Tackling the Transition from School to Summer with Foster Kids
June 6, 2023
Surviving the Transition from Summer Back to School with Foster Kids
August 3, 2023
Summer is the perfect time for making memories (and sweet treats) as a foster family. The sun is shining brighter and longer, and everything seems just a little bit more laid-back and less stressful with the much-needed break from school. This spectacular season comes around just once a year, so squeeze the most out of it with these ideas for making summertime sweet for foster kids!
Keep it Cool
We all scream for ice cream during the summer, but did you know that July is officially National Ice Cream Month? This cool treat is fun and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, and while ice cream makers definitely get the job done, you don’t need a fancy appliance to whip up some fully customizable homemade ice cream. Check out this recipe for Ice Cream in a Bag to learn how! Working together in the kitchen boosts confidence and life skills, encourages healthy eating habits, and creates strong family bonds. It’s also a great way to incorporate a little math, science, and creativity into the summer months.
Hop on Pops
Ice pops are another sweet summer treat, and they are also easy to make! You can find plastic or silicone ice cream molds in fun shapes for just a few dollars at most stores, or get creative with small paper cups and wooden craft sticks. Just pour some freshly squeezed lemonade, OJ, or other natural fruit juice into the mold or cup (about ⅔ of the way full), add one stick in the center of each pop, and freeze until firm. You can also puree or add slices of favorite summertime fruits, like kiwi, pineapple, mango, watermelon, and berries, for a healthy and refreshing twist!
Bring on the Boardwalk
Sweet and creamy fudge is a summer staple on any beach boardwalk, alongside salt water taffy. And while taffy can be tricky and time-consuming to make, fudge is anything but! Ditch the double boiler and candy thermometer for this kid-friendly microwave fudge recipe, with three ingredients (chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter), and just five minutes of prep time. If you want to try your hand at homemade saltwater taffy with your foster teen, grab that candy thermometer and check out this recipe. And be prepared to pull!
If ice cream, fudge, and taffy are too much of a sugar rush, summer’s bounty of fresh, seasonal fruit is healthy and naturally sweet. From yogurt parfaits and fruit salad, to acai bowls and smoothies, there are endless options for kids to choose from!
If you live in the state of Illinois and want to become a foster parent, we invite you to visit our website for more information, or click on the following link to get started: https://family.binti.com/users/signup/camelot-il-initial.
Every child needs and deserves to grow up safe and protected from abuse and neglect, and caring foster parents offer children support and stability when they need it most. At Camelot Care Centers, we specialize in higher-level foster care for children and adolescents that need extra support. We partner with our foster parents/homes to provide trauma informed care and additional services, including in-home counseling, parent support and training, tele-psychiatry, and therapeutic mentoring, to maintain children at the least restrictive, yet most appropriate level of care. Camelot Care Centers (“Camelot”) is a Child Welfare Agency.
