Cooperative Living June 2018 - 36

Kids'Korner | Story, photos and artwork by Anne M. Dellinger, Contributing Columnist
Balancing the Summer Break
T
he longest pause in the school
year is about to begin.
School doors are starting to
close and, depending on the state
and region where you live, you
will soon have about 10 to 11
weeks for your own personal
use! Wow ... sounds like a
lot of time, doesn't it?
What will you do with this
period of precious freedom?
First of all, you might check out the special, kid-centered
events that are provided in your community. If a summer
enrichment program or library challenge is available, consider
signing up. It's a fun and relaxed way to strengthen and
expand your classroom knowledge. And best of all, you will
most certainly head off the notorious summer brain drain by
keeping your mind sharp and alert throughout your break.
Perhaps you are thinking about attending a day camp or
break and begin filling in the calendar, remember to leave
some vacant spots for spontaneous happenings, too.
After all, you have just finished a busy school year and you
are due for some playful, un-scheduled moments that will
leave you feeling happy, relaxed and unhurried. In the end, a
summer without a bit of carefree down time, outdoor time,
and imaginative time, just isn't summer!
With a little thoughtful planning, you can even-out your
activities so that there's a reasonable balance between those
that are structured and those that are carefree, spur-of-themoment
events.
Here are a few ideas for some lighthearted, open-ended
diversions that do not require a specific commitment of time,
or sign-up fees or a particular location. These suggestions,
and many more, are from the National Unofficial Holiday
Calendar found at www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun.
June 1st - National Go Barefoot Day
Pull off those shoes and socks ... run through the soft grass
or across the gritty sand ... splash in puddles after a summer
storm ... kick up some newly tilled garden soil! Making direct
sleep-away
camp. With every
theme imaginable,
camps can offer you a chance
to explore brand new experiences or practice
and improve on favorite activities. Which of these
camps would interest you?
Of course, not everyone chooses to go to a camp.
For some kids, fresh opportunities for learning beyond the
school room are available close to home. These are the boys
and girls who will have a part-time summer job pitching in
with their family's business.
With adult supervision and age-appropriate tasks, they could
be participating in a variety of family operations such as these:
* doing farm chores and caring for animals;
* gardening for a farmer's market or roadside stand;
* entertaining playful toddlers in a home daycare;
* helping keep lawns neat in a small lawn-care service.
By summer's end, these young
workers will have received onthe-job
training, nurtured a good
work ethic and earned some extra
pocket money. Not surprisingly,
there may be budding
entrepreneurs in this industrious
group who will become future
business owners and leaders themselves one day.
As you and your parents review your options for summer
34 | Cooperative Living | June 2018
contact with Mother Earth feels really good. Physically and
emotionally you will be in an upbeat and lively mood and ready
to observe this second, early-June unofficial holiday.
June 1st - Say Something Nice Day
Be kind to everyone you meet today. It's such an easy
thing to do ... give a compliment, leave a nice note or
text message for a friend or family member. Share your
positivity wherever you go and be ready for friendly
feedback. This is how happiness spreads and enriches
lives, so why not follow this routine every day of the
year ... (seems like a no-brainer, doesn't it)?!
June 19th - National Sauntering Day
" Sauntering " may be an unfamiliar word for you because it is
seldom spoken in everyday conversation and rarely observed.
The verb saunter means to walk slowly, in a relaxed manner,
without hurry or effort. Perhaps it's best understood as the
opposite of jogging.
Because the modern world moves at such a hectic pace,
everyone seems to have fast feet. But with a little practice, you
can learn to slowly put one foot in front of the other.
www.co-opliving.com
KIDS! CLIP AND KEEP YOUR KIDS' KORNER COLUMNS IN A THREE-RING BINDER AND YOU'LL HAVE A NOTEBOOK CHOCK FULL OF FUN IDEAS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE FUTURE!

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun http://www.co-opliving.com

Cooperative Living June 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living June 2018