Back around Thanksgiving, when the organized people of the world were signing up for the upcoming year�s summer camps (because they were already done with their Christmas shopping that they completed during last summer�s session), my husband announced that we didn�t do that, we simply �home-camped.� As the last day of school arrives, I am assembling my lesson plans and activity schedule for Diva Home Camp 2007.

At Science Camp, the children will participate in many hands-on and interactive experiments. Popular activities of past years include the Tupperware Contents guessing game, (which corresponds nicely to the live culture collection) dissecting gummy worms, and meteorological prognosticating when we see if we can make it from the beach to the car before it rains. We will even explore botanical interests when we plant a mint garden for Counselor Diva�s Mojitos.

In Cooking Camp, we will test the nutritional theory that Push-ups from the ice cream man can be considered as both a daily serving of dairy and fruit. Other recipes will include homemade popsicles made in ice trays with toothpicks, and watered down powdered lemonade they�ll try to sell to the neighbors. (The lemonade stand will also be incorporated into Math Camp, along with calculating pool chlorine ratios and the estimated mph used for multiple weekly visits to Baskin-Robbins.)

In Art Camp, campers will assist master artist Suburban Diva paint the bathroom. In addition, they will learn such creative techniques as wall crayon removal, sidewalk chalk portraits, and how to color within the lines when doing pedicures. On laundry day, we�ll hold a special �underwear origami� session.

And there will be sports camps! Dirty diaper shot-put and cycling events around the block. Sans training wheels for advanced placement. We�ll even partake in some dance instruction when we learn steps to avoid the dogpiles in the back yard. And what would summer camp be without swimming? We�ll go for a dip in the pool if they feel the need to get wetter after washing my car.

Diva camp also includes many field trips. Grocery Store scavenger hunt is always fun. The first one to find Mommy a 4 pound package of short ribs gets a 10 cent coupon off paper towel! We�ll also visit the petting zoo in our backyard. The pigeons that have nested in the eaves and the aged dog that inhabits my closet. There is even a reptile exhibit on the window sill where a gecko got caught last winter. And as a special treat, we�ll attend a guest lecture on modern consumerism at Macy�s from the lovely sales consultant in the shoe department.

But my favorite of the season will be Camp Everyday Adventure. It�s the one where we close our eyes and point to a random place on the map and make a road trip there. A time where we make forts under tables and bake a cake just because it�s a Tuesday. We sleep late and go to bed even later. We elevate beachcombing to an art form. And we un-learn how to tell time.

Graduation from Camp Adventure is when my children learn that not every moment needs to be planned, chaperoned, and guided by adults; and the only supplies needed are a free afternoon and even freer imagination for the perfect summer vacation.