Starting to plan your summer? Check out these must-know news and tips for summer 2015.
Slide the City in Seattle
Note: As of Aug. 5, 2015, Slide the City — the epic, 1,000-foot slip-and-slide that has come to various cities — has announced it is not coming to Seattle this summer. (In the meantime, check out these other cool spots to get your water slide on.)
Get more details at this Seattle Times article (earlybird tickets range from $15 for a single slide to $50 for a VIP pass).
The end of ferry waits?
If you nixed the San Juan Islands from your summer list years ago because of ferry lines, time to reconsider. Washington State Ferries just debuted a San Juan Islands reservation system. Reserved spots are now available on all westbound sailings from Anacortes, and eastbound sailings from Friday Harbor and Orcas Island. Snag your spot up to two months in advance, and as late as two days prior to your trip.
Home exchange for newbies
Rome, Provence, New York City, Cape Cod. So many dream vacations, so much money to realize them. Ever consider a house exchange? Swapping your home with a family from another part of the globe can not only save you money, but also lets you live like a local. And with an ever-increasing roster of online resources to facilitate your switch, it’s easier than ever to do. A Seattle mom and veteran house swapper gives the inside scoop in a new article on parentmap.com.
Taking the crazy out of camps planning
From zoology to archery and from STEM to swimming, the range of summer-camp choices for kids is overwhelming. And some of the most popular camps can fill up before parents have cracked a Google search. Check out ParentMap’s guides to all things summer camp at parentmap.com/camps, and mark your calendar for one of ParentMap’s three summer camp fairs in March, where you can peruse dozens of camp options and meet staff.
