1. Visit A Museum Museums are filled with knowledge from all corners of the world and host fun activities for your kids to explore while learning. Most large cities have a handful of museums to choose from and tons of exhibits to indulge in. Most summer camps take field trips to museums but don’t usually give their campers enough time to truly take advantage of what each exhibit has to offer. Make it a routine to take your kids on weekend family outings to your local museums and let them discover new ways to learn about things that strike their interest. Some museums even host their own summer camps where campers can spend the majority of their summer surrounded by learning opportunities. coque iphone xs The Miami Museum of Science has an eight-week summer camp available for kids and teens ranging all grade levels. Current exhibits on display include Hurricanes, Nano-Science, Moving Things, Florida’s Birds and more. “During the summer, many museums sponsor special programs, summer camps and other experiences for patrons. There may be late-night gallery talks or “meet the artist” opportunities, free evenings, behind-the-scenes with a curator, or other opportunities to examine a museum from a different perspective. Some museums or museum activities might be seasonal, such as annual festivals, Living History areas or new traveling exhibits. Museums are an important part of our educational experiences and museums should make us curious and spark interest in further studies and inquiries, or give us the opportunity to experience and appreciate an aspect of our humanity.”

—James Benavides, Communications Specialist & Museum Spokesman for the Institute of Texan Culture

—Carl-Martin Nelson, Director of Marketing & Communication for Concordia Language Villages

Concordia Language Villages is a language and cultural immersion program in the U.S. that offers over 15 different languages for students to choose from. Their summer program is available to children and teens of all ages and offers a variety of curriculums ranging from one to four-week sessions.

—Vanessa Volkman, Director of Blue Ribbon Cooking & Culinary Center

4. Becoming One with Nature Mother Nature has a lot more to offer than just breathtaking landscapes. coque iphone 6 Learning how to utilize the land and its resources is a trade that is often taken for granted in this country, but instilling these values in your children at a young age can benefit them in more ways than you think. In addition, your kids will pick up valuable lessons in survival skills, environmentalism, and becoming independent. “The Appalachian Mountain Club’s Teen Volunteer Vacation trail crews give teens the chance to learn about trail stewardship while being part of a tight-knit team for one to four weeks. Outdoor ethics and conservation, such as the principles of Leave No Trace, are a big part of the learning experience, along with trail maintenance skills that can include clearing brush, cleaning drainage, installing water bars and bog bridges, building cairns, working on shelters, painting blazes, and other tasks. There’s also downtime to enjoy these beautiful places, which range from the Berkshires of Massachusetts and New Hampshire’s White Mountains to Maine’s North Woods.”

—Alex DeLucia, AMC Trails Volunteer Programs Manager

—Lori Martin, Owner & Director of Cub Creek Science Camp

6. Understanding the Age of Technology What was once a mere commodity is now a driving force behind much of the world’s greatest success stories — Microsoft, Apple, Sony —to name a few. Introducing your children to the foundations of technology can give them the upper hand in situations most take for granted. Writing HTML, designing your own website, and even just installing your wireless internet are all underrated tasks that can be solved by an understanding of how technology works.

iD Tech Camps offers realistic learning experiences for children of all ages who show an appreciation for all things technology-based. Students have the option of learning about filmmaking, video gaming, visual arts, programming, digital photography, web design and more from iD Techs wide selection of programs.

“Kids and teens immerse in hands-on learning to produce relevant tech projects like iPhone and Android apps, programs in C++ or Java, robots, films, and more. Students interact with like-minded peers, build confidence, and learn valuable skills that impact their lives long after camp is over.

—iD Tech Camps

7. Practicing Your Writing Abilities Encouraging your children to formulate routine writing exercises will help guide them towards discovering new passions and career goals, as well as educate them with knowledge on a variety of topics. Whether they are writing for their own online blog or contributing to an existing media outlet, practicing writing will broaden their horizons and help them implement the writing skills they learned throughout the school year into their daily or weekly schedules. “An educational summer activity for grads [or students of any age] may be to write for Examiner.com, covering the industry in which they plan on working. It’s always nice to have some writing experience under your belt, and it’s a great way to learn more about the industry and make some connections.”

—Bob Zeitlinger, Managing Director at B To Z Communications

The Examiner is one of the leading online platforms for freelance writers to exercise their abilities and expertise while providing content for a large audience. With over 100,000 contributing writers and over 30 million monthly unique viewers, writers are guaranteed to reach a wide variety of readers and serve as a source of insight or inspiration for others. Beginning your kids with sites like WordPress, Tumblr, or Blogger is a great way to give them the initial push and desire to write in their free time. As they grow older, writing opportunities for companies like The Examiner will help them gain further experience and writing exposure while being paid to do so. 8. Digging Up The Past

—Bronwyn Strickland, Enrollment Manager at Crow Canyon

While at Crow Canyon, campers will also partake in unique archaeological field trips, educational excursions through Mesa Verde National Park, and professional development opportunities. Based in Southwest Colorado, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center provides summer programs for children, teens and teachers alike. 9. Pioneering Your Inner-Musician

—Zac Smith, Founder & Executive Director at The Collective Sound

The Collective Sound is a non-profit organization and the world’s first music touring camp servicing students aged 12 through 18. Learn more about their summer program here. 10. Giving Back What You Take Whether it’s cleaning up your local beaches or helping build homes in a foreign country, there’s no other feeling like giving back to the community. Getting your kids to understand the value of philanthropy and altruism at a young age will help guide them towards showing respect and loyalty to both others and themselves. coque iphone xs Volunteering is something your children can practice on the side of their other passions and, you never know, your child might even grow up to become the next Adrienne Arsht or Warren Buffett.