The Rebel Housewife

Wednesday

May182005

Camp Mommy

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 10:31PM

Work began yesterday on an ambitious project, which could become my life’s greatest challenge so far: Camp Mommy...surviving the next twelve weeks with all three children home all day, every day on summer vacation.

What to do with these kids all summer?

There are, of course, many options for paid entertainments, from babysitters to nannies to all manner of summer camps and programs. In the past, we’ve done it all: sports camps, art camps, adventure camps, summer preschool, swimming, YMCA activities, and other club memberships--all with varying degrees of success and satisfaction. The very worst thing is to pay $200 for a week of camp that the kid ends up HATING--“been there, done that.”

Camp Mommy is a radical new approach!

Actually spending the summer with my children, full time. Why?

To prove it can be done!
As I mentioned, all-day camps are expensive (sleep-away camps, much more so). Two hundred dollars is a general average, and that is for one child, for one week. I have three children, and twelve weeks of summer: $600 x 10 (we can all handle two weeks, right?) = $6000. I would much rather spend time, and the money, with my children; and this summer, quite frankly, I don’t have the luxury of any other option!
This is the summer of our transition, with the house for sale, and the pending move. We still don’t know now, in June, where we are going to be, or when; we had no idea back in January, when registration opens up each year, and camps fill up in the first days, if not hours, for the more popular programs.
And finally, with my three children ages five, eight, and ten, this is the last summer we have before all three are off to school full time in August (Kindergarten, 3rd & 5th grades)--my babies are growing up so quickly!

I remember when I used to think summer vacation was a good thing: time, freedom, and good weather! I still look forward to summer, but I find myself, now as the Mom, in the last days before school is out, rushing around like a condemned woman, trying to get in as much as possible in the time I have left.

As a kid, I remember the long, lazy days of summer, biking, exploring the neighborhood with friends, playing by the creek in the woods, swimming, spending time at my grandparent’s house...My mother, a single parent, worked full time, so I remember babysitters, my grandparents, my older half-brother and half-sister, friends and neighbors, and then being on my own as I got older. The best part of summer, and the best memories I have are not how or when I was entertained, but simply the freedom I enjoyed, and the easy pleasure of timeless and unscheduled days. That’s what I want to give my children.

Times are different now, and we live in an urban environment very different from the much smaller towns I grew up in. Unfortunately, I can’t let my children roam the way I could. The challenge is in finding a balance between roaming, freeform entertainment (which usually results in too much TV), and over-organization, too much structure--“all camped up,” as we like to say. There must be a happy medium.

The decision, for us this year: Camp Mommy!

The strategy: A summer financial education adventure. We’ve decided, the kids and I, that we are going to explore all the fun we can find in Atlanta, and within driving distance, at low cost or FREE. We are planning and organizing together, and we’ve got a budget: $100/week for our activities Monday thru Friday, including lunches, snacks, and activities. If we save money one week, packing picnics and going swimming or to the park for free, we can spend more on a big activity the next week, like going to White Water or Six Flags. It’s already been a great learning experience, getting the kids involved and talking about the concepts of saving, budgeting, and spending.

Beyond the financial education (which is important), Camp Mommy will be a great experience in learning how to get along better, and in helping out within our family. Mommy can't do it all!

The adventure began yesterday, with Internet research on Google search term: summer activities kids Atlanta. We came up with all kinds of stuff, including dozens of neighborhood and city parks, swimming pool schedules, bike trails, camping information, special events, and FREE summer movies, too! (For the third year in a row, see Regal Cinemas Free Family Film Festival--in a theatre near you!).

Confession, from the Camp Mommy Journal, Tuesday, May 10, 2005:
I am nervous about Camp Mommy...

I’m feeling much better now--only two days of school left! And I will, of course, let you know how it goes all summer...