Vision: www.sesameplace.com

Sesame Place Cares is a collection of programs and initiatives in our park, in our communities and around the world that symbolize our commitment to conservation, education and community service.

Mission:

Sesame Place Cares exists to promote the conservation of wildlife and the world we share through:
•World leadership in the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife in distress
•Education-based entertainment
•Conservation initiatives in our parks, in our communities and around the world
•Local park volunteer team efforts
•Philanthropic support and community outreach

Philanthropy

Sesame Place gives back to the community in many ways. Sesame Place has acted as a collection area for donations to a number of organizations, including United Way and One Warm Coat. The park also has special relationships with a number of children’s organizations in the area, including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Mary Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Unit, and Variety – the children’s charity.

Sesame Place hosts a number of Variety events throughout the year. These events include a Day for Children with Autism, and various special events during our regular season, Spooktacular, and a Very Furry Christmas. You can find more information about these and all our events here!

CSI: Club of Science Investigators >>

Friday, May 11, 2012 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM )

Your students at Sesame Place- now that’s a super formula for fun. So come be a part of our Sesame Place CSI- Club of Science Investigators program for the best field trip of the year. Here your class will laugh, learn and enjoy an awesome day in the park. And what makes it even better? It was created in conjunction with Sesame Workshop, to follow the national STEM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

LazyTown Live On Stage >>

Saturday, May 12, 2012 and Sunday, May 13, 2012 (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM , 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM )

Mother’s Day Lunch and Dinner >>

Sunday, May 13, 2012 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM , 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM )

Come and enjoy a fun lunch or dinner with Elmo, Big Bird and all of their furry friends as they help you celebrate a unique and memorable Mother’s Day!

CSI: Club of Science Investigators >>

Friday, May 18, 2012 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM )

Your students at Sesame Place- now that’s a super formula for fun. So come be a part of our Sesame Place CSI- Club of Science Investigators program for the best field trip of the year. Here your class will laugh, learn and enjoy an awesome day in the park. And what makes it even better? It was created in conjunction with Sesame Workshop, to follow the national STEM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

The Doodlebops Musical Playdate >>

Saturday, May 19, 2012 and Sunday, May 20, 2012 (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM , 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM )

Cookie Monster Talented Kids Weekend >>

Saturday, May 19, 2012 and Sunday, May 20, 2012 (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM )

Sesame Place invites talented dancers, singers, bands, choirs or other performing kid groups to join in the fun and showcase their talent at Sesame Place.

Sesame Classic >>

Sunday, May 20, 2012 (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM )

Race to the finish line at the 14th annual Courier-Kiwanis Sesame Place Classic with a new location in 2012!

Super Grover’s Super Hero Party >>

Sunday, May 20, 2012 (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM )

Calling all “Super Kids” grab your cape and join Super Grover for a soaring good time, delicious meal and an action-packed dinner full of singing, dancing, and loads of fun!

CSI: Club of Science Investigators >>

Friday, May 25, 2012 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM )

Your students at Sesame Place- now that’s a super formula for fun. So come be a part of our Sesame Place CSI- Club of Science Investigators program for the best field trip of the year. Here your class will laugh, learn and enjoy an awesome day in the park. And what makes it even better? It was created in conjunction with Sesame Workshop, to follow the national STEM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

Memorial Day BBQ >>

Sunday, May 27, 2012 (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM , 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM )

Come celebrate Memorial Day with all your favorite Sesame Street friends at Big Bird’s Riverside Pavilion! After a fun-filled dinner, enjoy our Memorial Day fireworks display!

Memorial Day Fireworks >>

Sunday, May 27, 2012 (9:00 PM – 9:15 PM )

The night sky will sparkle at Sesame Place, with a spectacular fireworks show, set to Sesame Street music, making the festivities on Memorial Day weekend truly memorable.

Sprout Weekend with Chica & Super Why! >>

Saturday, June 2, 2012 and Sunday, June 3, 2012 (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM , 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM )

Oscar’s Very Grouchy Birthday Party >>

Saturday, June 2, 2012 and Sunday, June 3, 2012 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM )

Help Oscar celebrate his very own Grouchy Birthday Party at Sesame Place! Join Oscar and his friends in Big Bird’s Riverside Pavilion for singing, dancing, an all-you-can-eat lunch, and a very messy “Dirt Dessert Bar!”

Strawberry Shortcake’s Musical Playdate >>

Saturday, June 9, 2012 and Sunday, June 10, 2012 (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM , 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM )

Dan Zanes & Friends Concert >>

Saturday, June 16, 2012 and Sunday, June 17, 2012 (10:00 AM – 9:00 PM , 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM )

Father’s Day Lunch and Dinner >>

Sunday, June 17, 2012 (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM , 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM )

Join your favorite Sesame Street friends at and celebrate all the Super Dads out there with a delicious Fathers Day lunch or dinner. There’s no better way to treat your Dad than with a fun-filled lunch or dinner with Elmo and friends!

PBS/WHYY Kids Weekend with Sid & Buddy >>

Saturday, June 23, 2012 and Sunday, June 24, 2012 (10:00 AM – 9:00 PM , 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM )

Fourth of July BBQ >>

Wednesday, July 4, 2012 (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM , 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM )

Join us in celebration of Independence Day! Event includes buffet dinner and character appearances in Big Bird’s Riverside Pavilion.

Fourth of July Fireworks >>

Wednesday, July 4, 2012 (9:25 PM – 9:35 PM )

The night sky sparkles at Sesame Place, with a spectacular fireworks show, set to a Sesame Street music, making the festivities on Independence Day weekend truly memorable.

Bert’s Birthday Bash >>

Saturday, July 21, 2012 (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM )

Join Bert and his Sesame Street friends for a dinner birthday bash under the star s at Big Bird’s Riverside Pavilion.

Back to School Bash >>

Saturday, August 25, 2012 and Sunday, August 26, 2012 (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM )

Kick off the new school year with one last exciting dinner with your Sesame Street friends! Meet and greet with your favorite characters as they send you on your way to an exciting school year.
Labor Day BBQ >>

Sunday, September 2, 2012 (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM )

Join us in celebration of Labor Day! Event includes buffet dinner and character appearances at Big Bird’s Riverside Pavilion.

Labor Day Weekend Fireworks >>

Sunday, September 2, 2012 (8:20 PM – 8:30 PM )

The night sky sparkles at Sesame Place, with a spectacular fireworks show, set to a Sesame Street music, making the festivities on Labor Day weekend truly memorable.

Jack Hanna >>

Saturday, September 8, 2012 and Sunday, September 9, 2012 (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM , 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM )

Scout Days >>

Saturday, September 8, 2012 to Sunday, October 28, 2012 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM )

Scout troops and packs are invited to spend an action packed, fun-filled day at Sesame Place.

Caillou’s Musical Playdate >>

Saturday, September 15, 2012 and Sunday, September 16, 2012 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM , 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM )

Strawberry Shortcake’s Musical Playdate >>

Saturday, September 22, 2012 and Sunday, September 23, 2012 (10:00 AM – 6:00 AM , 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM )

Zoe’s Birthday Bash >>

Saturday, September 29, 2012 and Sunday, September 30, 2012 (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM )

Join Zoe and all of her friends for a special dance party in honor of her birthday!

The Count’s Halloween Party >>

Saturday, October 6, 2012 and Sunday, October 7, 2012 (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM )

The post Sesame Place Cares appeared first on Good News!.

Top Tips For Having A Safe Playdate

With my kids off from school this week I feel like an air traffic controller, navigating the massive logistics of multiple playdates for my son and daughter. When it’s their best friends it’s comfortable – we know their likes, dislikes and attention spans. But what if it’s a new friend? How well do you know the other family?

While we teach our kids appropriate playdate etiquette, we also need to be assertive with the other parent in communicating what is and isn’t acceptable to you. Whether you’re the host or sending your child to another family’s home, read on for some tips on how to ensure a safe and successful playdate!

Meet in person. If this is an afterschool playdate and you’ve never met the parents, drive your child over to the home rather than taking the bus together. Or, if the playdate is at your house, insist on the child being dropped off so you have a chance to meet the mom.

Who’s In Charge? Determine who will be present during the playdate – is it the mom, a nanny or an older sibling? How comfortable would you feel having a teenage sibling in charge? Do you feel certain that they are capable of handling an emergency? If the mom is there will she be there the entire time or will a babysitter or someone else be taking over? Make sure you have a cell phone number for both the mom and any other caregiver.

Find out about allergies. Be sure to find out if the child has any allergies so you can plan accordingly. If your child is visiting a friend’s home and is younger than 5 years of age, make sure you explain to the parent what foods you consider choking hazards and don’t allow.

Get a picture/take a picture. If your child will be visiting a mall, amusement park or some other public venue, provide the mother with a recent photo of your child in case he gets lost. Likewise, if you are taking another child somewhere, ask for a recent photo to keep with you.

Bring the right equipment. If the play date includes bicycles, scooters or some sort of riding toy, bring along your child’s helmet which has been fit specifically for him.

Are there dogs in the home? Even the friendliest dog can bite if a child goes near their food or pulls on their tail. Find out if there are pets in the home and where they are kept. Explain your concern and ask if the animal might be kept away during the play date.

Ask if there is a gun in the home. Your child might never have seen or touched a gun but if one is in sight you don’t know what he or she might do. If there is a gun at a friend’s home you might consider moving the play date to your house.

Bring along the car seat or booster seat. If your child will be traveling in another car during the play date, install his car seat yourself. Over 80% of car seats are installed improperly.

Every parent has different rules and ideas so make sure you clearly communicate your beliefs and help your child have a safe and fun play date.

The post Alison Rhodes appeared first on Good News!.