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Packing for a Day at the Beach (Video)

Hi, this is Dr. Davis for Coolibar Sun Protective Clothing.

I wanted to give you some pointes on getting ready for a day at the beach or pool.  You know you are going to be outside, you’ve got the kids in tow, and you’re wondering – What do I put in my beach bag?

Sunscreen

The basics to keep you Sun Safe the whole day include sunscreen, what you choose depends on your preference, but a nice high SPF sunscreen, such as Vanicream 60, or the kid’s love the Blue Lizard sunscreen which is a combination of chemical and physical, plus the bottle will also tell you when to put it on, it turns blue in ultraviolet light. 

Sunglasses and Sun Hat

The other thing – sunglasses.  Even for the kids, eye protection is important.  For the kids, Coolibar makes an excellent UV protective lens, but also this nice strap so that it stays on in the water.  And I do recommend leaving the sunglasses on in the water as well as the hat, which might be a surprise.  But Coolibar makes some chlorine and salt water resistant fabrics that the kids put on and just leave on all day.  They can be simply washed, but they are resistant to those chemicals that otherwise might harm fabrics.

Sun Protective Clothing

Last but not least, the sun protective clothing.  There are some absolutely adorable outfits for kids you put on and you don’t have to worry about re-applying the sunscreen except for those little parts that are showing, like the tops of their feet, tops of their hands. 

Hat
Sunscreen
Sun Protective Clothing
Sunglasses

…keep your family sun safe for the whole day. 

So teach your family to be SunAWARE and you’ll keep them safe!

Disclaimer: The information provided by Coolibar and its contributors is general skin care information and should not be a substitute for obtaining medical advice from your physician and is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific medical problem.

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Apply Sunscreen Expert Rx Parenting Sunscreens and Lotions

Sunscreen Tips for Toddlers

Summer is the perfect time for the pool, playgrounds and sun-filled activities. Fortunately, with good sun habits, children can enjoy sunny days outside without risking their health. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life. And unfortunately, 54 percent of children burn or tan in their second summer, and 22 percent burn in their first, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Board certified Pediatric Dermatologist Dr. Manju George specializes in personalized care for infants, children and young adults.  She understands that kids have unique dermatologic requirement because “children are not just small adults.”  Dr. George offers advice on how to keep your kiddies protected from the sun’s rays by knowing what to look for in sunscreen, how to use it, and how to add fun to habits so that your kids will enjoy sunscreen time.

Dr. George’s Sunscreen Tips

1. LOOK AT THE LABEL. A lot of parents assume, well, the higher the SPF, it must be better. What you really want to look for is the ingredients in your sunscreen. What I recommend is zinc oxide or titanium dioxide [These are physical sunscreen ingredients.] Choose an SPF of 30 that’s labeled broad spectrum. That means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

2. AVOID SPRAY ON SUNSCREENS. The major drawback of an aerosol sunscreen is that it could get into the eyes or inhaled by a child, and we really don’t have the long-term data on those effects.

3. USE GENEROUS AMOUNTS ALMOST EVERYWHERE. One of the biggest mistakes parents make is number one: not applying enough sunscreen. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before leaving the house, no matter what the weather. Even on a cloudy day, you still get 80 percent UV exposure. Start with the neck down, make sure you cover thick and evenly on all areas of the body, not forgetting the ears, backs of the hands, crease of the neck, underarms, between the fingers, underneath the bathing suit. After you’ve covered those major areas, you should do the face last.

4. REMEMBER THE LIPS AND SCALP. The lips need protection as well. Another tip that I give parents is to put it in his or her part line. But one of the best ways to protect scalps is to actually purchase a hat.

5. MAKE APPLYING SUNSCREEN FUN! I like to call it your magic cream or magic lotion. Children like making it special. Don’t make it a chore. One mom actually told me she uses a paintbrush and has the child paint the sunscreen on themselves. Another thing that children really like to do, is they like to apply it on you, so let them apply it on Mom or Dad. They tend to be much more receptive when you do things together and you make it a fun activity for them.

Parents, it’s up to you to keep your little ones protected from the sun, so keep Dr. George’s advice in mind during outdoor playtime. To best protect your child from the sun, cover them with a hat, pants and long sleeve shirt, apply sunscreen every two hours or after sweating or swimming and limit time outside when the sun is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). Have fun making fun with sunscreen!

Disclaimer: The information provided by Coolibar and its contributors is general skin care information and should not be a substitute for obtaining medical advice from your physician and is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific medical problem.

Dr. Manju George - Pediatric Dermatology West Palm Beach
Dr. Manju George - Pediatric Dermatology West Palm Beach, FL
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New Products Parenting SunAWARE Wear Sun Protection

Sun Safety for Junior Sailors

Danger at Graves Light

Adult sailors and junior sailors alike must be able to swim, wear a personal floatation device, and stay calm in an emergency. However, sun safety is often forgotten or left out when teaching children important sailing safety basics. 

The reflection of the sun off the water represents a significant skin cancer risk to sailors. One person dies every hour from skin cancer in the United States and melanoma is responsible for 90% of these deaths. Melanoma is associated with both childhood sunburns and recreational boating, which emphasizes the need for children interested in sailing to be educated about protecting their skin from the sun. 

This is why Maryellen Maguire-Eisen (Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation Executive Director) and Mary Mills Barrow (SunAWARE Executive Director) decided to write “Danger At Graves Light”.  “The book will empower adolescent sailors with current and reliable information about the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation on the water and will offer five easy action steps for sun protection,” says Barrow. 

The sun protection steps are described by using the SunAWARE acronym, which provides a useful and memorable way to get across all important information about sun safety. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More about Danger At Graves Light: 

“Danger At Graves Light” tells the story of five young sailors who don’t believe that bad things can happen on a calm, sunny day on the water. When their grandmother tells them the amazing story of a sunny day rescue at Graves Light, they finally understand that the sun can be just as dangerous as a storm at sea. 

“Danger at Graves Light” has been endorsed by US SAILING and features a personal introduction by Susan Epstein, US SAILING Director.  The book hopes to raise awareness of the need for sun safety and aid US SAILING in developing a skin cancer prevention education campaign.

If you are interested in more information or in obtaining copies of the book, contact CMPF or SunAWARE.

Danger At Graves Light” can also be purchased at Coolibar

 

MaryEllen Maguire-Eisen at the Release of "Danger At Graves Light" on Don't Fry Day 2011
Susan Epstein (US Sailing), Adam Lipson (Community Boating Inc.), Charlie Zechel (Community Boating Inc.), Maryellen Maguire-Eisen (CMPF) and Mimi Svenning (CMPF) at book release on Don't Fry Day 2011
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Events Inside Coolibar

Share Your SunAWARE Side to Win!

Snap a picture of your SunAWARE 4th of July weekend and post it on the Coolibar Facebook wall for a chance to win a free UPF 50+ Coolibar Swim Shirt of your choice! 

Entries will be accepted now through Monday, July 11, 2011. Please write or indicate that you wish to enter your photo into Coolibar’s SunAWARE 4th of July Contest when posting the photo. Then, we’ll enter you in our random drawing to win a Coolibar Swim Shirt.

The winner will be announced on the Coolibar Facebook Wall on Wednesday, July 13, 2011.

Collage of Sun Safe Fun

No purchase necessary to enter. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. One winner will be chosen through a random drawing of all entries posted on www.facebook.com/coolibar before midnight C.S.T. on 7/11/11. The winner may choose one Coolibar® swim shirt up to a $76 retail value from www.coolibar.com. Prize given is subject to availability. Prize is non-transferable, not returnable and cannot be sold or redeemed for cash. Must reside in the U.S. and be 18 or older to enter. Limit one photo entry per person. Coolibar® may at anytime, remove and disqualify entries.  Contest rules subject to changes at the discretion of Coolibar®. Facebook® is not affiliated with Coolibar® or this contest.

Please ‘Leave a Reply’ below if you have any questions.

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Parenting School sun safety SunAWARE

Meet Our 2011 School Sun Hat Contest Winners

The 2011 Coolibar School Sun Hat Contest had over 750 entries from students, teachers, PTA members, and nonprofit organizations from across the US. We even had a few entries from Australia!  Thanks to the efforts of the five lucky winners, entire classrooms of students will be able to safely enjoy the summer sun, and stay well protected beneath their new Coolibar Sun Hats!  

And the winners are …

4th Grade - Notre Dame Academy
4th Grade - Notre Dame Academy

Nicholas from Notre Dame Academy – Los Angeles, CA 

Every student from Notre Dame Academy’s fourth grade class entered the Coolibar Sun Hat Contest, but Nicholas was the lucky winner. The students were able to put the hats to good use during the many end of year activities at Notre Dame Academy. A walking field trip, an end of year picnic, and an annual school camping trip gave the kids plenty of chances to practice sun safety while wearing their new Sun Hats.  

  

Anna from Goddard Pre-school
Anna from Goddard Pre-school

Anna from Goddard School – PA 

Every year Anna’s family goes on vacation to St. Thomas, and they always stock up on sun protective clothing because the whole family is fair skinned, especially young Anna. They got the entry form for the School Hat Contest with an order from Coolibar and decided to enter. Anna’s whole class is very glad she entered the contest because during the summer, they spend a lot of time exercising and enjoying snacks outside.  Goddard’ s Parent Teacher Organization has been trying to obtain large sun shades for the playground for the past few years; however, the cost of these sun shades are beyond their budget.  In the meantime, the school is planning on using portable gazebos to give the children a place to cool off while they are playing, or even to gather while they have story time. And now, thanks to Anna, they’ll get the benefit of great sun protection from their new Coolibar Sun Hats!

 

4th grade Baldwin School students wearing their new Coolibar Sun Hats
4th grade Baldwin School students wearing their new Coolibar Sun Hats

Gayle from the Baldwin School – Bryn Mawr, PA   

Gayle is a 4th grade science teacher at the Baldwin school, a college prep school for girls. She entered the Coolibar Sun Hat Contest because she believes that living a sun safe lifestyle starts at a young age. She hasn’t always believed that, though.  “I grew up in an era where we used sunTAN lotion, not sunscreen lotion, with the resulting negative effects on my skin.  Who knew? So [now] I wear sun protection clothing all the time,” says Gayle. The students appreciate the protection from the hats, but they especially love that the Sun Hats match their school uniforms perfectly!

 

5th Grade – Cesar Chavez Elementary

Kinsey from Cesar Chavez Elementary – Davis, CA   

Cesar Chavez Elementary is a Spanish Immersion school for grades K-6, and is one of the largest elementary schools in Davis. The kids had a “play day” at the end of the school year where they spent about 4 hours outside. With their new Coolibar Sun Hats, now they’ll be getting superior sun protection while enjoying the sun!

 

Emily Coolibar Hat
Emily in her new Coolibar Hat

Emily from New Albany Elementary – New Albany, OH 

Emily was very excited to win sun hats for her class, because she already wears Coolibar products on family trips to Florida and family cruises. She was so happy to share the quality sun protection that our Sun Hats offer with her classmates and teacher, especially after she saw how much they all loved the hats. New Albany Elementary is part of New Albany-Plain Local Schools, which is a community of schools housed on an 80 acre college-style campus. The kids were looking forward to wearing their new hats during a walking field trip on their beautiful campus, ending with an ice cream treat. Unfortunately, the weather had different plans, and with the rainstorm they got that day, they probably could have used a few Coolibar Titanium Travel Umbrellas! Though the weather in Ohio hasn’t been very sunny lately, the kids are all looking forward to wearing their new Coolibar Sun Hats on the hot, sunny summer days ahead.

Look for our 2012 contest form next year.  In the meantime, learn more about the Coolibar School Sun Hat Program.

 

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SunAWARE Wellness Warriors

Stay Out of the Sun Run 2011

On May 20, 2011, the Stay Out of the Sun Run (SOSR) Foundation held their 6th annual walk/race in Rochester, MN to promote awareness of the dangers of sun exposure and support melanoma research and education.  All proceeds from the SOSR are donated to the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center for melanoma research and education. Coolibar was there to contribute to the run for the 5th consecutive year.

The founder of the SOSR, Tim Burriss, a Melanoma survivor, started the run to benefit melanoma research and education. He states that this year’s run had a record number of registered participants, 934! The most they’ve ever had. Not even the dreary, rainy weather before the event kept people away.

So far, not counting this year’s totals, the run has raised over $120,000 to help Mayo Clinic fight melanoma. Tim says, “Melanoma has had such an impact on so many individuals and families and we realize we cannot be content but must continue our fight!”

Skin cancer education and prevention is so important, especially with summer almost being here. So this Don’t Fry Day, May 27, Coolibar wishes to remind everyone to be SunAWARE and protect yourself from the sun.

Avoid unprotected sun exposure; Wear sun-protective clothing, wide brim hat (3” brim or greater), and UV sunglasses; Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every two hours while in sun; Routinely check your whole body for changes in your skin; Educate your family and community about sun protection.

Perhaps even join a fundraising or educational effort like the SOSR in your area and help support the need for sun protection!


Video footage of the Stay Out of the Sun Run and melanoma survivor feature from NBC Rochester local news

[nggallery id=10]

Congrats to our Coolibar team members who walked and participated in the 5K at the SOSR! You all looked spectacular in your Coolibar sun protection clothing!

Learn more about Skin Cancer and Melanoma from the American Academy of Dermatology

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Apply Sunscreen Parenting Sunscreens and Lotions

Recap of Sunscreen Facebook Forum with Sweetsation Therapy

Once again, we can thank our Coolibar Facebook fans for another successful sunscreen forum. If you missed out on the action, here is a short recap of our session with sunscreen/skin care expert Natalja Millsap from Sweetsation Therapy. 

Q. Does your baby lip balm have SPF protection? Is it safe for babies to eat this stuff?

A. There is no SPF protection because we believe that the balm gets eaten faster than it would last for sun protection. But it does contain natural sun protection in a form of Shea butter. It’s about 4%…Other natural oils also add sun protection, like raspberry SPF4, hemp SPF6, grape seed SPF4 and avocado SPF4.

Q. What if I sweat a lot in the summer? How do your products hold up against water/perspiration?

A. They hold up pretty well, however some of it comes off with the sweat. So re-application is essential.

Q. Can your sunscreen be used on extremely sensitive skin? We are always looking for sunscreens that work and won’t cause a rash.

A. Yes it can! … Titanium Dioxide is the best UV blocker if you have very sensitive skin.

Q. What area of the body do people usually forget to cover with sunscreen? What area is the most sensitive to sun?

A. I would say areas with the thinnest skin. Top of your feet, hands, neck. So you have to pay attention to those too.

Q. What about my baby…putting sunscreen on his hands when he is always putting his hands in his mouth?

A. That’s something that comes with the territory. They always do that. At least make sure sunscreen is applied on the back of his/her hands because that’s the area that is exposed to the sun the most.

Q. What ingredients are safe in sunscreens?

A. ZnO and TiO2 are definitely safe.

Q. Are there any particular ingredients I should avoid in sunscreens?

A. With mineral sunscreens, you are safe. But I would avoid parabens, artificial fragrances that may appear among “other” ingredients in a product. As for chemical sunscreens – oxybenzone is the one I definitely would stay away [from]. It’s very common in commercial sunscreens.

Q. What is the difference between “organic” and “natural” sunscreens, if there is one?

A. Organic products contain at least 70% of organic ingredients by volume. Natural [products] don’t have to.

Q. So is the organic distinction just for marketing purposes, or are organic products generally safer or less abrasive for some skins?

A. Feel-wise, there wouldn’t be any difference, but they’re considered to be the “cleaner” choice without contamination of pesticides.

Q. What is the best way to store sunscreen so it will last the longest?

A. The best place is at room temperature out of direct sunlight. It is not necessary to refrigerate it. Standard shelf life is 2 years; however our sunscreens can last longer because they are packaged in air tight containers that not only prevent bacterial contamination but also curious children hands.

Q. Is it really necessary/is there any benefit to wearing sunscreen under clothing? How about under UPF 50+ rated clothing?

A. No, there is no real need to wear sunscreen under clothing that offers sun protection.

A. From Coolibar – It’s not necessary to wear sunscreen under UPF 50+ clothing; however, you may want to wear sunscreen under regular summer clothing as some summer T-shirts have very little sun protection. If you’re wearing Coolibar UPF 50+ clothing, you only need to cover exposed areas.

Q. How much sun protection do tinted car windows provide?

A. From Coolibar – According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, since UVA penetrates glass, consider adding flat, tinted UV-protective film to your car’s side and rear windows as well as to house and business windows. This film blocks up to 99.9% of UV radiation and lets in up to 80% of visible light. http://www.skincancer.org/understanding-uva-and-uvb.html

Q. Does sunscreen start to lose its protection immediately? How often do you suggest reapplying your product? Is more frequently always better or are there drawbacks to putting it on too often? How important is it to wait the 15-30 minutes before going in the sun? What is one to do if they are spending a length of a day outdoors and can’t get inside to reapply? (Is it better/safer to reapply in the sun or not reapply?)

A. Yes, indeed, it’s better to reapply as directed (every 2 hours) than not reapply at all. Even if you are already out. There are no drawbacks to reapplying too often. Sunscreen is there to protect your skin.

Q. Why is it recommended to wait the 15-30 minutes after application before exposure?

A. That’s what the American Academy of Dermatology recommends to give it ample time to absorb.

Q. I spend a few hours every day in the sun, always wearing (cheap OTC / drugstore) sunscreen SPF 100+ and sometimes (whenever it’ll be a longer exposure (wearing SPF/UPF shirts/jackets. My skin is still coloring, the slightest bit. Ought I to be concerned? What a high-rated SPF Sweetsation sunscreen can I expect no evidence of sun exposure even when I’m out in it every day? Or is ultimate sun protection impossible or unnecessary?

A. Our highest SPF is SPF 50. Percentage wise, it is not a big difference between SPF30 or 50 or even 100. But I am not aware of any sunscreen that would provide 100% of protection.  SPF 30 covers 97% of UV while SPF 50 covers 98%. I think it’s all about the application … making sure that you apply a sufficient amount and making sure that all areas exposed to the sun are properly covered.

Q. Is it really important to use a different sunscreen on your face than your body? Why?

A. Our sunscreens can be used for the face and body at the same time. I can’t comment on other brands…

If you have more questions regarding Sweetsation Therapy or sunscreen in general, let us know by posting a question on Facebook or writing a comment below. To purchase Sweetsation Therapy Sunscreen from Coolibar, visit www.coolibar.com/sunscreen.html.

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Educate Others SunAWARE

Books That Teach Sun Safe Habits

Sun Protection Books

If you’ve been seeking reliable sources of information on sun protection for yourself or tools to help teach children about the importance of sun safety, these books may be just what you’re looking for. Sun protection habits should start from day one. Experts believe that even two to three sunburns at an early age can increase the risk of skin cancer or health issues later in life.  Teach yourself all there is to know about sun protection – then teach your kids too. It could result in one less skin cancer statistic.

The following books promote SunAWARE, which teaches five simple steps to prevent and detect skin cancers.

SunAWARE

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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Books for Parents and Educators:

Book Sun Protection for Life Sun Protection for Life by Mary Mills Barrow & John F. Barrow

Based on leading medical research and education programs, such as Australia’s SunSmart, Sun Protection for Life is a complete guide to a lifetime of healthy and beautiful skin. It describes the problems associated with overexposure to the sun, identifies those who are most at risk, and discusses the best approaches for effective sun protection.

(AAD Gold Triangle award winner)

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Books for Children:

Book Pretty Prom Pretty Prom; Your Skin is Pretty Too by Mary Mills Barrow and Maryellen Maguire-Eisen

Pretty Prom; Your Skin is Pretty Too is the story of Katie who finds out the sad facts of tanning salons while getting ready for prom night. The story is written for pre-teens and teens to alert them that tanning can cause premature aging and skin cancers.

 

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Book Lake VacationLake Vacation by Mary Mills Barrow and Maryellen Maguire-Eisen

Lake Vacation is the story of Hunter and Caitlin learning the importance of sun protection while enjoying a day of fishing at the lake. It teaches the five easy steps of SunAWARE in a story that will appeal to children ages 6-10.

 

 

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Book Skin Sense Skin Sense by Lori Gehrer-Glickman, Ed.M, MSW

“Written in the voice of a four-year-old girl, this fun and interactive narrative educates young children about the sun’s ability to hurt our skin and shows how easy it is to protect ourselves. It is a wonderful tool to open and encourage discussion between young children and adult s on the importance of sun-safety.” Effectively introduces the topic of sun protection to preschool/kindergarten age children.

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Book What Are These Spots On My SkinWhat are these Spots on my Skin? by Scott and Gus Naughton

Gus and Scott Naughton, a father and son team, created this book to encourage children to pay more attention to changes on their skin. “Spots appear as you grow older, and you should learn to keep track of them”, says eight year old Gus. “We wanted children to have a better understanding of how the skin works and why we develop spot’s on our skin.” It’s a great tool for preschool/kindergarten age children. This interactive book also contains two spot maps at end to help track skin changes over time.

Click on images of the books to purchase. Visit Coolibar’s Sun Protection Resources Webpage for additional sun protection resources.

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Expert Rx School sun safety Videos

School Sun Hat Program (Video)

Dermatologist Dr. Jaime Davis
Uptown Dermatology
Minneapolis, MN

Hi, this is Dr. Davis for Coolibar Sun Protective Clothing.

I want to talk to you today about an issue that is near and dear to my heart, and that is Coolibar’s School Sun Hat Program.  My daughter’s pre-school qualified for this program and they were outfitted with a bunch of adorable little pre-school sized hats so that when they go outside to play at recess they have their sun protection covered.  A lot of schools consider sunscreen creams as medication and they don’t necessarily have the freedom to apply sunscreen to your child.  So, having a school that provides hats to your child will ensure their sun protection when they’re outside.

There are some super cute options. 

Child Reversible Bucket Hat

This little reversible lightweight sun hat, that is also adjustable, keeps them cool, keeps them protected.  I’d still have them wear their sun protective clothing for their little arms but this will provide adequate protection for their ears and face and actually does help keep them cool when they are running around at recess.

Child Chin Strap Hat

Another example in a little bit of a different fabric is also adjustable.  This one has a nice little chin strap too, so maybe if you’re out on the boat with the kids for example.  It also has a nice little absorbent headband.

So teaching kids to be SunAWARE at a young age is the point of this School Sun Hat Program that Coolibar puts on.  I highly recommend it, make sure your child’s school applies for the program. 

Help teach your kid to be SunAWARE at a young age, the value lasts a lifetime!

Coolibar School Sun Hat Program

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Events Parenting School sun safety SunAWARE

Coolibar’s School Sun Hat Contest

For the third consecutive year, Coolibar is sponsoring a School Sun Hat Contest.  Five winners will be selected at random to receive hats for their classroom.  The contest promotes the SunAWARE acronym to teach simple steps to prevent and detect skin cancers.

Preventative sun safety habits begin in childhood and the classroom is a great place to reinforce those behaviors.  Our contest makes School Sun Hats available to classrooms that may not have the resources.

SunAWARE

The 2011 contest is now open to students, parents, teachers and supporters.  Contest winners will be announced in May – Melanoma Awareness Month.  Contest entries will be accepted until May 13, 2011.  Winners will be announced on May 19th

Enter Today! 

Download and return a completed School Sun Hat Contest Entry Form.

 

Coolibar: School Sun Hat Program
Children’s sun protective hats are an excellent way to protect vulnerable young skin, from ears to chin. Coolibar has specially designed children’s hats that are offered to schools and not-for-profit organizations, at a significant discount.  All of Coolibar’s sun hats include a generous brim, providing optimal sun protection for outdoor school activities, such as recess and physical education. Three UPF 50+ hat styles are available – chin strap, reversible bucket and legionnaire style, starting at just $7.47 each.  Additionally, Coolibar provides discounted adult hats for teachers and parents to model healthy sun-protective behavior.  For complete sun protection add a Gallon of sunscreen with a convenient pump.  For more information visit Coolibar’s School Sun Hat Program.

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