If you’ve got a child attending college this year, there’s a good chance he or she is facing that dilemma of just what to do with spring break. A week off from school might feel like an awkward amount of time to really do anything meaningful. We’ve been there. But remind your student that a week off is a luxury that won’t be around forever, and can certainly be put to good use – whether that means it’s dedicated to resting and recharging, being productive, or doing something meaningful for someone else. If your student is of ideas of how to put those free days to good use, pass this list along and perhaps one of these ideas will spark his or her interest:
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Take a service trip. A week is enough time to travel somewhere and give your time and energy to serving someone else. Organizations such as the Youth Africa Foundation (YOFAFO) offer service trips that make for a meaningful experience and a spring break you’ll always remember.
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Travel more locally with a road trip. If you’re based in SLO, there are innumerable places you can explore close by – Cayucos, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Solvang, Santa Barbara and Monterey are all within around two hours. Or push it further and drive up to the Bay Area or down to Los Angeles. California’s coast is a pretty unbeatable drive either direction.
Feeling the staycation route? Turns out there are plenty of things you can do even closer to home:
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Put the time into thrift store shopping. Goodwill Central Coast has five locations in San Luis Obispo County offering good deals any day of the week.
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Or reverse that process – take on spring cleaning and donate the items you don’t need to Goodwill!
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Get active. It’s not too late to sign up for the SLO marathon, half marathon or 5K. Spring break is an ideal time to train!
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If running isn’t your thing, you can still get active through hiking, biking, or even strolling through one of SLO’s many beautiful trails. With a little research, you’ll probably be surprised how many hikes the Central Coast has to offer.
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Take a professional route and shadow someone in a career you’re interested in. A week isn’t long enough for an internship, but you can gain valuable insight into a career path by observing someone in your field of interest for a few days.
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Was winter quarter a rough one for you? Recharge and relax hard – take a spa day, bring a book to the beach, have a movie marathon at home, or try some BOGA to give your body the rest it might be craving.
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Try something out of your repertoire – ever been surfing or SUPing? Check out one of the equipment rental shops in Morro Bay for a water adventure. Or go to an art bar, order a cider or a sour beer, play some disc golf… the opportunities are endless.
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And of course, taking some time to give back is never a wasted use of a week. Think of that organization that sparked your interest but that you just didn’t have time for before. If you can’t think of anything off the top of your head, the United Way can help. Visit VolunteerSLO to get connected with organizations that match your interests.