So sleep-away summer camps have been cancelled, physical summer camps are closed, internships have been cancelled. Physical summer school has been cancelled. Sports camps, sports training, vacations, travel have all been cancelled. What will your kids DO this summer? They have been stuck at home for over 2 months.
High School Kids: 1. Study for the SAT/ACT. 2. Take online classes/attend online “CAMP” 3. Do summer internships (there are a still a few out there). 4. Take college courses (many community colleges are FREE and they can get college credit early.) 5. Get certified in something. (Same idea as #4. Take college courses and get CERTIFICATIONS.) 6. Teach online. 7. Spend time on a project. A friend’s son built a great supply chain website that helps connect people who have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to donate it to healthcare professionals that need it. 8. Spend time in the great outdoors. 9. Learn to do chores like cook and do laundry. 10. Learn to drive. 11. Pursue a hobby. (My kid has been dying to play chess and play with our 3d printer). 12. Volunteer for a charity. (My other kid has wanted to help a local charity with their website and newsletter). 13. Exercise. Swimming. Biking. Hiking. Rollerblading. Tennis. Dance. 14. Start a business. 15. Take college tours (either online or in person if you can). Learn about colleges and what it takes to be accepted and what each college specializes in.
Or do a combination of many of these!
Rod Long
Middle School Kids: 1. Take online classes/online “camp” Many physical camps have started an online version and there are many longtime long distance camps/classes too. 2. Learn a new skill. 3. Catch up on classes that they have a hard time with (bad with Math? Get a bit of Math tutoring during the summer). 4. Help a charity. Charities need “socially distant” help as well as help in real life. (One of mine wants to help raise money for little community hospitals to get more PPEs) 5. Explore the great outdoors. 6. Pursue a hobby or an interest. This is the time to study up on rocks or learn how to bake or make lego robots. 7. Exercise! If you have access to a private swimming pool – practice swimming or biking or rollerblading or any other fun exercise. 8. Creativity! Paint or draw or design something or play with clay or 3D print or just explore. 9. Set up a group of kids to hang out with – whether it be in real life or virtually. 10. Time to read good books, think good thoughts.
Elementary School kids: Now this is more complicated. You need childcare for elementary kids. If you don’t have childcare, they you must find a camp or childcare or someone who is willing to provide childcare. Normally, I like something fun where the kids will learn something, exercise and socialize. This summer, that might be hard to find. Now for those of you who have childcare, this is the summer for your kids to explore, learn and find out how wonderful learning can be. Time for them to watch bugs, paint, learn their letters, be read to and read, swim, laugh and get dirty. There are wonderful things to learn in the world and you want them to be able to see and explore them all. The big thing is to ignite your child’s love of learning. If they are motivated, there is nothing they can’t do.
Good luck with summer plans! Feel free to contact me if you need help finding summer activities for your children that are local to you and which line up with their interests!
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