Spring has sprung, which means summer isn’t too far around the corner–teens who want to volunteer at the library MUST get their forms in this month…

Programs at the Bridgewater Library and Around the Community for children, teens, and families.

@ Bridgewater Library: Programs


Note: Our Winter/Spring storytime sessions end April 5th, storytimes resume April 24th.

 

Advocacy: Legal and Financial Issues for the Family with Children of Special Needs Thursday, April 5th From 7-8:30pm Registration required Presented by Eliot M. Goldstein An introduction to the issues involved with planning for the future of a child with special needs. Learn about guardianship, letters of intent, wills, special needs trusts, financial planning/funding strategies and other important but often neglected topics. The workshop is free of charge and 1 ½ professional development hours will be awarded to attendees. 

Spring Craftacular (Ages 3-8) Saturday, April 7th From 10:30am – 11:30am Registration required April showers not only bring May flowers, but they also bring another fun-filled Craftacular! Join us for a craft that will help usher in our favorite season.


Kindermusik with Ms. Jenni (Ages 0-5 years) Monday, April 9th Sorry Full
From 10:30am – 11:30am Registration begins March 26th. Join Kindermusik’s Ms. Jenni for quality, entertaining music that helps your child develop language, literacy, social and listening skills in a fun, nurturing, family-friendly setting. Not to mention they’re going to have a great, foot-stomping time!

Friends' Concert: Sharlys Dugan 'Celtic Storytelling, Song, and Dance' Saturday April 14, 2012 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM No Registration Required Youth & Adults welcomed. Join us on April 14th for a very special performance from Sharlys Dugan. Ms. Dugan is a charming and talented young performer. Her one-woman program will incorporate Celtic storytelling with musical accompaniment, Celtic dance, singing, and more! Sharlys can sing in Scottish and Irish Gaelic, and is an experienced dancer and storyteller - part of the program will involve teaching kids how to learn some of her moves! This program was made possible by the Friends of the Bridgewater Library.


After-School Special: Titanic (Grades 2-5) Monday, April 16th
From 4:30-5:30pm Registration begins April 2nd. We will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic by sharing the story of this ill-fated voyage, exploring myth, truth and trivia, as well as creating our own mini-iceberg!


Sing-A-Long: Happy Earth Day (Children of all ages) Thursday, April 19th From 10:00am-11:00am Registration begins April 5th. Celebrate our beautiful planet on Earth Day with some springtime tunes!

There are LOTS OF PROGRAMS at other system libraries for children & teens…check out their online calendars under the “events/programs” tab on our home page for more information.

@ Bridgewater Library for Teens:
Spring has sprung, which means summer isn’t too far around the corner!Teens who want to volunteer at the library need to get their forms in this month…  click HERE to download registration forms. Forms must be returned to the library in person by April 30th.

Open Mic Cafe Night (Ages 13+) Thursday, April 12th From 7:00pm – 8:30pm Registration required. **You only need to register if you are interested in performing.**
Think you’ve got what it takes to get up on stage in front of your peers with nothing but your voice and guitar?  Want to share your most well-crafted poetry or original music?  Then this is your night!  Join us for this one of a kind experience, and help local musicians and writers get their voices heard.  Depending on registration, artists will receive 10-15 minute slots to play music or recite poetry.  Sign ups will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please check back for more registration information.



There is still time to submit your poetry to our compilation. Here are the submission guidelines.


Teen Advisory Board (For Students in Grades 6-8) Tuesday, April 17th 5:30-6:30pm Teen Advisory Board (For Students in Grades 9-12) 6:30-7:30pm Registration required
Do you want to make a difference at your library? Do you have suggestions for programs, new books, movies, or video games? Then come to one of our upcoming T.A.B. meetings! Community service hours will be awarded for attendance and snacks will be served!


@ the Library: Displays:

Come see the finalists for the Children’s Choice Book Awards on display near the reshelving area…then cast your vote at: http://www.bookweekonline.com/
We also have lots of games, story-starters, and fun ways to celebrate children’s books – take a look!

Explorers and Pirates and Shipwrecks Oh My! Just in time for the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic disaster, we have a display of sea-faring books above the magazine section.


Batter Up! Lots of books on a favorite spring past-time await eager readers at our display behind the Youth Services Reference Desk.


April is National Poetry Month – Read some wonderful poems and get tips for writing some of your own at our display in the front lobby.


April is also Autism Awareness Month  -- We have information on this condition which affects so many of our young people in our Parent-Teacher Display Area.


Around the Community:


Please note: due to a change in interpretation of library bulletin board display policy, we can no longer post information on events by for-profit entities (e.g. Lowe’s, Home Depot, and similar store-based programs) even if those events are free.  Macaroni Kid of Hillsborough & Warren do post these events (as well as Easter Egg Hunts and the like).  We will continue to post events done by non-profits like museums and theaters. 


SPRING BREAK PROGRAM AT SCHIFF NATURE PRESERVE
Spring Break Hikers    April 4 and 5 -- 9:15am---12:15pm OR 1:00pm-4:00pm
COST: $10(members) $15(non-members) per daily session (ages 6-12)
Registration Required.
Take advantage of Spring Break and enjoy the weather with some hikes around Schiff. We'll play trail games and search for signs that Spring has sprung. In the event of rain, an indoor activity will take place. Call 973-543-6004 or email info@schiffnaturepreserve.org
 



RVCC PLANETARIUM SHOWS FOR KIDS
All shows run approximately 40 minutes. Admission: $6 unless otherwise specified. Call 908-231-8805 for reservations!
Magic Tree House: Space Mission Wednesday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m. Saturdays, May 5, 12, 19 at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 20 at 3:00 p.m.What would you do if you found a note with lots of question on it? "How many stars in the starry night sky? If we flew to the Sun, how long would we fly? Will we travel to planets and will it be soon? Will we ever be able to live on the Moon? How does it feel to journey through space? Why is our Earth so special a place?" From the authors of the best-selling novel series, join Jack and Annie as they discover the secrets of the Sun, Moon, planets, space travel, and more. Who can help them answer the mysterious "M's" questions? (recommended for ages 5 and older)

GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE – DAY AT THE FAIR

Day at the Fair Sun., April 15th from 11am – 4pm Hamilton NJ  Rain or shine! Included with park admission. (Adults $12, Children $8)Bring the whole family to celebrate our down home roots as the site of the New Jersey State Fairgrounds as we turn the sculpture park into a fun-filled fantasy fair!  Tour the park and its historic buildings where activities are sprinkled throughout.  Visit the balloon artist, relax to music, take part in nostalgic workshops or a pie-making demo, end enjoy loads of popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, and more.

 
The last program at the Children’s Museum this Spring is Robotics Day Saturday April 21st from 10-2:30. Families can arrive and leave at any time. Parents and/or caregivers are expected to stay with children during the museum visit. Please use discretion in bringing very young children, as the museum is NOT baby-proof (some craft items are small and could present a choking hazard).
Location: The PeopleCare Center, 120 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 (parking and entrance are in the rear of the building).
Cost: A $3/ per child donation is suggested for those who can afford it. More info: somersetcminfo@gmail.com or call 908-595-0001.
 TEENS, they are looking for lots of VOLUNTEERS for this program if you want to help.  Check here for volunteer opportunities at The Children’s Museum. More info. contact: Tom Davidson, volunteer coordinator 908-725-4677 tadavidson@gmail.com

The Somerset County Environmental Education Center has many programs this month and is now registering for summer camps, Awesim Kids (ages 10-12) and Eco-Explorers (ages 7-9) and XTREME ADVENTURE Ages 13 - 15
Tuesdays, July 10 - August 14 (Overnight trip August 14 - 15). Xtreme day trips may include hiking the Appalachian Trail, swimming in glacial lakes, splashing around waterfalls, rock climbing, kayaking, white water rafting, and an overnight Sedge Island experience clamming and snorkeling in Barnegat Bay! Sign up for one trip or for all trips! Prices will vary from $25 to $225 per trip depending on the specific activity. Environmental Education Center, Basking Ridge 908 766-2489.

This month they are also offering CANOE AND KAYAK PROGRAMS
CAN-U-CANNU?? After a "splashing" time at this introductory canoe class, you will learn the basic paddling techniques, safety aspects of canoeing, and handling of a canoe in and out of the water. Attendance at this class required prior to participation in our river trips. These programs offer an opportunity for adults and children, ages seven and older, to learn to canoe. An adult must accompany children under the age of 15. Each canoe can accommodate two paddlers and a child passenger. Classes will take place on Branta Pond at the Environmental Education Center. $14 per person Course Code: 50350 Canoe-78 Tuesday, April 10 10:00am-Noon or Canoe-79 Sunday, April 15 9:30am-11:30am or Canoe-80 Sunday, May 13 10:30am-12:30pm
GAMES ON THE POND Improve your paddling skills by playing games on the water. Captain-Captain, tag, and tail pull will be some of the games. This will be a fun session to get us out on the pond and have a little competition. You will be amazed at how much better you will paddle after these two hours! Prior participation in Can-u-Cannu or Kan-u-Kayak required.
$20 per person Course Code: 51489 Canyak-5 Tuesday, April 10 1:00pm-3:00pm Canyak-6 Sunday, May 20 1:00pm-3:00pm

Let Your Fingers Do More Walking:

Go beyond counting sheep and incorporate math into your nighttime routines with BEDTIME MATH – a nightly math problem to inspire young minds…different problems for different ages will get kids fired up about math in their everyday lives!

And for those kids more curious about history and nature, some summer camps to consider…

HISTORY DAY CAMP @ LIBERTY HALL IN UNION THIS SUMMER FOR KIDS 7-12

HISTORY DAY CAMP
WHO: Recommended for people ages 7 through 12
WHEN: Two sessions, July 9 through 13 and August 27 through 31, each week from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
WHERE: Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union
TUITION: $300 per child, with discounts for additional family members and for referrals. Registration is required and can be made by contacting Lorraine Bartone at 908.527.0400 or e-mail lbartone@kean.edu.
Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University offers an innovative history day camp experience for children this summer. In a week-long visit to Liberty Hall, young people become time travelers and experience the 240-year history of this renowned museum. Campers are Junior Tour Guides and share historical crafts, activities and games. The week concludes with the campers sharing their experiences with parents during an exhibition and tea party.
“The goal of our history day camp is to get the campers excited about history while they are having fun,” said Lorriane Bartone, coordinator of school and family programs.
Liberty Hall Museum is an entertainment destination for history aficionados, families, seniors and student groups. The ongoing exhibit during 2012 is The Weary and the Wounded: 72 Hours in the Life of a Civil War Nurse.  This show commemorates Christine Kean Griffin’s service, and the service of all Civil War nurses. Admission to this exhibit is free; a fee applies for a tour of Liberty Hall.
Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University was the one-time home of New Jersey’s first elected governor, William Livingston.  Chronicling more than 240 years of American history, the museum and its grounds are a treasure trove of significant riches.  Along with forgotten letters from Thomas Jefferson, Liberty Hall also houses extensive collections of antique furniture, ceramics, textiles, toys and tools owned by seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families.  The property boasts manicured gardens and fruitful orchards and vegetable fields.  The Firehouse is the latest addition to the Museum’s complex housing antique fire engines and a collection of fire memorabilia.
General admission to the museum for regular visits is $10 for adults, $8 for Kean University alumni, $6 for students (ages 3 – 17) and free to children under three, Liberty Hall Museum members and Kean University students, faculty and staff.  Liberty Hall is located at 1003 Morris Avenue in Union, New Jersey. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM.  For further information, e-mail libertyhall@kean.edu or visit www.kean.edu/libertyhall.  For information on all summer camps at Kean University, visit: www.kean.edu/summercamps.
 
NJ AUDUBON SUMMER CAMPS FROM JUNE 25 - AUGUST 31!Offering one week of "intro-camp" for young children Age 4 to entering Kindergarten, and 9 additional weeks of camp each for students entering grades 1-3 and students entering grades 4-6.  Middle school students also love our popular overnight camps to either Sedge Island, Barnegat Bay or to the Appalachian Mountain Club's Mohican Outdoor Center! NEW THIS YEAR... POST-CARE 'TILL 5PM!! For more information about these camp programs call (908) 766-5787

NATURE DAY CAMP  The Raritan Headwaters Association's (RHA) Nature Day Camp programs encourage children to experience nature together, developing a strong appreciation for the outdoors and learning how to protect our natural environment. Each course is led by RHA's Associate Naturalists and trained assistants. Find more information about RHA's Nature Day Camp at www.raritanheadwaters.org, email Lauren at LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org or call 908-234-1852 x314! 

SCHIFF SUMMER NATURE PROGRAMS
Ages 6-12 and Ages 13-16Schiff Summer Nature Programs for Kids will provide children with opportunities to play, explore and learn together while developing a sense of community, self-confidence and an appreciation for the natural world.
Morning Sessions: 9 am-12:30 pm OR Afternoon Sessions: 1:30-5:00 pm


For more information about Summer Camps, check out the “Camps” link in the “useful links for families” section on the right side of this newsletter. (If you are receiving this by email, clicking on the headline will open to our bookcase format -- the “useful links” are on the right side of the page.)