Beach Camp Week: In Preparation for the Real Thing

This week, I am thinking of doing a Beach Camp with the boys, since next week, we will be At the Beach. This might be tricky, since Joey has been something of a lump of anxious nerves since summer started, and part of the idea is to give him some structure. On the other hand, I need to limit expenses, as we need every dime we can put hands on to spend at the beach, since we will be there a whole week.

I thought the highlight of the week should be the Aquarium in Baltimore, but there are few roadblocks to this. For one, Joey has not been riding well in the car, and to ad to his anxiety, my van died. We're in a small neon right now. Two hours in a neon might not be good for the child's nerves. I also must consider he is facing a 4-hour trek to the beach in a week. For two, the aquarium is something of a love-hate thing for Joey. He loves the dolphins, the fish, the mirrors. He hates the dark and crowded parts. Do I risk adding anxiety in hopes that he will have a good time, in face of lots of new and exciting things in a week's time? On the other hand, it may be our chance for the summer to get up there. After we get back from the beach, Joey starts OT camp, and shortly thereafter my classes start. He has been saying he is interested in being a lifeguard, and he loves the dolphin show, and catching his interest might be worth the risk.

I also want to set up a schedule for the day, something I can put on paper and stick to. This is very difficult for us, as life is in constant flux, and things change quickly. I'd like for the days to go something like this:

7-8am: Rise and shine, get dressed and ready for the day.
8-9am: Breakfast
9-10:30 am: Mom works with grandma at the office. Boys get playtime or work on worksheets and reading.
10:30-10:45- Snacktime.
10:45-12:45: Pooltime. (Joey has swimming lesson at 11 on Fridays, so that would be covered).
12:45-2:00: lunch.
2:00-4:00 Camp Time!. (On Tuesdays, we have Speech Therapy at 2, and OT at 3-4, so this would be covered)
*** 2:00-2:30 Science Activity 1
***2:30-3:00 Craft Activity
***3:00-3:30 Science Activity 2
***3:30-4:00 Snack Activity
4:00-5:45- Pool Time.
5:45-6:30- Dinner
6:30-7:30- Boy Relaxation.
7:30- Time to start bedtime routines.


Now I just have to come up with all those activity things. I have some awesome science kits that Mom got for us, so if we don't have to stay too focused on a theme, we should do OK. I also have this odd feeling that I may need to clean my house- space and organization might be helpful. Fortunately, my summer classes are done, so I have a few minutes. After I set up the fall classes, of course, Yeeps. Oh, and Monday I have to stop by my college and turn in some paperwork. And then... and then...

Have activity suggestions? I'd love 'em! :)