Parents Daytime strategy for summer afternoon practices

[InMyGymMomEra]

It’s not 100% set, but is looking likely, that my 6yo daughter will move up to level 3 this summer. The practices will be 3 hours each on 3 afternoons per week (vs. 3 days of 1.5h that she’s doing now). I am a working parent, so will need to arrange for day camp during the day before practice. Last year she did her gym’s recreational camp and loved it. (It’s probably 2-3 hours of actual gymnastics but also crafts, slip & slide, games, etc.) but that was before she joined the team. This year I’m wondering if doing an active camp all day followed by a 3h practice might be too much? I don’t want her to get injured or burned out! Then again she did have a great time last year, and some of the other team girls also do the camp, so she might have the chance to get to know them better. Should I let her do the gymnastics day camp, or look for a less active/sporty camp? She said she wants to go gymnastics camp, or another sport/dance (like hockey! or hip hop!) but should I encourage something like arts & crafts or music or just a traditional camp? Or do some weeks of gymnastics and some weeks of something else? Maybe I’m over-thinking this, but as a mom in my 40s I cannot imagine working out that many hours per day w/o passing out, lol?

 

[Coach Kate]

Day camps can be so tiring! If she's going to be in camp all summer, I would aim for something less active and/or inside when you can. She is still so young and three hour practices can be a lot, especially if they're outside all day. As a coach, I was always aware when a kiddo had a week of sports camp or was even swimming or on a boat all day because it definitely impacted practice time.

Would it be possible to do a week of the gymnastics camp she wants and then the other weeks more mellow? Even transitioning from 1.5 to 3 hours may feel overwhelming and exhausting for her.

 

[InMyGymMomEra]

Yes, that is really helpful to have a coach perspective. Maybe I could let her do the gymnastics camp for a week or two, but later in the summer after she is used to the longer practices!