Summertime and the Kids' Education Goes Out The Door?

So here we will take a look at how to entertain the children this summer and perhaps all learn a little something.
First you will want to begin thinking of a community. How many children and how many adults do you want to include in your 'Vacation Community?'
I have two grown daughters who along with their husbands and four children (two kids for each couple) between the ages of 7 and 11 inspired this article. During the winter, they discovered their children were getting 'bored.' The parents were tearing their hair out trying to amuse the children and yet keep up with all their responsibilities. The four parents got together and brainstormed. What they came up with was astoundingly successful.
Each parent was assigned one Saturday afternoon out of the month.
On Anna's Saturday afternoon, she did gardening with the children. It was winter in Maine! They talked about what plants need to be started early and indoors before Spring arrives in New England. They purchased organic seeds and began potting. Through the winter, they nurtured the seedlings and talked about such things as when and where to plant them outside. What soil preparations would have to take place and their fertilizer options, among other things. You get the idea. Anna is a Special Ed. Teacher. She chose organic gardening not because she is an expert gardener; rather because it is something she gets excited about and she easily transfers that excitement to the children.
Her husband Dan is a truck driver. With his newest hobby being carpentry, he has recently been reading and experimenting with his new found skills in their new home. From a wood box to book cases and lockers in their mudroom, his newly acquired skills have thrilled the whole family. Naturally his choice for his Saturday afternoons was carpentry. The childrens' first project was bird houses. They learned to use very rudimentary tools and how to hold them properly and use them safely. ( Three of the children are boys, one a girl. Gender has yet to make a difference in any of their interests.)
Emily, the HS English Teacher, decided to give the art lessons since her talent and enthusiasm lay there. The first project the children were involved in? After taping large sheets of sketching paper under the eaves in a large cave-like space in her upstairs, Emily and the children explored ancient cave drawings in a large illustrated book before the children undertook to create their own cave drawings. The results were fascinating-- for the adults as well as the children!
And Michael, our computer whiz, takes off his CEO hat to have fun with music. This talented young man has acquainted all the children to various musical instruments and their capabilities. The incredible revelation that he would actually allow little fingers to pluck the strings of his instruments from his Bass to his cherished Cello, must have been a heart stopper! The children are learning many new things in many new genres. Respect too, they are learning respect... for the various fields being looked at and experimented with, but also for the parents who are so open to having FUN with the kids.
So people, here's the idea: Grow the Saturday's Fun Time. Grow it to Summer Fun! Choose your community. How many households will be included? How many parents/adults will give of themselves and their talents? Make sure you choose only those who have something that truly 'lights their fire,' or it won't go over with the kids. Once you have the Community and Leaders chosen, then you can take a look at how many days/hours a week you will operate. The added benefit here is that while one parent is involved with all the children on a given afternoon, the other parents are free!
Let's brainstorm for some more learning experiences:
Anyone have a pool and know different swimming strokes and techniques, diving styles, etc.
That would surely go over big for the Summer Fun!
What a great image on Anne Klar's DRIFTING OFF. Thanks Anne. (*See large image and link below.)
How about Cooking? Think of fun things like making Home Made Ice cream... or Smores over the BBQ!
Do we have any hikers and hiking trails available? Carry a guide book and identify the foliage, and/or birds.
Here's a good one. My son-in-law who is the truck driver, spends a goodly portion of his free time in the summer, fly fishing. Guess who will be learning to fly fish this summer!
Those cooling off enterprises are always good choices for Summer Fun.
Even something as simple as twisting floral wire into 'Bubble Wands,' mixing up some 'Bubble Solution,' and then have a magical afternoon of Bubble Blowing and Chase the Bubbles can be an afternoon that a child will remember with reverence for the rest of their lives. Joyce Geleynse's BUBBLE BLOWER reminds us of how simple it is to take an ordinary afternoon and turn it into a Party! Thanks Joyce!

(*See large image and link below.)
Now keep going. Come up with your own list of ideas from thinking of those possible inclusions to your desired group of Leaders for your Community and get ready for Summer Fun! Bye, Bye Boredom.

If I might offer a couple more suggestions for Summer Fun:
1) All Leaders involved should refrain from using terms such as, "Study," " Work," and even "Learn." Replace them with words like Experiment or Discover and Accomplish. (Don't just challenge the children; challenge yourself too.)
2) The other suggestion I offer is to be VERY careful in choosing those you invite to join your community of Summer Fun. Take no risks of allowing your children into questionable environments!

So Summer Vacation is almost upon us. Does that mean 'School's Out?' Not if you really want to have some fun... and some freedom!
Never doubt EVERYONE has something to offer, so put on your thinking caps and have a great summer with the kids!