Whether you're doing an organized "Camp Mom" or just looking for a way to build some fun day trips into your summer plans, consider these guidelines to find the destinations that will be best for you.
1. Distance
How far are you willing to drive for a day of fun? This is the call of the individual who's going to have to do the driving, but it's worth figuring out a preferred maximum distance and taking a compass to a map to determine the limits of your planning. You don't want to get stuck in a situation where you fall in love with the idea of going somewhere -- or your kids do -- and then realize it's not practical.
2. Time
Time goes with distance, but there are added factors of tolls and traffic that may make a nearer place too far. Especially when your car is full of kids, you don't want to spend so much time getting somewhere that you have hardly any time to be there. You also don't want the day to be ruined by car misbehavior and boredom before it even starts.
3. Cost
Sure, it would be a great field trip to take the kids to a Broadway show or a hot-air balloon ride or a big amusement park -- but consider whether the cost of those big activities is equal to the amount of fun your children will get out of it. Also be mindful of the financial limitations of others in your group; you wouldn't want a family to have to stay home or incur monetary hardship. Oftentimes, especially with kids who have special needs, the less pricey and stressful events produce a better time than the ones where everybody's desperate to have a moneysworth kind of time.
4. Safety
Things that might be perfectly safe for some children your child's age may be a big bad bet for him or his "Camp Mom" mates. As parents, you're all a good judge of what sounds like a good idea and what sounds like a bad one, and when all you're looking for is some lightweight summer fun, there's no reason to ever take a risk. There are plenty of fun things to choose from.
5. Accessibility
Obviously, if anyone in your group has a physical disability that makes accessing or appreciating certain venues difficult, you'll want to put that tops on your list when considering where to go and what to do.
6. Interests
Interests of the kids, that is, not the adults. Don't pick field trips based on what you and your fellow parents feel would be worthwhile or educational or cool. Follow the lead of your young "campers" and look for things that are up their particular alleys, even if those alleys meander off far from the beaten path. And even if you wind up going to the same place more than once, or to a place that's at a lesser developmental level. Field trips should be fun and fascinating for the kiddos taking them. If anyone's going to be bored, let it be you.7. Attention Span
If your child can't sit through a lengthy play or concert or story time, skip it. Find activities that allow a certain amount of running around and skipping from thing to thing. Kids get forced to sit still enough during the school year.8. Meals
Will you have to bring a lunch to the venue you're considering, or buy it there? How much of an expense will that be? Are there cheaper places nearby you could head to? Make sure to factor the cost of eating into your cost of field-tripping.9. Weather
Be prepared to do some quick schedule re-shuffling if the weather doesn't cooperate, swapping a day at an environmental center for a day at the museum if it rains, for example. Plan a mix of indoor and outdoor field trips to facilitate this.10. Kid-Friendliness
There should be enough child-friendly museums and parks and zoos and related activities to keep you and your group in field trips for the summer. You shouldn't have to add places where children are not a preferred audience. Shushing and admonishing have no business coming along on field trips. Fun only.
