Don’t let summer brain drain set in
Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 13, 2013
For students, summer can be a time of freedom, fun and relaxation, but it can also be a time of regression, with many young people failing to crack a book during their time off and, as a result, forgetting much of what had been learned during the previous school year.
Summer camps can do much to combat this brain atrophy as most at least try to throw a couple of educational elements in the mix, but by the time mid-July rolls around, most of the camps have already ended. So the brain drain continues as children park themselves in front of televisions, computers or video games as they while away the remaining weeks of summer.
This time of year can be frustrating for parents as well as they often would like to get their children off the couch but have by now run out of exciting ideas.
Luckily for parents and children in the River Parishes area, fun activities with an educational bent are always nearby.
This area is known as “Plantation Country” for a reason. The grand old houses offers interesting trips and are filled with artifacts to teach anyone about what life was like in the 1800s when the culture thrived. But history is not confined to the mansions that line the river. A drive down River Road reveals a wealth of knowledge of the history of the local area through its churches, fields, businesses and residents. And what can be seen through the windows of a car can be even better explored from atop the levee, either on foot or by bicycle.
And if the heat is just too much to bear, the local public libraries host a variety of fun and educational activities throughout the week.
So the dog days of summer don’t have to be spent in a lazy haze. Get out with your children and explore this area so the young people can truly learn to appreciate the place they call home.