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First Time for Everything: Kindergartners

As the school year picks up, kindergartners cry.  Imagine you are three foot-seven, coming to a 25-foot building with hundreds of other kids. You are squeezing Mom's hand tight when her grip loosens. She directs you in front of her to some other lady. Who are you? You turn around to confirm with Mom all is okay, but she is no where to be found. Out of sight, but certainly still in mind. This "other lady" brings you into a colorful room with lot of windows.  This could be fun. Ooh, look a bean bag chair.  Twenty minutes later, after you have seen the pictures in what seems like every book on the shelf... your attention span drops. You're done. That was good enough. Time to go home. Except...  We expect five year olds to sit and listen to lectures for eight hours. These tiny humans with tiny minds are expected to do big things for a long time. There are plenty of adults who could not, or at least would not, do so. Adults cry when they get overwhelmed. Are child...
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Never Bring a Dragon to School - A story by three little boys (And an older boy who can type a little better).

Never Bring a Dragon to School! Hi my name is Gabriel Hi my name is Simon Hi my name is Joe We were in class one day and Jeffrey brought a dragon for show and tell. When he did his show and tell the bad stuff happens. So we had to go and fight the dragon, the dragons name was Fred Fred. the dragon was fierce and furious. it’s a good thing we had fire proof armor and Fred Fred almost lit the school on fire. The dragon was forlorn. We had to call 911 and everybody came and we had to put out the fire that the dragon made. The good part about the big fiasco is we got big GOLDEN medals for fighting Fred Fred the dragon. So that is why you should never bring a dragon to school!  

Hello Campers!

My name is Grace Schoenthal. I am Site Coordinator of Y-Kids at Cedar Heights Elementary in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I recently graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in Family Services and an emphasis in Outdoor Recreation. The YMCA has been my home ever since I was able to dance like the Village People. Over the last six years, I have been working for the YMCA in various capacities, including as a Day Camp counselor. Now, I am honored to accept my position as Day Camp Director. Being Day Camp Director means both watching over kids, and getting connected with them. Being Day Camp Director means finding the inner kid in me, so that I may program to the needs of all campers. Finally, being a Day Camp Director means working everyday to help all children grow up to be healthy, productive members of society. Today, the Y engages more than 10,000 neighborhoods across the U.S.  By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-b...