A Frugal Family Summer

Summer vacation. Kids long for it and parents dread it. What to do for those months while the kids are complaining about how bored they are?

Thankfully there are plenty of options in the and areas.

The Kids Bowl Free program is a great option to escape the heat. When you sign your kids up (for free), they get passes every week that allow them to bowl two games every day for free all summer. 

Check this website to see which bowling locations are participating and to sign up for a summer of fund. Every year more locations are added. What’s even better is that for just $25, parents can sign up as well. Up to four adults can join the kids each day for two games. There is a cost for shoe rentals.

What about free or nearly free movies? ’s Summer Movie Camp Program unfortunately was discontinued but they are offering select G- or PG-rated films for $1 admission on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Movies on the list include Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, Cars 2, Winnie the Pooh and Smurfs. Check the website for details and show dates.

The 2011 Summer Playground Program will be starting soon. South Whitehall Township provides the free program for residents of the Parkland School District at , , and Schools. The program runs June 27 to Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. so parents have four hours to run errands, relax at home or catch up with friends. Children must have completed kindergarten and the program only accepts children up to sixth grade. Registration will take place the first day of attendance, and you can register at the playground. For more information check out the township website.

Upper Macungie Township will be starting its 2001 Monthly Summer Movie Program later this month. Free movies will be shown at various parks to entertain the entire family. On June 17 (rain date June 24) it’s Furry Vengeance at Lone Lane Park. Grease and How to Train your Dragon round out the Summer selections at Lone Lane and Breiningsville Parks respectively. For more information check out the events page on the Upper Macungie Township website.

Sticks for Kids is another great program for residents of Upper Macungie Township. The National Recreation and Park Association, in partnership with the Golf Builders Association of America, selected the township to participate in the Sticks for Kids Program. Sets of junior golf clubs have been made available free of charge to introduce the fundamentals of golf through chipping, putting, club stance, grip, etiquette, and basic rules. The clubs can be used at the Independent Park Golf Course, which is free of charge. The course is available for use from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday June through August. For more information call the township office at 610-395-4892. The golf course is located at 150 Independent Road in  Breinigsville.

The and the Upper Macungie Township Fire Companies are having a Junior Emergency Service Academy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 8 to Aug. 12. There will be two days of police- and two days of fire-related courses, with the the final day involving a Police and Fire challenge course. Those involved must reside within the areas covered by the Upper Macungie Fire Companies or the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police.  For more information or to fill out an application go to Berks-Lehigh Regional's website at www.blrpd.org.