Days Are Getting Longer

confine kids to a regime of classroom and

three, they’re left to their own devices — or their

parents’ contrivance. 

greeted with relief. I still

mornings, the breeze through

the freedom of a day — and

ordered by my own choosing.

do now, after Labor Day

Or they’re telling all us adults the answer they

they’re ready to go back to school.

each new school year is welcomed. Change of pace

is another. Boredom is a third.

to steer. Adaptation to structure requires one

another.

to plan, staff or occupy 90 open days.

That’s why God created camp.

what smart, creative and adventuresome people

job of filling the open days of kid summer.

whole lot of things.

to classroom imprisonment — remains a mainstay

name literally: At Echo Hill Outdoor School on the

— in one option — boats.

to learn on my own — far past childhood and in a

— how to make and break camp.

trail, water and fishing line are part of that camp,

Bay Environmental Center.

us, many camps use summer’s time off to teach kids

water skills.

Club teach kids to sail. At West River, adults can

camp.

water in boats they’ve made themselves. Changing

marshes and hunt fossils on sandy beaches.

is part of many camps. Splash camps sponsored by

camps by Anne Arundel County Recreation and

and much more.

many camps teach kids how to use their bodies skillfully

Stables offers riding and complete horse care.

Soccer kids sharpen their skills at Dynamic Soccer

Training Camp and U.S. Navy Boys Soccer Camp.

Martial artists meld mind and body at Black Belt

School of Martial Arts Karate Camp.

camps, and plenty of them. For pop musician aspirants,

Recording camp. Kids learn to enthrall

Recreation and Parks, Grace Brethren Church and

camps culminate in live performances.

Every week and every day is new at Annmarie

of Annapolis Area Christian School, where kids

are taught to achieve in work and play.

could have been more fun if my parents had this

fun if I’d had it. If you’re in the parent business

nowadays, you and your kids should read it together.

If you’re not, read it for fun — and dream.