It's hard all around. Last year we didn't plan vacation early and then had trouble with all the good houses being booked when we were ready!

I agree with you, OP. I hate that we have to plan every minute through September and the stress of specialty camps filling up. I booked two weeks of camp for now and that is all I am doing. I don't know when we will want to take long weekends away or trips to see family and I don't want to have to plan August in February. It would be different if it were planning a major family vacation but we do that during spring break.

There are a couple of camps nearby they can always attend last minute if we need them. Local martial arts, through parktakes, etc.

Anonymous wrote:OP you need to practice planning better.

Its very possible to plan an entire summer of travel, camp and downtime and pay for it early, and save money without having to make cancellations and changing things.

We manage this every year as do many, many others.

I am able to plan my summer in January, as I have a lot of control over my work schedule. I understand, however, that many cannot plan their professional lives that far in advance.

Anonymous wrote:I agree it's a pain. I don't know what will be happening at work 6 months in advance so I often end up forced to take vacation when I have a bunch going on because that's how I planned the camps.
On the filling up thing, I think it depends a lot on age of kids. My older kids only want to do camps that are directed to their interests, and those can book up. The camps for younger kids are all basically the same--some combo of crafts, swimming, games, free play--so that's not that big a deal. But if you have an older kid that really is into robotics or something like that, your options narrow more quickly.

This is also a problem for me. Last summer, I planned and took vacation at the end of the summer but schedule-wise with deadlines, etc, it would have been much better to take vacation in mid-July.

I agree it's a pain. I don't know what will be happening at work 6 months in advance so I often end up forced to take vacation when I have a bunch going on because that's how I planned the camps.
On the filling up thing, I think it depends a lot on age of kids. My older kids only want to do camps that are directed to their interests, and those can book up. The camps for younger kids are all basically the same--some combo of crafts, swimming, games, free play--so that's not that big a deal. But if you have an older kid that really is into robotics or something like that, your options narrow more quickly.

I started and finished in January, but my kids only go to two different camps so that streamlines the registration process. We scheduled our summer vacation around the camp schedule.

OP you need to practice planning better.

Its very possible to plan an entire summer of travel, camp and downtime and pay for it early, and save money without having to make cancellations and changing things.

We manage this every year as do many, many others.

I never plan it too early (fortunately I don't need them for care per say), I can assure you that PLENTI of very good camps are available reasonably close to the dates or even last minute. I think that it's the camps and the marketing it to us meant to make us feel that you must to it early or else.
There's so many good providers that habe openings until they begin.

Why do you have to make changes and lose money?

I am with you, though, on the need to plan so early.

We don't make changes in summer plans once the camps are booked.

Our camps are all set right now and so are our vacation plans.

OP I'm with you. It drives me crazy that you have to commit so early--and PAY! Every year I vow not to give in to the hype that the camps will fill up and just wait, but then I freak out about having no place to send my kid. It's a total racket.

OP I'm with you. It drives me crazy that you have to commit so early--and PAY! Every year I vow not to give in to the hype that the camps will fill up and just wait, but then I freak out about having no place to send my kid. It's a total racket.

OP, what are you talking about? If your kids want to go to camp you send them. Why do you have to make all these changes?

Uh, what?

I hate planning early and forking money over. ultimately I lose money because of mid summer change in plans cancellation fees and missed days of over scheduling. One more month to go, August!