By Madison Waldie Posted May 30, 2012
“No more pencils. No more books. No more teacher’s dirty looks.”
It’s almost here, our three months of freedom. We look forward to summer for the 180 days that we are in school. If we aren’t reminiscing about the warm weather, days on the lake, extra hours at work, long nights, and vacations, we spend time planning for the next summer and the one after that.
As the school year comes to a close and activities like prom, the academic assembly, and yearbook signing are over; we have a whole summer ahead of us. Summer is a time to relax, have fun, earn money, and physically and mentally prepare ourselves for the next year. We live in the Great Basin and when we open our eyes and look around our home at all of the locations, natural beauty, and space around us there is potential for many activities that will keep us busy all summer long.
School is out for the summer, and we only have 108 days of this ‘freedom’ until it is time to head back to the hallways again. Even for most seniors, the end of the summer is already right around the corner as planning for their dorm, courses, and college activities have already begun. With that, we have to make this summer one that we will remember for years to come. Surround yourself with friends and family, have a good time, be safe, and make memories.
Plan an activity: It could be something as small as a fire-pit with s’mores or a bonfire barbecue. Whatever you decide, make sure that you are getting together with friends over the summer. Just as some of the math, history, and English lessons fade away and are forgotten in the summer months, friendships can diminish as well. Just because there is no hallway for you and your friends to gather in, doesn’t mean you have to wait until next August to see them again.
Go on an adventure: Within four hours of Winnemucca, we have Rye Patch, Tahoe, Pyramid, the Truckee River, and the Snake River; as well as many other bodies of water. Take a day or two and go explore, float, boat, raft, swim, and fish. You never know what you might find in the great outdoors. Remember to always take a friend, and wear your life jacket.
Have some fun: Got to the water park, an amusement park, a concert, or another recreational activity. In Reno, just two hours away, there is a swing, a rock climbing wall, a go-kart track, and many arcades. If you sit at home all summer, you’re bound to get bored, and then you will look forward to returning to school, and that’s not a good thing.
Work: Stay busy and make money? Sounds like a win-win situation to me. High school can be expensive and it is nice to not have to rely on your parents for everything. Make some of your own money, and spend it however you want.
Whatever activities you choose to fill your long, hot, summer days, remember to be safe and use plenty of sunblock.
