It's back: The staycation dominates summer plans
By Nikki Gardner & Laura Tomasetti
Moms are pulling out their maps and getting creative to make the most of summer vacations without cleaning out the bank account. Many have changed their original vacation plans in favor of more budget-friendly staycations or mini-vacations that enable them to stay with family and friends.
"We plan to take time off in smaller blocks and take advantage of what’s available locally for kids," says Brenda Mulligan of Massachusetts.
Among summer vacation travel trends identified by the 360PR MomSquad this month:
- Families are planning shorter, drive-to trips.
- Day trips to local attractions—from beaches, parks and museums—top the list of destinations.
- If staying overnight, most will be bunking with family and friends—taking advantage of built-in babysitters.
- Those planning a staycation say they're saving their money now to be able to eat some meals out this summer.
- Top purchases will include GPS systems, grills, outdoor toys, and gardening supplies.
Even though we don't have any major plans, I'm excited for the summer," comments Laura Often of North Grafton, Mass. "The summer gives us more options—ice cream runs, the pool, picnics, the beach and just being able to play outside makes the days better!"
Beyond saving money, there are some other benefits to staying local. "It's easier to pack up all the stuff we need in a car—stroller, booster seat, toys, you name it," says Often.
"Vacations are really for us parents. The kids are happy with a backyard barbeque and smores at night," adds Clarissa Nassar, an Upstate New York mom.
"We make sure to look things up online before going to find any coupons for activities or places to eat," says Missouri mom Courtney Foster. "You can go on a great vacation and spend about the same you would at home if you plan ahead and look for deals. The hardest part of traveling as a family is making sure children are entertained."
Squeezing learning into summer fun
Just because school is out doesn't mean the learning stops. "I try to have some educational aspect of our vacations ... I'm looking for ways that my children can have fun and learn something," says Anita Doberman, a military mom in Georgia.
Kids are also learning about the world around them at camps that focus on sustainability and build green habits early. Starting family gardens is high on the list with moms like Anisa Raoof of Providence, Rhode Island. "Families are opting for close-at-home activities and are mindful of their community. I hear families starting gardens and joining community gardens as a fun summer activity and way to save money," says Raoof.
Nikki Gardner is a freelance writer living with her family in Western Mass. and blogs at www.artandlemons.blogspot.com. Laura Tomasetti is Managing Director of 360 Public Relations and heads the 360PR MomSquad.
Moms over overnight camp: Opting for day camps, shorter stays
By Melissa Katz
The familiar hum of campfire songs could be a bit softer in some spots this summer. The 12,000 day and overnight camps in the U.S. serving more than 11 million children are facing a tough economy—one that's prompting many families to switch to day camps closer to home and causing others to opt for fewer weeks at camp.
From CSI to yoga camps
Nancy LaPook Diamond of KidsCamps.com, an online directory with a database of 24,000 camps, has noticed an overall trend toward specialty camps and shorter sessions. She's seen an increase in camps focusing on academics, special needs, teen leadership and community service, among other things. In recent years her directory has added new categories like fashion and CSI, or forensic science. "The directory always mirrors our culture," she says.
At North Carolina's Gwynn Valley Camp, which has a strong environmental focus, Grant Bullard expects his overnight camp to be down about 10% this year, but says enrollment in the day program is strong. At Camp Birch Hill in New Hampshire, shorter stays have become the norm. In the past many campers were staying a full month, but this summer they are seeing mainly two-week enrollments. Among the most popular draws are the camp's more unique offerings, such as paintball and go-carts.
Marla Coleman, past president of the American Camp Association and owner of Coleman Country Day Camp in Merrick, NY, sees a number of specialty offerings on the rise. Among these are camps that foster an appreciation for the natural world and healthy living—with kids’ yoga, for example.
Hillary Chapman-Roberts of MySummerCamps.com agrees that day camps are hot this year. "Sleep-away camps have to stay in a more traditional business model," she says. "Day camps have the freedom to really find a niche market, and they're going after it."
Melissa Katz lives just outside of Boston with her husband Nevin and 4-year-old son Jeremy.
360PR MomSquad moms share their summer camp plans
Many moms will be skipping or limiting camp this summer, choosing backyard fun and sharing child care to save. Here's what 360PR MomSquad members had to say when asked about summer camp plans:
- "Moms are delaying their decision about camp because their job situations may be uncertain. If families do not need camp for childcare, they are searching for alternative ways to occupy their kids for the summer."
Anisa Raoof, Providence, RI, publisher of Kidoinfo.com
- "My daughter will be attending a summer dance camp. It's only one week long and the cost is just $30 for the entire week."
Clarissa Nassar, Upstate New York, founder of ThePoshParent.com
- "My son will be attending a Cub Scout camp. It's a week-long camp without overnights, held at the YMCA. Cost is a concern. We are also planning a few day trips to the zoo and local parks."
Julie Gerber is a nurse living with her family in Albany, Georgia. She blogs at 2gerberbabies.blogspot.com
- "I will send my oldest daughter (a three-year old) to a day camp at her preschool. It's only three mornings a week, but gives us a break and keeps her in some sort of school routine."
Laura Often is a high-tech PR consultant living with her family in North Grafton, Mass.
What Mom 3.0 really wants for Mother’s Day
By Clarissa Nassar
Doing more and trying to spend less, especially on herself, today’s mom needs more than a cute diaper bag and spill-proof sipping cup.
Karen, mother of 3, explains, "For a mom like me who hardly ever spends money on herself, it's nice to get something I wouldn't have bought myself, like a gift card to my favorite store and time to go there alone."
So, what exactly is the 2009 Mom looking for this Mother's Day? One highly-coveted item is the HP Mini Laptops that are so sleek and stylish and can be taken to the library, mall or even the PTA meeting. When mom has soccer, ballet and birthday parties to coordinate she isn't using a wall calendar anymore. Most are also taking advantage of the newest smart phones and PDAs like the Apple iPhone to keep them organized.
Moms also are still in love with traditional gifts, such as flowers. 1-800-FLOWERS has a fabulous campaign to “leave no mom behind” called Spot A Mom. With nearly 82.5 million mothers in the US, that’s an impressive goal. They are offering lots of gorgeous arrangements based on the lifestyle of the mom, plus a community page where you can nominate a mom to win a year of flowers and other prizes.
Gifts to skip? Anything that casts mom in her routine. Unless dad and the kids are using those shiny new muffin tins to make mom breakfast in bed, it's a safer bet to save the cookware purchases for the holidays.
In this economy, we are all learning to appreciate life for its true value. It's not in the extravagance of the gift giving; rather it is the appreciation of the person. It comes down to the simplicity of making Mom feel appreciated. Showing mom you thought about her and her needs is priceless.
Clarissa Nassar of The Diary of a POSHpreneur is a wife and mother of two children. She resides in New York and was recently accepted into Glamour Magazine’s Glambassador program.
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