Summer Program Newsletter
for Parents, Guardians, and Community-Based Bigs
Highlight from our Bigger Together Facebook Group
for Community-Based Bigs:
Please Welcome one of our Newest Matches - Big Dominique and Little Jadyn!

BIGS: Be sure to join the Bigger Together Facebook Group and post photos of activities you do with your Little to help everyone else come up with fun ideas!
FUN TOPICS TO HELP BREAK THE ICE
If you could go to any one time or event in history, what would you choose and why?

If you could meet any fictional character, who would you want to meet?

What do you think we should be doing to care for the planet?

Did you do anything brave or kind this past week?

What was the hardest thing you had to do this past week? What was the easiest?

If you could switch places with anyone in the world who would you pick and why? What is the first thing you would do as that person? If you got to be them for the whole day, how would you spend it?

Where would you like to travel, and why? ….you could even turn this into an activity where you explore those places virtually and through foods, music and dress.

What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?
CATCH LANTERNFLIES
Do your part to help our local ecosystem by catching some of these invasive bugs who damage our plants. Even though they have wings they are considered leafhoppers since they tend to hop from plant to plant so you can use this to your advantage and catch them in a water bottle.
FREE BEACH DAYS
If you and your Little want to enjoy some mid-week sunshine head out sans beach tags for one of the free beach days! On Wednesdays in Sea Isle City you can go to the beach for free all summer. Margate's "Thrilling Thursdays" through the end of August include a free beach day, farmer's market and moonlight movies every week.
NATURE WALK WITH FREE APP
Go on a nature walk at one of the nature reserves or wildlife refuges in our area. Turn it into a scavenger hunt and see who can find the most things. Make the list before you go and then tally how many of each you and your Little can find. Make it more interesting and download a free app on your phone called “Seek by iNaturalist”. This app helps you identify different plants and animals you see along your trip. You just take a photo of it on the app and the app will tell you what it is and gives you some information about it. Make it educational and fun!
MAKE BOUNCING BUBBLES
Who doesn't love bubbles?! Bouncing bubbles are even more magical than regular bubbles that pop so easily and all you need are a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand! Warm water, sugar, dish soap, a bubble wand and cotton gloves are all you'll need. This is guaranteed to be a fun activity to do with your Little!
LEARN A NEW CARD GAME
There is a whole world of wonderful card games out there, just waiting to be discovered and explored. This activity is great for outdoors at a shady park table or indoors at the library on days that are just too hot. Teach your Little to play games like Rummy, Speed, Trash or Hearts. And don’t forget Go-Fish, Slap Jack and War for the younger kids.
FREE OR LOW-COST ACTIVITIES
Check the calendars below for free or low-cost activities you can do in both Atlantic and Cape May Counties!
FREE ONLINE TUTORING
Learn To Be helps kids unlock their potential by connecting them with exceptional tutors online, for free. The application should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete and must be submitted by a parent or guardian.
RESOURCES ON NJ PARENT LINK
The homepage for NJ Parent Link provides information for the parents of NJ. It's a portal for Federal, State, and Community resources.
HOW TO BUILD YOUR CHILD'S SELF ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE
Self-esteem plays a significant role in the development of healthy children. You can do a lot to help your child feel confident and competent. Read on to learn more.
POSITIVE PARENTING TIPS
As a parent you give your children a good start in life—you nurture, protect and guide them. Parenting is a process that prepares your child for independence. As your child grows and develops, there are many things you can do to help. The link below will help you learn more about your child’s development, positive parenting, safety, and health at each stage of your child’s life.
LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAMS
Activities for all ages are scheduled throughout the library systems. The story times, contests, talks, crafts and classes are all designed to include, engage, and empower participants. Participating in a summer reading program may help prepare children for success by developing early language skills. It can also help young children build personal connections with stories and builds language skills.
MORE ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
Are you new to the BBBS program? Are you having trouble thinking up fun activity ideas to do with your Little? Looking for resources in our local community? Click the button below to view all previous newsletter issues.