Whenever most of us think about summer camps, we usually think about the children being shuffled off to their own location while the parents spend a little bit of time on their own without the kids around. When it comes to family summer camps, however, nothing could be further from that reality. As a matter of fact, these camps are one of the best places for you to grow together as a family and to really spend some quality time, away from all of the distractions at home.
Of course, you're going to have a lot of decisions to make when it comes time to choose from all of the family summer camps that are available. Here are just some of the things you will have to consider.
Select a setting: Some people enjoy a rather rustic setting and there certainly are plenty of camps that give you that option. There are also family summer camps that are near mountains or beaches and others that give you a few more luxuries. Regardless of location you will be able to spend plenty of family time together.
Pick a religious or secular camp: Some family camps are operated by church groups and emphasize the beliefs of that denomination. Others, like the many YMCA family camps, do not promote or require a particular religious stance.
Consider the costs: Most family camps are surprisingly affordable, but they charge by the head. Some offer free or reduced rates to tiny tots; many others offer financial aid so that more families can enjoy camping together.
Choose a time: You can pick weekend or longer family camps. Keep in mind that weeklong camps may be too much for first time campers or very small children. There are lots of weekend family camps including some themed camps around holidays like Mother's Day, Memorial Day, or even Halloween.
What can you expect once you reach camp? First of all, there are going to be plenty of activities to keep you and the kids busy, but most will be optional. From arts and crafts to outdoorsy type of activities, you will be able to test your skills and even to gain some new ones along the way. Best of all, you will be able to spend quality time as parents and children, learning a little bit more about each other and growing together as family should.
The festival of Sant Juan (Saint John) is celebrated every year all over Spain between June 20th- June 24th. It climaxes on June 23rd when the summer solstice, or shortest night of the year is marked with an explosive mix of fireworks, bonfires and beach parties that wont stop until the sun comes up.
As well as the fireworks, stages with concerts, music and dancing will be set up around the city, with the busiest areas being Ciutat Vella, Eixample, Montjuic and Barceloneta, the popular beach side district of the city.
Bars and clubs will be open all night, and thanks to the free-spirited culture in Spain, alcohol will be cheap and fast flowing, even in the streets.
Party-goers will be arriving from all over the world to celebrate with the locals. Cava (champagne) will be drunk, Coca ( a traditional cake) will be eaten, and people of all ages and all walks of life will come together to party hard.
The festival of Sant Juan is without a doubt one of the best reasons to visit Spain, especially Barcelona, at this time of year. So, now that you have decided you want a piece of the action, here is a few tips from the locals as to how to get the most out of your experience. The festival of Sant Juan (Saint John) is celebrated every year all over Spain between June 20th- June 24th. It climaxes on June 23rd when the summer solstice, or shortest night of the year is marked with an explosive mix of fireworks, bonfires and beach parties that wont stop until the sun comes up.
As well as the fireworks, stages with concerts, music and dancing will be set up around the city, with the busiest areas being Ciutat Vella, Eixample, Montjuic and Barceloneta, the popular beach side district of the city.
Bars and clubs will be open all night, and thanks to the free-spirited culture in Spain, alcohol will be cheap and fast flowing, even in the streets.
Party-goers will be arriving from all over the world to celebrate with the locals. Cava (champagne) will be drunk, Coca ( a traditional cake) will be eaten, and people of all ages and all walks of life will come together to party hard.
The festival of Sant Juan is without a doubt one of the best reasons to visit Spain, especially Barcelona, at this time of year. So, now that you have decided you want a piece of the action, here is a few tips from the locals as to how to get the most out of your experience. The festival of Sant Juan (Saint John) is celebrated every year all over Spain between June 20th- June 24th. It climaxes on June 23rd when the summer solstice, or shortest night of the year is marked with an explosive mix of fireworks, bonfires and beach parties that wont stop until the sun comes up.
As well as the fireworks, stages with concerts, music and dancing will be set up around the city, with the busiest areas being Ciutat Vella, Eixample, Montjuic and Barceloneta, the popular beach side district of the city.
Bars and clubs will be open all night, and thanks to the free-spirited culture in Spain, alcohol will be cheap and fast flowing, even in the streets.
Party-goers will be arriving from all over the world to celebrate with the locals. Cava (champagne) will be drunk, Coca ( a traditional cake) will be eaten, and people of all ages and all walks of life will come together to party hard.
The festival of Sant Juan is without a doubt one of the best reasons to visit Spain, especially Barcelona, at this time of year. So, now that you have decided you want a piece of the action, here is a few tips from the locals as to how to get the most out of your experience.
Find accommodation. And do it quickly. In a city experiencing a continual and aggressive increase in tourist numbers, it may be difficult to find accommodation for this time of year in Barcelona. Especially if you have left it this late to make a booking.
Skip the hotels and hit the net to find an apartment for your stay. Renting an apartment is the perfect choice of accommodation for groups, couples or families of any size. It is the most affordable, private, safest and comfortable choice of accommodation.
Select your location strategically. You are in Spain. It is summer. It is hot and the sun is shining. You need to be close to the beach. Not only will the beach be packed with parties, bonfires and the freshest seafood on the Spanish coast, you need a comfortable place to recover from the night before during the day, and the beach is obviously a great choice.
Barceloneta is the area of the city to stay if you want to be close to the sand whilst still being well connected to the main areas of town, where all the action will be taking place.
Originally a small seaside fishing village, Barceloneta is a grid of narrow streets and residential apartments. The perfect place for a quiet retreat when and if, the bars discotheques finally close at dawn. Best of all, you are an easy 20 minute walk to the main areas of town such as La Rambla, El Born, Barrio Gotic and Raval.
In Barceloneta you will also find plenty of corner stores, cafes, restaurants and bars dotted around the place where you can buy anything from groceries, alcohol, cigarettes, souvenirs and sun cream.
Try the seafood. Trust us. Again, you are in Spain, on the coast. Barcelona is one of the cheapest places to sample really fresh seafood. From Paella to Octopus to Shrimp and Fish. It is all here.
You will not find it hard finding good seafood in Barceloneta. We recommend Ancora for a traditional (not packet) Paella starting from 10 euros per person. Find it on the corner of the main street Passeig de Joan de Borbon and Carrer de Almirall Cervera. They also do a great Sangria.
Get some rest. You are going to need it. The night of the 23rd is not to be missed. You are going to need all your energy to get the most out of it. Do this the Spanish way with a siesta after lunch on Saturday. We recommend a massage on Barceloneta beach. A full body massage will cost you about 10 euros and it is definitely money worth spent.
See the sights. There is plenty. You have come all the way to Barcelona, so you might as well check out some of the local attractions. There is plenty to choose from. If you do not have a lot of time, taking a bike tour is an excellent way of getting a glimpse of the city is top attractions and getting your bearings around town. If you have got a bit of time to spare, your list should include some of the following:
Gaudi masterpiece La Sagrada Familia The Gothic Cathedral and surrounding labyrinth of streets with some of the most well preserved architecture in Europe The Picasso or Dali museum The Aquarium (the biggest of its kind in Europe) Performers, tapas and shopping on La Rambla La Boqueria where seafood, fruit, meat and cheese can be found at its freshest.
So, that's about it. The essentials. That's all you really need to know. The best way to experience Sant Juan is to jump right in and go with the flow. Like most fiestas in Spain, anything can happen... Enjoy
Both Lee Williton & Gaizka Pujana are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lee Williton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports. If you want to know more about how can bring your family together, visit the. Lee Williton's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.
Gaizka Pujana has sinced written about articles on various topics from Barcelona Holidays, Family Travel and Culture and Society. Gaizka Pujana is the co-owner of Barcelona Homes, S.L. which is a company specialized in providing short term tenancy solutions in Seville and Barcelona through its web pages. Gaizka Pujana's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.