It ’ s that time of year most parents dread . Summer Camp planning season . For working parents , organizing eleven weeks of summer child care can feel like a full-time job itself . Finding camps that offer both fun and learning while not breaking the bank can seem like an insurmountable task .

As you start researching options , keep in mind there may be great options at your local school .

Collette Jeffries manages the CMS ASEP ( After School Enrichment Program ). In addition to traditional summer camps , she said they will also offer three STEM camps and three sports camps . Some locations may offer karate , technology and sports instruction . Each week has a theme , with corresponding field trips to places such as museums , bowling alleys and splash parks .

ASEP camps are offered at nine schools : Pineville , Oakhurst , Winget Park , Olde Providence , Irwin , John Motley Morehead , Croft Community , Matthews and J . H . Gunn . You do not need to be enrolled at these schools to attend , except the grant-funded program at Gunn is by invitation only .

Camps run from 7 a . m . to 6 p . m . and the cost is only $ 135 / week . Registration opened February 1 st , and Ms . Jeffries emphasized that “ We take about 150 students at each location , and spots fill up fast .” Information can be found online , but registration must be done through your child ’ s school . Visit http :// www . cms . k12 . nc . us / cmsdepartments / asep / Pages / default . aspx for more details .

Certain schools offer their own programs ; before you finalize summer

plans , ask around to see what is available at your current school or the one your child is moving on to next year . For example , McClintock Middle has a 2-week full day Summer Science Experience for current students and rising sixth graders . It ’ s free of charge , thanks to their generous community partners .

Shannon Gibson has been teaching the 6 th -grade camp for several years . “ We combine Camp Invention curriculum with Discovery Education in order to create a unique experience for our kids ,” she said . Students are put into small groups , which allows them to build relationships and become acclimated to middle school . Everything is hands-on and interactive , providing room for creativity . Field trips to UNCC are an integral part of the experience .

Another interesting program is

Spectrum of the Arts , which is a two-week program for talented 4 th - 8 th graders . Teachers can nominate students for music , art , dance , drama , or creative writing , and there is a lottery for acceptance . However , returning students are guaranteed a spot . Visit www . spectrumofthearts . com . for more information .

Summer vacation may seem like a long way off , but many camps open registration February 1 st and popular programs fill up fast . It ’ s never too early to start compiling your list of options .

Victoria Johnson is a CMS parent and runs Summer Camp Guru , a free online camp directory and search tool designed to help parents find and organize summer camp options . www . summercampguru . com