Tag: summer programs

Summer Vacation and Learning in Children

Summer vacation is half way and school registrations are in progress. So, what happens to the child’s learning during summer vacation. According to the recent article published in TIME Magazine, studies show that summer vacation deprives children of healthy learning stimulation. And, summer learning programs may keep their minds active and sharp. 🙂

Summer Vacation

High temperatures and sun make three months long summer vacation inevitable. The year long learning (?) at schools evaporates during summer vacation. However, children learn sports, swimming, martial arts and other favorite activities during summer. Summer learning may be through travelling, observation, reading, spending time with family and so on.

Some families may afford to send their children to special camps and programs, while some families prefer to keep the kids at home. Some states have extended summer classes, others do not. Children need summer vacation to learn about the world in a new and different perspective.

Summer Programs

Major summer programs at the local library or parks department are available to the general public at reasonable and reduced prices. Some programs and camps are entirely free though some may require prior registration. The summer schools at the public schools are for academically weaker children. Though you may send your child to any private institution to foster academic learning.

In the USA, a child attends school for 180 days, the total class instruction ends up to 1080 hours. However, the typical math scores for fifteen year children is only 474. Whereas, in South Korea, a child attends school for 204 days, the total class instruction ends up to 545 hours and even then, the math scores for a fifteen year child is 547.

Elementary school children may not feel the difference in academics but high school children may feel challenged to learn the advanced concepts after a summer vacation. A child’s learning depends on the individual’s abilities. Modern parents are looking forward to develop their child in all areas to face the global market. 🙂

Public Parks – Moline, Illinois

Moline city in Illinois has around twenty public parks for the community. The Riverside Park, Greenvalley park, Prospect park, Sylvan island and Stephens park are some of the bigger parks. The park board arrange summer concerts and movies for public entertainment and free of cost. 🙂


Moline public parks organize summer concerts at Stephens Square every Monday at 7pm. Further, starting June 23rd, the parks arranged Jazz concert series at Bass Street landing.

Summer Programs

Moline Public parks offer training in different areas such as basketball, softball,tennis, dodgeball, kickball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, mushball and so on. In addition, they have classes for cooking, oil painting, swimming, dog training, yoga, fitness classes, flag football, greenhouse classes and so on. The parks offer summer day camp for children apart from other fun activities.

You can reach the park office at 3635, 4th Avenue or call them on 524-2424. You can register for swimming at Riverside Aquatic center on 797-0788.  The parks feature free movie in the Riverside park in August every Friday.

The park shelters can be registered by calling 524-2424. The picnic shelters may be reserved in advance for $35 for small shelters and $95 for large shelters. The shelters are ideal for birthday parties or family get-together. Playgrounds and rest areas are available in all the parks for public convenience.

For simple play and family fun the public parks are the best option. 🙂

Public Parks – Bettendorf, Iowa

Bettendorf city in Iowa has multiple public parks which have planned amazing summer programs for the community. There are around twenty two parks out of which Veterans Memorial Park, Kiwanis Park, and Middle Park are the largest.


McManus Park is my personal best, though smaller in acreage it has all the facilities. The mulch surface playground is safer and preferable for kids. The sand surface playgrounds found in other parks are also found in this park.

Summer Programs

Veterans Memorial park airs movies every Saturday after sunset in June. It is a free family entertainment and a great time pass for children.

Bettendorf public parks offer many other programs such as  disc golf courses, swimming sessions, softball training, tennis training, baseball coaching, fitness classes and so on. Crow Creek Park has a skate park and cross country course. The cross country course is a two mile and three mile layout with rest areas in between.

The picnic shelters in the parks can be registered by calling 344-4113. The park’s summer camps can be reached at 344-4467. The camps include day camps for younger children and teen camps for young adults. Bettendorf parks have neighbourhood playground programs for children agres 6 to 12 which can be registered on 344-4131.

My best pick is movie in the park which am looking forward this Saturday. 🙂