Summer Boredom Busters

By Elizabeth Cunningham, Vassar College

Worried that your summer is bound for Snoresville? Perish the thought and sign up for the excitement plan, right here. Beat the heat -- and the boredom -- with our roundup of summer thrills and chills:

Host a Get-together Whether you’re back home, sticking around campus or living in a new locale, start the summer off right by connecting (or reconnecting) with friends. What better way to kick things off? Rally the troops for a …

Day at the beach: Can’t get to a real beach? Fake it ’til you make it. “Fill up a baby pool, put down some towels, and put on some beach jams,” says Vassar College student Dana Bell. “Add a volleyball net and a watermelon, and you won’t even miss the sand and surf.” Just don’t forget the sunblock!

Potluck par-tay: Have everyone lend a hand -- er, a dish -- and you can have a bigger and better party on a teensy budget. Take advantage of the heat by grilling and eating outside. For extra fun, add a theme. Celebrate Christmas in July, or ask guests to bring kites along with their dishes.

Backyard arena: Organize a few teams and get the competition going! Think volleyball, croquet, bocce ball, badminton, tennis, soccer, basketball -- whatever you have the space and equipment for. “I like to throw in a relay or slip-and-slide race to make it really fun,” says Madison Elliott, a student at Roanoke College. “And everyone loves the silly prizes from the dollar store we give out at the end.”

Get Good ’n’ Sweaty

Of course, summer is a great time to take on outdoor activities. Get outside for some fresh air and sunshine -- and stay fit while you’re at it!

Quintessential summer sports: “What I love about summer is that it’s always so easy to find someone who’s happy to join you in a game of tennis or golf,” says Bell.

Don’t forget ultimate Frisbee and Frisbee golf. Says University of Colorado student Alexander Padussis: “During the summer, my friends and I play Frisbee golf a couple of times a week. It’s a pretty laid-back sport, but we get a few bets going and everyone gets competitive and really into it.” Focusing on an activity, such as volleyball or mini golf, is a great way to engage the whole group.

Go with the flow: Rent a canoe or kayak. Paddling is great exercise for your arms, but if you’re looking to do a little less work, grab some inner tubes and just float down the river. “I like to put the cooler in its own tube and tie it to somebody,” says Padussis. “Then when we get to the flat calm stretches, we can just relax with our floating picnic.”

Parks and exploration: Check out nearby state and national parks with holes or rivers where swimming is allowed. Grab some friends and go camping. During the day you can hike and find waterfalls or places to rock-climb. (Marked trails and designated areas only, please!) At night, enjoy the bonfire and star-gazing.

Take it Easy, Breezy
Not all outdoor activities require you to work up a sweat. Here are some other open-air ideas for making the most of summer:

Good ol’ baseball games: Show a little local pride by cheering on your team at a major or minor league game. Says Ian Long, a Vassar College student: “Going to games is a great way to enjoy the summer air and spend time with your friends. And maybe watch some baseball too.” And it won’t cost much: Stadiums often have student nights with discounted tickets.

Check out the drive-in: What’s better than an outdoor movie? An outdoor double-feature, ’50s style! Go to Drive-ins.com to find the one closest to you. Too far? Museums, wineries and college campuses often have outdoor (often free!) movie screenings over the summer, so read local event calendars.

Pick your own produce: Find a pick-your-own farm nearby to get your hands on the fresh fruits and veggies in season. “A couple of my friends and I pick peaches and bake pies with them one day each summer,” says Oberlin College student Leah Greenberg. “It’s one of my favorite traditions.”

Troll the flea markets: For some low-budget, outdoor shopping fun, keep an eye out for flea markets and yard sales around your neighborhood. These are especially good for scoring vintage clothing, vinyl records and cheap furnishings for your dorm or apartment.

Rainy Days
Some days the sun just won’t shine -- and, anyway, you’re sick of the sweat and in need of some air conditioning. Here are a few indoor activities:

Indoor sports: Bowling, ice skating, roller-skating and laser tag aren’t just for seventh-graders! “My favorite part of going to the roller skating rink is always the hip tunes,” says Bell. “Takes me right back to middle school. Or the ’80s, depending on who’s DJ-ing.”

Visit museums: Almost always air-conditioned and free/discounted for students, museums often offer special summer programs for student audiences. Check online for events and exhibition schedules.

Go to a planetarium: This is a fantastic and generally inexpensive backup when the weather isn’t cooperating with your plans for a romantic night of gazing at the stars. Plus, most planetariums also do laser light shows and other events.

Check out an aquarium: Aquariums are fascinating, and many have special features like aquatic petting zoos, aviaries and dolphin shows. Cool off, learn something and get a peek at the other two-thirds of the Earth’s inhabitants.

Be Productive
Now that you’ve had a little time off and the trauma of finals has faded, doing something productive can feel pretty good. (Just don’t forget to leave some time for lazy lounging.)

Summer reading: Whether you find a book club or go it solo, reading is a great way to entertain yourself -- without the brain-dulling effects of watching six seasons of “Friends.” (Again.) Finally, pick up that classic you’ve always meant to read, get a handle on the situation in the Middle East with a new nonfiction book, or just go for a simple collection of short stories. And if you’re really ambitious? Get ahead on next semester’s reading!

Clear your bedroom clutter: Reclaim your space -- toss the junk in the back of your closet, rediscover a few forgotten treasures and donate the rest. “I cleaned all the old junk out of my room last summer,” says Towson University student Sarah Winter. “It felt great to banish the ghost of my high school self and make the room really mine again.”

Plant a tree: It can be hard to put down roots during college, particularly if your home and campus are far apart. Wherever you are for the summer, working in the dirt in a private or community garden can help you feel more connected to the place you’re living. Plus, it’s a great way to be outside and get some free herbs, flowers and veggies!

Take a class: Whether you do it for college credit or for fun, it can be kinda nice to be back in the classroom. Try a cooking class, learn to paint, or go the practical route with a CPR certification class. “I’m taking an EMT class this summer,” says Community College of Baltimore County student Brent Cordry. “Maybe I’ll get a job as a paramedic later, maybe not, but it can’t hurt to have those skills and put it on my resume!”