IDEA #10 — CHILDREN June 3, 2009
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If the last 9 posts haven’t motivated you to get off the couch, I have one more suggestion — plan a summer of fun for some little kids. Maybe you have little brothers and sisters or cousins, or maybe your friends have younger brothers and sisters. Give them a summer they’ll remember, a summer that’s filled with “adventures.” Most of the museums, nature centers, and libraries listed in previous posts have activities and events for small children and many are free or low-cost. For a really cheap outing, take them to story-hour at the library or even just to a different park or playground. Take them to a local bookstore like Burke’s Books in Park Ridge (http://www.booksatburkes.com) or Magic Tree in Oak Park (http://www.magictreebooks.com). Even browsing books for 45 minutes or so can be a surprisingly fun trip for both you and the kids. If you have some spare cash, set a spending limit (like $5 or $10) and let them pick a book to take home. For a special day, take them down to Millenium Park (http://www.millenniumpark.org) and let them find their reflection in Cloud Gate (”The Bean”) or splash around in the Crown Fountain or run across the serpentine BP Bridge.
If you don’t have any kids handy, voluteer to work with kids at a library or church or community center. Be a coach or instructor at sports or dance camps. You might be surprised at how much fun you’ll have spending your summer planning some fun for a bunch of little kids.
I hope these 10 ideas have been helpful and have sparked some great ideas (and great experiences) of your own. Have a good summer!
IDEA #9 — JOB/VOLUNTEER/INTERNSHIP June 2, 2009
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Although it might not top your list of fun summer activities, getting a job, volunteering, or participating in internship opportunities can be a valuable experience that can help you:
- earn money,
- establish contacts,
- get experience,
- learn something new,
- get out of the house.
Try and make the best of a bad economy. Jobs may be for shorter lengths of time (a few weeks instead of the whole summer) or shorter hours each week or day, but you’ll still have a chance to earn some money. If no jobs are available, consider volunteering or an internship position. You won’t make money, but you’ll still get experience that you can add to your resume and references who will put in a good word for you when you apply for other positions or jobs.
Check these sources for jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities:
- Guidance Department here at Res,
- local neighborhood newspaper,
- job board at your local public library,
- websites of organizations or companies,
- church bulletins,
- park districts and community centers,
- nursing homes,
- day-care centers.
IDEA #8 — GOING ON VACATION June 1, 2009
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If you’re going on vacation this summer, why not read up about where you’re going? Sure, take a look at a travel guide, but also consider reading:
- about the history and geography of the area;
- descriptions of the culture, art, or music of the current or historical inhabitants;
- fiction set in that locale.
Good travel guides often have reading recommendations. You can also do a Subject Search in your library’s catalog for the places you will be visiting. Use the “Browse” option to see the list of subject subdivisions if you end up with lots of “hits” and want to narrow your list. If you’re really stuck for what to read, contact your destination’s local public library and ask the reference librarian for good books about that place. When I read fiction, it’s usually a mystery, so I like to try and find at least one that’s set in, or near, my destination. It helps makes the place come alive for me.
Another suggestion is to visit colleges and universities, either on the way to, or near, your destination. If you don’t have lots of time, just drive around the campus and surrounding area to see what it’s like. If you have more time, park and walk around campus, stop by the admission office and take a guided tour (call first), and don’t forget to go see what their library is like (tell the librarians I said, Hi). However, be warned that many colleges, especially smaller ones, can be pretty quiet during the summer. Don’t be put off by the lack of activity; it’s probably a lot more of a happenin’ place come September.
IDEA #7 — FESTIVALS June 1, 2009
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One of the great things about Chicago is that there are hundreds of interesting neighborhoods all over the city plus hundreds of suburbs, each with its own history and flavor. And most of them play host to some kind of festival or event at some point in the summer. These fests can include food, art, music, fashion, dance, crafts, or ethnic celebrations. I’ve listed a few websites to help you plan your calendar of fest-hopping.
- Explore Chicago (http://www.explorechicago.org)
- Illinois Tourism (http://www.enjoyillinois.com)
- Metromix Chicago (http://chicago.metromix.com) Mouseover “Events” on the top horizontal menu bar and then select “Browse by event type.” Choose from the list to see the events in that category.
And if you’ve got wheels or a willing driver, think about attending SummerFest in Milwaukee or one of the nearby county fairs. If you’re a city kid like me, you haven’t lived until you’ve walked through the poultry barn!
IDEA #6 — CLASSES May 30, 2009
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Stop your groaning and hear me out. “Classes” doesn’t have to mean writing papers or answering review questions or cramming for tests. It doesn’t even have to involve an academic subject. You can take classes on jewelry-making or swimming or fashion or cake-decorating or graphic design or capoiera or bird watching. Taking a summer class is a great way to try out something new or indulge your particular passion. They can last for 8 weeks or a few hours — and no-credit means no pressure. Check out the list below for some ideas to get you started. I’ve included community colleges, park districts, and forest preserve districts. Let me know if you have other good ideas.
- Oakton College (http://www.oakton.edu/cont_ed/all/index.html) Browse the categories of classes along the left-side menu.
- Triton College (http://www.triton.edu) Click the “Continuing Education” menu tab; then click on the “General Listings” link to see all of the courses offered.
- Wilbur Wright College (http://wright.ccc.edu) Scroll down to the “Continuing Education Schedules” link to see the non-credit courses they offer.
- Chicago Park District (http://chicagoparkdistrict.com) Click on the “Programs” menu tab and then click on the green button to the right that says “Browse or search programs now.”
- Niles Park District (http://www.niles-parks.org) Click on the “Programs” menu tab and then mouse down to “Summer 09.”
- Park Ridge Recreation and Park District (http://www.parkridgeparkdistrict.com) Click on the “Programs” menu tab and download the “Summer Brochure” (link is on the left side).
- Des Plaines Park District (http://www.desplainesparks.org) They seem to have more for adults rather than teens during the summer, so you might want to mouseover the “Programs” menu tab and then select “Adult.”
- Lake County Forest Preserve District (http://www.lcfpd.org) Mouseover the “Education” menu tab and then select “Educational Classes.”
- Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (http://dupageforest.com) Click on the “Education” link on the left-side menu and then choose one of the Education Centers to find out about programs and classes.
- Forest Preserve District of Cook County (http://www.fpdcc.com) Click on the “Environmental Education” and then choose either the “Nature Centers” link or the “Adults + Seniors” link.
IDEA #5 — LIBRARIES May 29, 2009
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You knew I’d get to libraries sooner or later, right? Just like you, libraries take a break from concentrating on homework and commit to having fun during the summer. Check the library websites listed below for gaming events, book clubs, crafts, concert, author visits, and other events. And although I point out teen programs in the listings, take a look at their adult programming and services as well. Most of you are old enough to participate in those and you might find something to your liking. Most public libraries also welcome volunteers, which is a fun way to get off the couch and meet some new friends.
- Chicago Public Library (http://www.chipublib.org) Use the “Library Locator” drop-down menu along the right side to find out what’s going on at your local branch. Or use the “Events & Programs” or “For Teens” menu tabs to see what’s happening all over the city. Don’t be afraid to travel to another branch or location if they’re sponsoring something that interests you. There are a number of “Teen Volume” flyers up at the Main Desk at Res; feel free to pick one up. Also, we just received a notice about the Teen Book Club at the Oriole Park branch; it’s posted on the back door of the library.
- Niles Public Library (http://www.nileslibrary.org) Niles has always been more than welcoming to Res students, even if you don’t live in Niles. Click on the “Teen Scene,” “Attend a Program,” or “Get Involved” links to find out what’s happening.
- Eisenhower Public Library District (http://www.eisenhowerlibrary.org) The “Oh By the Way — YA Blog” link will take you to all sorts of information about teen programs and services. If you’re looking for adult programs, click on “Calendar of Events.”
- Park Ridge Public Library (http://www.parkridgelibrary.org) Click on the “Young Adults” link and then the “Programs” link to see everything from book discussions at the Park Ridge Starbucks to Game Design and Programming classes.
- Des Plaines Public Library (http://www.dppl.org) Click on either the “Teens” link (scroll down the left side of the page) or the “Events/Programs” tab in the top horizontal menu bar. The “Express Yourself” link on the Teen home page gives you the opportunity to contribute book and music reviews and see what’s happening on their “Blog of Awesome.”
IDEA #4 — SPORTS AND FITNESS May 28, 2009
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Summer is a good time to get active. Maybe you have a favorite sport or fitness activity or maybe you want to try something new – it’s a perfect time for either approach. Check with local park districts or community colleges for no-pressure, non-credit classes. Many park districts sponsor leagues or other events around sports and fitness, so gather a few friends and sign up for something. If your friends are a bunch of party-poopers, call the park district and see if any teams or groups need an extra person. If you don’t like the people on the team they put you on, at least you’ll never have to see those people again. If you do like them, you’ve just made a whole new bunch of friends.
Summer is also a good time to enjoy the nice weather watching other people be active. I’ve listed a few options for watching sports this summer that go beyond the Cubs and Sox.
- University of Chicago Track Club Open Meets (http://www.uctc.org) On Thursday evenings in the summer, the UCTC sponsors “No Entry Fee, No Awards” open track meets at Stagg Field. The meets run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and you can sign up for as many events as you wish — haven’t you always wanted to run the hurdles or throw the javelin? Or just go out and watch others compete — it’s a really fun way to spend a summer evening.
- Chicago Red Stars (http://www.womensprosoccer.com/chicago) is Chicago’s professional women’s soccer team. They play their matches at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.
- Chicago Bandits (http://chicagobandits.com) are part of the National Pro Fastpitch league and play their home games at Judson University’s Sports Complex in Elgin. They’re playing the Venezuelan national team in July.
- North Avenue Beach Club (http://sandvolleyball.com) sponsors beach volleyball leagues and tournaments throughout the summer at North Avenue beach. Bring your sunblock!
- Chicago Athlete (http://www.mychicagoathlete.com) Go to the Calendar section to find lists of running, walking, cycling, and multi-sport events all over the Chicago area. Sign up to participate or go cheer on others. If you want a really neat experience, volunteer to help.
- Fitness events and activities — check with your park district for other ideas.
IDEA #3 — GET OUTSIDE May 27, 2009
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It’s summer — get out of the house! Get some exercise by biking or hiking, or learn about animals and habitats, or just go commune with nature.
- North Park Village Nature Center (http://chicagoparkdistrict.com) Choose the “Parks & Facilities” menu tab and then use the drop-down menu on the right side. This nature preserve and educational center is open every day from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and is free. It’s located at 5801 North Pulaski Road.
- Cook County Forest Preserve (http://www.fpdcc.com) Use the menu tabs along the top horizontal bar to find preserves and activities to meet your needs: Events, Conservation & Restoration, Recreation, Maps.
- Lake County Forest Preserve District (http://www.lcfpd.org) Click on “Preserves & Facilities” to find locations. Lake County Forest Preserves generally have well-marked trails and allow a variety of activities. There are even places where you can take your dog. Look for the Calendar of Events under the “Things to Do” menu tab. You can also use the Calendar to find classes.
- Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (http://www.dupageforest.com) Use the “Forest Preserves” link along the left-side menu to find locations to hike or bike or ride horses. Most locations have trails with a variety of distances and the trails are well-marked. There’s also a Calendar of Events that lists everything from hayrides to blacksmithing demonstrations to workdays where you can participate in habitat restoration.
- Chicago Park District (http://chicagoparkdistrict.com) Click on the “Parks & Facilities” menu tab and then use the right-side menu to find out more about a specific park, or enter your zip code and see what parks are near you. Chicago parks have become much more than just swing sets and ball fields. Many have gardens and other environmental resources, fitness centers, skateparks, and golf courses.
- The Lakefront — you don’t need a website, just go east and you’ll find it! Go early in the morning for the best “nature” experience.
- Elmhurst College Arboretum (http://public.elmhurst.edu/collections/arboretum) Elmhurst College has created an arboretum by planting trees right on the college campus. Check the website to see a map of where the various trees are planted. You can have a college visit (see yesterday’s post) and a nature experience all in one!
- Biking Trails. Check any of the Forest Preserve websites listed above. One of the closest bike trails is the North Branch trail which starts at Devon & Lehigh. It’s 20 miles long and ends at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe (see below).
- Morton Arboretum (http://www.mortonarb.org). Check the website for entrance fees. They’ve just opened a new exhibit called “Animal Houses.” If you have little brothers and sisters, their Children’s Garden is just amazing. And if you want to hike, they have great trails that cover a variety of habitats.
- Chicago Botanic Garden (http://www.ohwow.org) It’s free to enter the CBG, but there is a parking fee. Bike in from the North Branch Bike Trail and skip the parking fee (see above). Go online and plan your visit — there are so many gardens to see and the CBG has programs and events running all summer. Visit the exhibit, “Peggy McNamara : The Natural Art of Nests,” which is being held in the Regenstein Center.
- Lincoln Park Zoo (http://www.lpzoo.com). Admission to the Zoo is free but, thanks to outsourcing, parking is now $19 per car. Yikes! Take the CTA and save some dough. Ratchet up your nature experience by visiting the Lincoln Park Conservatory, which is just outside the gates of the Zoo or wander the gardens and pathways of Lincoln Park itself.
- Brookfield Zoo (http://www.czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Zoo-Home.aspx) The Zoo charges both an admission fee and a parking fee (not to mention all those Mold-A-Ramas you’re going to buy), so costs can add up. The new ”Dinosaurs Alive!” exhibit is sure to bring huge crowds, but if you want more of a nature experience, visit the Butterfly Garden, Dragonfly Marsh, and Indian Lake and the Salt Creek Wilderness Area.
IDEA #2 — COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES May 26, 2009
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I know this one might strike you as an odd summer activity, but bear with me. This idea made the cut for 2 reasons.
First, although they’re not as busy in the summer as during the school year, most colleges and universities offer free or low-cost special events you can attend — exhibits, concerts, theater, lectures, etc. Most websites have a “Calendar” or “Events” link where you can see what’s happening. Check back more than once because summer events don’t always get on the Calendar way in advance.
Second, whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, visiting colleges and universities is good experience. Obviously, there’s a little more urgency to the task if you’re a senior, but it’s never too early to start looking. We have a wealth of colleges and universities in the Chicago area and even if you know you want to go far, far away to school, it’s helpful to visit a variety of schools just to understand what the different possibilities are. So go walk around a few campuses, take an official tour, or set up an appointment with Admission Office staff. You’ll be a much better-educated “consumer” when it comes to decisions about college. Speaking of those decisions, if you’re a junior or senior, summer is also a good time to organize all that mail you’re receiving from colleges, learn more about the college selection process and the intricacies of financial aid, and have some serious discussions with your family about your plans for the future. And, no, this hasn’t been a paid announcement from your guidance counselor! However, I’m sure she’ll be mightily impressed when you show off your college “IQ” in the fall.
Though they’re just the tip of the iceberg, here are a few schools to get you started:
- Northwestern University (http://www.northwestern.edu) The Block Museum of Art is free and changes exhibits every 6 or 8 weeks. Also, the Dearborn Observatory offers free observations to the public on Fridays, 9:00-11:00 p.m.
- Loyola University (http://www.luc.edu) You may not know that Loyola has a great art museum down on Michigan Avenue near the Water Tower. They hold a variety of events in conjunction with their exhibits.
- University of Chicago (http://www.uchicago.edu) In addition to the Oriental Institute, which I mentioned yesterday, the Smart Museum has art exhibits and activities. There are also a variety of music performances, lectures, exhibits, and architecture on and around campus.
- Elmhurst College (http://www.elmhurst.edu). The Elmhurst College Jazz Band is offering a free outdoor concert on June 20. Combine this with a visit to the Elmhurst Art Museum (http://www.elmhurstartmuseum.org).
- Oakton College (http://www.oakton.edu) Visit the Koehnline Museum of Art or walk around the grounds where they have done wonderful habitat restoration.
- Columbia College (http://www.colum.edu) Columbia is a mecca for dance, art, music, photography, etc., much of which is student-produced.
IDEA #1 — MUSEUMS May 25, 2009
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I bet you thought I was going to start with “Reading”! The Chicago area has some terrific and interesting museums and you should visit at least one this summer. I’ve listed a few below, but there are many, many more to discover. Use these tourism websites to find them:
- Chicago (http://www.explorechicago.org)
- Illinois (http://www.enjoyillinois.com)
I know that going to museums can be expensive; check the museum’s website to see if they offer reduced admission for students (hang onto your Res ID) or free days. Some of the museums don’t charge admission and some others have very reasonable fees. Another way to save money is to take public transportation (avoid parking costs); check these websites to plot your route:
- CTA (http://www.transitchicago.com)
- Pace Bus (http://www.pacebus.com)
- Metra (http://www.metrarail.com)
So here are 10 suggestions to get you started:
- Art Institute of Chicago (http://www.artic.edu/aic/). The brand-new Modern Wing just opened, but there are, literally, thousands of reasons to visit this Chicago treasure. Thanks to Target, admission is free on Thursdays from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- The Field Museum (http://www.fieldmuseum.org) The newest exhibit is “Real Pirates.” You might also want to check out “Evolving Planet” and “Sacred Waters : India’s Great Kumbha Mela Pilgrimage.” Or just go visit Sue!
- Shedd Aquarium (http://www.sheddaquarium.org) The newly-renovated Oceanarium opened May 23, but there are lots of other things to see and marvel at as well. If you haven’t been in awhile, it’s a pretty amazing experience.
- Museum of Science & Industry (http://www.msichicago.org) You might meet Ms. Bernardin at “Harry Potter : The Exhibition,” which just opened in April. Or check out “SmartHome : Green + Wired” or “Mysteries of the Great Lakes” at the OmniMax Theater.
- Chicago History Museum (http://www.chicagohistory.org) Fashionistas can go to see “Chic Chicago : Couture Treasures from the Chicago History Museum.” There are also exhibits on Abraham Lincoln and Bertha Honore Palmer. If you’re taking the History of Chicago course next year, this museum should definitely be on your To-Do list this summer.
- Oriental Institute (http://oi.uchicago.edu) The OI has just completed a massive renovation so visit their Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Persian galleries (among others). Their current Special Exhibit is “The Life of Meresamun : A Temple Singer in Ancient Egypt.” The museum is located on the campus of the University of Chicago in Hyde Park.
- DuSable Museum of African American History (http://www.dusablemuseum.org) This museum is located on the south side in Washington Park. If you go, you’ll also get to see one of the major sites planned for development for the 2016 Olympics. A couple of the current exhibits are: “Tracing the Civil Rights Movement, 1848 to 1968″ and “Red, White, Blue & Black : A History of Blacks in the Armed Services.”
- National Museum of Mexican Art (http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org) Admission is free to this museum located on the south side in the Pilsen neighborhood. Go check out “Miradas : Mexican Art from the Bank of America Collection” which examines art from the past 80 years. The museum also sponsors a performing arts festival so check out their website for performance dates, times, and ticket prices.
- Mitchell Museum of the American Indian (http://www.mitchellmuseum.org). This little-known museum is located in Evanston. They currently have exhibits on cradleboards and pipes. This is a nice place to go if you want to learn something new but don’t want a big, hairy tourist museum experience. Plus, there are a million great places to eat in Evanston!
- Chicago Cultural Center (http://www.chicagoculturalcenter.org) This multi-use space offers art exhibits, concerts, dance performances, and lectures, among other things. And the building itself has architectural importance. Most events are free.
