strike fear and dread into the hearts of thousands of parents, it must be: "What are you doing with your children during the summer?'' It is frightening that a concern so predictable -- and therefore one might assume so avoidable -- springs back to haunt the caring parent year after year.

But there are many camps offered by all sorts of organisations -- from the Aquarium to the sailing clubs to the Department of Youth and Sports Department.

The problems that parents face include: gaining information about these camps -- there is no central register; getting the information in time to sign up; finding camps which will take your child for the duration of your workday; and, where this is not possible -- some activities last just a few hours a day -- arranging transport to and from such camps.

And then there are the children aged 12 and over who are somewhat less easy to place. They may consider themselves too old for camp, but they are not old enough for a full-time job, or to be left alone at home all day.

Welcoming any move which would alleviate the burden of mothers in the community. Kim Young, chairperson of the Women's Advisory Council said: "Traditionally it is the responsibility of the mothers to find care givers and alternative care for schoolchildren during the school holidays. With 52 percent of the Bermudian workforce being made up of women and a large number of households headed by females, it is very clear to the Council how important this particular responsibility is.

"After all, there are 11,028 children under 19 in Bermuda according to the latest census.'' Young children used to the disciplined environment of school clearly need some structure for their holiday activities -- but they also need a break. They need stimulation and the opportunity to pursue interests for which there is not usually time.

Their mothers need the peace of mind that comes with the certainty that they are being properly taken care of in a suitable and safe environment. Endless calls from home because the child is not constructively occupied do nothing for the parent's productivity at work. And it does not take a quantum leap to imagine what this bored child could get up to if left on his or her own devices.

Do you want your children to become incapable of amusing themselves because all they have done in their free time is watch TV unsupervised -- sometimes including many inappropriate programmes -- or play video games? Perhaps they will fall prey to bad influences; experiment with drink or drugs, through boredom.

In short, the whole family can benefit from a well thought-out, properly structured and positive summer programme.