Summer Survival Guide
Sunday 20 June 2004
The sun is shining, the bees are buzzing and the summer holidays stretch before you. So what are you going to do?
Well, before you reach for the remote control and slump down on the sofa for a marathon of TV watching, why don't you take some time out think about cool stuff you could be doing this summer.
Instead of watching the Big Brother contestants, or reruns of The Simpsons, why not get out there and make this summer one to remember?
Get the info
Your first port of call on your quest to have a great summer should be your local library.
People often think libraries are old buildings full of dusty old books. Well, okay, that might be the case for a lot of people, they're still full of information on local events - that's one of the main things they do!
As well as allowing people to get on the internet for free, libraries usually have loads of notice baords full of things taking place - especially during the summer.
Even if there is no specific information available, somebody there should be able to give you contact details for your local council.
Loads of councils run summer schemes for young people, and some of them even have their own web sites. With a growing number of libraries offering up to 30 minutes of free internet access, you've no excuse not to get all the info you need.
Not only that, but you can pick up your summer reading from the library too. There are not many TVs that you can pick up and carry around with you, and dip into the same story whenever you want, but with a book you can do just that.
Sporting chance
Another thing you could do to fill your summer is take up that sport that you've always wanted to do but have never had the time before. Sports like football or basketball can be played pretty much anywhere and are a great way of keeping fit, and maybe even getting a bit of a suntan into the bargain. Watch out for any signs saying that certain sports are forbidden in public places, though; you don?t want to remember your holidays as the 'summer of trouble'.
While football is great, how about doing something a little more original? You might think that martial arts such as judo or tae kwon do are bit scary, but in fact boys and girls of all ages enjoy the ancient art, which takes a great deal of endurance and skill. They're easy to learn and a great way of keeping fit. Look in your Yellow Pages for details of martial arts centres close to you or try asking about lessons at your local leisure centre.
The swimming pool is also a good place to head this summer. Whether you want to improve your skills in the water or just sit with your toes in the pool showing off your brand new costume, it's a great way to cool down. Some swimming pools even have special events such as poolside discos and barbecues. Your local pool should have a brochure outlining summer events coming up.
A little bit different
How about something really different? Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be an actor? How about being an opera singer for the summer? Most towns have an amateur dramatics or operatics society who put on productions three or four times a year. They're always looking for new talent, so if you think you could be the next big thing, why not look in the telephone directory or on web for your nearest society? If it's great weather this summer, you may even get to perform outside. You never know, you could get spotted by an agent and propelled into stardom. It does happen!
Why not tell us what you've got planned for this summer? Let us know what you're doing, or what you think everybody else should be doing.
