You can see the Lighthouse lit up for the Holidays through January 2nd, 2012.

Rainy Day at Pathfinder Day Camp

Click on “Indoors” to get more information on these destinations.

1. Enroll your kids in Surf Craft at select locations (Fri-Sun in Season) and have a couple of hours to yourselves.

2. Play Bingo at Rick’s Crabby Cowboy Cafe!

3. Spend some time playing in the Montauk Community Center’s Gym.  Check in at the front desk.  Bring your own balls or ask the person on duty.

4.Visit the museums: The NEW Montauk Lighthouse Museum, Indian Museum at Third House off 27,  Second House Museum, Marine Museum on Bluff Road in Ammagansett.

5. Bring the older kids to the Game Room upstairs at Puff and Putt on Main Street.

6. Take a class at the Art Barge on Cranberry Hole Rd on Nappeague Harbor.

7. Visit the Libraries:  The Montauk Library has a sweet children’s section filled with books, puzzles and puppets.   Bring the older kids up stairs in Montauk to read while surrounded by the best views in town.  They also currently have a photography exhibit called “Children of the World“.  The Amagansett Library has a children’s librarian and play area inside the children’s section.

8. See the Poison Dart Frogs and Tree Frogs at Fort Pond Native Plants- one block north of Chase Bank.

9.  Depending on the rainfall, collect some rocks, shells and driftwood from the North Side Beaches.  Buy some children’s water soluble paint and do art projects.

10. Treat the whole family to Children’s Swim time at Gurney’s Salt Water Pool. 12-2pm or 6-9pm.  Buying the day pass will also allow adults into the Spa and Work out Room.    631.668.2345

11. Visit Rita’s Stables Indoor Barn and Petting Zoo.  The Animals roam free and like to come say “Hello”!

12. Take in a matinee at the Montauk Movie Theater.  631.668.2393

13. Eat and Shop!  Go to www.kidmontauk.com to get some advice.  Read “The Skinny on Eats” and “Fashion in the Sand”.

Check out the schedule for the 2011 Montauk Music Festival. There are kid friendly venues at the Green all day Saturday and Sunday, at the Lighthouse and all around town in the local restaurants.

Download the Schedule now.

If you’re children are good, strong swimmers and like to boogie board, just make sure you stay within the life guard zones specified by the ropes, signs and flags.

It’s also important to know what the different colored flags mean: (Please note: I asked Senior and Seasoned Life Guard, Dick Monahan, about the purple flag because I had never seen one out here in 20 years and he said they do not use that here.  People are very seldomly called out of the waters here because of dangerous marine life.)

What is it? Surf Craft is a two hour drop-off summer program for kids ages 4-10. Each Surf Craft session incorporates an enriching theme, arts and crafts, upbeat socialization, and a healthy snack. The curriculum is interdisciplinary and exploratory, connecting your child’s creative side with skill building in literacy, cultural and environmental awareness. They offer an innovative, organized opportunity for children to engage their fine motor skills while jamming by the beach!
Where and when is Surf Craft offered?  Surf Craft will be at some of the hottest and most fun places to be in Montauk this summer!  With scheduled drop and dines and  happy hour time slots set at Sole East, Navy Beach, Surf Lodge and Montauk Yacht Club, you cannot go wrong by making your children happy crafting and making new friends while you relax with down time to eat, swim, read or whatever suits your fancy!

Who started Surf Craft?  Jodi Jefferson, mother of two and Early Childhood educated, is the founder of Surf Craft.  She is someone you can trust to leave your children with.

As a fun and special kick off party to these events and summer, Sole East is hosting “Splash Into Summer”- a night of Artistry and Entertainment on Saturday, June 19th from 7:30-9:30 with a VIP ticket dinner at 6:30.  Bring your older kids or come to play just with the adults!

On the rainy, foggy morning of September 12th, I had the opportunity to visit the memorial, Dark Elegy, a tribute to those that died on the Pan Am Flight 103 and to those who had to live on after losing one of these victims. Many of us remember this as the Flight over Lockerbie, Scotland that was brought down in 1988 by a terrorist bombing.   Suse son, Alexander Lowenstein, was one of the many victims on that flight.  He was 21 years of age.

It was a sobering, raw experience that reached my deepest sense of the love and concern one has when bringing a child into this world- that that child could one day be taken from you.  The sculpture is composed of figures of women in shock and grief.  Each one portraying a woman after learning of the loss of a child or loved one on the flight.   Each of these women personally posed for Suse.  As I stood before this larger than life size sculpture I was engulfed by the initial pain, sorrow and shock that these women faced as well as the hole in their lives that could never fully be repaired.

Being there on September 12th  in the wake of 9/11, made it a place of reflection and sadness for me. The reality of terrorism as well as the vulnerability that we all share as humans reminds us of the fragility of life.   There was also something very calm and serene about this sculpture and space as it is surrounded by the beautiful grounds of Suse’s home at 11 East Lake Drive.  It is also a place built on love one can only have for one’s own child.   Suse’s sculpture garden is open to the public every day of the year from 10 am -12 noon.  When you turn onto East Lake Drive from 27 it is the first driveway on the left.

You can also visit Dark Elegy virtually at http://www.darkelegy103.com/index.html.   Suse is prepared to donate Dark Elegy with full funding for maintenance to a place and space that could be accessed by more.

Does it get better than having a wide expansive beach to yourself and your family, especially on the last week of the season?  I found this happy family hanging with their dog a little west of Umbrella Beach on this beautiful September 3rd morning.   The dad, Dave, said “…it’s his favorite beach in The Hamptons because you can look down and see just the dunes with nothing built upon them- beautiful…”  As with most beaches, dogs are allowed in the am until 10.
You can also access this oasis on the ocean via the parking lot to the west of IGA so you do not need a beach sticker.  There are life guards on duty at Kirk Park Beach  but none if you walk west to Umbrella Beach (pictures) , so stay safe and swim near the guards.