(BPT) – Now that summer is here, for many, it seems opportunities to savor those sun-drenched days and starry nights are all too limited. Events and activities are already stacking up on the calendar, and it’s almost as if the season is over before it begins.
It’s not just you who’s feeling the summer squeeze. Four in five Americans (83%) agree summer passes by too quickly, according to a new survey commissioned by outdoor retailer L.L. Bean, and more than half of them feel they don’t have time to truly enjoy it.
Before you know it, summer will be over. Make it your mission to get the most of those precious summer days by spending more time outside with your friends and family. With the help of these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting ‘s’more’ out of summer!
Discover a new park – There are more than 400 national parks, monuments and recreation areas waiting to be explored. You might be surprised you have plenty of options to choose from close to home. To discover your next adventure, use the National Park Foundation’s Find Your Park online tool.
Go camping – Few summer experiences can stir warm childhood memories quite like spending the night under the stars. Arranging a camping trip is easier than you might think. Book a site online at your favorite park. If your summer schedule doesn’t allow a weekend getaway, just pitch a tent in the backyard.
Make a s’more – You can never go wrong with this gooey campfire dessert. For a fun twist, opt for variations of the classic chocolate bar. Peanut butter, coconut and caramel add delicious new flavors and textures. Tip: To avoid lighting it on fire, roast the marshmallow over the embers.
Host the games – Bring that element of playfulness to the backyard cookout and set up plenty of yard games, like bocce, beanbag toss and croquet. Or, as the sun goes down, end the gathering on a fun note with an exciting game of flashlight tag.
Dine al fresco – Food tastes better when it’s eaten outdoors. Take the meal outside when you can, whether that means sipping your morning coffee while listening to the birds, taking your lunch break in the park, or having the family’s evening meals on the patio.
Learn something new – Summer is the time to take up a new outdoor activity, whether it’s fly-fishing, archery or hiking. To make it easy, try L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Program, which offers demonstrations, clinics and hands-on courses for all levels for a variety of outdoor activities. Many of them are even free! Sign up at www.LLBean.com/discovery.
Continue to build our summer fun list with inspiration and tips from L.L. Bean’s S’more Out of Summer Guide, now available online at www.SmoreOutofSummer.com. Or, Ask Alexa – just say, ‘S’more summer tips,’ and your Amazon device will have fun suggestions for getting the whole family outside.
