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5 Extra-Curricular Events All College Students Should Experience

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So much of the college experience happens outside of the classroom. Though it’s obviously important to be prepared to study hard while at university, commitment to academics shouldn’t stop you from enjoying all that college life has to offer. Indeed, spending all of your time in class, in the library, or in your dorm room is tantamount to a massive missed opportunity. To that end, today we’re going to share five extra-curricular events that all college students should attend at least once. Check them out here:

College Theatre

Some colleges are home to wonderful auditoriums and theaters. And many college students who study theatre are immensely talented. Indeed, they may even rehearse a role for an entire semester before they perform it live. Given that fact, you should make it a point to check out at least one student-performed play while in college. Trust us, you won’t regret it.

Art Galleries

Sticking with the theme of high culture for a moment, there are few better ways to spend a free afternoon on campus than by checking out a student-run art gallery. Who knows, you may even come across the early work of a burgeoning famous artist there!

Frisbee and Hacky Sack

Cliched? Sure, but playing frisbee or hacky sack with a couple of close friends on the quad of an idyllic university can be a blast. Tick this box if just for the goofy photo opportunities.

Sporting Events

College athletics is a massive industry that attracts visitors and fans from around the country. In fact, many colleges hire companies like OTW Safety to provide them with barricades for crowd management and traffic control on game days. Not only do sporting events give students the chance to unwind for a few hours, but there are few expressions of school pride more meaningful than sporting traditions. And there’s nothing better than beating that big rival from across the state in a football game!

House Party

Many people meet their best friends in college. Of course, a big part of making friends is going to parties. It’s worth remembering that college party culture does have a dark side, though. So never engage in any illegal activities, behave responsibly, and always look after your well-being and the well-being of others first and foremost. College life is about having fun and meeting new people, but you shouldn’t risk your health or others’ just to fit in.

Conclusion

Believe it or not, it is possible to soak up everything college has to offer while maintaining a high GPA. Go out and seize the day because those four years are sure to fly by faster than you realize.

How Your Child Can Benefit From Kids Swimming Lessons

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Sending your kids to basketball practice, summer camp, or an after-school theatre program is a great well to keep them entertained. Activities like these aren’t just a method of entertainment, though, but also crucial for social, mental, and physical development. Whatever you do, don’t let your young one sit in front of the TV all day.

Not sure which activity will be best for your child? Consider kids swimming lessons! It has been proven that learning to swim at a young age has tons of benefits to both mental and physical development. The YMCA says that “swimming is an important life skill that children and adults should learn as early as possible.”

Swimming has numerous health benefits

This is true for people of all ages, but greatly applies to young children. In a world where obesity and laziness is running rampant, it is important to teach your children from a young age that physical fitness is important. A great way to exemplify this is to sign them up for swimming lessons in your local area.

Swimming is not just fun, but it is one of the best forms of exercise and works every muscle of the body. Children who experience a lot of pent up energy will be able to get rid of this energy in a healthy way. On top of that, swimming builds strength and endurance and is healthier on the body than other forms of exercise.

It teaches water-related safety skills

Teaching a child to swim at a young age teaches necessary water safety rules. Not only will your child learn that there is “no running” in the pool area, but also vital life-saving skills that could be useful later on in life. These skills could one day save their own lives or the life of another.

Swimming lessons help with social development

Of course swimming assists with physical fitness, but did you know that it also helps children to develop socially? Most swimming lessons are offered in small groups and all children or teens are within the same age group. The kids are able to interact with one another, learn from one another, and have fun together.

This is a great opportunity to make friends and even work together as a team. For older age groups, team building swim relays are common. These activities are fun, interactive, and teach valuable life lessons. Learning these valuable social skills can also be done in a classroom, but it has been proven to be even more effective within the confines of a swimming pool.

Learning to swim is a valuable life skill

This goes without saying since there are tons of opportunities throughout life that call for swimming skills. When your child vacations near the beach at an older age, he or she will grateful for the swimming lessons you invested in as a parent. Boat trips, beach outings, and summertime swim memberships won’t be the same without having the ability to swim.

15 Camping Activities Your Children Will Love

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Summertime provides the family with a perfect opportunity to explore the great outdoors with a camping trip. However, before you set-off on your adventure, it would be wise to plan some camping activities to keep the children entertained throughout the experience. Check out these fifteen camping activities your child will love.


  1. Make Delicious S’mores

Nothing tastes sweeter than a scrumptious s’more around a campfire. Tell scary ghost stories that your children will love as you melt together marshmallows and chocolate onto a cracker or another s’more recipe. You can guarantee the taste of the treat will linger on their tongue all evening long, providing the perfect end to a fantastic day of camping.


  1. An Animal Checklist

If you are camping in a state or national park, we recommend finding out about the animals who live there in advance. You can then create a fun checklist for your children, so they can tick an animal off their list as soon as they spot one. You can guarantee they will love looking for squirrels, deer and ducks.


  1. Cook Over a Campfire

Allow your children to help you create delicious camp cooking recipes for all the family over a campfire. It’s a great way to get your children involved in the camping experience, while teaching them how to cook, which are skills they can use later in life.


  1. Flashlight Tag

There are a million and one ways to entertain your little ones on a camping trip. For a game that will have them laughing out loud, play flashlight tag as a family. The goal is for a player to shine a light on another family member’s clothing, who will have to dodge out of the way to avoid the light shining on them. However, ensure you play in an uncluttered space that’s away from the campfire!


  1. Sing Songs Around a Campfire

There’s no better time to enjoy a family sing-a-long than when you’re sitting around the campfire. It’s the perfect time to let your vocal talents shine or to get a little silly, using different voices and singing different songs. You could even make a campfire song up as a family that you can sing on every trip.


  1. Create Shadow Puppets

Capture your child’s imagination by making fun shadow puppets when the sun goes down. You can create images of animals and characters using your hands or by using cardboard images. They’ll love it so much they will probably try to create their own, so it’s a great way to encourage your little one’s creativity.


  1. Play Board Games

While many campers will pray for the sunshine, it does not always come out as hoped. Ensure the children will have fun whatever the weather by taking along some board games. From Pop Up Pirate to Monopoly, there is a game to suit the whole family. It will stop your children from feeling bored so that they will embrace the experience from start to finish.


  1. Teach Your Child the Constellations

Encourage your children to fall in love with astronomy by teaching them about constellations during a camping trip. If possible, point out constellations such as Ursa Major or Ursa Minor, plus more. You could even develop their interest by giving them a children’s astronomy book before your camping trip or by telling them facts about the solar system, star formation or the milky way.


  1. An Explorer Journal

Buy your little one a journal that allows them to write about the many different sights, sounds and smells around a campsite. They can use the journal to write a diary or stories, or they can even draw pictures of animals, bugs or their favorite memories from the vacation.


  1. Charades

A game of charades can provide plenty of family fun before bedtime. The whole camp will be laughing their layers off as you try to figure out a word. It’s a great way for your children to unleash their creativity and enjoy some fun away from a smartphone or tablet.


  1. Glow in the Dark Ring Toss

One inexpensive game that’s ideal for an evening around the campfire is the glow in the dark ring toss game. All you need is a small pole and some glow in the dark bracelets to get started. Each member of the family should pick one glow stick color and whoever lands the most rings around the pole wins the game.


  1. A Scavenger Hunt

Give your children a bag to enjoy a scavenger hunt around the campsite. Ensure you follow them as they run around to find different objects to put in a bag. You could even place items you want them to find in different locations to make the game more memorable for your little one. Once the game is over, empty their bag to see what treasures they have found and tick objects off your scavenger hunt list.


  1. Play Catch

Every child likes to play catch, even when they’re enjoying camping. If your son or daughter becomes a little restless, it’s a great way to entertain them and tire them out at the same time.  Add an element of danger to the game by playing with a water balloon, if the weather is good enough of course. They will be laughing about the game all day long and will sleep peacefully in their sleeping bags throughout the night.


  1. Go on a Hike

Most campsites are located near different hiking trails for different skill levels. Opt for a family-friendly trail that will allow your children to explore nature without having to walk too far. You could even ask them to find a good walking stick along the way.


  1. Rent a Canoe

Take your children on a trip across a lake in a canoe. They’ll love nothing more than absorbing their surroundings, staring into the lake or attempting to row the canoe across the water. Don’t be scared to show your son or daughter how to hold a canoe paddle and allow them to put the paddle in the water.  It’s a great family activity your children will remember long after the camping trip is over.

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