Creative Ideas for Free Summer Fun

June 27, 2013 /


Local parks are a great place for youth to play sports, skate, and swim with their friends during the summer.

Local parks, including Bagdouma Park, are a great place for youth to play sports, skate, and swim with their friends during the summer.

FATIMA RAMIREZ/Coachella Unincorporated

 

EASTERN COACHELLA VALLEY – With summer underway, teenagers everywhere are out of school and asking the age-old question, “What can I do during the hottest months in the year?”

Although there are organized activities available, many of them require planning months in advance and can be expensive. But there are still plenty of exciting things that young people can do on their own, spontaneously and inexpensively.

Cool Off at the Pool

A quick way to beat the heat is by heading down to the local swimming pools to cool off.  The entry fee is usually minimal, sometimes even free.  Bagdouma Park in Coachella has plenty of summer hours available this summer

With trained lifeguards on duty, it is the perfect way to have fun while staying safe. Some pools offer swimming lessons for various ages and levels of difficulty. Also, if you are in the search for a fun way to meet new friends, there is also a water polo team that can be joined by anyone with adequate swimming abilities.

 

Virtual Summer Camp July 8-11

Summer camps are always an exciting opportunity, but are usually expensive and far from the Eastern Coachella Valley. If young people would like to experience the wonders of camp without leaving home, Maker Camp is a great opportunity.

It is a virtual summer camp geared towards teens that consists of 30 do-it-yourself projects for 30 days from July 8- August 14 hosted on Google Plus. The how-to videos are uploaded daily with the appropriate instructions and in the afternoons. Teens can join a Google hangout with the “Guest Counselor” and discuss the project. On Fridays, the “campers” are taken on a virtual field trip to a place that relates to the weekly projects.

 

Help Your Community, Build Your Resume

If you are looking for a way to enrich your summer, then volunteer work might be the answer. With many local agencies needing help, it is a great way to give back to the community while gaining experience that can help boost your college or job applications. For instance, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission has many different ways to help, from something as simple as serving a meal to becoming a mentor to those in need. Volunteering does not even have to take you far from home; people in your neighborhood and community might need help. Local churches and libraries are good starting places for giving back.

 

Get to that Summer Reading List

Staying focused in school is important, even during breaks. If students have summer reading or assignments, why not do them now? Sooner rather than later will help you enjoy the rest of your summer.

A good way to accomplish all of your assignments along with your friends is by creating a Facebook page for your class. By doing so, you get a chance to discuss reading topics or confusing questions with your classmates. The dual motivation from your friends can be encouraging and keep you from procrastinating.

Summer is always a great time to research colleges and careers. Besides the Internet, the libraries in Coachella and Mecca are a great resource. Babysitting your siblings and cousins? Bring them along!

 

Make Exercise Fun

While the summer heat makes everyone want to stay indoors, don’t forget about the importance of exercise. Organize a volleyball or soccer match with your friends at the local parks. It’s fun, good for you, and best of all – it’s free! Try to exercise during the cooler times of the day and remember to take plenty of water.

Check out the parks in the City of Coachella and their amenities.

 

Be Creative

The key to beating summer boredom is to be creative and have an open mind about the things you can do. Websites like Pinterest and YouTube are great mediums for the creative mind. From finding babysitting ideas or starting your own blog, the list of productive things you can do are endless.

There is always something to do for young people who are creative, resourceful and unafraid to experience new things.

 

More ideas to fight summer boredom in the Eastern Coachella Valley.

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