| > | | | | with thundering waterfalls, scheduled nature learning |
| | | | activities, and a large play ground. The activity I think |
| The family vacation is a tradition intended to bring | | | | the kids enjoyed the most was the natural swimming |
| families closer together and one that many of us | | | | area, with diving boards, at the bottom of a beautiful |
| would just not think of giving up. Quality time for the | | | | waterfall. |
| family reinforces the importance of family values. It's | | | | As an added bonus, when you are registered at a |
| sort of a "time out" from the day to day routine of | | | | state park, you gain free entrance into all state parks. |
| living and growing. A chance to focus on getting to | | | | This area is loaded with beautiful parks full of gorge |
| know better those that are most important to us, our | | | | trails, lake views, and camping facilities. And, if you find |
| family. Of course, how much importance you place on | | | | the time, you can visit the Corning Glass Museum not |
| this event depends on your past experiences. | | | | far from this campground. |
| In today's fast paced society a vacation just isn't a | | | | This is a tourist area you will definitely find yourself |
| vacation unless its costing you a small fortune to get | | | | wanting to revisit. We did not get to see all we had |
| to, and stay at, some exotic venue that usually offers | | | | wanted to see in a weeks time. You are likely to find |
| no excitement without dishing out more money. I | | | | an area of such natural beauty convenient to you as |
| suggest we put on the brakes and get back to basics. | | | | well. Just do a little research, you never know what |
| You surely won't have a better opportunity to do so | | | | you'll find! |
| than on the family vacation. | | | | If you want to beach it, be sure to check out all your |
| Let's not forget that the "family" extends beyond our | | | | options for lodging. Sometimes a large family can do |
| home life. Most of us have family that we rarely get to | | | | better by renting a condo or home for the week |
| spend time with either because of distance or time | | | | rather than staying at a hotel. Remember, you can |
| issues. But, one should always make time for family. | | | | save a tremendous amount of money if you can |
| Right? I knew you would agree! Not trying to make | | | | prepare your own meals while on vacation. A good |
| you feel guilty here but, we do have a way of letting | | | | portion of a families vacation budget can be literally |
| life rush us through the years. I call it "non-intentional | | | | "eaten up"! Even a little kitchenette in a suite can save |
| neglect" and most of us are guilty of it at some point in | | | | you big bucks. |
| our lives. So, let's re-invent the family vacation to | | | | If you're campers, you can almost always find a |
| include some real quality time that reinforces the value | | | | campground near popular beach areas and get |
| of our families. | | | | maximum savings on lodging. |
| Would you consider a visit to grandparents, distant | | | | Don't forget your best resources, friends and family. |
| uncles, or a friend's home a vacation? When I was | | | | Ask around to see if anyone has visited an area you |
| growing up, the family vacation usually meant visiting | | | | plan to go. You may get lucky and have a "friend that |
| family members who lived some distance away. | | | | has a friend" who maybe has a vacation spot they |
| Coming from a family of limited finances, this tradition | | | | wouldn't mind renting to you for a lesser fee. |
| was budget friendly yet, was sufficient to satisfy our | | | | Sometimes people won't rent out their vacation spots |
| need to escape the norms of home life. | | | | for various reasons, but don't mind doing so if the |
| Of course, as the teen age years approached, it | | | | tenant is a trusted acquaintance of a friend or family |
| became harder and harder for my mom to convince | | | | member. |
| us that "we would have a good time" visiting the | | | | When travel and lodging are cost prohibitive, you can |
| relatives. Some of which we had already spent | | | | still have a vacation right at home. Yes, in your own |
| several vacations visiting and had, I guess, lost their | | | | backyard. Many of us live within reasonable distance |
| uniqueness to us as teenagers. That said, if any of you | | | | to museums, campgrounds, historic sites, and beautiful |
| can figure out what makes a teenager happy, except | | | | state parks. You might be surprised at what you find in |
| socializing with their own peers, then congrats! Let me | | | | your own local area. |
| know your secret. All kidding aside, I believe that they | | | | Do some research in your area to find free or low |
| still enjoy the family outings but have a strong | | | | cost activities and sites to visit. Schedule something for |
| resistance to acknowledging that they are actually | | | | each day of the week, even if it's just a park visit for |
| having fun. In other words, they are having fun and just | | | | a picnic. Some areas have local public beaches. Plan |
| refuse to admit it! | | | | an outing at a local public beach. Visit historical sites. |
| I was a single parent for many years and just didn't | | | | Many of these are free, educational, and fun for |
| have the money for family vacations requiring hotel | | | | parents and kids. |
| stays and admission fees. I guess I followed in my | | | | - You can even plan activities at home just as if you |
| mother's footsteps in hoping that a visit out of town | | | | were at an exotic vacation spot. Have a different |
| would suffice. And it did. For many years, the family | | | | theme for each day. For example: |
| vacation consisted of a visit to a dear friend or family | | | | - A beach day (sun tanning, volley ball, make some |
| member's home who was willing to put up with four | | | | fancy icy drinks to sip on in the sun, have a picnic) |
| kids for a week. These are truly "beloved friends and | | | | - A camp day (stay in a tent or sleeping bags under |
| family!" | | | | the stars, build a little fire if allowed in your area, roast |
| I am fortunate to have a good friend for life who has | | | | marshmallows, make smores, sing campfire songs) |
| two children within the same age group as my kids. | | | | - Have a backyard fair (create booths with games like |
| Since we didn't get to visit often throughout the year, | | | | ring toss or balloon popping to win little prizes) |
| these visits were exciting for both my kids and hers | | | | - A colonial day (dress, and live in another era!). This is |
| who had become good friends. | | | | great fun. I thought of this one purely by accident when |
| So, by all means plan to visit a family member's, or | | | | the electricity went out one day. The kids expressed |
| friend's, home for a week. Young children especially | | | | how "neat' it was to live like they did in the "old days." |
| enjoy these trips. They make new friends and the | | | | No lighting except candles and lanterns, no T.V. or |
| family ties are strengthened. This is an excellent way | | | | radio, no video games or computer. Sounds boring, but |
| to reinforce family values and the importance of | | | | believe it or not, they had fun coming up with ideas to |
| keeping in touch with family members that may live | | | | keep occupied. A good teaching tool too! |
| some distance from your home. | | | | ShhhhhhhhÂ….. don't tell the kids. |
| Do a little research before you go. Find out if there are | | | | These "theme days" at home will take some |
| any museums, historical sites, low cost attractions, or | | | | imagination and a little work, but will be loads of fun for |
| state parks within driving distance from where you'll be | | | | everyone. Half the fun will be in the creation, so let |
| staying and plan to visit. Remember to ask the family | | | | everyone pitch in. You may even have more fun than |
| member or friend you are visiting if they have any | | | | actually being there! |
| suggestions. Since they live in the area, they will most | | | | Whatever you decide to do, if you're traveling a great |
| likely be aware of popular spots. Ask about bowling, | | | | distance be sure to check all your travel options. With |
| roller skating, or special movie nights in the area and | | | | today's soaring gas prices it's not unlikely that you may |
| plan accordingly. You can even plan some game or | | | | be able to get there faster, and cheaper, in the air. Hey, |
| craft activities to keep everyone busy and having fun. | | | | maybe there's a conspiracy here? |
| For those of you who have worn out your welcome | | | | If all this just doesn't fall into your category of "fun", and |
| or simply don't have family within a reasonable | | | | you just have to have that exotic resort vacation, then |
| distance, finding vacation spots that will provide a | | | | at least be sensible about it. There are many great |
| memorable experience for everyone in the family can | | | | deals on vacation packages and off season rentals. |
| be a challenge. Especially on a tight budget. Don't be | | | | And oodles of travel agencies just waiting to tell you |
| discouraged, it is not impossible. Plan for your vacation | | | | about them. This is one area where do-it-yourself isn't |
| and include it in your budget. This is the easiest way to | | | | the most practical advice. Travel agencies are privy to |
| prepare for a vacation expense and take the stress | | | | a lot of travel information, especially seasonal |
| out of planning. | | | | discounts, that you and I don't have knowledge of. Do |
| Since the goal here is to get the most fun for your | | | | Your Research at least for goodness sake. You won't |
| money, let's talk about some low cost vacation ideas | | | | be kicking yourself later when you come across that |
| that could be right for your family. | | | | great deal you missed out on! |
| Camping is a great low cost option for families that | | | | Check out your local travel agencies, as well as some |
| enjoy the outdoors. Don't worry, you don't have to | | | | of the many online agencies. Don't forget, if you're an |
| sleep in a tent. There are lots of state parks that rent | | | | AAA member you’re eligible for travel |
| cabins for a very reasonable fee. | | | | discounts. Before finalizing any plans, be sure to know |
| I can highly recommend the Finger Lakes area of New | | | | your rights. What happens if you have to cancel? |
| York if it's a convenient distance for you. About a five | | | | What is the deadline to cancel? Will you loose your |
| hour drive for us, it turned out to be one of our most | | | | deposit or is it refundable? Know your options. |
| memorable vacations. | | | | Wherever you go, whatever you do, don't lose sight of |
| I'll warn you, these cabins are booked full up to a year | | | | the value of a family vacation. Be sure to schedule |
| in advance. So, plan early. Tent spaces aren't as | | | | quality time together no matter what your destination. |
| difficult to book. The park sports an amazing gorge trail | | | | Be safe and enjoy! |