Camp Quarantine - by Nick Schmidt, COTW Operations Manager
With several children attending school while both parents are working, this self-quarantine has been challenging, exhausting, and, at times, fun, too.
Online schooling is done in waves with the 7th and 8th graders working early in the morning, followed by the 6th graders who have a mid-morning and a mid-afternoon school schedule. Last, the high-schoolers take the afternoon school shift.
Other activities include PE, which consists of online karate classes, playing ball in the backyard, swimming, and on bad weather days, running on the treadmill, and online yoga or dance. Take your children to work if you have online meetings. Our children enjoyed meeting our coworkers on video calls, some of whom are out of state and out of country (an added bonus is team-building and connecting with co-workers).
More enjoyable pastimes include parades through the house, band concerts in the den (you can use homemade instruments), and camp-outs either outside or indoors in the den with blanket tents. A fun and educational activity we enjoyed was having each child researching a facts/accomplishments about a famous person they were interested in. We would then have a party for the famous person while discussing facts/accomplishments. As an added math lesson, the child(ren) can measure out ingredients to make the party treat. Since online ordering has increased, we have an abundance of cardboard boxes around. Challenge your young folks to make a project from boxes.
A highly rewarding experience is to make a meal for someone you know who might live alone. Bring a child to say hi from a safe distance and to let your child experience giving. You can also text theme music to accompany dinner (music to go with Mexican, Italian, etc) or bring a small floral arrangement.
Finally, there is the Quarantine Spa. Yes, this is parents only! Select a peaceful spot away from the children, for us it is a hammock in the back yard or our bathroom. Use the time to enjoy a quiet moment in the yard or a long hot bath, and have one parent watch the kids while the other one enjoys some peaceful time alone. You can also delay your dinner or dessert and have a date night outside (or inside after smaller children go to sleep).
These are just a few of the ideas the Schmidt family used to keep a little fun and family in the mix of “Camp Quarantine”.
