Exciting programs have been developed for each age group of children and teens. These programs have been designed to entertain and enrich all children in the program, including children who use cochlear implants, those being considered for the implant, and their brothers and sisters. There are games, arts and craft activities, entertainment and field trips for the children to look forward to. There will also be free time for the children and their parents to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and amenities of the Sturbridge Host Hotel.
For further information, contact the Children's Program Coordinators:
Ages 0-3 years: Judy Orloff Email
Ages 3-10 years: Carol A. Steele Email
Ages 11-18 years:
Barbara Mellert Email
All children and adults are invited to an Ice Cream Social, sponsored by Cochlear
Americas. Big Apple clowns, sponsored by Children’s Hospital Boston, will entertain the children. The children will have a chance to get to know one another and their chaperones. The ’tweens and teens will also attend this social and then have their own get-acquainted party with creative games.
Licensed childcare workers will care for children ages 0 - 2 years. Separate childcare rooms will be provided for infants and toddlers, with appropriate activities throughout the day. Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided as well as rest time for the youngsters who need it. If your child requires a crib for napping it is recommended that you supply your own.
During the morning, children 3 - 5 1/2 years will make posters for the Poster Art Festival under the guidance of Mary Bruno, BFA, who has 15 years’ experience developing arts & craft activities for young children. The posters will be exhibited in the hotel hallways for all to enjoy. The children will also explore textures and crafts in age appropriate projects. In the afternoon, the children will engage in movement activities appropriate to their age, guided by Physical Education Specialist Michael Catalano.
This outdoor history museum and re-created New England town of the 1830s is only a short ride and 175 years away from the hotel! Children 5 1/2 - 10 years will be divided into small groups and pre-assigned to a chaperone for the visit to Old Sturbridge Village. Children 5 1/2 - 7 years will participate in hands-on activities in the
Museum Education building. Each group will rotate among stations where they will
practice home activities of the 1830s such as spinning and weaving, fireplace cook-
ing, printing and decorative arts. Children 8 - 10 years will explore the 200-acre vil-
lage on tours led by chaperones. Unpaved roads lead to houses, farms, shops, mills
and gardens typical of 19th century rural New England. In the afternoon the children will be in mentoring sessions, led by parent Joan Celebi.
The morning will start with a photo scavenger hunt. Teams will be given a camera and a list of objects to shoot. The scavenger activity will be followed by rap groups for, respectively, teens, ‘tweens and their hearing siblings, led by John Anderson, M.A., Mark Campbell, Au.D., Jill Grenon, M.A. and Betsy Kammerer, PH.D. After lunch they will enjoy swimming, mini-golf and games. Afterwards, they’ll board buses for an active afternoon of bowling, joined by Keynote Speaker Josh Swiller. Dinner will be at a nearby pizza restaurant. Following dinner they will return to the hotel for the evening activities.
The children ages 3 - 10 will enjoy a family style dinner in the hotel indoor courtyard.
Children 3 - 5 1/2 will return to their activity rooms for an evening of relaxation and watching movies. Children 5 1/2 - 10 will walk to the Exhibit Hall for an evening of
activities that are fun and educational. In the Exhibit Hall the children will rotate through three stations in 45-minute segments. At each station there will be an age-appropriate activity guided by a trio of marvelous children’s entertainers. Mike Catalano, a Physical Education Specialist, will provide a movement, education and fitness program
in which kids develop their motor skills and sport skills while they learn about co-operative play and character development. These movement activities are fun and creative. The second station will feature a magic show and at the third station “Flippo the Jugglin’ Clown” will interact with the children.
Coast to Coast Entertainment will conduct an exciting DJ dance for the teens and
‘tweens under the festively lit tent on the hotel grounds. This event is organized by
parent Cathy Pendleton.
Morning Activities (Sunday Morning)
Under the direction of Ed Popielarczyk "Magic Moments," the children 3 - 5 1/2 will
enjoy performances of magic for the group, face painting, and strolling pocket
magic, as Ed calls it.
The teens and ‘tweens and children 5 1/2 - 10 will enjoy participating in music activities with Tony Vacca. Tony is an educator, composer and percussionist. His music
reflects the multi-cultural sources of rhythm in America. He plays instruments and
rhythms from around the world with American and African
musicians. The children will clap in time to Tony’s beat,
and many will have a chance to play a broad assortment
of percussion instruments. They’ll have a ball!
The ‘tweens may also be interested in attending the panel
discussion, We Hear You, Now You Hear Us, in which a
panel of school age cochlear implant users share their experiences. The teens may choose to attend the panel,
We’re in College Now! This panel will discuss the college application process, getting needed accomodations,
and surviving and thriving in college. The teens and ‘tweens will also have an opportunity to chat with Josh Swiller.
Afterwards the youth and children will join their families for the barbecue lunch and will say goodbye to old and new friends as they leave Sturbridge for 2011.
Let the drums begin! The kids had a ball with Tony Vacca at the '07 NECIC.