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Connecting
kids to nature...and making science fun!
July 2009

in this issue

Upcoming Programs

Summer Camp

Featured Books

There Are No Electrons!

A Seed Is Sleepy

Cool Links

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Just look at how much FUN everyone is having at camp this summer!



















 

Shop at Amazon.com and support Sarah's Science scholarship program. All purchases made at Amazon.com through the linked books here will generate 4%-10% referral fees, which will be used by Sarah's Science to provide scholarships to children who would otherwise be unable to attend our programs. Thank you.

 
Greetings!

Sarah's Picture  It's been a great summer so far.  We're thrilled that almost all of our counselors are returning staff (the best of the best!). My daughter, Riva, is the director of the Oakland Camp this year, and just in case I had any thoughts of micro-managing things, I took care of that by breaking my foot the day before summer camp started.  Needless to say, Riva is shining without me.  You'll see me back at camp this week with a very cool space age removable cast - the joys of modern science!  

  Check out our online scrapbook for pictures from the first month of camp. 

  We have six more terrific weeks of camp lined up with spaces still available in all of them.  Although every week this summer is stunning, I have to put in a plug for two of my personal favorites:
 "All Charged Up!" (July 20-24) and "Amazing Adaptations" (July 27-31).

"All Charged Up!" is our electricity week, and as many of you know, I have a mission to make the complex concepts of electricity clear, accessible and exciting to children.  Since electricity is rarely taught in elementary school and almost never taught with hands-on projects, we devote an entire week every summer to this topic. 

   Each camper will make six fun projects to illuminate static and current electricity. We'll wire circuits to make mini-flashlights and code tappers.  We'll make a battery and a slow flow motor.  We'll explore static electricity making an electroscope and a static ball game.  By the end of the week our campers will know more about electricity than most American adults, so sign up now!

  During another of my favorite weeks, "Amazing Adaptations," we'll explore some of nature's weirdest plants and animals.  Each camper will take home a carnivorous (insect eating) plant from California Carnivores (the largest carnivorous plant nursery in the world).  We'll also be visited by Owen from the East Bay Vivarium, and he's bringing some truly bizarre creatures with him. 

      
  You may notice your kids begging you to stay in aftercare this summer.  We've brought back "beadie babies" (beaded creatures you can put on a key chain or wear around your neck) on Thursdays and Fridays. 
We'll also be doing puppetry one afternoon a week (you can meet my own puppets, Eddie Electron and Penelope Proton, during electricity week).  You can sign up for aftercare (which runs until 5:30 p.m.) for the whole week or simply drop in on a daily basis.

  This is the second year of our site in San Ramon at the Little Hills Ranch.  The Director, Aaron Franzen, who has worked with us for over 9 years, is a well-known favorite of our campers (word has it that he's kind of a big kid himself in his ability to create fun and enthusiasm). 


 
The Little Hills Ranch on Bollinger Canyon Road is simply magnificent, with a pool (used exclusively by our camp), shaded tables, large playing fields, a stream and surrounding oak woodlands.


 
On Freaky Fridays the kids get to dunk Aaron and their counselors in the "Dunk Tank"!  Check out our Scrapbook for pictures of Little Hills Ranch.




If your children are enjoying camp, please spread the word to your friends and neighbors.  We still have space in all upcoming weeks.  Thank you so much for your support.



Happy Summer,
Sarah
 Upcoming Programs
This Land is Your Land

Slug on NeedlesAt our summer camp we blend the exciting science and nature studies developed by Sarah Shaffer with art, music, hiking, swimming, and outdoor games. Our goal is for every child to have a summer filled with outrageous fun in a beautiful, natural setting. We say, "No child left indoors!" 

Early positive experiences in nature help develop a lifelong love and caring for the natural world.  The weird and wonderful world of nature provides a great way to "hook" kids on science.  Hands-on science projects and art activities connect children to the natural world, increasing environmental awareness and instilling a deep caring attitude about our world.


Please see the summer camp section on our website for information on the Weekly Themes and Project Highlights.

Oakland Location:
Roberts Regional Park
Dates: June 15 - August 28, 2009
Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm;
Extended care available 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Ages: 5-15
Cost: $310/week if you register ahead of time. 
        $325/week walk-in rate.
See Registration Form for information on discounts.

Berkeley Location:
Tilden Regional Park
Dates: June 15 - August 28, 2009
Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm;
Extended care available 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Ages: 5-15
Cost: $310/week if you register ahead of time. 
        $325/week walk-in rate.
See Registration Form for information on discounts.

San Ramon Location:
Little Hills Ranch
Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm;
Extended care available 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Ages: 5-15
Cost: $310/week if you register ahead of time. 
        $325/week walk-in rate.
See Registration Form for information on discounts.

 
Featured Books

DirtThere Are No Electrons: Electronics for Earthlings
by Kenn Amdahl
    Reading level: High School to Adult
    Paperback: 322 pages
    Publisher: Clearwater Publishing
    (October 1991)

    Available from Amazon.com
This book is one of my personal favorites.  An off-beat introduction to the workings of electricity, the book is often funny, mildly weird and always easy to understand. It gently leads the reader through the world of electricity with a good dose of humor and insight.


Seeds
A Seed Is Sleepy
By Dianna Hutts Aston, Sylvia Long

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 1, 2007)
Available from Amazon.com

A beautifully illustrated introduction to the world of seeds. The watercolors  work together with the text to tell the story of how a seed grows into a plant.  The book also introduces children to the basics of botany.

Cool Links

Oakland Aviation Museum
 
Oakland Aviation MuseumOur summer camp began with a 3-2-1 Blast Off! The kids learned about rockets, planes and parachutes.  It was great!  If they want to learn even more, why not take them to see the real thing?


The Oakland Aviation Museum was founded in 1981. Housed inside a 1940's era hangar, the museum is located at the Oakland International Airport (see website for directions).  The museum features
a Lockheed 10-A, a Korean/Soviet MIG 15 and many other interesting aircraft. The museum is open from 10am to 4pm, Wednesday - Sunday. For more information call: (510) 638-7100.

Future of Sequoias: Sustaining Parklands in the 21st Century

Sequoia
The current exhibit at The Oakland Museum of California deals with some of California's oldest residents.

Future of Sequoias: Sustaining Parklands in the 21st Century runs from Feb 7 to Aug 23, 2009.  The exhibit features photographs by Jeff Jones and prose by retired National Park Interpretative Ranger, William C. Tweed. The two men share a deep respect and concern for the parks that harbor these magnificent trees.




Creek Map If you've ever wondered about that little creek near your house - where it goes when it turns the corner from your street and goes under the sidewalk - these are the maps for you.

Neighborhood creeks are amazing ecosystems and they are often a wonderful way to begin connecting children to nature. The Oakland Museum of California has printed a collection of
maps and books about the Bay Area's Creeks and Watersheds.  They are now available for purchase online (and some are free). 

Detailing where the water runs openly, in engineered channels and also underground, they
will help creek hunters young and old find their way.

Sarah's Science 
21525 Knoll Way, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Phone: (510) 581-3739      Fax: (510) 581-6144
 
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