As there is more and more sun, and less and less rain, we know that summer is just beginning. After many cold and wet months here in Washington, the sun is finally peeking out from behind the clouds and warming everything up. With temperature highs now reaching high 70s and mid to low 80s, students are spending their days at the lake or outside with a cold drink. To start off our summer with a bang, here are some GP students’ favorite ways to spend a hot summer day, “I love to go out on the lake to paddle board, it’s relaxing and fun with a group of friends,” Lexi Wybo said.

A great way to cool down is by going to the beach or lake with some friends, “My favorite summer activity is probably going to the beach with my friends because the water is very nice to dip into during the summer and I like the view,” Dido Tanis said.

Spending late nights out with friends is another fun way to end a hot day, “I love late night drives with friends because that’s when we have the most fun and do crazy activities that make funny memories,” Bri Basham said.

Some students spend their summer working on their sport, such as Amanda Kruel, who loves practicing with her all-star cheer team, “My favorite thing to do during the summer is all-star cheer. Practices are two to three hours long, three times a week. We get to do dances, stunts and my favorite, tumbling,” Kruel said. “After practice if we did well on a hot day, we get ice cream. I’m a flyer so I’m getting thrown around in the air, but it’s nice because there’s huge windows so it is nice and cool. My coaches are super supportive and encouraging and it’s my favorite way to spend the summer,” Kruel added.

Here in Washington, there are plenty of mountains and beaches to spend a few nights sleeping under the stars at as well if camping is more your style. “I really enjoy camping! We have a trailer, and we like to travel to places near water so we can swim. Camping is one thing that everyone in my family likes and agrees on and some of my best summer memories are made with my family around a campfire,” Sage Touchette said.

The state fair is also a common attraction for teens, drawing in many people over the course of summer. “My favorite summer activity is probably going to state fairs because you can go with groups of friends, and you can go on rides so many times and still have the adrenaline from it and it almost never gets boring. I really like fairs,” Abigail Savage said.

Other people’s favorite activities require a bit longer commute, as some of the more outdoorsy few like to travel far and wide for the best hiking and climbing spots. “My favorite summer activity is rock climbing. I typically go to Red River Gorge, in Kentucky, and do some really cool climbs there. My favorite one is around 80 feet tall, and if you look around you can see the forest and stuff nearby,” said Blair Jarman. “It’s kind of thrilling, but difficult too. You get to see a lot of really cool views and meet some new people, also, and there’s progress in every climb- nothing quite like the feeling of getting to the top and hanging there for a second, it’s a big accomplishment.”

With going outdoors comes Washington’s amazing scenery to enjoy as well, enjoying the sights weather in a more relaxed way. “My favorite summer activity is being in nature. Either by myself, with family or with friends, being in nature calms me and rejuvenates me,” Sydney Christiansen said. “The weather is nice and all the spring allergies have died down. There are so many fun activities: hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or just walking around downtown.”