We all know it’s not healthy to hate. But still, it must be ok to hate Back to School ads. They rudely interrupt our carefree days and try to take the fun out of the last excellent weeks of summer. We’re here to help you fight back, with a few suggestions for how to fully exploit the remaining days of wet bathing suits, no bedtimes, bare feet and lemonade stands. Here’s a mini bucket list of ten things to help you make a strong summer victory lap!
1. Visit Your Favorite Swimming Hole: If you don’t have one, then find one. If you have many, hit them all…like it’s your job!
2. Go to a Drive In: Shorter days mean earlier showtimes so you might even be able to stay awake for the second feature. And with any luck the bugs are already hibernating.
3. Read a Book: There’s still time to get lost in a well-told story. If you want a book that combines US and World history, emotion, great storytelling and the positive power of sport, grab Boys in the Boat, about the 1936 Olympic rowing team.
4. Get Ice Cream: Frosties, Creemees, Soft Serve, Hard Serve—it’s all good. Some of us think this should be a daily event throughout summer. Especially after the swimming hole. Some of us are right.
5. Shop Wisely: March right in to a back to school sale. Buy popsicles. Leave.
6. Rent movies: Lots of movies. Did we mention no bedtimes? In honor of the upcoming Travis Roy Foundation Wiffle Ball Tournament might we suggest Field of Dreams? Yes, we might.
7. Learn How to Whistle Really Loud. It turns out, the ability to whistle really loud is a learned skill and not an anatomical gift. All it takes is time, and one of many, many youtube tutorials like this one which is worth watching just for the cute accent and delivery.
8. Go Barefoot: First of all, it’s good for you. The claimed bennies of barefootedness range from tighter abs and healthier feet to better circulation and connecting with Earth’s energy. Second of all, it feels good!
9. Go to a Baseball Game: Be it a Major League game or the community after-work league, get out there, have some peanuts and root for the home team.
10. Play! Badminton, volleyball, tennis, golf, Frisbee, Wiffle Ball, croquet, corn hole—whatever you can dream up, get out there with friends and play it like summer’s never going to end!