Labor Day means two things, barbeques & Back to School! Exit lazy summer days, enter hectic fall schedules! To ease the transition, check out the Bucks Happening Back to School guide for back to school deals, after school activities, and other resources.
1. Encourage kids to experiment with new activities. Especially for youth, it's so important to discover various interests and talents.
– Fencing: Opened in January of 1981 in New Hope, PA, Bucks County Academy of Fencing is a privately run club, open year-round to anyone, ages 8 years old through adult, who is interested in the sport of fencing. With approximately 230 active students and 2 locations, BCAF caters not only to aspiring youth and junior national level competitors, but also to a larger number of adult fencers than is typical in most clubs. After almost 23 years of operation across the river in New Hope, PA, BCAF moved to its new location in Lambertville, NJ on September 8th, 2003 (please note that this location is currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Irene). A second location in Hatfield, PA in Bucks County opened in September 2010. It is currently one of the largest privately owned training facilities in the United States.
– Dance: After a summer of watching So You Think You Can Dance, you or someone in your family may feel inspired to test your own skills. There are no shortage of fantastic dance schools & activities located in Bucks County- hip hop, modern, tap, ballet, Irish, ballroom…there is something for every type of dancer. After all, Rockettes, Broadway performers, & American Idol finalists, & pop stars have gotten their start in Bucks. A few of the local studios:
Dance Academy, Holland, PA
Spirit in Motion Ballet Theater, Newtown, PA
Knecht Dance Academy, Levittown, PA
Doylestown Dance Centre, Doylestown, PA
Babylon School of Dance, Chalfont, PA
Miss Cindy's School of Dance, Perkasie & Quakertown
– Karate: Various forms of karate can teach children important lessons that they'll carry through life- discipline, endurance, patience.
– Sports Leagues: Throughout Bucks County, there are tons of leagues and organizations for soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis, and just about every other sport you can name. Check with your local township to learn how to sign up and participate.
– Theater: Whether it's school theater or one of Bucks County's many playhouses, find out how your little actor or actress can get in the spotlight.
Town & Country Players Theater, Buckingham
Theater Arts Centre, Doylestown
The Children's Theater of Bucks County, Newtown
2. Find the education techniques that work best for your children: Not every child learns the same, and luckily there are increasingly more options to explore. Explore the many area schools to find out more information about their teaching techniques. Just a few months ago, Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Central Bucks East, & Central Bucks West all made the 2011 list of Newsweek's Best Public High Schools. Then there are Progressive Schools like the year-old Princeton Learning Cooperative that are allowing students to customize their own learning program without the constraints of grading or a set curriculum. For those able to afford it, renowned private schools like Pen Ryn in Fairless Hills, the Solebury School in New Hope, and the George School in Newtown are alternative options.
Outside of school itself, there are a number of area tutors, learning centers, and even online programs to offer assistance. For the little ones, try some of the many free learning games available online.
3. Give them Back to School Confidence: Kids want to look their best for the new school year. Look around for specials, such as this deal from Urban Allure offering 15% off hair, nails, facials, and more!
4. Cut out unnecessary steps: While you want your kids to participate in all of these great activities, remember that parents need to maintain their sanity! Businesses have recognized the challenge of scheduling children's activities and responded! Below are a couple great solutions for the busy parent:
– The Newtown Athletic Club offers sports leagues, dance, swimming lessons, Tae Kwon Do, gymnastics, cheerleading, & even free babysitting with membership. Drop your kids off and get in a workout, spa treatment, or just lounge in their cafe & enjoy the free WiFi!
– The expansive new Central Bucks Family YMCA facility in Doylestown offers non-competitive programs and sports leagues for youth, dance, theater, language, swim, soccer, basketball, running, & volleyball. Their leagues teach basic skills as well as the concepts of teamwork, cooperation and sportsmanship.
5. Teach the Value of Giving Back: It's so easy to get caught up in day-to-day routines, that taking time to give back to the community can easily get overlooked. Get your family involved in some of the great charities around Bucks County throughout the year such as Kisses for Kyle, Empowering Orphans, and the Juvenile Diabetes Fund.
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