I know all you parents out there are looking at the schedule for all of the camps and trying to decide what to do. What is the perfect mix of day camp, regular summer activities, and downtime at home. There are so many choices—art camp, science/STEM camp, horse camp, robotics camp, volleyball/dance/etc. camp. Almost everyone I talk to suddenly says, “Oh! I forgot about swimming lessons!” Putting together the schedule for summer is like a puzzle. You start with the non-negotiables—swimming lessons, VBS, camp for your child’s sport—and then fill in from there. I have a feeling that at some point, all of these camps and programs get a flood of registrations as parents get their final vacation schedules figured out and start vying for spots in those coveted camps.
When I created my Summer Camp Series, I had one goal in mind—get kids outside and active. Throw in learning about healthy eating, wildlife, and other things in nature, and we’ve got ourselves a camp! I have seen kids come into my clinic at the hospital spending 90% of their time indoors and mostly on screens. I have seen parents of middle school kids saying that there is nothing for their kids because they are too old for traditional camps and not old enough to have a job or drive. I hear parents talk about wanting their kids to play like they did when they were young, to get back on the farm, to do some work, to just get OUTSIDE!
When I say that the Universe literally dropped this idea into my head, I mean it literally. That’s what it felt like. The camp idea dropped into my head, and everything became clear. This is what I want to do. This is my next step.
Why Julia on the Edge Summer Camp Series?
Let’s start with a little about me. Yes, I grew up as a farm kid. No, we didn’t have livestock, but I was around it plenty with friends and through 4-H. Yes, I worked for my family business and drove F-250 pickups and straight trucks and tractors before I ever had a learner’s permit. I played in a crick, chased fireflies in the yard, hauled bags of seed corn, and drove a forklift. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. I worked in daycare in college, graduate school, and as the director of a child care center when I was first married. I then transitioned into working with DHS-involved families teaching parenting skills, supervising visits between parents and kids, and helping families make the changes they needed to to help their lives be a little less hectic, the kids a little more under control, and functioning at a healthy level.
Then came the last 19 years. I have worked with kids in research studies asking questions and collecting salivary cortisol (i.e. spit). I have done countless presentations on healthy eating and active living for kids in schools, before and after school, and early childcare. I have taught a physical activity curriculum to staff to implement in their programs to get kids more active. All of my programs involved a great deal of planning and coordination and sometimes creating a whole new program where none existed.
I am also a runner. I prefer to run on dirt trails. I have completed races of distances up to 50 miles. Running is not just exercise for me. It is my time to process things going on in my life, sort out my schedule and tasks, pushes me to do hard things, and keeps me so much calmer than I would be if I was doing anything else.
I spent my summer vacations fishing in Canada, boating, and water skiing. If I really decide to go off-the-grid, I would probably be a fishing guide on Lac Suel or running in the mountains. My kids show horses, do chores, and bale hay. If you want to have the fun, you have to do the work. My family also enjoys snowmobiling in the winter. We all love to snow ski when we are able to.
In other words, when it comes to kids getting active outdoors…I’ve got this.
Julia on the Edge camps are designed to help kids learn about healthy eating, active living, and the outdoors while keeping them engaged and having fun. Many people do not enjoy movement or the outdoors—especially when it gets hot. We are going explore all kinds of things in nature and move in all kinds of ways—hiking, paddle boarding, canoeing, climbing—and learn how to enjoy movement and being in nature. For our younger kids, we are going to learn how the backyard can be a wilderness to explore. Whether we are making our own lunches and snacks (learning about healthy foods and becoming a little more independent) or creating obstacle courses and playing games, we will be doing everything with an element of fun and excitement.
But I Don’t Know You…
That’s ok! I get it. It’s wise to be a little skeptical of where you are dropping off your kid and who is going to be driving them and basically running around in the yard or woods all day with them. If you have any questions or would like references, I am happy to answer them and provide them. References will come from a wide range of people including current co-workers, teachers, parents of my kids’ friends, and neighbors.
As I am keeping numbers rather low, especially for the 10+ camps where we go places, I anticipate camps filling up as parents get those summer schedules finalized. All registration information and descriptions can be found here on the website. You can fill them out, scan, and email to me so I can get your child’s spot reserved ASAP.
Finally, thank you to all of you who follow me on social media, read my posts, and who are even considering any of these services. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it!
Peace from The Edge,
Julia
