The lazy days of summer are fun and games for children, but if you still have to go to work, there will not be much for you.  Considering that summer vacation may last about ten weeks, you know you will not be able to take off all that time! You also know that you will need to rely on good child care for your children during the summer, but what should you do? Do you need some summer fun child care ideas to tide you over until school starts? 

• Have you checked in with your city’s Park & Recreation Department lately?  During the summer many cities offer low cost day camps that involve nature hikes and park outings.  Your city will have a brochure or catalog of available activities that they can mail you, or that you can pick up. The staff is trained in child safety procedures, and while your children are with them, they are well cared for.  Simply follow the instructions with respect to lunch and snacks, and your child is on her or his way to some education summer fun!
• Check in with your local chapter of the YMCA.  The Y is known for its summer day camps, and the kids frequently go on outings to the parks, pools, or other fun places.  Additionally, barbecues and other treats allow for a fun time during lunch as well.  The supervising staff at the YMCA is well trained and screened, and they know how to mingle with the kids and have fun at the same time!
• Talk to your local swimming pool administrator.  The pool will oftentimes have day camps available for able swimmers.  It is important that your child knows how to swim, and that you communicate well with the camp director as to your child’s swimming ability.
• Talk to your local golf course.  If your golf course offers a junior golf league, the odds are good that they will also have golf camps. Depending on the age of your children, and the programs available, you may be able to sing up for half day and full day camps.
• Go online and check out museums in your area. Oftentimes they will offer hands on crafts and art sessions, or some educational day activities for children.  Many times these will only be one or two day activities, so you will need to make additional arrangements for the rest of the week, but these facilities offer wonderful opportunities for your children to become acquainted with the cultural facilities in your area.
• Check with your child’s regular daycare of after school care provider. Sometimes these facilities will offer summer fun packages that include trips to the movie theatre to see the latest cartoon releases or to go to a local water park.  What better way too cool off during the hot days of summer than in a nicely air conditioned theatre or a wet and wild splash adventure?
• Have you spoken to the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts in your area to see if they offer day camps? Sometimes they will permit children to attend these camps even without joining the Scouts.  Check on policies and procedures.
• Talk to a trusted college student.  Perhaps in your circle of friends or in your local church or synagogue you know of a college student who is home for the summer and would love to earn some extra cash.  Perhaps she could “nanny” for you in return for some food and ready cash.
• Have you contacted your school’s office?  Very often they will be a most valuable source of information.  At times, the school itself will sponsor a day camp for the children to raise some extra funds for the PTA, while at other times they may have been contacted by local day care providers in the area that will offer some fun activities over the summer.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that the summer days are the most wonderful time for a child, and the fun and splashing about is only a portion thereof – the other portion is the adventure of making new friends, exploring new activities, and trying new foods!