We are in the heat of summer and it’s not too late to enjoy it to the blazing potential.
Summer is a season of hanging out with friends, catching up on your favorite tv show, or going on vacation all while trying to beat the heat and not come back to school with an embarrassing tan.
Yet, as a college student, I know that sometimes it can be overwhelming with the temptation to spend money on a beach trip or a road trip to have a fun time.
Depending on your financial situation you may feel like you’re doomed of having a boring summer that’s spent inside.
If you’re not careful your summer vacation will be gone in a blink of an eye, making you regret being worried about money instead of enjoying it to all of its potential.
Here are three things that you should add to your summer bucket list to make sure you have a summer that is for books that won’t burn a hole in the bank.
Host a Themed Picnic:
This is not your average picnic, this is a picnic that is filled with creativity. Gather all your friends, or your family, and create a themed picnic. You can go small and have it be based on a color or an aesthetic, or have a theme like cowboys, Barbie, or Halloween.
Picnics can be stressful but you can make it cheap by having it potluck style. Everyone brings something that they can provide, or they bring something for them to enjoy.
I recommend hosting it at a park and having everyone bring something. From cups, plates, and silverware to save money and not have too many left over when the event is done.
Picnics are easy to host and you can make them extra special by being a bit more creative. If you’re wanting to make memories with your friends this is an easy way to create a special one.
Go Backyard Camping:
Telling scary stories by a campfire (an icy fan) roasting marshmallows (making homemade ice cream) and going on a bear hunt (having a water balloon fight) is something that you can easily do in your backyard.
This camping is something that is a great adventure for everyone involved. Ditching the phones, making some food, and playing outdoor games is an easy way to connect with those around you without the distractions of social media.
You can see if anyone you know has a tent you can borrow, or you can turn a room into the campsite. Because of this heat, I recommend adding fun activities such as water balloon fights, trash bag water slides, and maybe even a neighborhood scavenger hunt.
This is a way to make fun memories and add a little bit of adventure to your summer.
Host a Hometown Summer Camp:
Summer camps are for grown-ups and this is the perfect way to enjoy summer in your hometown.
This one takes a bit of planning and will cost more money than all the others, but it will for sure have to talk about this event all year round.
Why are summer camps just for kids when college students like to have fun and games too? Why do I have to go to the woods and spend a ton of money when I have a backyard or a park in my city?
I’m here to show you how to have a summer camp in your backyard or town, and how to plan it right.
So let’s get to the planning, you first have to decide how long it is going to be and what type of summer camp you will be hosting. From crafts, yoga, or adventure you’re going to have to determine which one will be the one for you and all your friends to do.
Next, you’re going to have to decide how long it will be. Will it be a daily tournament challenge at your local park, a yoga retreat sleepover at your parent’s house, or a week-long park meet-up where you paint nails, make crafts, and sing karaoke? The opportunities are endless, and the fun will never stop.
The last part is planning. The reason why summer camps are so epic is that they keep you busy all day with a jam-packed itinerary of fun. Create an itinerary and start planning what the camp day will be like. Have your friends donate money for “camp” to have supplies for all the fun activities that will be provided.
Lastly, have camp staff, no one plans summer camp alone so gather your friends, or parents, and have them be in charge of a certain day or activity. That way everyone gets to do something fun and you’re not the one planning it all.
Don’t forget to make the camp yearbook, friendship bracelets, and t-shirts to make sure that you never forget the summer you and your friends had at an epic hometown summer camp.