School is finally almost out. Soon, it’ll be the best part of a high schooler’s life. Summer break. Time to swim all day and live stress-free! But what else is there to do? Here are a few fun summer 2022 activities!

One of my favorite ways to spend a hot summer day is at the lake. Conveniently for everyone here in Azle, we are right by Eagle Mountain Lake. I know not everyone lives near the lake, but there are a few public parks right on Eagle Mountain Lake around Azle. The best for summer swimming is Twin Points, 10200 Ten Mile Bridge Rd, it’s like a little beach area. Others include Shady Grove Park at 1000 Stribling Dr. North, Pelican Park at 1602 Liberty School Rd and Eagle Mountain Park at 11601 Morris Dido Newark Rd.
On top of swimming at the lake, there are tons of other things you can do there too. If you have access to a boat, going for a ride around the lake is always relaxing and you can get a good tan. Depending on the type of boat, you could also go tubing, skiing, or surfing off the back. However, if you don’t have a boat you should consider renting or buying a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard to enjoy the lake, while also getting an arm workout.

Additionally, with Eagle Mountain Park neighboring the lake, there are six interconnected trails spread throughout 400 acres of greenery by the lake. Each trail is labeled with a different color and name describing where it’s by. I recommend starting on the Main Park Trail (red) for 0.44mi, then continuing right on the Shoreline Trail (orange). Some of the rules include: no motorized vehicles on trails, no campfires, no dogs/horses, no bicycles, no littering, and no firearms, including hunting or fireworks.

For a more adrenaline-pumping activity, going to an amusement or water park with a group of friends is always fun. About a quick hour away in Arlington, Texas, there is Six Flags Over Texas, and right across the freeway, the water park, Hurricane Harbor. However, a closer and cheaper water park is Splash Dayz, at 405 N Las Vegas Trail in White Settlement. Another type of amusement park includes trampoline parks, such as Urban Air or Altitude.

Out of everything, the most important part of your summer break is to have a great time, and let it be the time for you to recover and relax without the stress of school!