exchange students
AFS
800-AFS-INFO. Host an international exchange student, be an exchange student or experience the world after high school with gap year programs for graduates and adults. 3-7 week summer programs depart June-July and provide opportunities to live with a host family, take language classes or perform community service.
film making
Lackawanna Performing Arts Center
100 Morris Ave., Boonton, 973-257-1500. Professional level training in film arts as well as theater and dance for all ages and levels of experience from children to adults.
New Jersey Film School
1918 Washington Valley Rd., Martinsville, 732-667-3755. Learn filmmaking by making movies. Write, act and direct short films, documentaries, music videos and special effects using state-of-the-art gear and professional instruction.
gardening
Morris County Park Commission Branching Out
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 53 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Twp., 973-326-7627. Programs for ages 5-13 to learn about gardening, botany and horticulture. Workshops for preschoolers and adults are also offered throughout the year.
Apr-Jun
Spring Session, registration begins in Feb.
Jul-Aug
Summer Session.
Morris County Park Commission Garden Sprouts
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 53 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Twp., 973-326-7627. Ages 3-K are introduced to plants and nature through outdoor walks and crafts. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call for upcoming programs.
Morris County Park Junior Master Gardeners
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 53 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Twp., 973-631-5004. Hands-on horticulture program for grades 3-5 meets every other Wed. during the school year (Oct.-June). Participants become certified as Junior Master Gardeners.
especially for girls
The Girl Project
The Connection for Women & Families, 79 Maple St., Summit, 908-273-4242. Workshops addressing topics of interest to girls ages 8-teen are offered during the school year and available for school or girl scout groups.
StarPower! Workshop
Bergen Community College, Paramus, 201-447-2292. Interactive half-day workshop for tween girls and their parents is sponsored by the Junior League of Bergen County. Topics include self-esteem, cliques, cyber bullying, internet safety, peer pressure and conflict resolution. Visit website for upcoming date.
legos
Bricks 4 Kidz
201-747-7070. Students will experience hands-on engineering fundamentals as they build motorized models using Lego® bricks. Bricks 4 Kidz provides curriculum that introduces children to engineering, architecture and scientific principles.
Build 'n Blocks
46 E. Northfield Rd., Livingston, 973-216-1066. Kids from preK to 8th grade will learn to love math and science while having fun in our interactive, hands-on workshops using manipulatives such as Legos® and K'nex. Programs available to schools, after school programs, daycares and home schoolers.
safety
Check your local Recreation Dept. program for babysitting and safety courses offered for children and adolescents.
Babysitting & Safety Workshops
The Red Cross offers babysitting, CPR, Community First Aid & Safety, Lifeguard Training and other courses. Some chapters offer basic safety workshops to youth groups ages 6-13. Adult Schools and Ys/JCCs also may offer youth training courses. See listings under Education Services and Recreation Facilities for contact information. Enter your zipcode on the Red Cross website to find your local chapter.
• American Red Cross of Central New Jersey Chapter, 707 Alexander Rd., Suite 101, Princeton, 609-951-8550.
• American Red Cross of Northern NJ, 209 Fairfield Rd., Fairfield, 973-797-3300.
• Colonial Crossroads Chapter, 695 Springfield Ave., Summit, 908-273-2076.
• Greater Somerset County Chapter, 14 W. Cliff St., Somerville, 908-725-2217.
• Millburn-Short Hills Chapter, 389 Millburn Ave., 973-379-4198.
• Montclair-Glen Ridge-Nutley Chapter, 63 Park St., Montclair, 973-746-1800.
• Sussex County Chapter, 93 Spring St., Newton, 973-579-1600.
• Westfield-Mountainside Chapter, 321 Elm St., 908-232-7090.
GFWC Woman’s Club of Chatham Babysitting Course
GFWC Woman’s Club of Chatham Clubhouse, 375 Main St., Chatham, 973-635-1776. Free babysitting course for boys and girls ages 12 & up given annually in Jan.
JCC MetroWest
Leon & Toby Cooperman JCC, Ross Family Campus, 760 Northfield Ave., West Orange, 973-929-2944. Red Cross Lifeguard training, swimming and babysitter training courses.