Summer break is creeping up quickly, and it can be easy to spend all summer holed up with a video game or watching TV. But there are many ways to be productive during the summer, and make fun memories at the same time. Staying productive not only helps you to continue to grow and learn, but it also boosts your mental health if you balance productivity with rest. 

One option is finding a summer job. Plenty of local businesses, such as Dutch Wonderland, are looking for seasonal employees, and it’s a great way to earn some extra cash. If you’re not looking for something too involved, try babysitting, walking dogs, or doing yard work. Counseling at a summer camp is another fun opportunity, or you could do an internship to learn more about a specific career you’re interested in. Most internships are paid, so you’ll be earning money at the same time.

Another idea is to pick up a new hobby. Something like photography can be learned as easily as watching YouTube videos and getting out with a phone to practice. Summer is also a great time to try gardening, or you can learn how to cook.

Try something active. There are parks throughout the city, and Lancaster County Park has several trails and walking paths, as well as a pool. Gather some friends and play a game, or join a community sports team. 

If it’s too hot to do anything outdoors, make a trip to the library and check out some books. Reading is a great way to keep your brain engaged when you don’t have school, and it’s entertaining, too. The Lancaster Public Library also has games available to check out, like bocce ball, spikeball, and many more, so even if you don’t own a certain game yourself, you can still enjoy it for a week or two at a time. 

If you enjoy creating things, summer provides ample opportunity to start a fun project or experiment with different styles of creativity. If you’re an artist, try a new technique or branch out into a type of art you’ve never explored before. If you like photography, try videography for a change. If you’re a writer, think outside of the box and learn to write something you don’t usually write. For example, if you’re naturally a poet, you might decide to try writing a short story, or if you are more of a blogger, try poetry. Who knows, perhaps you’ll discover something else you enjoy.

To take the creativity to another level, grab some friends and make a movie together. You could even plan a special evening to show it to family and friends when it’s finished. 

Regardless of what you like to do, summer break offers plenty of time to make lasting memories. It doesn’t have to be wasted! Enjoy your summer!