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We often joke that we wish we had our kids' lives! There are so many wonderful opportunities for our children in the summer months! It's never too early or late to make those summer plans!

Here are some of the many possibilities:

Family Vacations—are such a great way to get away and reconnect as a family! To ensure great family vacations through the year, we wrote down all of the places we wanted to take our kids—things we wanted to show them, experiences we wanted them to have. It's a great way to make sure that we get those important historical, educational, and recreational vacations in. It is also important to make sure that there is something fun for everyone on the vacation, such as fishing for the guys and shopping for the girls!

Many families are now enjoying three to five day vacations and get-a-ways. Traditionally vacations may be two weeks or longer. Have all the family members involved in the planning and preparation. Order videos and promotional fliers from the local Chamber of Commerce and do research on the web! You can plan a really great vacation with something for everyone this way!

Here's some ideas for family fun: Disney or other theme parks; visit cities close by; Yellowstone, the Grand Canyons, and other state and national parks; zoos (one family I know went to every U.S. zoo with pandas!), science museums, and other local attractions are in every city; professional sports games; state capitals and Washington D.C.; beaches.

Camps—a plethora of camps exist for everything from special interests to church camps, science camps, sports camps, Boy and Girl Scout camps, cultural camps, and the list goes on. Some camps are day camps and others are overnight camps. Kids usually love the overnight stays, but usually your child needs to be at least seven years of age for the maturity level needed for an extended overnight camp, and age four for day camps. Children who have bonding/attachment concerns or are newly adopted should not go to an overnight camp without at least one parent. Be sure and research your camp options, ask neighbors and friends for camp recommendations, or go to the website for American Camping Association. If possible, visit the camp in person, talk to others who have gone to the camp before, and attend a camp fair that many large cities have annually. When your children are around 16 years of age, they can usually return to their favorite camps as a counselor or counselor-in-training. Your child will have a better experience if the camp fits his or her interests, abilities and skills.

Mission trips—This can be a great family vacation, or with a youth group. Often known as "a vacation with a mission," you can do everything from building a house to leading Vacation Bible School. Both stateside and abroad, many opportunities exist. My girls have worked in Mexican orphanages for two summers and loved it! It not only teaches your child valuable lessons of service, but also may be therapeutic for them! (NOTE: Please talk with your child and the sponsoring group/adults to evaluate if this is appropriate for your child. Having a parent go along can also allow for your child to go on the trip knowing that they can share their adoption issues of abandonment, rejection, and loss should they arise.)

Culture Camps—several states have culture camps for adopted children. These are usually day camps where entire families or just adopted children can reconnect with their country and culture. There are also week long camps for entire families!

Homeland Tours—For the first time ever, CHI will offer Homeland Tours to China this summer! This is a wonderful opportunity for families and adoptees to explore their cultural roots, often reconnecting with orphanage workers, friends and relatives. Adoption specialists recommend a homeland tour when children are 10-12 years of age. This decision should be child-led, and will be influenced by the age your child was adopted and their circumstances of placement. Do they have an interest in going to their homeland? Many children do not have this interest, and often do not want to make such trips until they are adults. We need to allow our children the freedom to decide what is right for them!

Day Trips—Learn what is available in your own town for tourists and join in the fun! We have hiked caves, visited bakeries, creameries, automobile factories, picked berries, visited zoos and museums, etc. Usually there are many opportunities available—and some may be little or no cost!

Trips to see Grandparents and Cousins—Don't forget to see the relatives, especially if they live out of town. For family members that live close by, spending a day or some time with a grandparent is so enriching for your child!

Summertime should be a time of fun for kids with a break from the school routine! However, it is important to keep working on the basics during the summer—reading daily, doing math, science and other learning opportunities and field trips.

Summer goes by so quickly—make the most of your time!

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