Staycation Ideas

Archive for June, 2009

So how’s your summer going?  If it is anything like the one here in Ohio, there is one word to sum it up, wet.  So are you looking something indoor to do during those wet summer showers?  

Since 1991, Regal theaters have been providing a service called “Free Family Film Festival”.  This program last nine weeks and it provides free movies for kids and parents on selected weekday mornings.  First-come, first served seated is limited to theater capacity.  This is a safe, fun and great way for kids to spend a rainy summer day indoors.

Tickets for the 2009 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theaters’ box offices on the day of the show.

You can go to the Regal’s website to learn more information about the Free family film festival.

Fresh Strawberries

Fresh strawberries were a staple on my grandmother’s summer table. She picked them from her own garden and to this day I’ve tasted nothing better in the world. With so many meals coming out of cans and boxes, lifestyles today don’t always encourage eating fresh, and few of us still tend our own gardens. But Grandma’s garden is making a comeback—with a twist. Pick-Your-Own farms are increasingly popular and allow you to pick as much fresh fruit or produce as you want, usually paying by the pound. These farms allow you to reconnect with the food chain, as well as providing fresh, healthier produce without the commitment of tending your own garden. Cherries, berries and grapes are all popular pick-your-own farm staples.

How to Make it Happen

Finding a Pick-Your-Own farm is the trick. Look for ads or information in community parent magazines, web searches, or simply call your local Chamber of Commerce for leads. These farms survive on consumer use so they do advertise. Word of mouth recommendations and roadside signs are also good ways to find a popular farm destination.

Once you’ve found a nearby farm, plan your day and go. It is important to come prepared for sun and insects. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, bug repellent and gloves. Remember, berries stain! So don’t wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy. You can take your own sacks but most farms should provide baskets. You are usually charged by the pound and pay when you leave.

Additional Activities

• Learn how to make jelly with your fresh picked berries.
• Visit a local Farmers Market to support local growers and to supplement your fresh produce intake.
• Like eating fresh from the farm? Start your own small garden and commit to growing a few of your favorite summer foods.

Did you like this staycation idea?  It came directly from my book “101 Great Staycations” You can learn more about my staycation book here

Here is a great staycation idea, find a National park in your area and stay for a weekend. And now, thanks to the National Park Service, this great staycation idea is also FREE.

In an effort to encourage summer vacations at at national parks, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced yesterday (Tuesday) that entrance fees at 147 national parks and monuments – including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite – will be waived on 3 weekends this summer.  There are 391 national parks located across the country in 49 states.

“During these tough economic times, our national parks provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families, I encourage everyone to visit one of our nation’s crown jewels this summer and especially to take advantage of the three free-admission weekends.”

The weekends are June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16.

If you’re looking for a National Park in your area. The U.S. National Park service has this really neat feature on their website called “Find a Park” You can search for a park by name, location, activity or topic.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your camping gear, call some friends and make plans to stay during one of these free weekends at a National Park.

And if you’re looking for some camping gear, StaycationIdea.com has teamed up with CampingWorld.com who is offering some wonderful limited time coupons on camps, tents, sleeping bags and the other gear you’ll need to enjoy your free weekend at a National Park.

Planning on a staycation this summer?

Great Idea (of course), but just as you would want to get your car’s oil changed before embarking on the family vacation, you might want to address some of these backyard health risks before starting your summer staycation. Here are the top 8 back yard health risks as identified by Winnie Yu of MSNBC.com.

1. Dangerous Grill Placement – make sure your grill is not placed near flammable material like low-hanging tree branches, deck rails or house siding.
2. Toxic Plants – 68,000 people a year are poisoned by plants so make sure you do some research before picking that new plant or flower for the garden bed.
3. Tiny pools of water – it doesn’t take much water at all to create a mosquito breeding ground.  Do a weekly check of buckets,pails, fountains and birdbaths that might be collecting stagnant water around the yard.
4. Not-quite-extinguished charcoal – it doesn’t take much eat from a still-warm charcoal to start a fire.  Make sure you soak coals with cold water and toss them in a metal trash to minimize your potential fire risk.
5. Unfenced pool – the dangers of a unfenced backyard pool are obvious so make sure you install a 5 foot high, 4 sided fense to keep the kids and pets safe from accidental drownings.
6. Pesticide residue – even in small amounts, the poisons that kills plant-eating insects can make you seriously sick.  Use the power of the food chain and reduce your pesiticide use by attracting birds that eat those flower loving bugs. 
7. Weather-worn deck – warped decks are hard to navigate and easy to trip on, which is why you should water-proof your deck every 2 to 3 years.
8. Too-short ladder – when you try and over extend your reach, you increase the chances of you and your ladder becoming top-heavy and falling over.  Take the extra time and get the right ladder for the right job. 

Thanks to Winnie Yu at MSNBC.com for highlighting these dangers to safely enjoying your backyard staycation!

8 health risks in your own backyard – More health news- msnbc.com