The Field

Free-range kids in the hood expand their territory.

room to roam
natural resources
teeter
totter
field fort
green roof

CAMP 1609

Greetings! Summer is my favorite season and I'm excited about this opportunity to share my enthusiasm with a few special friends. As a working parent I always fretted about choosing the right camp/childcare for my kids. After completing my teaching credential I decided to create the summer experience I always wanted for my children. We are calling this adventure Camp 1609, a home-based program guaranteed to make summer 2010 one to remember.

My two children and I look forward to an engaging summer spent with three camp friends. Maintaining a low camper:counselor ratio (5 to 1) provides the opportunity for increased interaction to meet the needs particular to each child. It will also allow us to experience hands-on, meaningful projects and explore an array of activities in Austin.

Camp programming is based on my experience and interests as an educator and parent. Our time together will be focused around physical exercise, language arts (reading, writing, speaking, listening and visual literacy), field trips, nutrition, arts and crafts, and old-fashioned free playtime. Activities will be adapted to fit the developmental stages and interests of each camper.

We will begin our days at West Enfield Neighborhood pool. All campers are encouraged to join the swim team which practices Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 10 am from June 7 through July 16th. As summer approaches I will post details about our planned activities and field trips. Here are a few resources that I'll be using to develop our summer fun schedule.

About town:
Neighborhood Swim Team Program
Parks and Playgrounds
Swimming Pools
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Austin Children's Museum
Austin Nature & Science Center
Texas Memorial Museum
Boggy Creek Farm
Highland Lanes
Austin Public Library
Blanton Museum of Art

Projects and Inspiration:
Building Miniature Structures
Sculpting and more sculpting
Hope wish prayer flags
Cooking and reading recipes
Talking about eating good food
Baking bread and more bread
Terrariums
Reading
Quality Screen Time
Pretend play
Gardening

Dates & Times:
Weekdays from June 3rd through August 20th
7:30 am – 5:30 pm (extended evening hours available upon request)

Ages: 5 and above

Base camp: 1609 West 9th Street – conveniently located near MoPac Expressway

Contact:
Lynne White
camp1609@gmail.com
510-468-0271

Important Dates:
March 26th – Final day to turn in Camp 1609 applications
March 30 – Notification to Camp 1609 applicants
April 1 -- Neighborhood Swim Team (West Enfield Water Moccasins) registration
June 2nd – Last day of school -- AISD
June 3rd – First day of Camp 1609
June 7th – Swim team practice begins
July 16th – Last day of swim team practice
August 20th – Last day of Camp 1609
August 23rd – First Day of School – AISD

Applications:

Applications will be reviewed to best match age, gender and interest for an optimal camp dynamic. Priority will be given to families seeking a full-time / full summer program. Please apply by calling or sending a note with the following information for each child:

Name
Age/Grade
Gender
Interests
Swimming level
Special Needs
Parent Guardian names and contact information
Preference for dates and times of attendance

Fees:

$180 per week for each camper
$15 per week for supplies, field trips and wholesome snacks
$70 (optional $10 t-shirt) Swim Team, one payment to The City of Austin on April 1st

*campers will need to bring a packed lunch and water bottle daily.

Little Miss

Circa 2002
photo credit stick gardner

Science Fair 2010

2nd place...
... for ms ella rae's gem stones and crystals project
blue ribbon pal citlalli covets crystals too
alex, ella and cy's most constant partner in crime also places
my personal favorite

Laguna Beach

jo & lynne together again

jo, mary, keely and a perfect sunset

Horse Charm

I found this charm in my jewelery making stash and tied it on a hemp cord for my budding equestrian.

Clan Update

Sure did miss my Sis, J and handsome nephews this holiday. Poor dears went gallivanting around South America.

adam impersonating galapagos iguana
Speaking of unfortunates, the Grand P Joneses are heading for the Bahamas on their catamaran with Tango the Bengal. Check out Travels with Tango blogspot for details.

tango the boat cat

winter break part deux

With all my lurking around trying to get candid pictures of Buggets, Cy Cy and gang I've ended up with a hodgepodge of shots. I think the picture collage approach captures the essence of these lovely vacation days tho.

horse camp
biker gang
mookie and our temporary dog mozart
new years eve
new clubhouse fun and indoor projects

Days of Christmas

Documentation was lean on account of the belly bug Cyrus brought home for the holidays. Safe to say there was an abundance of...

family
and critters
books and music
toys
friends AND a fancy new fort
and fine wine and food

...to make our Christmas bright.

Immigration Celebration

Ella Rae and her fellow 2nd graders interviewed immigrants, made posters and prepared speeches to present to their parents, peers and educators. Undoubtedly I was more nervous than Ella Rae when she took the stage. To my great joy she smiled wide, spoke clearly and seemed to genuinely enjoy the experience.

A big thank you to our delightful friend and interviewee Dorte, who helped ease the inherent challenges of multi-step projects and public speaking.

poster

Cyrus Lee Jones turns 4

birthday suit other birthday suit and balloons
signage
friends & food
sparklers

Blue Santa Parade

I have such vivid memories of my Girl Scout troupe strutting in procession through the streets of downtown San Juan Capistrano for the Swallows Day Parade, circa 1977. Flash to 2009, I find myself on the other side of the rope cheering on our girl and her gymnastics team.

snazzy no?
ella rae fan club president and co-chair
more images of blue santa 2009

On my way

Saying so long to my kinder class was bittersweet. My student teaching assignment is complete YIPPEEE!!! but I have grown so attached to my eighteen little learners. I can hardly wait to have a class of my own.

keepsake

Hambone Halloween

That holiday season tingle struck early this year. By "tingle" I mean that special moment when you feel a volt of gratefulness for the life that you have mixed with excited anticipation for the life to come. The pomp and circumstance of the holiday season usually elicits this feeling sometime after I finish wrapping the presents and position them under the tree. Some years it requires a dose of Bing Crosby's immortalized "White Christmas" or the like to draw it out. Not so this time around. While I was lighting candles arranged around miniature pumpkins for a surprise dinner with Uncle Craig I got the tell-tale shiver. I think this bodes well for the year to come.

bat, wolf, witch
bat, ham
flaming pumpkin