Tag: day services

Keeping Kids Busy Through Summer: Summer Camp Alternatives

Posted on by Nicol Walsh

Summer camp is an excellent way for children to spend the long summer days. However, camps often fill quickly, and many are too expensive for families. Here are some alternatives to summer camps to entertain children and give caregivers some much needed respite.

A Brief Overview

  • There are many inexpensive ways to entertain children over the summer 
  • Check with local parks and recreation for activities, including those for children and youth with disabilities 
  • Washington State Parks are wonderful for families to explore 
  • Check with family organizations, schools, and teachers for ideas and information on programs 

Full Article

Local parks and recreation departments often increase children’s activity programs for the summer. These can include sports, preschool classes, and outdoor activities. Some of the parks and rec departments, especially in larger communities, have adaptive or accessible classes, for those with disabilities and/or sensory issues. Cities and towns who have parks and recreation departments usually have information on the city or town website, or you can call the city or town main office. Some counties have similar programs, both summer and year-round. Check out the county website (usually the name of the county plus “.gov”). 

Several national non-profits have low-cost options for families during the summer, and year-round. Boys and Girls Clubs have activities, classes, and day camps, and membership fees are on a sliding scale. Their Find a Club interactive map will let you locate the nearest club. The YMCA may offer day camp options, along with their usual sports and recreation options. They have scholarships to help pay for enrollment and camps. 4H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, has many opportunities for children and youth to engage in hands-on learning, skill building, and community interaction. Various branches of 4H offer Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) activities, civic engagement, animal science, environmental science, performance arts, nutrition and health, and many, many more activities are available through your local camps. 

Washington State Parks provide for a wide range of outdoor activities this summer and even have special events that can be viewed on their calendar. For children four and up, the Junior Ranger Program has activities to print out, along with ideas for indoor and outdoor fun. For those with physical limitations, an interactive ADA map of park facilities shows the wheelchair accessible options throughout the State Park system. 

Libraries often have surprisingly varied options, including reading programs, arts and crafts, educational classes, and movie nights. Many libraries now have take-home kits for creative activities to do with the whole family. Summer reading lists are available both on library websites and in-person. A full listing of libraries in the state is available from library technology. 

Movie theaters sometimes offer sensory-friendly film viewing at certain scheduled times, check with the theater. Good for those hot afternoons! Information about these screenings can be found on the websites of the theatres, including major chains such as AMC and Regal. 

Parent groups and family organizations are often up to date on the latest summer activity offerings around the community. The Arc of Washington and Parent to Parent are both focused on families with children with disabilities or special health care needs, are aware of many opportunities, and may even offer some events for families and kids.  

Some school districts have enrichment activities over the summer beyond the extended school year (summer school) options. Local school district websites will have full listings for anything they may offer. Often schools and school districts also have recommendations for summer activities and information on summer events. Teachers are a useful resource for summer ideas and information, as they have heard a lot about what their students are doing this summer, so a quick chat with them may be in order. 

Several websites focus on community events and classes that children and youth can be involved in over the summer. The most prominent is Macaroni KID, but others include Parent Map, and Family Day Out. The local Chamber of Commerce and local newspapers will also post some event highlights and may list on their community calendars. Summer is also the time for County Fairs and other events, many of which take place in August. 

There are children’s museums, large and small, around the state. They have increased offerings during summer months; some even have camps. Most are geared towards younger children through elementary school age. The most prominent museums include the Seattle Children’s Museum, the Hands On Children’s Museum of Olympia, the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett, the Children’s Museum at JBLM, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, KidsQuest Children’s Museum in Bellevue, KiDiMu on Bainbridge Island, Children’s Museum of Skagit County, Tree Fort Children’s Museum in Moses Lake, and the Children’s Museum of Walla Walla. 

Lifespan Respite WA (a program of PAVE) has a list of registered providers that is accessible to everyone, where it is possible to find recreation and respite options by county, age served, disabilities served, and respite type. The options listed under Recreation on the “Respite Type” menu has an array of interesting options that may have flown under a family’s radar, such as equine therapy, music classes, and sensory-friendly playgrounds. Check out their page “Creative Options for a Respite Break” for more low-cost and free ideas for summer (and year-round) activities. Visit their How to Apply for Respite page to find out if you qualify for a small grant for short respite breaks! 

Creative Options for a Respite Break

Posted on by Barb Koumjian

The person you care for may have specific assets and strengths that provide an opportunity for you to have a respite break. These include being able to stay home alone safely, to call 911 when needed, not being prone to wandering away from home, and being able to use basic technology like a smart phone. If out in the community other skills include being able to communicate their home address, to use public transportation, and to reach out to a contact person if needed.

Peer-to-Peer Respite for Older Adults – If your loved one has friends he or she once or currently participated in activities with—activities like fishing, playing cards, quilting, etc.—consider setting up ‘dates.’ In the right situations, it is a win-win for all. It provides a break for the caregiver, their loved one gets to engage in ‘normal’ activities, and his or her peers have opportunities to spend time with friends.

Adult Day Centers: The National Adult Day Services Association can help you find local adult day services at nadsa.org/locator and you can find more information for caregivers at nadsa.org/consumers

Learning Experiences: State and community colleges often have opportunities for youth, adults and seniors to take classes on a non-credit basis. Some offer programs that are geared to seniors or individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In WA, residents age 60 and older may be able to waive tuition costs and pay only a small registration fee. Check your local community college or state college or university campus location.

Equine and other animal therapy: Numerous sites around WA state! Some programs involve supervised riding, others involve caring for and walking with the animals. Google “Equine therapy WA State”, “Riding programs WA State”, and “Animal Therapy programs WA State”. Many are specifically designed as respite opportunities.

Sports and Exercise: YMCAs, YWCAs, your town or city’s Parks and Recreation department.

Music Therapy; Inclusive Theater

Day and Overnight Camps (adults as well as children) PAVE publishes a long list of camps supporting individuals with disabilities in Washington State.

After-school Programs through your school department or organizations such as Boys & Girls Club, town or city recreation or sports programs.

Girl Scouts of the USA provides inclusive scouting activities for girls with special needs.

Boy Scouts of America involves boy scouts with physical, developmental or cognitive challenges in local troop activities .

Social activities through your local faith community, with a supportive volunteer.

Find a Family Day Out or a Parents Night Out. A variety of organizations from churches to schools to other civic organizations offer these. Google ‘Family Day Out’ or ‘Parents Night Out’ with the word ‘respite’ to find resources in your area.

Memory Cafes provide a safe and comfortable space where caregivers and their loved ones can socialize, listen to music, play games, and enjoy other appropriate activities. For a directory of Memory Cafes go to The Memory Cafe Directory

Senior Centers in your town or city

The Senior Companion Program through Senior Corps, a branch of the federal Corporation for National & Community Service, matches volunteers older than 55 with seniors living independently to provide companionship, help with daily tasks and a break for family caregivers. Click on this Senior Companionship Program

Time Banking is a time-based currency. Give an hour of service to another and receive a time credit. You might provide an hour of bookkeeping, for example, and receive an hour of respite. Time banking takes place as members give and receive services to each other, or through group and community activities and projects. Members include individuals, groups, and organizations.  Visit the Timebanks website for more information.

Explore the list of Lifespan Respite WA registered providers for out-of-home respite options in your area. Programs and services for adults and children. (You do not need to have a respite voucher award from Lifespan to use these programs, although they do charge fees).