Almost Free Summer Family Plans (Part 2)

Now that you've set family members to work looking for free and inexpensive ideas, find a way to get organized. Here's one simple idea: a box.

Create a collection box for the piles of information you're accumulating. The $3 photo boxes from craft stores are one way to contain the information and can easily be taken along on any trip. (Most info handouts have hours of operation and maps to guide you.)

The box creates a back-to-school "what I did on my summer vacation box". As you visit various places add postcards, photos and memorabilia. Now the box can be used for school sharing time by elementary students once resumes. For older students or family remembrances, the brochures can be cut up and used in scrapbooks or projects.

Want to add something extra to the box? Consider tucking in a notebook for thoughts or evaluation of places visited, magnifying glass for the rocks or leaves you see, sketch pad and colored pencils for impromptu drawing and maybe a local visitors guide.

Be creative! Have fun. Summer vacation is short, but family trips provide long-lasting memories.