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Another School Year Is Almost Over....Are You Ready For Summer?

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It is the last week of June and the school year is coming to an end. Tereya's last day of class was on June 16, but she had to return to take her regents exams. Nyasia's last day of school is on June 26. They are both excited about Summer. The first week out of school is usually the most relaxing for my girls. This is mostly because they get to sleep late. When Tereya was younger she rarely stayed in New York for the Summer. As soon as school was over she left to visit her father, stepmother, sister and brothers in Georgia. As she got older she stayed in the city and both Tereya and Nyasia went to summer camp. 

At sleep away camp
At the age of 14, Tereya stated she did not want to attend summer camp. When I asked her why, she said she wanted to sleep late, lounge around the house and do nothing. I decided I was not going to make her attend camp. I also explained to her that she was not allowed to have company and she was not allowed to go anywhere with anyone. I also told her, she had to pick up her sister from camp. From the age of 6, Nyasia has attended summer day camp. During the month of August she went to sleep away camp for two weeks. She was excited about going to sleep away camp. I on the other hand was very nervous at the thought of my 6 year old being in the woods at night, in the dark by herself. Nonetheless, she really wanted that experience, so I allowed her to go. The first year she went, I received a call from her counselor stating she was homesick and she wanted to talk to her my voice. After the first two days, Nyasia was back to normal. I was able to see her because the camp posted pictures to their photo gallery on a daily basis. The following Summer, I did not register her for sleep away camp, but to my surprise she wanted to go to sleep away camp. I registered her and she was fine because she knew what she was getting herself into the second time around. 

At Pier 6 near the volleyball court
This year, Tereya was afforded the opportunity to participate in NYC's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) for six weeks during July and August. Nyasia will attend day camp during July and August. However, I am undecided if she will go to sleep away camp. Unfortunately, I am not on Summer vacation for two months. I have to work. My biggest challenge is I never know what to do with them on the weekends. I struggle with ways to keep them busy and entertained. In my previous post School Is Almost Over, I listed a few ideas for you (my readers) to keep your children active and entertained. I even suggested you create a list or suggestion box. Well, I took my own advice and after researching and conversing with other parents, I have created not one but two list. The first list contains activities to do with my girls. The second list contains activities I can engage in with adult company which I will discuss this in another post.

Listed below is a snippet of some of the activities my daughters and I will do this Summer.
  1. Nyasia will begin her summer assignment's after Independence Day.
  2. Arts & Crafts 
  3. Have a few picnics at Prospect Park, and other picnic areas.
  4. Have a scavenger hunt (find things in your neighborhood or home from A to Z)
  5. Game day/night (board games, Wii, Xbox)
  6. Take a trip to the zoo. New York has a zoo in each borough 
  7. Go to Brooklyn Bridge Park. This park consist of 6 piers. There are so many activities and attractions at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Some of our favorites are the playgrounds (we love pier 6)
  8. Roller Skating at the Lefrak Center at Lakeside. Click here for pricing and hours.
  9. Family Day-National Dance Day at Lincoln Center Out Of Doors. During the their events are free to the public.
  10. Beaches, Amusement Parks, Museums
  11. Mini golf at Pier 25 at Hudson River Park
  12. Road Trip in August
Water Lab at Pier 6
Sandbox Village at Pier 6
Jungle Gym at Pier 6



















This summer the girls and I will partake in several activities within our city. Some will be educational and some will be recreational.

What do you have planned for your child/children this summer?
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