Fun Summer Activities

With 12 weeks off, even the busiest kids get bored.  You can only sign them up for so many weeks of Junior Guards or summer camps. To make this summer the best ever, consider creating a custom summer program that meets the needs and desires of your children – at no cost to you! By creating a special summer “camp” for just a few kids, you can set up your kids’ favorite activities and new outings that will keep them engaged all summer. I did this with my girls when they were young and now some of our best memories are from our summer programs.  Here’s what’s involved:

I organized an eight-week summer program that included academics, arts, sports, and theater. My girls selected the activities and outings that they wanted to do and even helped me pick the theater productions we presented each year.

I hired teachers to teach the academics in the morning, art and sports in the early afternoon, and theater in the late afternoon.  By inviting about 6-8 kids to join the summer fun (and pay our tuition), my children had the best summers ever – and it didn’t cost me a dime! At the time, I worked from home, so I oversaw all of the activities but I wasn’t directly involved.  I enjoyed joining them on field trips and the theater productions.  So even if you work full time, you can still set up a program like this and give your kids the ideal summer program.  I even wrote a book to help parents organize these activities. 

 Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy is the founder of Merit Academy (one-on-one classes) and Merit Educational Consultants (college and educational advisory). She has written books on projects, free child care, education, and parenting. Susan hosts TEDxMeritAcademy for students to present their innovative projects and solutions. In 2019, she was California Mother of the Year. meritworld.com

Summer Program
Mondays-Thursdays:

At our house
9:00 am-12:00 pm

Reading Newbery books (to enjoy the best children’s literature)
Writing autobiographies (to develop good writing skills)
Math games and exercises (to keep their math brains going)

12:00-1:00 pm:
Lunch and Freeplay (basketball)

1:00-2:00 pm
Art: ceramics, watercolor painting, calligraphy, stained glass

2:00-3:00 pm
Swimming and outdoor sports

3:00-5:00 pm

Theater rehearsal

Fridays
Offsite
9:00 am-5:00 pm
Exploratorium, Egyptian Museum, Monterey Bay Aquarium, olalieberry picking, bodysurfing, hiking in forest, camping