Balanced school schedules create demand for more camps - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Back to School time is upon us, and more schools than ever before adopted a balanced schedule for the upcoming school year. That means some adjustments when it comes to break schedules, and that can be a scheduling nightmare for parents.

The idea of the balanced calendar was to improve test scores. It gives kids less of a summer break, splitting the vacation throughout the year instead of using it all at once in the summer months.

The balanced schedule typically means longer fall and spring breaks, but if you're a working parent, it can be tough to get that much vacation time all at once. To accommodate those needs, the YMCA of central Indiana is expanding its camp schedule.

School Age Program Director Cara Scott said they have added more specialty camps to keep kids active while mom and dad are at work anytime school is out.

"Our goal is that whenever school is out parents not only have a convenient location for kids to attend but that kids have a great time. We have super hero camp, Olympics camp, around the world camp, it should really be a great school year," said Scott.

Balanced schedules have also been a challenge for the staff, because there are more schools on the balanced schedule than ever before.

"This is the first year we've had so many schools on a balanced calendar so we are adapting our schedules to meet the community's needs. One of the things we're doing is increasing the number of school out camps we're offering this year. It includes YMCA facility centers but we also partnered with school districts to provide on site locations and more convenient offerings for parents in the area," said Scott.

Last year, the YMCA estimates it accommodated about 500 families at its various facilities. This year, that number expected to greatly increase as the number of schools on the new schedule has increased dramatically.

Registration is now underway, and due to the increased demand, you may want to sign up early.