It's Not Too Late to Plan for Summer


Summer is just around the corner. The school doors will be closing for good at the end of May. Don't panic! With a little planning, you will be able to keep boredom at bay.

Your idea of fun summer activities and your kids' ideas may not be the same. Since you want your children to enjoy their vacation, include them when you make plans. The first thing you should do is sit down with your kids and make a list of activities they want to do. Before you begin writing your list, set some guidelines. First, tell them how much money you are willing to spend on classes, camps, or activities. Next, talk about how much time they want to spend in structured activities and how much time they want to relax.

Here are a few suggestions of where to begin when planning for summer:

Your Local Library

Most local libraries have some sort of summer reading program. The library in my town lets kids sign up for the program and track the books they read during the summer. At the end of the summer the kids are rewarded with cool prizes for meeting their reading goals. This is always the first stop I make when planning summer activities for my kids. The best part is that it's free!!

Museums

Science museums, art museums, and natural history museums all offer programs for kids during the summer months. Is your child a science buff? Do they love to draw? Museum programs give kids the opportunity to learn while having fun. Programs will vary in length and cost, but it is a good place to investigate for summer activities.

Volunteer in Your Community

Why not take the opportunity to teach your children about community service while they have a few months off. You can even join them in their volunteer efforts and make it a family project. Young children might be able to volunteer to clean up trash at a local wildlife or nature center. Children ages twelve to 17 can volunteer with a parent with the SPCA. They need volunteers to walk dogs, play with cats and clean cages. Go to www.spca.org for more informaton. Children of all ages can volunteer their services with Habitat for Humanity. Kids as young as five can make a welcome basket for homeowners or sing a song at the house dedication. Look at www.habitat.org/ccyp/youth_programs for more information.

Classes at Local Colleges

Many local colleges offer summer programs for school-aged children. You might be able to find theater, art, or computer classes for your kids. Although some of the private colleges do charge quite a bit for classes, they are usually worth the money.

Hopefully you have learned some new places to look for fun summer programs and activities. I hope you have a safe, fun, and productive summer!