Summer of ‘69

It was the summer of ‘69, and I couldn’t wait for summer school to start. I was thrilled to get up early and walk over to the high school. 

REALLY? Actually, yes, really. 

Because, you see, all year I’d watched EVERYONE ELSE enroll in Driver’s ED, that coveted rite of passage into the ultimate freedom - a driver’s license on your 16th birthday. But my August birthday doomed me to wait, and wait, and wait, as EVERYONE ELSE got to move ahead. 

Sigh. 

So, although I really was thrilled to spend the legendary summer of ‘69 in summer school, I’m not sure how kids are feeling about it this year. Across the US, summer schools are in full swing and most of them have more kids enrolled than ever before. Obviously, it’s been a tough year, and I get that more kids than usual failed courses or got lower grades than they typically do. 

Kids have also been more isolated and stressed out than usual, as have parents! So whether your family is in summer school this year or not, one of the most important “assignments” for all of us is to spend plenty of time rejuvenating this summer.

I love thinking about words, and rejuvenate means to feel young and energetic again. I think we could all use a healthy dose of that right now!

One of the most powerful ways to rejuvenate? Go outside! Being outside in nature, even if it’s just at the park or in your own backyard, changes the way our brains function.

After even a few minutes out in nature can help us to

DECREASE: anxiety, frustration, brooding, depression, and stress.

INCREASE: attention, creativity, memory, problem solving, a sense of well-being, happiness, connection with others… the list goes on.

Hmm, think that could help kids get ready for a better year at school next fall???

So, hopefully, we’ll see you at the park, or the lake, or the mountains, wherever you can find a bit of nature to nurture you and yours,

Anne and Calvert