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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 08 February 2018

Created: 08 February 2018

Last Updated: 09 February 2018

Hits: 5043

A public hearing on a proposed change to the pick-up of trash and recyclables drew an unexpectedly large group to Village Hall on Tuesday January 30. Noting the unusual crowd, Trustee Carl Finger joked, "It's great to see so many people here. I am going to recommend that we do a sanitation study every six months to bring you back!"

Why were residents so passionate about their trash?

The proposed change would mean weekly curbside pick up of both paper and co-mingled recyclables. Currently, paper and bottles and cans are collected on a bi-weekly basis – paper from the curb, and cans, bottles and cartons from the back of the house or the driveway. Under the proposal, food scraps would also be picked up curbside on a weekly basis, along with furniture donations which would be given to Furniture Sharehouse for donation to those in need.

Two points in the plan seem to have rankled residents:

First: the plan would require residents to bring their bottles and cans to the curb for pick-up, rather than dispose of them in the back of the house with their trash.

Second – some are concerned that the placement of paper, bottles, cartons and food scraps at the curb will look unsightly – and that garbage will end up in the streets due to wind, animals and the like.

So though most supported the concept of increased recycling, they saw this plan as a cut in service as their bottles, cans and cartons, (co-mingled recyclables) would no longer be picked up at the rear of the house.

Before hearing public comments, the trustees asked Ron Schulhof from the Conservation Advisory Council to share the results of the group's Sanitation Study.
http://scarsdale10583.com/about-joomla/village-voices/6592-trustees-ponder-revisions-to-sanitation-pick-up-and-recycling-program-as-well-as-led-streetlights
He explained that the goal of the change was to increase recycling and decrease the amount of waste in the trash. The weekly pick up of paper, co-mingled items and food scraps should increase the overall amount of recycling in Scarsdale. He explained that Scarsdale already has high compliance with recycling but a survey of other Westchester municipalities found that most have weekly pick up of paper and co-mingled recyclables. The committee believes that weekly pickup is more convenient and reduces the storage and handling of recyclables.

To those who were concerned about lifting heavy loads, the committee researched and tested different types of bins with wheels to make it easier for residents to pull recycling to the curb. They would also make available food scrap bins with wheels so that those could be pushed to the curb. Exemptions from curbside pick-up would be available for those who are not physically able to bring their items to the street – and the sanitation department could continue back-of-the-house pick up for those who require it.

The Village received 179 emails about the proposed change: 49 for the full program
61 for food scrap pick-up, 21 in opposition to the plan and 31 in opposition to curbside pick up.

Scores of residents lined up to comment on the proposal, some for and some against.

Christine Makuch of 21 Fairview Road spoke in support of the weekly pick up of food scraps. She said, "I already recycles food scraps and would love to stop that errand. Sanitation service here is excellent and I appreciate it."

Michale Ostow of 20 Butler Road was skeptical. He said this could "lead to less recycling in Scarsdale because of the effort to bring stuff to the curb. I have doubts about how many are capable of bringing recycling to the curb. Waste will be thrown out and we will recycle less. All the trash will be moved to the front and we will have an unsightly situation with trash all over the streets. This will not contribute to the beauty of the community. There's a small number of people want to recycle food scraps ... recycle it in your own backyard."

Marian Greene of 43 Butler Road said, "the trend is toward zero food scraps and we are creating food scraps. We are a very wasteful community and it's embarrassing. I have a compost pile. I have a garbage disposal. Our aim should be zero food waste.
I am on the Council on People with Disabilities and I commend the Sanitation Separtment for the way they help elders in our community. People with disabilities would like to have that exemption."

Diane Stern of Rural Drive said that moving recyclables to the curb was no problem for her. She said, "I am going to be 77 years old. I have one of those rolling bins. I can push it with my bum knee and artificial hip. I hardly have any garbage and I support what you're doing."

Jennifer Rossano of 31 Sycamore Road said, "It took us only five days to get used to food scrapping. I am on board."

Rona Shamoon of Edgewood Road said, "I recycle everything. I don't want to leave food on the curb so that the family of raccoons will come out and eat those containers. I read the report. It is written to support the conclusion to do what's best for the 300 families that are recycling the food scraps. A lot of us don't want rotting food in their kitchens. Using the 850 people who bought the kit as the number is not a good way to estimate potential users. I think you are underestimating the number of people who would recycle other materials.

Paulina Schwartz of Oakstwain Road said, "I am in support of all the recommendations and the exemption for the elderly. My kids want to do it. This is important to them. They are more concerned with saving our earth. It's a pain to go to Secor Road – I think this would bring in more recycling."

Referring to the food scrap recycling program, Karen Asher Metviner said, "I've been participating since it started. In Capetown they are rationing water. This is something that has to happen. If you sell it to millenials they will care about preserving the world. Wait until there's no water left to drink, no fish in the ocean.
This is coming soon. People want to be in the right town where they do the right thing."

Mitch Kahn said, "My parents' home is in Florida. All the trash is out on the curb. They are old people and they bring it out. We recycle for the kids – they are in control. It would be great to have the food scraps picked up. I am in strong support of the initiative."

Judith Schiamberg of Elm Road said she was at the meeting on behalf of her sisters and parents who all live in Scarsdale. She said, "My two sisters can't get to Secor ... they work long hours. My mother does participate."

Rona Muttner spoke in support the recommendations of the CAC. She said, "I already bring everything out to the curb. We have lots of stuff. We draw straws to take it out I would be grateful for weekly pick up. It would be half the work and a huge timesaver. It's a win, win, win."

Liat Altman gave her full support and said she was a "proud embracer of the program" that "has completely changed the way waste works in her home."

Susan Douglas of 69 Crane Road said, "Food scraps aren't wasted food, its food that's not going into the garbage. My garbage is super light because of the removal of food scraps."

A Heathcote Road woman said she was Swedish and has lived in several other countries. She said, "What's great about America is pretty much everything in America is voluntary ... people who want to can, people who don't want to don't have to."

Julie Stanley of 31 Brite Avenue said, "Zero waste in general is a better idea. Picking up comingled items weekly would really help. This helps people understand and see the chain of consumerism."

Debbie Rappaport of Brite Avenue spoke in favor of the pick up for Furniture Sharehouse but did not want to "schlep" items out to the curb. She said cans would be "unsightly" and that animals would be able to get into the food scrap bin, saying, "I can tell you the animals will laugh at that plastic."

Beth Zadek gave the proposal mixed reviews, saying "While we support changing the pick-up of paper and commingled recycling to weekly, we do not support the change of having to bring the commingled recycling to the curb. It would be a burden to residents who are unable to navigate the pulling of a heavy bin down to the end of their driveways. We also feel that it would reduce the amount of recycling that those people end up doing. Residents who are not able to drag their commingled recycling to the curb would throw those items out in the regular garbage instead, especially during cold and inclement weather."

Commenting after the meeting, Ron Schulhof Chair of the Conservation Advisory Council said, "We thought the meeting was productive and it was great to hear so much feedback from the community. The CAC also appreciated being able to share with the community why these recycling initiatives are so important: that all our trash in Westchester is burned at an incinerator just 30 minutes from Scarsdale - so every item we can remove from the trash and into a recycling stream not only turns that item into something new but also keeps our air clean. We heard the community embrace the goal of waste reduction and recycling - with overwhelming support for expanding the food scrap recycling program to weekly home pickup at the curb. And while many in the community also voiced support for the change to weekly recycling pickup, we also heard significant concern about the impact of bringing commingled (plastics, metal, glass and cartons) recyclables to the curb would have on our residents who would find this a burden. Given these concerns about implementing weekly recycling by moving commingled to the curb, and being that these two proposals can be implemented independently of each other, we believe it makes sense to separate the discussion of food scrap pickup and weekly recycling. We look forward to continuing the discussion with the Board and Community."

At the end of the meeting, the Municipal Services Committee decided to move forward with the Furniture Sharehouse component of the Conservation Advisory Council recommendation and kept the other two proposals in committee. Given the vast number of comments and the flurry of emails and phone calls, the committee will regroup, consider alternatives and schedule another meeting.

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Written by Laura Halligan

Published: 14 February 2018

Created: 14 February 2018

Last Updated: 14 February 2018

Hits: 7366

No doubt, you've heard stories about teens vaping at school or at parties, and you've seen recent headlines like "JUUL Leading To More Teens Vaping At School," "E-Cigarettes: A Shiny Alternative To Smoking," and "Vaping Is The New High School Epidemic." Well, this vaping "epidemic" is likely much closer to home than many think.

An ever-increasing number of teens and preteens are vaping, or smoking "e-cigarettes," each day, and its popularity is growing exponentially. It's believed that over a quarter of all middle school students and three quarters of high school students have tried e-cigarettes. In fact, when recently studying e-cigarette use among teens, the National Institute on Drug Abuse didn't bother asking whether they were vaping; it asked what they were vaping.

And, now, parents and school administrators are playing catch up, trying to learn more about e-cigarettes and how they can affect children's health. To provide some guidance, last week, the Scarsdale School District hosted "Vaping, E-Cigs and the Health of Our Youth," a presentation by Dr. Richard Stumacher, chief of pulmonary and critical care at Northern Westchester Hospital, and a smoking cessation expert.

"There's a lot of media, there's a lot of imagery... that are trying to grab your attention and (say) that vaping is not smoking, that vaping is not poison..." Stumacher began, as he showed the audience various advertisements. But, he finished with one alternative message that illustrated his point of view: a depiction of e-cigarettes as "the next generation cigarette for the next generation addict."

The most recent "official" or FDA opinion of vaping is that while e-cigarettes aren't without health risks, they're likely to be far less harmful than conventional cigarettes; they may help adults who smoke conventional cigarettes to quit smoking; their long-term health effects aren't clear; and, among young people, e-cigarette use increases the risk of transitioning to conventional cigarettes. In addition, there's conclusive evidence that e-cigarettes are addictive and contain a host of harmful chemicals, including nicotine.

In addressing the oft-mentioned health "benefits" of e-cigarettes over conventional cigarettes, Stumacher explained that substituting e-cigarettes for conventional cigarettes can reduce users' exposure to toxins and carcinogens, and may reduce short-term adverse health effects. However, he said, "that does not mean healthy or safe; it just means that, over the short term, it's not so bad."

Stumacher's main concern is nicotine addiction in adolescents and teens. A powerful, mood-altering substance, nicotine quickly affects the brain, causing a release of dopamine, which results in a feeling of pleasure and calm. After about 20 minutes, the feeling begins to dissipate, often leading a smoker to continue cigarette use throughout the day. "Nicotine affects the area in the brain that governs judgment and decision-making; that is the last part of the brain to develop," he said. "It disrupts growth of brain circuits that control attention, learning and susceptibility to addiction, and increases the risk of psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment and attention deficit."

Stumacher explained that it's easier to convince teens about the dangers of smoking conventional cigarettes since there's indisputable evidence about exposure to carcinogens, and links to lung and heart disease. However, the medical community is actually divided over the effects of e-cigarettes. In short, "there are people who are pro and anti-vaping; insufficient literature and medical research; and, as of yet, no evidence of disease directly caused by vaping," he said.

So, Stumacher took the opportunity to present what is known about the risks of e-cigarette use. There are some 42 chemicals present in e-cigarettes, 19 of which that are especially harmful. And, of over 51 brands tested, 92 percent contained at least one of these harmful substances. Besides nicotine, quite a few of them, like diacetyl, are used as flavoring. "While many of the people who are pro-vaping will say that the chemicals are safe for food consumption... my perspective is that while it may be safe to go into your stomach, it may not be safe to go in your lungs," he said.

This, along with the fact that e-cigarette use is strongly associated with future cigarette use, led Stumacher to advise, "The question is not whether vaping is safe; the real question is should we allow our youth to vape, and the answer is clearly no."

He continued by explaining different vaping delivery methods and "e-juices." "What are our kids using? They're using JUUL devices, which are like the iPhones of vaping," he said. All JUUL pods (cartridges that hold vaping liquid or 'e-juice') contain nicotine; there are no 'just flavoring' versions. One JUULpod is the equivalent of approximately 200 puffs, or one pack of cigarettes.

Most teens cite availability of "appealing flavors" as the primary reason to begin vaping. Countless e-juice flavors are available, ranging from vanilla custard, blueberry, cookie milk, and peanut butter and jelly, to menthol and traditional tobacco, with varying levels of nicotine strengths. "This is clearly aimed at our children," Stumacher said. "Non-nicotine flavored vaping liquate is a gross and obvious gateway product aimed at youth to enter the nicotine addiction marketplace... It's already a $5 billion industry; there is a significant amount of money to be made in turning your child into a nicotine addict."

He then passed around samples of JUULs and showed how vaping devices can vary in size and appearance. They can look like pens or conventional cigarettes, and so-called "mods" can be changed and personalized. Many teens begin with a JUUL "starter kit," which costs about $50.00. The kits contain USB ports and easily can be charged discreetly at home or school. JUUL pods are sold typically in packs of four, at a cost of $20, making them much cheaper than a $15 pack of cigarettes.

Advice for Parents
"Stopping your child (from vaping) will prevent him or her from becoming enslaved by nicotine, which is the most addictive substance known to mankind," Stumacher said. He warned that increased vaping among youth will lead to devastating health issues in the decades to come. "We're going to see a tsunami of lung cancer and emphysema, heart disease, diabetes, etc., etc."

He then changed gears and provided parents with advice. "Alright, it's really not that bad; the kids aren't bad. They just don't know; they're not informed," he said, while urging parents to be patient and begin honest discussions with their teens. "Rather than yell at them or accuse them, just have conversations – frequent, small conversations. Your children are not going to, all of a sudden, decide they're not going to vape, especially if they're vaping nicotine."

Stumacher stressed that parents need to educate themselves, and begin open dialogues with children, not lecture them. He suggested beginning with a conversation in the car: "Your kid isn't looking you in the eye and there will be an end to the talk... " as opposed to a discussion at home that may go on and on, leading your child to tune out. Other tips include setting a positive example by being tobacco-free, preparing for questions that your teen may have about the health effects of vaping, and finding the right moment to discuss the issue, perhaps when seeing someone use an e-cigarette.

Another tactic is to simply prove the power of addiction. "None of the kids who vape want to go on to smoking. They think it's disgusting," Stumacher said. "If you think (your child) is a nicotine addict, suggest he or she go longer without vaping, and see how it feels. When kids feel the symptoms of withdrawal, they may realize they're addicted (and be willing to stop)."

To learn more about e-cigarettes and how to talk to your child about vaping, visit The National Academies Website here or the Surgeon General Website here. To see a recording of Dr. Sturmacher's presentation, visit the school district website here. 

Laura Halligan, a new contributor to scarsdale10583.com, is a local writer, editor and marketing consultant. She is principal of Pinch Hit Prose and provides communications services to entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofits.

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 31 January 2018

Created: 31 January 2018

Last Updated: 16 May 2018

Hits: 8472

Snow is on the ground - but in just a few short months school will be out and your kids will be headed to camp or a summer program -- the question is, which one? We reached out to a range of summer camps and programs for kids from 2 to 17, and here's information from some programs sure to be enjoyed by Scarsdale kids. Contact them by phone or email and be sure to mention Scarsdale10583.com.

Camp Ramaquois: "A day camp as complete as sleep-away camp", situated on 44 magnificent acres in nearby Rockland County. From adventurous activities to creative arts to athletic activities, boys and girls, ages 3-15 experience a traditional day camp program filled with a variety of stimulating activities including instructional and general swim in nine heated pools and boating on a five-acre lake. Seven period programs planned for each age group include a splash park, aerial adventure park, climbing wall, flying squirrel with zip lines, tennis, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, hockey, softball, soccer, recycling bin, ceramics, nature facility with petting zoo, dance, drama, yoga, special events and much more. Facilities include an air-conditioned indoor gym and group bunks with bathroom facilities. Hot lunch is served in an air-conditioned dining room by waiters and waitresses. Junior Camp for 3-6 year olds has a separate campus with age-appropriate activities and facilities. Ramaquois offers pre-teens and teens a regular camp program in combination with an optional Trail Blazers trip program. Day trips planned for 3rd–10th graders; overnight trips planned for 5th-10th graders; Leadership Program for 10th graders. Door to door air-conditioned mini-bus transportation is provided using professional CDL licensed school bus drivers and a bus counselor, who provides safety, as well as planned activities on the bus. Ramaquois is a magical camp where children experience a sense of adventure, meet new challenges, create wonderful memories and make lasting friendships.

Camp Ramaquois
30 Mountain Rd
Pomona, NY 10970
845-354-1600

Challenge Camp: Open the door to a delightful and meaningful summer of fun and learning for your bright, curious child. Challenge Camp is an ACA accredited camp celebrating its 38th summer. Join them at their fully air conditioned facility in Hartsdale, NY. Challenge is dedicated to providing meaningful opportunities for children aged 4-15 to realize their intellectual and personal potential. They offer over 100 STEM and Arts based enrichment courses ranging from 3D printing, architecture, art, chess, coding, cooking, drones, littleBits, magic, Minecraft, robotics, theater, and more. Sports options include Swimming, Fencing and Tae Kwon Do. Challenge campers customize a program of selections based on their interests and follow their courses for an entire session, enabling their knowledge and interest to grow throughout the session. Bus transportation and early/extended day options available. Please join them for an Open House on Sunday March 25, from 2-4pm at their location.

Challenge Camp
Schechter Westchester
555 West Hartsdale Avenue
Hartsdale, NY 10530
914-779-6024
Email: info@challengecamps.com

Debate and Public Speaking Summer Camp: Your child can learn debate and public speaking this summer at Lumos - at our Berkeley College location in White Plains. It's a really fun program, with speaking games activities and games that kids love!

Public Speaking Confidence
Learn Debate Fundamentals
Analytical Writing and Research Skills
Learn about Current Events
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
Outdoor Free Time and Games

Open to students Grades 6-9. Email info@lumosdebate.com or call 617-901-4564. You can use the special promo code "SCARSDALE" for $300 off - register at: Lumosdebate.com

The House of Sports is your one stop shopping for weekly sports camps this summer! From ages 3 years old through high school, the House of Sports offers programming for children of all ages and ability level. For our younger campers, we offer a multi-sport camp that incorporates both learning and playing a variety of sports each day. For children in 3rd grade and older, they also offer sport specific camps in lacrosse, basketball, soccer and baseball. All camps take place in a 100,000 square foot climate controlled facility in Ardsley, and all camps are staffed by professional coaches and instructors.

House of Sports
1 Elm Street
Ardsley, NY
914-479-5419

Squire Advantage and Squire Sports Camps at Maria Regina High School in Hartsdale is celebrating its 45th year and is the proud recipient of the first ever Westchester Country Inspector Choice Award! An OPEN HOUSE and CARNIVAL is scheduled for Saturday March 10 from 1-4pm. There will be door prizes, bouncy houses, carnival games and food! Instructors and coaches will showcase their courses and tours will be given. Courses are taught in air-conditioned classrooms by certified teachers. Hot lunch is included and transportation is available. Squire Advantage Primary (grades K-3) and Advantage Choice (grades 4-9) is created for campers who wish to custom design their own schedule by choosing courses in the fields of swimming, computers, sports, fine arts, science, cooking, music and more. There are more than 50 different activities to choose from! Squire Sports Camps are divided into two different sports programs. Squire All Sports Academy (ages 6-15) allows for instructing and playing of many different types of sports throughout the day. Sports include tennis, basketball, soccer, baseball, football, etc. Squire Tennis Academy (ages 6-15) is a fun and challenging tennis experience designed for beginners to experienced players. Squire Camps programs run from June 25th until August 10th, 2018.

Squire Camps
Maria Regina High School
Hartsdale, NY
(914)328-3798

Steffi Nossen School of Dance weekly dance camps and intensives for pre-school – teen dancers. Register by May 18th and receive a 10% discount! June 5-July 21.

Weekly Story Book Camps June 11– July 21 for ages 3-5; a morning of movement, music and art with a new story each week.
Moving Wheels & Heels Adaptive Adult Intensive - June 18 – 23; Dancers age 16+ learn technique and repertory, improve range of motion, explore and express creativity, and enjoy a collaborative artistic experience. Live music, wheel chairs welcome.
Moving Wheels & Heels Adaptive Youth Camp – June 25– 28 incorporates dance, movement, and related arts activities in a warm, supportive and creative environment.
Dance Camp – two week camp, July 9 – 20 for grades 1-5. Take classes in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Musical Theater. Also dance history and composition, and choreograph your own dances. No experience necessary
Musical Theater Kids - July 23-August 3 for Grades 2 – 6. Budding performers interested in acting, singing & dancing train with some of the best professional teachers in the Musical Theater field, exploring the performing arts within a safe, nurturing and artistically challenging environment, and getting daily acting, voice, and dance classes taught through games, exercises and technique classes and culminating in a showcase.
Musical Theater Intensive-July 23 – August 3 for Grades 6 & up. Back for a 2nd season! Actor/singers who need more intensive dance training and dancers wanting to explore acting and singing work with professional voice, acting and dance teachers to enhance vocal and acting skills while honing proper dance technique. Beginner – advanced performers. Students work with professional voice, acting and dance teachers. Culminates in showcase!
Summer Dance Intensive –August 6 – 17 for beginner and intermediate pre-teen dancers .Rapidly improve dance skills and technique, explore new da styles, learn from professional dancers and choreographers. Daily Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theater. Also Body Conditioning, dance history. Create your own dance compositions. Final showing on the last Friday. Early drop off and extended day options. Register by May 18 for a 10% discount.

Steffi Nossen School of Dance
216 Central Ave.
White Plains, NY 10606
914-328-1900

Westchester Skating Academy: Weekly camps for all ages and abilities. Mini Camp, designed for preschool through eight-year-olds, includes two daily skating lessons, plus nature, science, magic, soccer, and crafts from June 11- 29 and August 13-31. Figure Skating Camp with Olympic coaches runs for 11 weeks beginning June 18 – August 31. Hockey Camp runs for nine weeks beginning July 2 to August 31 and offers excellent player development.

Westchester Skating Academy
91 Fairview Park Drive
Elmsford, NY 10523
(914) 347-8232

Farther Afield

Independent Lake Camp is a sleep-away summer camp in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of PA dedicated to a diverse community, committed creativity, the best facilities, and powerful, individualized programming. Our coed summer camp offers boys and girls ages 6-17 multiple session options (2,3,4,5,7,9 week). ILC provides the facilities, equipment and talented, hand-selected personnel from all over the world to ensure fantastic activities that are rich with integrity. And unlike the more traditional camps, ILC provides these campers with a whole universe of activities that helps campers have the confidence to dive into something completely new. We are a circus camp, sports camp, dance camp, performing arts camp, skateboard camp, arts camp, extreme sports camp, rock and electronic music camp, computer / role playing games camp and equestrian camp all rolled in to one summer experience! Independent Lake Camp celebrates 27 years of respect, creativity, understanding, challenging and nurturing campers.

Summer Office/Camp Address:
Independent Lake Camp
70 Clark Rd
Thompson, PA 18465
1-800-399-2267 (CAMP)

Summerfuel offers personalized adventures for students seeking a summer experience like no other. Our extensive range of programs encourages independence and friendship, striking the perfect balance between learning, exploration, and fun. We're proud of our reputation for providing a high level of attention and care, for being pioneers in our field, and for finding exciting new ways to make each student's summer unforgettable. Students who join our challenging Pre-College and Business programs, or our authentic Cultural Exploration and Art Now programs, develop essential skills that put them ahead of the game. All of our programs are designed to broaden academic and personal horizons, and we work thoughtfully to create opportunities for a truly diverse student population. We have been offering the best, most comprehensive student adventures since 1984, and we still know what students want from their summers today.

Summerfuel
info@summerfuel.com
212-796-8340

Wellesley Pre-College Programs for High-School Girls: As one of the most prominent college's for women, Wellesley's Pre-College Immersive Program and Pre-College Exploratory Workshops are every bit as challenging as they are exciting. By living and studying as members of the Wellesley College community, high-school girls will gain valuable insights on college life while making lasting friendships with a diverse, passionate group of students from around the world.

Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA
email: summer@wellesley.edu

For the Younger Set

Beth El Day Camp has been the summer place to be for young children since 1951. Widely recognized as the best-in-class day camp in Westchester, Beth El remains the most fun, most trusted choice for young campers and their parents, year after year. Join us Monday June 25 through Thursday August 16, 2018. We are open Wednesday July 4. Children from ages 2-8 love the sports, swimming in the pool, music, arts & crafts, singing, dancing, nature, storytelling, yoga, karate, and much more! Proudly accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), we are also known for its nurturing environment, cutting-edge programming, and commitment to safety. We have the county's finest, best-trained professional staff, and a very favorable child/staff ratio. Whether this is your child's first camp experience or not, at Beth El everything begins with love and ends in fun. Don't wait too long to sign up – spots fill up quickly. For an appointment or questions Contact Julie Rockowitz, Director at (914) 235-2700, ext. 256 or daycamp@bethelnr.org.

Beth El Day Camp
1324 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10804
(914) 235-2700 ext. 256

Inchworm at the Scarsdale Congregational Church Nursery School summer program has been running in the community for over 30 years. Inchworm is a four-day per week, morning-only program open to children who will be entering Three's classes, Four's classes, or Kindergarten for the 2018/2019 school year. Inchworm staff are all experienced preschool teachers. Each day at Inchworm includes indoor play, arts and crafts, stories, games and snack. There is also a special activity every day, such as a visit from our Nature Specialist, music, or a gym/fitness class - outdoor playground and sprinkler play too! Each week at Inchworm features a different theme, and daily activities and crafts are geared toward that week's theme. Inchworm runs M-Th each week from 9:15 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Summer 2018 program dates are June 25th to August 2nd, and tuition is $210.00 per week (3 week minimum required); Registration will open to the public on February 26th. For more information and to download our application, please visit our website at www.sccnurseryschool.com or call 914-723-2440.

Inchworm Summer Program
Scarsdale Congregational Church
One Heathcote Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
(914) 723-2440

Summer Scene at The Little School combines the fun of summer with early childhood learning in a structured, nurturing environment under the guidance of acclaimed teachers. Children enjoy adventure filled days that incorporate active athletic play, swimming at the Scarsdale Pool, art projects, music, play centers and plenty of time outdoors. Each week features a different Theme Adventure or Special Event, creating added excitement and learning opportunities. Theme Adventures give the children a chance to expand their talents and interests, build self-confidence and create lasting friendships. Samples of our themes include Freedom Rocks, Ocean Odyssey, In the Garden, Superhero Week (Scarsdale Fire and Police visit), Down on the Farm (animals visit KBLS), Strummin and Drummin (music event) and Jolly Roger Pirate Adventure (storyteller visits). The program is open to children 3 and 4 years of age. We also have a 3-day morning class for incoming 2 year-old children. The 6-week program runs Monday-Friday June 26th – August 3rd. The Full Day program is 9am - 3pm, with a 9am – 1pm, half-day option for 3 year olds. Extended hours before and after camp are available from 7am - 6:30pm. Lunch and a healthy snack are provided each day.

The Little School
307 Mamaroneck Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
(914) 472-5409

Scarsdale Synagogue's Summer Stars Summer Program is the perfect summer experience for young children. This warm and nurturing seven-week summer program is for children 18 months to 5 years old. The children are engaged in activities such as sports, music, art, story time, daily water play and much, much more. There are special theme days each week such as Circus Day, Hawaiian Day or Carnival Day. At Summer Stars, friendships are formed and children grow socially, emotionally and intellectually as they engage in fun, stimulating summer activities. There is a three-day option for toddlers ages 18 to 30 months. Two year olds may choose a three-day option or attend five mornings a week. Three to 5 year olds may choose a half-day, 9am -12 noon option or a full day option from 9am - 2pm. Your child will sparkle and shine at Summer Stars!

Scarsdale Synagogue Summer Stars
2 Ogden Road
Scarsdale, NY
914-723-3001

Westchester Reform Temple's "Summer Play Place Camp" offers young children a unique 7 week summer experience. The professional certified staff provides arts and crafts, water-play, stories, games, sports and snack within a nurturing and loving environment. The 3's and 4's program is enhanced by specialists in music, movement and nature and special theme days. There are separation classes and classes with a loved one to stay as options for children who will be entering a 2's program in September. The little ones also enjoy crafts, water-play and music. Your children will learn, laugh and flourish.

Summer Play Place Camp
255 Mamaroneck Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-723-5493
Email: sue.tolchin@wrtemple.org

The Scarsdale Recreation Summer Day Camp offers four camps for children from Kindergarten through eighth grade, including recreational and educational programs and daily swimming at the Scarsdale Pool. The camp accommodates about 900 children in grades K-8. Camp Sagamore is for children entering kindergarten, Camp Lenape for first graders, Camp Wapetuck for second graders and Camp Pathunke is for kids in third through eighth grades. The season runs from July 2-Friday, Aug. 3 (no camp July 4) from 9am - 3:30pm. Transportation is provided from each elementary school, Scarsdale High School, George Field, Kids' BASE and the Scarsdale Pool. There are also combination camps for third-eighth graders who can choose soccer or sports camp in the morning and regular day camp in the afternoon. The Village offers two sessions of Teen Travel Camp for sixth through ninth graders, who go on a different trip each day.

Scarsdale Recreation Camp
Phone: (914) 722-1160
Email: recreation@scarsdale.com

Need help finding the right summer program for your child? Let Ellen Wylie of Spectacular Summers provide her personal recommendations:

Spectacular Summers: Do you know what your child or teen is doing this summer? Or are you just starting to think about sleep away camp for 2019? In either case, Ellen Wylie of Spectacular Summers would be happy to help you. Ellen has been placing children and teens at summer programs for nearly two decades herself and knows the camps and teen programs well. Ellen spends the better portion of every summer visiting, re-visiting and personally observing camps in action. During the rest of the year, she speaks to and meets with directors frequently and obtains feedback from families she has placed. As a result, Ellen has the up-to-date knowledge, information and experience to make the right recommendations for each child. She would be happy to share her personal knowledge and expertise with you. Ellen will gain a thorough understanding of your child and what you are looking for and then provide you with a few well-thought out suggestions. A mother of three children, all of whom have spent many summers away at camp, Ellen knows what it feels like to send your child to sleep away camp for the first time or on a teen travel program to another country. The service is free of charge to parents. Ellen is highly respected by camp directors and parents alike and regarded by directors as one of the best in the industry.

Spectacular Summers
Phone: (914) 722-2644;
(888) 774-CAMP (2267);
Email: ellen@spectacularsummers.com