Is Your Camp Closed This Summer? Here's How To Entertain The Kids

Some summer camps have already announced that they will be canceled this year due to the new coronavirus — and don't shoot the messenger, but I’m sure more cancellations are to come.

Many of us are heartbroken. It’s hard for kids to imagine a summer without friends, the pool, outdoor fun and the freedom that comes with camp. Plus, that summer break is everything for parents. We need time and space to get our own cocktails and beach days in, too (though I would settle for any type of free time outside of quarantine life at this point).

I've heard of many summer camps that will be offering online "Zoom camp," but I'm not sure that sits well with myself and other moms. Mom Kira says, "After over two months of online school, the last thing I want for my kids this summer is to be on a computer, no matter how engaging the content."

This year, we might have to adjust our thinking and come up with a new plan. I've started talking to moms and experts about their alternate options if summer camp turns out to be canceled, and here were the ideas they shared:

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Take-Home Projects

Mom Betsy suggests looking at your local places that would normally offer camps and enrichment classes to see what they are doing. "For example, there's an art education studio here that did local porch drop-offs of materials for at-home projects when when we started sheltering in place here in Illinois. One of the projects was materials to create a Rube Goldberg machine, and you could post your finished project on social media for a chance to win a prize. The kits were 'pay what you can' (free or make a donation to the studio's scholarship fund)."

Get Help

Mom Michelle was thinking of hiring one of the kids who worked at her children's after-school program to be a "big brother" for the summer. "He might take him fishing, hiking, biking to the park and other activities. All the stuff we already do, just with someone he can look to as a friend." I would try to keep this a socially distant hangout. It's much easier for an older teen or adult to keep their distance when playing, so this might be a safe option.

Beef Up Your Outdoor Plans

Mom Dafne bought a hammock and is trying to enhance her home's outdoor activities and games. She's also planning to do once-a-week day trips and hikes. "We also have scheduled an Airbnb in Woodstock in August. Not sure if we can keep it, but fingers crossed we can!"

Rent a House

Just like Dafne, we were thinking about renting a house farther out in the country over the summer, hopefully near water or the beach. We'll search for homes on Airbnb, Home Away from Home or through friends. We would just need to grill the owners and make sure the homes have been thoroughly cleaned — and we'll also have to come prepared with Lysol, too!

Plan Projects

Dafne was also thinking about creating a project for each of her kids' interests. "My daughter wants to do a scrapbook, and my boy probably would want to make a comic book. It’ll be work to keep them on task, but I don’t have anything else, so I might go for it!" It might be nice to come out of the summer with a completed project — and it might also give everyone little extra pride and confidence.

Home Camp

Mom Nina is working to develop a “home camp schedule with some activities listed every day and a one-tank road trip twice a week to historical sites or other sites we can look at with some distance including parks, farms, etc."

Mini Camp

Mom Leah might have a mini camp with a few of her neighbors. "We have a pool, so thinking about getting someone to come give swimming lessons. Then, basically take turns as camp counselors." I'm not sure if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would currently agree with this idea, but things might change as we get closer to summer.

Some other moms I've spoken to are actually happy to save the extra money on camp this year. One mom said that less money toward camp would mean she could work less as a freelancer and enjoy whatever summer is possible.

Then again, there is also a possibility that camp will stay open, but it would most likely have to be adjusted with some new practices.

Mom Gina runs a camp in Harrison, New York, called ISG Gymnastics; and as of right now, it is planning to open with many new protocols for distancing between kids. "It is looking like camps will be allowed to open if they want and if they have safety measures in place, but that can always change, so my camp will not be accepting payments yet just in case," she says.

Camp or no camp, it's good to come up with a plan B, even if summer life isn't exactly what we had in mind. And no matter what happens with this dreadful virus, there are thankfully still some ways to enjoy summer.

Other Parenting News:

• The Pros And Cons Of Having An Only Child During Quarantine
• Tips On Being Both Parent And Teacher During Quarantine
• Keeping The Peace With Family During Coronavirus Isolation