Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1127311
While summer is an exciting time, there is an increase in activity that can not only throw off the normal community and neighborhood routine but also present some safety concerns. To get advice on how to keep communities functioning during the summer months, we asked an expert Community Association Manager (CAM), Kris Toffel, to share her tried-and-true tips to make sure the summer goes smoothly for everyone in the neighborhood. "When kids are home for the summer, there is more noise and commotion in the community. Some neighbors work from home or sleep during the day, and many people who are accustomed to using walking trails, pools, and parks will now have to share these amenities with the summer crowd. I suggest getting to know your neighbors, learning about their routines, and respecting their needs to keep the peace. Keeping kids occupied and happy will also help ease the disruption. Register children for organized activities like camps, library programs, Bible schools, or volunteer projects, and set a daily schedule to include chores to teach responsibility, exercise to burn off their energy, and playtime for a mental break. It's helpful to plan play dates with other children and take turns watching small groups of kids to give parents a much-needed break. Additionally, summer is the perfect time to take day trips or a family vacation. Safety should always come first. Make sure children are always wearing helmets and know the rules of the road when biking, scootering, or skateboarding. At the pool, children should always be supervised and aware of the rules." - Kris Toffel, CMCA® Associa McKay Management Kris Toffel is a Community Association Manager (CMCA)® at Associa McKay Management where she manages a portfolio of HOAs including single-family homes, condos, and mixed-use property. With 20+ years of experience managing people, financials, and facilities, Kris joined Associa McKay Management in 2016 following a career in process improvement for companies such as Russell Athletic, Fruit of the Loom, and Plantation Patterns. An avid traveler and craft-a-holic, Kris is in constant motion. 12 Ways to Keep Kids Occupied This Summer 1. Go on a picnic. 2. Organize a bike parade. 3. Camp in the backyard. 4. Host neighborhood scavenger hunts. 5. Bake cookies. 6. Tour police or fire department—many give free tours. 7. Make handmade Christmas gifts—you'll be ready this year! 8. Visit grandparents. 9. Volunteer to walk dogs at a shelter. 10. Learn to make a paper boat—does it float? 11. Visit a local art museum. 12. Visit the library. Kids being at home in the summer can disrupt a community's normal flow. How do you keep communities functioning when kids are home from school in the summer? Got a question for a CAM? Email us at cominghomemag@associaonline.com. ASK A CAM 19