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Summer is upon us and it’s time to lock in your summer plans if you’re going to plan for a camp or any type of summer activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) camp guidelines indicate that things are still concerning; as while kids have not gotten sick at the same frequency rate as adults, they can still become infected and many may be asymptomatic which can put the family at risk.
Last summer was certainly a challenge for most, including mom Marcia Braga. “Let’s just say there was no summer. My husband and I had the most challenging task, keeping kids inside our home without them destroying it,” Braga told Mom.com. While the CDC has prevention strategies in place for 2021 summer camps, many parents may opt for other activities to keep kids busy during the summer.
Here are 9 alternatives to summer camp in 2021.
For young kids not yet vaccinated: Virtual summer camps
The FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine for adolescents aged 12 and older. While this opened up a lot of opportunities for schools and sports to reopen, it doesn’t help a younger age group where parents and kids are eager to finally be able to have some normalcy. A virtual camp can give kids fun activities while helping parents occupy their minds and time.
1. Virtual Tech Camps
These are STEM based camps where kids will get a full day of activities to challenge them. Kids will collaborate on teams while building skills in coding, 3D modeling, and robotics. Camps offered through ID Tech keep group sizes as small as five campers to make learning and collaborations as effective as possible.
2. History Camps
Your young archeologist will enjoy spending their days going on a journey to ancient civilizations where they can help locate long-lost treasures. Camp groups remain small so that every kid can actively participate. Offered through Varsity Tutors, this camp will get kids excited about learning history and its relevance to modern times.
3. Chess Camp
Help your child develop a passion for a game that will stimulate their mind and be something they can play for their lifetime. Camp days include a lecture, a tournament, games reviews, and puzzle solving competitions. Dean of Chess offers programs for chess players of all levels, from beginner to advanced.
Keep it close: Summer camp “pods”
Through the pandemic, we learned that pods were a way to engage in our social circle in a safer way than random interactions with others. The pod model is being developed for some summer camps. You can try an organized pod or create your own pod for daily activities.
4. Summer sports pods
Many sports camps are looking to create a group that stays together for the summer. Places like the San Francisco Glens Soccer Club break kids into groups of 12 with two coaches who stay with the kids for the entire summer. This helps reduce exposure and limits the chances of contracting COVID.
5. Neighborhood camp pods
Some recreation centers are limiting who can enroll for a summer camp to just those who live in the community. This reduces outside exposure and helps parents feel more secure that they are part of a more controlled environment. Places such as The Scituate Recreation Summer Program in Massachusetts are implementing this while following strict guidelines from the CDC to keep pods under 15, stress a thorough hand washing routine, and use masks at all times except eating.
6. Start a Small Business
This is a great activity on their own or as a small pod. See what your kids get excited about doing and guide them through what it takes to start a small business that does any number of things — paint mailboxes, pick up dog poop, wash cars, mow lawns, or babysit. “The point is to take valuable free time to start accumulating skill sets that your child will be proud of in the future,” Sue Donnellan of Ask Mom Parenting told Mom.com.
Try these indoor and outdoor activities during COVID: Museums and zoos
Creating your own pod usually means that you’re working with a couple of other families who share your COVID safety philosophies. Maybe all adults and kids over 12 are vaccinated. Everyone adheres to social distancing rules, uses masks, and has an abundance of hand sanitizer when out and about. If you have a pod, you can create a list of day-trip types of activities to do with the kids.
7. Local museum tour
While most museums closed at the onset of the COVID pandemic, many have reopened with new guidelines to ensure public safety. Be sure to check what guidelines are in place for the museums you will visit. Places like The Getty Museum in Los Angeles will require face masks and temperature checks for anyone coming through. Guidelines will vary depending on where in the country you live and what the mandates and museum policies end up being.
8. Get a zoo pass
It’s hard to get tired of the zoo and this can be a great activity to do multiple times over the course of the summer. Take the time to explore parts of the zoo that you rarely see (because we all have our favorite exhibits) and learn about animals from distant lands. Challenge your kids to find a new animal with every new day that you spend at the zoo.
9. National park tour
A national park might be good for a day trip or a road trip. Depending on your family schedule and where you live, either are great ideas for 2021 summer activities. Take in diverse and breathtaking scenery, hike, and picnic. Challenge kids to learn about different ecosystems that the parks highlight. Best of all, National Parks are a cost effective activity for the family to enjoy.
