You may be willing to share a caregiver half the day so that children can attend an arts and crafts program the other half. Meet your children's needs for summer by blending interests and talents with a carefully planned schedule for care. The key to success is to start early . If you are expecting to hire a teenager for child care help, make that phone call as soon as possible. You may want to post a help wanted ad at your local high school, church or community center.
Some camps concentrate on one specific interest, such as baseball or creative arts or computers.
Overnight camp is not the only child care choice however. Local schools, churches, temples, YWCAs and YMCAs and other community organizations often sponsor day camps and other summer programs. Although it is difficult to visit summer programs in advance, there may be open houses for families considering a camp. You can also write or call camp directors to ask for brochures and gather information. Other parents can often provide the best tips, general advice and perhaps shared child care if the daily program is shorter than your work day.