LIFE

Staying local for spring break? There's plenty of things to do!

Michael Kahn
For the Poughkeepsie Journal
Looking for something to do locally for spring break? Get a haircut that's long overdue.

Hmm ... what to do on spring break?

There is no doubt we've all worked hard during the school year.

Waking up early to get to school on time, rushing through breakfast or just skipping it altogether, rushing to get dressed and ready for school, endless reading and homework assignments, endless tests and quizzes, studying and budgeting time with activities. Not surprisingly, spring break is a time we're all looking forward to!

FOR TEENS: Experiences made volunteering will last a lifetime

But, what should you do on spring break? Well, here are some ideas to start off with if you're staying local:

Things in the house

  • Watch a movie; watch a series of movies.
  • Play a board game you've never tried or one you love.
  • Organize your room.
  • Help end world hunger while you're learning at freerice.com

A tour group looks at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum in Hyde Park.

Things in the community

  • Go see a movie at a theater.
  • Visit the Vanderbilt Mansion, Montgomery Place, Mills Mansion, and learn about area history and culture.
  • Visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt home and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, and learn about the president that lived here in the Hudson Valley.
  • Visit the Eleanor Roosevelt national historic site and learn about an important first lady.
  • Visit the Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
  • Take a stroll on the Walkway Over the Hudson.
  • Go roller-skating. 
  • Go ice-skating. 
  • Go bowling.
  • Spend some time in a nursing home playing games or reading to the elderly. 

In this Aug. 8, 2015, file photo, volunteer and pilot Alex Jameison, 22, of Rhinebeck flies a 1942 Fleet Finch 16-B during the "Meet the Fokkers Weekend" at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook.
A replica Fokker Dr 1 triplane is towed into position behind a replica Fokker D VII during the "Meet the Fokkers Weekend" at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook.
The interior of a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook.

Things for girls

  • Get a haircut/style you've been dying to try.
  • Get a manicure and pedicure.
  • Plan a pajama party.
  • Start an exercise routine. 
  • Plan better food choices for school lunch.
  • Be helpful to others.
  • Read a book.
  • Relax.
  • Make care packs for homeless shelter girls.

Things for guys

  • Get a haircut that's long overdue.
  • Cut your nails that are long overdue.
  • Plan a gaming night.
  • Start an exercise routine.
  • Plan better food choices for school lunch.
  • Be helpful to others.
  • Read a book.
  • Relax.
  • Make care packs for homeless shelter boys.

So there, some ideas to get your planning started. Try as many as you think you'd like. Take time to at least learn about the others you might not like. Have a great time off, make it what you want it to be and most of all, catch up on the much needed rest you deserve!

Michael Kahn is a sophomore at Rhinebeck High School. Contact him at life@poughkeepsiejournal.com