Educational Play Dates in Area 1

My friend Doris is setting up an "Educational Play dates in Area 1."  If you have any questions follow the like for Face-book or feel fee to leave comments.

Many parents see starting school as a huge milestone in their child's life. It means more independence, knowledge and let's be honest, a break for mom! But, it can be scary for a child that is unaccustomed to being in a learning environment, especially without their parents! Parents often question whether or not their child is ready for school, I am here to help with that. I can help jump start the soon to be transition from staying at home with mom, to doing full time school. It is easier for a child to go into pre-kindergarted already knowing the basic curriculum. Your child will be the top of the class! I accept ages 2-5 for preschool, and if I have enough parents interested in doing Preschool, I will actually have a class! Your child would be able to interact with other children, in a learning environment, and you will get much needed mommy time! If you are interested in Preschool, please post any questions or interests below! Thank you!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1089084417#!/pages/Educational-Playdates-in-Area-1/146058402121431

Ideally, I would like to do a class 2 or 3 times a week, either Tues and Thurs or M,W, F, for 3 hours a day. Either 10-1, or 1-4. I would like to have class at my house, since I have all the materials here, but I understand that would be hard to do, considering Casey is half and hour from me. Cost is to be determined. if you are interested in preschool, please let me know. Ideally, it will be 25 dollars a week per child, which includes the 3 times a week for the 3 hours a day. But, if I have only one child sign up, that would not cover my travel costs. So, basically if I can get at least 5 preschoolers, it would be 25 dollars a child for the week. If not, then it would be treated the same as a babysitting.

Ice Fish Festival

The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation is hosting a trip to the Inje Ice Fish Festival at Soyang Lake Jan. 29. Visit your nearest Community Activity Center to sign up by Jan. 26. The transportation fee from the Community Activity Center at Camps Hovey, Casey, Red Cloud and Stanley is $30. For more information, call 730-4601/5125 or 732-6246/5366.

I have more information on this a few posts down. This looks like a wonderful time! 

Seoul Children's Grand Park has Free Sledding

Seoul Children’s Grand Park will be running free sledding facilities every day (10:00 – 17:00) from December 27th, 2010 to February 27th, 2011. The sledding hill is located near the entrance of the eco-pond deck right beside the main gate of the Children’s Grand Park, on a plot of land measuring 1,825㎡. Here, visitors can ride the traditional Korean sleds and even try their hand at Korean traditional top-spinning. There is even a small lounge when you can get out of the cold and bake your own sweet potato; the best part is that it’s all complimentary!
* Please be advised that hours of operation are subject to change depending on the weather, as the field uses only natural snow and ice.

☞ 1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)

Courtesy of: Seoul Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation

JangHeung Art Park

If you are looking for something fun to do one afternoon with your childen, then try the JungHeung Art Park. It is an outdoor/indor art park. There are plenty of things for children to play on and climb in. 
All signs are in Korean however it is fairly easy to figure out prices, and the cashier will show you on a calculator what you need to pay. For a family of 3: 2 adults and 1 child it cost 16,000 Won.
Directions: From CRC head south on 39.  Go through underpass then stay to the right and continue on 39.  Continue on 39 and go through a 2nd tiny underpass.  About 2.3kilometers past this you will take a right turn, almost 130-degree-angle and you will be on a tiny little two lane road.  Follow this little road and you will see what appears to be small amusement park rides on the right. To the left is the Art Park. 

This is the last underpass you will go through before you get there.

This is where you make that crazy right turn onto 371.

This is the 371 after you turn onto it.

AAFES at Camp Casey

AAFES Activities

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Casey Garrison is hosting the following family

and children’s activities during August: noon, Aug. 7, hula hoop contest; 2 p.m., Aug. 14, putting

contest for kids; noon, Aug. 21, putting contest for families; and noon, Aug. 28, basketball contest for

kids. For more information, call 730-4860/4867.

12 Beaches Worth Visiting This Summer

If you’re planning on spending time in Korea this summer, a visit to one of its many beaches is an absolute must. Korea is surrounded on three sides by water and has plenty of great beaches in a variety of shapes and sizes. The months of July and August in particular are great times to hit the beach, considering temperatures get as high as 30 degrees Celsius or more. Since most beaches officially open in late June/early July and close toward the end of August, visitors have only a few months to splash around in the water and take part in Korea’s beach culture. Don’t worry though if you can’t make it to Korea during the summer season; there are a number of beachside festivals, water sports, and events all year round!

For more details follow this link to the Official Site of Korea.

Herb Island

Dwarf Play Area

My friend told me about this place about a month ago. Since then I have been searching and trying to find out how to get to it.  I finally figured it out.  It is a great little day trip in Area 1.  Here are the directions by car:

Take 3 North.  Go right on 368 towards Pocheon, follow road for a while. Then you will see a sign to Samjeong School, turn left down this little road.

Turn left at this sign

As soon as you turn off you will notice the sign to Herb Island. Go over the little bridge in front of you then stay to the right. The school will be on your left.  Soon you will see another sign for Herb Island on your left up a steep road.  There is also a little shack here on the right. This is where you stop and a person will collect your fee, give you tickets and a little bag of hard candies for each person.   Follow steep road up and drive through the little Herb Island Village. Parking is at the far end. 

For more information follow this link to the Korea Tourism site.
Hours: 1000 - 1830 Daily - Open year round.
Prices:  Adults: 3,000 Won
Teenagers and Children 2,000 Won
Group (30+) 2,000 Won.

Cute little village stores to look at

Entrance to the enormous and beautiful green house complete with several waterfalls

Inside the gift shop/museum

To the right is the aroma therapy shop where upon entering they will offer you some spearmint oil for your neck. It is warm so young children might not enjoy it. I found it wonderful!

Adorable deer from their little zoo area.

Beautiful flowers are all over the place

There is a cafe here, a restaurant and bakery.  Everything is in Korean but we were able to figure out how to order a cheese pizza at the cafe.  I am working on translating the menu. When I get it done I will put it up here for ever everyone to use.

Cheer Leading and Basketball Camps

Cheerleading/Dance Camp:
Cheerleading/dance camps will be held every Saturday from July 10 to 31. They will run from 9 to 11 a.m. on Casey Garrison and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Red Cloud Garrison. For more information, call Child, Youth and School Services at 732-9141.

Junior Basketball Camp:
A junior basketball camp will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., every Saturday for four weeks beginning July 10 on
Casey Garrison. For more information, call Child, Youth and School Services at 732-9141.

Humphreys Water Park

A Summer Matinee Series Especially for Teens

These movies are being shown in Yongsan. 

Voyage To Book Island

I just love the summer reading programs.  Call DSN 732-6723 for more information. I highly suggest you just go into the library to get more information. 

Summer Camps Change

The four-week Cheerleading and Dance Camp is slated for 0900-1130 at the Camp Casey Carey Fitness Center and 1300-1500 at the Camp Red cloud fitness center July 10, 17, 24 and 31. The cost is $25 per child.

Camp Adventure

Camp Adventure will be offered at Camp Stanley and Camp Casey for 1st-5th grade students June 21-Aug. 20. Students from Camp Red Cloud will be bused to Camp Stanley.
The program includes arts and crafts, swimming, field trips, science and other fun summer activities.
For more information, call DSN 730-3628/9241 off post dial 0505-730-3625/9241

*Information from June 18, 2010 Indianhead.
*Information from June 2010 In The Zone

Play House Give Away

‘Give Away the House’

Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores throughout the Pacific Region, in conjunction with Hershey’s Chocolate, are giving away a chance to win a children’s playhouse valued at approximately $165. Participating stores include AAFES exchanges in Korea, Japan, Guam, Alaska, and Hawaii. Military shoppers can register to win the Little Tikes Playhouse now through June 24. Shoppers can register in-store at their local Base or Post Exchange.

*Information from June 18th U.S. ARMY INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT COMMAND KOREA Newsletter

Free Bus Tansportation from CRC Theater to Stanley Theater!

Stanley Theater Bus Transportation

Red Cloud Garrison’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation is offering a free bus to take Soldiers, civilians and family members from the Red Cloud Theater to the Camp Stanley Theater for select movies this month. The bus will leave from the Red Cloud Garrison Community Activity Center at 6:15 p.m. for “Kick Ass” (R) June 18, “The Karate Kid” (PG) June 23 and “Toy Story” (G) June 30. For a
movie synthesis and other showings, visit http://www.aafes/. com/ems/pac/stanley.htm. For more information, call 732-9246.

This is a great idea they came up with! 
*Information from June 18th U.S. ARMY INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT COMMAND KOREA Newsletter

Army Birthday Events and Activities

Army Birthday Activities
The Camp Stanley community will turn out to bake cupcakes for Soldiers and family members from 1 to 3 p.m., today at the Pear Blossom Cottage in commemoration of the 235th U.S. Army birthday. The treats will be distributed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, in front of the PBC.

Children and adults will have the opportunity to bake cookies for Soldiers from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday, at Red Cloud Garrison’s Pear Blossom Cottage. The cookies will be delivered Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m.

Casey Garrison will have an Army Birthday Party of children and families from 2 to 4 p.m., Monday, in the PBC. The party will include various activities for children, including face painting, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and finger painting.
For more information, call the respective PBC at:
732-5400 (Camp Stanley),
732-7168 (Red Cloud Garrison)
732-5883 (Casey Garrison).

Teen Luncheon/Army Birthday Celebration
Child, Youth and School Services will host a Welcome Teen Luncheon/Army Birthday Celebration from noon to 1 p.m., June 18, at Casey Garrison’s United Services Organization Pavilion. Pizza and cake will be served to celebrate the Army’s 235th Birthday. For more information, call 730-3628.
* Information from the June 11, 2010 Weekly Newsletter.

2010 Memorial Day 5K Fun Run

I finally got some information on the 5K at CRC!  Here it is.  You can click on the picture to enlarge it.

CRC Bowling Center June Special 2010

CRC Bowling Center is offering "Summer-Special Bowling Practice Pass."
Price: $25
Practice Pass valid for entire month purchased.
Passes available June, July & August
Bowl as much as you want (when lanes are available)
Prepaid practice pass is non transferrable. Pass not valid for league bowling or special events.

Father's Day Color Pin No-Tap Bowling Tournament
Sunday, June 20th 1300-1600
For more information call: 732-6930

Camp Casey Go-Kart Track

This looks like a lot of fun!

The Camp Casey Go-Kart Track Reopening Event: Saturday, May 29th, 2010 1200.
Free BBQ and lots of giveaways!
Bring a buddy to win more prizes!
For more information, call 730-4601/4853
Enjoy a 10-minute ride for $5!

*Information found "In The Zone, May 2010"

Little Prince - Children's Cafe by Vikki

Vikki and her friend Jennifer went on a hunt to find a place they had both heard about from others... a children's cafe. They found it on the 5th floor of a nondescript building in New City. "It was the neatest place! Once you step out of the elevator, you are in the cafe. You take off your shoes and place them in a locker, put on slippers they provide and get stickers to put on the child's back. Then off the children run! So many things to play with and on. The staff seated us at a table and provided a menu in English. There is a call button on the table when you are ready to place your order. We had a wonderful meal and a nice visit. It cost about $5 per child for two hours of playtime. The staff corralled all the children and set them up in a smaller room to make a snack. It looked like flatted white bread that they put some meat and vegetables in and rolled it up and age it. The staff played with the kids and really seemed to enjoy being with them. There are monitoring screens up all over the place so you can view the entire play are from most anywhere in the place. It was a lot of fun. The girls hated to leave, but we promised we would take them back again some day. Wish they had places like this in the states. January 14, 2010"

I definately have to go find this little place and post directions on how to get there!