Let’s see....Days are getting longer. Shorts and t-shirts have begun reappearing. Kids are plagued with can’t-wait-for-school-to-end-itis.

That can only mean one thing: Summer vacation is just around the corner! It’s time to dust off the suitcases, air out the tent, and load up the car because you’re going places!

The only question is, where are you going?

Family vacations can be a challenge. They have to fit your budget, interest everyone, and include a fair amount of fun. (And if we could avoid another year sleeping on the floor at Aunt Kelley’s, that’d be nice too).

But this year, it can all be different. We’ve taken the challenge upon ourselves and done the "research" for you, checking out great family travels and exploring fun family devotions along the way. The results are five no-fail vacations you and your family will love! Here goes...

We admit it. We lived in Arizona for years, and never once gazed into the Grand Canyon. We lived in California even longer, and never entered the gates of Universal Studios. And we’re willing to bet you’re a little like us. Sure there are things to do in your state, but you never get around to doing them. So our first no-fail vacation is perhaps the easiest. Stay close to home! You’ll be surprised at all there is to do so near your own backyard.

•Contact your state or city’s department of tourism or chamber of commerce. They’ll send you gobs of information on the attractions in your area.

•Look for something new. You probably know about the amusement parks and water slides nearby. Instead, consider museums, factory tours, outdoor adventures, or unusual landmarks.

•Don’t forget those out-of-the-ordinary places you’ve always wondered about like that alligator farm or the "zoo" created from welded farm equipment. For these "attractions," dress up in your wackiest tourist attire (Hawaiian-print shirts, Bermuda shorts, knee socks, hats, and lots of cameras) and ham it up as true tourists!

Read Philippians 4:11 together during your tour, and talk about how we can find contentment even close to home. How has this local adventure helped your appreciate what’s close to your home? What other things do you already have that help you feel content with life? Give thanks to God for what He’s given you!

Include a bit of education with your adventures. Consider learning about early America along the east coast. Join a dinosaur dig in Colorado. Examine Native American artifacts in the southwest. You’ll have fun, and learn something too!

•Focus on historical interests of family members. If you’ve just read the "Little House" series, consider a wagon train vacation or Laura Ingalls Wilder’s former home in Mansfield, MO. If your kids dream of being astronauts, head for the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

•Choose a theme. See how many cannons you can find during your tour of battlefields, or how many teepees you can locate as you travel through the west. Get pictures of family members beside these artifacts, then collect them all into a photo album.

What do we learn by looking at the past? Read about the Israelites as they travel to the Promised Land in the book of Exodus. What did they learn from those before them? What happened when they forgot what God had done in the past? Thank God for those who’ve gone ahead of us and helped to gain the freedoms we have today.

Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. (202)357-2700

With fourteen museums (most of them offering free admission), there’s sure to be something to interest every family member. You could easily spend a day in each museum!

If your family is missions minded, this different type of vacation will be a learning and growing experience for all. It won’t likely include a hotel bed, and hot showers might be optional, but there’s nothing that bonds a family like serving God together.

•Contact local outreach centers, homeless shelters, or food banks to learn how your family can help. Perhaps you can paint a few rooms, spend a day on a food drive, or do yard work for an elderly person.

•See if your nearest hospital will allow you to do Bible-based puppet shows and lead singing in its children’s ward.

This vacation provides wonderful opportunities to discuss what it means to put others first, to serve others in love, and to care for those in need. The Bible is full of stories and verses on these subjects. You might even choose a figure such as the good Samaritan to model your actions after for this vacation.

International Family Missions in Colorado. (303)665-7635

This agency plans short-term mission trips for families with children of all ages. Travel to Mexico and work together helping the needy and sharing God’s love.

There’s no way around it. Amusement parks are the most popular vacations sites in the world. With something for family members of every age, it’s easy to see why many find amusement parks to be the perfect destination.

•Study your destination before arrival. Discuss what rides, shows, and other attractions are most important to hit. Then plan the day together with everyone’s input.

•Don’t get so caught up in the spending and hurrying about that you forget you’ve come to be with your family for a time of enjoyment.

Read Psalm 100:1 and Proverbs 17:22 together and consider how the joy of your day might please God or be good medicine to you. Is there a more joyful sound than laughter? What others sounds of joy did you hear at the amusement park?

Our Pick:

Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. (800)831-4386

This 1890’s style theme park offers rides, shows, authentic craftsmen, shops, and restaurants. It’s near IMAX theatres, lakes, and other family attractions as well, so the whole trip is good, clean, family-friendly fun!

Where can you go to be together, yet get some time apart? Is there a place to have fun, and learn about God as well? The answer to these questions is found at Christian family camps. These camps provide Bible teaching for family members according to their ages, as well as opportunities for families to spend time together in a wide variety of activities such as swimming, boating, crafts, rock climbing, horseback riding and more. Camp settings and accommodations vary, so it’s likely you’ll be able to locate a camp within your budget.

•Ask friends for referrals. You can learn who serves the best food, who has the best campfire singing (complete with s’mores), or who has the best speakers from people who have done this before.

•Choose this vacation early. Many family camps fill up quickly as people come back to hear their favorite speakers or as a family tradition. Send in your deposit right away. If the camp is full, see if you can get on a waiting list.

You’ll all be learning about God in this setting, so plan time each day to pray. Grab a half hour together right after a meal to discuss what you’re all learning in your different sessions, and share ways prayers and praises together.

Our Pick:

Mount Hermon Conference Center in California. (888)MH-CAMPS

In the Redwoods, yet only six miles from the beach, this camp offers quality in every area. Housing, speakers, meals, child care, recreation, and staff are the best of the best!

SIDEBAR

You’ve turned off the iron and stopped the mail. What are you forgetting? These vacation must-have resources!

•Smileage by Michael Nolan (Cumberland House)

Sick to playing "I Spy" and the alphabet game? Pull out this creative book packed with truly fun travel games. These wacky ideas will get you laughing, singing, and most importantly, enjoying each other’s company.

•Family First Aid by the Nursing Staff of the Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford (Klutz Press)

These nurses share easy-to-use advise on everything from owwies and tummy aches to chicken pox and constipation (sadly, a common travel problem). This compact book written with plenty of humor will help you ease the discomfort of ailing travelers, and counsel you as to when a doctor’s visit is necessary.

•Adventures in Odyssey cassette tapes or CD’s (Focus on the Family)

No more "How long till we get there," for your family. Instead, you’ll hear, "Can we take the long way?"

Everyone in the family will enjoy these radio adventures. Pop a tape into the cassette player, and join with Whit and all the other Odyssey characters. They’ll have you laughing, crying, sitting on the edges of your seats, and all the while learning about God. Now with 30 sets available, the adventures never stop. Find them at Christian bookstores or by calling (800)232-6459.