July sports, clubs, camps, extras

[186momx]

I know July is quiet for most of us.  What does everyone have going on?

[186momx]

DD's summer practice schedule time got shorter. The coaches needed a break. DD is annoyed that they are only going 3 hours 3 days a week instead of 4 hours 3 days a week. She said that practice keeps getting easier and she really wanted the extra hours to have designated tumbling and strength conditioning time.

We are doing a 15-minute private lesson with Jonathon on Monday nights to work her back tuck. The gym can't charge us for 15 minutes as the shortest private is 30 minutes, so the head coach told us to figure out a payment deal with Jonathan either charge every other week or something else. Jonathan asked DD to make him a batch of his favorite cookies (chocolate crinkles) in trade for last night. Then the lady that does power tumbling for cheer told DD to stay and work out with that group since they only had 3 kids. So, she had an extra night of practice on a short week off the books!

[waverly]

July is actually pretty busy for us. I booked it that way because when the kids are home together they spend a lot of time either fighting or on screens or both.

This week they are at an Amazing Race camp at our local ropes/ adventure type place. DS has horseback riding, and DD's soccer team does optional practices in the summer. I wish they would do more soccer downtime with her team because I could use a nice 1-2 month break from thinking about it.

Next week is soccer camp (not through her team). The following week is sleepaway camp. Then we pick them back up and DD goes to another sleepaway camp which DS had gone to in June. And DS has his wisdom teeth surgery. It is early for his age because one of his wisdom teeth is blocking his 12 year old molar from coming up.

We have professional soccer games, and concerts. So it accidentally ended up busier than I thought it would be- oops.

But August, they have no camps and then go back to school mid August. The idea being is if they are bored around the house, they would be more interested in going back to school. I may take a day or two off work in August to do something with them during the week. And we will do school supply shopping and organizing.  

[librarychica]

My kids have been out of camp (except a week of sleepaway) all June and they are going to day camp July 9, thank you Jesus.

The 9yo, who is a walking mood swing this week, has YMCA daycamp, science museum maker camp, a week off, and then YMCA daycamp: Shark week edition. Her older sister has 2 weeks of junior counselor camp at the Y and 2 weeks free.

During the mutual free week I’ll have my 3 oldest nieces for a long weekend. They all do well in a herd and the 16yo is the oldest of 5 and more than capable of stomping on any nonsense my DDs try.

DD2 is back in piano lessons this month as well. I really think DD1 needs something, anything, to do and have made it mandatory that she choose either to go back to martial arts or try something else physical once school begins again in early August. Pick something, kiddo. And it has to be something that isn’t contingent on H or I joining. She is happy to go to gym with us but I feel like a kid her age, with so much more energy, really needs to do something with other kids.

As a family, we don’t have much planned outside of the cousin visit. We all look forward to that every summer.

[cjcouple]

Its' so quiet, I don't know what to do with myself.  June was busy with graduation stuff but this last week and July are quiet.  

My youngest joined the football team and they have practice 1-2x a week plus the weight room.  But that's just giving him a ride to and from (3-4 mins away).  that's it!   

[mommyatty]

We are on vacation this week. Next week is DD’s 12th birthday! Then the following week we are going to Houston as a family so DD can do a goalie camp. I’m holding firm the MIL is NOT going with us. She more than doubles our costs because we have to take 2 cars instead of one and we need at least 1 extra hotel room. Plus I would like some time with my family without her.

[librarychica]

My 9 year old daughter has decided she wants to play ice hockey. She’s a solid skater, did the learn to skate program through alpha, kind of got tired of it. Then she went to an ice skating birthday party, saw an old friend’s son playing hockey and is like “I want to do that.” Old friend told us about a try hockey event for girls this Sunday so we will see how that goes.

I’m going to laugh so hard if my little Florida cubanita ends up playing ice hockey.

[mae0111]

DD1 has been away at camp for 1.5 weeks, with 2.5 weeks left. We were able to speak to her briefly on Sunday and she's having the best time. There's a brand new ropes course/climbing/zipline feature so she did that in addition to the old ropes, kayaking, and Rock Band. This week she got into water skiing, which was her top choice. I love how much she loves it there. It's her happy place.

DD2 did a 1/2 day fun soccer camp - nothing serious, all games. It was perfect for her since she was getting over pneumonia. She also started small group training with a local high school kid that plays at a high level - just her and her BFF in the kid's backyard. $20/hour. Can't beat that!

[macmars45]

DS(8) is receiving an hour of tutoring (reading & math) 3x/week most of the summer. He has half day lego camps at the end of the month & beginning of August. I hope to schedule some more play dates with a friend from school as well. And all his dr/dentist/eye dr appts are spread out over the summer too. Next week is his referral for orthodontia.

[sdlaura]

My kids did two weeks of camps, then we’re on vacation this week, then they’ll do two more weeks of camps (surf camp and another water-based camp), then we go on another vacation. Then a week of sleepaway camp for the two older ones, then one more week of camp (where the ymca takes them to sea world everyday) the following week. So all kids are in camp/preschool full time which I love because I don’t have to keep track of them and they get good exercise and no screens. But I think this will be our last summer of full time camps since DD is turning 12 soon and will want more flexible time with friends next summer.

DD’s all-star softball team is still practicing this week and playing a sort of optional tournament this weekend that she will miss, so her season is over. Both older kids are doing summer basketball but it’s pretty laid back over the summer - one practice a week and the coaches understand that not all kids will be there every week.

[waverly]

I’m at the point where it’s a different camp every week and I’m getting tired of adjusting. It’s fun for the kids, but I kind of miss the days where they go to the park district every day all summer, and spend most of the time swimming.

They had a great time at the Amazing Race camp but were tired. Next week is soccer camp.

[campermom]

I work two full weeks in July and my kids will all be at the same camp at a community college. The oldest is a counselor each morning and gets service hours. The middle will go to three out of 4 camps (2 weeks of am and only one week of pm)

So I’ll need to leave mid day to take them home and come back.

The youngest has a disability plan and was able to get a 1:1-I had to find the kids aged 14 or over and they will get service hours. I have a lot of connections so I was able to piece meal 3 teenagers schedules together to support him so I can work.

Baseball is over for both boys. Lacrosse is over for my daughter. My oldest will try out for a different travel team starting in July. That means the little just has karate.

It’s a quiet summer. We need to focus on mental health this summer.

[erbear]

July is light for us. Both kids are playing in the HS summer soccer league. DD2 (going into 8th) is teeny tiny and they are often playing adult teams but she's holding her own. The woman marking her in the last game had a good 20 years, 10 inches and 100 pounds on her though. Good thing she's quick . They have to start runnign for preseason this week but it's so hot.

I think they both start club soccer in August. Preseason at the end of August.

[dglvrk2]

We are in the new camp every week camp in July. Last week we had off of camps. We took the girls to a multi day music festival with some friends. They left inspired? Now DD2 wants to have voice lesson - which think would be great - so she can be a lead singer in an indi rock band some day. DD1 wants to play the bass...in addition to the sax, flute and piano. We had to have a discussion about breadth vs. depth with her

DD1 has music camp this week, is a CIT for a Humane Society camp the following week, has a week off camps then a volleyball camp.

DD2 has equestrian camp this week, water sports camp next week, parks and rec day camp then is off the last week of July.

[sdlaura]

Well, I thought DD’s softball season was over. But then we landed back home last night right after her team played their fourth game in 24 hours and won it, which meant they kept playing today. So I texted her coach and said ‘hey, you probably can’t update the tournament roster now, but DD is home if you want her to come out.’ And he said he’d love to have her.

So it was an earlier morning post vacation than I wanted, but I’m now sitting here at their third game today/the tournament semi-finals. DD is also playing well, so I think a week off from sports was good for her.

ETA- they ended winning 3 games today and then lost in the fourth - which was the championship. The top two teams in the tournament get to leapfrog the state tournament that they didn’t qualify for and go straight to regionals. So that means another tournament in two weeks which takes place during the start of our next vacation 😩 The tournament sounds incredible (at Olympic training facility and top teams from 24 sports, parade etc) so now sounds like DD and DH will come on our vacation on opposite coast with my whole extended family a couple days late.

[madringal]

This is peak swim championship season.

DD1 had her state meet this past weekend and did pretty well. Small PRs in 3/4 events. Recruiting has begun for the class of '26 and she's gotten interest from several schools so that's been a fun new development. She also found our two of her HS relays were named to the All American team. Pretty proud of that.

DD2 is in the middle of diving season. No idea when they may compete next.

DD3 got her very first championship cut! She's just 8 and it's all so cute and fun again. Her first divisional meet is in 2 weeks, swimming the 50 back.

[186momx]

madringal, did your oldest go to the Speedo meet? Do your girls enjoy watching swimming on TV? As much as I enjoy watching in person swimming I can't sit and watch it on TV. Same thing with gymnastics.

[mae0111]

DD2 is back at soccer camp this week. It's just a very low-key camp that literally cost $10, run by her BFF's church. She was not excited to go because it's over 90 degrees out, and she had to actually get out of bed at a reasonable time to make it there on time... but her BFF and BFF's mom were going to be there, so she seemed happy about that.

She ended up winning Camper of the Day and got an autographed poster of the local pro team. She was so happy! It was very cute.

I also got to speak to DD1 today. She's been gone for 3 weeks and will be home this weekend. I miss her! But she sounds like she's having a great time!

[waverly]

Has anyone here sent their kid on a mission trip? Thinking local and driveable. I have issues with some teen church groups, but I think there are some here that are credible.

Sounds like a cheaper way to send my kid away and have them actually work on something as opposed to the traditional sleep away camp model.

[mommyatty]

Jul 15, 2024 14:50:11 GMT -5 waverly said:

Has anyone here sent their kid on a mission trip? Thinking local and driveable. I have issues with some teen church groups, but I think there are some here that are credible.

Sounds like a cheaper way to send my kid away and have them actually work on something as opposed to the traditional sleep away camp model.

I have big feelings about these kinds of things, and none of them are positive. Generally, the kids are not helpful. It’s a boondoggle for them, and they get in the way of people who could actually accomplish the work if they weren’t trying to get kids not to kill themselves or others. And I have a real issue with the idea that “we will give you something life-sustaining like housing or a well, but only if we get to preach at you first.”

[waverly]

Jul 15, 2024 16:15:11 GMT -5 mommyatty said:

Jul 15, 2024 14:50:11 GMT -5 waverly said:

Has anyone here sent their kid on a mission trip? Thinking local and driveable. I have issues with some teen church groups, but I think there are some here that are credible.

Sounds like a cheaper way to send my kid away and have them actually work on something as opposed to the traditional sleep away camp model.

I have big feelings about these kinds of things, and none of them are positive. Generally, the kids are not helpful. It’s a boondoggle for them, and they get in the way of people who could actually accomplish the work if they weren’t trying to get kids not to kill themselves or others. And I have a real issue with the idea that “we will give you something life-sustaining like housing or a well, but only if we get to preach at you first.”

Oh I have an issue with missions for sure. But this is more like painting a church room or serving food. It’s local, U.S. think 2 hour drive. Not going to a foreign country. No well or housing type situations. Going to a similar congregation to help them out, so I’m not sure if there is any preaching done.

But I do think some teenagers will be mature enough to paint and serve food and some will be in the way and unhelpful. The description of one is they cook and serve breakfast each morning for a food kitchen. And have various projects in the afternoon. This is an LGBTQ affirming church that we used to attend, so I don’t have any issues with their messaging.

[madringal]

Jul 15, 2024 13:23:04 GMT -5 186momx said:

madringal , did your oldest go to the Speedo meet? Do your girls enjoy watching swimming on TV? As much as I enjoy watching in person swimming I can't sit and watch it on TV. Same thing with gymnastics.

No, we actually had our state meet this past weekend. Although she does have a few Speedo Sectional qualifying times. She swam that meet back in March for the first time.

We are a die hard swim family. We LIVE for swimming on TV. We got to go to trials for a few days and that was awesome. I tell people Olympic Swimming is our Super Bowl/World Series/Taylor Swift concert. PEAK entertainment!

[mommyatty]

DD had a great first day at goalie camp. I went and watched the last 45 minutes or so and she was all happy smiles and running to get in position. So as stressful as it is for me to be here this week, I’m glad I did it.

Today they’re going to be practicing defending against the ball being “lifted” which means the ball is flying at them not at ground level. This kind of scares DD (she’s gotten hit hard a couple of times) but she’s still excited to learn it. I’m proud of her physical bravery and her pushing through her discomfort and fear.

[erbear]

Jul 15, 2024 14:50:11 GMT -5 waverly said:

Has anyone here sent their kid on a mission trip? Thinking local and driveable. I have issues with some teen church groups, but I think there are some here that are credible.

Sounds like a cheaper way to send my kid away and have them actually work on something as opposed to the traditional sleep away camp model.

Do a lot of research on this before you agree to it. Aside from the hubris of the whole concept of missionaries, they build a white savior complex and largely exist to make affluent white kids feel better about themselves while not helping (at best) and harming (at worst) the people involved. It's a hard no for me.

[waverly]

Jul 16, 2024 17:11:58 GMT -5 erbear said:

Jul 15, 2024 14:50:11 GMT -5 waverly said:

Has anyone here sent their kid on a mission trip? Thinking local and driveable. I have issues with some teen church groups, but I think there are some here that are credible.

Sounds like a cheaper way to send my kid away and have them actually work on something as opposed to the traditional sleep away camp model.

Do a lot of research on this before you agree to it. Aside from the hubris of the whole concept of missionaries, they build a white savior complex and largely exist to make affluent white kids feel better about themselves while not helping (at best) and harming (at worst) the people involved. It's a hard no for me.

You are right I definitely need to check the demographics so that it isn't rich affluent kids going to a poor black area.  I had made an ASSumption that it wasn't based on the location they named, but I didn't actually check the area demographics.  Good point.  

I took a look at 3 churches.  The LGBTQ affirming one still seemed solid in terms of demographics.  The Catholic church (we are not Catholic and weren't going in this direction) seemed a bit suspicious, and the other church I looked at also was a bit questionable.  They served nearby communities of mixed demographics that were slightly poorer than ours and it kind of comes across as weird that they would serve those communities instead of ours since they were only 15 and 25 minutes away.  

I'm also not a fan of the Feed My Starving Children org.    

[mommyatty]

DD has learned a ton at camp this week. So have I, even though I mostly have had to work. Today I’m actually staying for the entire camp. (2.5 hrs) DD wanted me to.

I’ve learned 1) DD isn’t getting really any effective coaching with her team. They have a goalie coach who sometimes bothers to show up. But compared to what she’s getting this week, it’s a joke. Basically they shoot the ball at her and sometimes give her a tip, where here every time they shoot the ball, they critique everything from how far she’s turning out her hip to where her weight is to how she’s holding her stick. And 2) my kid is really, really coachable. Like every time they have a break, she grabs some water and then grabs a ball and works on things they’ve told her she needs to improve. When the other girls are taking their turn, DD is mirroring what the coaches are telling those girls about where their hands are, how their feet should be turned. And when they rotate, DD literally runs to where she’s supposed to be while the other girls kind of amble into position.

I’m really proud of DD. I think her coachability is such a testament to the kind of kid she is.