Tag: summer

In Colorado, we are used to being kept indoors by inclement weather. But the temperatures are rising and the days are getting sunnier and many of us are still stuck inside thanks to COVID-19.

The lockdown has already canceled or postponed many activities, events, and festivals. But one that you can still celebrate is National Get Outdoors Day. At a time when many of us are eager to get outdoors and enjoy the warm weather, it is still important to modify this celebration with some simple changes thanks to social distancing guidelines.

What is National Get Outdoors Day?

June is already designated as National Great Outdoors Month, encouraging people to explore the wildlife refuges and parks in the U.S. to appreciate the natural beauty around us. Since 2008, Colorado has gone a step further with Get Outdoors Colorado Day.

This event is held on the second Saturday of June and is a free, family-friendly event meant to promote access to safe outdoor spaces and nature exploration. Generally, activities have included biking, boating, climbing, fishing, hiking, and swimming. Although the COVID-19 lockdown is definitely going to put a damper on the event, it is not going to completely end it.

Outdoor Social Distancing Guidelines

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are 3 major guidelines that would affect Get Outdoors Colorado Day. First, the CDC encourages you, when in public, to stay at least 6 feet from other people. They also stress not gathering in groups and staying away from mass gatherings and crowded places. Ultimately, this means that you don’t want to be in close contact with anyone outside of your family or household.

How to Get Outdoors While Staying Safe

Just because you have to practice social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the great outdoors. First, you can enjoy the outdoors just by going into your backyard and doing a little gardening. But if you do want to venture outside into parks and wildlife preserves, there are still several activities you can take part in while social distancing.

Boating and kayaking can easily be enjoyed while maintaining a safe distance from other people. Fishing has long been a more solitary activity as too many people in one area can scare off the fish. Or, if you want, just go for a hike in the woods and make sure that you steer clear of other hikers by at least six feet. As long as you aren’t clumped up in one area, you will still be following the CDC guidelines.

Just because you have to practice social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Get Outdoors Day. This annual event is the perfect opportunity to shake off that cabin fever and get some fresh air while still staying safe.

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If you are trying to be a parent on a budget, then you know that summer camps may sound great, but they can really be expensive. That’s why so many stay-at-home moms are trying to turn their own backyards into a summer camp experience.

This way, you can keep the kids occupied, engage them physically and mentally in worthwhile activities, and you don’t have to break your bank.

Here are some ideas on how you can turn your home into a backyard summer camp:

The first things you are going to want to do is get organized and collect supplies.

When it comes to organization, just remember three key areas that the average summer camp takes care of: physical activities, arts and crafts, and evening/social activities. Try to schedule activities around these three areas. Also, be sure to stock up on cheap art supplies. (The Dollar Store is a good place to pick these up.)

• Morning Activities—I find it easier to split the activities up by time of day. The morning is usually best for athletic and physical activities because of the heat. You don’t really want to spend the hottest part of the day outside and sweating, so schedule them for the morning. I also like to have about five main activities that I can rotate around so that they don’t do them each and every day.

  You might want to include time at the local pool (always a favorite), archery (a perennial summer camp favorite that you can enjoy at a local range), golfing (or at least hitting a few buckets on the driving range), bowling, or just going for a walk in the park or around the neighborhood. If you have a lot of kids in your neighborhood, consider organizing a softball or kickball game.

• Afternoon Activities—The afternoon should be about arts and crafts and more mentally engaging activities. These don’t have to be very expensive, but again, variety helps. You can load up on cheap art supplies to do everything from painting to coloring to origami. But you can also include mentally engaging activities, like writing an original story, reading, and completing jigsaw puzzles. You can also use this time to help your child learn a new skill like photography or cooking.
• Evening Activities—If you really want to go for the camp experience, then consider getting a camping tent and setting it up in the backyard with a sleeping bag. This is when you should just sit around and talk with your kids. Have them tell you stories and tell them some from your childhood as well. Older kids may balk, but they still like to hear stories, especially if you tell them around a campfire. And don’t forget to make some S’mores on that fire.

This year, you don’t have to send your kids off to an expensive summer camp or even a local day camp. You can work to create the same experience in your own backyard.

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