Green Outdoor Summer Activities

Summer is the season for outdoor fun, but this year while your out in the park or up at the cottage, choose eco-friendly activities. While jet-skiing, wake boarding and motor boating are awesome fun, these machines guzzle gas at a rate way higher than your average car. Here are a few ideas for summer activities that won't make you carbon-footprint skyrocket.

Racket Sports

What's more summery, fun and healthy than a game of outdoor tennis or badminton? Most towns and cities have free public tennis courts, or if you're lucky enough to live near a beach, likely beach volleyball and badminton courts as well. Quality rackets will last for years, and as long as you don't lose your birdies, a traveling badminton set will too. Plus there is nothing wrong with tanned legs and toned arms!

Friendship Bracelets

Okay, this may sound a little cheesy, but my friend and I recently had the greatest day in the park making hemp bracelets. It's a great way to keep your hands busy while you giggle and gossip, especially since hemp is a renewable resource and one of the fastest growing plants on the planet. A roll of it won't cost you more that five dollars and you'll actually be promoting the hemp industry, which refutes the use of pesticides and herbicides, helps prevent topsoil erosion and produces tons of oxygen!

Non-Motorized Boating

Getting out on the water is key element of Canadian summers, but why not do it in a small non-motorized boat? Canoes, Kayaks and even paddle boats allow you to experience more of the nature surrounding you while disturbing it less. They are also less expensive to purchase or rent, and run on human energy rather than fossil fuels. Canoes and kayaks are also welcome in small rivers and wetland areas where motorized boats are not.

Fishing off the Dock

Fishing can be a fun family activity so long as you get licensed and either cook your catches or throw them back. A giant fishing boat is not necessary for casual anglers. Whether you're camping, at the cottage or at a pier, keep your feet on the dock while you're fishing! Your best bet for green fishing is to use worms or insects you find in your garden as bait. Plastic bait contains chemicals that attract fish, but also seep into lakes and rivers.

By Allison Smith

Allison Smith
		About the author:
		Allison is a graduate student at Ryerson University in Toronto and the Green Editor for WOMAN.ca. She is a sometimes journalist who digs music and adventures. Her weaknesses include vegetarian food, men with beards and Ontario wines. She can be seen cruising the city on her bicycle, sipping organic coffee and dining at restaurants she can't afford. To Allison, the green movement has everything to do with moving towards a more natural way of life.
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