At Tryon Estates/ACTS Retirement-Life Community, a host of local students, ages six to 14, took part in Take Your Child to Work Day. This nationally-celebrated event, held on the fourth Thursday in April, started in 1993, and is designed for young people to experience first-hand what their parent does at work, learn about public service and the future job market.

Kids learned how to set tables and serve breakfast in the main dining room. They toured the retirement campus and learned about jobs in the onsite hair salon, sales, nursing, activities, administration, accounting, housekeeping, maintenance and security departments.

Many were enamored by the walk-in freezer and gourmet kitchen where ACTS chefs whip up 1,250 potatoes, 300 pounds of carrots and cut 300 cantaloupes for use in the approximately 5,000 meals that are prepared at the retirement community each week.

The days program wasnt all work and no play. Most kids had a chance to play Nintendo Wii bowling, took part in an exercise session with the fitness director, enjoyed interacting with the retirees then spent time working alongside their parent. Most gained a new understanding of what Mom/Dad does all day.

ACTS Retirement-Life Communities, who has many employees who have worked for the company for 30 years or more, believes in Take Your Child to Work Day because it not only strengthens the bond between parents and children, but prepares them to become future leaders of America. Thirteen sister ACTS communities in four states participated.