Sunshine and balmy temperatures have many parents dreaming about summer camp and about all the wonderful experiences that go along with it—like getting the kids out of the house for an extended period of time. Most parents agree that kids come home from summer camp changed in some way. Often, they are more confident, a little more grown-up and absolutely exhausted.
Summer camp is a magical place—and this might be asking too much—but if I’m spending a bunch of money, I want my kids to come home as new and improved (read: well-behaved) versions of themselves.
Soccer camp and science camp are great but these are the summer camps parents are really looking for.
Stop Rolling Your Eyes Camp
1 of 7
Eye-rolling is my kryptonite. When my kids pick up this rude and dismissive habit, I'm quitting parenting. Just kidding. But I really would pay someone a zillion dollars to take my kids for a week and fix their eyeballs. Please tell me someone is creating this camp now because with a 7- and 9-year-old, I'm certain I'm running out of time.
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a Summer Camp TodayJust Finish Your Homework Already Camp
2 of 7
This camp would use examples and roll playing to teach procrastinating children the art of sitting down and hammering out the 25 minutes of homework they brought home right away instead of messing around so incessantly that the task is dragged out for two, three or even four miserable hours. Families will rejoice when their evenings are salvaged, Netflix can be enjoyed and my nagging can finally cease.
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a Summer Camp TodayGet Off Your Phone Camp
3 of 7
Many summer camps have a "no devices" rule, but what if that translated to behavior at home? Just imagine! You could see your child's face (all of it!), and it wouldn't be lit up with that faint blue light from the screen. Maybe you could talk about their day with more than grunts and shrugs. It sounds glorious!
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a Summer Camp TodayClean Your Own Dishes Camp
4 of 7
Kids who become proficient dishwashers will make their parents proud, make great future roommates and partners and could turn the skill into a lucrative high school or college job. Now the only trick is to get them to do it without asking—or bribing.
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a Summer Camp TodayRemember Your Manners Camp
5 of 7
My kids are pretty good at dishing out "please" and "thank you," but they still need reminders on occasion. If I had a nickel for every time I heard myself or another parent whisper, "What do you say?" I could start one of these miraculous camps myself. There are adults who could benefit from a week at Remember Your Manners Camp, too, so someone should really get on this one.
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a Summer Camp TodayClean Your Room Camp
6 of 7
My kids are actually going to this camp this weekend—it's upstairs, and it's free.
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a Summer Camp Today
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