School is out, summer is here and camp is on!!!   We are offering 6 great weeks of camp this year at UDCNS that are quickly filling up!!!  Each week has a different theme (Science, Safari, Locomotion, Art, Engineering & Theater).

The kiddos had a BLAST during their 1st week of camp.  It's a bit more relaxed than normal school days, but there is the same amount of fun, just as much learning, and maybe a touch more time in the sun!!!  During this week, Mrs. Atherholt put together a dynamic curriculum based upon Science  exploration, learning and experimenting!!!

There is more and more emphasis being placed upon STEM learning in the classroom at the youngest of ages.  -And we love to pull science into our fun playing as much as we can.  We took a whole week of camp to weave as much science wonder and fun into their playing and learning and it was amazing (and a little bit explosive)!!

Learning about Malleable Matter: This week the kiddos learned all about Malleable Matter Science.  They learned how matter is malleable, and once it undergoes a change, it can not be changed back (ie. think boiling an egg, rusted metal, spoiled food).  While the kiddos had a great time learning all about this scientific process and how they see it in their everyday lives, they had an even better time when the hands on learning by doing Experiments came into play! 

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​​Oobleck Experiment:  Oobleck is a substance that's somewhere between a liquid and a solid.  It's name comes from the Dr. Seuss book 'Bartholomew and the Oobleck', where a gooey, green substance falls from the sky.  Oh, what we can not learn from Dr. Seuss? 

Oobleck is fun to say, and just as much fun to create and play with!  It pours like a liquid, but acts like a solid when you squeeze it.  Can you imagine how much laughter, squeals and excitement we had while out kiddos created their own batch of Oobleck to learn and explore with?

....In addition to our Oobleck Experiment, Mrs. Atherholt also planned a little Baking Soda, Vinegar & Color Experiment.  When Baking Soda is mixed with vinegar, there is a reaction.  -And that reaction creates a whole, lot of bubbling fun!!!  While the kiddos learned about the 2 chemicals coming together in an unstable reaction, they were able to see the bubbles rapidly surfacing to the top (carbon dioxide escaping).    You can just see the fun and how excited they were to get their hands in there!

Our last fun experiment for the day was the Mentos and Diet Coke Experiment!!!   You can see the kiddos captivated as Mrs. Devlin is about to show them the malleable matter, explosive fun of mixing these 2 everyday items together!!!  It was explosive for sure!!!

In between our science fun, we had lots of fun in the sun, water play in our HUGE Pirate Ship Bouncie Water Slide, storytelling, snack time, crafts and more!  Most of all, the halls and backyard of our church were filled with love, laughter and tons of God's Love.  

Looking forward to Camp Week 2:  Safari.  There are lots of surprises planned...

While our fun year has come to an end, we had the most joyous and blessed Moving Up Ceremony. Our younger kiddos and families gathered together to cheer on their older friends as they are transitioning into Kinder next year.  Pastor Keith welcome, cheered and blessed our cuties as we wished them the best of luck.  As a father of 4, Pastor Keith is well experienced in all essential supplies needed to soar in school.  The kiddos watched closely as Pastor unpacked all of his recommended goodies for school.... pencil case, paper, crayons, lunch box, water bottle, erasers and more.  Yet, most of all Pastor Keith shared that God's great love is the most important gift that is needed as they enter their school years and beyond.  What a beautiful message for both young and old!!!

After our children were blessed, it was time to move outside and party!!!!  We had the super silly, fun and festive music performance by Mr. Dave.  He is wacky, funny, full of surprises and you just can't help but get up from your seats and move!!  Look at all our little ones having a blast out there on our dance floor (aka - our outdoor worship chapel)!!!  

After our kiddos got their wiggles and giggles out, it was time for the families to enjoy a casual  lunch at our picnic tables and on blankets scattered throughout the church backyard.  The kiddos giggled, jumped, ran and played on the slides, in the sandbox and throughout the entire church grounds. Parents, Grandparents, siblings, teachers, staff all gathered around for some playful picnic fun!!! 

AND THEN....We had a special surprise this year (which I think might just become an annual tradition).  We had Kona Ice Truck and it was a hit!!!  The perfect way to have a cool, tasty treat to on a nice summer day!!!  The kiddos could pick their own flavors to add into their water ice cups or choose from all the tasty ice cream novelties.  My daughter chose her beloved Mr. Square Pants Sponge Bob Ice Cream, which of course had the everlasting bonus of 2 gumballs for eyes.

From all of our staff at our school, we wish you and your family the most wonderful, warm, playful and blessed summer vaca!  We are excited to see many of you at our summer camp, and look forward to those that are returning next year.  -And best of luck to our 'moving on' kiddos!!!  You have made and imprint on our hearts that will last forever.  Thank you, God!!!

We are sadly counting down the days until this school year comes to a close, but the teachers at UDCNS wanted to enjoy some summertime fun with their kiddos before the school year lets out!!!  So, a school wide Beach Themed Party it is!!!!  We had the kiddos arrive at school with their bathing suits on, sunglasses donned, sun tan lotion applied and beach blanket in tote.  Rain or Shine, we were bringing the beach to our nursery school!

Several of the classes teamed up so that the classmates could explore new friends and enjoy the various stations together.  The kiddos got to soak in some church backyard fun in the Bounce House and Water Table Sessions.  We even had some fun learning with numbers and water paint at our Easel Center.

Depending upon the class, there were various age appropriate summertime beach crafts planed that the kiddos could enjoy.  Beach in a Bottle, Fish, Crabs and Seahorse creations were just a few of the various imagination efforts that were cooking around the school. 

We also pulled out the beloved Cozy Coupe Cars.  We have a fleet of about 20 or so that have all been donated to the church throughout the years.  We don't know why (actually we do... they are FUN), but the kiddos just ADORE playing with these cars.  They get so excited whenever we mention that they are on the schedule.  A great reminder... that those tried and true toys, activities and games are always the BEST!!!!  So, the kiddos enjoyed some Cozy Coupe Beach time cruising with some baby pool water play and chalk art imagination, as well! 

What is a Beach Time Party, without some tasty treats?   We laid out our beach towels, and the kiddos got to enjoy a moment of rest in the shade with some yummy popsicles (we had red, blue, green, purple & yellow).  You might have been able to guess what color they chose based upon the evidence left on their smiles at pick up time.  It was also fun to have several classes together to enjoy the various snack time prayers that are echoed within our classrooms each day throughout the year.

Oh, and before you go... Check out Mrs. A's Amazing Octopus Door that will set the tone for any under water beach time theme!  The kiddos felt like they were submerged within the water time ocean fun each time they came to class this week.  So, Fun!!!! 

All the staff at UDCNS are so blessed to have your kiddos in our class each and every day.  We truly enjoy them and are honored to watch them learn, grow, play and just share in God's wonderful love.  We hope you get to enjoy some relaxing, wonderful, family fun with your kiddos this summer, which may or may not include some beach time joys!