Joy Planner (Peak): Summer adventure, your way

Bigger choices, more independence, and a few pre-adult wins: this planner mixes low-cost travel, skill-building, short work/volunteering ideas, creative projects, and social moments. Three micro-adventures a week × six weeks = 18 options - great for those of you wanting a bit more challenge and autonomy.

Share the summer — want Intrepid Youth to see your micro-adventures? Tag us on socials and use the hashtag #IntrepidSummer. We’d love to see your photos and adventure picks: Be bold. Be you. Be Intrepid.

How to use (30 seconds)

1. Pick a start cue (phone off / headphones in).

2. Tackle the micro-adventure. Capture one pic or a 1-line note.

3. Repeat weekly — aim for variety: solo, friends, new places.

Legend: Solo / Group • Time • Cost (£) • Bring

Week 1 — Plan & Explore

1. Local micro-trip: train to a nearby town + explore — Group/solo • 3–6 hrs • £8–£25 • Oyster/railcard if you have it

2. Make a simple summer budget & challenge (save £X for one event) — Solo • 30–45 min • Free • Pen + phone

3. Sunset rooftop or hill climb with snacks — Group • 60–90 min • Free–£5 • Blanket + snacks

Week 2 — Skill Boost

4. Short internship taster or volunteer shift — Solo • 3–4 hrs • Free • CV + curiosity

5. DIY film: make a 60-sec mini-documentary — Group/solo • 90–180 min • Free–£10 • Phone + tripod if you can

6. Try a part-time shift or work shadow — Solo • 2–4 hrs • Paid/unpaid • Smart casual wear

Week 3 — Adventure & Outdoors

7. Kayak or paddleboard taster (supervised) — Group/solo • 2–3 hrs • £15–£40 • Swimwear + towel

8. Night bus + city explore (safe area) — Group • 3–5 hrs • £6–£15 • Plan routes in advance

9. Open-air cinema or outdoor theatre — Group/solo • 2–3 hrs • £6–£18 • Blankets + snacks

Week 4 — Creative & Social

10. Pop-up market stall: sell something small — Group/solo • 3–6 hrs • £10–£30 (stall fee) • Goods to sell

11. Host a film/series marathon & discussion — Group • 2–4 hrs • £0–£10 • Snacks + charger

12. One-day skills bootcamp: CV/driver theory/first aid — Solo • 2–4 hrs • £0–£30 • Check local providers

Week 5 — Travel Lite & Projects

13. Plan & do a solo ‘micro-cation’ day (museum + cafe + walk) — Solo • 6–8 hrs • £10–£30 • Student ID for discounts

14. Create a small portfolio: photos, sketches, code snippets — Solo • 60–120 min • Free–£10 • Laptop/phone

15. Live gig or small festival (day ticket) — Group/solo • 3–8 hrs • £10–£40 • Tickets + earplugs

Week 6 — Wind-down & Next Steps

16. Interview someone you admire (record 5 mins) — Solo • 45–90 min • Free • Phone + questions

17. Prep a mini future plan: 3 next steps for autumn — Solo • 30–45 min • Free • Notebook

18. End-of-summer share night: dinner + show & tell — Group • 90–180 min • £10–£30 split • Photos + snacks

Budgets & logistics

• Transport day trips: £8–£25.

• Activities like watersports or gigs: £15–£40.

• Small stall/bootcamp costs vary — plan ahead and ask about student discounts.

Pack list (short)

• ✅ Phone + portable charger

• ✅ ID or student card

• ✅ Water + small snack

• ✅ Cash for small purchases

Safety & permissions

• Tell someone where you’re going and check travel times.

• For water sports or late-night trips, go with a mate and stick to safe areas.

• For paid work or internships, verify age rules and payment.

Tiny bonus challenges

• Do one thing that scares you a little.

• Find one place you’d like to return to in autumn.