Summer camps...a new Dilemma!!

We all love summer time...you feel more refreshed active & alive!!! Summer vacation, outings, beach & sun, more family times, graduation, birthdays & wedding parties!!! Lazy days for the kids, no early mornings or rushing to school...But summer vacations also raise a new dilemma for every parents, including me, to enroll or not to enroll in summer camps!!!

Starting mid year, and as soon as parents started to feel summer coming up, they started with their new concern... With it came mostly asked questions:

• What are these year summer camps offers?
• What to pick and were do you suggest  registering them.
• What are price fees/month or 2?
• And above all...do we go for a summer camp or not?

And so, I started my research, gathering every leaflet I could find on all summer camps offered for this year...I even expanded outside Beirut Area for more options...ended up with over 30offers wrapped up in one album...

Yet...with all these options I remain clueless on what to pick!!! I'm even still in doubt; If I should enroll my son in a summer camp or keep him home!!!

First 2 summers we definitely kept him home as he was still a baby..
Last summer was a tough decision....most of his friends registered for the summer.. He was going to start school & I didn't want him to forget everything he learned during Pre-school (including discipline - following rules - sticking to the agenda!!)

In the end I kept him home (he was already stressful since we were changing houses). I was also seeking  more family quality times.  I tried to fill out their mornings as much as possible (paintings -arts & crafts - cooking - playing -cleaning - dancing...) and in the afternoon once their dad is home  we take them out to: (parks - Malls - playgrounds or visit friends....)

There were days when it was too stressful... They were too cranky, sick, or bored... & I use to loose it :( YET thankfully, we actually survived it!!

visit our FB Page (click on the image) & check detailed album!!

Yet this year I'm worried again....He's a bit older, & not as easily entertained like before!!! Add up the things he will learn during the summer camp classes are interesting and great for a change:
(martial arts- Swimming - crafts - music....)
I admit, I can't teach him all this or stimulate him as much as they will in these programs!!!

I know besides the fun part..these programs aim to help kids be:

• Social

• Independent
• Active
• Disciplined
  
• Creative
• Stimulated
• Organized
• Smart & Witty

I hate this feeling...guilty if I made him miss out on such an interesting fun opportunity & selfish for not being ready to let him go!!! For Not trusting the system... that they CAN protect him and prevent "God forbids" any incidents... especially during their weekly outings (which is my main concern)...

Pictures from various summer camps activities (downloaded off the internet)

As I said...Summer Camps are becoming a NEW Dilemma for every parent....

How about you my fellow stressful parents..Have You made up your mind!!