This is again something for moms with older kids (9-14 years old). If you’re looking for an activity that would contribute more to their psych, emotional and values development, this might interest you. This letter that follows was forwarded to me by a friend from High School, whose sister, Mardi Mapa-Suplido is Executive Director of Youth Aid.  It sounds like a lot of fun as well.  She writes:

Dear Fellow Parents,

“Yay, summer vacation!” — is what our kids are shouting!! And we’re wondering — which art, music, sports or dance classes are we going   to enroll them in this time??! 

So while we’re busy earning a living, running our households, driving through traffic, raising our children, trying to live a meaningful life, and helping to fix this country — all to make our world a better place for  our kids – may I suggest one more way? That we help our kids become  not just better dancers or soccer players, but also to join us in understanding, caring and working for that better world,  as young leaders and better persons we need today!        

I invite you to give your child three meaningful days of learning and sharing at our KIDS FOR PEACE SUMMER WORKSHOPS! It’s a 3-day workshop from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, for kids from 9 to 14 years old, at our place in Makati. This third summer, due to popular demand, we’ve scheduled four workshop dates for you to choose from: 

        April 15 – 17  (Wed – Fri)

        April 20 – 22  (Mon – Wed)

        May 6 – 8       (Wed – Fri)          

        May 26 – 28  (Tue – Thurs)

There’s a limited number of slots per date, so please text or email me soon to reserve slots for your kids. The workshop fee is only P1500 to cover art materials, supplies, facilitators’ allowances, and snacks for the three days; kids can bring their own lunch or add P300 for the meals. We will also have optional reach-out half-days of service after their workshop and throughout the summer at the Focolare’s Bukas Palad Center in Manila.

Throughout the workshop, our kids will begin to understand and care more about our country, experience the meaningful joy of being of service, and believe in living with and working for peace. Our topics range from values of unity and diversity, non-violence and respect for the environment, understanding their rights, and becoming a piece of the peace – at home, in school and in the bigger society they live in. We will be using creative learning forms such as games, song, dance, art, theater, film, discussion and interaction. Many of these activities are based on workshops that we have designed or participated in, from the spirituality of the Focolare movement for younger generations, the CFM’s Christian Parenting for Peace and Justice,  the 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens, and other peace and human rights education centers.  

Lastly, just a short note about myself and the group: I have been facilitating various training programs for youth and student groups these past twenty years, in between my work with several peace and human rights government offices and non-government organizations. The Kids for Peace Summer Workshops is a project of YouthAid Philippines, a registered organization that organizes “Operation: A Day’s Work” with over 200 schools nationwide each year. I am a mother of four children, ages 10, 11, 13 & 16 years old, and I really believe that there is hope in making our world a better place for them, if we get our kids to join us now! 

To enroll your child or to request more information, email me at mardi@mapamail.com or text 0917-860-9250 or call 8162117.  And a favor please – do forward this email invite to as many of your friends and fellow parents. Thank you so much!

Mardi Mapa-Suplido

Youth Aid Executive Director

We were in Bacolod this past weekend and bumped into an old friend Pam Henares-Jalandoni and her husband Jay who are based there.  Jay mentoned a very interesting activity he is running this April and May and my thought balloon was “Hey, something interesting for Mommy Pages readers!”  

This Marine Camp at Danjugan Island is something different for kids to experience but it will require some commitment from Mom and Dad.  You’ll need to let your 12-16 year old be away from home for a week. For those in Manila, distance is also a challenge as you’ll have to fly your child to Bacolod, the home base of camp organizers (Airfare from Manila to Bacolod is not included in the package).  But Jay says parents can stay in the resort across the island if you’d like to be close to the camp and get some sun and sea yourselves.  If you’d like to inquire about Marina Camp, contact Jay Jalandoni at 09173000529. Below is more info as well:

The Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PRRCFI) is inviting you to join its annual Youth Marine and Wildlife Camp in Danjugan Island, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on the 5^th to 9^th of May 2009.

Resource persons are selected from scientists active in the field of marine and terrestrial work.  Please refer to the attached brochure.

Camp cost is P8,500 that includes return transfers from Bacolod City to Danjugan Island.   You may call Mr. Ramie Babac at 0909 2073865, Mr. Jay Jalandoni at 09173000529 (jalandonijj@yahoo.com) and Ms. Arlene Ebalde at (34)4321260 or (34)4339234 for more information.

Thank you,

Gerardo L. Ledesma  (President   – PRRCFI)

It’s always good to expose our children to new things so they can discover their abilities and passions while having fun.  My eldest son, C, enjoys most sports, like basketball and football, like most kids his age. By accident, he found out he enjoys fencing too, and now attends coaching sessions with Olympian and SEA games champion, Coach Wawit Torres.  

Coby at his first fencing competition

For those interested, Coach Wawit’s Summer Schedule is as follows:

Centro Atletico – Cubao, QC: Monday and Wednesday starting April 13  8:30 to 10am; 10:30 to 12nn

Manila Polo Club - Mckinley Road, Makati: Tuesday and Thursday starting April 14 8:30 to 10am; 10:30 to 12nn
Saturdays: Manila Polo Club 8:30 to 10am; Centro Atletico 10:30 to 12nn
 
Session are for kids ages 7 years old and above.  He also accepts coaching during time slots outside this schedule, on appointment basis.
 
The course fee is P3,800 for 8 sessions  (P4,000 for non-members in Manila Polo Club).  For inquiries, call Coach Wawit at 09175342947 or email him at wawit@hotmail.com.

I read about a two-year old girl in England who fell into a pool and survived by swimming to the side and calmly stayed there while calling out for her mom..  Luckily, little Elizabeth had been taking swimming lessons since she was eight weeks old and was comfortable being in the water.

Knowing how to swim is a life skill that our kids should learn while they are still young.  Ria Mackay of Aqualogic Swim Co. has been teaching swimming here and abroad since 1992 to students as young as 6 months old.  Their programs include:

AquaBabes (6-35 months) - accompanied by parent – Infants and Toddlers learn water safety and share fun memories with their parents using a gentle, non-traumatic approach through songs, games and lots of colorful toys.

AquaKids (3-12 years old) - A creative, non-traditional approach in teaching children essential swim skills using interactive games and engaging pool toys. Swim strokes are introduced focusing on technique and efficiency based on the principles of Total Immersion™ – the world’s leading authority in swimming instruction.

They also offer adult programs and aqua aerobics sessions.  For more info on Ria’s Aqua Kids and Aqua Babies class and skeds for this summer, go to Aqualogic’s website or you may reach her at 7036386 or 0917.858.AQUA (2782).