Hi friends, Dr. Ruvvy here! When I was in grade school, one of the most common messages written in our yearbooks at the end of each year was ‘HAGS’— have a great summer. We at the Ruvvy Resilience Lab are here to help you and your family have a great summer with some fun activities and events going on in the metro Detroit area!

Family Fun Challenges 🧠

Social support is a foundational aspect of health and resilience. Families can serve as positive social support structures for one another, cheering each other on and holding each other accountable. This summer, challenge your family to:

• Go on a digital detox

  • Commit to no screens at shared meals

  • Compete to see who can stay off of social media the longest

• Learn something new

  • Visit the Detroit Historical Museum and share fun facts about our city with your family

    • General admission is $10

    • Detroit residents receive free membership (including admission) to the museum!

  • Read up on a topic of interest at the Detroit Public Library and put together a trivia game for your family

  • Immerse yourself in art at the Detroit Institute of Arts

    • Admission is FREE for residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne county with proof of residency

Get Outside! 🌳

Between city parks, metro parks, state parks, and even the top-ranked riverfront in the United States, Detroit and the surrounding metro area has so much to offer when it comes to the great outdoors:

• Spend an afternoon on the world-famous Detroit Riverfront

  • My mom loves to watch the freighters go by, carrying cargo across the country and the world!

  • My dog loves to run and play at the new Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park at the west end of the riverfront; there are plenty of play structures and water features for kids too.

• Explore Belle Isle

  • Check out the Great Lakes Museum, Conservatory, and Aquarium—the aquarium was the first in the United States and designed by architect Albert Kahn, who also designed the Fisher Building and many other buildings in Detroit.

  • Reminder: A state park pass is required. Pavilions and grills can be rented at no cost in advance for family reunions and other gatherings!

• Take a self-guided walking tour or join a public tour with locals from The City Institute

• Visit a Detroit neighborhood you haven't explored yet, from Midtown to Corktown

• Browse vendors, flowers, murals, and food at Eastern Market

As a lab family, we're embracing summer by taking our meetings outside and making time for a little fun. Here, we're playing The Game while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. Stepping outdoors can inspire new ideas, strengthen connections, and provide a welcome break from our daily routines. We encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy all that summer has to offer.

What is your family doing this summer? Do you have any hidden gems you recommend? Write to us at [email protected] and let us know!

The Greenhouse of the Mind:

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