The Riot has created a summer bucket list with the assistance of fellow students, internet sources, and the staff. However, all of these activities need friends, some sort of burning revenge that has been festering deep inside you, and the willingness to be obnoxious.
PICNIC
Instead of staying indoors for lunch, a picnic is an option to get outside and enjoy the summer season. Lunch and a blanket is all that is needed with the exception of friends. Therefore when you arrive at your location, you don’t look like some creepy stalker “lone wolfing” it. In addition, bug spray is also a good idea, which prevents you from looking like a human dart board. Places available for a picnic include Gunpowder Point Park, Annie’s Playground, and Lyn Stacie Getz Creative Playground. If transportation is not available, a picnic in your own yard is also an alternative. Hopefully this will create less of a chance to be qualified as obnoxious by other people, since no one else will be chilling in your yard with you, but I can only speculate that this will be the case.
WATER BALLOON FIGHT
Being outside in the summer can be sweltering on the warmest, humid days. Therefore, a water balloon fight can extinguish that heat while also relieving yourself of your built up frustration toward people in a healthy, constructive way. We all know that one friend who will never shut up about “that one time when so and so stole her lip gloss,” and then she comes back later and “she like said she like lost it.” Well here’s your chance to show her how sorry you really are about her stolen lip gloss, without the drama of alternative methods. Target carries water balloons for only $2.00 along with a water balloon launcher for $39.99. Wal-Mart also sells water balloons, which comes with a balloon pumping station, for $16.95 and a launcher for only $9.97.
TIE DYE
Tie dying clothes can be disorderly if you are not careful, which might be a good idea in order to prevent one of those “my brother did it” situations. However, the end product results in a keepsake from the summer of 2012. Target offers several tie dye kits ranging from $5.49 to $33.99. White t-shirts are also available ranging from $5.00 to $24.99. In comparison, Wal-Mart carries a kit for $11.00 with shirts ranging from $5.50 to $16.00. Grab your friends and start making your spirit week t-shirts for the 2012-2013 school year. Between tryouts and practices during the summer, meet up with your teammates and tie dye bandanas, socks, and other accessories that can be used all year long during your sports season. It’s never too early to work on your school spirit. Other clothing that could be tie dyed are aprons, footie pajamas, and mittens.
ANIMAL SHELTER
Sixty service hours are required for students to graduate. A beneficial way to fulfill those hours is by volunteering at a local animal shelter. The Humane Society of Harford County is located on 2208 Connolly Road in Fallston. It is the home to dogs, cats, rabbits, and even pigs. However if you’re afraid of animals, passing on this opportunity might be preferred just so you don’t faint while playing with the pigs. Also if you have allergies, staying at home would be better for your own sake so you don’t end up looking like a human blueberry. For any questions, call 410-836-1090, and to search other animal shelters in Maryland, log on to petfinder.com.
FAIRS
Throughout the summer, multiple Maryland fairs are open for attendance, which gives you an opportunity to be as obnoxious as one would like with dozens of people as your audience. Therefore, screaming for your Uncle Howard at the top of the Ferris wheel, partaking in a flash mob, and milking a cow are highly recommended if not encouraged. The Harford County Farm Fair is during July 26 – 29, 2012, located on North Tollgate Road in Bel Air. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the farm fair is open from 10 am – 10 pm. However, on Sunday, it closes at 6 pm. The Howard County Fair is also available from August 4 – 11, 2012 on 2210 Fairgrounds Road West in Friendship, Maryland. The drive is about an hour away from Bel Air, but the distance is worth it. At the fair, there are carnival rides, live music, farm animals along with food and beverages. For additional information, call 410-442-1022. Finally, on August 24 – September 3, 2012 is the Maryland State Fair, which is on 2200 York Road in Timonium. Attractions include bull riding, barrel racing, a jousting display, pig racing, horse racing, and the availability to milk a cow. For more information, call 410-539-5000.
Sydney Setree is a reporter for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.