Summer is almost upon us - visions of long days filled with light and sunshine and lots of fun activities and the dread that comes with trying to figure out how to entertain three children day in and day out.

I don't know about you, but when I was a kid (insert eye roll here) my fun was not scheduled by my parents. I had to make my own fun and the thought of whining about being bored to my parents did not even enter my brain.

Create a good time for myself or suffer (in silence) the consequences of not doing so. Now I've tried to share the benefit of this life experience from yesteryear with my children, but alas it hasn't released me (as I'd fantasized it would) from the seemingly endless barrage of complaints about the absence of fun in their lives.

So - what choice do I have? Get ear plugs or try to fill the shoes of Julie the cruise director by scheduling their every waking moment (or at least a few hours a day) with fun-filled activities?

Here's the deal: For the first time this year I have three kids age appropriate (6 - 9) for camp. That's a gazillion dollars per week times three (I do not exaggerate) - even for the cheapest camp. My solution so far to the economic drain that is summer camp (yes, some camp is required because I work) is sending my three cherubs to camp three days a week.

Brilliant you say (or, so what - but I'm going with brilliant because it makes me feel better) but then what the heck do I do with them the other two days a week. I thought for sure I'd be able to find drop-in classes to take them to on the two non-camp days.You know some activity that would break up the day without breaking the bank.

Well I was dead wrong. I don't mean to brag, but, I am an excellent sleuth. When I'm on a mission and focused, I hone in on resources and activities and deals like a highly trained Special Ops Ninja - but those finely tuned skills have let me down in this case. That's why I'm turning to Patch readers!

I'm thinking of you all as my 'phone-a-friend' lifeline on Who Wants to be a Millionaire (is that show still on TV?). Seriously, where do you take your kids in the summer for a couple of hours of entertainment?

I'm looking for drop-in classes or some other activity that doesn't require daily attendance and that is affordable. If you have any ideas - please, please share them. You will not only be saving a small group of children from the horrors of boredom -- you'll be saving their mother's sanity (what's left of it anyway).

Perhaps I exaggerate, but how else can I coerce you into disclosing your closely held summer-fun-for-kids-secrets? I and others like me (I know you're out there) thank you in advance for sharing your resources!