Summer Camp 101, Part II: Putting the Fun in Summer

What are you kids going to do this summer? We are exploring that question this March on chambanamoms.com. (Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography on flickr)

By Rachael McMillan

Ask and you shall receive! I am referring to both the great advice I got from moms AND the fact that the new Funformation (Champaign Park District’s summer programs guide), is here. The topic of what to do this summer is officially off the ground.

My biggest piece of advice? If you see a program you think your child will like, don’t wait to sign up. Some tend to fill very quickly.

My other piece of advice is to start by thinking about what your child is interested in. Sounds simple, I know. Still, considering all these great options helped me re-realize what summer vacation is all about—FUN!

I had been going at the idea kind of backwards, thinking that: A) I wanted to get the kids out of the house on a regular basis, B) I didn’t want to spend a ton of money, and C) I hoped the kids would enjoy whatever programs were available.

Then I realized that most summer programs are not designed specifically to keep my children in the school routine we’ve only recently established. They were created—first and foremost—to be fun.

I also realized that even a few well-selected activities tend to fill the weeks pretty quickly. A swim lesson here, a half-day camp there, add a regularly scheduled playdate (thanks for that advice, Jenna), and the summer is pretty much set.

Here are a several more summer camp leads:

First, I’d like to mention that I got two shout outs for the CPD’s Creative Kids day camp. Readers Laura and Dana had children attend and in both cases the kids gave the program rave reviews. As a bonus, it looks as if the camp can double as full-time childcare. The sessions run from 6/7-8/13 and last from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Each week is a separate session, and the cost for one child to attend one session is $110 for Champaign residents and $165 for non-residents. Children ages 6-11 can attend.

There are many other options for summer camps, lessons, and fun get-togethers for kids of all ages through the Champaign and Urbana park districts. Thanks to Kris for providing the link to the UPD’s summer programs (here it is again). Bethany suggested looking into the activities at the Savoy Rec Center as well.

Again, it appears that some of these programs can take the place of full- or part-time childcare. Other than that, activities are all over the place as far as duration, time of day, cost, number of sessions, and other factors are concerned.

Even more options:

• Jenna suggested the College for Kids camp at Parkland for children in grades 3-7.
• The Orpheum Children’s Science Museum has some camps.
• The Champaign County YMCA’s camps can be found here.
• If you are a member of church, mosque, or temple, check into their summer programs. These are likely to be free or low-cost options for fun warm-weather activities.

Now, for some families, securing regular childcare is of the utmost importance. We will tackle that topic in an upcoming installment. Again, if anyone has great advice on how to find regular childcare for the summer, I’d love to have it! Please leave your feedback below.

If you have any other suggestions, please leave them below and I will add them in the next piece. Also, if you have information about specialty camps for kids with medical, educational, or other concerns, please share!

Thanks for all of the great help, moms. Keep it coming! The summer’s looking better already…

Rachael McMillan is an occasional contributor to chambanamoms.com. A former high school teacher who now is spending time at home with her two children, Jack and Kate, she is a freelance writer and reading tutor.

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