Summer break is the longest break of the school year, and during that time, you may feel that you have already completed all the activities you were planning to do previously. You may have just been planning to stay inside to beat the heat or go on a relaxing vacation to a sunny beach somewhere. Either way, you can still have fun this summer with a variety of activities to choose from. Here are some ways to spend your summer, whether inside or outside.

• Go camping

Camping is a great way to enjoy the wonders of nature. Once you set up your camp, you can spend the day hiking, kayaking, biking, or even paddleboarding. Make sure to pack ample amounts of sunscreen and bug spray, though, as the elements can be rough.

• Bike along the rail trails

Riding your bike is a popular form of exercise, and one of the best times to do it is during the summer. Fortunately for us, Maryland has a few paved bike trails that run beside unused railroad tracks. One example of these is the Western Maryland Rail Trail, which is 28 miles long and runs along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

• Spend time with friends

Of course, you should spend your well-deserved time off with your friends and family. You could organize a meet-up with your friends and be creative about what you do with them! You could go to a country club, go to a nearby beach, or just have fun and hang out with them.

• Read new books

If you are feeling a bit bored indoors, or if the weather is not ideal for outdoor activities, you can still entertain yourself with a good book. Last summer, I discovered the books “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr and “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. Both are phenomenal books that you will not want to put down once you start.

• Visit a beach

Because we live in Maryland, it is not uncommon to drive to a beach and spend a day or two there. Even though Ocean City has some of the most popular beaches in Maryland, there is another vacation destination not too far from it. Assateague Island is full of stunning beaches and home to many wild horses. It is a terrific place to take a stroll and admire the wildlife in Maryland.

• Binge your favorite movie(s) or TV series

There is nothing better than catching up with your favorite movie or TV show. One TV series I recommend bingeing is “The Office,” a raucous comedy series that has something for everyone’s tastes.

• Birdwatch

Maryland has a diverse assortment of birds to look out for. From ospreys to Great blue herons to everything in between, there is never a dull moment when it comes to Maryland birdwatching. If you want to look for a specific type of bird species, it is important to know which area to find them in. If you want to find woodpeckers, you are likely to find them in wooded areas, such as the forest near Loch Raven Reservoir in Baltimore County. If you want to find sea birds, you are likely to find them in areas near the water, such as Havre de Grace in Harford County.

Whatever plans you have for your summer break, remember to relax, refresh, and recharge for the upcoming school year. Just know that there is always something to do wherever you are, and you may even discover that you love an activity that you have never tried before.