This-N-That
Prevent A Lice Outbreak
A drug-resistant “super lice” has plagued at least 25 states in the past few months. While it's true that this lice are resistant to common over-the-counter lice removal treatments, this is not a new “breed” of lice; they are extremely resistant to products that have been used for years. Like any other insect, they eventually are simply not impacted by a product that is used over and over again. Lice becoming resistant to common chemicals is a predicable phenomenon.
So what should you do if lice invade your camp? If you choose to try over-the-counter products, it's important to use newer and safer ones. However, many of these products simply kill the bugs rather than removing the eggs – combing and picking through the hair with an effective combing tool is a necessity. A combing tool is scientifically documented to be three or more times effective than just looking.
It's important to know what you can do to prevent lice. There are a few ways to avoid spreading lice:
- Avoid head-to-head contact during school, at home, and any activities.
- Do not share clothing like hats, scarves, coats, and hair accessories.
- Do not share combs, brushes, or towels. If one becomes infested, disinfect combs and brushes by soaking them in hot water (130°F) for 5-10 minutes.
- Do not lie on beds, pillows, couches, etc. that an infested person has come in contact with recently.
- Machine wash any linens, clothing etc. that the infested person has come in contact with.
If you, an employee, or a camper does contract head lice, don’t panic. This very common condition has nothing to do with cleanliness.
Information provided by School Outlet (www.schooloutlet.com).
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BOB-CAT Expands Warranty Coverage
Johnson Creek, Wis. – BOB-CAT, a manufacturer of commercial-quality turf mowers, is pleased to announce “Mow With Confidence”—a new warranty with expanded coverage across its entire product line. Backed by the BOB-CAT Promise, the improved warranties give customers greater confidence and protection on their equipment investments.
BOB-CAT has significantly extended the warranty period on all Predator-Pro and ProCat mowers, to an industry best 6-year/2,750-hour protection plan. The company is also backing its midsize walk-behind mowers, with a 3-year/2,500-hour program. The company is also extending warranty coverage on all other mowers.
To learn more, call customer service at (866) 469-1242 or visit www.bobcatturf.com.
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Make A Punch Art Rainbow
This is a craft for kids of any age, and if they’d rather, encourage them to create their own design, even something abstract. It’s a fun way to use up those leftover bits of yarn you’ve stashed away.
Materials:
- Foam: 12” x 6” x 1” block (a 12” x 36” x 1” sheet can be cut into six, 12” x 6” x 1” blocks)
- Acrylic craft paints: Blue, green, and black
- Yarn: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple; curly white; and 38 inches of chunky pink
- Wood toothpicks
- Thick, white craft glue
- Optional: Sawtooth picture hanger and nails
Tools needed:
- Scissors
- Fine-line black permanent marker
- Stiff paintbrush
- Wood skewer
- Disposable palette, like a paper plate
To make a Yarn Art Rainbow Picture:
1. Paint green grass and a blue sky onto the foam block. Let paint dry.
2. Using the fine-line permanent marker, draw a rainbow across the blue sky. Squeeze a thin line of glue onto a 1-inch stretch of the rainbow, starting at the base. Place one end of red craft yarn at beginning of glue line. Use the blunt end of the skewer to push the end of the yarn straight down, ¼ inch into foam. (Hint: If working with very small children, snap off the pointed end of the skewer first.)
3. Make your next tuck into the foam about a ½-inch from the first, with ¾ to 1 inch of yarn between the two points. This extra yarn will make a “pouf.” Continue tucking in the yarn, adding 1-inch lengths of glue as you go and punching in your yarn every ½ inch or so. If skewer gets sticky, wipe off glue with paper towel. If the skewer is hard to remove from the foam, experiment with slightly twisting it as you take it out.
4. After you’ve finished the first row of yarn loops, rotate the picture and repeat in the opposite direction. Repeat for each color in the rainbow, creating two rows of yarn loops per color.
5. Punch in the sheep and the clouds using the curly white yarn. To make the legs for the lambs, paint toothpicks black and let them dry. Cut the wide ends from the picks and glue four to each sheep for legs.
6. “Frame” your picture with chunky yarn, gluing it around the outside edge of the picture.
7. Optional: Hang with a sawtooth hanger. Center the hanger on the back of the picture toward the top. Dip the nails into glue, and then insert into the holes in the hanger. Let glue dry.
Information provided by Sharon Currier of Crafts 'n Coffee. For more craft ideas, visit her blog at http://craftsncoffee.com/projects-galore/kids-crafts.
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Calendar
January
14 American Camp Association Virginias Winter Conference and Exhibitor Showcase, Williamsburg, Va.—Fort Magruder Hotel & Conference Center; www.ACAcamps.org/virginias
21 American Camp Association Ohio Camping Conference, Columbus, Ohio; www.ACAcamps.org/Ohio
February
9-12 American Camp Association National Conference, Atlanta, Ga.—Hilton Atlanta
19-21 American Camp Association Northern California CampWorks! Conference, Felton, Calif.—Mt. Hermon Conference Center; www.ACAcamps.org/norcal
March
7-10 American Camp Association Tri-State Conference, Atlantic City, NJ—Atlantic City Convention Center; www.aca-nynj.org
31 - April 2 American Camp Association New England, Manchester, NH; www.acanewengland.org