When school lets out, summer camps for kids offer parents a great way to keep their children active and engaged, while also offering parents some relief. For co-parents, figuring out how these activities fit into a parenting plan can sometimes become a source of stress. With a bit of thoughtful planning and communication, you can incorporate summer camps into your parenting plan in a way that minimizes conflict and prioritizes your child’s best interests.
Tips for Including Summer Camps in Your Parenting Plan in San Diego
Your parenting plan should clearly address how summer camps for kids will be handled. Here are specific items to include:
- Decision-Making Authority
Indicate whether one or both parents will have the authority to enroll the child in summer camps. If joint decision-making is preferred, include a timeline for reaching agreement so there’s time to secure a spot. - Scheduling Framework
Define the weeks during which camp can be scheduled, and how camp attendance will affect regular parenting time. For example:- If camp runs Monday through Friday, will pick-ups and drop-offs follow the normal schedule?
- Will weekends stay consistent, or rotate based on camp dates?
- Camp Type and Location Preferences
Set expectations for the types of summer camps for kids that are acceptable (overnight vs. day camps, distance from home, etc.). This helps to avoid disputes about what is considered reasonable. - Financial Responsibility
Outline how the costs of summer camps for kids will be divided and when payment is due. Consider adding language about reimbursement timelines or setting a budget on total summer expenses. - Notice and Communication
Include a requirement that each parent provide advance notice before enrolling the child in any camp. A 30-day notice period gives time to discuss details and adjust the schedule if needed.
Common Areas of Conflict and How to Avoid Them
Even the best co-parenting dynamics can hit roadblocks when summer break rolls around. These are some of the most common issues and some tips on how to avoid them:
- Scheduling Overlaps: If one parent signs a child up for camp without consulting the other, it could interfere with the agreed-upon custody schedule.
- Solution: Decide together which weeks are available for summer camps and outline that in the parenting plan.
- Cost Sharing: Summer camps for kids can get expensive. One parent may feel it’s unfair to cover costs alone.
- Solution: Spell out in the parenting plan how camp costs will be divided, whether it’s equally, proportionally to income, or with one parent covering specific camps.
- Camp Selection: Disagreements may arise over what type of camp is appropriate (e.g., sports vs. academic).
- Solution: Use your parenting plan to define how decisions about summer camps will be made.
Updating Your Parenting Plan as Kids Grow
What works one summer might not work the next. Kids’ interests evolve, and so do their schedules. Your parenting plan should have some flexibility built in or include a process for revisiting these decisions each year. Many co-parents also find it helpful to use shared online calendars or co-parenting apps to keep track of important dates and activities.
If your current parenting plan doesn’t address summer camps for kids, it might be time to update it. In California, parenting plans can be modified when there’s a change in circumstances or by mutual agreement between the parents. A San Diego family law attorney can help ensure the update is legally sound and clearly written.
Work with a San Diego Family Law Attorney
Summer should be a time for kids and parents to enjoy meaningful moments together without the burden of co-parenting stress. At Fair Cadora, we know how important it is to create a parenting plan that supports your child’s well-being and allows both parents to enjoy the summer months with peace of mind.
Whether you’re drafting a new parenting plan or updating one to include summer camps for kids, our San Diego family law attorneys can guide you every step of the way. We’ll help you find practical, child-focused solutions that minimize conflict and set your family up for a smooth, enjoyable summer.
Schedule a consultation with Fair Cadora today and take the first step toward a plan that works for everyone.
