Saturday, May. 30, 2009

FOR YOUR HEALTH

Screenings, talks

The Carolina Forest Senior Health Center will host several health seminars and free screenings this month.

Thursday | Free blood pressure screenings from 2-4 p.m.

June 8 | Grand Strand Regional Medical Center Chaplain Dennis Felder will speak at 2 p.m. on how to laugh at stress and maintain a positive attitude.

June 17 | Dr. Kevin Craig, who is board-certified in geriatrics, will speak at 2 p.m. on avoiding possible drug interactions with over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

June 22 | The Carolina Forest Senior Health Center will sponsor a free hearing screening from 2-4 p.m.

The Senior Health Center is at 199 Village Center, south of the intersection of International Drive and River Oaks Boulevard in Carolina Forest. Call 236-5700 for more information.

Special summer camps

Camp Air Waves, an annual camp experience for children with asthma, and Camp Seven Seas, a program for children with diabetes, will be from from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. June 16-19 at the Temple Emanu-El Community Center, 65th Avenue North and Kings Highway.

Applications are now being accepted for the camps, which are aimed at children ages 7-11 who have asthma or diabetes, require regular medication and are under a physician's care.

Each day begins with medication and a short education session, followed by camp activities, including arts and crafts, field trips, games and music.

"The goal of the camp is to help children manage their asthma or diabetes successfully through education and proper use of their medication," said Dr. Mark Schecker, allergist and medical director of the camp. "We also want the kids to enjoy camp activities such as field trips and other activities that they might shy away from because of possible asthma or diabetes problems."

Cost is $25, which includes meals and all field trips. Scholarships are available. For information or to register, call 839-9933.

FOR THE KIDS

Vacation Bible school with a twist

Nick@Night is returning to Carolina Forest Community Church in June.

Organizers describe it as a twist on traditional summer Bible school in that the children learn about God's love and they get totally soaked and messy. It meets from 6 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday in June at the church, on Carolina Forest Boulevard. It's open to children from age 3 up to the fifth grade.For information, contact Kathy Perry, volunteer coordinator, 236-7331.

4-H summer camps

The 4-H organization is offering summer camps in the area:

4-H Junior Gardener Camp, June 23-26; ages: 9-14; cost: $50. Youth will learn the basics of botany, the gist of gardening, the essentials of ecology, and much more. This day camp will be held at the Clemson Extension Office in Conway.

4-H2O Camp for the Grand Strand, July 6-9; ages: For rising fifth- through eighth-graders; cost: $50. This hands-on science inquiry program teaches youth about water quality and their local watersheds. Along with educational activities, students will get to do some fishing, canoeing/kayaking, boat rides, and more. This camp will be held at the Socastee Recreation Center.

Pee Dee 4-H2O Camp, July 20-23; ages: For rising fifth- through eighth-graders; cost: $50. This camp will be held at the Wildlife Action Education Center in Fork Retch. It is open to youth in Marion, Marlboro, Dillon, and Horry County.

To get information or to register, contact Pepper Strickland at strick3@clemson.edu or 365-6715, ext. 116.

Summer youth classes

Coastal Carolina University's Mini Summer Youth Program for rising third- through ninth-graders gets under way June 8 and runs through July 31, excluding the week of June 29. Hands-on, interactive courses include creative writing, money management and video production. Students may sign up by the week or for the entire summer.

Half-day classes are from 9 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 4 p.m.; full-day classes are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before-class child care (7:45 to 8:45 a.m.) and after-class child care (4 to 5:30 p.m.) are available at an additional cost.

Registration fees vary according to length and content of courses, with fees beginning at $95 per student. Participants are encouraged to register before June 1.

Transportation for all field trips is provided by the university. Parents, siblings and friends are invited for the last half hour/hour of class on Fridays.

The classes are taught by CCU faculty, instructors and graduate students; and Horry County and Georgetown County school teachers.

For the full list of classes or to register, call 349-2665 or visit www.coastal.edu/cec/mini.html.

Show off your pipes

Karaoke with Lee McDonald, beginning at 8 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday through the end of May at Tavern in the Forest, 4999 Carolina Forest Blvd. Call 236-5007.