Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/118258
live with family CampHERO Ask Doctor Mom Beach vacation dreamin' Summer Camp Bound Keep your kids acting, exploring and kicking all summer long at a host of local day camps Take the stage: For those who love the spotlight, Children's Theater of Madison's Summer Drama School offers three-week camps all summer long, while Monkey Business Institute's Summer Improv Camp will have them laughing their days away with weeklong classes. If it's rocking out your daughter loves, look to Girls Rock Camp to teach her band basics at weeklong sessions in June, July or August. Or foster a creative side at Shell Lake Art Center's weeklong overnight camp with imaginative activities that range from pottery to filmmaking. Set off to explore: When your child is ready to go wild, the Henry Vilas Zoo Summer Zoo School will use the zoo's living laboratory to encourage discovery all summer. Little animal-lovers will also adore a series of weeklong day camps at Dane County Humane Society's Camp Pawprint, where kids learn through ample time with furry friends. If it's the outdoors your explorer enjoys, look no further than Aldo Leopold Nature Center's day- and weeklong offerings. For learners looking to the future, CampHERO empowers girls to explore the careers of police officers, fire fighters and more during weeklong camps. Run and play: Youthful energy will meet its match at the UW-Madison Sport Camps. With a host of weeklong overnight camp possibilities, little athletes are sure to find their stride through basketball, rowing and so much more. Or leave it to the Wisconsin Youth Company's day camps to immerse campers in swimming, games and other summertime traditions. If it's daily fieldtrips you're after, Legacy Academy Summer Camp will have them roller-skating, bowling and gliding down slides daily. Or let your little girl rule the roost at the Girl Scouts Explore S'More!, where opportunities to dream big are found at day camps and overnight sessions. 24 BRAVA Magazine April 2013 As spring kicks in, I am motivated to turn on Bob Marley's greatest hits and fantasize about sunny destinations. My fun-in-the-sun daydreams are usually interrupted by the reality of traveling with kids: whining, exhaustion and temper tantrums that don't stay at home. However, over the last several years my husband and I have made some adaptions to our travel preparation routine to make it all easier. Here's what we've learned can make for a less-stressful and healthier adventure. First, start packing early. We used to wait until the last minute, do seven loads of laundry, and finish packing minutes before getting into the car. This spring break we are driving south for a beach vacation, and I have already started forming piles for each family member that includes warm weather clothes, goggles, sun glasses, hats, etc…This allows us to pack at a leisurely pace and not start the trip off feeling frazzled. Second, buy more sunscreen than you think you'll need. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an SPF of 15 or higher. With increasing rates of skin cancer in this country, we have to be more vigilant about protecting ourselves and our children from the effects of sun exposure. Next, pack fresh fruits and vegetables for snacks. We have started packing carrots and cut-up sweet peppers. They're tasty, healthy and easy to munch in the car! And although gas stations are full of tempting eats, try to avoid salty snacks that dehydrate you and make you feel awful by the time you reach your destination. I love to travel and spend time with my family. Making some small changes to keep us mentally and physically healthier during our trip helps our days on the beach feel even sunnier. Want more ideas? Check out cdc.gov or travelforkids.com for more. Dr. Kristin Millin is a pediatrician at the Meriter West Washington Clinic and mother of two. Photo courtesy of CampHERO By Dr. Kristin Millin