Summer 101: A little structure helps kids to seize summer
Normally, I’m a little late to the summer planning game. This year, however, knowing I’d be busy with work, that we were planning a three-week road trip to Chicago and the dates of visits from friends, I was on top of it. I started perusing the websites of certain local organizations back in late February to research summer camps. As soon as registration opened up, I was ready. I got both of my kids enrolled in a couple of all-day camps, and soon our calendar was looking pretty planned out.
Still, the best of intentions can fall through. As much as we all wanted to embark on that amazing road trip this summer, rising gas prices and the fallout surrounding all of that has forced us into summer at home. While the calendar is still dotted with camps, hosting friends and a concert here and there, we’ve now got lots of time slots to fill.
Usually, the first week after school gets out, we are pretty relaxed and slowly shift into a new routine. And that’s just it, we will still need some kind of structure to get the most out of summer and for my husband and me to be able to successfully work from home. Here is how we’re going to fill the days while still enjoying the relaxed vibes of summer.
1. Add loose structure to the day
The general schedule will have the kids entertaining themselves in the morning while we get work done, and the afternoons will be for adventures and outings. During those mornings, I’ll have a couple of prerequisites to jumping on their screens, like reading for 30 minutes and doing a couple of chores. In the afternoon, my husband and I will take turns being on point for venturing out.
2. Make a list of activities
Our list is divided into two categories: things to do at home and things to do around Kitsap. At home, we can bake, do crafts, play instruments, read books, scooter in the driveway, take a dip in the stock tank pool we’re building, or have a picnic in the backyard. Out and about we’ll hit the parks, library, free museums, the $1 movie specials at SeeFilm in Bremerton, walk to local restaurants, go to the YMCA for a swim or ride bikes. Have your kids help you with the list, and post it where you all can see it and add to it.
3. Check out YMCA specialty camps
Last I checked, there were still some spots available for the afternoon specialty camps at the YMCA. Activities range from sports to crafts and the sessions go from 1:40 to 4 p.m. Costs vary depending on the type of camp and whether you are a member or not. While I’ve already got the kids registered for a couple of all-day camp sessions, these short afternoon sessions are a great option for the weeks we suddenly have open this summer. See www.ymcapkc.org for details.
4. Bust out the “I’m Bored” jar
We started this a couple of years ago, and while we haven’t been super consistent with it during the school year, it's a great tool for the long days of summer. Write down activities that the kids could accomplish on their own, on strips of paper, and put them into a jar. Give them each their own jar, and have them pull out ideas whenever they claim “there’s nothing to do”. Add a few surprise ideas to the jar, like “start a load of laundry,” “learn a new ukulele chord” or “listen to a new podcast”.
5. Join the summer reading program
What I love about joining the summer reading challenge is that it gives the kids a goal to work toward all summer. They are always so proud to be 100-hour readers, look forward to the free book and T-shirt, and are hopeful they’ll win the raffle at the end. And heading into the quiet of the library is just about the best way to stay calm and cool on a hot summer day. Check out www.krl.org for details.
Betsy Kornelis is a local decorator. Find her at paisleyandpine.com
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Summer 101: A little structure helps kids to seize summer
