5 Kids Summer Camp Ideas that are Future-ready

This post is sponsored and written by me on behalf of Launch After School through a campaign managed by their PR. All opinions are my own.

Ahh summer! Just saying the word brings a smile to most people’s faces (young and old alike), especially if you are located in the northern states where winters can be long and a tad chilly. While the young ones think about all the trouble they can get into while school is out, parents are sometimes overwhelmed with the multitude of options as we try to find the right summer camps for our kids.

The benefits of summer camps are abundant and proven, and for many, the concept might still evoke memories of being outdoors and sleeping under the stars. Like many families, we are big fans of being out in nature and “roughing it”, and we find that the types of camps now available have mushroomed recently. There has been an increased global focus on exposing kids to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to help them better prepare for tomorrow’s world. Where along with the STEM, we also like to include arts in there too, to create STEAM. Where we can find that the options may seem endless, and for us, the following options rise to the top for STEAM-focused camps.

Math Camps:

As the name implies, these camps are intended to enhance interest and improve proficiency in mathematics. Kids receive personalized attention in these classes which increases learning and retention. Also, research has shown that participation in math camp provides measurable benefits, improving academic performance in the subsequent school year.

Arts Camps:

While some kids may gravitate to STEM-based summer programs, participation in arts-based programs can play an important role in rounding out a child’s development. These programs can offer real benefits in enhancing creativity, imagination, self-confidence and self-expression. Be sure to look beyond the usual suspects, like music and dance (which are definitely important!), and into theater, pottery, and even novel options like circus performance.

Robotics Camps:

Let’s face it, like it or not the robots are coming and they will change everyday life just like they have already transformed many industries and manufacturing processes. Kids have always loved robots (remember Rock’em Sock’em Robots from your own childhood?) and today’s robotics camps give kids even more options to build skills in this dynamic future growth area.

Language Camps:

This is one type of camp where you get two for the price of one: language and culture. Multilingualism has been proven to provide significant cognitive benefits to kids as well as introducing them to a whole new world of places, people and cultures. While a summer (or even two) may not be enough for a child to become proficient in a language, it can be a great start that can be augmented through travel or in future academic study.

Coding Camps:

Code is the language of today’s world: it provides the instructions for the hardware and software we encounter every day. In some ways, coding camp encompasses the benefits of all the previous summer camp options: code is a language in itself and kids can learn basic coding even before they can read or write, it helps develop understanding of math and computational concepts, it is the language of robots and requires creativity and problem solving. A great example of a coding camp is Launch: Code after School program in Austin, Texas. These coding experiences were created for kids ages 8-14 and offer a variety of self-paced, personalized modules that cover the basics of computing all the way up to creating webpages and apps. This might end up being one of the most fun and rewarding summer camp experiences.


We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas for novel summer camps to consider.

A Guide To Surviving University As A Student With ADHD

College is one of the most exciting times of a student's life! You are surrounded by new opportunities; however, college life will also present with different challenges and this is particularly true for students with ADHD. Managing a social life, extra-curricular activities, and college classes without daily support from a structured academic schedule or parents is not simple. Fortunately, there are various things you can do to help yourself succeed. This article will provide some tips on how to begin your college experience.

1. Attend Class

Attendance to college courses counts even when the lecturers are not hovering over you and recording absenteeism. Skipping a class not only results in lower grades, but it can also cause professors to assume you are not interested in the course. So, resist the temptation to skip a class regardless of whether you find the class too simple or dull. Believe it or not, you will increase the chance of success by merely attending the class.

2. Remain Realistic

When attending college, it is important that you remain realistic about your schedule. For example, do not register for a class at 8am if you are not a morning person. When setting your schedule, it is important that you schedule your classes at times of the day when you will find it easiest to concentrate and when you think you will be able to reach the venue on time. Many students with ADHD have problems waking up in the morning, so if this applies to you then do not sign up for those early morning classes even if people say it will be the best class on the course!! It does not matter how fantastic the class is if you are not there to participate in it.

3. Work First And Play Later

All campuses have temptations that will distract students from completing their different assignments, and students with ADHD will often need to work harder to achieve successful results. To avoid these temptations, it is recommended that you schedule a specific study period in a quiet location, but stick to the plan! To ensure you stick to the schedule, you should reward yourself with enjoyable activities. Of course, you must work first and play later as this will help you to reduce procrastination.

4. Become Proactive

It is important that you acquire support early before any crises develop. All college campuses offer resources to help students with ADHD to succeed in their studies. To access this support, it is recommended that you contact any learning support services upon arrival and find out what ADHD diagnosis documentation is required to use the services available. If you discover that you are struggling to pass the classes during the semester, it is advised that you contact the support services and your professors for help. When a semester is coming to its end, there is little any person can do to help; however, if you access help near the beginning there is a great deal of help to get people back on track.

5. Using A Calendar

Keeping track of a class schedule, tests, assignments, and a social life is not simple and it does not happen automatically. Moreover, students with ADHD can find themselves having problems remembering the dates of assignments and texts, as well as planning the schedules for these important items. To avoid missing significant dates and deadlines, it is recommended that you start using a calendar. All courses will list class times and dates, the deadlines for assignments, and dates of tests. Adding these events to your calendar as soon as you receive them can help you remains focused and organized.

6. Thinking Before Drinking

It is no secret that college students drink alcohol during their semesters. While excessive drinking is not healthy for any individual, studies have discovered that students with ADHD will experience more negative consequences as a result of drinking more than they should. The best way to avoid these negative experiences is to avoid alcohol; however, this can be difficult if you find yourself in social situations. To avoid social situations and alcohol, it is recommended that you remain away from situations that encourage excessive drinking of alcohol such as joining fraternities or sororities. If you do choose to drink alcohol and discover that it is causing problems with grades, health or relationships, it is advised that you contact the student health center.

7. Joining A Club

With so many college students on campus, it can be difficult to find your 'niche'; therefore, it is recommended that you join clubs to help find people who enjoy the same activities as you. Before long, you will have made good friends and will have a busy social life that hopefully will not involve drinking alcohol.

8. Get Sleep

It is crucial that you develop a sleep schedule that works for you and keep to it. All people require sleep, but it may be more important for individuals with ADHD. A lack of sleep can make it difficult to focus during classes, as well as resulting in making impulsive decisions that you could regret later. Ideally, you should have eight hours of sleep per night and maintain this type of schedule even if it means sleeping from 2am to 10am each morning.

9. Using Your Medication As Prescribed

It is vital that you continue to take your prescribed medication during your time as a college student. Avoid the temptation to misuse the medication to cram for examinations or skip dosages believing that you do not need the medication. Not only is it unsafe to use this treatment in any other way than it has been prescribed, but it will also disrupt any sleeping schedules making it more difficult to concentrate. If the current medication is not suitable for your needs as a college student, then it is recommended that you speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

Marvel Studios' AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Coming Soon!!

If you are like us you would be counting the days to the new Marvel Studios blockbuster to hit the big screen. Well the wait is almost over: the new chapter in the Avengers saga, Avengers: Infinity War, is coming out April 27. Until then check out the awesome trailer below.