If you aren't a fan of organized camps, why not have your child make his or her own? While camps do allow parents the convenience of dropping off their children for entire days, weeks or months, you may have the time to explore a number of select, city-run daily activities for your child (many of which are free).
This option is particularly beneficial if your child is independent enough to ride a bike, walk or take the bus on his/her own.
In such instances choosing your children's own entertainment - or having them choose - can be a better option as it gives kids a wider range of things they may be interested in doing.
Because many activities are only a few hours long this method can also give parents an afternoon or evening respite while still enjoying their kids'company throughout the summer months.
The City of Richmond, largely through its community centres, has numerous activities, courses and programs to choose from.
Many of them last only a few days but others can be spread throughout the summer.
One of the greatest things about summer in Richmond is the plethora of free events. Many are one off events, but there are a number of weekly activities for young children and teenagers, according to the City of Richmond's Parks, Recreation and Culture Guide.
If your child is under a certain age, parent or guardian participation and/or attendance is required.
However, older children have many more opportunities to spread their wings and explore the city on their own accord, without mom and dad's wallet.
If you're on a shoestring budget with a toddler there are many organized activities you can attend.
There are several community centres that offer preschoolers free "summer outdoor fun."
Parent participation at all of the two-hour, dropin activities is required and the start time is 10 a.m. - perfect for those on an afternoon napping schedule. Cambie offers story time every Tuesday, Lang Park (City Centre) offers crafts and games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and South Arm offers crafts, singing, games and stories on Mondays and Fridays.
Meanwhile, Steveston offers crafts, stories and fun at the water park every Wednesday, as well as the last weeks of July and August, from 1-3 p.m. Every Saturday, all summer long, South Arm Community Centre offers a free indoor playground from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for children 6-12, as long as they're accompanied by an adult.
