Many kids dread having to go to school during the summer, especially when they are repeating a class that they failed during the school year or trying to get credit for a class. But summer school doesn’t always imply hard work and long hours.

There are many courses offered that allow students to do everything from finding hidden talents to spending the summer investigating outer space. At Darien Summer School, a vast number of courses are offered in all different areas, but some are clearly more enjoyable than others.

From ice cream to watermelon, some refreshing foods just taste better on a hot summer’s day. There is nothing like eating a brain-chilling vanilla ice cream cone at a local beach club or drinking ice cold pink lemonade by the pool.

Summer foods just don’t taste the same all year round. It’s that refreshing cold and juicy feeling that gets you through each summer day.

As the school year comes to an end, students start to relax a little more and work a little less. When it’s warm out and students are feeling a little lazy, they will most likely go to the beach rather than do their math homework.

Summer is a time to relax and hang out with your friends; but not until the school year ends. Senior year, especially, is not a time to relax or take it easy; it is a time to show colleges that you still take school seriously even though graduation is not far away.

Have you ever had a thought about how to have fun on a Friday or Saturday night? How about if you’re a manager and you need a team building activity? Or are you an adrenaline junkie, searching for fun? If you fit in either category, you should check out Grand Prix New York, a Go-Kart circuit.

A 25 minute drive from Darien, the Grand Prix is in Mt. Kisco, N.Y. There are race cars on display in the hallway, an arcade where you can play simulation Nascar or Formula One and two tracks where you can race. Their Arrive and Drive program can suit you up and have you racing the track in a matter of minutes. The Grand Prix also host birthday parties.

Baseball has been National Pastime for more than a century, but now some people say this All-American sport has become too pricey for average fans to attend. Fans are complaining that a game that was once meant for everyone has turned into a luxury that is only available for the wealthy.

According to ESPN, the average price of a Yankee Stadium ticket is $72.97, a rough 76 percent increase from last year’s ticket price of $40. But the Yankees aren’t the only Major League Baseball team with a dramatic increase in prices, Red Sox tickets have risen 30 percent and the Chicago Cubs have gone up by 10 percent.

Whether you plan to spend your summer swimming at the pool, tanning on the beach, or vacationing at hot spots, the hottest looks this summer require a closet full of bright patterns and eye-catching colors. This summer is packed full of new trends, from cute and practical hairstyles to new beach accessories.

This summer, make sure you’re dressing in the season’s trendiest colors: lavender, fuchsia red, celery green and lemon yellow.

The weather is not the only thing that’s going to be hot this summer. This season is going to be full of your favorite artists making headline tours around the world, as well as old bands that are coming back stronger then ever.

If you’ve been listening on the radio lately, you’ll know that Beyoncé is dominating with three R&B singles from her third solo album, “I Am… Sasha Fierce.” Her worldwide tour, premiering in Europe, will kick off the third leg at Madison Square Garden on June 21 and 22, when she will showcase not only her hot dance moves, but her alter-ego, whom she calls “Sasha Fierce.”

Many Darien High School students are throwing out their schoolwork and warming up the hot tubs for what could be another fantastic summer.

DHS students are starting to begin the process of choosing camps they wish to attend this summer. In a recent survey of 100 Darien High School freshmen, 85 of the 100 students said they will be attending summer camp. Many of them are particularly interested in attending sports camps in the area. With the wide variety of summer sports camps available, it looks like the summer of ’09 will be no let-down for Darien kids.

Turning 16 is a big birthday for all teenagers. On top of celebrating the “Sweet 16” milestone, kids are then eligible to get their driver’s permit. This privilege is a big deal to all teenagers — and it comes with a change in lifestyle.

Starting sophomore year, you start to see high school students driving behind the wheel and then switching places with their parent once they got where they’re going. The talk changes from “My dad drives so slow!” to “I almost crashed into a parked car on the way here.” Along with that also comes the decision whether or not to take driver’s education courses.

The most stressful moments at Darien High School happen during the last few weeks of school when students have to stay up late studying for finals and preparing themselves for Advanced Placement exams. On the last day of school when the bell rings, students spring up from their chairs and dash for their summer clubs.

At Darien High School students attend clubs in Darien such as Woodway, Middlesex, Tokeneke, Wee Burn, and the Country Club of Darien. These clubs serve many in the community. People can attend clubs to relax by the pool and partake in activities such as bingo nights, dance nights and barbecues.