The National Recreation and Park Association designated July as the nation's Park and Recreation month in 1985 to encourage people to venture to local parks with friends and family to enjoy the great outdoors, obtain healthy lifestyles and support park and recreation events.

So, why is July the designated month for parks and recreation? Because kids are out of school, parents are ready for a family vacation, summer camps are in full swing and the weather is just right for outdoor adventures. Besides the thrill of summertime, going to a park or recreational area allow kids to put down their phones, iPods, video games and computers to enjoy a fun time playing sports, hiking, floating down a spring or river, gardening and so much more with family and friends.

This July BYO Recreation wants to provide an endless list of outdoor activities and games that parents, camp leaders and supervisors can do with kids attending summer school, daycare, summer camps or just the kids who are at home.

Starting with simple, inexpensive activities adults can encourage kids to get outside and play a sport like soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, football even surfing. Kids can join local teams to make new friends, learn new sports and, most importantly, gain enough exercise to get healthy or stay healthy.

Families and friends can visit community parks to play frisbee and volleyball, have a cookout or take a hike. This gives people a time to bond and have a good time for little or no cost while enjoying the great outdoors.

Of course, if you want to take the kids down to the river or spring, you can always travel to a park, such as Rock Springs, Ginnie Springs or Ichetucknee Springs. Here you can enjoy the water, stay for a weekend and have an outdoor cookout. These places are very affordable and give you an opportunity to ditch the electronics and have a blast with friends and family.

Parks and recreational areas are a fantastic way for people to get outside to bond with others, get some exercise and learn about nature, so what are you waiting for? Get outside and enjoy endless healthy adventures at your local park and recreational area!