Diploma exams, provincial achievement tests and final projects are completed. Teachers are entering final grades and putting closing comments on report cards while students speak of how many more sleeps to go before school is out. “No more teachers, no more books …” are the rhymes of anticipation for a relaxing and fun-filled summer holiday. Plucky math students have precise calculations of exactly how many seconds to go until the final dismissal bell sounds. Students are getting set to say goodbye to this year’s classmates, to offer farewell wishes to homeroom teachers but know that lurking in the distance, just out of sight, is September!
Summer freedom is to be guarded as precious. For some folks Alice Cooper’s classic rock anthem rings loudly at this time of year — school’s out for summer. I have fond memories of singing this tune with buddies as we walked the hallowed halls of high school for the final time, realizing that once we left, we would have to be ready to take on the mantle of adult responsibility and make our mark on the world. I think many of us remember the elation and excitement of the endless possibilities of summer days that would connect like a seemingly endless line of boxcars across the prairies. The lessons and homework complete, the field trips and assemblies over, the school year blended into the memories of previous years. July and August became the pages upon which we would write our summer adventures.
I recall heading to the beach twice a day, playing ball, biking to the corner store, hanging out with friends at the park, playing board games and listening to music. Of course there was the ceremonial family road trip that involved 12 hours in a station wagon rolling west from Grand Bay, N.B. to my grandparents in Cornwall, Ont. Nothing brings a family closer than a sardine experience and a brother’s propensity for car sickness. When we arrived in Ontario however, we would go to my aunt’s farm and have the run of the place. Camping out, bon fires, extended family meals and sightseeing are memories etched upon my mind’s eye. We spent most of the day outside, rain or shine, being active. ‘Carefree’ was a concept easily defined and readily lived.
I wonder if kids today have the same sense of carefree that we had growing up. Fences, gates, locks, alarm systems … we seem to do more living inside than out. Kids play at the park but are mindful of the litany of cautions and warnings about strangers. There are seemingly more dangers in society today facing our youth. Working at younger ages, kids today do not take as much free time for themselves as we once did. Many will use their time in the virtual world playing video games in the basement or visiting friends in cyberspace rather than at the park or at the pool. Many students elect to take a summer school course for academic planning purposes or to free up time for their senior year. That still leaves August. Many volunteer with various organizations, which is always great for the budding resume.
Summer camps, community activities and celebrations, organized sports and a plethora of concerts, festivals and events are just waiting for us this summer. Wherever your path takes you during these dog days, be sure to take time to do something carefree.
Tim Cusack is contemplating the brush, the stain and the deck … after a few hours on the patio.
