This blog paints two vivid portraits of summertime for working parents: one, a world without summer camps, and the other, a season shaped by the presence of Operation Xcel’s 3-Steps Ahead summer camp.
In the absence of summer camps, parents become resourceful architects of their children’s days, weaving together makeshift routines and community support. There is a certain magic in the unstructured—kitchen-table adventures, backyard games, and impromptu neighborhood alliances—that offers its own rewards: deepened family bonds, moments of spontaneous joy, and the rediscovery of creativity born from necessity. Yet, alongside these rewards come challenges: the constant balancing act of work deadlines and childcare, the unpredictability of each day, and the underlying tension of ensuring children are not just entertained, but meaningfully engaged and safe.
By contrast, with the 3-Steps Ahead camp, parents are granted something rare: peace of mind. The camp provides a vibrant, structured environment where children are not only cared for, but also actively inspired by learning and community. Instead of improvising care from day to day, parents can entrust their children to mentors who guide them through hands-on adventures—building robots, delving into books, and collaborating on projects that spark curiosity and growth. This consistency allows parents to focus on their work, confident that their children are thriving in a purposeful, nurturing space.
Given these contrasting visions, it is clear that most working parents would prefer summer with the 3-Steps Ahead summer camp. While the imaginative patchwork of a camp-free summer has its own charm, the assurance that comes with structured, enriching, and reliable care is invaluable. The camp isn’t just a solution—it’s a gift, transforming summer from a logistical puzzle into a season of shared anticipation and possibility for both children and parents.
The village remains, but now it is anchored by the steady presence of the camp, a daily touchstone that lifts the summer for everyone involved. With Operation Xcel’s 3-Steps Ahead camp, working parents are not just managing summer—they are watching their children thrive, three steps ahead.
The week consists of scheduled activities planned by site directors and teachers. Sites include STEM, SEL, sports, swimming at the Greensboro Aquatic Center or BurMill Park, and field trips to various locations. Before camp begins, site directors select field trip destinations. Past destinations have included the North Carolina Zoo, Lam’s Museum of Anthropology, Hanging Rock State Park, the Greensboro History Museum, HP City Lake, and the Science Center, among others.
At Jamestown Middle School camp, students are recognized for leadership, creativity, commitment, and participation with certificates and featured as campers of the week on social media and in our newsletters. Sites may invite guest presenters; Peck Elementary recently hosted Mr. Hubert Jones from 3J’s Airbrushing, who created custom ball caps for all campers, as shown in the photo attached to this blog.
No reports of boredom have been received from students. Oh, the joy of being a child in summer camp! Parents: We'd love to hear about your family's camp experience. Please remember to complete the end-of-summer survey!
