ORGANIZING A STAYCATION

The term “Staycation” has been coined by the media to describe how many families are spending their vacation time this summer. Steep gas prices and the rising cost of consumer products are making folks look carefully at how they spend dollars to have fun. More and more families are deciding to stay at home rather than travel any distance for a family holiday
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We have all taken time off to finish projects or laze around the house for a few days to recuperate from a grueling schedule. With a little thought and planning, staying at home for your vacation can be more exciting than that.

What is your budget?
The point of a staycation is to have fun you can afford, so know what your budget is and plan accordingly. You may opt for one big splurge day or a low cost event everyday. Figure travel expense for the activities and know the cost of admission to the activities you plan. Figure in the cost of food. You have your accommodations at your own sweet home, so you have already economized.

What is fun for your family?
Is it theme parks, nature or learning about art and history? Many families have a wide range of interests. Dad may be interested in history, Mom may love theater, the kids may love animals, or video games, or the beach. Decide what you would like to do during the time you have available. One idea is to let each family member plan a “my perfect day”. If that day is staying home, being king of the remote and not having to do a single chore, so be it. It is only one day and somebody is very happy. You can go places and do things the other vacation days.

What is your plan?
Get information from the tourist bureaus in nearby cities or peruse their web sites. You may be surprised at the places there are to visit within a ten or twenty mile drive. Tourists flock to your area because there are worthwhile things to see. In this area you can swim, fish, surf, observe dolphins and whales. You can visit museums dedicated to children’s interests, marine science, visual arts and military history. You can take tours that visit historic neighborhoods, naval shipyards, a television station, botanical gardens, a farm and the dismal swamp. You can shop in quaint little shops and outlets. You can go to waterparks, amusement parks, an archeological dig and the zoo. There are concerts and theaters and festivals to attend. That could fill a week or two and offer something for everyone in the family.

You can even choose to plan time without driving. Bicycle somewhere or walk the neighborhood and conduct a paper scavenger hunt by listing the items as you find them on your way. This is a great way to learn the names of flowers, and identify nearby street names. (Scavenger clue: a president = Find: a street named Polk)

If the budget is very small, plan picnics and eat at home options to defray costs. Look for free activities on line and in local papers and call the department of parks and recreation, museums and cultural centers to explore free and low cost offerings. Look at having at-home activities like a ball game, horse shoes, croquet, a bean bag toss tournament or a sculpting contest.

Are you ready to have fun?
If you get ready for a staycation just as you would for a vacation you will enjoy it more. Know what you plan to do every day and be prepared for it. Have equipment ready if you are playing at home. Have the suntan lotion handy and the beach towels washed if you are going to the beach and find the binoculars if you are going to the ball game. Wash the clothes and get in the groceries so you will not have to shop or do unnecessary chores.

The most important thing about vacation is that it gives us a break in our routine. It is an opportunity to refresh and renew ourselves and spend extra time with those we love. You don’t have to travel a lot of miles to do that.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net