I have to admit it: this is the first year I’ve actually left my house during the summer on a semi-regular basis. It’s almost the end of July now, and I have no doubt that some of you out there are in the same boat I was in for most of my life. The reason I’ve started doing so much this year is due to a bit of an emotional crisis: this is the last summer I will be under 18. This also means that I’m on the brink of adulthood, and on the brink of having a job which forces me to work during the summer. I guess I don’t have a summer job like so many others, but part-time jobs at the mall are a little different than 40 hours a week in a cubicle. I now present a list of what to do in your last few years of summer freedom, starting with least effort and ending with most difficult.
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Okay, so maybe not everything you do needs to be outside. Try going down the imdb top 250 list and watching some of those, or picking up a critically acclaimed TV show like Fringe, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Game of Thrones (be warned, this one is a little more mature), Modern Family, Breaking Bad, Arrested Development or even rewatch House now that it’s over. Obviously don’t go overboard, but sparing a week to be a couch potato watching something fabulous (not Bachelor Pad or Kardashian reruns) is seriously worth it and might even plant some cool ideas in your mind.
What? Everyone takes their dogs for walks, but what about those of us who only have cats? Well, as long as you find somewhere without dogs, why not put your cat on a harness? Some cats won’t be okay with this, but mine loves it. It’s really just hilarious to trot around behind them. The difference between taking a dog and a cat for a walk is that when you go with a cat, they’re the one walking YOU. And it’s adorable.
Calgary is finally starting to get some good road paths, but don’t forget the already existing river paths! Calgary has the longest bike path system in North America – mainly due to our impressive amount of urban sprawl. Still, the river pathway is beautiful. Just hop on it and get going any which way, you can pretty much go forever. Bring a camera too, because watching the sun rise or set on the river is one of the most amazing times to be had in Calgary.
Youth Are Awesome has been trying to cover all of Calgary’s new food trucks, and there’s only a few left. This fad has caught everyone up and we’re really hoping it stays! Check out some of our own blogs, such as Carrie’s review of Alley Burger or Chu’s review of Snoberry Ice. Then, see the food truck locator to find out where they are. It’s such a unique and delicious experience, as well as being relatively affordable. Come on, who doesn’t love food?
Unfortunately, as I mentioned in an older post, Calgary’s all ages scene is in a bit of a rut right now. However, The New Black Centre is still in full swing with a busy summer schedule. Head on down to see some amazing local talent and make some friends!
Some cost money, some don’t. The joy of Calgary summer is the huge amount of festivals. There’s Fringe Fest, Expo Latino, Globalfest, Indiafest and a million others. There’s also Folk Fest happening this coming weekend! Head on down to get a taste of Calgary’s diverse cultures as well as our amazing talent. Also, if you’d like to get a bit more involved, try signing up to volunteer! Youth Central does many of these projects, and for the others you can usually sign up through their respective websites.
7. Go to the Science Centre or Calgary Zoo
Both of these are accessible via the Zoo LRT station and both make great day trips. The zoo has recently got its penguins and will always have the classics like tigers, red pandas, and peacocks who wander everywhere. Also, it costs about the same as a movie. The science centre is about twice as much, but you won’t regret it. The new facility isn’t even a year old yet and the exhibits there are incredibly fun, no matter what age you are. Also, on Aug 2, there’s astronomy night where you can look through their telescopes, talk to members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada or see simulations of the August 5th landing of Mars Curiosity Rover. Don’t forget the newly opened Dome Theatre– it’s huge and the clarity will blow your mind as you fly through the milky way.
8. Go rafting
The river is finally getting a bit lower, so rafting is becoming more safe. I usually push in at Bowness park and get out at Edworthy or the zoo, depending on how long I have. You can rent rafts from the University for a reasonable amount or at many other locations around the city, just do a quick Google search. Just remember to always wear your life jacket, sunscreen, and noisemaker in case you need help! The City of Calgary has a handy rafting safety tips page available.
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This one requires a friend who can drive or going with your family, but is so fun! For easier hikes you can always do Grassy Lakes or Sulphur Mountain (which has hot springs at the bottom, so bring a bathing suit). For a step up try Ha Ling (Chinaman’s peak), Grizzly Mountain, or Mount Rundle. A little harder would be Mount Mist, but obviously you can get much harder than that. Pick up a scrambling or hiking book from the library to get an idea of where to go for your level. Bring tons of water, sunscreen, and some warm clothes since it’s cold at the peak even on hot days.
Go camping with your family or even your friends (if you’re a little older). It’s about $23 a night usually, and $7 for each bundle of firewood. Many campsites take reservations but they’re mostly full, so try one of the campgrounds in Peter Lougheed who let you just drop in. I usually go to Elkwood, but the others are all wonderful too. It’s so much fun to sit around a campfire with the people you love while roasting marshmallows – just bring lots of bug spray. Also, bring a pair of binoculars so you can look up at the stars and see a few satellites flying by.
