Conference moira::parenting_v3

    inquire at all the local preschools.  I know that mine (Tollhouse) has
    a summer program for school age children.  I'm not sure what they do,
    but things like swimming at the "Y", and lots of field trips are part
    of the program I believe.
    
    I, too, have heard of the summer camps, and their respective
    reputations.  But a coworker of mine sends her daughter to the camp
    with the less favorable  rep, and seems pretty happy with it.  It picks
    up in front of MKO1 during the summer, making it very handy!
    

    I take mine to the daycare/kindergarten school in Hudson that they've
    gone to for years.  It's very handy, because the school takes them
    from 2 up, and divides them into age groups for "class" during the
    school year.  Older children can be dropped off there in the morning 
    and the bus will pick them up and drop them off at the door.  They
    also run a kindergarten class (Hudson doesn't have public
    kindergarten).  During the summer there's more interaction between
    the age groups, and they do crafts, play, go outside, etc.  The only
    bad thing is I have to pack a lunch for the boys.  This summer I'll
    have to pack three....  Argh.....
    

Jacki,
Im a veteran of this situation!

Definitely try all the day-care places around the area because these will be
dependable and they work with your workday hours.  Plus, they sometimes offer
field trips and summer fun.

I've tried the day-camp in Merrimack you mentioned, and if I remember correctly,
you have to pick up your kid around 4:30 in the afternoon...can you get out of
work that early? (maybe im wrong here).

As for camps, my daughter has been to many. At that age, it was girl scout
camp (day). This worked out fine.  Is he in the scouts? He can still go if he
isnt, they just ask for a few more bucks.

To find more camps, all you have to do is walk into a Y, and they
have all kinds of brochures and a big list.  The Nashua Y has a day program,
which I brought my daughter to. I recall they had quite a few field trips, and
swimming at the Y.

Just keep looking and pretty soon your summer will be all set. And, keep the
info for next year unless you plan on retiring!!

good luck,
nancy 

    I ran into this problem myself last year when my step-son
    came to live with us.  I contacted the Nashua Chamber of
    Commerce (Spitbrook Road) and they sent me a booklet on the
    many types of camps offered in New Hampshire.
    
    Another avenue was to contact the Child Care Reference
    Service that Digital sponsors.  It was great in providing
    me with exactly what we were looking for.  I ended up
    going with Minds in Motion which I highly recommend.
    
    It is a state-licensed child care facility located at
    Off the Wall Fitness Center, West Hollis St., Nashua.
    Their number is 889-5520 to call and schedule a tour.
    
    The curriculum balances social, physical, and cognitive
    skills in a context of choice and enjoyment.  Positive
    self-esteem is the prominent focus.  They take children
    from age 5 through 12.  Beryl Adams is the director.
    
    Good luck in your search,
    
    Nancy
    

    The YWCA in Nashua offers a "Summer Scampers" program for girls
    and boys ages 6-12.  This is an extension of their excellent
    afterschool care program which my first-grader, Tom, attends.
    I just happened to pick up the flier for this today...
    
    There are nine one-week sessions starting June 24 - you can sign
    up for any combination.  There are physical activities (swimming,
    soccer, basketball, tumbling, dance, etc.), quiet activities
    (games, first aid, nature, fire safety), field trips, special
    activities and more.  The camp program itself runs from 9AM to
    4PM, with supervised care from 7:30-AM to 9AM and 4PM to 6PM.
    The fee is $70/week, with a $12 youth membership in the YWCA
    required.  It's held at the YWCA building on Prospect Street
    in Nashua.  For info, call Tracy Grilli at the Y at 883-3081.
    
    The YMCA also offers "Camp Sargent" in Merrimack - I know less
    about that, but it seems to be more of a traditional "day camp".
    
    				Steve

    Yes, Camp Sargent is a traditional day camp.  Kat went there for
    several years and loved it, and Steven went last year but seems to
    have had a less enjoyable experience -- he might have been a
    little too young for the more "rough and ready" environment of a
    camp.
    
    --bonnie

    Re .6:
    
    How old is Steven, Bonnie?
    
    
    Jacki
    

    He was 6 last summer.  As I recall, the program for kids 5 to 7
    years old is slightly different than their regular camp program,
    with smaller groups and more supervision.  But pretty much the
    same thing. 
    
    --bonnie

    I was looking at a brochure from Small World on DW Highway in Nashua
    and they advertise a summer camp program.
    
    Don't know the cost or any other details...
    
    judy

    re.: .5
    
    Steve,
    
    Did you send your son to the WYCA summer program?  Did he like it?
    Are you sending him this summer?  I've heard good things about their
    "vacation" program (when school has a week or day off during the school
    year). 
    
    Thanks,
    Jacki
    

    I'd like to chime in on this Y thing too.  As I dropped AJ off this
    morning at the Y daycare in Northboro I noticed a poster advertising
    Kamp Kermit.  If I recall correctly even the full timers at the Greater
    Worcester area Y daycares all go to Kamp Kermit which is held at a
    campground in, I believe, either Clinton or Berlin.  They go there two
    mornings a week, swimming, crafts and snacks.  AJ did it last year
    since he was at the Y for two weeks while his regular sitter was
    vacationing, and positively loved it.  The age range is 3 to 6 years. 
    I'll try to get more details when I pick him up tonight.
    
    Lyn

I'm looking for ideas for summer care for my son.  He's 10 years old. 
He now goes to the local YMCA afterschool program 2 days a week.  The
other 3 days he goes home, and is alone for about 2 hours.  This works
out okay now, but I'm concerned about what to do with him during the
summer.  The afterschool program ends when school ends (obviously).  I
don't feel comfortable leaving him alone ALL day, ALL week.  It wouldn't
be much of a vacation for him, either.

So, I'm looking for ideas.  I don't really want to bring him to a
"babysitter".  I'm considering the YMCA summer camp for a couple of
weeks (although he went 2 years ago, and neither one of us was too
impressed).  Other ideas are DEC's 2-week "Summer Enrichment Camp",
a week or two at his grandparents.  I plan on taking 2 weeks off also.
But a still have a few weeks to fill in the blanks.

Does anyone know of any other GOOD summer camps (I'm in the Fitchburg
area).  How about any "art camps", if there is such a thing.  My son
is pretty artistic.

Any other ideas to keep him busy would be greatly appreciated!

Thanx,
Deb