Get Ready for Summer With These 8 Community Activities

Now that summer is around the corner, cold days are becoming a thing of the past. Well, until December rolls around again. In the meantime, there are plenty of activities that will let your residents take advantage of the warm weather. Summer presents lots of opportunities for people to get together, whether at a barbecue, block party, or a day at the pool. And now is the perfect time to start planning for these events! 

While some events can be held all year round, like volunteer outings, crafting sessions and cozy nights in with a movie and popcorn, there are some that just lend themselves to warmer months. Here are some ideas for fun events that can get your residents feeling those summer vibes.  

Ice Cream Socials: Who doesn’t love a sweet treat, especially in the summer heat? An ice cream social will be a hit among children and adults alike. Gauge participation by emailing a survey with different dates suggestions for residents to vote on and select the one that shows the most interest. Also, leave space for flavor and topping options and suggestions. You can include a full-on toppings bar with all the essentials: fruit, syrup, whipped cream, candy and nuts. And of course, don’t forget the cherry on top! 

Outdoor Movie Nights: Outdoor movie nights have risen in popularity since the pandemic. You can project a popular movie on a screen or even on the side of the building. Have it playing in a grassy area, and people can bring blankets, or you can rent chairs for everyone so there is enough seating. My movie pick?  Grease. (A classic, if I do say so myself.) Bask in those summer nights, but avoid getting stranded at the drive-in.  

Game Night: Hosting a game night in your building is a great way to bring out some friendly competition. Break out classic board games such as Clue, Sorry!, Yahtzee and even Monopoly (depending on how much time everyone has). There are also online games such as trying an online murder mystery, Scattegories, Jackbox and poker.  

Cooking Classes: New seasons inspire people in many ways! Now that various fruits and vegetables are in season they can be used in different recipes. Bring in a chef to host a cooking class, which will provide residents with new recipes and ideas featuring in season produce. This can feature fresh foods and light flavors that can pair well with the warm weather.  Residents can also use this event to swap recipes and enhance their kitchen skills. 

Community Potluck: Following the cooking class, encourage residents to showcase what they’ve learned or bring out some favorite recipes by hosting a building potluck. Residents can volunteer to bring certain dishes. They’ll be able to swap stories and pleasantries while enjoying lots of different food. Start a shared playlist or find a premade summer dinner party playlist to add to the atmosphere.   

Book Club: Summer is the perfect time to sit outside, read a good book and discuss it with others (my personal record is reading 20 books in a summer, and I wish I had someone to talk with about them). Offer a space where people can make suggestions for books and sign up to be a part of the club. You can find inspiration from social media or other book club recommendations. Reese’s Book Club is a good source for new picks with various genres throughout the season. Residents can meet in a common space once a week or every other week depending on participation and scheduling. Encourage members to come with conversation points and questions prepared. You can provide some snacks like pretzels and chips. That is definitely a way to entice me!      

Karaoke Night: Warm up your vocals chords and have a good night by choosing your favorite guilty pleasure song. With light refreshments and a karaoke machine, a different side of your residents can come out as they belt out ABBA, Amy Winehouse and other karaoke favorites.  

Outdoor Yoga Classes: Setting up an outdoor yoga class is a great way to get your residents outside and get some very important vitamin D (let’s face it, we can all use a little extra vitamin D after these colder months inside) and practice some physical and mental wellness through yoga. Hire a professional yogi to teach a beginner class so everyone can go at their own pace. Or if a resident is able have them run their own class if they choose. This is also a great way to connect with nature and become a little more Zen. Namaste.