Tip #2:  Avoid Camp Groups

While you are planning out your summer activities so are the local camp groups.  You essentially are looking at doing the same thing: keep the kids occupied and have fun.  Inevitably what happens is you end up at places with scores of campers in colorful shirts and bellowing  camp counselors.  Your time as a family to enjoy a local attraction could be diminished and the noise level goes up 100 times.  

Plan ahead by calling ahead.  Ask WHEN groups are scheduled to come in and HOW MANY groups will be coming.  If the museum is only expecting one camp on Thursday at 11 but every other day has 4 camps booked or more, then plan to go on the slow day and get there before or after the camp group.  Thinking about a discount movie for $1?  So are about 100 camp groups.  Call ahead and see if the theater has a separate room for camp groups versus their walk-in patrons.  If they don't, you may want to re-consider.

Many attractions will block off at least a day during the week when they do not book camps so make sure you know before you go.  If you forget and you roll up on an attraction with about 8 buses in the parking lot, then turn around and hit plan B.