July 4th Edition of the Bridgewater Library Youth Services Newsletter

Note: The all the SCLS libraries are closed on July 4th in observance of Independence Day.  (Also, there will be no newsletter published next week; the next one will be published July 19th.)
Have a Happy & Safe Holiday!   Stay cool, come into the library and enjoy the summer!  

Giant July 4 Celebration, Right in Bridgewater


Celebrate the Fourth of July at Somerset County’s biggest party, the 42nd Annual Independence Day FREE Family Festival, beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4.  Entertainment will include a variety of performers, historical reenactments celebrating the birth of the nation, a reenactment of a Revolutionary War encampment by the Third New Jersey Regiment Revolutionary Encampment, children’s games and activities, plenty of food, and a sensational display of fireworks.

Performers include Wallstreet, playing both their original hits and classic soul tunes, Smooth will take the stage with their re-creation of the Motown sounds of the Temptations, Four Tops, and Smokey Robinson.

The park commission a spectacular fireworks display will follow at 9:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks only will be presented either on July 5 or on the first clear evening to follow at 9:30 p.m. Corporate sponsorship for the celebration is provided by Courier News and Ethicon.

For further information call the Somerset County Park Commission at 908-722-1200, ext. 221 or the concert/activity hotline at extension 2. Information on this and all other Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found online.

Programs at the Bridgewater Library:

Storytimes will resume July 3rd (along with lots of other summer programs in our “Dream Big – READ” Summer Reading Club!) Toddler Times will be on Thursdays at 10 & 11, Baby Times on Fridays at 9:30 & 10:30. (No registration required.) Storytime Craftaculars (which do require registration) will be on Tuesdays at 10:00 & 11:30. Our summer calendar is now available on the website or you can pick up a paper copy at the library. Looking for an evening storytime? Bound Brook Library is offering a Pajama Storytime (Ages 3 - 6) Wednesday at 7:00 pm on July 11th. Register here for this program. Relax and listen to some stories before bedtime.


Live Angry Birds! (For Grades 2-5) Thursday, July 5
from 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm Registration Required. Join us for an angry birds party! Make your own angry birds and watch them fly as we create a real life version of this popular app.



PreSchool of Rock (for ages 2+) Saturday, July 7th from 10:30-11:30am Registration Required. Pool too crowded? Need to beat the heat? Then come by the library and rock out with 'Preschool of Rock!' Your morning will be filled with great music where children will discover, improvise, perform, and have fun!



Lunch Bunch: 'Runny Babbit: a Billy Sook' by Shel Silverstein (For students entering grades 3-4) Monday, July 9th from Noon-1pm Registration Required. Runny Babbit's topsy-turvy world is brought to life through wordplay and drawings.




Craftacular: Dream On! (Ages 3-6) Tuesday, July 10th 10am (repeats at 11:30) Registration Required. Sleepy stories and crafts - wear your pjs!





Daydreaming: Daytime Nightmares - The Zombies are Coming (Grades 1-5) Wednesday July 11th From 2-3pm Registration Required.Perfect your Zombie walk for this afternoon of Zombie stories, activities, and crafts!


Book Buddies (For ages 3-8) Wednesdays July 11, 2012 –August 1st. From 1:30-3:30pm No registration required Come met up with a buddy…a Book Buddy! Our teen volunteers can’t wait to meet and sit down with your early and pre-readers! Children can choose a picture book to have read to them or they can read with their Buddy. This is a fun way to have a shared reading experience outside the family routine which helps support and encourage reading as a lifelong activity.


Magic of Brian Richards (For ages 4+) Saturday, July 14th from 10:30-11:30am Registration Required. Abracadabra, it's magic in the library! Join magician Brian Richards for fun and excitement as he performs amazing magic tricks, hilarious comedy, and brilliant storytelling. And be ready to participate - a good magic trick is nothing without volunteers from the audience!



Retro Game Day (All Ages) (For all ages - families welcome!) Saturday, July 14th from 1:30-4:30pm No registration required
It's a blast from the past! Come to our Retro Game Day and play video games from the past 30 years!





Yosi's Pajama Party (Ages 3+) Monday, July 16th
From 7-8pm Registration Required. Getting ready for bed in our PJ's was never so much FUN! Award-winning children's recording artist & entertainer, Yosi, rocks the house with a humorous & interactive Pajama Party! Dancing, singing and a cozy bed-time story make this the perfect family concert!
From schools and library events to various stages Yosi’s shows are whimsical and imaginative, featuring an enthusiasm that is both magical and infectious. Yosi has five multi-award-winning CDs and his music can be heard nationally on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, and WXPN - Kids Corner.

Fireflies Take Flight! (Ages 3-6) Tuesday, July 17th 10am Registration Required. Repeats at 11:30. Have you seen any fireflies this summer? We'll make our very own glowing fireflies today!



Daydreaming: Dreams & Fantasies - 'Where the Wild Things Are' Wednesday July 18, 2012 (for students entering grades 1-5) From 2-3pm Registration begins July 5th. Join us as we share Maurice Sendak's story 'Where the Wild Things Are,' and then create our own 'wild thing' puppets, rehearse and present a puppet play for family members and library visitors.


Lego Club (Grades K-6) Thursday, July 19th From 3:30-4:30pm Registration begins July 5th. Hey LEGO fans, here's a club just for you! Get together with other LEGO-maniacs, share ideas and tips on building, and have a great time! Library LEGOS will be available for building, so you do not need to bring your own.


Lunch Bunch: 'Cat Diaries: Secret Writings of the MEOW Society' by Betsy Byars (Grades 3-4) Monday, July 23rd from Noon-1pm Registration begins July 9th. On one night every year, cats in the MEOW Society, which stands for 'Memories Expressed in Our Writing,' gather to read from their diaries, hearing stories of a gypsy cat, a Caribbean pirate cat, a library cat, and many others.



Craftacular: Night Creatures (Ages 3-6)Tuesday, July 24th 10am Registration begins July 10th. Repeats at 11:30. What kinds of wild things come out at night? Come to the library to find out!


Daydreaming: Night Visions - Constellations Celebration (Grades 1-5) From 2-3pm Registration begins July 11th. Join us as we share some legends of the night sky, then create our own constellations for a mural to decorate the library.



Let's Join the Circus! (Grades 3+) Wednesday, July 25th From 4:30-6pm Registration begins July 11th. Who needs Barnum & Bailey when the circus can come to you! Join us as The Circus Place brings its unique circus training program to the library. Sit back in amazement as you watch a talented troupe perform some of the most exciting circus skills you've ever seen. Then, pull the curtains back and learn how to juggle, balance on a tight rope, spin plates, and much, much more. You will walk out ready to perform your very own circus for your friends and families!


If you have registered for a program and realize that you won’t be able to come, please call (908 526-4016x126) or email us (bwljuv@sclibnj.org) as early as possible so we can make someone on the waitlist very happy. Next time that waitlisted participant might be your child!


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


@ Bridgewater Library for Teens:



The Teen Summer Reading Program kicks off on Monday June 18th. Stop by anytime this summer to register. There will be lots of great programs and prizes!





Movie Fighting Magic with Stephen Davis (for students entering grades 6+) Monday, July 9th from 7-8pm Registration required. Join Professor Stephen Davis and learn the secrets behind a believable stage fight. Come develop the tools you need to make a stage fight look realistic. Street brawls, hair pulling, and punches are choreographed with the precision of ballet and the safety of the participants always in mind.
Of course, once you learn how to fake a slap/choke/hair pull/punch, you will need to have the bruises to show for it! In the second part of this program, you will learn how to apply trauma simulation makeup - and even get a chance to look like you just stepped out of an action movie! This is a hands on, physical activity, so be dressed comfortably and ready to move. Stephen Davis is the Professor of Theatre Arts at Centenary College.


5th & 6th Grade Volunteers (For students in grades 5-6) Wednesday July 11th From 7-8pm Registration required. STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 AND 6: Make a difference by volunteering at the library! Repeats most Wednesdays through August 1st (separate registrations required).


Open Mic Cafe Night (Ages 13+)
Thursday, July 12th & 26th. From 7:00pm – 8:30pm Registration Required to perform. Repeats 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 poetry, comedy, 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. **You only need to register if you are interested in performing.**

TAB (Teen Advisory Board) Meeting (Grades 6-8) Tuesday, July 17th From 5:30-6:30pm Registration required.
TAB Meeting (Grades 9-12) (For students entering grades 9-12)Tuesday, July 17th From 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.


Zombie Party! (Grades 6-12) Thursday, July 19 from 6:30 pm – 8 pm Registration required. Do you have what it takes to survive the Zombie Apocalypse? Our Zombie Party will put your “undead” knowledge to the test! We’ll play zombie games (Zombie Trivia, Humans vs. Zombies tag, and more!) and have zombie inspired snacks!


Movie and a Sundae (Grades 6-12): Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (Rated PG for some adventure action, and brief mild language)Monday July 23, 2012 Registration required.
Come cool off at the library by making your own ice cream sundae and watching a good movie! The new journey begins when young adventurer Sean receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist, a place of strange life forms, mountains of gold, deadly volcanoes, and more than one astonishing secret. Unable to stop him from going, Sean's new stepfather joins the quest. Together with a helicopter pilot and his beautiful, strong-willed daughter, they set out to find the island.


Talk It Up: 'Hatchet' by Gary Paulsen (Grades 5-8) Tuesday, July 24th from 7-8 pm Registration begins July 10th. Book Discussion. After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the Canadian wilderness, learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce.




Teen Lock-In (Grades 7-11) Friday, July 27 From 7 pm – 12 am Registration begins July 6. Get locked in the library after it closes! We’ll watch movies, play games (including video games and a scavenger hunt in the empty library!), eat snacks, make crafts, and much more! Wear your pajamas, if you’d like, and be prepared to experience the library like never before!


Hello Cupcake! (Grades 6-12) Monday, July 30 From 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Registration begins July 9. Attention future Cake Bosses: Here’s your chance to show us your cupcake decorating skills! Each participant will have the opportunity to decorate their own cupcake using icing, candy, and other edible decorations (just like in the book Hello Cupcake!). At the end of the program, we’ll vote on the most creative cupcakes and prizes will be given!

We have lots more great teen programs at the library this summer, check out our July and August teen calendars here.


Around the Community:

Bridgewater will have fireworks July 4th at North Branch Park.
Click here for more fireworks schedules.

Check out the July Programs at the Environmental Education Center. Programs include WHITEWATER RAFTING, EVENING EXPLORATION and more!





Circle Players, 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway, will present its summer children’s show, “The Adventures of Nate the Great,” which follows the plots and retains the style of Marjorie Weinman Sharmat’s beloved children’s books on Saturdays, July 14 & 21 2012, at noon and 3:00pm All tickets $10. The Adventures of Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. On a darkened stage, a tall figure in a trench coat and fedora blows a warm jazz refrain on a saxophone. This taller figure is joined by a much smaller figure, dressed in an identical trench coat and fedora. As the smaller figure raises his head, we see that under his fedora is a small boy. There is nothing ordinary about his expression; it is very "cool" and very serious. He is Nate the Great, the sharpest kid detective ever to solve his neighborhood's mysteries. With his faithful dog, Sludge, and his friends, he solves important cases, always remembering to leave a note for his mother and wear his galoshes! It's a spoof of "B" movie mysteries and a perspective of a child's vision of life's everyday mysteries — when past, present and future all combine to create a wonderful Now.


The Sky Above RVCC planetarium show for families with children on the Autism Spectrum or with other developmental disabilities. Sunday, July 8, 2012, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Sunday, August 12, 2012, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
All ages are welcome to this one-hour sensory-friendly program. The show will provide a comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. The doors will remain open so that children will be able to come and go. Lights will be left dim and audio will be lowered and at a consistent level. The sky show will include: music, videos, planets, the Moon, constellations and laser lights. Ticket Price: $5.00 per person Please call 908-231-8805 to make a reservation as we are limiting the number of visitors for each show.

INTRODUCTORY HORSEBACK RIDES- Try Riding English-Style at Lord Stirling Stable Sunday, July 8 & 22, 2012

BASKING RIDGE, NJ – Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable, located at 256 South Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is offering Introductory English-style horseback rides on Sunday, July 8 and Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. Register at the Stable office between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. daily for July 8 beginning Monday, June 25 and ending Thursday, July 5;. for July 22 beginning Monday, July 9 and ending Thursday, July 19. Space is limited.
Participants will enjoy a mini group lesson with one of Lord Stirling Stable’s riding instructors followed by a one-hour guided trail ride through Lord Stirling Park.
The Introductory Ride is an opportunity for novices who are considering riding lessons to sample a trail ride on horseback and see if they enjoy the experience. It is also a great “refresher” for those who have not ridden in a long time. The ride will take place rain or shine, and may be held in the indoor ring in the case of inclement weather.

July & August – RVCC Planetarium Schedule All shows run approximately 40 minutes. Admission: $7 for one show, $12 for two shows on the same day. Call 908-231-8805 for reservations!


Solar System Odyssey Tuesdays, July 10 - August 28 2:00 p.m.Go on a futuristic journey through our Solar System. With Earth's resources being rapidly depleted, a tycoon sends our hero, Jack Larson, on a mission to discover a new home to colonize. This character-driven show is perfect for middle school students! (recommended for ages 8-12)




Attack of the Space Pirates Tuesdays, July 10 – August 28 3:00 p.m.Hidden somewhere in the vast reaches of space is an alien technology so powerful that it threatens the very galaxy itself. A gang of rogue pirates will stop at nothing to find that technology and unleash its awesome power against the rest of the universe. Now, only one valiant ship stands between the pirates and their total domination of space. It’s a race against time for the Starship Intrepid as it seeks to find the alien technology first while defending itself against the attack of the space pirates! (recommended for ages 8-12)


Magic Tree House: Space Mission
Wednesdays, July 11 - August 29 2:00 p.m. And Fridays, July 6 - August 24 7:00 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)


Laser Kids Wednesdays, July 11 - August 29
3:00 p.m. Our popular show has gotten a new song list. Songs include "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Supercalifragilisticsexpialidocious," and "Yellow Submarine," to name just a few. (recommended for ages 5 and older)


Space Shapes & Tycho to the Moon
Thursdays, July 5 – August 23 2:00 p.m.
Exploring shapes in space: are the Moon and its orbit "round" like a ball or a pancake? Play connect-the-dots with the stars to find triangles and squares and constellations. Meet Tycho, a dog who doesn't just howl at the Moon, but wants to go there. Blast off on an amazing ride. Learn about night and day, space travel, the phases of the Moon, and features of the lunar surface. Watch meteors shoot across the sky and see the Earth from space. (recommended for ages 5-10 accompanied by an adult)

SkyLights Thursdays, July 5 – August 23
3:00 p.m. Our youngest audience members can sing along with songs by mr. RAY (Family Ride, Kalien the Alien) and Jane Murphy (Moon Rock Rock, The Planet Song). Some songs are illustrated with lasers and other songs feature video images. (recommended for ages 5-10)


Morris Museum Hosts Camps for a Day, Theater Performances & Other Programs  Camp for a Day - Make your own schedule  For children ages 6 –10 Members: $30/day; Non-members: $40/day

Pre-registration is required at least one week before the program date. Click for flyer with more information, call 973.971.3718 or email.

Morris Museum's Bickford Children's Theater Series in July
All performances at 11:30 am & 1:30 pm
7/12 Aladdin and the Magic Lamp 
7/14 Circus, Circus
7/18 The Magic of Jim
7/19 Bubbleology
7/25 Harlem Wizards
7/26 Pinocchio (Yates Musical Theatre)
7/27 Snakes 'n' Scales (live animals)
$12 General admission$10 for Members/ $9 groups 20 (or more)For tickets, call 973.971.3706 or click to purchase on-line. 



Morris Museum's Studio Art Classes for Children & Teens:
Week-long Summer Programs in July and August

From comic books to sculpture, painting, drawing, photography and collage, the Morris Museum Studio Art program offers week-long classes this summer for children and teens. High school students can develop skills required for their visual arts portfolios.
Pre-registration is required at least one week before the start of class.
Click for class and registration details. For more information, call 973.971.3740 or email.











Morris Museum Family Festival: Vintage Carnival & Circus Time Saturday, July 14 | 11 am to 4 pm  Free with museum admission
Step back in time to the Victorian Era as your family plays carnival games, explores Victorian crafts, and  poses for a photo in period clothing. Hear the melodies of a grand fairground organ, and enjoy a variety of carnival foods.
Special combination ticket includes admission to the family festival AND Circus, Circus theater performance at 11:30 & 1:30 pm. Combo ticket price: members $5; non-members $15. Box office: 973.971.3706






 


Red Mill Museum Storytelling Festival  Sunday, July 8, 2012
Red Mill Museum Village, 56 Main Street, Clinton, NJ 08809
Grounds open 10 AM to 5 PM
Rain or Shine—Indoor and Outdoor Sites
A day to enjoy storytelling in all its aspects Continuous storytelling by Master Storytellers of New Jersey on three stages beginning at 12:30 PM.
Come for some, stay for all. Visit with museum village re-enactors
Picnic lunch and blankets or chairs are suggested
Free parking available nearby (maps will be provided)  $9 for Adults $7 for Seniors, Veterans & Active Duty Military Personnel  $6 for Children ages 6-12 (under age 6 free)  Morning Workshops Available. Click here for complete details and to pre-register!
Registration strongly requested. Walk-ins accepted.
Brought to you by the Red Mill Museum Village, Friends of the Hunterdon County Library and The New Jersey Storytelling Network For information, contact: 908-735-4101 x102 or visit: www.theredmill.org


STNJ PRESENTS COMEDY UNDER THE STARS FOR WHOLE FAMILY
Continuing the celebration of its 50^th Anniversary Season, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present a hilarious slapstick comedy on its Outdoor Stage – the Theatre’s enormously popular annual summer venue for family theatre-going under-the-stars.

REVIEW: MISCHIEF AND MAYHEM RULE IN “THE COMEDY OF ERRORS” @ STNJ

"Fast and furious" is a rather murky name for a federal gun-running scheme now under investigation by Congress, but it very aptly describes the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's current production of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, now wreaking havoc at the outdoor stage on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station!  Read More.
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
By William Shakespeare
WHEN: June 20-July 29, Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:15 PM with additional twilight shows on Sundays at 4:30 PM
WHERE: The amphitheatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road (off Madison Avenue/Rt. 124) in Morris Township. This replica of an ancient Greek theatre nestled into the hillside of the bucolic campus offers a theatrical event unique on the East Coast.
TICKETS: range from $27 - $33 for adults; tickets for ages 17 and under are $15. Children under 5 go free. Seating is general admission
For tickets or more information, call 973.408.5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.
The large lawn surrounding the Theatre is ideal for picnicking. Audience members may bring their own food and beverages, or purchase snacks and soft drinks on-site. Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets or low beach chairs into the amphitheatre. Two sets of identical twins, mistaken identities, outrageous characters and a madcap chase sequence (to rival all chase sequences!) conspire to make this caper a thrill for children and adults of all ages.


FREE Shakespeare in NYC: Twelfth Night or What You Will The New York Classical Theater invites theater-goers to traipse after the actors across the park and into a magical journey of mistaken identities, misguided lovers and joyous celebration told through some of Shakespeare's greatest lyrical poetry and music. The setting will be 1900, New York—a time of excitement and possibility in Gotham. And, most of all, wonderment... plays in Battery Park! (meet in front of Castle Clinton):
Performances: Tues. through Sun., June 26–July 22 @ 7pm Family Workshops: July 7, 8, 21, 22 @ 5pm














Let Your Fingers Do MORE Walking: (Summer Reading Edition)



July 2, 2012

How to Combat Summer Learning Loss (Hint: It's Not Math Camp) by Darell Hammond, author of:  KaBOOM!: How One Man Built a Movement to Save Play

Our kids are falling behind in their reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic and the solution, of course, is more school. Whether that takes the form of summer school or year-round school, we have come to believe that more indoor desk time is what our kids need to avoid the "summer slide."
Really, kids need just the opposite. They need more outdoor play. They need to spend their summers moving, exploring and discovering -- and not enough of them are getting a chance. Sadly, all too many children these days spend their summers sitting indoors in front of screens or getting rushed from math camp to soccer practice.
If there's one thing that No Child Left Behind has proven, it's that more academics don't make for smarter children --or even higher test scores. And yet we somehow refuse to accept this reality. During the year, our schools are busy slashing P.E. and recess to make more time for math. During the summer, we get ourselves worked into a tizzy that our children will forget their fractions.
According to the National Summer Learning Association, while summer learning loss is real, "research on nature exposure, play and informal learning has also documented the good news" -- that programs filled with outdoor play "have an opportunity to stem and even reverse summer learning loss."
Here's a question for you: Should we really care if our kids need a refresher on fractions come September? What if instead of sitting around indoors, our children spent the summer exercising their creativity and imagination, honing their social skills, developing resiliency, gaining the ability to assess risk and learning how to share, negotiate, resolve conflicts and advocate for themselves? Would you, as a parent, argue with that?
Well, those are all the benefits and skills a child gains by cloud-gazing, tree-climbing, playground-going and handstand-mastering -- in short, by engaging in that frivolous, non-academic activity we call "playing."
This summer, we need to let our kids go play and we need to stop worrying about whether or not it's going to ruin their chances of getting into college. (It won't.) They can also read, practice soccer drills and even do a few math problems, but not at the expense of a good water fight or vigorous game of tag.
As parents, we need to send our kids back to "old-fashioned" outdoor summer camps, which have been on the decline as the demand for sports and academics-based camps has risen. We need to fight budget cuts to public parks programs and resist closures of public swimming pools and playgrounds. We need to introduce ourselves to our neighbors so our kids aren't drawing hopscotch courses on the sidewalk alone.
And while we're working on all this, there's one thing we can act on now. We can set aside the laundry, put down our smartphones, turn off the TV and take our kids out to play.
Get your kids playing outdoors this summer by joining the 2012 Playground Challenge! The three top Challengers will win a trip for two to DC and all participants can win great prizes each week. Learn more and sign up here.