Summertime is sweet but also challenging for us parents trying to create the right summer flow for our kids and ourselves. The days are long, and finding that right balance between family time, activities for the kids, working and time for you isn’t easy. I wanted this summer to be different for the kids. When I say that I mean a little more structure, more time together and some variety to our long summer days. As a work from home mom, structure is a must. Then it dawned on me – how about a fun summer camp both of the kids can experience together? I was in search of a half-or full-day camp where the kids can play and learn new things while I catch up on work. When I found Five Seasons Family Sports Club, it was all of that plus more.
Kids Camp, Fitness Classes and More
The kids joined in on a day camp where they both enjoyed similar activities geared toward their age group (Five Seasons’ Summer Camps are for ages 5 – 12 years old); my 6 and 10-year-old fit right in that age range. They went on scavenger hunts, split up for age-appropriate activities, then it was off to the pool for lunch, snacks and swimming. For my almost 15 month old, Five Seasons introduced the fun Kids Club to me for ages 6 months – -8 years old.
In the meantime, I took advantage of the fantastic group fitness classes the first couple days – Pilates, cycling and body sculpt, to name a few. Afterward, I took time to catch up on work before I picked up the little one and met the big kids at the pool. Those first couple days we swam, laughed and talked about our day. Oh and my 6-year-old, Eva, she learned how to swim. Just like that. Listening to the excitement in their voices made me realize I had made a great decision.
Tennis for Kids and Adults
In fact, I was so intrigued, I wanted to come back for more. I found out about their tennis programs for kids and adults and although I am no adamant tennis player, I enjoy it and wanted to learn more. Especially since they are also known for their astonishing tennis programs. Showing up to the court, admittedly, I was intimidated. I saw a group of women playing who looked as if they knew the sport like the back of their tennis racket. I was worried I would walk in and look like some novice tennis player, obviously unskilled at this energetic, fun sport. However, what happened was the complete opposite.
The patient pro teacher who was instructing the weekly Drills and Skills class greeted me right away. He handed me tennis racket and showed me the ropes within minutes. Before I knew it, I was laughing with other ladies, learning right along with them. We were all different levels, some more experienced and some beginners like myself. It was fun and also empowering – to my surprise, I wasn’t all that bad.
Pickleball
Afterward, my confidence high, I was encouraged to try pickleball. What’s pickleball, you ask? I didn’t know either, in fact right now, not many people know about this fast-growing sport. If I had to explain it, it’s like tennis and ping pong mashed together. Speaking with the Pickleball expert who joined me on the court, many people enjoy this over tennis as it’s a more doable sport for a wider ranged audience. Two or four players use solid paddles to hit a perforated polymer ball over a net, the ball is much like a Wiffle ball actually, and it’s a great sport to play with a group of close friends. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it! Five Seasons is full of surprises.
Fun Friday
We wrapped up the week on Friday, or what the Kids Camp calls it, “Fun Pizza and Popsicle Friday,” where the kids don’t need to pack a lunch. Instead they enjoy a tasty pizza party followed by pool time and a refreshing Popsicle after tennis to complete the day. It was the kids’ turn to try out this all-new sport (to them) and I was one proud mama. My oldest, Will, told me earlier in the week that he really didn’t want to play. I told him to give it a try, especially since he hasn’t played before. To my surprise after his first experience, he told me he wished he would have given it a try earlier with the other camp kids.
I was so proud, watching them try something new, and it was mind blowing how they picked up on tennis so quickly! The older kids spent more time playing singles and doubles, while the younger kiddos (including Eva) took breaks playing games on the court like “Red Light, Green Light.” I loved being able to watch them from birds-eye view of the tennis court (parents are welcome to watch from the lobby!)
Come Check Out Five Seasons
A week of fitness classes by fantastic instructors, swimming, camp and smiles and laughter from my kids really made a great start to our summer; it was exactly what we needed to find some structure and excitement in our week!
You can still squeeze your kiddos into camp this summer! Learn more about camps, kids club, fitness classes, tennis and more at fiveseasonssportsclub.com/cincinnati.