Summer Vibes Are Here

Summer is just around the corner. Have you found child care yet? From all week-long summer camps to day camps. Here is a list of a few of the programs our city has to offer.

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Summer camps can be expensive. Here are some creative and engaging ways to keep the summer fun and save some money too 😊

DIY Summer Camps:

· Themed weeks: Plan activities around a specific theme, like a "science week" with experiments or an "art week" with craft projects.

· Backyard camping: Set up a tent in the backyard for a mini-campout.

· Home-based activities: Organize games, puzzles, and other entertainment options at home.

Local Community Programs:

· Parks and recreation: Many cities offer summer programs for kids, including sports, arts, and outdoor activities.

· Libraries: Public libraries often host summer reading programs and workshops.

· Community centers: Check for activities and events at local community centers.

Enrichment and Special Interest Camps:

· Sports and recreation clubs: Explore clubs that offer summer programs or camps, potentially at a lower cost than traditional camps.

· Robotics/STEM or chess clubs: Offer opportunities for learning and skill development.

· Cooking classes, photography workshops, music lessons, coding boot camps, or theater programs: Encourage children to explore their interests and passions.

Nature Exploration:

· National monuments, parks, and nature preserves: Take trips to explore the outdoors and connect with nature.

· Local parks and urban gardens: Observe plants and wildlife in your community.

· Bird watching, gardening, and nature crafts: Engage in hands-on activities that foster appreciation for nature.

Community Service:

· Volunteer programs: Encourage children to participate in community service initiatives.

· Fundraisers and outreach activities: Support local organizations and give back to the community.

Other Options:

· Vacation Bible School (VBS): Many churches offer VBS programs during the summer.

· Rotating Day Camp with Friends: Coordinate with other families to create a rotating day camp hosted at different homes.

· Museums and zoos: Many museums and zoos offer summer programs and special exhibits.

· Virtual camps: Some traditional camps are offering virtual programs that allow children to participate in activities from home.

3 Budget Friendly Tips for Summer Snacks:

1. Make a reasonable schedule for snacking. Example a morning snack at9:30 and an afternoon snack at 3:00 and the last snack at bedtime.

We often snack out of habit and boredom. Setting a loose schedule for snacks can help limit the number of snacks you’re going thru and help keep that food cost expense down. A gentle reminder to our kiddos is that a snack is not a meal. The goal is not to fill up.

2. Make your own snacks. While individually packed snacks are convenient, they are usually filled with unhealthy ingredients leaving us feeling unsatisfied and feeling the need to eat more.

3. Having pre-made snacks can help with portion control.

Using canning jars is a fun and inexpensive way to store our goods.

Using inexpensive containers from Dollar stores is also fun way to give our littles some independence and the ability to make good food choices. Including them in the process of making the snacks, helps establish a feeling of inclusion and just may lessen those arguments of “I don’t want that”.

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3 Easy Snack Ideas:

1. Trail Mix- dried fruit/nuts/choc chips/yogurt chips (m&ms, smarties)

2. Fudgsicles

1 cup coconut milk

1tbspcocoa powder

3tbspmelted chocolate chips

3 tbsp sweetener (honey, agave, xylitol)

A pinch of salt

1 tsp vanilla (optional)

Mix well together.

Additional; add peanut butter and a banana instead of sweetener

Pour into molds and freeze overnight.

3. Using canning jars, cut up fruits and veggies for a quick grab and easy clean up.

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Give our Hub Navigators a call at 403-526-7473 for more info or help with summer planning!

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