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