You
Haven’t Signed Up for Summer Camp Yet? Then, It’s Time for the MAD DASH!
The national tour of the latest big Broadway hit show is coming to town and you want to plan a great night out. But you waited too long to buy tickets and instead of sitting third row center, the only seats available are in the nose bleed section. So, it’s another dinner and movie night.
Well, the same thing may be true for summer camp. If you wait too long to register your kid for that top notch theater camp, instead of playing the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, she may be watching reruns of Happy Days in your cousin Mary’s living room, and not being real happy about it, either!
School gets out on May 29th for summer vacation. By the time you are reading this article you may only have a couple of weeks before the first week of summer camp. So, what do you do now?
the middle of the night or while still in their PJs. But, when you’ve procrastinated until the very last minute, an IMMEDIATE phone contact really DOES matter! Even if the desired camp is sold out, a little negotiating (or begging) on the phone with an actual human, might be all it takes to get that coveted spot!
of activities, including field trips Many of these camps can be found at the local recreation enters, but be aware, many of these camps are very reasonably priced and that fact alone will cause them to fill up quickly.
FORGET THE INTERNET AND PICK UP THE PHONE!
If you have not yet begun the process, the time is right now to start calling the camps your child most desires. Yes, the internet with online registration is an enormous convenience for busy parents who can register their kids for camp in
BE FLEXIBLE!
Besides the particular camp, the issue of available weeks becomes a problem. If a camp that your child wants is beginning to fill up quickly and certain weeks are closed, grab an available week and start planning around it. Many sports or activity specific camps, like dance, sailing or hockey, may have limited weeks to begin with and those slots go fast, so nail down as many of them as you can NOW!
Once that is done, start looking at more general summer camp programs that offer a wide range
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
If staying home with the kids during holes in the summer camp schedule is not more than an occasional option, then you need to think outside of the box.
Reach out to parents in your neighborhood or kids’ school and see if there are four or more others who are in the same boat and would like to start a rotating daily play group.
Maybe you can split the day between mom and dad so you don’t end up unemployed? Maybe you have grandparents who would love to take the grandkids for the odd week to fill in the gaps?
Remember, summer doesn’t need be a harried race to Labor Day. With a little planning and ingenuity, you can make the summer a manageable experience for the whole family!
SURVIVING THE SUMMER WITH A D H D !
Alice Cooper wrote a song about it, “School’s Out for Summer!”
It’s a great time of the year for kids, the weather is warm, and it’s time to play. There may have been a week or so of summer camp, but the rest
while. That’s the time you may hear your ADHD child speaking the most spine tingling phrase, I’m bored, there’s nothing to do.
If you’re the parent of an ADHD child, the summer could bring some special challenges.
REGISTRATION
Pre-Camp May 30th
basketball court where the speed of the game doesn’t make it harder to focus, but in many cases, easier. The high speed of the action is processed fast and he is, as they say, in his wheelhouse. The same way your child may be climbing the drapes while someone explains the history of this particular museum, may be totally focused on the computer screen of a computer class.
March 13th - CL Residents
Registration Now Open to All Call Today!
Cost:
$27 (W)/ $30 (W/O)
March 14th - Open registration
This summer at Morningside Recreation Center, kids can take off on our Passport to Fun adventure! No flights needed just daily journeys filled with exciting activities and passport stamps It’s the perfect way for your child to explore, make new friends, and have an unforgettable summer!
For more information, call (727)562-4280 or email
kelsey mccray@myclearwater com
Camp Dates & Times
June 2 – August 8 2025
Monday - Friday, 7 a m - 6 p m
For kids entering 1-7
Cost*
Full Camp:
$1000 (W/ plus)
$1,100 (W/rec)
$1,200 (No Card)
*Half the amount is due at registration
(727) 562-4280
Morningside Recreation Complex| 2400 Harn Blvd.
So, it’s important to find those “wheelhouse” activities and avoid the “picking the daisies” projects. It’s amazing how quickly the thrill of nothing to do can wear off, sometimes in a matter of days.That’s when you realize it’s not so easy to switch from the routine and structure of the school year to the lazy days of summer.
When your child has ADHD, you can make two safe predictions about summertime:
Your child is likely to get bored easily and often; and he’s almost as likely to become demanding of your time, attention, and patience. The way to manage summer’s lack of structure is to strike the right balance between free time and planned time.
Even during the laid back summer months, these kids need structure to feel secure and to know what’s coming. Putting a calendar of events up on the refrigerator lets your child see what’s coming. Fill in ahead of time a mix of major summer activities, such as the family vacation or trips to visit relatives, and casual recreational activities,
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SPECIAL NEEDS AND SUMMER SPORTS:
Sports is a great way for kids to stay fit, burn off excess energy, develop team building skills and well... have fun. All of the above is true for all kids including kids with special needs.
Like with any kid, it’s important to find the right “fit” when it comes to which sports will work best for your kid.
A kid with ADHD who is spinning around in the outfield and picking dandelions in a T-Ball game can be locked in on the basketball court where the speed of the game doesn’t make it harder to focus, but in many cases, easier. The high speed of the action is processed fast and he is, as they say, in his wheelhouse.
The concept was an immediate success and the Surfers for Autism Project was born.
The organization has since hosted events in several locations around the country where autistic kids and adults go surfing together with their families. Experienced surfers provide the equipment and hands on help in the water. The events raise
mental disabilities. Every player gets to bat, field and “run” the bases. For players that need a little extra help, teenagers from the community volunteer to come be a “buddy’ at the games. Balls and strikes are not counted and victories come in the form of achievement and involvement in the game.
There are three absolute rules… Be safe, have fun and everyone gets to play ball. For more information call (727) 347-3325 or (727) 742-6730.
It seems that kids with autism have a special connection with the ocean and surfing. It was December of 2007 when the idea of introducing children on the autism spectrum to surfing was presented to a small group of South Florida surfers by a member whose life and family had been touched by autism.
money to benefit autism associated charities. For more information go to www.surfersforautism.org.
See ya at the yard! Challenger Baseball is a baseball program designed for the needs of children and adults that live with physical or
Don’t think that if your child needs a wheelchair to get around that sports are not an option. There are wheelchair basketball and soccer leagues at all levels, from recreational to competitive. And don’t forget the Special Olympics!
To be safe, make sure to have a doctor‘s permission slip before you try a new activity. Then go get dirty and have some fun!
