15 Things You Can Do Over a Summer Break

Posted on June 16, 2010 by admin

roadtrip

The summertime is light, bright and full of opportunities to partake in the activities that you find fun and fulfilling. When we were kids it meant no school and no worries, and life-long memories were made. As we get older and gain more responsibility, it becomes more important to find ways to enjoy ourselves – our sanity depends on it. Keep the summer spirit alive by maximizing your free time.

Take a road trip with friends and family
Road trips are low maintenance but high on fun. You’ll save money while bonding with your friends, family and/or significant other. Whether you travel across your state or across the country, you’ll be sure to encounter numerous sites that you’ve never seen before. Rand McNally can assist you in your planning, and so can Roadside America, which pinpoints the must-see attractions of towns across America.
Visit relatives you haven’t seen in a while
This can occur during the road trip depending on your age. Obviously a 21-year-old who’s traveling with a group of college buddies probably won’t want to visit Nana in between his drunken debaucheries – if there is an “in between.” But if you’re with family, it’s a great opportunity to catch up with your cousins, aunts and uncles who you haven’t seen in ages.
Shed that winter weight you neglected over the spring
Now that time is on your side, eliminate the clump of fat that clings to your side. You can sweat it off while running or biking around your neighborhood. If the weather is too hot to handle, join a gym and become too hot to handle. Or you can swim laps in a pool while staying cool.
Work on your tan
When you’re finished swimming, complement your new look by lounging around by the pool and working on your tan. Nobody wants to be pale during the summer – only your clothing should be reflecting the sun.
Clean, clean and clean
Have you been putting off removing that ancient furniture from your garage? Has your carpet been accumulating heaps dirt and pet dander since you’ve last vacuumed? Are your appliances covered with enough dust to cover the state of Oklahoma? Consider devoting several days to removing clutter and restoring the cleanliness of your home.
Win Yard of the Month
Once you finished sprucing up the inside of your home, spruce up the outside. Climb up into that tree and remove those intrusive branches. Destroy those warm-month weeds, which include nimbleweed, crabgrass, spurge and wood sorrel. Because grass generally grows faster during the heat of summer, you’ll also need to mow more often.
Do something kind for a neighbor
After you’re finished mowing your yard, perhaps you should mow the yard of the neighbor who has been out of town for a couple of weeks. Not only would you feel good about your deed, but you would build goodwill with them.
Volunteer
When you’re finished giving to your neighbors, give to a stranger. There are numerous volunteer opportunities in your town at different organizations with varying missions. One of biggest is Volunteers of America, which operates all over the country. If you’re in it for the long-term, you could join the Peace Corps and assist in improving the living conditions of developing countries.
Read
Curious about the inner workings of the Middle Eastern politics? Wondering if Isabella Swan will choose Edward or Jacob? Curl up on the couch and find out. After you finish one or two books, you’ll probably want more. Spend some time browsing your local bookstores for topics that pique your interests.
Learn how to cook
Living on takeout and frozen dinners? That might be why you have that spare tire attached to your midsection. You’ll save money – and pounds – once you learn how to cook. Enroll in a cooking class or simply research recipes online and give it your best shot.
Take a summer class
If you’re in college or high school, summer gives you the chance to get ahead by accumulating one or two additional credits. If you’re out of school, consider joining a dance class, cooking class (as previously mentioned) or a class that could supplement your work skills.
Cultivate a new hobby
A fun hobby will occupy your time and keep you entertained well beyond the summer – they last for a lifetime. Discover a new passion by pursuing your different interests. Love music? Pick up a guitar. Want to get active and be social? Join a team sports club. The Discover a Hobby website can help you get started.
Catch up on the latest movies
Summer is blockbuster season – some of Hollywood’s glitziest and priciest flicks hit the theaters starting in May. So don’t miss out on what could potentially become your next favorite movie. Designate a day or two per week to go to the movies with your friends, significant other or kids. This summer, AMC is offering $1 tickets to kids on Tuesday mornings.
Catch a ball at a baseball game
There’s nothing quite like spending a summer evening with your friends at the ballpark. Grab a cold beer and a hotdog – which hopefully isn’t cold – and root for the home team. Major and minor league teams across the country offer affordable summer ticket deals, so you’ll be able to make several games, thus heightening your chances of coming away with a souvenir.
Do absolutely nothing
The most underrated thing you can do over the summer is absolutely nothing. Vegetate on your couch in front of the TV while enjoying your cool AC. Watch your favorite soap operas and television judges. Sleep during the midday hours. Remember, it’s your time.