I’m a big believer in summer activities! It’s great for kiddos to get a break from the grind of the school year, but it’s also a great time for them to expand on their interests and build their skills!

• Summer camp, art classes, swim class, etc. are always great.
  • Check your local department of parks and recreation and see what they offer. Issaquah has a ton and is open to non-residents.
    •   Issaquah Department of Parks and Recreation:
    • http://www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/784
    •  Summer camps.
    • http://www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2887
    • Teens have options including counselors in training and Minecraft camps
    • Scholarships are available.
    • There are lists of ongoing classes including art and sports and also special activities, like Harry Potter night.
  • Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts might have good camp activities as well
• If your child is struggling socially, a targeted social skills camp can give extra feedback to your child and to you. I think getting feedback in the moment from peers and staff is very helpful.
  •  Aspiring Youth Program (http://aspiringyouth.net): They have cool themed groups like Magic the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons. Building and Inventing Camp, etc. 
  • Aspire Girls Puget Sound (www.washingtonautismadvocacy.org/updates/advocacy/aspire-girls-puget-sound/);
  • Casey’s Clubhouse (www.caseys-clubhouse.com/);
  •  Basic Beginnings in Kirkland (http://basicbeginnings.net/);
  •  ICAN (formerly Lakeside):  http://i-can.center/summer-social-group/
  • Mosiac Rehabilitation: http://www.mosaicrehab.com/issaquah/services/social-skills.php
  • Northwest Behavioral Associates (NBA): www.nba-autism.com
• If your child is struggling academically, summer is perfect for tutoring or summer school. Some other home learning options include:
  • Digipen (video game programming, art, animation, etc.)
    • https://projectfun.digipen.edu
  • Have the family read a book about something local and take a field trip there
  • Audiobooks
  • Podcasts
    •   List from Seattle Librarians
    • http://www.spl.org/audiences/teens/podcasts-for-teens
  • Reading list ideas for teens
    • List from Seattle librarians
      • http://www.spl.org/audiences/teens/teen-books-and-more/books-for-teens
    •  Teen summer book bingo
      •  http://www.spl.org/audiences/teens/teen-summer-of-learning
• If you have a teen, they could potentially work or volunteer over the summer.
  • Seattle Humane Society
    •  Kids programs for kids of all ages
    •   http://www.seattlehumane.org/education/kids-programs
    • Teens 13-17, training during the year in how to be a volunteer
      • http://www.seattlehumane.org/education/humane-teen-club
  • Athletes for Kids
    • https://athletesforkids.org/become-a-mentor-2/
    • Athletes at the local high school can volunteer to mentor a child with special needs
  • Counselor in Training
    •  8^th through 12^th grades
    • http://www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/Index.aspx?NID=1429
• If you all are hanging at home, that’s great too! They can still maintain some structure. Some ideas include:
  •  Set summer rules
    • Maybe a weekly schedule and goals for older kids to give them some structure and some flexibility
    • E.g., Read 100 pages this week, 4 hours screen time total, 2 hours outdoors, 4 hours social, 2 hours family time,  etc.