As I write this, the sky over Denver is gray with billions of tiny white flakes starting to fall. Those tiny white flakes are expected to turn into three inches of snow. Temperatures are plummeting to a frigid low of 5 degrees overnight…and I’m planning for summer.

Each year at this time we create the Colorado Parent Ultimate Guide to Summer, shaking off the cold by dreaming about carefree days in the sun and warm evenings under star-filled skies. But, it’s not just the weather that makes it a perfect time for summer planning. Camps are opening registration now. Parents who’ve been-there, done-that know that if there is a camp your child wants to attend this summer, now is the time to jump on registration. And since camps and summer activities can be a large investment, planning now gives you a chance to reduce summer debt by saving over the coming months. Speaking of paying for camp, how do you know which camps will be worth the investment? Our article, “Cashing in on Summer Camp,” will help you identify the right camps for your child and ensure you’re getting your money’s worth.

This is also a great time to start evaluating whether your child is ready for an overnight camp. With a couple months left to go, you can test the waters with sleepovers and follow the advice of the camp expert in our Parenting 911 column, to get everyone ready for a positive experience.

Summer isn’t just about camp. It’s also about vacations, long days with bored kids, and fear of learning-loss from three months out of school. In this issue, we’ve gathered a collection of articles filled with ideas, tips, and expert advice to keep kids occupied and maximize summer fun. To top it all off, we’ve shared a list of the best places to get a scoop of creamy ice cream with the kids on a hot day. But no need to wait for the ice cream, it’s the perfect treat to accompany your snowy summer-planning session—it won’t melt as fast in these frosty temps.