Slowly but surely, things are starting to open back up. It's partially a relief. Yet it also feels like just about the most confusing time to be alive ever. If you're like me, you're probably struggling to figure out what to do with your kids. If camps in your area are open, you might be dying to finally get the kids out of your hair, but also wondering just how safe it is to send them to camps where they're going to be around a ton of other kids.
We've all been told to practice social distancing for months. But now it looks a lot like we have more options than we thought we would. Many people think it's too much, too soon. Others are rushing to get their kids back to doing some "normal" activities, like going to friends' houses, the local pool, and, of course, summer camp.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to what you should be doing with your kids this summer. But here are some important considerations if you're grappling with how much to let them do. And hoo boy — aren't we all?
Consider Your Options
The fact of the matter is, while we know there is some risk involved in just about everything we do these days, people have to make tough choices right now. If camps in your area are opening up for the summer, for some people, that just might be the only option. If you have other child care options, such as child care with only a couple of kids or a relative's house they can go to part-time, those options may be safer, given that the number of people they'll be around will be much smaller.
Think About Your Kids' Mental Health
Depending on your kids' ages, their mental health could be a huge factor in your decision-making process. While young kids totally might've been happy to hang out with you for months on end, older kids may be struggling with only being around family and not seeing friends.
Of course, we all have to make certain sacrifices right now. Keeping as many people safe as possible should be at the top of our priority list. However, how our kids feel inside is important, too.
Look Into Camps Where Social Distancing Is Possible
Let's face it: For really young kids who are preschool age, social distancing is just not going to happen. Whether they go to a camp that has five kids or 15, chances are, they'll be hugging and tackling each other to the ground almost immediately.
But there are some kinds of camps for slightly older kids that are bound to make it easier to keep kids apart. Certain activities — like a sailing camp, a computer camp, or even a dance camp — may make it possible for kids to have more space to themselves.
Ask About Safety Protocols
If you're thinking about sending kids to any kind of camp or child care for the summer, it's important to know what kinds of precautions they're taking. For example, do the counselors or kids have to wear masks? Will handwashing be enforced and temperature checks take place each day?
These precautions aren't tough to put into place but can go a long way to prevent the spread of illness. If you do decide to send your child to camp, it will help you relax a bit knowing that safety measures are happening.
Look at Online Options
Going to camp online is certainly not the same as going in person. For one, socializing is kind of the best part of summer camp, and that doesn't exist in the same way on the computer. Still, there are some really cool camps for kids that are taking place online, so if your kids have a special interest, find out if there's a camp they might like to try — like an online drama camp or a science camp.
It may not occupy them all day, but it can definitely give you a couple of free hours. You'll also know they're totally safe while they're at it.
Remember, There's Always Next Year
I, for one, was so excited to send my kids to camp this year. It was the first year my daughter had really shown an interest in going to sleepaway camp, among other really cool local camps that some of her friends were headed to. Likewise, it was the first year my young son was old enough to go. But the camps we wanted to enroll in aren't options this year, and it's incredibly disappointing for so many reasons.
Still, we've decided on some different options where our risks are a bit lower — a small group of five kids for my son and a weeklong dance camp for my daughter. They aren't the options we'd planned on, but they will do the job for now. We're definitely grieving so many things about this summer, but we're also trying hard to remind ourselves that the time for big groups, sleepaway camps, and carefree summers will come again.
