Get Local this Summer

Well it’s June! University is over, grade school is coming to an end and everything is feeling much different than it has for the last eight months. Summer is a time for feeling refreshed and a time for change. For those moving back home they are starting long distance relationships and friendships from school and rekindling with all the friends and family they've missed for eight months. For those who have stayed home, its friends coming home and no longer living in the library rather than their own home.
           Since we are free of the stresses and school that the year brings it is time to start that refreshed and summer feeling! While enjoying the sunshine, what's a better way to spend the summer than taking advantage of the community and environment around you?
          Here are seven tips and ideas to kick off your summer taking in the outdoors and the pleasures of local establishments!
 
1. Eat Local. 

Who doesn’t love a good lunch date? Eating local is such a great (and delicious) way to support local restaurants around you! By eating local you are supporting local economy, benefiting the environment and not to mention enjoying food full of flavor right in your community.

The Dancing Goat - Cape Breton

2) Get outside! Go for a Hike.
 
For myself, Cape Breton and Wolfville NS is full of the most beautiful hiking trails. Not only is hiking a great way to take advantage of the environment around you it's also a great workout!
 
 
3) Enjoy live entertainment.
 
If it be a band, a singer/songwriter or local theatre, getting out to watch local performers is my favorite way to spend my summer! Most of these performers practice and rehearse so hard to hard to bring you the happiness and entertainment that music and theatre brings! It's a great way to take in some talent this summer while you are supporting someone's passion.

Highland Arts Theatre - Cape Breton

Matthew Nicholson - Cape Breton / Wolfville NS

4) Make the most of your summer job.
 
Working for the summer can sometime be a drag, as we all know. But keeping a positive attitude can make it a little less painful. Some advice I would give would be to try to find summer work you are passionate about! If you are working a job you love you won’t feel like you are working at all! So many local establishments are usually looking for students, don’t be afraid to reach out if your interested, more than not they would love to have you.
 
5) Shop local.
 
Summer is a great time for wandering around local shops. (also who doesn’t love a few nice new pick-me ups for summer?) If it's art, clothing, or craft, buying local is supportive and a great way to shop!
 
6) Get involved in local workshops
 
Learning something new is a great way to keep yourself involved and keep creative! Local photography, theatres, yoga studios and art centres often have camps and workshops! This is an awesome way to learn something new and also support a local business

Creatives Loft - Cape Breton

7) Reach out and get involved!
 
Summer is the perfect time to volunteer and find out some more information on charitable organizations around you that create a positive impact on your community! Volunteering is the best feeling (trust me) you wouldn’t want to spend your summer any other way.
 
Until next time, Amy Cameron.