for a “WONDER”FUL WEEK!
Be sure to turn your registration form and money no later than Friday, May 4, 2012. Call 656-8798 with any questions.

Alice in Wonderland Camp is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

The Savannah Children’s Theatre presents 12 Dancing Princesses, a new version of the Grimm fairy tale. Written by national playwright and director Max Bush, 12 Dancing Princesses premiers this week at the Children’s Theatre. Show dates and times are April 27-29 and May 4-6; Fridays at 7:00pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00pm.Tickets for these shows are $12 for adults, $10 for children and military families. Tickets can be purchased at www.savannahchildrenstheatre.com or at the theatre, 2160 East Victory Drive, Crossroads Shopping Center, next to the Piggly Wiggly. 238-9015.

The Savannah Children’s Theatre presents 12 Dancing Princesses, a new version of the Grimm fairy tale. Written by national playwright and director Max Bush, 12 Dancing Princesses premiers this week at the Children’s Theatre. Show dates and times are April 27-29 and May 4-6; Fridays at 7:00pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00pm.Tickets for these shows are $12 for adults, $10 for children and military families. Tickets can be purchased at www.savannahchildrenstheatre.com  or at the theatre, 2160 East Victory Drive, Crossroads Shopping Center, next to the Piggly Wiggly. 238-9015.

The fifth annual Hilton Head Island Seafood Fest, sponsored by the David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation, is set to take place Friday, April 27, 2012, 5-8pm, and Saturday, April 28, 11am-5pm, at Shelter Cove Community Park.

The popular, family-friendly event serves as the foundation’s annual fundraiser with proceeds –from admissions, beverage sales, restaurant purveyor fees, artists’ fees and auction funds – benefiting the American Cancer Society, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center and the Island Recreation Scholarship Fund.

The Friday night component of this year’s Seafood Fest, now a two-day event, will be a more intimate gathering than the main event on Saturday and will feature live entertainment from Cranford & Sons—Hilton Head Island’s Rockabilly-Folk Explosion/Low Country Stomp band—as well as delicious food from Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, Skull Creek Boathouse and Street Meet.

Seafood Fest will continue on Saturday and feature more than a dozen area restaurants dishing up local and regional seafood specialties, and other tasty dishes, as well as an “Iron Chef”-style competition, local artists showcasing their talents, live entertainment by The Headliners and a silent auction with incredible items.

Participating restaurants include: Alexander’s, American Culinary Federation, Black Marlin,

Bluffton Oyster Co., The Chart House, The Crazy Crab, Giuseppi’s, Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, The Old Oyster Factory, Red Fish, Skull Creek Boathouse, Steamers Seafood, Street Meet, Wreck of the Salty Dog, among others. Up to six local chefs will compete in the “Iron Chef” event, modeled after the TV show of the same name. Competing chefs will be presented with identical “mystery baskets” containing a variety of ingredients, including two local seafood items, and each chef will be allotted one hour to create an appetizer and an entrée.

The Headliners, a long-time favorite musical group among locals and visitors, will perform big band, classic 50s and 60s rock-‘n’-roll, beach music, Motown, disco hits from the 70s and hits from the 90s.

Additional activities will include a “Kids Zone” with inflatable bounce houses and games, Famous Crab Races, a Bocce Ball Tournament hosted by the Italian American Club of Hilton Head (please contact info@iachh.org to participate) and a silent auction.

Admission is $5 for adults and FREE for kids younger than 12.

For additional information please visit davidmcarmines.org, or call 843.681.2772 x137.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 6th from 12noon – 4pm for our 12th Annual Doggie Carnival in Forsyth Park. This Humane Society Fundraising event is a fun-filled carnival with great food, games, contests, prizes and the best dog-watching of the year, all in one of our most beautiful parks!

For details click here.

Chances are you’ve considered, however briefly, becoming a foster family as a way to help allieviate Georgia’s foster children crisis and improve the lives of children.

And chances are you’ve thought of all kinds of reasons not to do so. But what if becoming a foster family came with huge amounts of support, a whole churchload of support to be exact? Would that make you more likely to consider taking in a foster child?

If so, then check out a local network called Faith to Foster, a coalition of Chatham County churches that serve families and children in foster care. The goal of Faith to Foster is to make foster parenting less challenging and more appealing to local families.

You’re invited to a Faith to Foster informational meeting, 6-7:30 PM May 7 at Southside Baptist Church, 5502 Skidaway Road, Savannah 31406. Child care will be provided if you call ahead to ministry director, 912-355-9555.

For more info on Faith to Foster including how you can help volunteer to aid local foster families or bring the program to your church, click here or email Faith to Foster ministry director Jenn Menn at jennifermenn@hotmail.com or call 912.925.5074.

Read more about Faith to Foster and the foster mom behind it – who along with her husband have fostered a total of 17 children (not all at once) since 2007 – in my Savannah Morning News column this week here.

You are invited to Gazing in the Garden & Movie Night @ Bamboo Farm & Coastal Gardens.
Saturday, June 23, 2012.
7:00pm until 10:00pm.
1950’s science fiction movie starting at 7pm and stargazing on the great lawn through high-powered telescopes at 8pm. Oglethorpe Astronomical Association provides huge telescopes & knowledge.
Click here for a list of kid-friendly astronomy books!

The Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Enclosure is now re-opened for the seasoon at the Coastal Discovery Museum! Featuring native butterfly species, this 1,200 square foot outdoor enclosure contains both host and nectar plants to support butterflies throughout their life cycle. Visitors can search for tiny eggs amongst the host plants, watch as caterpillars consume as much as 30 times their own body weight in food, identify species based on the unique chrysalis they form, and observe adult butterflies fluttering throughout the enclosure.
Museum Hours: Monday through Saturday 9:00am – 4:30pm
Sunday 11:00am – 3:00pm
843-689-6767 to confirm the museum is open before making the trip from Savannah.
Coastal Discovery Museum also offers Family Summer Programs including sea turtle walks, blue crab discoveries, fishing camp, Lowcountry animal programs and archaeological digs. Click here for details.

International Astronomy Day
April 28 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium for family-friendly activities in honor of International Astronomy Day. The day’s programming will include feature a presentation by the Director of Safety & Mission Assurance at NASA, a showing of the documentary, The City Dark, and solar viewing (weather-permitting). Come join the fun!

May 26 – A T. rex Named Sue Grand Opening – Join MOSH for special activities to celebrate the grand opening of the summer blockbuster exhibit, A T. rex Named Sue. The exhibit tells the story of “Sue,” the largest, most complete, and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever unearthed. A replica cast of Sue’s 42-feet-long and 12-feet-tall skeleton is the centerpiece of this traveling exhibition that also includes interactive components. See it at MOSH through September 23! Sue is on loan from The Field Museum in Chicago.

Come meet Curious George at MOSH! From noon to 4 p.m., MOSH will host Curious George and will present hands-on activities that are sure to feed the insatiable curiosity of children. WJCT and the Jacksonville Public Library are partnering with MOSH for this event. All the activities are included with museum admission.

Memorial Day Commemoration
Monday, May 28, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fort Morris Historic Site – Midway
This coastal fort will present hourly Revolutionary War soldier talks and musket and cannon demonstrations. $3-$4.50 (912) 884-5999.

Memorial Day Kayak Trip
Monday, May 28, 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Crooked River State Park – St. Marys
Kayak the salt marsh on this high-tide paddle behind Grover Island. This is a 6-mile paddle for beginners. Participants can enjoy learning about Georgia’s marshes and are likely to see birds, dolphins, and more. Reservations required. $35 Single; $45 Tandem. $5 parking. (912) 882-5256.

War of Jenkins’ Ear
Saturday, May 26 through Monday, May 28, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Wormsloe Historic Site – Savannah
Experience colonial Georgia’s military operations during the 1739-1748 war between England and Spain. Demonstrations include military drills, musket and cannon firings, and a military demonstration at 2 p.m. $4.50 – $8 plus tax. (912) 353-3023.

Memorial Day Weekend at Fort McAllister
Saturday, May 26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fort McAllister Historic Park – Richmond Hill
This program about the common confederate soldier includes what he ate, how he lived, what he wore and the medicine of the day. Also included will be musket and cannon firing demonstrations. $3.50 – $6.50 (912) 727-2339.

Savannah Tall Ships Challenge® on River Street, Savannah
Admission: Prices range from $20 – $50, with discounts available for children and the military
www.savannahtallshipschallenge.com  
This once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits you and your family this Spring at the Historic Riverfront in downtown Savannah, Georgia. Savannah welcomes some of the most majestic Tall Ships the world has to offer. Visitors will be able to view all the ships, board many and even sail aboard their favorite Tall Ship.
There’s something for everyone with events beginning May 3 and ending May 7.
Sailabrate the Savannah Tall Ships Challenge 2012:
Festival Admission/Dockside Viewing Ticket – festival grounds admission and viewing of all Tall Ships.
Dockside Boarding Ticket – boarding up to 12 tall ships, plus festival grounds admission and riverfront viewing.
Sail-Away Excursions – enjoy our own private sailing excursion upon participating ships.
Schedule includes many entertainment stages including:
Fri. May 4
Kids Cove Adventure Stage
Jeff Beasley Band 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Bone Island Buccaneers 11 a.m.

Sat. May 5
Kids Cove Adventure Stage
Jeff Beasley Band 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Capt’n Splatter Puppet Show 11 a.m.
Capt’n Splatter Puppet Show 2 p.m.
Magic with Mayhem (Pirate Magician) 4 p.m.

Sun. May 6
Kids Cove Adventure Stage
Jeff Beasley Band 10 a.m.
Indonesia-Dewaruci Naval Cadets Marching Band 11 a.m.
Capt’n Splatter Puppet Show 12 p.m.
Capt’n Splatter Puppet Show 2 p.m.
Magic with Mayhem (Pirate Magician) 4 p.m

For a complete schedule of all events, click here.

“Junior Ranger Day” at Fort Pulaski
Saturday, April 28, 2012.
10 AM until 4 PM.
Looking for something fun, free, fantastic, and kid-friendly to do! Visit America’s national parks! During National Park Week, from April 21 to April 29, all national parks offer free admission.

Savannah’s national park – Fort Pulaski National Monument – will celebrate the sixth annual Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 28. Young visitors are invited to “explore, learn, protect” and be sworn in as Junior Rangers.

For National Junior Ranger Day, Fort Pulaski National Monument will offer a focused Junior Ranger tour at 1:30 PM, which will allow participants to satisfy all site requirements for the Junior Ranger program. At the end of the tour, the new Junior Rangers will be sworn in and receive a special Junior Ranger award.

Children are also invited to participate in a Junior Ranger activities related to our historic weapons demonstrations. The Junior Ranger Muster is a Civil War inspection. The muster is a special hands-on activity scheduled for 12:30 PM. There will also be two Junior Ranger Cannon Drills at 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM. The cannon drills will be a fun, interactive opportunity for children to walk through the steps involved in firing a cannon, according to historically correct firing drills.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

10:00 AM Guided Fort Tour
11:00 Cannon Firing Demonstration
11:30 Junior Ranger Cannon Drill
12:00 PM Musket Firing Demonstration
12:30 Junior Ranger Muster
1:00 Cannon Firing Demonstration
1:30 Junior Ranger Tour
2:00 Guided Fort Tour
3:00 Cannon Firing Demonstration
3:30 Junior Ranger Cannon Drill

http://www.nps.gov/fopu/​parknews/​junior-ranger-day-2012.htm

Grab your blanket and enjoy free kids’ movies under the stars this upcoming week at Films in Forsyth, courtesy of Savannah College of Art and Design.

“Goonies” will be show at 8 PM Thurs. April 26 & “How to Train Your Dragon” at 8 PM Fri. April 27 in Forsyth Park, Savannah.

For more local kid-friendly activities, visit our Events Calendar here.

Films in Forsyth Park: “Goonies”
8 PM Thurs April 26 2012
Grab your blanket and enjoy a screening of “Goonies” under the stars.
FREE

Films in Forsyth: “How to Train Your Dragon”
8 PM Fri April 27 2012
Forsyth Park
Grab your blanket and enjoy a screening of “How to Train Your Dragon” under the stars.
FREE

Chances are you’ve considered, however briefly, becoming a foster family as a way to help allieviate Georgia’s foster children crisis and improve the lives of children.

And chances are you’ve thought of all kinds of reasons not to do so. But what if becoming a foster family came with huge amounts of support, a whole churchload of support to be exact? Would that make you more likely to consider taking in a foster child?

If so, then check out a local network called Faith to Foster, a coalition of Chatham County churches that serve families and children in foster care. The goal of Faith to Foster is to make foster parenting less challenging and more appealing to local families.

You’re invited to a Faith to Foster informational meeting, 6-7:30 PM May 7 at Southside Baptist Church, 5502 Skidaway Road, Savannah 31406. Child care will be provided if you call ahead to ministry director, 912-355-9555.

For more info on Faith to Foster including how you can help volunteer to aid local foster families or bring the program to your church, click here or email Faith to Foster ministry director Jenn Menn at jennifermenn@hotmail.com or call 912.925.5074.

Read more about Faith to Foster and the foster mom behind it – who along with her husband have fostered a total of 17 children (not all at once) since 2007 –  in my Savannah Morning News column this week here.

You and your kids are invited to the First Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Bilingual Speech Therapy and Language Center, Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Enjoy Spanish-themed activities and snacks from 12:00pm – 4:00pm; StoryTime 12:15pm, Music and Games 1:00pm & 2:45pm and a “Break the Pinata” 1:45pm. All Activities are Free and Open to the Public! 9100 White Bluff Road, Suite 202. For more information call (912) 335-8486 or click here.

Bilingual Speech Therapy & Language Center, 9100 White Bluff Road Suite 201, Savannah, 31406. On Facebook here. 912.335.8486, www.bilingualspeechtherapy.net/ Bilingual Speech Therapy & Language Center is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.