Summer Activities for Preteens

Camp

• Summer camp is a memorable part of many generations' childhood experiences. You can choose to send your child away to camp for the summer, or enroll her in a day camp where she is dropped off in the morning and picked up in the evening. Once you and your child have decided between overnight and day camps, you can then determine which kind of camp would be best for your child. Academic camps offer preteens the opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest, such as photography or environmental science. Adventure camps emphasize physical recreation with activities such as rock climbing, biking or hiking. Art camps can help your preteen establish and develop creative pursuits, such as painting or playing an instrument. In addition, many camps specific for children with special needs continue the skill building that special needs children receive at school. Choose a camp with experienced, professional staff and counselors to ensure that your preteen receives healthy, constructive guidance (as opposed to simply being monitored or "baby sat").

Library Club

• Many public libraries host free summer library clubs for kids that feature age-group specific activities. Programs usually center on a central theme, such as "space exploration" or "dinosaurs," and supplement reading-based activities with arts and crafts projects, community service activities, games and field trips. Library clubs allow preteens to explore the joys of reading in an active learning environment with other kids their age, while still being supervised by experienced teachers and librarians.

Volunteer Work

• Preteens are too old for day care, but too young to have a job, leaving kids with little room to undertake responsibility. Volunteer work is one way to provide your 11- or 12 year-old with a constructive summer activity that can also teach the value of work, the importance of community and the satisfaction of contributing to a worthwhile cause. Local animal shelters, libraries, daycare centers and senior citizen homes will often allow preteens to work as volunteers for several hours a week, helping with basic tasks and duties.

Home Activities

• Summer activities at home are a great way for parents and preteens to bond and connect in a fun, constructive and meaningful way. Host a car wash with your preteen in the driveway, or establish a book club and meet once a week to discuss the work you're both reading. Plot out a little space in the back yard, and encourage your child to plant and maintain a small vegetable or herb garden. Other fun, productive summer activities at home include basketball competitions, garage sales, evening jogs, bedroom redecorating or pool workouts.