ML Interest Tag: build-memories

How to Manage a Summer without Camp

By Anna Chin

Missing out on summer camp is a tough blow for kids. It’s the place where they meet new friends, get some exercise, and make memories. If they are missing an annual two-week overnight camp, or whatever it may be, it is something they have probably looked forward to all year. And for you, two weeks off from parenting would give you a nice break. Sure, you’d miss them, but think of all the quiet evenings and chances to declutter the house.

Since camp is not on the table for most locations, how can you keep your kids entertained and help them build memories? And since more screen time is unavoidable during the summer, how will you keep them safe when they are using their devices? Here are 3 tips for managing a summer without camp:

1. Enroll them in Neighborhood and Virtual Camps: With most camps closed for the summer, some parents will instead turn to their neighbors for help. If you have a small set of neighbors with kids close in age, then consider organizing some low-risk activities while rotating houses. This could include water balloon toss games, a slip-and-slide, or distanced games at a neighborhood park. Part of the camp curriculum could also involve virtual chats through a secure communication platform with the other “camp” participants. Take turns with the other parents to act as “counselors” to provide each other with some time to work/relax while also giving the kids some distanced social interaction.

You can also work in some virtual camps along with neighborhood activities. Here are a few options:

  • iD Tech offers coding camps for various programming languages as well as games like Minecraft and Roblox
  • Specifically designed for younger kids, Treasure Trunk Theatre offers online sessions where kids can work together virtually to put on plays
  • Kids can learn about various STEM topics with Camp Wonderopolis, with topics ranging from “Why are bowling shoes so slippery” to “How does a species become endangered”
  • Various sports-focused camps provide instruction and encouragement for kids to hone their skills

2. Go Online Safely: Boredom leads to poor decisions and over-sharing. That’s a tough mix when it comes to going online or posting to social media. During the COVID-19 summer, it’s understandable kids will have more screen time. Help keep them safe by openly discussing some of the dangers of online interactions and searches. Here are some tips to avoid potential problems.

  • Remind kids to keep their personal information off the internet. When possible, hold off on approving social media accounts as long as you can.
  • Use an app such as Kidlogger to capture your child’s device keystrokes to make sure their texts to friends (or strangers) are appropriate. Again, boredom is the enemy.
  • Encourage your kids to talk to their core friends through video chat or socially distanced backyard chats. Discuss how to create password-protected meetings and to let you know if strangers try to join conversations.

You can greatly improve the safety of your kids’ summer online activity by using a family-friendly search engine and secure communication platform called GOFBA. This search platform eliminates violent, sexual, and other inappropriate content from search results and actively scans sites for fraudulent coding that tries to trick people to click certain websites. GOFBA’s technology also extends to the company’s file transfer, chat, email, and storage capabilities, which provide you and your kids with a single platform to perform a wide range of online functions.

3. Learn without “Learning”: You and the kids already missed out on several months of in-person school, and now summer camps are also done. You’ll likely have a mutiny on your hands if you impose a school curriculum during July and August, so instead, think about sneaking in some learning. This could include online resources that push kids to learn while also keeping them entertained, as well as some “old-school” games.

Here are some options to keep their brains working without them knowing:

  • Kids work together online to complete various activities, such as one of the fun exercises from the Kennedy Space Center. They can do the tasks while video chatting.
  • Encourage different types of learning. Give kids a bunch of random household items and let them build obstacle courses. If they do this with a friend (with masks) they’ll learn cooperation and problem-solving.

Teach kids how to play poker or other card games. Bet some pennies or nickels to make it interesting. The kids will learn probability, how to manage funds, and how to assess risks.

Shelter in place orders doesn’t have to ruin your kids’ summer. While they’ll miss big gatherings with friends and summer camps, you can use some imagination and technology to help them (and you) stay sane and make it through the summer while having a little fun.

Ms. Chin is the founder and visionary behind Gofba, and currently serves as the President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Ms. Chin began her entrepreneurial journey with the desire to create a safe haven online, a gift for generations to come, and founded Gofba with the goal of achieving this dream. 

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Top App for Virtual Play Dates Goes Free During Coronavirus Outbreak

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Due to concerns over the coronavirus schools have closed and children are missing their classmates and extended family members. Caribu, the family-friendly video-calling app, is helping bridge the gap created by social distancing and self-isolation by making their award-winning service free with unlimited access during this time. Now kids can have virtual play dates with their friends and loved ones. 

girl on tablet

“Kids are feeling the effects of the outbreak, but don’t always understand why grandma can’t come visit, why the special family spring break trip may have been canceled, or why they’re out of school for weeks,” said Caribu CEO and Co-Founder Max Tuchman. “Everything we do is about creating more meaningful connections, and that’s what we think is most important right now–keeping families connected in the most engaging way. We’re like Zoom for kids!”

With Caribu, kids can share stories, play games and even color together during a video call. Caribou offers a chance to stay connected and build memories even when you can’t have face to face encounters. This is especially valuable during a time when families are socially distancing themselves or are under self quarantine. 

Visit Caribu now to download the app and enjoy free access to quality screen-time activities or check out their Facebook page to learn more.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Drew Rae from Pexels

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10 Reasons This Expedition Cruise Should Be on Your Family Travel Bucket List

by Kate Loweth

If you are looking for an epic family vacation that fully immerses you in a new culture, gets you close to nature and is fun for kids and parents alike, then you definitely need to check out an expedition cruise with Adventure Canada. Unlike any other cruise you’ve been on, Adventure Canada brings remote and amazing destinations like Iceland, Newfoundland and Greenland within reach for adventurers of all ages. Read on for all the reasons why this will be a family travel experience you won’t soon forget!

1. It's a Cruise Unlike Other Cruises.

Kate Loweth

When you book an Adventure Canada expedition cruise, know that you are in for a totally different experience from the typical big-ship tropical cruise. Adventure Canada uses the small ships like the Ocean Endeavor that welcomes only 198 passengers aboard each journey. This means that you and your family will receive personal attention from the ship and Adventure Canada expedition team throughout your trip. Things like dietary restrictions are no problem as the staff will know you by name within hours of embarkation. 

Small ship life also gives the expedition team the flexibility to adjust the itinerary when the schedule allows. On the recent Iceland Circumnavigation cruise, they were able to slow the ship's progress to have more time to see nearby blue and humpback whales. They are also able to add on experiences like zodiac tours at the request of passengers. This flexibility makes for a more specialized and full cruise experience. 

2. Adventure is the Name of the Game.

Dennis Minty

Travel on a small ship means that you get to visit off-the-beaten-path locations. The Iceland Circumnavigation cruise not only docks in larger cities like Reykjavik and Akureyri, but you anchor off the coast of small fishing villages and islands that are inhabited by more birds than people.

To get to shore, passengers don their required rain pants and waterproof excursion jackets and board zodiac boats from the ship's gangway. When there are a number of families traveling on an excursion, the Adventure Canada team will often create a "kids' zodiac" group so that families can travel together! This zodiac ride just kicks off the adventure that is waiting for you on shore. 

3. You'll Experience Nature Like Never Before.

Kate Loweth

Every day on an Adventure Canada excursion brings a new gorgeous spot to explore. You'll hike to waterfalls, learn about volcanoes and visit local nature reserves to discover the flora and fauna of the area. Heading to an area with a large whale population? You'll find a whale watch tour on your itinerary for the day, followed by a tour of the local whale museum. 

Not only do you get inside info from experts when you are on shore, Adventure Canada brings aboard naturalists and local experts to provide interactive discussions about the country you are visiting. This is especially great for curious kids as it gets them the details that you might not know yourself. They can ask an ornithologist how far an Arctic Tern can fly before landing, or a volcanologist what happens when a volcano erupts under a glacier. If the on-board experts don't know the answer for you, they will find someone who does. 

4. You'll Leave the Planning to the Experts.

Kate Loweth

Travel to a far-off destination can be overwhelming to plan. Websites, travel guides, recommendations from friends and more—it is easy to get bogged down in the details. Adventure Canada takes the stress out of travel by providing a pre-planned itinerary that's still able to be modified to suit your family's needs. Every day you'll receive an itinerary with the day's scheduled onshore activities that are included in the cruise cost. In addition, there are often opportunities to customize your experience with additional excursions.

When the Iceland Circumnavigation cruise visited the small fishing village of Rif, travelers could choose to visit the town's local theater for a musical performance, hike to a gorgeous waterfall or visit the beach to learn about local shorebirds. Expedition staff were available to shuttle travelers back to the ship as needed, accommodating those who wanted to grab an early lunch or a nap on board. 

5. There are Cabins That are Perfect for Families.

Adventure Canada

While most of your time on an Adventure Canada cruise will be spent exploring, it is important to have a comfortable cabin for your crew. Families can reserve cabins that sleep up to four and most of these come with two bathrooms. Ample storage closets, refrigerators, TVs (for shipboard programming) and desks also come with certain cabin categories. 

6. Onboard Life is as Busy or as Relaxing as You Prefer.

Kate Loweth

You won't be spending all your time on the ship in your cabin, that's for sure. While you are en route to your next port, the Adventure Canada staff plans activities like yoga, games gatherings, performances from local musicians and more. When they have a slew of kids on board, they'll put together a craft activity and make a "kids club" to give parents a break. Kids will love musician David Newland who provides musical emcee duties throughout the voyage. 

Kids (and parents) can even participate in the famed "Polar Dip"—a jump into the frigid water off the ship's gangway that comes with induction into the Adventure Canada Polar Swim Team and commemorative patch. 

You'll find naturalists on deck to spot whales and other sea life (and they'll often make an announcement over the shipboard intercom system when there's a lot of activity in the water so that you can head out and see for yourself!). If there's a discussion or daily recap going on in the lounge, you can also view it from the TV in your cabin if you prefer to have some relaxation time. For the utmost in relaxation, spend some time in the hot tub or book a massage in the spa. 

7. Adventure Canada Caters to All Ages.

Kate Loweth

Thinking about planning a three-generational family trip or a grandparent-grandchild skip-gen voyage? This is the cruise for you. The small ship makes for easy maneuvering even for older members of your family who might be mobility restricted and the expedition crew is there to help everyone fully participate in the activities. Parents will feel safe giving older kids the run of the ship as there's not far to wander.

Family groups have the flexibility of getting a reserved dining table so that you can dine together, or choosing your own spot from the open seating if dining at different times. The flexible daily schedule and variety in programming allows for those with different interests and levels of fitness to tailor their schedules to suit them. All of this makes an Adventure Canada expedition a fun option for a family gathering with a wide range of ages. 

8. You'll Be on Your Way to Raising the Next Generation of World Travelers.

Kate Loweth

With the ability to visit unique destinations like the High Arctic, Labrador and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, your kids will see a world like no other. Spend some time exploring local villages, see how other children play, visit local museums and explore the culture.

Adventure Canada is dedicated to "treading lightly" on the areas they visit and does many things to give back to the local communities. The end of each cruise brings a ship-board auction with the proceeds going to local community organizations. They also collect unwanted outdoor gear and clothing at the end of the trip and donate it to the local community. Programs like these can teach your kids how to be conscious and gracious travelers. 

9. The Price is Right to Bring the Kids Along.

Kate Loweth

Travel of this magnitude can be pricey when you consider bringing the kid crew with you. Adventure Canada wants to make it easier for families to travel together by offering a number of incentives. Kids ages two and under travel for free and those ages 2-4 pay only for charter airfare. And, anyone under the age of 30 saves 30% on berth cost. 

10. Travel is the Only Thing You Buy That Makes You Richer.

Kate Loweth

If you are ready to expand your world and build memories that you'll have for years to come, then head to the Adventure Canada website for more information on upcoming expedition cruises. 2020 Ocean Endeavor excursions booked by October 31, 2019 receive a 15% discount. 

Online: adventurecanada.com

—Kate Loweth

This trip was paid for by Adventure Canada but all opinions belong to the writer. 

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6 Secrets to Achieving Meaningful & Productive Parenting

By Melanie Carr

Dad comes strolling in the door after a long day of work. Mom welcomes him with a smile, dressed in an attractive outfit (no, not those pajama sweats). The house is in order, everything in its place (sort of like Leave it to Beaver) and she happily informs him that dinner will be on the table in 15 minutes (or is this the episode of Last Man Standing where nobody is allowed to speak to Dad until he has been home for 30 minutes?). The children shuffle in, helping set the table and courteously take their places around the table just as Dad enters.

Hmm… Are these productive parents? Well, yes, in the very strict sense of productivity—tasks are complete, everything seems to be in order and in place, laundry done, children behaving considerately, etc. However, a better question might be, “As a productive parent, what am I trying to accomplish?”

Is it just about getting meals on the table or the laundry done, making sure homework is finished and nobody was left at sports practice or music rehearsal (not that I’ve ever done that!)?

What if the goal is to create a refuge for family members, so they know that they are always welcome and loved here—no matter what kind of day they have had? What if we’re motivated by instilling values and character in our children so they will be “productive” citizens of our communities, learning to be responsible and giving while embracing the joy in the journey?

If these are the effects we are trying to produce as productive parents, perhaps instead of being pre-occupied with putting together a perfect home environment (with everything exactly in its place)—even though that is very nice—we can choose to focus on the priorities of relationship, interaction and creating lasting family traditions (while not ignoring the fact that the house still needs to be cleaned and laundry done, of course…).

Is there a “secret” to this kind of parenting: keeping focus on the most important things while still managing the everyday tasks that need attention? It’s not really just one big secret, but rather six different ways you can change the way you think about parental productivity.

  1. Be intentional. Define the end goal, and don’t be distracted by anything else.
  2. Divvy up and share some of the “everyday” tasks so that the whole family helps get those accomplished—building a sense of teamwork, individual responsibility, as well as learned skills that will benefit all of the family members.
  3. Choose some of the tasks to build a game or family tradition around. I love the scene in Mary Poppins where the children have to clean up their playroom, and she begins to lead them in singing “A Spoonful of Sugar” until the work is finished. Something as simple as this can start a family culture and tradition your children will always remember (and perhaps one day pass on to their children).
  4. Be present in the moment. While organization, a routine, and orderly environment are helpful in keeping a peaceful home and setting for everyone to enjoy, let the family see that sometimes just stopping the tasks to enjoy a fun conversation, an impromptu dance contest or choosing to be present in the circumstances of that moment (eyes connect over a comment—give a hug) are the most important things in the long run.
  5. Build family memories around the little things as well as the big things. Maybe you choose to have grand vacation experiences every year to create huge memories for your crew. That’s an amazing thing to be able to do for and with them. Remember throughout the year, though, to celebrate and build memories around the little things—a special meal served to celebrate certain holidays or accomplishments, a happy dance for finishing a task well, an evening of s’mores around the fireplace for no reason at all—just because. These are the things our children will remember of us as parents—that instill in them the joy of the journey, the importance of recognizing and encouraging those around them, all while carrying inside the investment we’ve made towards their enjoyment of the future and their own families.
  6. Take a few minutes today to choose one thing to do differently. Take two minutes to sit down at the kids table while they have the chalk or Play Doh or bubbles out and join in the fun; take a minute with an older child to tell them about the kind action, responsible behavior, or simple accomplishment they had recently that you noticed and appreciated; spend a few minutes at bedtime reading a short story to the children, saying a prayer with them, or simply listening about their day before saying goodnight.

These are the priceless ways of being (secrets, if you will) of a productive parent, whose children and families know that their home is a welcoming place filled with meaningful traditions, kind and adventurous memories, along with a call to aspire to be something greater—and inspire those around them to do the same.

Featured Photo Courtesy: pressfoto/Freepik

As a long-time devoted wife, mom of all boys and homeschool parent, Melanie is the founder of Dish Dish–Your Online Family Cookbook and passionate about inspiring families to enjoy dinner around the table together.  She enjoys traveling, volunteering with church and community, cooking, reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. 

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