Warm Weather Wednesdays bring warm-weather fun to UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. – You’ve survived one of the worst winters ever. Summer is almost here and the University at Buffalo is offering some free activities that will bring members of the UB and the broader Western New York communities outdoors to enjoy the beautiful UB campus and have some fun.

Warm Weather Wednesdays, new to the UBThisSummer lineup of summer programming, will provide faculty, staff and students a chance to enjoy what many feel is Buffalo’s best season. Activities, held on Wednesdays beginning May 28 and running through Aug. 6 on the North Campus, range from lawn games – badminton, anyone? – to a soccer skills camp, yoga class and canoeing on Lake LaSalle.

Organizers of Warm Weather Wednesdays, which include staff from the College of Arts and Sciences, Student Activities, International Student and Scholar Services, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, say the idea behind the event was to offer members of the UB community some different activities than those provided through the traditional UBThisSummer programming.

It also was a chance to show that the campus was not as quiet during the summer months as many people might think, organizers say.

The fun begins on May 28 with UB Chalkfest, an afternoon-long art project in which participants create their own unique artwork with a bucket of chalk and a blank sidewalk. It runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Putnam Way near the Student Union. In the event of rain, Chalkfest will be moved inside the union.

The remainder of the lineup; all events are free and open to the public:

June 4: Lawn Games (& Tournaments), 1-4 p.m., Student Union field. Games include horseshoes, bocci, KanJam, croquet and badminton. Novices are welcome. Registration for tournament-style play is at 1 p.m.; casual-style play also will be offered.

June 11: World Cup Soccer Skills Challenge, noon to 4 p.m., Student Union field; rain location: Alumni Arena. In anticipation of the upcoming World Cup, UB will crown its own World Cup soccer skills champions. Participants will go through a series of soccer drills (i.e. obstacle course, dribbling, goal kick), with overall winners receiving prizes. Registration begins at 1 p.m.

June 18: Yoga! Yoga! Yogurt! Sessions from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 12:30-1:30 p.m., Student Union field; Rain location: Student Union. Participants of all ages and skill levels are welcome to take a class led by a licensed yoga instructor. No experience necessary; bring a mat or towel.  The first 15 participants for each class receive a free UBThisSummer yoga mat. Enjoy a free frozen yogurt pop after class.

June 25: We’re going on a Picnic! Noon to 4 p.m., Student Union field. Bring a lunch and enjoy the bounce houses, carnival games, magician, caricature artist and balloon artist.

July 9: Frisbee Golf Workshop, noon to 4 p.m., Student Union field; rain location: Alumni Arena. This workshop will teach participants about Frisbee golf, including what types of discs to use for different distances. Participants will receive a complimentary UBThisSummer Frisbee.

July 16: Canoeing, 1-5 p.m., Lake LaSalle at Baird Point. Canoes, life jackets, paddles and professional instruction are provided.

July 23: Golfing Extravaganza, noon-4 p.m., Student Union field. Take a golf lesson from a professional, play on an 18-hole miniature golf course or take part in the hole in one contest.

July 30: Summer Sun Treasure Hunt, noon to 4 p.m., Student Union field. This on-campus treasure hunt will provide a physical, as well as mental challenge. Registration begins at noon; hunt begins at 1 p.m.

Aug. 6: Canoeing, 1-5 p.m., Lake LaSalle at Baird Point. Canoes, life jackets, paddles and professional instruction are provided.