It's a Date
By Naiche, age 16, New York
While this classic idea is nice, I couldn't help but find the movie Hitch refreshing. The star, Will Smith, offers up seven days of unique dates - including an emotional trip to Ellis Island to view the signature of his date's late relative. Although we can't all dig up old artifacts, I'm here to offer up some unique and new date ideas.
Date with Da Vinci
One of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday is a trip to the MET. Even if you don't live in New York, there are tons of local art museums or galleries that give discounts to students with ID. Before heading out to your museum of choice, plan a scavenger hunt. Make a list of silly things like, "most awkward pose" and "weirdest outfit" to find among the paintings and sculptures. You and your date can team up or make it a competition. Either way, it'll break the ice. End your date with a small souvenir and a trip to the museum's food court.
Park It
It's hard to believe that any date can be cheap nowadays, but your local park guarantees free entry all day long. Pack a bunch of snacks, drinks, and sandwiches and find a shady area in the park that isn't too busy. It seems boring now, but there's nothing like people-watching to break the ice. If you and your date are both artistic, you can have a sketch-off of the same landscape. If you guys are sportier, you can also pack a soccer ball or Frisbee to toss around before you take a walk to end the afternoon.
For the Cause
Why not start a relationship with something charitable? Take your date on a walk for a good cause or help out at a soup kitchen. My first unofficial date with my boyfriend was in a nursing home. I visit the home every month to give complimentary manicures to the residents there. He came along to help out, and I learned so much about him through our conversations and the way he wanted to help.
