By: Chris Smith, Marketing and Events Manager

School’s out for summer and your kids want to watch television and play video games for three months straight. With high gasoline prices, expensive air-fares and high theme park ticket prices, getting away for the summer is challenging these days. But successful parents know that summer vacation is not just a break and a vacation – it’s an opportunity! These parents find programs to help keep their kids’ minds and bodies active.

Your children may be scheduled to participate in recreational activities sponsored by your school or town, enrolled in day camp programs and educational activities, or going away for camp. While it appears that everything is set, it’s a good idea to take a few more steps to help prepare your children for their experiences.

Summer usually means more freedom for children and less adult supervision than that which is provided during the school year. It also sometimes means less contact with you, so you need to make sure that you have provided the guidance and supports necessary for a fun, rewarding, safe and healthy summer experience.

Summer is a great time (since it is only three months long) to introduce goal setting, too. You could start by talking about the possibilities – find out what gets your child excited. What goals would motivate and energize him/her – get him/her fired up and passionate? Maybe there is something you could do together? If you have a passion or common interest, you could set a goal together and work towards it over the summer. Your goal could be related to a sport you both enjoy, a hobby or learning a new skill.

How about taking a music class? The Wilmington Music School/Delaware Music School offers Private Study, Music Camps, Workshops and Classes for the Young Child, Teens and Adults at its locations in Wilmington and Milford! Register now for Summer 2008! If you register by April 25 for private lessons or by June 2 for camps, workshops and classes, you save $20! And, there’s a special discount for multi-class enrollment!

Join us!

Picture caption: Cheri Astolfi, Executive Director. Thanks to Cheri for all her support with Milford Branch merger!