20 FEATURE
FUN IN THE SUN Students look forward to enjoying the great outdoors BY TREVOR FRAHM ROSALIE DEGENHART reporter assistant editor An extremely familiar scene is set, the end of the school year is fast approaching and summer is now just right around the corner. As restrictions for COVID-19 begin to lift over the summer the new normal is going to be harder than ever to define and will no doubt vary greatly between everyone. There is a variety of summer activities for people to partake in. A popular activity that many took to during the quarantine last year is exploring the great outdoors. For those who are still uncomfortable with large group gatherings, just taking a walk at a local park is a great excuse to go outside. Senior Matt Bates enjoys exploring the several state parks Indiana has to offer. Bates and his family spend the warm summer months getting acquainted with these different parks via camping. “We go camping every year. We switch it up every year but the majority of the time we go to Turkey Run,” Bates said. According to Bates, he most enjoys the peace and solidarity of being outdoors along with the uniqueness of camping and being in nature compared to everyday life. “I personally enjoy the outdoors as something different to do. It gets you away from re-
(second from right) Senior Matt Bates and his family finish up a hike at Indiana’s Turkey Run state park. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MATT BATES
petitive daily life,” Bates said. Though exploring a state or national park is always a fun option, getting exercise and fresh air can be much easier than that. Freshmen Destiny Lopez recommends activities as simple as getting out and riding a bike or spending a day at the beach. “Besides (running), I like to hang out with my friends and go to the beach in the summer,” Lopez said. While some students spend the summer escaping
school, others do the opposite. Junior Emma Depa, a member of CPHS’s royal regiment marching band’s color guard, is at CPHS often during summer due to her extracurricular involvement. “Over the summer (color guard) practices every Tuesday and Thursday at either the school or at Sauerman Woods Park. The first two weeks of August we have band camp where we learn our drill,” Depa said. Depa believes that despite
having to spend her summer at school, color guard is one of the best parts of her summer. “I would definitely recommend color guard. It keeps me active during the summer months and I have made lifelong friendships,” said Depa. Friends, and even families, have more opportunities to bond in the summer, since the many stressors of the school year are irrelevant for many. Similar to Depa, sophomore Marianne Gerona comments on how summer activities like water balloon fights, helps her bond with the people in her life, especially her family. “Having these water balloon fights and picnics really help us bond as a family and spend time with each other since during the school year we’re all preoccupied with work, school and sports,” Gerona said. Gerona also plans to utilize her summer as a time to catch up with friends she did not see as much during the school year. “Sometimes it can be a while since you‘ve caught up to people, especially during the crazy year we’ve had with COVID-19,” Gerona said. “Having lunch at the square allows you to catch up with people, as well as supporting some local business.” The variety activities one can have access to in the summer is endless. Summer break has no shortage of new opportunities to explore as long as you keep an open mind.
