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2007 MAPOM Convention - A Taste of FreedomApril 27–28, 20072007 Registration Materials Now Available |
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
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The weekend will be action packed and filled with mix of social and informational activities. On Friday evening, we will start off with pampering opportunities, followed by a dinner and carnival. Saturday will get started bright and early with breakfast featuring a keynote address from Cindy Pena from W* USA , Channel 9. We will then offer a range of informative workshops and off-site tours.
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Room Rates$120 per night for single occupancy (plus tax) $130 per night for double occupancy (plus tax) |
Registration Rates
Members: $60
Non-members: $65
Registration Deadline
All registration forms must be received by April 1, 2007. Registrations postmarked after April 1st will require a $10 late fee.
Workshops
- Pediatric Dentistry – Caring for your children’s teeth is an important responsibility that requires every parent’s attention. Recent studies have shown a strong link between poor dental hygiene and the occurrence of medical problems elsewhere in the body. A top-rated pediatric dentist shares his advice for making sure that you and your children are properly caring for your children’s’ teeth, from infancy through childhood and into adulthood.
- Nutrition for Children and Adults – With obesity on the rise in today’s society, it is important to take the time to make sure your entire family is eating right. Proper nutrition prevents serious health problems, increases brain power and makes everyone feel their best. Come learn the basics of nutrition for the entire family- children, “tweens”, teens and adults. A professional nutritionist and certified trainer will share his tips and insights for keeping your family healthy and happy by making proper nutrition a top priority.
- Classroom Placement and Educational Matters – The placement of children within the school is an issue confronting every parent of multiples. A school psychologist from the National Association of School Psychologists will present the latest thoughts and trends on placing multiples in a school (i.e., same classroom or different classroom) and discuss other matters affecting your children’s’ education.
- Speech and Language Development – Parents of multiples, like many parents, may be unsure about whether their children’s speech and language skills are developing at a normal pace. A speech pathologist will present the guidelines about “typical” language development in children, with a focus on ways to encourage communication skills in children who are language delayed. Participants will come away with proven strategies to use with their own children!
- Sight Development: Identifying Vision Problems in your Child – A representative from the Maryland Society for Sight will explain the basics of human vision development and identify areas of concern that may affect young children, including those born prematurely. A question-and-answer session following the presentation will give participants an opportunity to have their specific concerns addressed by the expert.
- Emergency Preparedness for Families – Today’s modern family needs to make sure it is prepared in the event of any emergency, from natural disasters to terrorist strikes. An experienced expert in disaster relief and emergency preparedness will help you develop an emergency plan for your family so that you can feel confident that you are ready for any emergency situation that may confront your family.
- Keeping Your Child Safe on the Internet and in the Community – A Montgomery County Police Officer with expertise in crime prevention education will share his techniques and advice on keeping your children safe on-line, outside and in the community. You won’t want to miss this valuable presentation!
- Developing Your Mosaic Life – Today’s parents are pulled in many directions- home and parenting responsibilities, work commitments, social activities, and the need for personal time are but a few of the obligations that compete for our attention in any given day. A life coach will share her techniques for establishing your priorities and keeping your activities consistent with your life’s goals.
Offsite Tours
- Brookside Gardens. – More information can be found at http://www.mc-mncppc.org/parks/brookside/. ($5 charge) Note: This replaces the National Cathedral tour listed on the registration form; if you wish to select this tour, please indicate it on your form.
- The Collection at Chevy Chase – Let us show you why Chevy Chase, Maryland is one of the chicest addresses in the country. Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Christian Dior and Bulgari are but some of the elite stores included in this exclusive shopping plaza. Whether you are in the market for luxury goods or just browsing, you are sure to have an exhilarating shopping experience as you brush elbows with the most discriminating consumers in the Washington, DC area. Also located within walking distance is Filene’s Basement, Stein Mart, Pottery Barn, J Crew and a host of other stores. For more information, please visit http://www.thecollectionatchevychase.com/. (no additional charge)
- Beall-Dawson House Tour – Learn about the county's beginnings in the historic Beall-Dawson House, an elegant federal style town-home that features period rooms and changing exhibits. The museum tour highlights the daily life and culture of the Bealls, an upper-class Montgomery County family and the African American slaves who labored there. More information about the tour can be found on the web at http://www.montgomeryhistory.org/bealldawson.html. ($3 charge)
- F. Scott Fitzgerald Tour of Rockville, MD – Join local experts from Peerless Rockville to visit places that renowned American author F. Scott Fitzgerald knew in Rockville, Maryland. The author of The Great Gatsby, Tender is the Night, and other novels and short stories lived and wrote some of his greatest works in Maryland. This 2 hour bus tour provides insight into Rockville in the 1920s and includes the two (count them, two!) historic cemeteries in which Scott and Zelda were buried. ($15 charge)
Suggested Independent Activities for Saturday Evening
- Monuments by Moonlight Tour – On this unique tour you will be offered spectacular moonlight views of Washington, DC’s monuments and buildings. The tour departs from Union Station in D.C. at 7:30 pm. Purchase your ticket directly from the tour provider by phone at 202-832-9800 or online at www.historictours.com/Washington/. Everyone is on their own for transportation.
- Dinner Cruise – Enjoy a luxury dinner and spectacular views of Washington D.C aboard the Odyssey III. The cruise boards at 7:00 pm from the Gangplank Marina in SW Washington. The cruise runs 8:00–11:00 pm. Everyone is on their own for transportation. Book directly with the provider online at http://www.odysseycruises.com/dc/index.cfm.
- Movies and Dinner at the Rio – After all of the fun of the convention enjoy a relaxing dinner at one of the many restaurants in the Washingtonian Center (see Page 12 of the registration materials) followed by a movie at AMC Lowes Rio 18.
Schedule of Events
View a complete schedule of events.
Photo Contest
Categories:
- Stars and Stripes – We are looking for creative displays of your family from the 4th of July, parades, carnivals, and other patriotic events.
- Celebration – Share photos from your families’ birthdays, weddings, graduations, and other celebratory occasions.
- Summer Fun –We are looking for pictures that show how you made the most of the summer months at the beach or the pool.
- Patriot Games – Dig out your best sports or outdoor actions shots.
- Bonus – We are looking for the photo that best exemplifies the convention theme – A Taste of Freedom (No Age Group)
Age Groups:
- 0–2 Years
- 3–6 Years
- 7–15 Years
- 16+ Years
Please be sure to review the rules prior to attending the convention.
Shopping, Entertainment, and Dining
The Washingtonian Center offers a little bit of something to please everyone’s interests from shopping, dining, movies, to a picturesque lake that is perfect for an evening stroll or a morning jog, and so much more. Whether your idea of freedom is enjoying a drink with friends at one of the many restaurants such as Rio Grandé Café, Macaroni Grill, or Joe’s Crab Shack, taking in a movie, or shopping at stores like Ann Taylor Loft, Kohls, Target, Lane Bryant, Pier One, Bath and Body Works, or Chicos to name a few—the Washingtonian Center has it all, and your weekend is aimed to please. For a complete list of attractions please visit www.shopwashingtonian.com/index.php.
Getting There Is Easy
Conveniently located in Gaithersburg just off I-270 at I-370, the hotel is a short drive or metro ride from DC.
From Northern Virginia:
Take I-495 N. Follow I -495 N. to I-270 N towards Frederick.. From I-270 N Take Exit 9B (Sam Eig Hwy. West) At first light, turn left onto Fields Rd. At next light, turn left on Rio Blvd. Follow to traffic circle. Take first right off circle which is Washingtonian Blvd. Hotel entrance will be on your left. Look for Marriott sign.
From Points North West:
Take I-70 to I-270 North towards Washington. Take Exit 8 Shady Grove Road. Stay to right. Follow sign to Omega Dr. At first stop sign take a right onto Washingtonian Blvd. Hotel entrance will be on your right. Look for Marriott sign.
From Baltimore:
Follow I-95 South I-495 West (towards Silver Spring and Bethesda) to I-270 North towards Frederick. Take Exit 9B (Sam Eig Highway West). Turn left at the first light onto Fields Rd. At the next light, turn left on to Rio Blvd., Follow to traffic circle. Take first right off circle which is Washingtonian Blvd. Hotel entrance will be on your left. Look for Marriott sign.
Map It
Find driving directions at http://marriott.com/property/mapandnearbyairports/drivingdirections.mi?marshaCode=waswg.
Don’t Forget to Bring!
Club Items:
1. Show & Sell- Merchandise to sell, cash box, raffle prize, raffle tickets, table covering, calculator, tape
2. Donation raffle for MAPOM (please indicate club name w/item)
Personal items:
1. Photos for photo contest
2. Directions to hotel
3. Extra $ for Show & Sell and activities
4. Name labels to stick on raffle tickets
5. Camera
6. Umbrella
7. Walking shoes/clothes for early morning walk
8. Swimsuit for indoor pool
9. Pictures/supplies for scrapbooking
Convention Sponsors
MCPOM thanks the many individuals and businesses that contributed donations, products, and services to make our 2007 Mid-Atlantic Parents of Multiples Convention a true Taste of Freedom.
If you would like to join our growing list of sponsors with your contribution of a donation, product or service, please contact Li Graham at chinali@aol.com. MCPOM members, please consider thanking our gracious contributors with your patronage.
Get Involved—Join a Committee
The committees that have been set up and members who have volunteered to help are listed. We still need plenty of help in the final months of planning. If you are interested in signing up for a committee, please contact Wendy Davis at wskpdavis@comcast.net. MCPOM members, for more information on the convention, stay tuned to the BBS forum titled 2007 Mid-Atlantic Multiples Convention Discussion.
Access the list of committees and contact information. (MCPOM members must be logged in.)
Chairs
Convention Chair: Wendy Davis wskpdavis@comcast.net
Convention Co-Chair: Michele Morhenn morhenn@yahoo.com
Convention Co-Chair: Tara Kavadias