In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know students and families are looking for ideas to use their summer meaningfully. Here’s some creative ways students might get engaged this summer and recharge their batteries.
LEARN
Study a language (using online resources like Duolingo, Babbel, and more)
Take an online class (Coursera and Outschool both have interesting courses!)
Make Claymation videos
Pick up morse code or write something in binary
Gain some cooking skills for life post-high school
Learn how to drive stick shift
Pick up a new style of dance
Write songs using software such as Garageband
Learn how to play an ukulele or another instrument
Take part in The Great Books Program (Reading/analysis from places around the world)
Participate in an online creative writing workshop (Writopia is currently offering all of its workshops online)
Pick up knitting or crocheting
Try origami, quilling, or other unique crafts!
CREATE
Build a garden
Produce music online (free hip hop beats now available with the Library of Congress)
Write an autobiography in memes
Start a podcast
Design clothing items or buildings – create a portfolio of sketches
Turn your family photos into a scrapbook
Keep a journal to document the experience of a high school summer in quarantine
Build a piece of furniture or complete a household improvement project
Start a Depop account (or other online consignment app) and make money selling old clothes OR collect old clothes from family and get creative fixing things up to sell
Redecorate/theme and organize a room
Enter a writing contest or respond to one of these NYTimes Student Opinion Questions (and maybe even get published!)
Create a blog or vlog about something you’re interested in
Build a computer or design a new app
SUPPORT
Volunteer for the City of Oakland (e.g. posting signs for slow streets, distribute food to seniors or call them and other vulnerable populations like undocumented, LGBTQ +)
Transcribe old documents with the Smithsonian and other crowdsourcing efforts
Offer to make a website, social media page, or promotional video for a local small business
Get involved in a national, state, or local political campaign for a candidate you care about – phone bank from home or get involved virtually (it’s an election year)
Send mail encouraging healthcare workers or thanking other essential workers
Attend virtual town hall or other public meetings online
Volunteer at the Berkeley Humane or the Milo Foundation (if they’re open and safe)
Babysit the kids of parents who are essential workers and have to work even though daycares aren’t open
Tutor younger students in need of academic support
Work at a food bank or help distribute food to vulnerable communities
Offer virtual lessons in something you’re interested in (music, cooking, a language, art, etc)
Submit an op-ed about an issue you care about
Make masks and distribute to your community
CONNECT
Needlepoint with grandma/pa over Facetime
Take part in a community storytelling events
Organize a book club among friends
Complete genealogical research and build out your family tree
Join a virtual slam poetry night
Hike with others (from a 6-foot distance)
Organize a group Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon
Connect with animals (some SPCA locations let you just hang out with the cats even if you don’t intend to adopt)
Teach a skill to a younger sibling or cousin
Host or join a virtual workout group/class
PLAY
Juggle or practice yoga or moonwalking
Watch and analyze classic movies
Learn how to do a handstand or the splits
Start building a collection (of rocks, comic books, or vintage jewelry)
Build a Rube Goldberg machine
Practice Acroyoga
Design and play a new board game or card game OR create a twist on a classic!
Challenge yourself to do as many Bay Area hikes as you can and keep a photojournal to document this
Invent an original recipe
Find and beat the most random world record you can!
What will excite and inspire you?
(that’s the best indicator of success and joy)
Comments