There’s something about summer that makes us feel alive. The warm sun melts away the winter blues and warm breezes invoke dreams of sitting beach-side with your toes in the sand. Needless to say, we’ve been day-dreaming about summer all winter long!

 

 

Since you’re the main character of your summer story, you deserve a sidekick to take along for the ride. Our nonalcoholic beer is the perfect sidekick to any summer adventure. Whether it’s camping trips with the kiddos, poolside shenanigans, or something a little more adventurous. No matter what summer adventures you’re craving, we’ve got you covered with these 10 activities to make your summer complete. 

 

Enjoy an outdoor movie or concert

 

What’s better than sitting outside on a warm summer night while listening to music or watching a movie with your favorite sidekick? There are endless possibilities when it comes to outdoor entertainment, and that’s what’s got us so amped up about this idea. One of the best parts about outdoor entertainment like this is that you get to bring your own snacks and drinks.

We recommend checking locally to see if your town hosts a summer series of music or movies in the park. These are fun events because you can meet up with your friends, family, or coworkers while enjoying the outdoors in a low-key setting.

You can also create an outdoor movie venue in your own backyard if you prefer a less-public setting. All you need is a white sheet, a projector, and of course, your favorite summer sidekicks. Make it cozy by laying blankets and pillows on the grass or set up some lawn chairs to make it feel more like a theater. It’s the perfect opportunity to bring along your favorite Athletic brew.

Our new film, Journey to 100, is an inspiring story about one man’s pursuit to climb 100 mountains faster than anyone had before. This is a film that the whole family can enjoy and a great option for outdoor movie night. 

By taking activities that are normally enjoyed indoors and bringing them outdoors, you can enjoy summer to its fullest potential.

 

Go camping

 

Camping is what feels like the classic summer activity. There is nothing better than campfire smores, sleeping under the stars, and cast-iron cooked breakfasts. The best part about camping is that it can be as adventure-packed or as relaxing as you want it to be.

 

 

If you camp somewhere out of cell service, you have the opportunity to slow down and smell the flowers, literally! Setting down the cell phone and putting the laptop aside allows you to be more present and enjoy the little things in life. 

And you don’t have to be at the mercy of the elements while camping. If you’re not a big fan of sleeping bags and inflatable mattresses, check out spots to go glamping. Glamping is a form of camping that is more luxurious than traditional camping, and offers more amenities to make your stay more comfortable.

If you’re feeling really adventurous, give backpacking a try or even try the more extreme fastpacking! Curious about backpacking but not sure where to start? Search out guided backpacking tours.

Don’t forget to pack your favorite Athletic brew!

Pro tip: No cooler? No problem! Let your cans cool off a bit in a cold stream or lake near your camp before cracking them open – just make sure they don’t float away. Always remember to follow all wilderness regulations and practice Leave No Trace.

 

Lounge at a lake (or any body of water)

 

For us, it doesn't feel like summer unless you’re able to sprawl out near water. There’s something about dipping your toes into cool water while the hot sun beats down on you that seems to make summer feel complete.

Here at Athletic, we want to see more people outside enjoying nature, so we recommend finding a beach at a lake, a swimming hole at a river, or even a beautiful waterfall to lounge near. A swimming pool will do the trick too!

 

 

You can also choose a quiet swimming hole that requires a hike to get there. Or perhaps you can reconnect with nature by bringing along a fishing pole and occasionally casting while you soak in all of the sights and sounds around you.

No matter what you choose to do, sitting by a body of water beckons for a cold brew, so don’t forget your favorite summer sidekick!

 

Have a picnic

 

Picnics embody everything that is summer: the outdoors, good food, good drinks, friends, and family. It is the epitome of warm-weather activities. If you love bringing your favorite people together, this is a great way to do it. Or keep it small between one or two other people.  A picnic can be as big or as small as you’d like, and the level of intricacy and frill is up to you.

 

 

The best part is that a picnic can happen anywhere. Throw a blanket out where the ocean meets that land, hike to a cool respite in a shady forest, or drive up to your favorite city overlook. Be sure to pack plenty of finger foods, your favorite Athletic brews, and activities like board games, books, and sports. Don’t forget to bring your favorite Rumpl blanket!

 

There are a few factors to keep in mind when planning your picnic. Remember to check the weather to make sure the setting is appropriate; you don’t want to be caught in a fluke summer rainstorm or be stuck without shade in a heat wave. And remember to think about bug protection. 

 

Grow a garden

 

Arguably one of the most rewarding summer activities is growing your own garden. Home grown tomatoes and herbs can level up any dish you make, and fresh cut flowers from your own garden are extra special as a centerpiece.

Your garden can be as big and extravagant or as small and simple as you’d like. You don’t have to dedicate a lot of time or space for a few flower pots, but few things can compare to the satisfaction of watching your own garden grow.

If you don’t have space for your own garden at your home, many towns and cities have community gardens where you can claim your own plot of soil for the season. These are great spaces to join forces and learn from other gardeners in an inclusive and supportive community space.

Gardening gives you a reason to get outside, move your body, and connect with nature. Let your creative side shine by painting or creating quirky planters, playing with colors and shapes of plants in your landscaping. It’s also a great activity to share with kids as there are many lessons in patience and responsibility to learn while gardening. Not to mention that gardens help out pollinators like butterflies and bees! 

 

Have the ultimate BBQ 

 

Imagine the smell of the grill as it wafts through the warm summer air, laughing with friends with an ice-cold Athletic brew in hand as the kids chase each other through the sprinkler. Nothing says “summer” more than the sights and sounds of a backyard barbecue. Try out our grilled lamb chop recipe using our All Out Stout brew!

We couldn’t make a list of summer activities without including the classic backyard barbecue. Any event can justify having a barbecue; graduation, birthdays, a big game coming up, or for no reason besides wanting to spend quality time with good people eating good food.

 

 

Make your gathering a nutritious one by including grilled vegetables in your menu along with fresh finger foods and satisfying dips like hummus. Make sure to have plenty of nonalcoholic beverage options to go alongside any other drink options. Athletic Lite makes a great sidekick to any drink menu. And don’t forget to snag some stylish Goodr shades for those bright days.

 

Go for a hike

 

Hiking is one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors in the summertime. You don’t have to be an elite athlete since there is a lot of variety in the difficulty and accessibility of hiking trails.

For an easy to moderate hike, all you need to go hiking are comfortable walking shoes, a backpack, and a few items for safety and weather changes. The American Hiking society recommends starting with a list of the 10 essentials that will help you tackle most hiking objectives safely.

 

Once you have your gear, you need to find a trail. Check out the interactive map from the American Hiking Society that will help you choose a trail based on difficulty and length. The trail you choose can be as easy or difficult as you’d like.

It’s important to stay hydrated during your hike, especially if you’re hiking in the summer sun. Check the weather before you go and make sure to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.

 

Volunteer with your local trail organization

 

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of hitting the trails here at Athletic Brewing. We want everyone to have access to the outdoors, and trail development and maintenance is paramount to making that happen, which is why our Two for the Trails program was baked into the very foundation of who we are.

Consider looking up your local trail management organization and volunteering to help with trail maintenance or development. This is a great way to find others who are active in the outdoor space, to learn about your local ecosystem, and to get outside and have some fun.

If you have some reservations about hiking on your own, volunteering to help with your local trail organization will help acquaint you with the trail systems.

We’ve dedicated $1 million back to the trails through our 2022 Two for the Trails Grant Program. Keep an eye out – grant recipients will be announced in July!

 

Try out a new sport

 

Playing sports is a great way to get some exercise, and it’s always good to try new things! There is no need to be the best at something when you’re having fun, so get out and try a new sport.

Pickleball is an up-and-coming and accessible sport that we recommend checking out. Pickleball was created by combining the rules and other elements from other racquet sports. It’s accessible through many community centers, physical education courses, and health clubs. If you fall in love with pickleball, you can even participate in one of the thousands of tournaments nationwide.

If you’re more of an adventure-seeker, you might consider trying a sport like rock climbing. Rock climbing is becoming increasingly more accessible and safe due to the popularity of climbing gyms and the growth of guided climbing experiences. For inspiration, check out our story on Athletic Ambassador Alex Johnson. 

 

 

Ask your local sports club or parks and recreation department about offerings for learning new sports. If you try something and don’t like it, there’s no pressure to keep going. But the experience of trying something new is always exhilarating, so get back out there and give something else a go!

If you happen to find joy in swimming, biking, and running, and have been training hard, we hope to see you at an Ironman event!

 

Host a lawn game tournament or create a backyard obstacle course

 

There is so much potential in your own backyard. Lawn games are a fun way to get folks outside and interacting in an exciting way while having fun. 

You don’t need much to create your own backyard games. Make a ring-toss game with hula hoops and cones, or fashion a giant jenga out of wooden blocks. The idea here is to be creative, have fun, and incite a little friendly competition! 

 

 

If you’re feeling really athletic, consider creating a backyard obstacle course. Running around cones, jumping over hay bales, sliding down a slip-n-slide, and hopping through donut-shaped pool floats are fun ways to get your friends (and kids!) moving.

 

Make this summer one to remember

 

 

 

Get out there, play hard, relax harder, and drink in every last drop of sunshine that summer has to offer. Get in those beach days, surfs, hikes, and bikes. Fill your summer with delicious brews, friends, backyard barbecues, and late nights around fires. No matter what your adventures might be, Athletic’s non-alcoholic beer is your new summer sidekick – always along for the ride and always the perfect addition. So stock up for summer and take Athletic wherever your summer takes you.