Amy Van Vleck shared this great idea - something she does every summer to be intentional with her kids at home. 

Kid Kamp

I can’t think of a better time to be intentional with my kids then when they are out of school for the summer. Because the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are just that, I created “Kid Kamp,” a week of refreshment and reinforcement about the important things in life. Each family can adapt these ideas to their specific family’s ages, interests, and needs. 

Kid Kamp is a one-week, home-bound, intentionally fun time. Here’s what we do: 

First, we pick a week that has no conflicts: no scheduled family vacation, no VBS, no out-of-town guests, no planned activities. This narrows it down a lot! Then, we pencil in Kid Kamp. 

Each day, the kids work, play, create, and learn together in stations, much like they do at summer camp. Each station is associated with a scripture, therefore reinforcing God’s Word with each lesson. We start at 9 am and end at Noon. The rest of the day is open for more play and lots of conversation. Their friends come over and guess what? They hear about Kid Kamp! On Friday of that week, I reward them with a trip to the pool (either a neighbor’s, community, or local water park, depending on funds). 

The stations I use are listed below; however crafts and field trips can easily be added: 

Game Station – teaches fairness and cooperation.

“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.” Colossians 4:1 This station can be played with board games or cards, or it can be an outside activity with balls, ring tosses, horseshoes. You create the games. The point is to play together and encourage fairness and cooperation. Parents can play along or simply coach.

Recreation – teaches teamwork and/or encouragement.

For older kids: “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1b-3 

For younger kids: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 

Rec takes place outside. I set up an obstacle course, which gets harder each year, and have the kids take turns running through it while the others cheer them on. You can add water balloons to throw at the runner for extra excitement and refreshment (this is Texas!). Because of the Philippians verse, I give cold drinks and/or ice cream treats as “prizes” for their perseverance. 

“Home” Work – teaches the how-to of necessary tasks.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men [or mom!].” Colossians 3:23 

This is a chance for them to practice household chores and for me to instruct. Any age child can participate. Get creative! Put on some fun music and dance around while instructing. Pick two activities per day. Repeat those that need polishing. For example, if the towels need to be folded a certain way to fit into the linen closet, practice folding them. This is a chance for parents to set expectations and reinforce what is acceptable, and what is not. Examples include:

Sort, Wash, Fold Clothes

Load, unload Dishwasher

Dust, vacuum

Polish furniture

Clean windows, mirrors

Wash cars or bicycles

Change Sheets

Mow grass

Sweep inside and out

Balance checkbook, or simple finances

The list goes on and on… 

Scripture Memory – Parents select a verse (or two) that is applicable to the current family situation.

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11Parents should pick verses that will help shape the character of their children, and/or verses that speak to a specific problem.  

Our favorite was the year we learned Proverbs 11:17: “A kind man benefits himself, but a mean man brings himself trouble.” Our children, ages 9, 5, and 4 at that time, were having difficulty showing kindness to each other, so we memorized this verse. They still remember it – which comes in handy when ugliness, well, rears its head. 

This is such an adaptable and intentional plan for those “oh no, what-do-we-do-now?” weeks of summer. It can easily become an anticipated summer tradition.