(408 words)
After a long winter of being cooped up inside, the summer months are like a colorful beacon of hope. Nice weather! Fun trips! Seeing friends!
Then a global pandemic comes along to throw a wrench in the mix, and a long winter of being cooped up inside transitions to a long spring and summer of exactly the same thing. No beach days, no vacations, certainly no large gatherings of friends. But if pictures of past summer adventures are getting you down, it’s time to get creative! Here are three ways to try and recapture that summer fun while remaining safe.
For starters, don’t underestimate the power of the picnic. A socially-distanced picnic is a great way to catch up with friends or family that has some advantages over the classic version. A bring-your-own-snacks format cuts out the hassle of trying to decide on food that everyone will enjoy, and using separate picnic blankets at the standard six feet apart avoids the struggle of trying to fit every person onto one blanket that always seems to be a little too small. Grab some sunscreen and head out to your front lawn, or nearby park if it’s open, and enjoy some fresh air while you catch up with your friends!
A fun and summery activity that hasn’t been getting nearly enough love in recent years is the drive-in movie. You might think of these as outdated and something that only the characters in Grease go out to do, but give it a try. Many local drive-ins are still open and are showing reruns of recent movies or old classics, sometimes even in double features! Staying in the car means automatic social distancing, and what could be more fun and summery than a movie under the stars?
FaceTime or Zoom cocktail hours have already become a mainstay during quarantine, but having a virtual game night is a great way to spice up an evening with friends. Game apps like Psych can be played remotely by sharing a code, and some party games like Cards Against Humanity can be played online as well! A little friendly competition is always a good time, even better when everyone can be in pajamas on their own couch!
While it can be a little sad to spend the summer months in such a different way, there are still plenty of ways to still enjoy what makes them special while minimizing risks. Have fun and stay safe!
Meghan McGowan 