The Learning About Multimedia Project (LAMP) will hold its first annual Family Media Scavenger Hunt in Prospect Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 12.
The scavenger hunt is designed to encourage families to explore various media in their neighborhood and participating families will search for examples of positive representations of women, advertising techniques, ethnic identity and more.
The event is offered free of charge to all families, and lunch will be provided. Raffle tickets will be sold for prizes including an iPod from Tekserve, tickets to the Bronx Zoo and a one-year membership to Zipcar, provided courtesy of Zipcar.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 68% of young people have a television in their bedroom; in a 2005 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 49% of youth had video game players in their bedrooms.
“When young children and teens are on the Internet, playing video games or watching television in the privacy of their bedroom, it is far less likely that their parents are truly aware of their interactions,” says Katherine Fry, Ph.D., associate professor, Media Studies at Brooklyn College and education director for the LAMP. “It is so important that, even from a young age, media are experienced and explored as a family so that parents and their children are connected and talking about them. Our aim is for the Family Media Scavenger Hunt to help families start that conversation together in a fun and exciting way.”
Families of all age groups are encouraged to register in advance for the scavenger hunt, as space is limited. Registration can be completed by emailing info@thelampnyc.org or by phone at 718-789-8170. Details and updates can also be found on the organization’s website, www.thelampnyc.org.
