Andrea Downer, Gleaner Writer

Students at the launch of the National Youth Service 'Summer Employment Launch programme two years ago. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Ahhh! Summer, the golden season, holds a lot of promise. For students, summer means freedom from schedules, assignments and tests and many look forward to two months of excitement, including, for some, jetting off to the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom, to reunite with cousins, aunts and friends. Others swap regular classes for 'summer classes' - the same kind of routine, but with a little more fun thrown into the mix. For many, an overseas trip is way out of their parents' budget and summer classes usually run until the end of July, so an entire month yawns wide open with a myriad of possibilities and packing the young ones off to the country was, and still is, a viable option for many parents. However, while an entire month spent chasing butterflies, going to the river and being at one with nature might still be a thrill for some younger children, based on accounts, it is something to be avoided at all costs by pre-teens and teenagers.

"Both my kids used to go to the country; however, the older one, who is 16,hasn't gone in recent years. She says she no longer have any cousins in her age group down there, so she don't want to go any more. Her cousin, who is also 16 years old, has gone away, and to tell the truth, grandma is hardly exciting when you're 16," Maureen, a corporate executive said with a laugh.

However, Maureen says, her youngest daughter, who is 13 years old, will be heading to St. Ann this summer, just as she has done since she was about a year old.

"They started going to the country, in Aboukir, St. Ann, from they were both very young, maybe about one year-old," she disclosed. She said her youngest, still doesn't mind going even though her sister will opt to remain in Kingston, as her youngest daughter's playmates, her cousins within her age group, are still in St. Ann.

Traumatic

However, Maureen confessed that in the early days, sending her two girls off to grandma's was very traumatic, but she persisted for a number of reasons.

"When they were babies, even though they couldn't understand me, I used to call them every day. I used to miss them and couldn't wait for the summer to end," she recalled with a laugh.

"But when they got older, I was just glad for the relief! I can be more flexible. I don't have to worry about what to make for dinner and I can go out with my friends," she revealed.

"I decided to send them so they could bond with their grandmother, and to give me and my husband some quality time together. It would also give them the chance to experience life in the country, which I feel is important, because that is where I grew up," she continued. "It allows them to experience a different side of Jamaica, as living in Kingston as opposed to the country is a totally different experience!"

"It is a more friendly environment, they would have to tell everybody they pass good morning, they would get the chance to eat a different kind of food because I don't have time to cook things like yam and run down," Maureen stated.

Janneljust turned sweet 16 and summers in Clarendon wasa routine until a year ago. She said in the hilly interior of Reaches district in Shop Hill, things like cable television was as remote as the stars she would gaze on at nights and Jannel confessed that every single night of the week, she, her aunt and her cousins would walk six miles to church.

"I couldn't bother to go anymore. I am getting older and to me country is for kids!" she declared.

Bored

Jannel said she started to get bored during her summers in Shop Hill as her aunt and uncle, devoted Christians, would not allow her and her cousin to go to the nearby town. He said the most she would be allowed was a trip to the river and the long trek to church every night.

With very little to watch on television, Jannel said she and her cousin resorted to star gazing at nights.

"Sometimes at nights, we would bring out our pillows and sheets and lay on the ground in the yard which was concrete, and look at up stars. In the days, we would play hop scotch; however, unlike when I am in Kingston, I would get four meals per day, breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper," she disclosed. Adding that the last meal of the day really came in handy after the long walks to church and back.

"I really missed the Internet and cable though," she stated.

This summer, Jannel hopes to get as summer job so she can earn some extra money to buy her own clothes.

Maureen's 16-year-old daughter will be doing something more selfless this summer.

"She has registered with Youth for Christ to do some volunteer work this summer, while her sister will go to church summer camp at Westwood High School in Trelawny, after which she heads up to her grandmother who now lives in Brown's Town," she stated.

Whether you spend it in the country, in the suburbs, overseas or lazing by the beach in sun-induced haze, summer is here, with its glorious sun-filled days. Make the most of it!