In the world of Residence Life June is one of the best months. All the students have moved out, things have finally calmed down and you have a month and a half(if you are lucky) before training starts.
For our family June marks the time where vacations are possible. We don't always go on vacations but knowing that it's a possibility sometimes is good enough. The only problem is that everyone wants to use June as vacation time as well so it's very hard for everyone to leave. There always has to be someone on duty. Yes, even when the students aren't here there is still a duty rotation. Orientation kids are here, camps and various other things occupy the residence halls so there always has to be people here to take the phone.
With that being the case sometimes you have to take what you are given. A full week away may not be a possibility, so sometimes you might have to settle for a weekend away or even a day trip. Depending on what school you are at these are very easy to accomplish. Thankfully for us we have several options to take mini trips. My parents live a half days drive away so as long as I get a weekend off of work we can go down to visit my parents. Yes it's usually only for two days but two days away is sometimes all you need. Vacations don't have to be about extravagant adventures. After what probably was a stressful end of the school year and getting everything done for move out, just leaving town is a good idea.
We love going to visit my parents. The girls love seeing their grandparents, Casey and I love getting a little 'break' from being the ones watching them all the time, and Casey loves being able to get out on the golf course with my dad and not having to worry about work. My parents live only a couple hours south of Minneapolis so going up there for a day is always a possibility and there is plenty to do up there. Usually in major cities there is always plenty to do, weather it's just you and your significant other, or if you have a family.
We will be heading down to my parents in two weeks for a quick three day vacation. It will be a wonderful trip. For us just getting away from town makes any trip a success. Sometimes we just need a break from the ordinary. This trip I am hoping to take the girls up to the Minneapolis Zoo for the day. Alexis loves going to zoos and seeing animals and I am sure Chloe would love the hustle and bustle of a zoo because she just loves watching everything. Even if we don't make it up to the zoo spending time at my parents house will be great. My mom got a kiddie pool for the girls, plus they belong to a country club so while my dad and Casey are out golfing we could always take the girls to the pool there. Plus there are plenty of parks in the area. It's never a dull moment when we go visit my parents and we look forward to every minute.
So if you find yourself wanting to get away from your town but don't have the money or means to go on a huge vacation, check out surrounding towns that are within a days drive and see what there is to do. Sometimes all you get is the weekend, especially when training starts getting closer and closer. If you have a family, planning ahead will go along way. Kids don't alway do well with spontaneous trips, especially when you have to pack and plan for every scenario. With the internet though it will be easy for you to check out a town before going and making a plan, even a back up plan for events for the whole family. If you don't have kids or decide to do a trip sans kids, being a little more spontaneous might be easier. Still do your research, especially on places to stay and get reviews on places to eat.
Another thing I always like to do before a trip, especially if I know I am going to try and take the kids some place, I look for coupons. You usually can find some kind of on line discount book, or even on Groupon you can find deals for the places you want to go. Also check the places you are interested in going to see if they offer special rates for certain times and dates. Usually weekends aren't the best times for special rates, because its usually the busiest times for places, but it doesn't hurt to look and inquire about things. If you are going with a family, check to see how many people you need for a special group rate, and if the number is reachable, see if another family you know would be interested in going with and then you can use the special rate.
Happy June to all you Housing people. Please feel free to comment and share your tips on how you use your vacation time to the fullest.
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