Education Today: Vacation Or Staycation?

*Content provided by our sponsor Michigan Education Savings Plan. 

By Sharlonda Buckman, CEO, Detroit Parent Network

Michigan summers offer us 90 days of warmer weather and with it, the choice of how to spend these days.

Families need to get away from the routine of the school year -- and after our winters, we deserve it.

The awesome thing about living in Michigan is that the state becomes a vacation wonderland in the summer. There is so much to learn about Michigan and its great lakes and so much to see; you can create a great vacation no matter the size of your budget.

A simple weekend road trip Up North to fish, boat or hike, or a planned weekend in downtown Detroit to enjoy the Riverwalk, the arts, and many of the new restaurants around Campus Martius.

But there's also the possibility of staycations!

Last year, my family embarked on a spontaneous camping trip in our backyard. I have never seen my kids happier than putting up the tent while our dog Pepper barked uncontrollably at the excitement.

My husband helped the kids make seats out of tree branches.

I am not an outdoorsy kinda girl so the best thing about our backyard camping, including roasting hotdogs at the bonfire the kids helped build, was that I could enjoy it all as I sat comfortably on the sofa. I know that's a little unfair but a vacation should have a good balance of comfort for all parties.

After all that tent building activity, mommy needed a sofa versus a wooden tree stump to snuggle on.

Ahhh— the smell of S'mores as I clicked through the channels and thought of this as the best family camping I had ever experienced. I completely cheered them on as they settled into sleeping bags to sleep. As I woke the next morning and looked out on my family, I was happy to see them all there still sleeping while my husband and 5-year-old daughter competed in a snoring competition. They had the time of their lives and we didn't even leave the house.

When I asked them what they enjoyed most and what they learned, my daughter commented on the hot dogs and the marshmallows, while my 13-year-old son enjoyed staying up late outdoors, fresh air and learning the best way to make s'mores.

I think we will camp again this year and also visit the beaches in Saugatuck.

My advice to any parent: GET AWAY, plan a vacation and create memories with your family, even if you camp in your own backyard. Through these fun adventures, our children are still learning and their imaginations make the most memorable stories to be told for years.

What's your Vacation/Staycation story?

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