While many of us cannot wait for the fast approaching summer vacation, Jackson-Reed athletes will certainly feel the loss of the two and a half month absence from their favorite sports. Luckily, there are countless options for keeping yourself active this summer, many that do not include waking up at dawn and heading to the field, Fort Reno courts, weight room, track, and/or Georgetown boathouse. 

Swim at your local pool

A clear and basic choice, but also a fun and refreshing way to keep your body in shape. Either get a pool, find a friend who has a pool or a membership, or hit up one of the numerous DC indoor and outdoor public pools, which opened over Memorial Day weekend. If you really desire to occupy your days, consider joining the diving team, where you can hog the diving board from all the regulars and show off your skills. 

Invest in a Spikeball net

A hill that I will die on is that Spikeball is the best recreational activity of all time. You only need four people total to play a proper game, so here’s the strategy: get a net, bring it to the park or the beach, find strangers to play with, and make some friends. In addition, this activity is good preparation for college, where Spikeball nets dot the grassy space more than trees do. 

Give climbing a go

With two massive indoor rock climbing gyms right outside of DC, climbing is a no brainer for filling up your summer days. It tests your muscles, balance, and patience, all crucial skills for your main sport (probably?). Plus, you will always be motivated to be better everytime you go, as you will continue to get humbled by the 40+ year olds who are better than you. 

Book a volleyball net downtown

Make sure to get one in advance, as those things are constantly packed. For good reason too, as the vibes are unmatched. Enjoy the sand patch in the middle of the city by bringing a speaker and some snacks, and crush your friends in a few rallies. If you play into the night, you can tap into your inner tourist and give yourself a city scooter tour of the monuments. 

Become a dog walker

While I cannot help you find any clients, I can pitch why this is two birds-one-stone idea: you get those steps in while making some cash. Play some music or a podcast, pick up the dog(s), and discover on foot some exciting places in DC. The summer humidity gets pretty unbearable here, so consider visiting activity number one on this list after the walks. 

Run to burn the pain away

If all else fails, and you are still itching to return to your sport, run. It is mindless, excruciating, and distracting. It does not have to be miserable, as there are plenty of nice runs in the city. However, this one does require getting out of the house early, in order to avoid the heat. Because of this, running goes at the bottom of the list. 

With these activities, all you athletes will not have to mourn the temporary loss of your school sport until fall rolls around. They will keep you in shape and occupied, from June until August.