With the end of the Anchorage school year Thursday, many local parents are facing the summer conundrum of how to keep kids busy and fit during the long days ahead. Channel 2 asked what you and your kids will be doing on our Facebook page, and here’s some of what you’ve said:
Kathy Day: My kids are going to multi sport camp in June with Matt Shasby. If you are looking for a story idea, my client, AK Dinner Factory, offers kids camps where kids learn about nutrition, cooking, measuring ingredients and they make a dinner each day. My son got a whole new appreciation for my cooking by attending the camp! Call Linnea at 677-6633 for details.
Deb Moynihan Lestenkof: I print up a map of every park and lake in Anchorage, and we make it a mission to visit at least 2 a week. We did this last summer and found all sorts of cool playgrounds and parks we never knew about!
Ericka Weynand: For a single Mom like me on a tight budget, here's a few ideas-Bike riding to Loussac Library and Goose Lake, Campbell Creek Park, or Jewel Lake. Pack a picnic in a back pack, check out some books, sign up ur kiddos up for the summer reading program and spend the day reading and playing @ the lake or park. On rainy days, the People Mover is a good way to have an adventure, just hop on and head out, see where you end up for lunch :) Also, a few movie theaters offered discount movie days one day a week too:)
Heather VanBavel Fussell: We'll turn off the electronics..yes, ALL if them..and spend time having conversations that matter. We have great trails and science centers, where we can explore and learn about the Alaskan outdoors, so we'll do that as well. Eagle River and Campbell Creek are good ones. Fishing is a must - hiking Hatcher and the Butte, too. Man! We're going to have a great summer!
Julie Thacker Alexander: My daughter is 16 and has a packed summer. Girl scout destination trip to costa rica& panama in june. Girl scout program aide ( asst camp counselor helper) at singing hills by mirror lake in July. Then off to another girl scout destination to Japan. In August, girl scout camp CEO at Camp Togowoods in Wasilla. Lots of older girl opportunities with Girl Scouts!
Angela Rolland: All kidding aside, being involved in your kids life is the key. Do spontaneous things with them. Jump in the car and go to talkeetna for lunch. Go throw rocks in the river together. And learn to play video games. I can kick all of my kids' ass at Mario kart :) a bored child is trouble. A child without boundaries is trouble. A child without direction is lost. Make sure they have those things :)
Sheena Woodard: I have 2 boys ages 6 & 8 and we do Lots of camps. Purely to get their energy out in a productive way. We are fortunate to have so many here in anchorage now. We love the skinny raven running camp and British soccer camp. They gain a lot of skill, run out energy and enjoy the outdoors rain or shine. Also a lot of camps have scholarships for families who can't always afford them.
Rebecca Johnson Luczycki: My son will rotate between day camps with Camp Fire, Trailside Discovery Center and Okamotos Karate, with two weeks of sleepaway camp with Camp Fire and Boy Scouts in the middle.
Nae Naes: Mother of four: (14,11,10,19 month)
For saving money & keeping busy tips, without driving yourself bonkers!
Life line phones, ALWAYS a plus for your wondering teenagers! Go to your locally owned kids store, pick up some sporting goods, saftey monitors, anything you need for the next few months! (great way to save)
Always keep posted on FB/ Municipal libary/Municipal Parks&Rec. for local events; I find are affordable, and importantly, fun for the whole family. http://www.anchorage.net/events
People mover, like Paula mentioned; is always an ALL day event, all in its own! LOL! Walks to your local park is a plus. Look online for deals 10anchorage coupons, for GREAT deals. Cant afford swimming at h2oasis? Take them swimming at goose lake/Jewel lk. Totem theater, is another way to save money. Oo... I can go on, and on..
Anngel Norkist: The Alaska club has a fun day camp that keeps your kid active and healthy but it's not cheap.
My kids get their work gloves on and get out on our property pulling weeds, digging holes, planting , watering, and climbing trees. When the weather sucks there's Netflix on disk and online as well as the abundance of toys they have in their own rooms and the play room . There's the beach at goose lake the kids love. Jewel lake is ok but has leaches. There's deals and coupons for the museum , imaginarium, and chuck e cheese. The best video games for the kids are the kinect that keep them moving
Cherice Edwards: My kids love going to lakes and parks to play when it's nice out! We do a lot of road trips, fishing/camping in the summer. I was born and raised here and i have found there is so much for your children to learn just from living in Alaska. Take them outside and enjoy life!
Tiffany Byars: We enjoy trying new parks, we make the tour of the city. Each time we go,its to a different one. We also go to Goose Lake a lot, they used to provide free lunches( last year was through the lunch box program) , I'm not sure if they will this year . A lot of the summer camps provide scholarship that you can apply for.
Colette Lieberg-Thibodeau: Sticking close to home, gas too expensive!! Library reading program, vacation bible school circuit, Girl Scout Camp, baseball & putting in a garden! :)
Laurel Hilts: In Seldovia, we have a wonderful gal named Al who comes to town each summer and takes our kids on hikes all around our area. She does overnight campouts, mountain and rock climbing, sailing, kayaking, and river rafting. She loves the out-of-doors and she shares her enthusiasm with our children and with anyone who will join her. All are welcome!
Ida David: We will Spend a lot of time at fish camp where kids will help cut fish and have some time for fun such as swimming. At fish camp we have families that help each other to keep the children entertained and they have even put up a basketball rim. The kids keep busy by looking for the tiny frogs and help by picking greens for cooking.
Christine Taylor: My tip is don't OVER-book your kids with stuff! Make sure they have a little time to just be kids on their own too! My happiest memories of childhood summers aren't from camps or sports but from hanging around with my friends in the neighborhood playing & exploring!
Gloria Christenson: Letting them enjoy their summer vaca at home just being kids, camping trips, and a week of summer camp. Trips to the library, walks to the park and tons of bike rides...should be plenty for those lil bodies and minds!
Kathy Day: My kids are going to multi sport camp in June with Matt Shasby. If you are looking for a story idea, my client, AK Dinner Factory, offers kids camps where kids learn about nutrition, cooking, measuring ingredients and they make a dinner each day. My son got a whole new appreciation for my cooking by attending the camp! Call Linnea at 677-6633 for details.
Jeannie Moore: Lots of camping and fishing :) bike rides, gardening ♥ kids love it, the girl teen wants a summer job maybe w the Migrate Education :) lots of time at the lake, B-BQ'n, going to the SATURDAY MARKET, Oooh than the berry picking at the end ( my fav )
Heather VanBavel Fussell: We'll turn off the electronics..yes, ALL if them..and spend time having conversations that matter. We have great trails and science centers, where we can explore and learn about the Alaskan outdoors, so we'll do that as well. Eagle River and Campbell Creek are good ones. Fishing is a must - hiking Hatcher and the Butte, too. Man! We're going to have a great summer!
Julie Thacker Alexander: My daughter is 16 and has a packed summer. Girl scout destination trip to costa rica& panama in june. Girl scout program aide ( asst camp counselor helper) at singing hills by mirror lake in July. Then off to another girl scout destination to Japan. In August, girl scout camp CEO at Camp Togowoods in Wasilla. Lots of older girl opportunities with Girl Scouts!
Please feel free to continue the conversation either in our comments or on our Facebook page.
