Summer 2016 was not a very eventful summer for me. Most of the time I either worked or did absolutely nothing, as many of my other friends also experienced. However, I was lucky enough to go on vacation this past week and did many things that I feel that everyone should try to do by the end of the summer. With September only a couple of weeks away, now is the time to go out and so all the things that make summer, summer.

1. Seeing extended family

Many people have families that live all around the country, which makes it hard to get everyone together all at once for even a short amount of time. Although during the summer, there are usually less conflicts, which makes it a perfect time to see some of your family that you haven’t seen in a while.

2. Going camping

Although camping is not everyone’s cup of tea, it’s good to go out and be roughin’ it out in nature with family and friends with little distractions so you can just sit back and relax. Whether it’s staying in a tent, camper, cottage or just out on the grass camping is fantastic thing to do during the summer.

3. Being out on open water

Though that may sound vague, doing anything out in a lake or ocean is a must do by the end of summer. There’s spending time on the beach, swimming, sailing, boating, water skiing, tubing, jet skiing, etc., you name it, perfect for summer.

4. Bonfires

Another classic summer activity is to have a campfire or a bonfire surrounded by friends, with music playing, marshmallows being roasted and good conversations. A summer is not complete without one.

5. Amusement Parks

Summer is a great time to go to amusement parks with your friends and go on rides and play games. It’s worth the waiting in lines to experience the slightly scary thrill of riding a roller coaster.

6. Road Trips

Piling into a car with friends or family to get away just to get away is another great way to end the summer before school starts again and you don’t have the chance to just drive to anywhere.

7. Star Gazing

On a clear summer’s night, there is no better thing to do to just lay back and look up at billions of stars. And, on a lucky night, you may even see a meteor shower, or a couple shooting starts to give you a night you won’t forget.

Now what are you waiting for? Summer is almost over!