As a working mother, kid’s school holidays can potentially cause us much stress.  Not that we don’t want to have our little ones home with us, but if we have to work during their time off (unless we’ve planned a fantastic family vacation!!), we need something for kids to do.  The good news is, there are more and more camps offered throughout the school year now instead of just summer time.  And what’s great about these camps is that their main goal is to provide enrichment activities during school holidays to help our children build confidence, both through challenging fun and through social interactions with peers.  The kids walk away with new friends, new skills, and amazing memories!  There are so many different kinds of camps giving you and your kids’ lots of options. Some are more interest specific camps focusing on sports, music, art, language, science, you name it!  How do you choose one?  Do a little research.  Our favorite camp is Tom Sawyer Camp.  What makes it so special to us is that it’s been owned by the same family since 1974 so there’s a lot of love and care put into it, and they are accredited by the American Camp Association which means they have very high health and safety standards. So first decide what type of camp and camp schedule you want for your kids.  Many camps even have extended hours which can be a real lifesaver for working parents! The important thing is to plan ahead.  Camps can fill up fast, especially if they’ve got a great reputation, so you want to do your research early and get a head start!   How do you find these fantastic camps?  If your child takes any after school enrichment classes, many times they offer holiday camp programs.  You can also look online to find great camps in your area or on websites like kidscampdirectory.com to help you out!  The best way, however, is word of mouth!  Talk to other parents in your neighborhood.  For years I have been hearing rave reviews about Tom Sawyer Camp from other parents, and so when my daughter was finally at the age where she could join in the fun, we were really excited!  The thing to remember is, not every camp is right for every child.  If your little one doesn’t like a specific camp, don’t give up.  Keep doing research as there are so many choices out there to fit every child’s personality and interests!