Feeling Overwhelmed by Summer Choices? Here’s What the Research Says

DISCOVERING AI: Igniting Human Potential
By Amy D. Love, Founder of DISCOVERING AI and of the Global FAMILY AI GAME PLAN initiative

If you’re anything like the families I speak with each week, you may be feeling the double squeeze right now: the dizzying pace of change in the world and the pressure to make just the right summer decision for your child.

You are not alone. According to a recent U.S. Surgeon General’s report, 48% of parents say their daily stress feels completely overwhelming. With dozens of camps, programs, and apps vying for your attention, it’s easy to feel stretched.

Many parents have shared with me that they feel behind this year; as if summer snuck up before they had a chance to plan. One mom recently told me, “I blinked and suddenly all the ‘good’ camps were full. Now I feel like I’m scrambling while everyone else is ahead of the game.” That feeling of always having to catch up is more common than you might think.

Recent research reveals a few trends every parent should have on their radar:

• Over 60% of teens now report using AI tools, often before parents even notice.

• About half of parents are aware of how much AI is already woven into their child’s schoolwork, projects, and creative time.

• Sixty-five percent of working parents report feeling burnt out. Many families are searching for summer solutions that offer more than just another screen.

Making Summer Choices Simpler

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for summer planning. If you are looking for a range of options, from art to robotics to sports, resources likeActivityHero(serving California, Connecticut, DC, and Delaware) make it easier to find trusted, local programs. Parents in California, especially in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, may find ActivityHero especially helpful. Even if your schedule feels last-minute, these tools can help you discover great options that fit your family’s needs and timelines.

The Real Value: Growth, Not Just Busywork

No matter what you choose, the true value of summer is giving your child an experience that helps them grow. It’s not about filling the days or keeping up with what everyone else is doing. The best programs do more than keep kids busy; they encourage curiosity, build confidence, and spark new ways to think qualities that matter long after summer ends.

Time and again, I hear from families who are surprised by what their children gain when they try something outside the usual routine. One student recently told me, “I used to think AI was just about technology. Now I realize it’s a tool that can help me bring my own ideas to life.” When kids have the chance to stretch their thinking and take on new challenges, the impact reaches far beyond one week.

Here’s what some families have shared after our sessions. Sometimes, the most helpful guidance comes from hearing another parent or student’s experience:

“It wasn’t just about AI. It was about mindset, opportunity, and becoming irreplaceable.”

“It’s super fun. I feel proud when I make something work, and even if it doesn’t go as planned, I can try again and learn!”

“This is the first time I feel like I know what to do as a parent in the Age of AI.”

The CREATE Difference: Skills That Last

The C.R.E.A.T.E. Summer Camp is designed to go beyond a single week of activities. Our focus is on developing the kind of thinking that stays with your child; skills that help them tackle both big and small ideas, and the confidence to explore what makes them uniquely human. In our camp, kids learn how to use AI as an assistant, not as a replacement for their own creativity or leadership.

This summer, every session is personally led by me as the founder of Discovering AI. These small, high-touch groups mean your child receives individual attention and guidance before we expand the program to larger groups in future seasons. Families who join this inaugural round become part of a “founding cohort,” shaping what comes next and receiving a level of access and support that will not always be possible as we grow.

Whether your child is dreaming up a new invention, tackling a group project, or simply wondering what’s possible, the C.R.E.A.T.E. experience helps them see AI as a partner in learning, not the source of all answers. These are the habits and mindsets that will serve them well, no matter what the future holds.

As a thank you for being part of the Discovering AI community, you can use codenewsletterfor 10% off your camp registration.

Have questions or want to see if this camp is the right fit?

• Watchthis 3-minute video where I share how C.R.E.A.T.E. works

• Visit the camps'landing page, or

• Book a quick 15-minute call with me

  Whatever you choose for your child this summer, I hope it leaves them more confident, creative, and ready for what’s next.

  With you on the journey,

  Amy