I'm going to sound like an old timer, but I remember looking forward to summer vacation with immense enthusiasm. The days just looked like magical endless vignettes of swimming in my friend's pool, riding bikes from around our neighborhood, and all the different innane adventures we had. We did a whole lot of nothing and it felt good. I had the unsual experience of having stay-at-home grandparents, so I wasn't sent to camp or daycare or anything like that. I stayed home. And it felt good.

That's not the same experience most kids experience nowadays. Most of my students are going to camps, and not just the suffer-in-the-heat-while-getting-bitten-by-bugs type either. They're going to camps that specialize in the culinary arts, drama, learning skills such as conflict resolution and creating miniatures of Hogwarts. During the school year, I sometimes get the feeling that the kids are overscheduled with grueling sports, academic and music lessons. But summer just has always represented a time to regroup, refresh and *gasp* relax.

Are we raising future citizens who won't know how to chill out and enjoy quiet and simple moments? Or are these kids getting enriched and will they be better prepared for an adult life of neverending responsibility? Only time will tell. But for me, I'm looking forward to doing a whole lot of nothing and having a great time doing it.