The winter was all about settling in, hibernating at home and catching up on the umpteenth Netflix shows you missed last summer. The spring was for getting used to seeing the sun, as you took those first timid steps out into the world again, making plans and perhaps even breaking out the grill once or twice. But summer is when you really come alive – it’s when you make the complete move from homebody to free spirit.
That said, the first weekends of summer are all about a) getting out, b) getting active and c) being social. With those three criteria firmly in place, let’s look at a few ideas for how you can spend the beginning of summer the right way.
Axe Throwing
You don’t have to just go axe throwing for your birthday party – if you want to greet the summer in the coolest way imaginable, round up a few friends and go axe throwing on any given weekend. This social sport mixes group activity with the thrill of trying something new – in this case, lobbing a weapon at a wooden target. Axe throwing has surged in popularity this past year, as more and more people experience its addicting adrenaline rush, and if you haven’t tried it yet, the first weekend of summer is as good a time as any. If it’s good enough for the Bears, it should be good enough for you!
#Trashtag Challenge
This new movement, popularized by the hashtag, “trashtag” on social media, involves getting together with friends and/or community members and cleaning up a communal spot, then posting a before and after photo. This could be a park, a street, a beach or any area used publically. It helps remove non-biodegradable waste from the environment, and ensures that your greater community can enjoy its public spaces better – plus, it racks you up some serious social cred. It might not be the laid-back early summer weekend you had in mind, but it serves an important purpose.
Camping
The first weekends of summer are usually that sweet spot, weather-wise; they aren’t yet the hottest days of summer, but they’re balmy enough that you can comfortably kick back outdoors. In other words, they might be the perfect time to drive out into the middle of nowhere, pitch a tent with some friends, and enjoy a roaring fire (local regulations permitting). There aren’t many things as quintessentially “summer” as camping, so it can be a fine way to greet the season.
Grow Your Green Thumb
The beginning of summer is an ideal time for starting a number of different plants, both flowers and food-bearing plants. You might not have a green thumb yet, but take the first weekend of summer to learn the finer points of planting a garden, and watch your hard work pay off throughout the season. This article is a good place to start learning how to plant a summer garden, and answers a number of FAQs first-time gardeners have.
The first few weekends of summer are as fleeting as they are magnificent. Don’t waste them hanging out indoors, lounging on the couch. Get out, get active and get social with these summery ideas.