<p>I have never posted, but have been reading a lot over the last few months. You all have such a wealth of info. to share! I'm looking for ideas for a meaningful way for my son to spend the summer between graduating from HS and heading to college next year. He has worked for the past 2 summers and has a great work ethic, but we are fortunate enough that he really doesn't have to work for pay. I'd love to find something (3-4 weeks in July) that is more than just a glorified student travel trip. maybe something overseas with a community service component? Many of the programs cater to high school students, but not necessarily to the newly graduated student. anyone have any ideas, or kids who have done something like this? thanks in advance for your help.</p>
<p>Colleges are not going to be negative on a summer taking it easy....provided he did well his last year of HS. Many kids are just plain burnt out and need the rest. On the other hand, if their just hangin around the house it can get on everyone's nerves. So.....anything that is productive in some way will work...anything to break things up. Even an easy going vacation (after all it may be the second to last time you'll be able to vacation with him). Any trip, short or long is an experience that you get something from.</p>
<p>My kid did a 2 week Mexico language family thing and it was no different than a vacation to Mexico (except that he was away from us) which was ok too...sort of a prep for being away at college.</p>
<p>Neither of my kids was able to find anything more than a routine job for the summer before college. There seem to be very few organized programs for that particular summer.</p>
<p>I see that you are looking for an organized experience. My DH went to various countries throughout Europe and Israel with one friend. They stayed at a variety of youth hostils, and did this trip on a shoestring. He has lots of stories to tell, and he had quite a summer.</p>
<p>I would encourage my kid to stay at home and work for most of the summer. Even if I HAD the money, I would want my kid to save some money towards personal expenses/ books etc. for the coming school year. The summer between hs and college is a chance to say goodbye to HS friends, relax and prepare psychologically for the coming experience. JMHO!</p>
<p>If one can afford to, I think RELAXING and have FUN is not only a good idea but critical to wellbeing! Geez, obviously someone worked really hard in highschool and guess what? College is going to be hardwork too. Rest and relaxation (ie. vacation!) is essential. Unless you are aiming to burn out your kid. </p>
<p>It's why employers make employees take vacations. It's why caregivers are pushed to take care of themselves. Resting is AS IMPORTANT as work if you want to maximize your success and stay physically and mentally healthy.</p>
<p>It's rare in life adults have such a break between work and more work. Your son is fortunate to have this chance. One should take full advantage of it. I think it's a very important lesson for our chlidren to learn: to work hard but also play hard. To know work ethic is important, but also that guilt free rest is also really important to well-being.</p>
<p>I'm thinking about most h.s. student jobs... 30 hours a week of life guarding, working at the Grocery store, at Target, etc. still leaves hours and hours for leisure time and hanging out time and sleeping late time. Again.. just my opinion. And many of these jobs allow students to take some vacation time.. which goes back to the original post. Summer travel with community service. IES has some programs with an internship component which might fit the bill, although the internships may just be during the school year. <a href="https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Students/prospectiveStudents.html?clicked=p%5B/url%5D">https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Students/prospectiveStudents.html?clicked=p</a></p>
<p>Earn that cash and sock it away. Even if your child doesn't need it for tuition now, he might need it in the future. He can add to his 529 plan or put it in long-term CDs and forget about it for a while. One day he'll be glad to have the money in reserve. He can get meaningful experience while in college- hook up for internships, junior year abroad, etc.
My D#2 just got into JHU ED, so we have to scramble for cash to pay the bills (not such a great fin aid package). She still wants to teach music as a volunteer for the school district (4 hr/day for 4 weeks) as she has in the past, but needs to work more hours. She picked up an afternoon job at our bakery so she'll work about 35 hr/week for the summer.
We never sent a child on one of those programs; we made them work either for pay or as volunteers in areas where they had to learn skills or use skills they have.</p>