Day Camps in Hot Springs and Central Arkansas

Summer is coming. We can't avoid it. School will be out soon, and parents will be looking for ways to keep their precious cargo off the streets for at least one more year.

What do you do with those too old to be put into a day care situation, but yet too young to be left at home alone. Though some fortunate mothers are financially able to stay at home with their children, too many are not. Even those mothers who teach school are often forced to attend in-service conferences, teach summer school or even return to school themselves to keep their continuing education hours up to date for their recertifications.

So what to do with the little darlings? While researching this article, I found dozens of churches, school and day care providers that had something for 1-2 or even 4 weeks of the year. The following are those who offer something each week for at least 6 weeks during the summer months, other than just a babysitting service.

My first choice would be Family Farm Christian Day Camp in Glen Rose, Arkansas. I included this one because they offer transportation from Hot Springs for their campers each day. It's an extra $10 added onto the camp fee, but for what they offer, I as a parent, feel it is well worth it! Simply take your child to Lakeside Baptist Church, the bus picks them up at 7:45 each morning, takes them to camp, and drops them back off to parents at 5:00 in the afternoon. They will also pick up children from the Benton and Arkadelphia areas.

Family Farm runs it's camp from June 12-August 3. Each week, campers ages 6-12 have an opportunity to get out and experience nature at it's finest. Horseback riding through open fields, fishing on the banks of a beautiful pond, or canoeing along the shores of a sparkling blue lake are just some of the adventuresome activities kids can participate in. Students who have lived in town all their life get a chance to visit the year-long residents of the camp, and the goats and other farm animals that make up the petting zoo love the attention and the treats they get from from all the kids.