Now that the school year has ended and the freedom of summer vacation has begun, Scott and Tracey Sylvester have one agenda for their six kids. 

“We want to keep them busy with positive activities so they can stay on track and out of trouble.” said Tracey.

How will the six Sylvester kids spend their summer?

The youngest Sylvester, Trinity, age 4 will be enjoying summer school with her mom using the programs “Math-u-see” and “Sing Spell Read and Write” which will help prepare her with the skills needed for her next school year.  The rest of her summer will be all about learning to swim.

Sarah Sylvester, age 6 will also be working with mom on summer school work to prepare herself for the next school year in addition to participating on a swim team through Manteca Dolphins where she will be competing on the weekends through June and part of July.

Big brother Hunter Sylvester, age 10, plans to sign up for basketball through Lathrop Parks and Recreation which he not only enjoys but will help prepare him for next year’s school basketball team.  Hunter is also a member of the Boy Scouts of America and will attend summer camp and volunteer as needed for the troop.  He too is a part of Manteca Dolphins and will be competing throughout the summer.   Hunter will also be volunteering as a ranch hand in Linden at Double Diamond Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping abused horses and disabled or foster kids work together and build trust.  There, Hunter’s duties will include feeding and watering the animals, cleaning cages and collecting eggs along with other ranch chores.

At age 13, Angelica Sylvester, who recently earned her first degree black belt, will be working toward her 2nd degree this summer along with helping her mom school her younger sisters.   Angelica will also be volunteering at Vacation Bible School along with swimming and competing.  With her summer days filled with exciting activities, Angelica, who loves hanging with her mom and talking to people, will still carve out a bit of time to help her mom at solar booths for their family business, SunnyCal Solar. 

Ryan Sylvester, 15, will keep busy with karate on Monday nights at Calvary Community Church while volunteering alongside younger brother Hunter as a ranch hand.  In addition to his work at Diamond Double Ministries, Ryan will work at his grandparents’ ranch learning to maneuver heavy equipment such as a tractor and a riding lawn mower.  He too will help with the family business by learning about solar and installations while still making time to keep up his fitness level by working out at the family home gym.

The oldest Sylvester, Alexander, age 17, will be busy installing solar systems in addition to teaching bi-monthly solar classes to help people learn how to install their own systems.  His other summer activities include helping as a ranch hand, working to earn his “Life Scout Rank” for Boy Scouts, and teaching CPR, First aid and how to use an AED device,  a portable automated external defibrillator that checks the heart rhythm, to boy scouts and leaders as needed.

Scott and Tracey credit both sets of grandparents for their involvement in helping them get the children to their various activities and being a constant support to each and every one of them.

“I’m so grateful for our parents, we couldn’t do this without their help” Tracey said..

While the activities that the Sylvester kids participate in may differ  from other kids on summer vacation, the reason for the activities are the same for Scott and Tracey as it would be for most any parent.  Mom and Dad simply want the best for their kids.  They want them to learn, grow and develop good character whether it’s during the school year or during the freedom of summer vacation