Family Fun in Your Own Backyard
by Kimberly Blaker | Contributor
It’s the season your kids have been eagerly anticipating, so how will you make the most of the long, leisurely summer days with your family? Embrace the spirit of summer with these outdoor activities and adventures that the entire family will enjoy right in your own backyard.
Under the Stars
Make the most of serene summer nights by camping out in your backyard. Start your evening by watching the sunset, then light up a bonfire (in a fire pit), roast marshmallows, and appreciate the stars above. Bring out a star guide and see what constellations you can identify: the Little Dipper, Hercules, or Sagittarius.
Croquet Champs
Set up this timeless outdoor game for the whole family to enjoy. Conclude the summer with a family croquet tournament. Adjust the game for fairness by giving each family member handicaps based on their most recent scores.
Up, Up and Away
Is the breeze ruining your fun? Not for long. Take advantage of that wind and get your kite flying high.
Step Right Up
Organize a backyard carnival to raise money for your favorite charity. The entire family will have fun putting this event together. Advertise by hanging posters in local businesses, and send a press release to your community radio station and newspaper. Invite friends and neighbors to help run the booths and set up games such as a bean bag toss, number wheel, baked goods stand, fortune-telling, face painting, and food and drinks.
Green Thumbs
Turn summer gardening into a family project. Have each family member choose a favorite vegetable to plant. If you’re getting a late start, look for starter plants that have already sprouted. Work together to prepare and plant the garden, then assign each person specific tasks for maintenance: watering, weeding, harvesting ripe produce, and preparing the vegetables for eating or storage.
HEAR HOW INDUSTRIOUS COLLEGE KIDS ARE SPENDING THEIR SUMMER
as told to Savannah Peer | Contributor
Bethany Powell, TWU Student, Senior
English Major /Education Minor
“This summer, I’m going to be working as a part-time library assistant for North Central Texas College and as a part-time student assistant for TWU’s Financial Aid Department. My experience with working while I’ve been in college has been that I usually am too busy to spend the money that I earn. I do have regular bills that I pay, but I usually end up saving about 40-50% of my earnings every two months.”
Caitlyn Fahey, Texas A&M Student, Senior
Communication and English Major
“Right now my plans are to finish my last class during the summer session, and I graduate in August. I have an interview on Wednesday for an online marketing firm and will hopefully be working for them this summer. If not, I also work for International Studies Abroad as a Global Ambassador who promotes their programs on the Texas A&M campus. As a Communication and English double major I hope to gain work experience that will help me land a job after graduation.”
Shelby Ball, Baylor Student, Junior
Geology Major
“This summer is going to be a busy one for me. During the first half, I will be going on a six-week field camp for my degree. We will travel all over the western and mid-western parts of the country examining different geological environments and learning how to draft, map, and recognize formations. During the second half, I will be doing a volunteer internship with the National Weather Service in the River Forecast Center.”
Jessica Serna, UTD Student, Junior
Psychology Major
“I am an Eagle Scholar Intern, and I will be working at a local school teaching photography and helping 7-12th grade kids prepare for college through project-based learning.”
Zachary Helmberger, UTD Student, Senior
Mechanical Engineering Major
“Since this is my senior year, I will be graduating in May with my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. I plan on traveling during the beginning of the summer to take a little bit of time off between school and work. Starting at the end of June, I will be working full time at L-3 communications in Greenville, Texas. L-3 is a defense contractor for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army.”
Abrielle Cuccia, UNT Student, Junior
Behavior Analysis Major
“I will be working at Gateway Church and as a children’s worker. As a children’s worker, I go up on stage and emcee. I play games with the kids and even teach them some nights.”
Tomás Rangel, Collin College Student, Sophomore
Business Major
“For the summer, I will be working with a real estate company that works on flipping homes and selling them for profit. With the money that I make flipping homes, I will invest in the stock market. Then late in the summer, I will be traveling to Jamaica.”
