You can have all the fun right here!
BY: RACHEL WUMKES
Spring break means so many different things to various people. Students are likely bouncing off the walls with excitement knowing they have an entire week free from the confines of books and homework. And while the teachers may not be bouncing off the walls on the outside, per se, their insides are definitely a flutter of excitement knowing they are SO close to a week filled with restful, quiet bliss.
I got to thinking a bit this morning about spring break itself. Where did it come from? How did it start?
While some studies link the roots of spring break all the way back to the ancient Greeks, the spring break we know today actually began in the mid-1930s. A swim instructor from upstate New York wanted his team to get a jump on training, so he took them to Ft. Lauderdale to work out in a new Olympic sized pool. The concept caught on, and soon swim teams from across the country began to follow suit.
Obviously, as they didn’t train 24/7 while they were in sunny Florida, the students found opportunities to blow off steam in the ways college kids do: partying. Word began to spread that spending the week during break (which was usually because of the Easter holiday) in the warm sunshine, partying it up with other college coeds was way better than staying home in the cold.
Thus, the birth of “spring break.”
MTV caught wind of this party phenomenon and created their first special broadcast in 1986. Throughout the 1990s, the party scene ravaged the Florida coastline before spreading to other warm destinations like Texas and even Mexico.
For me, personally, it’s one of my most favorite weeks of the school year. A week of no alarm clocks, no backpack checks, no dress-up days for class, no homework or keeping track of practice schedules.
Ahhhh, sweet relaxation.
And while some folks jet off to warmer climes and spend the week frolicking ocean side with their family, many people tend to stick around North Iowa for the week.
So, what is there to do? Well, a lot of things, actually.
I’ve put together a list of super-fun ideas to make your Spring Break the best stay-cation possible. Check it out!
FOR THE KIDS:
Lake Theatre is currently showing “Jesus Revolution” (PG-13) starting Friday, March 10th. It’s the true story of a national spiritual awakening in the early 1970s and its origins within a community of teenage hippies in Southern California. Show times are Friday (3/10) at 7:00PM. Sat/Sun (3/11 & 3/12) at 1:00PM, 4:00PM & 7:00PM. And Thursday (3/16) at 7:00PM.
The Boyer Pool is open to the public to swim for only $5 per person. They are located out on the One Vision campus (behind Fareway). Open swim is M/T/R/F from 6:00AM to 2:00PM. Wednesday from 6:00AM to 5:00PM. And Saturday from 1:00PM to 5:00PM.
The Clear Lake Athletics & Wellness Center will have open gym time from 1:00PM to 3:00PM the Monday through Friday of Spring Break.
If anyone does it up right for the kiddos, it’s the crew at the Clear Lake Public Library! They have planned all the fun throughout the entire week. Check it out:
Monday: Family Movie Monday at 1:00PM
Tuesday: Lego Day. 10:00AM open build. 2:00PM Lego Derby
Wednesday: Casual Check 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Thursday: Crafternoon at 2:00PM
Friday: Teen De-Stress Day from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
The Clear Lake Arts Center will host a Youth Art Camp: Art of the World. Students are invited to “travel” with us as we explore different cultures and their artmaking.
Students grades 1st – 5th (approx. ages 6 – 11) can travel the world through the visual, performing, and literary arts over this 3-day camp.
Activities from 10:30AM – 3:00PM
Drop-off from 10:00AM – 10:30AM
Pick-up from 3:00PM – 3:30PM
Students must bring lunch and wear clothes that may get messy.
The Mason City YMCA has already filled their Spring Break camp – but you can still enjoy their facility! They are open M-F from 5:00AM to 9:00PM. Saturday from 7:00AM to 5:00PM and Sunday from 1:00PM to 6:00PM. It’s $15 for the family – $10 for an adult – and $5 for youth to have access to the pool, courts, weights, and track for the day!
That should be enough options to keep the kiddos occupied for the week, right?
And don’t forget to check out all the adult fun over on our events calendar.
I know we all have a bit of PTSD from “that one time” when we had spring break and didn’t go back to school until the fall.
**shudder**
But I have a good feeling we will have our week of enjoyment and head back to the classroom refreshed and ready to tackle the remainder of the school year!