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1 4 I N S P I R I N G H E A LT H EVEN THOUGH YOUR family's warm-weather to-do list may seem endless, make time for the following activities before the rst school bell signals summer's end. Camp in your backyard. For a memorably DIY camping experience, grab a couple of sleeping bags, build a campre, make s'mores, and share stories. Catch (and release) fireflies. Many of your fondest summer memories may involve chasing reies at dusk. Pull an old jam jar or empty container from the cupboard and introduce your children to this time-honored tradition. Picnic in the park. Put a nutritious spin on a kid-friendly favorite by using natural peanut butter, natural fruit spread, and whole wheat bread for your family's sandwiches. Don't forget to pack healthy seasonal favorites, such as watermelon and strawberries. Spend the day at the lake. Summer in Eau Claire isn't complete without a visit to the Chippewa River. Cast a shing line, nd a safe spot to swim, or go tubing. In Chippewa Falls, spend the day boating or on the beach at beautiful Lake Wissota. Have an old-fashioned water-balloon toss. Split up into teams of two and declare your backyard a splash zone. Stargaze. Clear skies and warm temperatures make summer evenings the best time to enjoy quiet family bonding under the stars. Turn your relaxing evening into an educational one by printing a localized Star Chart from pbs.org. Just enter your location and the current time, and get ready to impress your family with your astronomy knowledge. Root for the home team. Spend an afternoon or evening at Carson Park cheering on the Eau Claire Express baseball team. "Marco…" "Polo!" A day at the community pool can include jumping o the diving board, playing pool games as a family, and swimming a few laps. Just don't forget your sunscreen! Enjoy an afternoon at the library. You don't have to leave home to travel to faraway lands. Help your young reader select a few books you can read as a family, or encourage your older child to branch out from his or her preferred genre and try something new. Pick your own seasonal produce. Instill a love of healthy eating with a visit to a local berry farm to pick your own blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries straight from the source. Watch fireworks. Spend the Fourth of July enjoying a summer barbecue with friends and family before taking in a community reworks display. SPRING AHEAD to Summer Fun Are any of your family's favorite summer activities missing from this list? Worried about them getting overlooked? Add them in the spaces below. _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ WHETHER YOU HOPE TO PICNIC IN THE PARK OR SPEND AN EVENING CHASING FIREFLIES, USE THIS CHECKLIST TO ENSURE YOU DON'T OVERLOOK SUMMER'S SIMPLEST PLEASURES.