Sumer Camp SUCCESS!!!

Well, this post is WAY overdue but I had to tell about our Summer Camp success!

Summer Camp was ESSENTIAL for the children this Summer for 3 main reasons:

1. Braylon was not active in any extracurricular activites during the school year (besides the free Programs offered at the library) by his choice. But, because he does have difficulty socially, I thought it was crucial to still allow him to have interaction with kids his own age...also for reading.

2. Obviously Pey and Ky are home with me all day everyday, I thought this would give them a great chance to interact with little friends without me hoovering.

3. With baby #4 born in May, this would allow Pax and I to have some real bonding time. Little guy is always on the move in the car or in my arms as I chase after the other three! He is entitled to some personal mama luvin'.

Braylon: I did TONS of research looking for the perfect Summer Camps for Bray! Incorporating reading was very important since he is still struggling. I found a fabulous Fit to Read Program at the local library. This was their first year offering this specialized camp and I am so thrilled I got him in (yes, looong lines very eeeearly in the morning in March to get him a spot). Half of his day was based on fitness (hence Fit). They had outdoor sports, swimming, and absolutely NO JUNK food was allowed at Camp as they learned what was nutritious to eat. The rest of the day was reading time which was broken up into independent reading and auditory reading and they also had to write in their journals about their books. The Program was AWESOME and I had one of those prideful "sweeeet! I done good!" mommy moments! I gave him the option of picking another Camp for a few weeks or just participating in the 3 week long Fit to Read Program. He reeeeally wanted a "bug camp" and viola! I found one! But not just bugs...bugs, reptiles, and snakes-oh my! It was called Nature Mania and he absolutely LOVED it!!! The staff at both Camps were really great and I was able to go "spy" throughout the day and watch him interact with the other kids and participate in the activities.

Peyton: Last Summer we enrolled Pey in the local Montessori Camp. She and Bray are sooo different when it comes to their learning styles. She can easily redirect herself and prefers to watch and learn on her own, very "montessorri'ish." She loved it there and they loved her. Therefore, we decided to enroll her again for 3 weeks over Summer (9am-noon). She she was 3 this year she was moved into the 3year old-5year old room. Montessori education believes that combining those aged children greatly helps since the older ones help to teach the younger kids. This was also a big year for her since at this age they also have daily swimming lessons. She had a GREAT time!

Kyan: Ky is my wild card. I'm till not quite sure what his learning style is. Some days he is very focused and self directed like Peyton, other days I feel like I have to redirect him ALL day long. Soooo, since at 2 years old most kiddos are too young for the "typical camps" offered, I decided to enroll him at Montessori Camp with Pey. He was in the two year old group for three weeks (9-noon) and had a marvelous time! Kyan is my little buddy and has NEVER been away (except at my parents or my in laws)...he's my first child as a stay at home mom so I really thought he might meltdown leaving me. But no way! Not this little camper! His first day he walked in, turned around and said "bye bye, mommy!" So proud of him!!! He had a WONDERFUL time at Camp and got his first experience learning and mingling with little friends away from mom.

Paxtyn: Pax and mommy got 2 solid hours each morning for 3 weeks of cuddle time! Rocking, nursing, sleeping and learning each others little quirks. He is such a snuggle muffin and I am SO happy we budgeted in the money and time for Summer Camp :)

Have your children attended some super duper camps? Please share!!!