Do you ever wish you could be a kid again? When the days of carefree playing, learning and exploring were priority number one! Where meeting the neighborhood kids for an impromptu game of Red Rover, climbing to the top of the trees, and chasing fireflies until called in for dinner were the day’s ‘to-do list’. The only stresses revolved around homework and which Saturday morning cartoon to watch. Our best friends were our brothers, sisters and the next door neighbors. Parents were the super heroes and Hollywood stars who made our home feel like the greatest place on Earth. Let’s not forget what we lived for-- Summer Time! When that final school bell rang, it meant three whole months of fun, fun, fun! No homework, playing all day, vacations and summer camp! Some things never change. Our kids still countdown the school days until they can enjoy those same carefree summer days and nights. And the simple ways of the past can be loved by our children, too. Plan a summer that they will never forget. We can create a simpler time, against the backdrop of video games and laptops, by helping them see summer as we used to.
It is hard for me to think about summer without a memory or two of music camp. Growing up as a music minister’s daughter, we always had the opportunity to learn and explore the world of music at summer camp. Not only was it a time away from home making new friends, while surrounded by nature and fun, but also I gained an appreciation of music, like my dad. Swimming, horseback riding, nature trails, and campfire songs were just a bonus! I still can recall the pride I felt singing for our family at the performance recital as our week wrapped up.
Summer camp was a success mainly because my parents and I picked one that matched my interests and level of readiness for camp. Being away from home for a week was not a norm for us. We did visit overnight with relatives and friends, but were not often under the care of strangers, like a camp counselor. Even though the experience was positive, there were nerves associated with missing home that caused some concern prior to camp starting. Many kids get that homesick feeling, and summer camp planning can bring these emotions out. In our feature article, From Homesick Kid to Happy Camper, Julie Steed suggests some great tips as you plan this year’s summer camp experiences for your children. One tip is to find what interests them and to decide on the camp together. Do you have a budding artist or a sports fanatic? How about the next Einstein or Mick Jagger? With a camp designed for exploration, teaching and inspiring every interest, finding the perfect one is the key. Another tip is to be supportive and encouraging of their summer interests and the decision as to whether an overnight or day program is best. I was ready for a week away from my mom, but my little sister was not. For her, a local art camp, where she spent the day painting and her nights at home, was the perfect fit.
In this month’s magazine you will also find our 2012 Summer Camps Guide where there are as many camps to choose from as there are interests of your kids. The hard part will be having to make the decision and pick a camp! Let’s help them get back to nature, share the love of the arts and music, and unleash their inner explorer this summer. Spending the days carefree and their nights under the stars is the makings of a summer like we had as kids. You know it has been a summer for the books when they can begin any story with, “Remember last summer when...”
Kendra
