With the end of the semester fast approaching, it's time to begin making plans for the summer. This is a time to reconnect with friends and do things together that can only be done during these hot months. The few months between semesters is my favorite time of year, and in order to make this summer the best yet, I made a list throughout the year of things I wanted to do over break.
Here's a list of 11 things to make your summer interesting.
1. Host a bonfire.
Bonfires are a great way to relax and hang out with friends. Have some friends bring marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate to make s'mores. Someone else can bring drinks. It's also fun to make a music playlist of relaxing songs to listen to.
2. Spend a day on the lake.
My absolute favorite thing to do over the summer is to spend a day on the boat at the lake. Bring some snacks in a cooler and a stereo to play some summer hits. It's also fun to go tubing, water skiing, or wake boarding. If you don't have a boat, kayaks and canoes are easy to rent and are just as fun.
3. Go camping.
One of my favorite summer activities to do when I was younger was to go camping. Because I haven't gone in many years, my friends and I are planning a camping trip. Sleeping outdoors and cooking your own food can be a refreshing change. If you don't live near a campground, or don't want to go too far from home, having a campout in the backyard or living room can be just as fun.
4. Go on a road trip.
Get a few friends together and go on a road trip. It doesn't matter how far away you go or how long you're are gone, you will still make great memories together. Make a playlist of songs you can all sing along to in the car. Also, take some pictures to make a collage or scrapbook of the great time you all have together.
5. Host a painting party.
Get a group of friends together to paint. Buy some canvases and acrylic paints at your local craft store. Make a pasta dinner and have some wine and make a night of it. Painting is a great way to de-stress and let your creativity flow. Don't worry about the outcome, just have fun with it.
6. Go to an amusement or water park.
Amusement and water parks are a great day long activity. The wind from the rides and the water are great ways to cool down from the summer heat. My friends and I like to get a group together to spend a day going on rides or hanging out by the pool. Our nearest outdoor amusement park has an internal water park, so we get the best of both worlds.
7. Attend a music festival.
Music festivals and concerts are my absolute favorite part of summer. Spending a day outside and listening to great music is a great way to meet new people with similar interests. Music festivals can range from a day long festival to an entire week. Some festivals I'm interested in attending are Electric Forest and Burning Man.
8. Learn a new skill.
Getting a new hobby can be a great way to combat summer boredom. This summer I am teaching myself to play guitar. Learning new songs to play for my friends is a fun way to learn a life long skill. Photography is another skill that is popular and fun to learn. Take pictures of all the things you did over the summer, and before the fall semester begins, make a video scrapbook. It's a fun way to document all of your memories.
9. Get an internship.
Internships are a great way to build up your resume. The hands-on experiences will help you gain experience. They are also a great way to make friends in your field. As an intern, you are able to network yourself to future clients and employers. Internships are a great way to stay summer boredom and make money at the same time.
10. Go paintballing.
Paintballing is a fun way to get messy. Grab a group of friends and have a paintball war. Set up obstacles to avoid. Hide and go seek: paintball edition is a fun game to play with your friends. Paintball shooting ranges are also a fun way to improve your aim. The welts are well worth it.
11. Do something daring.
Summer is a great time to get your adrenalin pumping. Go white water rafting or ride a zip line. Cliff diving, bungee jumping, or skydiving are also fun ways to do something to get your heart rate going. All are safe ways to get your fill of excitement. If you want some lesser levels of excitement, ropes courses and rock climbing are also some fun alternatives.
