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For working parents, summer is a difficult time of year. It’s hard to find things for the kids to do while they work. But, summer should be a time of family fun. Instead of seeing summer camp as a convenient babysitter for your kids, why not use it as an opportunity for an awesome family vacation? Here are my 7 best tips to help you turn your kid’s summer camp into a family vacation.
My son typically goes to baseball camp every summer. Last year, we took him to baseball camp on the other side of the country. This gave us the perfect excuse to add on a few days and take a road trip. We took time to do some fun stuff once camp was over. It was one of our best family vacations ever!
Tip #1: Look for camps in a preferred location.
Instead of just looking at summer camps near your home, branch out. Research camps in a destination that you would like to visit on vacation.
Find ones that your kids will love. You may even find some that aren’t available in your hometown. Depending on how much time you have to get away for vacation, you can look either a few hours away from where you live or a location a few states away.
If you are not sure where to look, ask your family if there is a location they would like to visit this summer. My guess is one or more of them will give you some ideas you have never thought about before.
Tip #2: Turn it into a road trip.
To really turn your kid’s summer camp into a family vacation, take a road trip to and from the summer camp. A road trip is a super easy way to make lots of memories in a short amount of time.
Play some great road trip tunes, grab some yummy snacks and have a blast getting to your destination.
Plus, if your child will need special equipment for camp, such as baseball bats or golf clubs, a road trip will also make it easier to get them to camp because you won’t have to worry about paying extra baggage fees at the airport.
(See my ultimate guide to road trips for my best tips on road trips with kids.)
Tip #3: Add a few days before or after camp.
To really turn summer camp into a family vacation, add a few days on to your trip. You can either add these days on before or after camp (or both).
Use these extra days as you would during any other family vacation. Find museums, zoos, sporting events, or other attractions and experiences to explore during your trip.
Tip #4: Make camp time date time.
An added benefit of turning your kid’s summer camp into a family vacation is that while your children are at camp, you and your spouse can have some quality time together. When was the last time you got to have dates with your spouse everyday?!?!
During my son’s baseball camp, my husband and I had a blast going to breakfast, taking walks, and even shopping!
This is a great time to check out a museum that your kids aren’t interested in, go see a movie that your kids aren’t old enough to watch, or just relax in a coffee shop for a few hours.
Tip #5: Do some fun stuff after camp each day.
To make your summer camp trip feel even more like a family vacation, go do some fun family activities after your kids get out of camp each day. This is an easy way to really maximize your time.
Many camps are only a half day, which gives you plenty of time to check out some of the area’s attractions. Even if your kids will be in camp all day long, you will still have some time in the evening to do something fun.
Consider going to a local zoo, head to a theme park or splash pad, or take a hike at a local state or national park. And many places offer discounted prices for people who enter later in the day.
Tip #6: Splurge on nightly dessert.
I don’t know about you, but dessert is one of those things that we generally only eat while on vacation or for special occasions. If your family is like ours, make your summer camp/family vacation extra fun by splurging on dessert each night of your trip.
This is another simple way to make summer camp feel more like a family vacation and less like something to just keep your kids busy.
Tip #7: Book a family summer camp.
My last tip is a big one. This is one to use if instead of turning your kids’ summer camp into a family vacation, you want to experience summer camp with them. How do you do this? Book a summer camp that is geared to the whole family.
Throughout the country, you will find summer camps where the entire family can stay and play together. Go horseback riding, learn archery, do crafts, swim in a lake, go kayaking, snorkeling, or fishing, and so much more-all together as a family! How much fun is that?!?!
To find a family summer camp that is perfect for your family, check out this post from The Expedition.
Conclusion
Summer is a time to have fun with your family. This year, instead of looking for summer camps to keep your kids busy while you work, use these tips to turn your kids’ summer camp into a family vacation! I hope you have a great summer with your kids this year!
For more ways to improve your family vacations, see my tips to improve your family vacations, how to take amazing vacations on any budget, and how to plan an epic vacation. Also see my ultimate guide to travel with kids.
Happy travels!
P.S. Need help finding the best places to go on your family vacations? My Ultimate USA Bucket List for Families will instantly give you 60 of the best vacation destinations for families in the United States! Get it for FREE in the box below and start planning your next trip today! Plus, as a bonus, you will receive my weekly email newsletter full of family trip tips and inspiration!
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