Spring is in the air with the budding of tulip trees and blossoms. Bulbs are sprouting and my camellia trees are covered with lovely pink and red flowers. While nature is waking up, parents on the Peninsula are actively seeking where their toddlers will matriculate for preschool. For a run-down on different kinds of schools and philosophies, read Barbara Fischer’s report on “The Preschool Quandary.” Meanwhile, parents of older children are beginning to think about how to keep their children busy this summer.

POP’s Camp Directory begins this month. The quest for how your children will spend their summer is underway and early birds are sure to get into their desired camp or summer program. Other parents are in the research stage of choosing summer programs for their children. If you are still looking in March come to POP’s Children’s Activities Faire at The Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno on the afternoon of March 17th.

The camp experience for me was memorable. Growing up in San Francisco allowed me to spend the summer months running around my neighborhood in a hooded sweatshirt to combat the cold and fog. Camp became an exciting option when I turned eight. I spent the next six summers going to camp at the Russian River for two weeks. I loved it!

Living on your own in a totally different environment is a great way to be introduced to independence. Some of the skills I honed at camp included writing letters and postcards to my parents and friends. Learning to get along with bunkmates and following rules were also great lifelessons. Chores were often part of a camper’s day, whether it be peeling potatoes or setting tables. Swim, golf and archery lessons also made the camp experience both fun and educational. Nature walks taught us how to avoid poison plants or getting lost. Sleeping under the starsintroduced me to astronomy, which I still find fascinating. I became pen pals with one of the girls I met at camp. We didn’t see each other again until college but we kept writing through grammar school, high school and college. I believe that having pen pals helped me gain confidence in writing and made it easier to compose essays, creative writing assignments and letters. Of course today you could email your pen pal but it still requires writing skills.

Along with our camp directory, POP editorial for February delivers some food for thought on how to spend Valentine’s Day. Columnists Steve Shapiro (“Father Knows Best?”) and Megan Ramirez (“Life as a Teen”) give us a new look at how to honor to our loved ones. Freelancewriter Tice Swackhamer shares her thoughts with her piece on “A Parent’s Guide to Reclaiming Valentine’s Day.”

Other features not to be missed are “Foreign Accents in Education” by Evie Preston; a roundup of local language programs on the Peninsula; and Dr. Bronzini’s information on Pediatric Dental Care, as February is Dental Care month. Win tickets to see the new movie

“Dr Suess’ The Lorax” coming to theaters in March. All you need to do is send POP a family photo taken somewhere on the Peninsula. See page 9 for our advertisement and instructions. Good Luck!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Til next month...

Joanne Bracco