Kevin Bartelt

DeKalb has many scenic nature areas where people can enjoy the views and warm weather. Take a bike ride down the DeKalb Nature Trail during the day.

If you’re on the path about an hour before sunset, keep an eye out for deer, raccoons and muskrats. Speaking from experience, avoid crossing paths with the park’s geese at all costs. Their hiss is nastier than a venomous snake or junior high gossip.

The P.A. Nehring Forest Preserve has cool paths, too. If you go, you’ll definitely want to bring bug spray because these paths take you deep into the woods. The area also has big open land to lay out and relax.

Frank Gogola

There’s nothing better to do this summer than enjoy some of the best soccer the world has to offer.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup brings a full month of world-class soccer to the forefront of sports viewing, especially with ESPN presenting all 64 games of the World Cup live and in high definition on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Thursday to July 13.

After 11 games in four days, the drama, the action and the upsets have already begun to pour in, and there’s more to come. With the United States taking the pitch against Ghana at 5 p.m. today in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, U.S. passion and pride will surely be on full display.

Jackie Nevarez

Summer is a great time to enjoy the great indoors and soak in sweet air conditioning. There are plenty of ways to avoid sunburns and mosquitoes while enjoying home.

Make sure to read a book or two. Nothing is worse than coming back to class and being bombarded with a bunch of reading assignments. I find reading for leisure in the summer helps me transition back into homework. Take advantage of your local library where all you have to pay is maybe a couple bucks for late fees.

Binge watch television shows. Whether it’s “Orange Is the New Black” or some good ol’ … never mind, just watch “Orange Is the New Black.”

Rachel Scaman

If you’re anything like me, your summer will consist of staying up all night, sleeping all day and tanning the rest of the time; however, there’s always other options.

With the weather finally cooperating, it’s nice to just walk or drive around DeKalb. Go to a nearby park and read your favorite book. At night, go see a movie with some of your friends.

Creativity is key when spending a summer in this town. If you’re not working or don’t have an internship during the summer, take the time to do what you really want to do. Sleep under the stars, ride your bike instead of driving everywhere or take the train to Chicago for the day.