With summer upon us and kids of all ages at home, it is time to think about activities for kids, especially those (of any age) who will be left by working moms and dads for long periods of unsupervised time. Community programs offer some great choices to fill some of that time.
Check with your local library. Most offer a summer reading program that encourages children to read or to have books read to them with awards presented at the end of summer for the greatest number of boos read, etc. Each week there are also mornings at the library set aside for films, theatrical presentations or craft sessions given by volunteers who enjoy working with children.
Many churches sponsor Vacation Bible School programs and church affiliation is not a requirement for attendance. Children “too old” for VBS can volunteer to help with classes, playground assistants, snack servers, etc., and have fun while providing a valuable contribution.
Many public and private schools are concerned with what kids are and aren’t learning during the summer and have planned programs to meet the needs of several groups of children. Ask about programs for special groups ... for kids needing some help to improve reading and math skills, for those needing accelerated programs and for first-time students such as kindergarten and pre-kindergarten children.
Summer camping programs offer other exciting opportunities for summer days. Whether day or resident camp (where children spend several days or weeks), camping offers challenging and fun ways to build important skills of self-confidence and self-esteem. Within easy reach of Woodville are at least twelve camps and none have “exclusive” membership requirements. The costs vary to fit a variety of budgets and most offer innovative payment plans such as charge cards or installment payments if a lump sum is unmanageable. There really is no way to place a dollar value on the fun, the friendship, the experiences and the relaxed learning a camp setting offers. Camp fees may also be considered for income tax purposes as day care payments.
Summer is a great. time to fit in lessons of all sorts that drive families to distraction trying to fit them in during the school year. Tennis, piano, swimming, art, acting, horseback riding and gymnastics are but a few of the many available. Sharing transportation needs with other families eases scheduling around working parents.
If day care is your option for summer supervision of kids, ask what special plans for children’s entertainment and learning have been made. Weekly excursions to zoos (you just cannot go too many times), parks, museums and libraries will keep kids from becoming bored and challenge their minds as well as helping them develop social skills. Find out if day care offers a multitude of daily story/reading/creative dramatic opportunities. Every day many stories should be read and familiar tales acted out by kids as a way for developing language skills and a love for reading.
Planning for summer fun doesn’t take much time, effort nor need it cost lots of money. What it does take is willingness on the parts of parents and other interested adults to recognize just how important the time for learning each day is in the lives of our children.
