By Imaginary Gardens Staff
Unfortunately, not everyone has thousands to spend on beach vacations or money to blow on expensive hobbies; in fact, in this economy, most students of Pellissippi State Community College are likely either taking summer classes, or working jobs to pay for school, so vacations sound out of the question. But, we believe everyone deserves the chance to relax and have fun over the summer, so we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite free, or almost free vacation spots for students to try out this summer.
Leyli Izadpanah, Staff Writer
Ijams Nature Center (2915 Island Home Ave., Knoxville ) is one of my favorite spots to hike, paddle, bike, and more. Anyone can go to Ijams free of charge and enjoy nature; the grounds and hiking trails are open from 8 a.m. until dusk. The trails vary from beginner level to advanced, so everyone has something right for them. Along with being the perfect hiking spot, they also offer a wide range of outdoor activities including biking, paddle boarding, and climbing.Â
Ijams also has special events days during the summer; fees for these vary, but they’re a lot less expensive than other similar activities. One of my favorites was an outdoor movie night/haunted trail they hosted. We got to set up blankets and watch horror movies as well as interact with scare actors on a trail! They also had a bunch of food trucks and unique vendors to look through. Later this month they have options for a caving trip and a sustainable market. Overall, Ijams is the perfect choice for nature lovers and any students looking for low cost, nearby activities.
Sophie Perrins, Photo Editor
Workaway is a website with tens of thousands of short term, long term, paid, and unpaid jobs in over 170 countries worldwide that allows students and others looking for a cheap getaway to travel. I have had two fantastic experiences with workaway programs in Jordan and Egypt. One involved photographing a Bedouin (indigenous Arab)Â campsite in Jordan and helping him with promotion for his website in the Wadi Rum desert, and another involved feeding and exercising polo horses near Cairo. Both programs were two weeks long, but some programs require a longer stay. For my work, I received free room and board, but still had to pay for my own flight.Â
For students unable to cover flight costs, Workaway has many programs that are paid, which could be used to pay for the flight. Before signing up, make sure to check the reviews of the program you are considering applying to in order to ensure your safety. However, don’t worry too much, Workaway monitors profiles and provides emergency support, so it’s unlikely something bad will happen. I never felt unsafe as a solo female traveler and would highly recommend both programs I participated in.
Many people join Workaway for cultural and language exchange, ethical volunteer opportunities, and to make friends in foreign places. There are many available jobs doing anything from babysitting/house sitting to construction. It is free to view hosts, but to message them you need to create an account which starts at $34.50 per year. Workaway is perfect for those looking for a low cost trip and to gain cultural knowledge or work experience.
Patrick Dobyns, Opinion Editor
If you’re anything like me, getting away from the house isn’t something you can really do on a whim. Whether expenses are short or you just don’t have the desire to go anywhere, you might be looking for something to do over break that won’t require you to leave the comfort of home. Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do, and people to interact with, just by hopping online. A great example of something that can keep you occupied and your mind sharp is the Wild Wonder Foundation’s Nature Journaling Prompts.
Every month, a new set of daily prompts are given out, ranging from sketches to finger painting to pressed flowers. It’s a completely self-contained activity– if you want it to be. There is also a community hosted by the Wild Wonder Foundation, or you could post your journal entries to your preferred social media platform. Lastly, it gets you active and it keeps you thinking, great for keeping yourself busy during the summer months.
Emma G. Harrison, Staff Writer/Marketing Team Member
Do you like reading books? Watching movies? Sleeping in and wearing pajamas all day? If you find yourself enjoying these things, then a staycation is just for you! I, for one, love staying at home. Especially after a long semester of getting stuck in traffic every morning on my way to school at 7:30AM. You can do just about anything at home. You can enjoy the book you keep putting off reading, you can watch all of your favorite movies and shows, or work on a puzzle. You can even sleep in as long as you want. Just be sure to silence or turn off your phone so you can truly unplug and relax.
Some other ideas for your staycation: An at-home spa! Turn on some music and do some skin care. Be sure to take it easy and enjoy yourself. Our bodies do so much for us, so it is time to tell them thank you by relaxing and pampering. Learn to cook or bake something new! It is time to pull out your Pinterest board full of all those yummy recipes. Enjoy creating and eating some tasty food. Spend some time outside! Catch some rays and get some fresh air. You can spend your time outside by gardening, sunbathing, reading, and even getting a little exercise by doing some yoga. Enjoy your time at home, relaxing and taking it slow. Just be sure to block off your time and create boundaries to give yourself space to truly relax.
