When my son was 14, instead of sending him to summer camp, I had a couple of his self-contained special-education classmates come to our house every day for crafts, science, academic work, play, and fun. Throw in some field trips, a bowling league, and free movies, and we had something I like to call Camp Mom. Use this list to follow the day-by-day blog entries that chronicled our activities, and consider it a template for organizing your own summer fun. Skip to Days 21-40 or Days 41-45.
Day 1
Photo by Terri Mauro
This first day was mostly a planning day for the moms and a fun day for the kids. What we did:
- Played a board game
- Watched a DVD
- Played outside
- Went for a walk
- Baked cookies
Day 2
Photo by Terri Mauro
Tuesday is bowling league day. What we did:
- Bowled two games
- Did summer homework
- Mixed baking soda and vinegar
- Wrote in journals about the science experiment
Day 3
Photo by Terri Mauro
Wednesday is movie day, and a half-day for our camp this week because a couple of our campers had afternoon appointments. We saw "Happy Feet" at our local AMC theater in a free 10 a.m. showing for kids. The snacks were cheap, too, if you don't count the stress of watching the slowest-moving snack-bar worker in the world.
Day 4
Photo by Terri Mauro
Thursday is field trip day. What we did:
- Went to an Environment Center
- Took a long walk through the marshes
- Played in a museum
- Wrote about it in journals
- Did homework
- Made crayons
Day 5
Photo by Terri Mauro
This Friday was messy craft day. What we did:
- Started a papier mâché project
- Did homework
- Made pigs in blankets for lunch
- Wrote in journals
Day 6
Photo by Terri Mauro
Our second Monday was Play Outside day, just because the weather was so nice. What we did:
- Took a walk around the neighborhood
- Continued a papier mâché project
- Did homework
- Played outside with a big red therapy ball and cardboard blocks
Day 7
Photo by Terri Mauro
Tuesday is bowling league day. What we did:
- Bowled two games
- Took a walk around the neighborhood
- Finished papier mâché project
- Did homework
- Wrote in journals
Day 8
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Today was the Fourth of July, and a day off from Camp Mom. My son had fun with a different group of friends, and got some positive attention from the grown-ups. How was your Fourth? Click the link below and take a poll.
Day 9
Photo by Terri Mauro
Thursday is field trip day. What we did:
- Played 18 holes of miniature golf
- Played a "speech bingo" game
- Made pictures out of popcorn
- Did homework
- Wrote in journals
Day 10
Photo by Terri Mauro
Fridays will now be known as make-a-pizza days. What we did:
- Played video games
- Made English muffin pizzas
- Watched the movie Home Alone
- Wrote in journals
