Camp Mom: Day 2

[My son's summer-camp this year is a do-it-yourself affair with a couple of friends from his special-ed class hanging out at our house. I'll post a run-down of our activities daily, for others who may be looking for ideas. If you're doing something fun, too, please share it in the comments.]

Today started out with a mini bowling league at a local alley. We're getting a deal for two games a week, and at the end of the summer we'll get a little party and maybe some trophies. The kids enjoyed bowling together, although it looks like these low-muscle-tone teens would benefit from bumpers. We'll take up the alley owner's offer to put them up next week.

After bowling, we came back to our house for lunch, then had a homework period. The kids were surprisingly not-fussy about doing the work because, I think, they were all working together. It was maybe, a little bit, like playing school.

Next, I tried a science experiment -- the one where you mix baking soda and vinegar in a bowl and it fizzes all over the place. My son was really digging the pouring in of the vinegar, and we eventually went through a whole bottle. The experiment sheet from PBS's Zoom site suggesting blowing soap bubbles and watching them sit atop the fizz, and one of our "campers" proved to be extremely adept at precision blowing. I'm not sure they gained any particular science knowlege, but they liked making a mess.

Afterward, I had them write about the experiment in some blank journals their teacher gave me for "camp" purposes. They have nice wide lines for unsteady writers and big boxes for drawing pictures. Again, I was surprised that they didn't fuss at all about having to sit and write. Looks like we're going to be able to roll out some good academic enrichment activities without fear, to keep those hard-trying brains firing.

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