Tired of the Eastside summer camp spreadsheet nightmare, so I’m building a simple schedule tool. Looking for parent feedback!

Hi everyone,

I’m a college student working on a side project to help solve what looks like an absolute logistical nightmare for working parents in the Eastside.

Every year around this time, friends and family with elementary school kids in Bellevue and Redmond enter complete panic mode trying to stitch together 10 weeks of summer camps—juggling the City of Bellevue PDF guide, YMCA dates, registration deadlines, and making sure pick-up times don’t conflict with work.

I’m putting together a lightweight, interactive web tool designed specifically for Eastside working parents:

1. Filter camps by child’s age and work hours (e.g., must have extended care until 5:30 PM).

2. Auto-fill a visual 10-week summer calendar without schedule gaps.

3. Send email alerts right before City of Bellevue resident registration opens so you don’t get stuck on waitlists.

I’m currently finalizing the camp database for Bellevue/Eastside and would love some feedback from local parents:

– What is the single most frustrating part when you plan summer camps? (Is it finding after-5 PM care? Tracking registration open dates? Commute/locations?)

– Are there specific hidden-gem camps or programs you feel MUST be included?

If this sounds like something that would save you some headache, I put together a quick preview / feedback form where you can sign up for early access and drop alerts:

https://tally.so/r/e5QQgl

Any thoughts, tips, or feedback would be super appreciated!