PCS Season is in full swing and many of us will soon find ourselves rowing steadily down the stream of finding new friends. We’ve been here before. It’s time for awkward coffee dates, stale friend dinner dates, and round after round of forced interaction. But does it have to be this way? Could we find some new and exciting ways to get connected with new friends or find some fun common ground? I think so!
Here are my “Top 10” fun and fresh things to do this summer.
1: Local Town Tour. Every military town has some local culture and, usually, there is some sort of town tour. Take a trip to the local visitor’s center or tourist stop to see what local fare has to offer.
2: Escape Room. Instead of another boring trip for an arbitrary coffee, why not try an escape room? Spend some time connecting over discovering clues, solving puzzles, and a little bit of healthy competition.
3: Local Festivals. Here on the Gulf Coast, there are so many local festivities. We have festivals around food, local art, and sports. Grab a friend and check out all that your local area has to offer.
4: Farmer’s Market. Go to a farmer’s market, grab some fresh ingredients, and head back to the house to whip up something delicious. A cool way to connect is over a slice of pie or fun fondue with home grown goodness.
5: Neighborhood Water War. Skip the stuffy spouse meet up and make a splash. Call a few new neighbors, grab a super-soaker, and hit the streets. Host a neighborhood water war, complete with water balloons, splash pads, and fun in the sun.
6: Good ol’ Fashioned Block Party. Throw a post in the neighborhood Facebook page and invite everyone for a weekend block party. Set up a simple menu and spend the day getting to know your neighbors over BBQ and finger food.
7: Get Outside. Invite a new friend to go for a hike or take a walk on the trail. Jump on a bike or just go for an afternoon stroll.
8: Theme Parks. If you live near an amusement or water park, maybe inviting a friend for a day spent slurping down sodas and riding roller coasters might do the trick.
9: Make a Mocktail. One of my favorite girl’s-night-in is comprised of a mocktail contest. Everyone drops by with their own mocktail recipe. We mix and make them, sharing them and the story behind the sip.
10: Ice Cream Social. Ok, so while this one might not be new and fresh, I don’t know anyone who is not up for piles of ice cream smothered in sprinkles. Grab a couple gallons of ice cream, a bevy of yummy topics, and stick a spoon in it.