With school finished, many parents may be wondering what they can do with their children this summer. What is possible for a family to enjoy this summer with a pandemic happening? I have good news. More than you might think.
Many of these activities are outside. With the Online Learning that happened this past school year, our children have had plenty of screen time. However, it rains in the Pacific Northwest, so some indoor suggestions are included as well. When you head out on your outdoor adventures, be sure to bring masks and hand wipes or sanitizers, and practice self-distancing as possible to ensure you and your family stay safe.
Consider Summer Camps for Your Children
Some summer camps are available, both in person and online, depending on what you feel comfortable with for your children. For in-person camps, be sure to review the website to find out what the camp is doing to protect your children and the camp staff from COVID-19. More camps may be available in your area, so just check the website for the desired camp.
- 21 Acres, online
- SAMBICA summer camps, in person
- Jam Academy Music School, in person
- Kids Science Labs, in person and online
- Pinnacle Explorations Outdoor School, in person
- Rooster Valley Farm School, in person
- TechVenture Kids, in person and online
- “45+ Virtual Summer Camps to Keep Kids Busy While Safely Social Distancing,” (June 2020), Parade Magazine
Visit Parks
Consider visiting a nearby park, and packing a picnic lunch and drinks, as well as bringing fun activities such as a frisbee or soccer ball. Here are some links to help you find a park. Be sure to check the appropriate website to make sure the park is open before going any distance. You will need a Discover Pass to park at any Washington State park.
- Bellevue parks
- Seattle parks
- King County Parks
- Washington state parks
- “10+ In-city Forest Walks for Seattle and Eastside Families,” (November 2019), ParentMap magazine, parks
- “Hikes We’re Looking Forward to,” (June 2020), 425 Magazine
Try Geocaching–Treasure Hunting in Our Modern world
A geocache is a small “treasure” hidden at a specific location, which you have to find. Seattle has around 4500 geocaches hidden around the area, per the Geocaching.com website. Geocaching requires both map skills and problem-solving skills. The clues are typically the item’s coordinates and a hint. And, if you have a smartphone, you already have the GPS unit to help find the geocache. Here are some resources to get started:
- Geocaching website
- “Geocaching 1010: Treasure-Hunt Your Way Around Puget Sound With Kids,” (March 2020), ParentMap magazine
Go Camping
Many people are considering camping this summer, thinking that it is a safe way to vacation with their family, compared to travelling somewhere by plane. Most camping areas in Washington state are open. Be sure to make a reservation to ensure that you have a place to pitch your tent or park your RV. You might even try at-home camping by pitching a tent in your backyard or living room.
- Washington State campground reservations
- “40+ of the Best Places to Go Camping in Washington,” Beyond the Tent
- “Camping During Coronavirus: Is It Safe?” (June 2020), CNN Travel (Be sure to read the safety tips near the end of the article.)
- “Tips for Camping in Your Own Backyard or Living Room,” (April 2020), The Seattle Times
- “8 Tips for Turning Your Living Space Into Your Very Own Campsite,” (April 2020), REI
Pick Your Own Farm-Fresh Food
Fresh air. Sunshine (sometimes). Healthy farm-fresh fruit and vegetables. The Pacific Northwest offers a variety of u-pick farms, where you can pick strawberries, raspberries, and more. Picking your own can save money over what you might pay at the grocery store, but not always. Instead, picking your own supports your local farms, and lets you pick as much as you might need for eating, canning, and freezing. You might even find your children are more interested in trying a new food if they helped to pick it.
Be sure to dress appropriately, for example, wear a hat and sturdy shoes. Bring hand sanitizer, snacks, water, sunblock, and a mask (you will need a mask when you pay for the produce). And, of course, bring a camera because you will want to capture these memories.
- “Seattle Area of Washington State U-Pick Farms,” Pick Your Own
- “Farm Guide,” Tilth Alliance
- “Month-by-month U-pick Crops Around Puget Sound,” Greater Seattle on the Cheap
- Home Canning 101
Take Virtual Field Trips
For those days when it is hard to get out and about, consider taking a virtual field trip. You could do a little reading about the location, such as looking it up online using Britannica (a credible online resource), or checking out a picture ebook from your library. Then, visit the site through an internet-enabled device. Imagine, you could do this in your tent, pitched in the middle of your living room, using a tablet.
- “Virtual Outings and Field Trips for Seattle-Area Kids and Families,” (March 2020), ParentMap magazine
- “Amazing Virtual Field Trips for When You Can’t Be There in Person,” We Are Teachers
- “Baby Animal Livestreams,” (May 2020) Smart News, Smithsonian Magazine
Avoid the Summer Slide in Learning
Our children lose ground in their reading and writing skills over the summer break. One of the best ways to prevent the summer slide is to support reading for pleasure with your children. Let them pick what they read (even graphic novels–I am a big fan), and they will more likely pick up the book without much parental prodding. Public libraries sponsor summer reading programs to promote reading for children and adults. For example, the King County Library System summer reading program uses Beanstack, which offers digital badging that helps to make reading more fun. If you do not have library card, you can sign up for a digital library card easily on their website.
- King County Library System, summer program
- Seattle Public Library, summer program
- Sno-Isle Libraries, summer program
Useful Websites
You might find it useful to have these available for reference.
- King County Public Health
- King County COVID-19 FAQ
- “COVID-19 Resources for Puget Sound Families,” (2020) ParentMap magazine
by Pamela Johnson, JH/HS Librarian at Bellevue Christian
At Bellevue Christian School, we’re proud of the innovation that’s happening and the high-quality education we’re providing in the midst of an unprecedented social and educational climate. We invite you to call the Admissions Office today at (425) 460-3300, apply online at bellevuechristian.org or email BCS at admissions@bellevuechristian.org. We are happy to setup a tour or tell you more about our special programs, Athletics, Arts and Academics. Bellevue Christian is excited to work alongside you to prepare your child to live faithfully for God.
