Last-minute road trips

Yes, school is almost back in session. It's time to make the  most of those last few moments of freedom before your school schedule takes precedence!

Here are a few ideas ec writer Brandy Campbell shared with us in the August issue:

Rockin’ the rollercoaster
There’s probably an amusement park nearby, at least within a few hours’ drive. Take a road trip with your friends (and probably some adults) and spend the day riding rides and gorging on lemonade slushies and cotton candy.

And so it’s not just an endless day of rides, try to come up with a creative game you can play with your friends. See who can get the most pictures taken with characters at the park. Or come up with a scavenger hunt to play in-between rides! Also, don’t forget to check the park’s website to see if they have coupons or discounted days, especially this late in the summer.

Wild kingdom
Maybe rollercoasters and junk food aren’t your thing. If so, take an afternoon to check out the closest zoos and aquariums in your area. There’s a good chance you haven’t been to one since you were a kid, and a lot has changed since then. Many have interactive exhibits where you can see animals up-close. You might even be able to touch a snake *shudder* or feed a giraffe.

Museums
Hear me out: museums are not just for nerds. Let me prove my point. There are some really cool museums out there. So maybe staring at art all day isn’t your thing. See if you can find a nature and science museum. These types of museums often have state-of-the art exhibits that allow you to learn a ton—without having to take a test afterward!

Many science museums also have incredible IMAX® theaters you can check out! Or, you can do the “living museum” thing instead. Many historical sites across the country allow you to “live out” history at unique exhibits that transport you back in time. You can cook over an open fire, just like the pioneers. Well, except for the fact that you’ll probably use your GPS to get there!

Get outside
 Perhaps you want to spend the last few days of summer enjoying the great outdoors. Check out what your local parks have to offer. Many have Frisbee golf courses or even small water parks. You could just pack a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon hanging out, playing on the playground, and throwing the football. Also check to see if there are any ­botanical gardens close-by. They’re a fun, inexpensive way to see beautiful ­flowers—without having to pull a single weed!

(No matter what the last days of summer hold for you, make sure you make the most of it. The one thing you don’t want to do is start back to school with a whole list of things you wish you had done during your time off. Instead, make that list now and mark a ton of stuff off before heading back to the classroom. You won’t regret it!) 

Brandy Campbell, "Last-minute road trips" ec magazine, August 2010, p. 8