Plan Now for Summer Camp Fun!

Don’t let the chilly evenings fool you; now is the time to start planning summer activities for children. Good planning and early registration ensure your children secure a spot in the activity of their choice and can save you money, as many programs offer discounts for early registration. Before beginning the search, there are a few questions to consider:

• Do you need nine-to-five coverage, or an option for extended day care to cover working hours? Or will a partial-day program work?
• If you will be taking a family vacation, what week(s) will you be traveling?
• If you have more than one child, how important is it for you to be able to take them to one location?
• Do your children have any special needs that must be considered?

Preparing yourself with answers to these questions can save you from paying for a non-refundable week of camp and realizing it’s the same week as the annual beach vacation, or otherwise making the wrong choice for summer activities.

Also, when a program is restricted to children in certain grades, be sure to check if the grade referenced is “rising” or “completed.” For instance, a 5-year-old who will start school in the fall could participate in programs that take “rising kindergartners through fifth-graders.” In programs that require grade completion, the same child would be considered a preschooler and would not be eligible. This is particularly important if you are hoping to get all of your children into the same program.

Full-Time Coverage

For families seeking full-time coverage, existing child care can be a great place to start. This option offers continuity with familiar 

teachers and a regular schedule that can help keep children on track academically.[/box]Minnieland Academy’s 2013 Summer Camp, “Let’s Set Sail,” begins the first week of school vacation and includes field trips and educational experiences throughout the season. The camp explores the world through games, stories, music, food, art and entertainment, also providing swimming and intramural sports.

“During the 11 weeks of summer camp, through field trips, swimming, music, books and games, our campers make new friends, build relationships and create lifelong memories,” said Minnieland Director of Child Care Operations Belinda Thomas. “Summer camp is important because it provides children with opportunities to engage in exciting enrichment activities, enjoy their own areas of interest and explore new ones.”

In addition to “Let’s Set Sail,” Minnieland offers several specialty weeklong mini-camps, where children can explore a variety of subjects, such as culinary skills, robotics and outdoor  expeditions.

Select Minnieland locations in the area have also partnered with the Dominion Valley Country Club to provide sports and activities through the club’s Fit Tech Program this summer. Additionally, campers can enjoy field trips to destinations such as Kings Dominion, National Museum of the Marine Corps and even Virginia Beach for dolphin watching. With locations throughout the greater D.C. area, Minnieland schools should be easy to find along any commuter’s route.

“My daughter enjoys interacting with her friends, cooking, swimming and the numerous field trips. Each summer they have a well thought out theme that the day’s activities revolve around. She is already talking about reuniting with the new friends she made when visiting other Minnieland locations,” said a parent about her child’s experience at a Minnieland summer camp.

Other after-school programs frequently offer full-time camps for students who will need summer coverage. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America have three camp programs: youth, teen and sports. According to camp literature, the teen camp “helps teens to take charge of their future. Our unique programs and special field trips help young people gear up for college and career.” Activities include lessons in financial literacy, job shadowing and the Keystone Leadership Program. Locally, clubs can be found in Dale City, Dumfries and Manassas.

For younger children, individual centers offer in-house programs, such as the Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center’s “Hi-Five” camp exclusively for 5-year-olds. Activities include swimming, crafts and even off-site excursions. Also at Chinn is “Teen Scene,” with plenty to keep children ages 13 to 15 busy.

Part-Time Programs

For families who only require part-time coverage, or if you just want to expose your children to fun activities during their school break, there are many options in various price ranges. A possible summer schedule could be one “off” week, a vacation week and then a “camp” week. This keeps everyone from burning out, and lets the kids try something new or indulge existing passions.

If you’re looking to get the kids out of the house for a few hours, but don’t want to spend a fortune, a good place to start is Vacation Bible School (VBS). Many local churches offer these fun, and frequently free, half-day programs. Some have evening programs as well, great for working parents who still want their children to experience VBS, or for those seeking five date nights in a row. VBS typically caters to an elementary age group, but some churches offer preschool or middle school programs.

All Saints’ Church in Dale City organizes an innovative backyard program where children can attend a small-scale VBS in their own neighborhood. All VBSs tend to fill up quickly. Start monitoring churches near your home early, or check PwcMoms.com for a “Vacation Bible School Guide.”

As featured in the February issue of Prince William Living, outdoor swim teams offer a great bang for your buck at around $150 for a two-month season. Many teams also have developmental programs for younger  children.