Love to make waves at the lake? Water parties are part of the all-American summertime experience, whether it’s a family reunion, birthday bash, or Sunday social. From high-tech geocache treasure hunts to stargazing, here are a few suggestions for making your next party at the pier more memorable.
From techies to tours
Heading to New Hampshire’s gorgeous Squam Lake? Check out the “On Golden Pond” tours, where guides paddle you to the island where the iconic movie was filmed. Pick native blueberries and take the boarded swap walk, too.
Lake Tahoe in your future? Embark on a Geocache Adventure, using a GPS or your cellphone for a “high-tech treasure hunt.” Players search around logs, tree stumps, and boulders for hidden containers, called geocaches, then sign the logbook and see what others have left behind.
Sounds charades & more!
Strike up a game of “sand charades” by splitting your crew into two teams. Have each member write down the name of an object on paper. Each team must sculpt in sand the object they’ve drawn while their opponents guess what it is.
Have an old-fashioned dress-up night like the gals at Plum Party did on New York’s Lake George.
“Saturday night is always dress-up night, with the guests dressed in a range from full-fledged flowy gowns found in the local flea market to jeans and an old seersucker jacket pulled out from the back of a closet,” they blog. “They play Fred Astaire on the phonograph (okay, really the iPod).”
Don’t forget to un-invite certain guests … make that, pests. Banish bugs with citronella candles and the new PowerPad Outdoor Lanterns by OFF!
Location, location, location
Each of the 50 states boasts a tourism agency or board, which can provide extensive information on lakeside amenities, accommodations, and etiquette. When deciding where to host your festivities, consider the following:
Boat rental options (party barge, anyone?)
Access to picnic tables, playgrounds, and permanent grills
Proximity to restrooms, outdoor showers, and campsites
Hours and restrictions (including alcohol and fireworks)
Host a lakeside party for family
By Lisa Martin
Love to make waves at the lake? Water parties are part of the all-American summertime experience, whether it’s a family reunion, birthday bash, or Sunday social. From high-tech geocache treasure hunts to stargazing, here are a few suggestions for making your next party at the pier more memorable.
From techies to tours
Heading to New Hampshire’s gorgeous Squam Lake? Check out the “On Golden Pond” tours, where guides paddle you to the island where the iconic movie was filmed. Pick native blueberries and take the boarded swap walk, too.
Lake Tahoe in your future? Embark on a Geocache Adventure, using a GPS or your cellphone for a “high-tech treasure hunt.” Players search around logs, tree stumps, and boulders for hidden containers, called geocaches, then sign the logbook and see what others have left behind.
Sounds charades & more!
Strike up a game of “sand charades” by splitting your crew into two teams. Have each member write down the name of an object on paper. Each team must sculpt in sand the object they’ve drawn while their opponents guess what it is.
Have an old-fashioned dress-up night like the gals at Plum Party did on New York’s Lake George.
“Saturday night is always dress-up night, with the guests dressed in a range from full-fledged flowy gowns found in the local flea market to jeans and an old seersucker jacket pulled out from the back of a closet,” they blog. “They play Fred Astaire on the phonograph (okay, really the iPod).”
Don’t forget to un-invite certain guests … make that, pests. Banish bugs with citronella candles and the new PowerPad Outdoor Lanterns by OFF!
Location, location, location
Each of the 50 states boasts a tourism agency or board, which can provide extensive information on lakeside amenities, accommodations, and etiquette. When deciding where to host your festivities, consider the following: