Working Moms, Where Do You Send Your School Age Kids in the Summer?

I don't know how much the YMCA is but it tends to be affordable.

I do camps and change my schedule around so I can stay home more.

Hi EJ, We are practically neighbors! A couple years ago we sent both kids to AZ's Best Karate (Val Vista and Baseline in Mesa) and it was $129 per week, per kid...the cost almost killed us! But the kids had the best time, they do fun things every day and they came home exhausted.

I'm now blessed to be home with the kids, but my 9 yo is crazy active, so we are actually sending him to the boys/girls club this year. I think they said its $85 per week.

I hope you find something that works for you. =)

YMCA summer camp. I was going to take her to her old daycare, but she is a lot more excited about summer camp. I was hesitant about the Y and had to check it out before I even considered it, to my surprise, the camp director is from our church and used to run the after school program at my daughters school. There will be plenty of kids from my daughters school there.

Mesa is geared towards kids, there should be plenty of places for the kids. If you need to, ask if they have a financial assistance program.

I googled summer camp in Mesa and found this: http://www.skorecamps.org/ go check it out.

Try your local park district for their summer camps, most have extended hours in addition to wonderful activities and feild trips. I am not a working mom and put my son in the half day program so he still has a "school like" consitant schedule even thru the summer months. My park district also offers sports camps over summer in addition to other specialty programs.

My sister also uses the YMCA over the summer.

Several of the Montessori schools in my area run a summer 'camp'. They have some scholarships and aid as well. Maybe there is one in your area. Sorry - that must be really stressful.

YMCA day camp. Affordable and son always loved it.

Do you have a recreation center nearby? Ours has a summer program that is pretty affordable at $100 a week. You could also check out the YMCA.

Day camps can be a great option. A lot of sport clubs/ country clubs actually have kids' day camp programs - some of them are very reasonably priced, believe it or not! Our dance studio has several camps during the summer - I'm sure other sports places (martial arts?) would have fun camps for boys.

I received a flyer home from our school the other day with information about the public school after-care program. Apparently they are open during the summer, also, with expanded enrollment for kids who just need summer care.

One other thought - we found a really wonderful licensed daycare provider through the front office of our elementary school. This lady has been a daycare provider for 20+ years for kids going to our school - so check with the ladies in the front office of your son's school. Often times, they are aware of openings with daycare providers (providers who don't otherwise advertise, so you'd never know about them unless you asked). Just a thought!

Good luck - I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!

If u have a boys and girls club near u, they are reasonably priced. During the summer they they plan activities daily.

Lots of regular and church daycares have summer care. Start calling. There are teachers whose children are in regular school year care and then keep their kids home for the summer to be with them and save money. Perhaps your child can take one of those spots. I don't know what you plan on doing when summer is over, but at least you would have a couple of months to work on a permanent solution.

Good luck!
Dawn

Our daycare has a summer program for kids up to age 12. I bet the ones in your area do, too.

Please start asking around at your son's school, his friends' parents, get some local references, I'm pretty sure there is some alternative. If not then CALL the local daycare centers for quotes and information. Good luck!!!

We do daycamps. Check into gymnastic places, especially the smaller privately owned ones, my kids go to a great one near me that's $100/wk. Sign up for Groupon as well, I got a couple great deals last summer that allowed my kids to go to camps we wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise.

Well , here in Chicago there are park districts in every neighborhood and every park has summer day camp, its great!!! 5 days a wk, and $230.00 for 6 weeks of fun and activities, its such a great deal, check your local parks or a responsible teen who is recommended to you, good luck, L.,

the same folks who did after-school care at my boys' elementary school also ran a summer program in the park. i don't think it was particularly fabulous, but it was safe and affordable and my kids liked it alright. the Y has had some programs that were better than decent.
most kids tend to enjoy day camps more than in-home daycare, but you shouldn't let one bad experience ruin 'em all for you. as i'm sure you realize, they are as individual as the people who run them. get references, screen carefully and if there are no camps around, find one that is perfect for YOU.
khairete
S.

I'm interested in seeing the answers here... Right now our most affordable option is the school district's daycare program, but I'm wanting something more active. Problem is, is that all of the "camps" run way more that 125 a week in our area. I hope you find something. Good luck because I know how stressful it is.

If you're married and have the time, husband take 2wks vacation, wife take next 2 weeks vacation, and the next 2 to 3 weeks joggle between day camps, daycares, family and friends. It's tough. Just another option.

Isn't it hard? I hate it. Have you asked around your neighborhood or the parents of your son's friends to see if any of them are willing to help out by watching him for a couple weeks at least? One year I had to rotate my 2 yr old between 3 of my neighborhood friends. It was hard but at least she was with people we knew and trusted, she already knew the kids so she was more comfortable, and they let me pay them $2/hr, or sometimes nothing at all. God bless!

I don't work outside the home but I just enrolled my elementary school kids in summer school. They are on the wait list because it is technically for kids that are academically 'at risk'. My son's teacher says someone always drops out and it would be a good ideal to have them reading all summer long. And its free.
Check the Salvation Army, the one in my area has a few programs geared towards kids.
Looks like you have alot of good adivce i especially like asking the school secretary/teacher/staff they always know quite a bit. Plus check at local high school sometimes they have reasonable childcare provided by students (with teacher in charge).

Our children go to the same daycare that does before/after care during the year. However the full time rate per week is approx. $200.