Yes, You Need to Start Planning Now for Summer Camps

If you are like many parents, your summer childcare solution is Tetris-ing together a patchwork of day camps to keep the kids entertained and yourself employed from June to August. Yes, it’s ridiculous, but summer day camp registrations start opening up around the beginning of February. (If you send your kids to sleep-away camp, you probably registered last year as soon as they wrapped their last visit.) Though you have barely just recovered from holiday madness, now it’s time to plan summer, and camp registration is a competitive sport: Here are some tips to snag those spots early so you’re not freaking out in May.

Start researching for summer camps early (now)

Eavesdropping on other parents might be the easiest way to find out what camps are offered in your area, but be nonchalant about it. You don’t want to inadvertently create a rush on the few camp spots available.

For the most comprehensive information, Google your city + “summer camp.” Ideally, you will find news articles and blog posts that list all the main options in your area. Also look up your local parks department, YMCA, the zoo, churches, botanical gardens, kid-friendly museums, and places that kids frequently go on field trips. Those are the types of places that probably have a whole program set up to provide camp-based childcare in the summer.

Next may be the hardest step: You need to sign up for their newsletters and email announcements. I know, you’re already drowning in spam. You could even create a separate email just for kid camp stuff if you want, but it’s a necessary evil to avoid missing registration because you simply aren’t thinking about summer plans in the dead of winter.

Decide what your priorities are for summer camp

Now you know the options, let’s narrow focus based on what your top priorities are. Consider these factors:

Time to gear up and put your game face on

May I suggest a headband, wristbands, and your favorite hydration vessel because you are about to sweat. You will also need a Big Ass Calendar and highlighters or pens of your choice.

Pick a day in February or March and block off a few hours to knock this out. (You’ll know the best time to schedule camp registration when all those reminder announcements start rolling into your inbox. See? Homework pays off.)

Assess your back up plans

How much time can you or your partner feasibly work from home or take time off? Would a sitter service fill your summer childcare needs for a similar cost? Are there family members who would love the idea of the kids visiting? Do you hesitate to ask? Please remember, they owe you this for all the summers you spent drinking gallons of Kool-Aid in front of the TV.

(Speaking of which, drinking Kool-Aid and watching TV is a legitimate and shame-free alternative to summer camp if you do find yourself working from home without childcare. If the world wanted your kids to be screen-free and processed food-free, it would build better systems to support parents.)

Say “you’re welcome” to your summer self

Now that all those registration forms are filled out, deposits are paid, family members are committed, and your Big Ass Calendar is full from June to August, you can pat yourself on the back and take a big long break from worrying about childcare. Just kidding—spring break is in a few weeks.