Now that the majority of you, faithful readers, are out of school, it’s time to start thinking about summer vacation. Freedom! You can sleep in, you can stay out late, you don’t have to study . . . what more could you ask for? Now that you have all of this free time on your hands, you can head out and do things you enjoy without having to worry about anything school-related. So where’s the first place you go? The beach, of course!

Hanging out at the beach is a favorite activity of many teens and young adults. Lying out in the sun, spending time with your friends, and playing beach games is the perfect way to spend a summer day. (Unless, of course, you don’t live near a body of water, in which case you’ll have to relocate to a pool or other suitable area.) One of the best parts about going to the beach is that there’s very little planning required. All you have to do is call up your friends, grab a towel, throw on your swimsuit, and get down there!

When you are grabbing your towel and swimsuit, however, you might want to think about packing a couple other things as well. Bringing a cooler full of drinks (beer, if it’s allowed and you’re over 21, soda if otherwise) and a few sandwiches will ensure that you can make it through the day without having to spend cash on expensive food, and don’t forget to bring (and use!) your sunscreen. Getting a nasty burn is no fun, and it’ll postpone your next trip to the beach if it’s bad. No fun. Sticking a frisbee, beach volleyball, or soccer ball into your backpack before you head out is also a good idea. Getting a game of ultimate or beach volleyball going, or just tossing football around, is a fun way that you can meet new people (as well as work up a sweat before you get into the water).

One of my favorite things to do at the beach is to grill (provided, of course, you have a portable charcoal grill, or there are public ones at the beach). For some reason, hot dogs and burgers always taste a lot better when they’re fresh off the grill at the beach! Cooking at the beach is easy; all you need is a grill, some charcoal, lighter fluid, matches, and your food (hot dogs, burgers, and vegetables like corn are best). Spend a couple hours playing around in the sand and the water, and when you get hungry, fire it up! Don’t forget to bring things like buns, condiments, plastic dishes, and napkins.

Whatever you decide to do at the beach, get out there soon and enjoy the weather and your freedom from school! Depending on your summer plans, you may not have the opportunity to get out too many times, so make the most of your time and spend it at the beach.