Mid America Youth Basketball
Distance: Any where in Kansas on different weekends
Price: Tickets are anywhere from $3-$4 for a pass and $5-$7 for a weekend pass
MAYB Summer Kick-off: Newton, Wichita and surrounding areas, June 12-14
For more tournaments and information go to www.mayb.com.
The sound of the buzzer and the winning team jumping up and down is something you will experience at a Mid-America Youth Basketball (MAYB) tournament.
From Arkansas to Texas to Kentucky and Tennessee, MAYB Tournaments are spread throughout 22 states, and many of which are held in Kansas. These tournaments are held for boys and girls from grades 3-12. Tournaments usually last from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon with each team in the tournament playing anywhere from three to six games, depending on the type of tournament.
For everyone at the tournament there is a lot of time to hang out with friends and enjoy a mini-vacation between games. Swimming, shopping, hanging out between games and seeing a new place is always a fun way to spend your free time.
Whether you are there to play or just to watch and hang out with the team, going to a tournament can be a quick, cheap and easy fix to a boring weekend.Erin Bradley
Marion Lake
Location: Marion Lake between Hillsboro and Marion
Travel Time: 30 minutes
Price: $3 to use the boat ramp, $18 nightly for camping (includes boat ramp fee)
Activities: Camping, fishing, swimming, boating and hiking.
With the fire blazing, the aroma of smoke fills the air and slowly drifts out onto the water. This is a nightly occasion on a camping trip to Marion lake.
They have numerous locations for camping and swimming. If in need of a day trip, they have a designated swimming beach.
An average day at the lake for campers usually consists of waking up, eating a big breakfast or taking snacks along if we are going fishing. The whole afternoon is spent swimming, driving around on the Jet Ski, tubing, skiing and knee boarding.
At night we cook out and eat a big supper on the picnic table. After eating, there are trails and playgrounds we often go to. Then when it gets dark enough, we start a fire and roast marshmallows, which is the perfect ending to a great day.
For those who love being outdoors, Marion lake has many different activities that are sure to please. Ashley Murrell
Camp Mennoscah
Location: Murdock, KS
Travel Time: hour and a half drive , 60 miles
Price: between $125 and $150.
Bugs, heat and lack of sleep. These are the only negative things about living in a cabin for a week. In reality, even those things are not bad at Camp Mennoscah. For one week, meeting new people, eating great food and worshiping God all wrapped into one makes for a great time. Other activities include swimming, playing in the river, crafts and campfires. Sleeping in a cabin with six of your closest, or new, friends means lots of time to talk and laugh. Camp Mennoscah is fun for people of all ages. Jennifer Scott
Wichita Day Trip
Warren, Freddy’s and The Alley
Location: East Wichita
Travel time: 30 minutes
Price: Warren- Matinee $7.00, Evening - $9.00
Freddy’s: around $5 for a meal, $3 for ice cram and sundaes
The alley: 6 people per lane- $20-$40
Bowling at the alley, though a little pricy, is always fun. Freddy’s adds a more clean–cut feel to an otherwise traditional fast food restaurant and you can never go wrong with a movie at the Warrren.
Carly Blaufuss
Derby Water Park
Derby Water Park – Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park
Location: Derby, KS
Distance: 38.45 mi or 48 minutes
Price: rent entire facility $1,200; 3-17 yrs $7, 18; $8
Activities: Entertainment patio, water walk, lazy river, speed slide, raft slide, party shelters. Feilisha Kutilike
Worlds of Fun
Location: 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue • Kansas City, MO
Activities: amusement park
Travel time: about three hours
Cost: $39.99 for a regular all-day pass
Worlds of Fun is a great place for a day of fun. It has a variety of water rides, roller coasters and children’s rides. Just like your standard amusement park, food and gift shops are also plentiful. Lines usually are not too unbearable. Going to Worlds of Fun is an entertaining thing to do during the summer months. Joanna Epp
All-Star Sports
Location: All Star Sports (East)
1010 N. Webb Road, Wichita, KS 67206
All Star Sports (West)
8333 West 21st North, Wichita, KS 67205
Travel Time: Around 30 Minutes
Price: $24.95 (over 48")
$16.95 (Under 48")
Hours: Monday – Friday : 10:00 am - 9:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 am - 9:00 p.m., Sunday: Noon - 8:00 p.m.
Instead of the normal routine of a movie and bowling, try out All Star Sports this summer. They have laser tag, bumper boats and even race cars. It is a really fun way to spend a summer evening. Tyler Prochazka