Summer. When you think of summer, you may think of a last resort for a middle school student, or a time of fun and excitement amongst your friends. Summer is the second season of the year. This fun and warm season is a consistent season throughout June 21st – September 22nd, but to middle schoolers, it starts on the last day of school, June 4th.

Summer gives a sense of freedom for all students, giving the feeling of no homework, waking up late, and rarely having anywhere to be. But not everyone does the same activities all summer. Every student’s summer is a wide range from camping and traveling to being at their home beach all day. Some students go to interactive mental health support camps, while others focus on fun and engaging camps.

Mental health camps teach kids the purpose of screen addiction, the importance of school, and learning fun and new ways to spend summer. But overall, these camps are designed to improve youth well-being by being safe, engaging, and fostering and building social skills. All in all, some of the funnest ways to spend the summer are focusing on your mental and physical health.

Seal Beach Junior Guards is a fun, but physical, summer program run by the Seal Beach Lifeguard Department. The purpose of this camp is to impart and teach lifeguard skills, medical training, physical conditioning, and water safety activities. Junior Guards varies from ages 9-17 and is a Monday through Friday session during the summer, meeting from nine to noon at Seal Beach.

Question: What’s your favorite part of summer, and what does it mean to you?

“My favorite part of summer is being able to sleep and having the full day to hang out with friends and family, and going to the beach. Summer means many things to me, such as freedom and not having to stress about so many things.”- Bella Poor

“I love that summer is stress-free with no worries. I love that I can spend all day with my friends. Summer means having fun and making memories.” – Raegan Balaam

“My favorite part of summer is hanging out with my friends and going to the beach! Summer means a time of relaxing and having fun!” – Sole Quitiqua

All in all, Summer ultimately represents much more than just a break from school; it is a true meaning of mental health and the building of social skills while having fun.