When Oona Hanson and her husband started running out of ideas on how to keep their two children focused -- and entertained -- during the pandemic-induced shutdown, they remembered one of their longtime jokes.
"For 10 years we've joked that our kids need a common sense camp. But after the coronavirus pandemic forced camps to cancel and parks to remain closed, the Hansons decided to turn a "total bummer summer" into an opportunity to make the Common Sense Camp a reality. Based in Los Angeles, the former high school English teacher and now parent coach created an 8 week curriculum for her son and daughter that teaches them skills that are usually common sense. In Common Sense Camp, Hanson's kids learn a lot of practical skills like reading a map, using a banking app to budget, or how to administer CPR and first aid. The camp also teaches interpersonal skills, like how to be a good friend and community member. Last week's theme was "Kitchen Confidence," in which the kids learned fundamental skills like reading a recipe and how to use different types of knives. By the end of the week, the two were able to cook a dinner for four without any help from their parents.
