Summer is right around the corner. And while that means vacation for the kids, it can mean a whole lot of work for parents. In the current economic climate, summer camp can be too costly for many families. That means it's up to you to find an affordable alternative to camp. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a working mother, the goal is the same - keep the children supervised and entertained on a shoestring budget. Here are a few helpful hints to make it happen. Find a group of women and form a babysitting group. Take turns watching each other's kids. If you find four other women to participate, that leaves you with four days to work or catch up on housework, while you babysit on the fifth day. Recruit an au pair. While a nanny might cost a fortune, seek out someone from another country who would be interested in taking care of the kids and doing housework in exchange for a place to stay.