Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH | APRIL 2017 53 It’s Never Too Soon to Plan an Impactful Summer THE SUMMER PLANNING GUIDE Summer 2017 will be here before you know it. What will your kids be doing during that long stretch between June and August? Will they be expanding their minds, learning a new skill or improving on an existing one, making lifelong friends from around the globe or getting an internship or a job? We’ve put together some options on the pages to follow and have more ideas available on goodlifefamilymag.com. Happy planning! OVERNIGHT CAMPS AND PROGRAMS How do you choose from among the thousands of overnight programs, camps and trips out there? Ask an expert like Helene Abrams. In 1953 Hodding Carter, a prominent newspaper editor, noted in his book, Where Main Street Meets the River, that the two greatest things we can give our children are “roots and wings.” Nothing could be more accurate, according to Helene Abrams, a Dallas mom and local advisor for Tips on Trips and Camps, a free advisory service that not only connects parents and kids with camps and teen programs but is also the conduit for the lifetime connections that kids make while there. As parents, we want to hold our children close and help them establish their roots. Yet, Abrams says that equally as important is to give our offspring wings to explore, experience the world around them and create new relationships. No matter which camp or teen program your child chooses, these summer activities expose kids to new ideas. Abrams says it’s the relationships you build in life that differentiate you from others. “We have to let our kids go have experiences,” explains Abrams. “It’s an opportunity to reinvent oneself.” While many parents are anxious about sending their child away for the first time, Abrams’ specialty is matching teens and tweens to the perfect program, and the thorough vetting process helps reassure parents. For more information: Helene Abrams, 214.484.8141 or Helene@tipsontripsandcamps.com. by Karyn Brodsky "We have to let our kids go have experiences. It’s an opportunity to reinvent oneself.” Helene Abrams’Tips on Trips and Camps, a free advisory service, represents more than 600 overnight summer camps, trips and programs for students ages 8-18. These run the gamut from traditional and specialty camps to student travel and language immersion, from sports and cultural exploration to STEM programs and outdoor adventure and community service across the globe. Choose from internships and academic study on college campuses in the U.S. and abroad, music camps, digital media and robotics programs. There are overnight camps, pre-college programs, sailing and wilderness adventures, teen tours, biking, creative and performing arts programs, and camps that are perfect for those with special needs. On the next few pages are a few examples of the programs you might look into. - Helene Abrams, Tips On Trips and Camps