Fall, and specifically October, has always been one of my favorite times of the year. While I definitely love the warm summer days--and opportunities to take the doors off my Jeep--I like the balance of warm and cool temperatures that come in October. (For anyone keeping track, I’ve also managed to keep the doors off all of this week too!)
There are so many wonderful things to do in the Fall. As a kid, I enjoyed the annual pumpkin picking field trips to Butler’s Orchard in Germantown or Homestead Farm in Poolesville. As a teen, it was going to Six Flags on Friday nights here in Maryland or in Massachusetts (they go all out for Halloween in MA!). And now, I still enjoy all of those: taking my first grade classes to the pumpkin patch, going to King’s Dominion for their Fall fest days, and spending time with friends and family.
In a year that is far from normal, it is hard to imagine maintaining some of these traditional activities. And in fact, I am not doing most of them. Instead, my friends, family, and I have found new ways to still enjoy the Fall weather and time together. Whether it’s going for a hike on one of the many Maryland trails, riding bikes in downtown DC, or just going for a scenic drive, we’re finding ways to bring a little more normalcy to our Fall get-togethers.
I was recently asked about my plans for my birthday in a few weeks and I said I wasn’t sure since I can’t do some of my usual activities (I’m super bummed about movie theaters closing down again). But I’m glad I can spend time with my family and friends. And in a year that’s not normal, it is nice to find and try new things together (though still socially distant as needed). We’re still going for weekend hikes and bike rides, going to drive-in movies, and finding other fun Fall activities around the area.
For our students at Saint Andrew’s, we are thinking about ways to make our annual Fall and October traditions possible. While they will look different, our creative teachers have thought outside the box and are developing plans to give our students a unique Blue Herons Fall experience. We look forward to sharing more of these details in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, I encourage you to think about some of your favorite Fall activities and ways you can enjoy the Fall weather. Because Fall, and specifically October, is one of the best times of the year.
Eric Danowski is the Director of Teaching & Learning
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