Archive for the ‘Good Choices’ Category

Camp Manners

Thursday, July 12th, 2012

camp mannersMiss Sue, the Director of the “Can Do” Community Center Camp, came into the crafts room and asked permission from the art teacher to address the “Can Dos”.

The “Can Dos” knew it was often not a good thing when Miss Sue asked to talk to them. It must mean that one or more of them were doing things, in camp, that needed to be corrected.

After Miss Sue said good morning, she said,”Boys and girls, I have received complaints from the camp janitor on the state of the girls and boys bathrooms.

I have also received complaints from the ladies who work in the cafeteria about the mess on the floor under the tables, and the food and wrappers left on the tables.

Let’s take time now to review how we are supposed to behave in both these areas. Let’s talk about bathroom manners and cafeteria manners. If we are not old enough to practice good manners in both these areas, maybe we are not old enough to be in camp.”

Then Miss Sue handed out two camp manners lists and said,”Let’s review these lists together.

Let’s start with the cafeteria list:

1. Don’t run in the cafeteria.

2. Say please and thank you when you order and receive your food.

3. Don’t cut in line while waiting to order on the cafeteria line.

4. Do not sit on the tables and don’t stand on the seats.

5. After you finish eating, clean off your place at the table and pick up anything you dropped on the floor.

6. Put your trash from the table and the floor in the trash can.”

Then Miss Sue turned to the bathroom manners list:

1. When you use the stall, close the door.

2. Flush the toilet when you are finished using it.

3. Take a piece of toilet paper, and use it to protect your hand from germs as you flush. Don’t flush with your foot!

4. As the toilet is flushing, throw the piece of toilet tissue into the toilet to be flushed away.

5. Make sure your clothes are properly zipped or buttoned or pulled up before you leave the stall.

6. Wash your hands with warm water and soap. Wash for at least 10 seconds (count to ten slowly).

7. Dry your hands with a paper towel.

8. Throw the towel in the waste basket after you use it.”

Miss Sue looked up from reading and asked,”Does everyone promise to practice these camp manners”?

The “Can Dos” all nodded, “We promise,” they all said.

Miss Sue smiled, thanked the art teacher, and went on to speak to the campers in the next room.

 

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Showing Up for Annie

Monday, July 9th, 2012

AnnieThe basketball traveling team tryouts were yesterday. Annie wanted to be on the team more than anything else she wanted to do all summer.

Annie had been practicing for weeks in the hopes of making the “Can Do” Street traveling team.

Anyone who knows Annie, knows that you never see her without out a basketball. If she is not shooting hoops, she is twirling her basketball on one finger.

Annie would rather play basketball than eat ice cream!

Tryouts were scheduled for 3PM following the end of the camp day.  Earlier in the day, over lunch, Kathy, Nellie, Eulyn and Maria were talking about attending the tryouts and cheering Annie on.

When Willie, Hector and Bobby sat down at their table, Kathy asked them if they were going to show up for Annie and cheer her on. Hector answered, ” Aw, she’s good, she doesn’t need me to cheer her on, besides I’ve got a play date with my cousin. We are going skateboarding in the park.”

Willie chimed in, “Yeah she’s a sure pick for the traveling team. I’m going home after camp, I’m tired.” Bobby said,” I’ll be there for Annie. Whenever I played a team sport, Annie showed up for me.

Kathy glared at Hector and said,”Annie was in the stands cheering for you when you were in the skate board races.” Then Kathy spun around and faced Willie saying, “Willie, Annie attended everyone of your baseball games this spring and you’re not going to show up for her? What kind of a friend are you, anyway?

Hector and Willie looked embarrassed. They both agreed to be there for Annie that afternoon.

Well, no surprise, Annie made the traveling team!

Afterwards, when her friends were congratulating Annie, she said,”Thanks guys, for showing up for me. When I walked out and saw you all in the stands, it really made me want to do my very best.”

Her friends smiled and nodded and then Annie gave the “Can Do” Kids shout out, “Can Do” Kids show up for each other and we are “Can Do” Kids!”

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A Summer Breakfast Treat…Fruit Pizza

Monday, June 18th, 2012

Grandma Hattie decided to make a new breakfast treat for Willie and Nellie. They were bored with the same old cereal with fruit breakfast.

Grandma looked through a number of cookbooks and came up with a recipe that had all the things that Willie and Nellie like for breakfast…fruit, cream cheese and an English Muffin. It’s called Symphony of Fruit Pizza.

Here is the recipe in case you want to try it with your mom or another adult.

Symphony of Fruit Pizza

Preparation time: 10 minutes

 Ingredients:

1 English muffin

2 tablespoons whipped fat-free strawberry cream cheese

1/3 cup strawberries, sliced

¼ cup red grapes, quartered

¼ cup canned mandarin oranges, drained

 

Instructions:

Toast the English muffin until golden brown. Spread cream cheese on toasted muffin.

Arrange sliced strawberries, grapes, and orange slices on top of the cream cheese.

Slice into quarters and “yummy – fruit pizza!”

 Serves: 1
½ Cup of Fruit per Serving
Fruit and/or Veggie Color(s):
Red, Orange

 Nutrition Information per serving: calories: 228, total fat: 1.3g, saturated fat: 0g, % calories from fat: 5%, % calories from saturated fat: 0%, protein: 10g, carbohydrates: 46g, cholesterol: 5mg, dietary fiber: 4g, sodium: 374mg

Each serving of this breakfast treat provides An excellent source of vitamins A and C, and a good source of folate and fiber.

 Recipe is courtesy of Produce for Better Health Foundation and Shoney’s, Inc. This recipe meets PBH and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) nutrition standards that maintain fruits and vegetables as healthy foods.

Recipe from the Cool Fuel for Kids cookbook.

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Water Safety

Friday, June 15th, 2012

water“Okay boys and girls,” said Coach Campbell, “Who can tell me the different water places you can swim and play in?”

Nellie raised her hand and said, “You can swim in the ocean.”Jay added,”You can swim in a lake, a pond or even a deep mountain stream.” Bobby called out,” You can swim  in a pool.”

“You are all right,” answered Coach Campbell. “Now let’s talk about being safe in these water areas.

First let’s talk about things we like to wear in the water that won’t keep you upright. They are fun, but won’t keep you safe. Here they are: Water wings, bubbles, and pool noodles .

What should you wear around the water? You need to wear a life jacket, that is  U.S. approved, appropriate for your size, fits snugly and is the correct type for you, your age, and what kind of water you will be near.

For instance, children and teens should wear a life jacket any time they are on a boat, raft, using an inner tube or swimming in open waters like lakes, rivers or the ocean.

Children under 5 years old should also wear a life jacket while in or near water. This includes while they are on a beach or dock.

Children between the ages of 6 and 11 should also wear a life jacket while standing on docks and swimming or water play in a river. Why, because they could accidentally fall in the water from the dock. Rivers have currents that can push and pull you along. They can have deep spots that you don’t know about. One minute you are able to stand in shallow water and a few steps later you are in over your head. A life jacket keeps you safe if that happens.”

The “Can Dos” all had thoughtful looks on their faces. Coach Campbell could see that some of them had not thought about some of the things he was saying.

“We know there should be no running or fooling around near a  pool, no diving , except where it says you can dive, and no holding one another underwater in a pool.

When we are at the ocean, we need to stay out of the water until a parent or other adult we trust can take us in the water. Waves can make it hard for children to stay upright. Wear a life jacket and only go in the water when the life guard is on duty and can see you.

Lastly, let’s talk about lake water swimming and play. Wear water shoes as they will protect you from sharp rocks and other things hidden on the bottom that can hurt your feet.

Swimming and water play are fun activities if we know how to keep safe. Don’t give your mom or dad a hard time about wearing a life jacket, or water shoes or making you observe water safety rules.

So be safe and have fun!”

Answers to Summer Safety Quiz

1. Sunscreen

2. Prevent tick bites

3. Water, boating, or on a dock

4. Water

5. When there is no lifeguard on duty

6. No

7. Helmet

8. Swim

9. Tell lifeguard or other adult

10. No!

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Bookworm Apple Bark

Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

Bookworm Apple Bark

The “Can Do” Kids Cooking Club members were busy making Bookworm Apple Bark, a healthy treat for snack time at the “Can Do” Community Center.

Lots of the kids who come to the center don’t eat enough fruit. So, the cooking club members decided to make a snack with fruits that had a name that would make kids want to eat it.  Bookworm Apple Bark, sound like a fun thing to eat, doesn’t it?

Some of the ladies from the senior club helped with the preparation by cutting the fruit and helping the “Can Do” Cooking Club members assemble the Bookworm Apple Bark snacks.

The “Can Dos” put them on trays and brought them around to all the kids attending programs at the center. The Bookworm Apple Barks were a great hit! The kids loved them.

If you would like to make Bookworm Apple Bark, here is the recipe.


Prep: 10 minutes

 Ingredients:

1 Granny Smith Apple
1 tablespoon peanut butter
2½  tablespoons golden or black raisins
1½  tablespoons dried sweetened cranberries

Directions: Be sure to get an adult to do the cutting !

Cut apple into four quarters, starting at the stem. Remove the core by cutting away to leave a flat surface on the apple quarter. Be careful not to cut too much of the edible portion of the apple away. Drop and slightly spread the peanut butter on apple quarters. Mix together the raisins and dried cranberries then sprinkle on peanut butter.

Serves: 1

Nutrition Information per Serving: calories: 272, total fat: 8.1g, saturated fat: 1.5g, % calories from fat: 25%, % calories from saturated fat: 5%, protein: 5g, carbohydrates: 50g, cholesterol: 0mg, dietary fiber: 6g, sodium: 79mg

Each serving provides:
  An excellent source of fiber and a good source of vitamin C.

Source: Recipe was developed for Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) by Chef Mark Goodwin, CEC, CNC.  This recipe meets PBH and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) nutrition standards that maintain fruits and vegetables as healthy foods.

Recipe from the Cool Fuel for Kids cookbook.

 

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