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Health & Fitness

Thinking ahead...to summer camp

February School Vacation.  My kids are enjoying the heck out of it.  They've been to the movies, they've visited indoor playgrounds, they've built a snowman, and they've even taken a trip to visit relatives.  They are thinking only of yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Beyond those three days, I think my kids couldn't care less.  Ah, yes...they have not a care in the world.  And do you know why?  Well folks, that's because of me!  

See, vacations take planning.  It takes organization.  It takes money.  And in my family that's all orchestrated by me.

Here in town the summer day camp has just opened registration.  Yes, it's February and we're talking about summer.  Can you believe it?  I finally understand why retailers pull out swimsuits this time of year.  It's all about the planning.  My kids have never attended a day camp before.  I've always been lucky to have reliable sitters or unlucky enough to be out of work for entire summers.  Either way, it worked for childcare reasons and I've never had to worry about camp.  This year is different.  This year both my husband and I are working, our reliable sitters are in college and we need the camp for childcare.

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I was lucky enough to have a friend who warned me that camps open early, fill up fast, and close leaving parents crying "Why me!? What now?! Oh, dear Lord, why?!"  I didn't want to be one of those parents.  I don't cry pretty. 

So I planned.  I stalked the town website, waiting and watching for the first glimmer of news about the camp registration.  The teasers came first.  "Coming soon!" the sight read.  I felt the faint stirring of hope.  Then the registration date was posted along with important financial information.

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Okay...just a moment to talk about the cost of camp.  The sticker shock nearly bowled me over.  For years I paid a sitter $150 a week to watch BOTH of my kids during the summer and suddenly I was looking at a price that was four times that.  Yes, I know that the cost is for the activities, the care provided, the training, and the rest but my goodness, somebody ought to put a warning on the site that reads, "Be prepared to wonder why you decided to have children when you see what you're going to pay for this camp!"

Then finally...the day came...REGISTRATION.  I carefully printed out my registration forms, wrote out the check that would hold my children's weeks in place, and placed them in an envelope which I then stuck in my purse.  And I promptly....forgot all about them. 

What happened to the careful orchestration?  What happened to the choreographed plan?  Basically...some busy days at work, a couple a snowstorms, and February school vacation before I realized I was still sitting on the forms that would keep me sane this summer.  After that it was a mad dash to get to the car, rush to the town recreation department and hand over the forms with a grateful sigh.

It's over.  The kids are registered for summer camp.  Now I'm just waiting until May when the early bird registration starts for next years afterschool program begins.  So, if anyone needs me I'll be sitting at my computer, waiting for the date to be released.

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