It’s nearly the end of May and already the pressure of finding the “perfect” camp for my kids is wearing me out. There are SO many great options out there – from full day to half; sports camps to dance - that I don’t even know where to start. I have to say the warmer weather we’ve been having lately (well, at least it’s not below freezing!) is also reminding me that summer is just around the corner. So, I’d better get my act together soon!
If you’re like me, a planner, having a full summer calendar that doesn’t break the bank is essential for several reasons. 1) Because my kids go from a jam-packed school routine to thinking they can watch TV or play on electronics all day, every day. News flash, kids – NOT HAPPENING! 2) Because my kids are home for – no joke – 1 full day and they’re already fighting and telling me that they’re bored and have nothing to do. Keep in mind they have 1 million and 1 toys they share collectively. So, I get it. They have nothing to do – OK, then! No problem. Let me give you some rags and a bucket full of soapy water, and you can clean my baseboards that haven’t been touched in over a year (ok, I’m being generous) – obviously this is not a realistic way to spend summer vacation; 3) and probably the most important - because summer is supposed to be fun, right!?
As I mentioned, summer (by a kid’s definition) equates to fun and hanging out with friends and does NOT include homework! Unfortunately, it’s also a time when friends start to lose touch a little because summer plans tend to go in so many different directions. I became so overwhelmed researching camps and at the thought of my kids being home and bored that I thought to myself, why not start a camp of my own! Not only would my kids be entertained, but we’d be able to stay in touch with friends. It’s a WIN-WIN!
Here’s how I did it:
I started with our family’s summer bucket list and jotted down all the activities we wanted to do and places we wanted to visit.
Then, I printed out a calendar I found online for June – August and started picking dates we could do those activities. I’m a visual person, so I needed something tangible. Kudos to you tech-savvy moms who can do all this on your phones! I’ll get there one day, hopefully.
Next, I emailed our friends and neighbors with our calendar and invited them to join us. What is summer without spending it with some good friends, right?
Some of the activities we scheduled allowed for group discounts, which benefitted everyone! You’ll just need to collect a headcount, in advance, and call to let the place know they should be expecting you. If you need to put a deposit down up front, I recommend getting payment, in advance, so you’re not stuck footing the entire bill!
Start with one event per week and try to keep it on a consistent day. This was helpful for our group, so each family could plan other things during the summer.
And there you have it! Your very own fun-filled calendar with lots of memories you and your kids will treasure for years to come. Don’t forget to snap pictures or make a scrapbook of all your outings! It’s fun to look back on all the amazing adventures they were able to experience over the summer!
Don’t know where to start? Here are some suggestions from our visits over the last two years:
~Berry Picking at Larriland Farms
~Cherry Picking at Baugher’s Orchard
~Wizard of Oz Park
~Dutch Wonderland
~Turkey Hill
~Lake Waterford Park
~$5 Pirate Ship Day – Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake
~Kiddie Crusoe
~Artsy Partsy
~Ladew Gardens
~Cunningham Falls
~Oregon Ridge Nature Center
~Montpellier Farms
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