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Don’t Wait to Plan Summer Camp Fun

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summer camps

We’re coming up to those lazy days of summer more quickly than you might realize. It’s just a few calendar page flips until the last day of the school year will be here.

For Gwinnett County Public Schools and Cornerstone Christian Academy, the last school day is May 22. For Greater Atlanta Christian School, it’s May 23 and Wesleyan School’s last day is May 24.

That means weeks of students with time away from school. While they claim they can’t wait to get a break, we’re all too familiar with the “I’m bored…” whine that often starts within the first week. Or we notice the reddened, glazed eyes from too much screen time and think ‘There’s got to be something better for them to do.’ Of course, there is.

The summer camp solution

Summer camps are a time-honored solution for filling weeks of school break. Camps not only keep kids busy, they also keep them active — physically and mentally.

Traditional summer camps focus on sports and warm weather activities. These days, however, there are a wide variety of camps to choose from that feature topics like art, theatre and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Whatever camps are the best fit for your kid’s summertime, start researching and registering now. Summer camps fill up quickly!

Activity and nature camps

The classic concept of summer camp is a day spent outdoors, swimming and playing sports with the guidance of counselors. While many camps follow that pattern, they often add more.

The goal at Camp All-American is to build strong character in the lives of young people. The full-day camps they offer are available for kids aged 5 through 17 and include Bible study, physical activity, and specialty camps. Campers can also choose from a wide range of specialties like art, cheerleading, photography, and soccer.

Camp All-American runs for 10 weeks and is held at Perimeter Church in Johns Creek. Day camps for 1st to 6th grade students are also held at Dunwoody Baptist Church. Registration opens Superbowl Sunday; campallamerican.com is the place to get details.

Christ the King Lutheran Church offers Preschool Summer Camps that are designed for children aged 2 to rising kindergartners. Three sessions are available, June 24-28; July 22-26; and August 12-16. Go to ctklutheran.org/preschool or call 770-449-7217 for more information.

The 10 sessions of summer camp programs at Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA run from May 28 through August 2. There’s a lot to choose from, too: traditional camps, sports camps, specialty camps, teen camps and half-day preschool camps. Sports include baseball, flag football and volleyball, and specialty camps offer STEM, film, cartooning, dance and more. Go to ymcaatlanta.org/program-locations/summer-camp/norcross.php for more.

The summer camps at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center in Johns Creek emphasize reconnecting kids with nature and history, allowing them a break from technology and competition. Campers are kept engaged with activities and learning opportunities, but they’re also given plenty of time to explore and imagine.

Autrey Mill has several options of full-day summer camps for campers aged 5 to 14 years, and half-day camps are available for 4-year-olds. Visit autreymill.org for camp themes, schedules and more.

Summer camps are not summer school

Several area schools offer camps during the summer months. Though many keep a focus on learning, they bring in a strong element of fun.

Wesleyan School has a long list of camps for kids aged 4 through 8th grade. There’s Summer Art Fun; Cooking and Forensic Science. Students interested in science and technology may especially enjoy camps like Movie Makers and Game Designers, Coding and Lego Robotics, Project Invention, STEAM for Middle School or Xtreme STEAM for Lower School.

Camps are offered over six weeks in the summer in a safe, nurturing environment. Registration began January 21, and you can get details at wesleyanschool/camps.

At Greater Atlanta Christian School, more than 30 summer programs in academics, arts, and athletics are offered through the seven weeks of camp, June 3 through July 26. Campers enjoy making new friends and exploring new talents in a secure, Christian setting.

Some of the camps have opportunities for field trips that take students to various locations in metro Atlanta for fun learning experiences. Visit gac.growcamps.org for the 2019 schedule and details.

The Primrose School of Peachtree Corners offers a Summer Adventure Club for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. The kids become artists, explorers and scientists as they’re guided through experiments, engineering design challenges and other themed activities. Call the school at 770-409-8732 or visit their website, PrimrosePeachtreeCorners.com, to learn more.

Pinecrest Academy in Cumming welcomes all children 5 and older to their summer camps, which begin in late May and run through late July. The school typically hosts over 25 camps each summer. A favorite, Camp Altius, features fun activities like scavenger hunts, team games, splash time and crazy crafts.

There are also many special interest camps with a focus on subjects like the arts, Spanish, science and athletics. For the budding techies and scientists, there are camps on Coding + STEM, Robotics, Rocketry & Aeronautics and Introduction to Engineering. Visit pinecrestacademy.org/page/campus-life/summer-camps for details and information on registering.

University summer camps

The University of Georgia holds its Summer Academy Camps a little further away, in Athens, Ga., for middle and high school students. Camp choices range from STEM and the arts to college and career preparation camps. Some of the STEM camps choices are Robotics, Engineering, Video Game Design, and even a Mini Medical School.

Kids interested in the arts can choose from Fashion Design, Photography, Screen Writing and more. The Career Preparation and Specialized Camps have focuses that include culinary skills and law. A residential option is available for students to stay in a college dorm during the week. Registration opens February 6; go to ugasummer.com to sign up.

Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology both offer summer tech camps through iDTech, focusing on STEM education including coding, game development and robotics. At Emory, the week-long camps and two-week academies are for ages 7 to 18 and run May 27 to July 26. Georgia Tech’s week-long iDTech camps, scheduled June 10 to July 19, are for girls only, aged 10 to 15. Get more info at idtech.com.

Tech summer camps

Summer camps with a technology bent is the perfect way to add some productivity to your kids’ screen time. Prototype Prime is introducing the Kids 4 Coding camps this year, and there are also more tech camps in the area.

Kids 4 Coding Summer Camps will be held at both Gwinnett Technical College locations. In Lawrenceville, the camp runs from June 3 to July 19, and in Alpharetta, from July 15 to 26. There’s a variety of tech-based camp themes, such as Microbit & Swift Programming, Mobile Apps + Augmented Reality and Game Design. Full and half day sessions are available. To sign up and see the full list of choices, visit kids4coding.com.

Club SciKidz has summer camp locations throughout the area, including Duluth First United Methodist Church. Children from ages 7 to 15 have 60 STEM and STEAM camp choices, including Young Scientist, F/X Zombie, Veterinary Medicine and Manga Maker. Details are at ClubSciKidz.com.

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) is offering a beginner’s Tech 101 camp for 1st and 2nd graders, Whiz Learning Kids, that runs from June 24-28. Campers will learn to use different design elements — images, text, color, and backdrops — to create digital scrapbook pages. They’ll even have the opportunity to design their own animations using basic programming techniques. See the full range of camps at mjccadaycamps.org.

At Fernbank Science Center, 4th to 8th grade students can sign up for a week-long Lego Robotics Camp that covers areas like programming and motors for Lego Mindstorm robotics. Find out more at fernbank.edu/roboticscamp.html. ■

Contributing Editor Kathy Dean has been a writer and editor for over 20 years. Some of the publications she has contributed to are Atlanta Senior Life, Atlanta INtown, Transatlantic Journal and The Guide to Coweta and Fayette Counties.

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Local Indie Author Day is Coming Back to Gwinnett County Public Library Branches

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Gwinnett County Public Library invites independent local authors to showcase their work with author talks, readings, book sales and signings.

Gwinnett County Public Library looks forward to celebrating Local Indie Author Day on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

The library invites independent local authors to showcase their works with author talks, readings, book sales and signings each year. This event aims to unite libraries, indie authors and readers throughout our community.

Multiple library branches are hosting author talks or author panels. Participating branches include:

  • Buford-Sugar Hill,
  • Centerville,
  • Dacula,
  • Duluth,
  • Five Forks,
  • Grayson,
  • Norcross and
  • Suwanee.

Local Indie Author Day will begin at the Duluth Library branch at 2:30 p.m. and features authors Stella Beaver, Chere’ Coen, Tamara Anderson and Cassandra Kempe-Ho.

The Norcross Library branch will host its showcase at 3:30 p.m. with authors Linda Sands and M.W. McKinley.

Check the library’s event calendar for author information and times. All events are free and open to the public. For questions or comments, contact Duffie Dixon, Director of Marketing and Communications for Gwinnett County Public Library at ddixon@gwinnettpl.org.

Click here to explore more public library events happening in November.

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Good Grief: Life After Loss, Part 3 

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Losing Our Furry Friends

The conclusion of my “Good Grief” series seemed ideal in this issue featuring pets and their people. Paris Hilton lost her beloved chihuahua this year. In a farewell tribute on Instagram, the socialite wrote, “In 23 amazing years, she brought endless love, loyalty, and unforgettable moments to my life.” 

Some may not understand — eye rolls may ensue — but fellow pet people know all too well that losing a companion animal is just as heartbreaking as losing a human loved one. 

“The pain I feel right now is indescribable,” Hilton posted.

Yet our cultural playbook is devoid of any protocols for those mourning pets. There are no pet obituaries, no official rituals or religious ceremonies to support us through the loss of a fur baby. When such perfectly normal and deep emotions can be considered a mere overreaction by some people in our own tribe, one could argue that losing a pet is even more difficult. 

The ultimate interspecies bond

Though domestic companions can be scale or feather-covered too, I spoke to the bereaved owners of the furry variety.

Thousands of years of evolution have led to dogs morphing from the wild wolves they once were into man’s best friend, able to read our emotions and willing to sit, bark, roll over and play dead on command – all to please us. If you’re not a pet owner yourself, you’re sure to have friends with pets.

Max, tennis ball chaser extraordinaire 

Long before Matt and Faith Harding had children, they had their dogs, Jazzy and Max, who were part of their lives for over 11 years. Losing them was hard.

Matt Harding’s handsome boy, Max, who has crossed over the rainbow bridge.

“We lost Max and Jazzy within a year of each other. We had to put Jazzy down because she was older and suffering. It was the right thing to do. What made it more difficult with Max was that it was so unexpected,” Matt said.

The Hardings had been treating Max, who suffered from seizures common to Belgian Malinois. They were able to keep the seizures under control for years. 

What makes a grown man cry

It was a week like any other. Faith had gone out of town. The kids and Max were left in Matt’s care. Max chased tennis balls in the backyard. There were no warning signs that something was about to go terribly wrong. 

Man’s best friend – Matt Harding with his beloved pal, Maximus. Photo courtesy of Matt Harding.

Matt found Max in his kennel when he came home one evening. It looked as though he’d had a seizure — like those he’d recovered from many times before. Matt rinsed him off and brought him back inside.

When Matt came downstairs after putting his daughter down for a nap, Max drew his last couple of breaths and passed away. “He waited for me to come back,” Matt said.

Having to call Faith to share the sad news while she was traveling was heartbreaking. “After the initial shock and plenty of tears, you’re stuck with trying to figure out what to do next,” Matt said.

With their baby on one arm and their wailing toddler holding his hand, Matt walked the kids over to the neighbors’ house. The only thing he could utter was, “Please watch them.” Seeing his tear-streaked face, his neighbor took the children without hesitation. 

“I had to text her and let her know what was happening. I could not even get words out of my mouth. They were a huge help and very sympathetic to what was happening,” Matt shared.

Max

Maximize the memories

What helped the Hardings most was looking at pictures and reminiscing about their “incredible dog,” Max.

“He loved people. Plenty of people reached out to tell me some of their favorite memories with him and I couldn’t help but smile and laugh at how he left an impression on so many,” Matt said. 

Conversely, Matt viewed the act of putting away the dog beds, bowls and toys as an admission that Max was now just a memory. “I couldn’t bring myself to do it,” Matt confided.

“The loss of Max is still hard to think about. Faith and I budget. We have a line item for Max. We were doing the budget a couple of nights ago and couldn’t bring ourselves to remove him as a line item,” Matt said. “Thank you for letting me share our story.”

Triple grief

Before Sandra Hutto and her siblings could spread their parents’ ashes, she was faced with the sudden death of her 11-year-old Doberman, Rio.

Rio

Three losses in rapid succession were a hard knock-back for Hutto. She is grateful for supportive friends and being able to process her grief with the help of her husband Mark, a psychiatrist.

According to Hutto, sharing stories about her parents was as helpful in dealing with her loss as it was funny. “There were things I didn’t know. It was fascinating,” she said. “Family stories are important. Apparently, my mother was kind of a floozy,” she laughed.

Her aunt had shared about her mother misleading a boy to spend a day at the lake. When he asked her out, she claimed to have gotten a headache from all the sun. But later, she called another boy about going to a movie.  

Hutto advised, “You have shared stories and individual stories. You can let that isolate you or bring you closer. You could say, “That wasn’t my experience, I’m shutting it out,” but it lets you know more about your parents. They have stories from before you were born.”

Sandra Hutto’s late parents

Dad and the Doberman Pinscher

Before her father’s passing, Hutto and her husband took her dad on a road trip to Wyoming, along with Rio, in their 1993 Bluebird Wanderlodge to visit her sister. Unsure how her father would take to such a big dog, she was pleased when they bonded.

“He fell in love with her. Rio would get up in the middle of the night to lay down next to him. I joked with dad, “You know daddy, we do keep the dog.””

After he died, people said, “That trip was great for him. He never stopped talking about how much fun he had.” That was heartwarming,” Hutto said.

She danced on the sand

An American Kennel Club purebred dog, Rio’s registered name is, She Dances on the Sand, after the Duran Duran song.

Bred in Germany to be the intimidating protectors of tax collectors, Dobermans are strong, intelligent dogs, able to attack on command. Rio didn’t exactly fit the bill. Terrified of a neighborhood Yorkie, she’d watch him as she cowered behind Hutto.

Her tail was docked but she had natural, floppy ears. She wasn’t steely-looking, but she did have a big bark. “Mostly she would try to convince people that she was neglected. She was a drama queen; such a good, funny dog,” Hutto said. 

Rio and Sandra Hutto’s father bonding on a roadtrip

Déjà vu

Rio passed almost exactly the same way their previous Doberman, Jet had. (Jet was named after the Paul McCartney and Wings song.) Though Rio had a longer life, Hutto expressed the common sentiment among pet-owners: it’s never long enough. 

Rio had received a clean bill of health and a rabies shot that day. By the evening, she was restless and wouldn’t settle in her bed. Mark had gone out.  

“She got up and started walking around. She walked into our dining room, went around the table, her back feet collapsed from under her. She struggled to get up. She howled a couple of times and she was gone,” Hutto said.

Hutto believes cardiac arrhythmia killed both Jet and Rio. Heart issues are common in Dobermans, partly because of breeding and because they’re deep-chested dogs.

“Not again!” Hutto remembers shrieking as she witnessed Rio’s passing. Jet had passed away in the same manner, but she was with Mark. The swift but horrible departure allows for the only consolation, “at least she didn’t suffer.”  

Sandra Hutto

A Dobie’s departure

After the ordeal of burying 70-pound Jet in the rain, the Huttos decided to have Rio cremated. They were pleased with Deceased Pet Care, Inc. in Chamblee.

“They were kind, empathetic and respectful. They knew we were in pain. They took good care of her, made a point to tell us that they cremate each dog individually, and gave us her paw print in clay,” Hutto recounted. 

Walk alone

“Peachtree Forest is the neighborhood to live in if you want to come back as a dog. People here love their dogs. They’ll greet your dog — and then they’ll say hi to you,” Hutto chuckled. When neighbors learned about Rio’s passing, some sent sympathy cards. 

Hutto was almost thankful for a sprained knee shielding her for a while from the inevitable moment she takes her first walk alone and people will ask, “Where’s Rio?”

“I’ll probably bawl in the street,” she predicted.

Able to better prepare for losing her parents, Hutto remarked that her grief journey is different for Rio because it was so sudden. “It was a shock and harder in some ways. It’s important to talk about it so people see you can get through it,” she said. 

When they’re ready, the Huttos plan to get another Doberman. “I’m going to name her Roxanne. You’re not going to be able to help yourself when you call her. You’re going to have to do the song,” she said. 

Paw prints on our hearts

Pets are not “just animals,” as some may be tempted to say when we lose them. For those who form strong bonds with our four-legged friends, they become part of our favorite routines, our protégés, our sweetest companions, delighting us daily with joy and unconditional affection; they become family.

If the emotional connections we can form with pets are virtually indistinguishable from those we form with people, it stands to reason that pet bereavement can be on par with the grief we experience for our cherished, human loved ones. Let’s remember to be kind to those grieving the loss of their pets.

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Teen Cancer Survivor Aims to Raise Funds for Research

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When Lex Stolle was 10 years old, he started behaving in ways that weren’t like the energetic pre-teen.

“There were a lot of things that just weren’t right, like I wasn’t eating well. I was losing a lot of weight; I had fluid in my lungs. There were just so many problems that ultimately did lead to my diagnosis,” he said referring to high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALS.

The medical team initially told Stolle’s family that there would be three and a half years of intense chemotherapy. At that time, they didn’t have a complete diagnosis.

“Additionally, I would have 10 months of going in every week, taking lots of shots and pills,” he said. “And then if I ever had a fever, I would have to stay in the hospital for days, weeks or even months.”

However, updated research allowed Stolle to have a year cut off his chemotherapy.

“In total, I took over 2,000 chemotherapy pills. I had about 36 spinal taps, which is where they stick a needle in my spine to send chemo to my brain. …I spent over 50 nights in the hospital. I missed 163 days of school and my fifth-grade year,” he lamented — but doesn’t feel sorry for himself.

Ask him how he’s doing now.

“I’m awesome! I finished treatment in January of 2022. I’m a year and a half out of treatment and I’m feeling a lot better. I still go in every few months, and then I’ll have to go in every year for, I think, the rest of my life,” he said. “And I’ve started to get back into the shape that I was in — but it’s still hard to be a teenager.”

Paying the blessings forward

Stolle’s cancer journey began in 2019. Now at 14 years old, he wants to do what he can to keep the deadly disease from other kids.

“I have always had a passion for helping others, and especially with my cancer, I know what it’s like to be put through everything I went through. I don’t want any kid to have to suffer, let alone someone younger,” he said. “So I decided to do this project last year just for Peachtree Corners.”

He’s talking about his brainchild, Cancer Cards

“Seeing so many kids go through what I did really got to me, and I felt the urge to make a difference. That’s how the idea for Cancer Cards came about. …They’re about the size of a credit card and they hold special discounts (between 15% off meals to free appetizers) for 9 to 12 local businesses.”

This year, he’s gone beyond Peachtree Corners to include cards exclusive to Milton/Alpharetta, Marietta, Buckhead and Athens. The cards are $25 each and the money raised goes to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — the same place where Stolle received his treatment.

“We are so proud and honored to have Lex Stolle’s support of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta,” said Lydia Stinson of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation. “After three long years of undergoing chemotherapy treatment, Lex was inspired to give back to help kids like him, and he has been determined to give back to Children’s in so many ways.”

The lengths that Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta went to keep his spirits up — therapy dogs, clowns, etc. — made many of his worse days some of his best, Stolle said.

“I raised around $500 last year, but this year, I’m hoping to raise a little over $90,000,” he added.

Stolle hopes the funds can help wipe out childhood cancers. “I want one day for my grandkids to not even have to think about getting cancer, or if they do get cancer, that it can be a very easy treatment,” he said. 

Cancer cards are on sale now and are active through May 25, 2024. They can be purchased online at cancercard.net.

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