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Before I started actively planning my summer activities, summer vacations seemed to end way too quickly and with very little fun to be had. With kids to raise, a full time job and tons of laundry, summers used to be a basket of hopes and wishes and not much else. That was until I decided one Spring to devise some strategies for getting the most out of the summer months. It was a simple enough plan, but it was the beginning of some of the most memorable summer vacations.

I began by involving the family in the summer vacation plans, asking dad and kids for a list of things they wanted to do that summer. I also prepared a list of the things I wanted to do. I scoured the newspapers, community publications and festival listings for activities. Special concerts and shows - many of which were free - were noted and shared with the rest of the family.

Together we narrowed down the list to a workable number of activities. This was not an easy task, but we got through it. We came to a consensus on things to do based on popularity, our availability, whether or not it was a new experience, affordability, and dates of the events. We kept some activities on the list as our plan B in case of a cancellation due to rain, illness or some other unforeseen circumstance. In addition, time was reserved for us parents to enjoy other activities without the kids.

With our list of fun things to keep us busy all summer, we marked all the dates and activities on a large "summer calendar" for the months of July and August.
Included in our plans were the following:

1) The children's festival
2) The Air show
3) Teddy Bear's picnic
4) Visit to the Museum
6) Children's festival
7) WaterPark
8) Fringe Festival
9) Dinner Theater
10)Camping
11)Golfing
12) Fishing

We had a very ambitious list but were able to attend all the planned events, without any cancellations or substitutions. This exercise thought us some valuable lessons which I will share with you.

A) Planning your activities is essential to having a great summer vacation.
B) Be flexible, you don't have to follow the list rigidly.
C) If something else comes up not previously thought about, it is alright to substitute.
D) It is necessary to leave the housework alone in order to enjoy your summer.
E) Summers are short, make the most of them.

Today my kids are older, with summer jobs and their own summer activities to plan. As a result, developing workable strategies for getting the most out of summer, becomes even more important. Most of our strategies now center around the parents with a few activities that involves the kids, depending on their availability. We continue to plan our camping trips, fishing, boating, blues and jazz festivals activities. And even though summer is still never long enough, we know that that we have made lasting, fun-filled memories to see us through the long cold winter.

Learn more about this author, Joan Schroeder.
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