Planning for our first school summer break has been on my mind much earlier than I expected.
As I write this, my daughter is still enjoying her preschool years. Next summer, though, everything will be different. She’ll have finished her first year of school, and instead of heading to daycare each weekday, she’ll be off for the summer with weeks stretching ahead of us.
Recently, I was chatting with another mum whose child graduated from daycare last year. She mentioned she’d already enrolled her child in a STEM camp at St. Lawrence College, along with looking into programs at the Aquatarium and the YMCA. It was one of those conversations that stayed with me long after it ended.
It made me realize that next summer is going to arrive much faster than I think.
As a working single mum, I can’t simply wait until June to figure everything out. Camps fill up quickly, childcare takes planning, and budgets don’t magically stretch overnight. While I haven’t experienced our first school summer break yet, I wanted to share how I’m already preparing—and hopefully help other single mums who are thinking about the same thing.
Why Summer Break Feels Different
daughter picking up sticks
For years, daycare has provided structure and consistency. My daughter has had a routine, and so have I.
Next summer, that routine changes completely.
Instead of dropping her off each weekday, I’ll need to figure out how to balance work, childcare, and making sure she’s having a fun and memorable summer.
My initial thought?
“Oh dear… what am I going to do, and what camps are available near me?”
I’m sure many working parents have had exactly the same thought.
The Reality of Being a Working Single Mum
laptop with light blue cardigan
Being a single mum often means there’s no second parent to split the planning with.
Every decision falls on your shoulders.
Questions start piling up:
- Which camps should I book?
- How much will they cost?
- Will they fit around my work schedule?
- What happens on weeks when there aren’t any camps?
- Can family help?
- What if my daughter doesn’t enjoy a camp?
These are all questions I’ve already started asking myself.
Thankfully, my mum plans to help where she can, and I’m incredibly grateful for that support. Even so, I don’t want all of the responsibility to fall on her. I want to create a balance between family help, summer camps, and quality time together.
Learning from Other Mums
kids camp
One thing I’ve learned already is that other mums are an incredible source of knowledge.
Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to open your eyes to opportunities you hadn’t even considered.
Before chatting with another local mum, I hadn’t really thought about just how many summer camp options might be available.
Some of the ideas she mentioned included:
- STEM camps
- YMCA day camps
- Aquatarium programs
That conversation reminded me that asking questions is never a bad thing.
I also know I’ll be keeping an eye on local Facebook groups and community pages over the coming months. Parents are often the first to share registration dates, reviews, recommendations, and hidden gems that don’t always appear in a Google search.
If you’re preparing for your child’s first school summer, don’t be afraid to ask around. Chances are another parent has already been through exactly what you’re about to experience.
Starting to Plan Early
Self-care moment journaling
If there’s one lesson I’m taking into next summer, it’s this:
Start planning earlier than you think you need to.
I’m someone who likes being organized, and I know waiting until the last minute would only add unnecessary stress.
My plan is to:
- Research local camps well before registration opens.
- Set aside a little money each month.
- Book vacation time early.
- Keep Fridays free for family adventures.
- Create a rough summer calendar.
Even if plans change, having a starting point feels much less overwhelming than scrambling once school finishes.
Budgeting for Summer
budgetting
Let’s be honest—summer camps aren’t cheap.
From what I’ve seen so far, some camps can cost around $300 per week, depending on the program.
That can add up quickly.
Instead of trying to fill every week with paid camps, I’m planning to create a balance.
Some weeks may include camps, while others will focus on free or low-cost activities.
That feels much more realistic for our family and our budget.
If you’re a working parent, even putting aside a small amount each month throughout the year could make a huge difference once registration opens.
Our Friday Adventure Days
Rotary water park
One thing I’m genuinely excited about is having Fridays off next summer.
I’m already imagining them becoming our special mum-and-daughter adventure days.
They don’t have to be expensive.
Some of the ideas already on my list include:
- Visiting splash pads
- Spending the day at the beach
- Packing a picnic
- Exploring local parks
- Visiting the library
- Going to the zoo
- Taking short road trips
- Enjoying an ice cream together
- Exploring community festivals and events
Sometimes the simplest days end up becoming the most memorable ones.
Not Every Day Needs to Be Planned
gazebo playing
If I’m being completely honest, I probably feel a little pressure to make summer “perfect.”
I think a lot of parents do.
But children don’t need every single day packed with activities.
If you asked my daughter what she’d like to do all summer, she’d probably be perfectly happy playing with her toys at home and watching a bit of TV.
That reminder is actually comforting.
Some days we’ll head out on adventures.
Other days we’ll stay home.
We’ll probably have rainy days, tired days, and days where nothing goes according to plan.
And that’s okay.
Summer doesn’t need to be perfect to be memorable.
Choosing Camps That Match My Daughter
Eastern YMCA
Every child is different.
My daughter already enjoys STEM activities, so I think those camps could be a great fit.
Swimming is another activity I think she’ll absolutely love.
She does take a little while to warm up in new environments, so I know I need to be mindful of that when choosing programs.
I’m less interested in filling every minute of her summer and more interested in finding experiences she’ll genuinely enjoy.
Making friends, learning something new, and building confidence are just as important as keeping her busy.
My Summer Break Planning Checklist
checklist
Before next summer arrives, here’s what I hope to accomplish:
- Research local summer camps.
- Join local parenting and community Facebook groups.
- Start saving a little money each month.
- Book vacation days at work.
- Create a rough summer calendar.
- Plan free Friday adventures.
- Mix paid camps with free activities.
- Leave room for spontaneous fun.
- Remember that quiet days at home are perfectly okay too.
My Advice to Other Single Mums
working at my desk
If you’re in the same stage of life as me, here’s what I’d say.
Start planning now.
Ask other parents what worked for them.
Look into community organizations.
Budget a little throughout the year if you can.
Most importantly, don’t feel like you have to do everything on your own.
Parenting can sometimes feel isolating, especially as a single mum, but there are so many people willing to share ideas and help point you in the right direction.
Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to spark a plan.
Looking Ahead
summer memories
Next summer will be a brand-new experience for both my daughter and me.
I’m sure there will be moments where plans change, camps don’t go exactly as expected, and our schedule feels a little chaotic.
But I’m also excited.
Excited to watch her try new activities.
Excited to see her make new friends.
Excited for our Friday adventures together.
Most of all, I’m excited to create another season of memories.
If I’ve learned anything already, it’s that summer isn’t about filling every hour of every day.
It’s about finding a balance between work, family, fun, and making the most of the time we have together.
And if planning ahead now helps next summer feel a little less overwhelming, then I’d say it’s time well spent.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post as much as I enjoyed writing it, if you did you may enjoy reading one of these blog posts:
Summer Memories on a Budget: Creating Meaningful Moments as a Single Mum
A Realistic Single Mum Summer Routine: A Week in My Life
Summer Fashion: A Single Mum’s Practical Approach
I share more real-life moments from single motherhood, Ontario adventures, everyday style, food finds, and behind-the-scenes blogging over on Instagram.
Come say hello: @lifeofgem28
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