Amanda Arrick’s Post

Summertime can become very expensive for young families who need to keep kids busy and entertained. A trip to the amusement park for a family of four can easily cost hundreds of dollars for just a one-day outing – something that’s just not feasible for many Canadians’ budgets. Luckily, there are still lots of ways to have fun this summer without blowing your budget. Check out these free or inexpensive ideas for summer activities that will save you money while still ensuring everyone has fun. https://loom.ly/LGcF8oo

Do you see the elephant in the room? If you are a parent of school-age children, I know you are having a fantastic summer, but I want to say I see you. I SEE YOU: • Maneuvering the schedules before, during, & after work • Handling all the logistics • Trying to figure out what to provide kids in terms of infrastructure - Especially with middle and high school kids - Attempting to provide growth and independence without seeming negligent or helicopter → I bring this up because every interaction I am having these days with parents of school-age kids is met with this guilt. → Summer is hard because society teaches us that we should pretend to be stay-at-home parents with all sorts of freedom and liberties to make summer the dreamy blast we see on social media. → So, I tell you to keep going and say you are doing a good job. Our kids will remember more good than we realize. Nothing is more important than time. ✅ So choosing to be present in the time we do have is the priority. ENJOY the rest of your summer! How are you making time to be present with your children this summer?

@newearthwondersschool ・・・ Get your NEW School NEWS🗞️ ~ Summer Newsletter is fresh off the press! 🔥🙌 Be part of our mailing list and stay connected to join our next community events, always open to all! #communityschool #alternativeprivateeducation #freedomschool #jointheclub🎩 #newschoolnewsletter

Although overnight camps are increasingly inaccessible financially, there are programs to address this. This is fantastic because they offer so many benefits, including an antidote to too much screen time and the healthy development of life skills. "At my camps, we celebrate “reasonable risks” as experiences to be embraced, not avoided. Seen through this lens, it’s easier to understand why it’s a positive that some of the following happen to every camper: They are homesick and overcome it, teaching them that they can thrive outside of their parents’ shadows. They have a dispute with a friend, are upset, and eventually craft a resolution. They try something new and fail. And fail a few more times. And then succeed through perseverance. They try something and fail without an eventual triumph. We will not always win or succeed. Children should know that they can survive those situations, too. They embrace an activity that is a little scary and overcome that fear, thus fostering courage and confidence. " #summercamp #independence #lifeskills #montessori #sleepovers #outdoors #nature

If you have children in school, you may find the summer holidays are a dream or a six-week challenge. The closure of activities and clubs for the holidays can make finding things to do a real struggle and the summer clubs that do run are usually an extra cost. But with these simple ideas, from Sam from our Single Parent Support team, the summer months can be enjoyed and lasting memories can be made at little cost! ☀️👉 https://buff.ly/3Db4v41

🌟 Calling all parents and educators! 🌟 As summer approaches, let's talk about the MAGIC of summer camps for kids! ☀️🏕️🎨 Creativity unleashed: From arts and crafts to outdoor adventures, camps ignite imagination and foster creativity in our little ones. 🤝 Social skills flourish: Camps are the ultimate playground for teamwork, communication, and making lifelong friendships. 🌿 Nature's classroom: Disconnecting from screens and reconnecting with nature helps kids appreciate the great outdoors and learn valuable environmental lessons. 💡 Lifelong memories: From campfire stories to conquering new challenges, summer camps create memories that last a lifetime.Let's ensure every child gets the chance to experience the joy and growth that summer camps offer! Share if you agree! #SummerCampMagic #ChildhoodMemories #AdventureAwaits #SpecialtyProgramming

🎶 The Power of Camp Songs: Building Community, Confidence, and Lasting Memories 🎶 At the YMCA of Frederick County, our summer camps are more than just a place for fun—they're a space where young lives are transformed. One of our cherished traditions that make this possible is the simple yet profound practice of singing camp songs. Why are camp songs so important? They do so much more than fill the air with melodies. They help build memories, foster camaraderie, and boost confidence in our campers. Each song, whether sung around a campfire or during a hike, strengthens bonds, promotes inclusivity, and brings immense joy. These songs: ✨ Create a sense of belonging and unity ✨ Encourage teamwork and cooperation ✨ Help campers express themselves and build confidence ✨ Forge deep emotional connections ✨ Spread joy and laughter, making camp experiences unforgettable As a community-driven organization, we see firsthand how these small moments of joy contribute to the larger goal of youth development and community building. Our campers carry these memories and the values they learn with them for life. We invite you to read more about the impact of camp songs in our latest blog post: The Power of Camp Songs. Your support helps us continue creating these enriching experiences for our community's youth. Together, we can inspire brighter futures and strengthen our community, one camp song at a time. #CommunityBuilding #YouthDevelopment #SummerCamp #CampSongs #ConfidenceBuilding

🎉 Exciting News from SummerCampScout! 🚀 We're thrilled to share details on our latest release, designed to empower camp providers with even greater control and visibility on our platform. This is a game-changer for the way camps are managed and discovered! What's New? 🌟 1. Enhanced Self-Management: Take the driver's seat with our improved self-management tools. Tailor your camp’s online presence to best fit your unique offerings. 2. Showcase Your Organization: Now you can add detailed information about your organization, which will be highlighted in our camp search results and top our directory listings. 3. Location-Specific Promotions: Ensure parents find the most convenient camps for their kids by adding all your locations. Want more visibility? Opt-in for location-specific promotions. 4. "Special Needs Friendly" Designation: We're proud to introduce this feature, making it easier for parents to find camps that cater to special needs, ensuring an inclusive environment for all kids. 5. Cost-Effective Camp Promotions: Boost individual camp visibility with our new promotional options, designed to help your camps stand out and reach more families. We believe these features will not only streamline the way you manage your camp listings but also enhance the way parents discover the perfect summer camps for their children. Stay tuned for more details, and get ready to elevate your camp's presence on SummerCampScout like never before! #SummerCamps #CampProviders #NewFeatures #InclusiveCamping #SummerCampScout

Summer has arrived? It's definitely less of a statement and more of a question at this point. I'm really not certain. I'm not committing (and neither is summer). It's showing up on a part-time basis, at least. It's trying its best. Anyway, theoretically, you are blessed with good weather one day, and you wish to enjoy some time at the park with the family. How can you turn that event into an educational adventure? 1) Involve the children in making the picnic. 2) Introduce them to the art of tetris in real life in loading up the boot. 3) Take reading books and a sketch pad. 4) Let them handle the money transaction at the ice cream van. 5) Give them a budget if there's an amusement section to the park. 6) Point them in the direction of other children. 7) Go on a nature scavenger or bug hunt. 8. Take a skipping rope/cricket/rounders set/football with you. 9) Make sure all the rubbish comes home/goes in the bin. 10) Round up the children, along with half a dozen new rocks to add to their collection. Check their pockets for worms, and return home knowing you've had a good morning/afternoon. -Life skills -Reading -Maths - Art - PE - Socialisation -Nature studies - Environmental awareness - A little vitamin D. Perfect summer activity. #paideiamaximus #homeeducation