I was caught by surprise when I realized that school will be ending really soon and somehow the summer is already upon us!
What am I planning for the summer?
Right now I have no plans for camp for anyone. As positive an experience as I think camp can be, I want our kids to enjoy the freedom of waking up when their bodies are ready (my six year old leaves the house at 7:10 and my 13 year old leaves just ten minutes after that) and having lots of unstructured time for them to fill, in as relaxed and leisurely a way that they want to.
You know the old fashioned way that kids used to play? Outside for hours and hours? That’s what I want to encourage. I’m so appreciative that in Israel there’s more of an outdoor culture than in the US, but nonetheless, getting your kid outside for extended periods of time isn’t a given even here.
Here’s some of what I’m planning for:
Bike riding – We’ve gotten ds10’s bike tires pumped up and filled with a material that makes the tires resistant to being popped by thorns. Last week we bought ds11 a new bike (well, to be accurate, we bought it with him since he paid for almost half of the cost himself). We did a check to be sure everyone’s helmet was in good condition, and replaced the one that wasn’t.
Swimming – Last year due to renovations we didn’t set up our pool, but this year the boys have already got it set up! I’m waiting on the arrival of one replacement pole and then we’ll move full steam ahead to getting it filled up and in use. There’s nothing like getting in the pool on a regular basis to improve swimming skills – and most importantly – it’s fun! Fun is when all kinds of learning happens.
These pools aren’t expensive – the one we bought used in the US was something like $50. I got a new one in Israel on sale for 700 shekels (4.5 meters long x 2.2 meters wide), and then bought the upgraded filter since the one that came with it was pretty much useless. Cheaper than even a few weeks of day camp for the boys (here the cost runs about 900 shekels for three weeks per child), and it makes our home a more inviting place to spend time in and to have friends over.
I haven’t discovered the secret to making my home the preferred hangout of my kids and their friends, which I think is a good thing. But having fun stuff to do is definitely helpful.
Playgrounds – There are so many playgrounds in our city that I haven’t ever set foot in! A couple of weeks ago we visited one my kids had been asking about for months, and had a great time. We usually stick to the parks closest to home, so I’m planning to venture out and get to know other parks and playgrounds this summer.
Nature exploration – Our area is a short drive from some very beautiful natural areas. What I want is to get the kids out in the sum, in the forests, in the shade, climbing over rocks and tree branches, balancing on logs and getting filled up with the quiet of being in nature.
The book Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv, is a wonderful reminder of how important it is for children (and all of us!) to be outside. As childhood moves increasingly in the direction of being sedentary, solitary and dominated by screens, it becomes a conscious effort for a parent to get the kids moving, outdoors and connecting with others.
It’s worth it, though. Play outside is so healthy and so beneficial in so many ways. Developmentally, socially, emotionally…there are so many ways kids stand to gain by putting aside all the structured activities and giving them a chance to be bored, to find new interests and explore the world around them.
Play is how children learn best and the more we can encourage that play, the more they will learn! From a homeschooling perspective, I’ve believed this for many years. When my son with Trisomy 21 was born and I jumped into research about the developmental needs of kids with special needs, I was delighted to found that play continues to be the way to go.
So there you have it, my very simple and basic summer plans! Low key, low cost, low pressure.
While this will be supplemented by indoor activities, maybe a few trips, stuff like that – this is really where my focused intent for the summer will be.
Avivah
Aviva, I agree with you 100% that to get the kids out and play is amazing,fun. the pool is really the best thing a family can have in their yard/or porch(if you are on low floor. a person with a pool on a higher floor might get complaints from neighbors about the weight/water of the pool above their porch). I am just curious about the days where it is so warm and uncomfortable to go out until the very evening hours,(about 7.30pm. )how do you fill all those hours with a large family where the kids don’t say, Mommy I’m Bored!! I know you can cook with them, and bake, take them to the library, have different outings, but on the whole , there can be burnout by the time the summer is over. I’m not trying to be negative, I’m really just curious how mom’s nowadays put in all their koach for the long warm summer ahead. thanx! rochel.
Hi, Rachelli – thanks for the question, it’s a real concern and you don’t sound negative at all!
As far as the heat – when I first moved to Beit Shemesh I literally could not understand how people functioned in the heat. I was completely wiped out and overwhelmed by it. But I’ve adapted. 🙂
The first thing is the attitude shift, from, ‘I’d rather be inside with the a/c’ to embracing the outdoor opportunities and climate. Kids pick up on our unspoken attitudes so quickly!
The second is to look for shaded areas that are comfortable throughout the day; at our weekly homeschool gathering we always meet at the park and have been there even when there’s been a massive heat wave. Under the trees it’s always pleasant and there’s good airflow but in the playground area it’s so hot you feel like you will pass out from the heat.
Have you ever noticed the kids at Camp Landau, who are outside most of the day? And they’re running and doing super active sports activities! Yes, it’s boiling but they all wear hats and drink tons of water and it’s doable. Your question brings to mind a saying of someone who wrote a book about being outdoor with kids (that I didn’t read), ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’ – meaning, when you’re dressed appropriately, all weather is suitable for going outside.
So hats and lots of water (along with finding shady areas – not hard at most area parks and national parks) would make it much more comfortable.getting out earlier/later in the day is one option.
Now, having said that, I’d rather go out earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, and spend the hottest hours inside doing quiet activities. I’ve found there’s a natural ebb and flow of energies – when they spend a lot of time doing something active, the kids naturally then will sit around reading or something like that.
One year I printed out a list I found online, 100 activities you can do outside. It gave me lots of ideas for different doable activities (blowing bubbles, jumping rope).
One big issue that you didn’t ask about but I think is very relevant is that kids are used to being structured during the school year and they get so restless without that, that it can be almost painful for the parents and the kids! I don’t see myself as the camp director and they do learn to entertain themselves to a degree. It’s that attitude of it being your job to make life fun for them that is a big contributing factor to the burnout.
I’m always sad when summer is over and we have to go back to a more structured way of doing things…I enjoy the freedom as much as the kids!
Sounds great! Just want to recommend Apple Park, near Neimi. One of the best parks my family has ever been to
That’s where we have our weekly homeschool gathering! Yes, it’s a great park and I love the wooded forested area – that’s where the kids spend all their time. Literally, they almost never use the playground equipment.