The temperatures are steadily rising, indicating that summer is near! Many of us look forward to this time of year: the picnics, vacations, camping, cookouts, soirees; a sampling of the summertime’s myriad of activities. This is the best time of the year to opt outside! I’ll admit that I’m not a fan of the hot and humid weather that summer brings, yet this doesn’t deter me from living adventurously with my family. Here are some of the way that my family and I say yes to summer:

Going to the zoo is something that my family and I partake in throughout the year. My children love seeing and learning about the animals. Knowing that not all zoos are the same, we also like to venture outside of familiar territory and visit other zoos, too!

Birding is one of many activities that have been enjoyed for centuries. It’s not hard to understand why some birds are some of the most majestic creatures! Some people enjoy bird watching alone, while others enjoy it in the company of others. I fall into the latter category because I enjoy bird watching with my family. Not only is it a wonderful way to learn about birds, but birding has inspired us to relax, live in the moment, embrace it, and marvel at all that nature has to offer.

My family and I love exploring caves! Cave exploration is just as fun as it is educational. We learn a lot of about these geological wonders (i.e. caves) that nature has to offer, everything from the elusive creatures (e.g., bristly cave crayfish) and rock formations to the background history and the adventure of exploring.

Nature is truly a learning resource. That’s why hiking is one of my all-time favorite activities that I love to do with family. Hiking is one of the most pleasant ways to connect with nature, bond with family, and enjoy the world around you. I deem it nature’s therapy since we’re always at the most serene and peaceful state of mind when hiking. It has been proven that hiking can reduce stress and foster creativity. Personally, I’ve found that nothing clears my mind more than when I’m surrounded by the beauty of nature. Having a clear mind helps me find inspiration within nature for some of my favorite creative outlets like writing and photography.

Staying at a cabin is another thing we enjoy doing during the summertime when we want to temporarily escape the hustle and bustle to enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature.

This summer, Evite® wants to celebrate all the creative ways people “Say Yes to Summer” by hosting a photo contest inviting summer enthusiasts to share how they’re saying yes to summer for a chance to win a $500 gift card.

Evite® strives on saving your time and sanity by making your summer get-togethers like BBQs or camping effortless and even more memorable. They have a vast selection of online Evite® summer invitations that are simple and easy to create – at no cost! Sending an Evite® invitation is the easiest way to bring friends and family together for your events, big or small.