Brava

June 2012

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live with family Ask Doctor Mom Safe fun in the sun By Dr. Sara Kreckman It's summertime, which means we're all ready flee into the great outdoors. But there is good cause to review the simple steps to safely spending time in the sun. Three-quarters of a person's lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 21, and repeated, unprotected exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune sys- tem suppression and even skin cancer. Keep these easy tips in mind as you head outside! Beat the Heat With Cool Classes Let them go wild Offer future zookeepers of all ages a safari close to home thanks to Henry Vilas Zoo's Summer Zoo School where various work- shops cover the ABCs of animals and life at the zoo. If your child (ages 6-11) prefers to snuggle smaller creatures, Animart's weeklong classes (held through August) will teach the art of pet care. Budding tree- huggers will go nuts for Aldo Leopold Nature Center's offerings. Held through- out the summer, the center's day and weeklong camps offer a range of adventures in the great outdoors. Madison Schools and Community Recreation always plans a host of activities, including weeklong camps such as "Into the Wild" in July, which guides children in grades 1-5 on an exciting journey through a "tropical rain- forest." Nurture a sporty side If you're raising the next Green Bay Pack- er, check out the Packers Youth Pro- gram. Held at various schools in Madison throughout June and July, kids ages 6-14 will tackle football skills in a no-contact setting and have the chance to meet a few of their football heroes. Water-lovers ages 10-18 will want to dive into the Hoof- er Youth Program's four-day sessions 24 BRAVA Magazine June 2012 Still hunting for ways to keep your kids busy (and busy learning) this summer? Here's a sampling of local activities to try teaching kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing or sailing on local lakes. Little karate kids (ages 3-9) can get their kicks at The Little Gym's "Hip-Hop Karate Chop!" week- long class in July, which combines hip-hop dance skills with basic karate. Help them steal the spotlight Little ballerinas will happily waltz into a three-day "Princess Drama Camp" this August at Storybook Ballet where kids ages 5-7 will learn a dance and theater piece before hitting the stage to perform. If making a crowd laugh is what your kid is after, help them find their comedic timing at Monkey Business Institute's improv classes for school-aged children, while little clowns ages 7 and up will fit right in at Mazomanie Movement Arts Center's "Circus Arts" camps in June and July. When rhythm is flowing through your daughter's veins, consider having her join others ages 8-18 to build confidence and music skills at Girls Rock Camp in July. It's a chance to join a band, learn from local experts, and hit the stage for family and friends! Find links to these activities along with many more happening this summer at bravamagazine.com! Sun protection for infants less than 6 months old: Avoiding direct sun expo- sure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts and brimmed hats are the two most effec- tive ways to prevent sunburn. When adequate shade under a tree, umbrella or stroller canopy is unavailable, apply a small amount of sunscreen with at least 30 SPF. Sun protection for older kids: For children older than 6 months (and parents), an effective defense also involves protective clothing. Make sure to wear clothing with a tight weave, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses with over 97 percent UV protection. Try to limit sun exposure during the peak hours between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater on both sunny and cloudy days. A young adult should typically apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside, and be sure to reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Avoiding heat illness: Children should be well hydrated and should not feel thirsty when playing in the sun. Encour- age kids to keep water or a sports drink close by to sip from every 20 minutes when exercising in the heat. While we encourage getting out and active, activi- ties lasting 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and hu- midity reach critical levels, and always remember to head indoors if anyone is feeling excessively hot or fatigued. Dr. Sara Kreckman is a pediatrician with Mer- iter Medical Group and mother of three.

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