It’s summertime! School’s out, or soon will be. Now, you wonder what the kids will do all day. Before you hear, “Mom, I’m bored!” as you run around in circles cleaning up after your children all summer long. Here’s help! Summer camps could be your answer. What better way for your child to spend their time this summer? They stay busy, explore, investigate, exercise & get messy while they learn new skills. The best part is that someone else cleans up all the messes. All you have to do is provide them with the opportunity to attend a summer camp in your area.
Though some camps have already filled up; and others are filling up fast, many still have openings for your child to enjoy. There seems to be a camp for everything from baseball to zoology. So, if you’ve never sent your child to camp before; where do you begin? A good place to start is your community rec plex. Many cities have a recreational facility that offers a variety of summer camps for children. If there isn’t one in your community, try looking for a YMCA nearby. The YMCA offers a number of camps such as golf, soccer, cheerleading, flag football, rock wall, aquatics, volleyball and much more.
Most dance studios offer dance camps during the summer. Some such studios, along with gymnastic centers such as The Little Gym, even offer gymnastics. If your child is interested in gymnastics or dance but doesn’t know if they will enjoy it yet, a summer camp is a great way to find out without the cost commitment of year-long dance/gymnastic lessons. It’s a less expensive way to explore the art of gymnastics or dance.
If athletics do not interest your child, there are local art studios or schools that offer summer art camps. In art camp, students can learn a variety of media such as paper mache’, cartooning, pen & ink drawings, painting and so much more. It offers a creative outlet while someone else cleans up the mess.
Another wonderful place to spend summer camp is at a Young Chef’s Academy. There are several stores located throughout the US. They offer cooking classes for children. The classes are aimed at particular age groups so the focus is on foods the children enjoy and can learn to make easily. They also will learning safety in the kitchen. After a week of cooking camp, you may even get to enjoy breakfast in bed or lunch made by your child.
Or, if your child is interested in science experiments, but you just don’t want baking soda volcanoes erupting in your kitchen, check out Mad Science camps, Abra-Kid-Abra, or Camp Inventions offered in various cities. These camps are a very good learning experience while the child is having tons of fun.
There are even musical classes offered through music stores or Kindermusik. Kindermusik is not just for babies and toddler any more. They have a piano course intended for a slightly older child. In the end, your child will be able to play songs such as Ode To Joy and more while having fun learning.
If cost is a factor in sending your child to camp, don’t despair. Many camps offer scholarships or financial assistance. In most cases, all you have to do is ask for a financial aid application to find out what is offered. Some are offering discounts or coupons in today’s economy in an effort to attract more campers. Or, if you are willing and able to spend some of your time, some camps offer discounts or free camp tuition to children of the camp staff.
If, after all those means are investigated, you still come up short, consider a local church for Vacation Bible School. Look around your corner, in your neighborhood. There’s most likely a church nearby that is offering a week of VBS. Many churches offer these for free or for a very affordable inexpensive cost that most families can spend.
Even if you can only afford one week of camp for your child, it will be an experience your child will never forget. My children have been known to put on their camp t-shirts and act out what they learned even years later. Summer camp is a great fun-filled way to learn.
