by Sabrina Williams | staff writer
Summer has rolled around again, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay in bed all day while your friends are living it up in Europe or making money at the store you wanted to work at. If you don’t have any plans for this summer and couldn’t get any of the seasonal jobs, there are plenty of free alternatives that won’t leave you feeling like that boring person who didn’t do anything when school comes back around.
1) The Beach
Probably the most obvious choice, but still one of the best to turn to. Grab a couple of your closest friends, or maybe even the whole family if that’s your style, and some towels and hit the Texas coast this summer.
Some of the best beaches would be the Corpus Christi Beach or South Padre Island, each about two and a half hours away. The only thing you would have to worry about is transportation, and while the greyhound is cheap, you could still hop in your car and drive to a hotel down there. But after that, you won’t have to worry about anything. Corpus Christi has city-wide trolleys that will take you from the beach to the best restaurant in town. It’s completely free, and there’s always plenty to do for a couple of days, so don’t leave after one. Get a golden tan, or find one of the many night carnivals in the tourist areas, which sometimes are free too. But for heaven’s sake, please put sunblock on; no one wants to see your sunburn on instagram.
2) Volunteer
It may seem cheesy, but go do something with your life and make a difference in the world. Volunteering isn’t only for overachievers, and most can be very rewarding. And while your friends are posting pictures of themselves with a big tower in France behind them that they can’t even pronounce, you could be making new friends. Of course, it doesn’t pay, but you could even use it as a job reference in the future. Below is a link to one of the most fun volunteer opportunities that also offers flexible schedules.
http://www.sakids.org/home.aspx
3) Go Running
Sitting on your butt watching Sister Wives and thinking about working out won’t do anything for you. Getting started is the biggest step, and making it a routine is the last. Not everyone is an athlete, but we all have to start somewhere. Take your ipod and jog around the block a couple of times, or even take a friend to push you to go further. You don’t have to start at marathon level, but slowly working your way up will prove to be an achievement in the end. The summer is the perfect time to train and get nicely toned before school starts again.
4) The local pool
Too lazy to pack up to go to the beach? San Antonio is more than hot enough to go swimming at the local pool. However, if you don’t like the crowds, going during the week would be the best bet. But of course, no one wants to go alone. Gather some friends, get as many animal floaties as you can carry, and have a fun time splashing around like a bunch of six year-olds. You’re never too old to play in the local pool, and you better take advantage of it before next semester comes around and you’re expected to act more mature. Get that kiddie side out of you this summer before it’s too late.
5) Go to a local park
Whether it’s your neighborhood, or a giant one, parks are never dull. You and your friends can easily make a day memorable by swinging around on the swing set, hiking, or playing soccer in a giant field. But don’t let the fun stop there. Bring some food along so you don’t have to stop at McDonalds, and have a little picnic. Below are a couple of the best parks in San Antonio with links.
http://www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/directory_mcallister.aspx
http://www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/directory_brackenridge.aspx
