As summer camp winds down, parents can continue to use home-based strategies to integrate recreational activities, socialization and physical fitness into their children’s routines.
Make sure you communicate with the camp counselors about what they observed about your child’s interests and needs and how you can continue to enhance their growth at home. The camp may also have resources and activity suggestions so your child can maintain the skills learned during the summer.
Here are some popular ways to keep camp alive during the fall months ahead. Be sure to inquire about accommodations for children with differing needs.
Physical Fitness
Consider a scheduled time for exercise. As the weather grows cooler, find videos that you and your kids can do online for exercise. Plan a day when you can take your child to the nearest community center to use the gym, participate in an indoor swimming class or walk the indoor track.
Is camping an option? There are local camp sites that can provide both educational and outdoor experiences. Plan a trip to a local campsite, such as Little Bennett Campground, or visit your local parks department website for other nearby options.
Into the new pickleball craze? Dill Dinkers offers memberships and locations in Maryland and Virginia for family games.
Nature
Many community nature centers offer programs for kids with diverse abilities to explore the outdoors such as hiking, bird watching, trail preservation and more. They also have educational and craft classes that are reasonably priced that you can register for every month.
Consider enrolling your child in a scouting, archeology or gardening group. Indoor gardening, such as growing vegetables and herbs, fosters both healthy eating and sustainable living. This is also an opportunity to teach them about recycling and composting. Consider Scouts BSA with locations throughout the US, which offers scouting programs that accept both boys and girls.
In addition, the 4-H Club, also throughout the US, is a youth development organization that provides children and teens with hands-on projects in the areas of agriculture, the arts and science.
Or take a ride on one of the many railroads to explore the scenery. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers holiday rides for families throughout the fall and winter.
Socialization
Investigate after school programs, neighborhood groups (such as NextDoor) to find age-appropriate opportunities for your child to connect, communicate and develop friendships. There are also many volunteer opportunities that may spark a future career goal or allow your child to give back to the community in a unique way.
Join a local theater group where there are opportunities from acting to singing to set design.
Does your child like to sing? Look for opportunities for your child to join a community choir or orchestra.
Arts and Crafts
County recreation centers have a variety of classes tailored to the needs of your child with differing abilities.
There are many classes where kids can learn a new skill or continue to hone a skill from camp such as sewing, pottery or drawing.
Purchase a workbook or subscribe to a monthly magazine like Highlights for Children that encourages creativity through crafts and mind building.
Keep it Fun and Low Stress
Try to make whatever you choose fun and low stress. Camp is about enjoying the lazy days of summer, so pick fun activities that will give them an opportunity to communicate to you what they are interested in, and make a schedule that is doable. As you gear up for the fall, try to have a combination of short-and long-term activities that allow a sampling of different things so your child can improve and hone their skill set. Include rest breaks that allow for rejuvenation and evaluation so you can receive feedback from your child.
As the sun sets on summer, the strides your child made in camp don’t have to be left behind. If you plan accordingly, you can maintain and develop what your child learned to ensure their accomplishments continue throughout the year.
Additional Resources:
Social and recreational opportunities for children with differing abilities:
Haven Universe, Inc. – Potomac, MD –offers all-inclusive recreational and social programs for families.
Spirit Club – Kensington, MD – Offers on-site and on-line adapted workshops and exercise classes.
KEEN – Kids Enjoy Exercise Now – Greater DC area, offers adapted exercise programs.
Related
Diana M. Martin, MFA, has been an adjunct professor in the Writing, Reading and Learning Center at Montgomery College and a freelance writer for more than 20 years.
Diana M. Martin, MFA, has been an adjunct professor in the Writing, Reading and Learning Center at Montgomery College and a freelance writer for more than 20 years.
