It's that time of the year again! Co-ops end, weekly activities come to a screeching halt, and outdoor sports no longer become outdoors because let's be real, who enjoys running around in 108° weather? The silver lining of being an ESA kid……. schooling doesn't have to stop. Summer is a time of adventure, of trying new things and discovering what additional activities your child may excel in and what may pique their interest. To me, summer is the great homeschool reset.
My husband and I have a goal of seeing all 50 states by the time we're 50. Inadvertently, my children have become accustomed to driving on long road trips that can take days and days in order to see one famous monument. Is there groaning in the car? Most certainly. Is the groaning coming from the kids or the adults? That's left for you to imagine.
The return on investment for these weekend or day trips reap dividends. History comes alive when a child is able to see and touch what they have previously learned. One of my children became obsessed with lava and lava flows when we visited Sunset Crater in Flagstaff; this turned into a long discussion and opportunity to learn about Pompei. Science became unforgettable for another child when we visited the Great Salt Lake in Utah and they discovered buoyancy first hand.
It is thanks to ESA that my children have been able to have the opportunity to have hands-on learning experiences. Let's be real, going somewhere and experiencing something first hand is much more enjoyable than only studying about it in a book.
Maybe you don’t want to travel far to experience learning opportunities in the good ol’ summertime. That’s completely understandable! There are incredible opportunities all over Arizona for you to engage in with your children. Check out Pathfinder’s awesome events guide to find fun ESA approved activities in your own back yard!
Summer is here! Time to grab your kids' floaties, water bottles, and Pathfinder Card to begin some new adventures. Stay tuned. My kids' adventures have just begun, and I can't wait to share them with you!
Until next time,
-Stacey Brown, Pathfinder Founding Mom
Have any questions and want to talk to Stacey directly? Reach out here!
