Monthly Archives: October 2012

Preparing for a storm –

Do not worry about the hurricane, but it is important to be careful.

• Stay home with your host family during the storm and follow their advice and direction
• Keep your own families at home informed about your location and personal status during/after the storm
• Talk to your host family about any travel plans you or they have for this week and cancel/reschedule
• If you have an emergency during the storm, please call our emergency line 1-800-727-2437

There is a possible hurricane coming this week. Do not be afraid, but it is good to go over emergency procedures with your host parents.

We may lose electricity during the storm. Sometimes it takes a few days to get the power back on. Please know that you will be safe and that your host parents are prepared for these kind of situations. Stay inside in a hurricane and stay together.

Here is a list of things to have on hand in the event of a natural disaster like a hurricane:
• Food and water
• flashlights and batteries
• a battery operated radio
• charge your cell phones before the storm
• cooler and ice for food to be stored
• hand wipes
• a first aide kit
• activities to occupy the children
I hope the storm isn’t too bad, but if you lose electricity, do not worry, it will come back on. Trust your host parents to know what to do and help anyway you can, especially with the kids!
If you have to evacuate with your host families to another location, you must:
Take your important documents. This includes passport, Form DS-2019, Form I-94, Social Security Card, Financial Records, plane ticket, checks, credit cards, etc.)
Take contact numbers and e-mail address of your community counselor
Take SEVP and Department of State contact information. SEVP email address: SEVIS.Source@dhs.gov.; Department of State e-mail address: Jvisas@state.gov.

Come to the mall for family fun!

Fredericksburg Fall Family Festival. Oct 28, 3pm – 6pm. Join Spotswood Baptist Church and the Spotsylvania Towne Centre for fun and excitement! It’s the 3rd annual Fredericksburg Fall Family Festival Sunday, Sponsored by Thunder 104.5 at the Towne Centre!

Activities include hay rides, huge inflatable’s, carnival games and a petting zoo.

All of the activities are FREE!

Inside the Towne Centre, children are invited to play a variety of carnival-style games to win candy.

Plus, families can enter to win fabulous prizes!

Trick or treat!

Tick-or-treating – why we do it

 The American Halloween tradition of “trick-or-treating” probably dates back to the early All Souls’ Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called “soul cakes” in return for their promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives.

Trick or Treat Trick or Treat 

The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as “going a-souling” was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.

The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.

Fall Festival at Mount Vernon

Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon. Oct 27, 28, 9am – 5pm. The entire family enjoys autumn activities including wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16-sided barn, 18th-century dancing demos, a straw bale maze, farrier (blacksmithing) demonstrations, apple-roasting, corn husk dolls demonstrations and early-American games and music. Potomac River sightseeing cruises are half-price this weekend only. Admission: adults, $15; Children ages 6-11, $7; and Children under 5 FREE. 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria. www.mountvernon.org

It’s United Nations Day!

File:Flag of the United Nations.svg

This is the anniversary of the creation of the United Nations in 1947, committed peace and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people. Teach your children something about your country today – a song, a story, game, a new food or a national tradition.

Local Halloween events

Halloween

Fredericksburg Jaycees Haunted House. Weekends in October, 7pm. The oldest haunted house in the ‘Burg is back and better than ever! Join us for our re-vamped Haunted House, sure to scare the pants off of you! Located in the parking lot of Old Bogeys in Central Park (next to American Indoor Karting). www.fredjaycees.com

Halloween Ghosts of Fredericksburg Tours. Weekends through Nov 30. 50 Minute Carriage Tours. Fredericksburg, “America’s Most Historic City, is also considered to be one of the most haunted cities in the country. See if you can find any undead on one of our Ghost Tours through historic downtown Fredericksburg. 706 Caroline St. F’burg, 22401. 540-710-3002.www.ghostsoffredericksburg.com

Haunted Hollow. Weekends in October, 7pm. Visit a haunted, abandoned old farm! 8275 Maple Tree Ln, Warrenton, 20188. 540-522-9183. www.hauntedhollowva.com

Howl-O-Fest At King’s Dominion. Weekends in October, 12Noon – 5pm. Come enjoy all sorts of treats at daytime Howl-O-Fest’s Boo Blast at Kings Dominion. Families can enjoy Halloween together with a street party of frightful fun including a treasure hunt, foam pit, pumpkin painting and more! 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell.www.kingsdominion.com

Halloween Haunt at King’s Dominion. Weekends, September 28 – October 28. Features ghastly creatures emerging from the darkness, highly-intense and bone-chilling attractions and some of the most hair-raising rides on the planet like the Intimidator 305 and Dominator roller coasters! This event is not recommended for kids. 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell. www.kingsdominion.com

Historical Haunts at Stratford Hall. Oct. 27, 6pm – 8pm. Family event for all ages! Special ghost tours of Great House, Halloween crafts and refreshments. Cost: $5/Adult and $3/Children. 493 Great House Rd, Stratford Hall, 22558. www.stratfordhall.org.

Shocktober. Every Fri, Sat, Sun in October. Paxton Manor; 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg. The Paxton Manor opens its doors to those who are brave enough to walk her halls and descend into the basement. There are three nightly haunts for you to explore at our one location: The Paxton Manor, The Funhouse, and The Haunted Well of Souls. www.shocktober.org.

Wicked Woods Haunted Forest. Weekend Evenings Sept 28 – Oct 28. Includes a haunted manor, an insane asylum and over 1/4 mile trail into the deep woods of Virginia. Massey Rd., Spotsy, 22551. 540-895-5786. www.wicked-woods.com

Spooky Crafts for Kids. Oct 17. Gather under the cover of darkness to make some spooky Halloween crafts! Rowser Bldg, 1739 Jeff Davis Hwy, Stafford. For ages 3- 10 yrs. Times: Ages 3 – 5: 5pm – 5:45pm. Ages 6 – 10: 6pm – 6:45pm. Cost: $8/$10–non-res. www.staffordparks.com

Tots Halloween Crafts. Oct 17, 10am – 11am. Halloween season craft projects for ages 3-4. Cost: $5/child. Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St., F’burg. www.fredericskburgva.gov

Spooky Search for Sensational Treats. Oct 19, 7pm. Search and collect Halloween treats by the light of the moon or your own flashlight. For ages 3 -11 yrs. Curtis Park, Shelter #7, 58 Jess Curtis Lane, 22406. Cost: $6/$8-on-res. 540-658-4871. www.staffordparks.com

Creepy Crawly Carnival. Oct 19 & 20 (7pm – 9pm). Activities include carnival area with crafts, games, and treats, dancing, moon bounce, box maze, haunted house, costume contest and a haunted trail ride. Cost: $6/person or $20 for family of 4. All proceeds go to the Support Campaign. Being held at the Massad Family in S. Stafford, and the Ron Rosner in Spotsylvania. www.family-ymca.org

Pumpkin Patch in the Pool. Oct 20, 6:15pm – 8pm. Who said pumpkins can’t swim? Get your pumpkin from the pool, decorate it, and after all your hard work, swim awhile! Space is limited, so sign up now! One pumpkin per child. Ability to swim not required; pumpkins will also be available on the pool deck. Ages 3-10. Cost: $8 per child & accompanying adult. Woodlands Pool, 2 Northampton Blvd, Stafford.

Pumpkin Derby Workshop. Oct. 22, 6pm – 7:30pm. Learn how to build your racing pumpkin for the big event on Oct 27! Bring your own pumpkin and we will help you turn it into a derby racer. Workshop includes axles and wheels! For ages 10+ Rowser Bldg, 1739 Jeff Davis Hwy, Stafford. Cost: $8/res or $10/non-res. www.staffordparks.com.

Spooky Stories by the Shore. Oct 26, 7pm -8pm. Walk the trail of spooks and spiders to a roasting fire by the shore. Hot chocolate and marshmallows, then spooky stories and other surprises! Must pre-register: 540-373-1086 or www.fredericksburg.gov. Cost: $5/person. Motts Run Nature Center, 6600 River Rd, F’burg

Boo at the Zoo. Oct 26, 27, & 28. The Smithsonian National Zoo offers the wildest trick-or-treat in town. Enjoy animal encounters, keeper talks, and festive decorations along with your tasty candy and delicious snack foods. 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington D.C. www.nationalzoo.si.edu/events

Halloween Spookover & Costume Party. Oct 26, 8pm. Join the fun with our Gymnastics Halloween Sleepover! Wear your costume for the contest and then prepare for a whole night of fun, games, gymnastics, movies, popcorn, and pizza! Bring a sleeping bag and clothes you can “shake, rattle, and roll” in! We will even have breakfast on Saturday morning! For Ages K-12 yrs. Stafford Gymnastics and Rec Center, 500 Nelms Circle, Falmouth. Spaces are limited. Preregister atwww.staffordparks.com

Haunting Halloween Madness. Oct 26, 6pm – 10pm. Costumes, music, and food outline this scary Friday night at the Lake Anna Winery. For $20, dance into the night to the tunes of “REUNION”. Also enjoy Pet and Human Costume contests, a Bon Fire, Pumpkin Painting, Wine Tasting, and Tours. There will also be a Bake Sale and Auction items, benefiting Louisa Humane Society. 540-895-5085.www.lawinery.com/dest_events.asp

Air & Scare. Oct 27, 2pm – 8pm. Our annual Halloween event features the spooky side of air and space at the Air and Space Museum; Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. Each year, people arrive in costume for safe indoor trick-or-treating. They participate in creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities. The tiniest visitors check out the Tot Zone to play dress-up and hear a story. They can even pose for a photo with their favorite Star Wars character! www.airandspace.si.edu/airandscare/index.cfm

The Great Pumpkin Derby. Oct 27, 2pm. Grab your pumpkin racer and head to Curtis Park to compete against your friends and race your pumpkin downhill to victory! Making a pumpkin racer is easy! Take a pumpkin and insert 2 wheels. Make sure to decorate too! There will be prizes for winning racers and for best decorated pumpkins! All ages welcome! Curtis Park Shelter #7. Cost: $6/res or $7/non-res. Deadline to register: 10/26. 540-658-5116. www.staffordparks.com

Spooky Stories. Oct 30, 7pm. Spooky stories and songs to thrill and chill you on the library lawn. For grades K- 6. Just drop in! Headquarters Library, 1201 Caroline St., F’burg, 22401.www.librarypoint.org.

Halloween Hoopla. Oct 31, 10am and 11am. Halloween stories, songs and a costume parade for children ages 2-5 with their caregivers. England Run Library, 806 Lyons Blvd, F’burg, 22406.

Halloween Pizza Party. Oct 31, 1pm – 3pm. Join us for a costume & pizza party designed with your preschooler in mind. Gymnastics, parachute games, costume parade, and plenty of Halloween fun! Wear comfortable clothing under costume so you can shake, rattle, & roll after the parade! Cost: $15. Stafford Gymnastics and Rec Center, 500 Nelms Circle, Falmouth. www.staffordparks.com

Scavenger Hunt in DC

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October 14th, over 200 au pairs met at the base of the Washington Monument for the annual Scavenger Hunt.  The theme for this year’s hunt was the 2012 Presidential Election with prizes going to the winning teams. Everyone had a great time exploring Washington DC in search of answers and items to be team with the most points to win a prize.  Every au pair went home with a prize, fond memories and new friends.

It’s apple picking time!

Carter Mountain Orchard. Open daily 9am – 6pm. Pick your own in the orchard or buy pre-picked in the store. Activities include hayrides (weekends only) and picnic area. Also available in the store: fresh baked apple pies, apple cider donuts, pumpkins and specialty crafts. 1435 Carter Mountain Tr, Charlottesville, 22901. www.cartermountainorchard.com

Grave’s Mountain Lodge. Open Sept 15 – Oct 20, 8am – 4:30pm, weekends only. Pick your own in the orchards or buy pre-picked in the store. Other activities include hayrides, barnyard animals, hay mountain, hay maze and picnic areas. 205 Graves Mountain Lane, Syria, 22743.www.gravesmountain.com

Stribling Orchard. Open Tues – Sun, 9am – 5pm. Tours available for youth/school groups. Pick your own apples, farm animals, picnic area and bakery with cider, pies, local honey and more. 11587 Poverty Hollow Lane, Markham, 22643. www.striblingorchard.com