Not every summer requires expensive camps or travel. As an educator, I’ve seen how thoughtfully planned home summers offer rich opportunities for growth. Here are six approaches to create your own summer camp experience:

Embrace Household Responsibilities: Involve children in age-appropriate chores like setting the table or watering plants. Even my three-year-old takes pride in simple tasks, building responsibility and a sense of contribution.

Establish Morning Routines: Making one’s bed creates structure and immediate accomplishment. This small discipline sets a positive tone—something my husband’s niece mentions as her favorite way to start camp days.

Foster Intergenerational Connections: The cultural wisdom and love grandparents offer creates learning moments no traditional camp could replicate. These relationships build understanding across generations.

Visit Local Parks and Open Spaces: Turn Park visits into scavenger hunts or nature identification games. Physical activity combined with exploration keeps minds and bodies engaged.

Volunteer at Orphanages or Old Age Homes: Age-appropriate volunteering teaches children to look beyond themselves. Even making cards for nursing homes develops awareness and gratitude.

Develop Meaningful Skills: Dedicated time to build cooking, art, music or gardening skills creates confidence that extends beyond summer.

Remember, learning a skill for just two months won’t have a lasting impact. But instilling values and responsibility will guide children for a lifetime and help shape them into good human beings.