Fun, Meaningful Ideas for a Low-Cost, No-Camp Summer
The cancellation of summer camps presents many families with a difficult reality: getting work done and keeping the children engaged without the structured activities they normally depend on. At the same time, many parents are struggling to manage (and help kids cope with) the anxiety, loneliness, isolation, and depression that this extended pandemic has created. Even as we continue the work of building a stronger, healthier, more equitable world, the everyday challenges of work and parenthood are still with us. We don't have the answers to these challenging issues, but we do have a few ideas for how your family can have fun, get outside, be creative, and help others this summer. Wishing you all safety, joy, kindness, and peace.
--- Jenny Friedman, Executive Director
ACTION
Bring joy to your neighborhood. Together with your kids, transform your yard by offering a musical performance, creating an I Spy game with hidden stuffed animals, sharing large signs of hope, posting a daily riddle, setting up a light display, or building a neighborhood zoo.
Keep your kids busy (without you). Offer a creative challenge for your kids to complete each day. Some examples: build a giant fort, chalk your entire walk, construct a container so a (hard-boiled) egg won't crack when dropped from a height, design an obstacle course, invent a Lego challenge, assemble a giant puzzle, create a nature museum, build houses of cards, disassemble an old appliance or electronic item (with cord removed and screwdriver provided), design a family scavenger hunt, create a Rube Goldberg-inspired machine, build a small fairy garden, or make a movie.
Create an upcycle box of wonder. Assemble a bin of recyclable and non-recyclable items so the kids can create robots, masks, you name it. Just print our poster (or create one of your own) and grab a roll of duct tape or two.
Sign up for our “Summer of Kindness” eCamp! This virtual camp offers six weeks of activities you can do right at home as a family to explore big-hearted themes like soothing fears, increasing kindness, reducing waste and more! Start any time. This exclusive download is one of the many perks offered to our Membership Circle families. Join us!
Take on a nonprofit. Charitable organizations are struggling right now, and your family can help. Choose a local organization that could use support and brainstorm ways you can assist all summer long: organize a fundraiser, collect needed supplies, share the organization's efforts on social media, and ask how you can safely volunteer with your family.
Plan an outdoor adventure. Getting outside is especially important as the pandemic has led to increased screen-time. Hikes and bike rides are great, but if you want to mix it up, why not: create a nature sculpture, play in the mud, build toy rafts out of twigs and sail them in a local lake or backyard wading pool, go on a nature scavenger hunt, or have a water balloon fight.
TALK
Cancelled summer plans can be frustrating and anxiety-producing for children. Here are tips for talking about it with them.
Let your kids express their emotions (anger, sadness, frustration). Empathize with their feelings; don't rush in with answers. "I'm so sorry you won't be able to ______ like we planned." It's OK for you to grieve, too.
Share memories. Let your kids talk about what they'll miss. "What do you love best about camp?"
Provide perspective. This pandemic won't last forever, but it might seem that way to your child. "There are a lot of people working hard to keep us safe and bring the pandemic to an end."
Provide reassurance. "Together we'll make a plan for a fun summer. Here are some of my ideas. What ideas do you have?" But do be careful not to overpromise.
BOOKS
Make books fun this summer by reading in new places: a tent in your yard, a tent in your house, a hammock, a tree, a swing. Read with a flashlight --- under a blanket, in a cozy closet, or outside at night. Listen to an audio book together while you color or paint or create a sculpture with clay. Read to your kids while they're in the bathtub, in an outdoor wading pool, eating popcorn, or building with Legos.
Also remember that a great picture book is wonderful at any age. Peruse our list of big-hearted favorites that provide comfort and perspective --- and inspire big conversations --- as we continue to isolate to help keep our community well.
INSPIRATION
When the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome.
--- Wilma Rudolph, American track and field athlete