Have you guys heard of Doing Good Together™? Recently, I had the pleasure of connecting with Sarah Aadland, Director of DGT’s Big-Hearted Families™ Program. Today, Sarah is here and she’s sharing a summer bucket list- and it’s unlike many of the others you’ll find online because it incorporates kindness. Keep reading to find out how you can make the summer of 2015 one that your family will always remember. And stay tuned for a guest post from yours truly on Doing Good Together later this week!

Big-Hearted Families™ Summer Bucket List:
Add intentional kindness to your summer plans.

Of all the summer bucket lists floating through the ether, here’s the one you’ll want to pin and come back to as you firm up plans for sleepovers and barbeques this summer.

Here’s the list that will add heart to your summer memories.

We at Doing Good Together™ (DGT) recently connected with Cait here at My Little Poppies, and we’re thrilled to be included in the fun, creative resources she’s sharing!

I’m excited to introduce you to DGT™.  Our nonprofit work is designed to make it easier for your family, and mine, to raise compassionate, big-hearted kids.

I speak from experience. I stumbled upon DGT when my daughters were just four and two-years-old. They’re ten and seven now, with an almost-four-year-old brother! My family is essentially a guinea pig, testing projects and trying out conversation starters.

I share my family’s experiences with these tools on DGT’s Blog. We don’t homeschool exclusively. But we learn together every day. And we unschool all summer long.

So for all of you – homeschoolers, unschoolers, and parents in love with learning as a family –  here are four reasons you should take a look at this list of big-hearted, memory-making summer activities.

1. You’ll do good, together.

These activities are not only fun opportunities for family time. They meet a tangible, often critical need in your community, in our world.

2. You’ll build those empathy muscles.

Compassion is a skill like anything else. Lectures about kindness will soon be forgotten. Acts of kindness will inspire more compassionate acts. Soon you’ll find your kids initiating their own helpful projects based on a need they have observed.

3. You’ll connect in unexpected ways.

Exposing your children to new ideas and issues will bring up amazing conversations, giving you the opportunity to share your values and expand your understanding together.

4. You’ll learn (and teach) by doing.

Within these projects, you’ll find infinite possibilities for teaching entrepreneurship, math, history, cultural awareness, even science and beginning economics. Watch for opportunities to boost the educational value of each project. You’ll find them everywhere.

Convinced yet? Here’s the list! Follow the links for further instructions, book recommendations, and conversation starters around each idea.

13 Big-Hearted, Brilliant Summer Bucket List Activities
(plus a few questions to create your own!)

1.    Take our 30 Days of Kindness Challenge

Make kindness a habit with a small act every day for a month.

2.    Camp out with a nature journal.

Fill an empty notebook with the creatures, flowers, trees, and landmarks you encounter. The more you experience nature, the more you are inspired to protect it.

3.    Foster a pet or make pet toys for a local shelter.

4.    Host a Garage Sale for a Cause.

Are you already planning a garage sale? Dedicate a portion of sales to a cause you care about.

5.    Host a Lemonade Stand for a Cause.

Employ this classic childhood business venture as a lesson in philanthropy, especially if you have a cause near to your heart.

6.    Host a neighborhood barbeque for a cause.

Invite guests to make a donation to the food shelf, or any cause you love, and offer them a party in exchange.

7.    Host a neighborhood book swap.

Refresh your summer reading list with a book exchange party.

8.    Host a sleepover for the Pajama Program.

Give the gift of new pajamas to children in a shelter, and host a sleepover at the same time!

9.    Pick up litter at your local playground or beach.

Add a pair of gloves and few plastic bags and make this one a habit!

10.  Read with purpose – for lonely seniors, pets, or younger neighbor kids.

Reinvigorate the excitement of your summer reading program by adding an audience.

11.  Start a Back-to-School Supplies Drive in your neighborhood.

Consider collecting donations during National Night Out.

12.  Support Meals on Wheels.

This organization both fights poverty and alleviates loneliness. Whether you deliver meals or decorate paper bags for their dessert deliveries, or host a fundraiser on their behalf, you’re efforts will have a meaningful impact.

13.  Walk or Run for a Cause (or sponsor and cheer for a friend who runs).

Nearly every cause and many community organizations now host a fun run to build support, awareness, and of course funds. Find your cause and get moving!

14.  Your turn! Round out your bucket list with these simple prompts.

• What summer family activity are you most looking forward to?
  How can you add a kind act to it?
• Name three things you would like to learn or try this summer?
  How you can you add a kind act to it?
• Who do you know (friend, neighbor, relative, classmate, anyone!) who may be struggling with loneliness, illness, or grief? Make a list of simple things you could do to help that person.

15.  Make a kindness plan for the new school year.

If it’s not part of your plan, intentional acts of compassion will quickly get shoved off your family calendar by more glamorous extracurricular activities. But if you enjoyed any of your summer kindness activities, be sure to pick a project or two and wedge them into the master calendar. DGT’s extensive collection of ideas and free printables will make it easier!

Find more big-hearted ideas for your summer vacation by visiting our project collection at Doing Good Together™ and watch for Cait’s post over on our blog soon!