Sunday, June 20, 2010

“First-ever Kids Fun Day draws crowd in Shenandoah” plus 2 more

“First-ever Kids Fun Day draws crowd in Shenandoah” plus 2 more

First-ever Kids Fun Day draws crowd in Shenandoah

Posted: 19 Jun 2010 09:29 PM PDT

SHENANDOAH - While there were dunk tanks, food stands and games, the real attraction of Saturday's Kids Fun Day at Bicentennial Park was bringing people together - young and old.

"Everybody says the community isn't together. So we wanted to bring the community together," Gordon Slater, president of the Shenandoah Community Watch, said Saturday. "Everything that goes on in Shenandoah is for the adults. We wanted to do something for the kids."

At 11 a.m., there were about 25 children strolling around the baseball field, making their way from a face-painting stand to the beanbag toss. The first-ever event was organized by the community watch and First United Methodist Church.

First United's pastor, the Rev. Brunilda Martinez, said the two organizations decided to "combine forces" and provide a safe, fun day for kids and their parents.

"This is a learning experience for us," she said. "We want to expand this, to get bigger."

Martinez said one of the biggest hits of the day was face painting, where 5-year-old Mikey Papa was seated about 11:30 a.m. after waiting his turn in line.

"I'm getting a horse," he said just before the paintbrush touched his cheek.

Across the field, the dunk tank quickly drew a crowd. First up to get knocked into the water was Shenandoah Mayor Michael Whitecavage.

"Hopefully this catches on and we can do it every year," he said before taking his spot in the tank.

Raffle tickets for prizes like NFL jerseys were sold. Local constables held free fingerprinting and photo identification for children, giving each child an ID card to take home.

Local businesses stepped up and sponsored the event, Slater said, and much of the food and other materials needed were donated.

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Basketball Kids' Camp returns next week

Posted: 20 Jun 2010 06:23 AM PDT

The annual Basketball Kids' Camp will be offered this summer for third- through eighth-grade students in the Boone High School gymnasium, located at 500 7th Street.

Basketball Kids' Camp will be held June 22-25 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There is a cost for all campers to participate. All campers will receive a free T-shirt and the camp will feature competitions, games and instruction from Boone High School coaches and players.

Need-based scholarships are available upon request. Registration forms have been handed out in the Boone Community School District and extra forms are available from Coach Jerry Hales at Boone Middle School.

For more information or to obatain a camp registration form, contact Jerry Hales by calling (515)231-0643 or by e-mail at jhales@boone.k12.ia.us.

 




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Parents warm to video games

Posted: 20 Jun 2010 06:55 AM PDT

Kellie O'Neil and her son Zac playing video games. Picture: Joe Sabljak Source: Herald Sun

PLAYING video games has become a family affair, exploding the myth that the activity is a solitary and anti-social experience.

New research released today has revealed more than 80 per cent of Victorian parents admit they enjoy playing video games with their kids.

The Playtime in the 21st Century report study found many parents are really big kids, with nine out of 10 wishing they had more time to play with their children.

Social researcher Mark McCrindle said the trends identified in the study represent a sea change in parental attitudes toward video games, as home entertainment multimedia options have exploded.

"The cliche a decade ago was 'oh, they're (kids) getting too much screen time, what about their social skills, what about getting outdoors?' " Mr McCrindle said.

"But now, because parents want their kids to have laptops in the classroom, they see the benefit of the iPad, they actually also see the benefit of video games."

The research, commissioned by games company THQ, surveyed1000 parents of children aged five to 12.

Other key findings include more than 97 per cent of Aussie households contain at least one video game console, and more than 90 per cent of Victorian parents believe video games can improve their children's motor skills and problem-solving abilities.

Sixty per cent of parents spend two hours a week playing them with their offspring.

On the down side, 40 per cent of those surveyed found it difficult to monitor the most appropriate video games for their children.

Mr McCrindle said: "Overall, the survey found that parents accept video games as a valuable form of entertainment for children, as long as they provide creativity and educational benefits.

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