Embassy Kids’ Ultimate Summer 2026 Prep Checklist for FS Parents
Some Years I’m Aheadβ¦ This Isn’t One of Them (And That’s Okay!)
Some years I get everything prepped for summer in February. Doctors appointments booked, camps secured, travel plans locked in. I am that person with the color-coded spreadsheet and a smug little smile.
2026 is not that year.
Honestly? I’m still pulling it all together β and if you are too, you’re in good company. Life in the Foreign Service has a way of keeping you humble, and summer planning is no exception.
Here’s where we’re at: a few years back, the girls and I made a tradition of going to a live show every summer. It’s become one of those things we all look forward to, so that’s at the top of my list to find. Beyond that, the girls aren’t really feeling camps this year, so we’re exploring some alternatives β still figuring out what that looks like!
And then there’s the travel piece. Different schedules, different destinations, different handoff points. When you add it all up, summer can start to feel like a logistics puzzle with a hundred moving pieces.
Whether you’re two steps ahead or two steps behind, this checklist will help you get it all sorted. And stay tuned to the end for a free summer prep checklist template! π₯³
β Lock in the Big Picture Timeline
Start with the big picture. Sketch out a rough monthly view of the summer β I love doing this on a paper calendar so I can see it all at a glance. Run it by friends and family to make sure you aren’t missing anything, but stay flexible. Camp availability, shifting schedules, and a hundred other things can move the pieces around. Getting the bones of the plan down early makes everything else so much easier.
β Book All Necessary Doctor & Dentist Appointments
This one is so worth doing early. I was able to book most appointments months out, though a couple of offices said their schedules weren’t open yet and to check back in May β totally fine, because I was already ahead of the game just by asking!
We scheduled all of our annual doctor and dentist appointments in the same single week. It was A LOT. But I’d do it again in a heartbeat to have it all knocked out at once. Fair warning: don’t plan to get much else done that week. Some appointments will need follow-ups, so leave a little breathing room for that too.
One other tip: if you’ll be seeing doctors in the States, this is a great time to bring medical records back to your US providers. Our kids’ pediatrician suggested it, and I thought it was a brilliant idea β keeping everything in one place and making sure stateside doctors are up to speed for any annual check-ups.
β Engage the Kids in Camp & Activity Planning
It’s always smart to start looking for camps early β they fill up fast once registration opens! Last year my kids were not exactly enthusiastic about a three-week sleep-away camp. I convinced them to give it a try, and while they claim they didn’t love it, I loved that they weren’t bored at home all summer. This year we’ll be in a different part of the country, so the same camp isn’t an option. They’re opting for day camps with specialty areas based on their interests instead.
When I started looking a couple of weeks ago, a lot of day camps hadn’t opened registration yet β but sleep-away camps definitely had. Keep an eye on this and jump on it when it opens.
And don’t forget other activities you want on the books! I’m still kicking myself for not grabbing BeyoncΓ© tickets last year when we happened to be in the same city as her tour for one night. Watch for deals and don’t wait on the things you really want!
β Book Your Accommodations
Whether you’re staying with friends and family, a cabin in the woods, or somewhere beachfront β book early. And always check the cancellation policy. Summer plans have a way of shifting, and you’ll want the flexibility if they do.
β Book Travel
A few things to check off here: Do you have points to use? Turn on flight and price change alerts. Look at rental car prices sooner rather than later. And make sure everyone’s travel documents are in order β passports, visas, whatever you need. Don’t let that one sneak up on you!
β Circle Back with Friends & Family
Even if you gave family a heads-up about your plans months ago, when you circle back to confirm the actual dates it can feel like they’re hearing it for the first time. It’s a lot for us to keep track of β and it’s naturally less top of mind for them. Don’t take it personally! Just build in that reminder conversation and confirm your overlap time so everyone’s actually on the same page.
β Think About Suitcases
Here’s a little trick we use: we pack a small suitcase inside the big one when we leave post, so we’re traveling lighter on the way there. That gives us room for any summer shopping without scrambling for extra bags on the way home. We usually leave the big suitcases at someone’s house during our summer adventures and grab them again when it’s time to pack up and head back.
This is also a great time to remind your kids to let their friends know they’ll be back for a bit β especially if there are specific people they’re hoping to see!
β Keep Your Summer Plans Organized & Documented
It’s one thing for you to know the plan. It’s another thing entirely to have everyone in the family empowered with the same information so nobody has to track you down to ask who’s going where and when.
Last summer I documented everything in a simple Google Doc β and I’ll absolutely be doing it again. That two-page template turned into 12 pages of schedules and flight details by the time we filled it all in. Once my kids were old enough, I started sharing the link with them directly so they can follow along and keep track with me. It’s been such a game changer.
π Here’s the template for you β click here and make a copy so you can edit it and make it your own.
Is It a PCS Summer?
If you’ve got a PCS on top of all of this β bless you. What to keep, what to give away, school records, forwarding addresses… that’s a whole checklist of its own, and a post for another day!
What Did I Miss?
I know I’m probably forgetting something β there’s always something! Drop your best summer prep tips in the comments so we can keep helping each other make the most of this incredible adventure. π
What Did I Miss?
I know I’m probably forgetting something β there’s always something! Drop your best summer prep tips in the comments so we can keep helping each other make the most of this incredible adventure. π
What Did I Miss?
I know I’m probably forgetting something β there’s always something! Drop your best summer prep tips in the comments so we can keep helping each other make the most of this incredible adventure. π
π Don’t Forget About Their Brain During the Break!
While you’re mapping out all the fun, it’s worth carving out a little space for learning too. A long school break doesn’t have to mean a complete shutdown β especially for our FS kids who thrive on connection and a little bit of routine.
If you’re looking for an educational opportunity that fits into the rhythm of your break, U.S. History Worldwide might be just the thing. Students have until August 31 to complete their courses, so there’s plenty of flexibility to work it around travel, adventures, and everything else on your family’s plate.
What I love most about it is that it gives kids a chance to connect with other Foreign Service kids from all around the globe β and honestly, that sense of community is something our kids can never have too much of. It keeps their minds engaged and gives them something meaningful to work toward, without feeling like a chore.
Help your child excel in U.S. history while living abroad.
