Plan a perfect summer picnic

It’s finally summer! And there is no better way to celebrate the season than with a picnic where you’re surrounded by the sight of trees and the sounds of birds.

•When planning a picnic, the first thing you should do is pick a location. It can be anywhere you want it to be, but choose someplace with a scenic view that can enhance the experience. It should be someplace where you can relax and have fun, like a park, the beach, a meadow, mountain ridge or even a rooftop.

•Next, draw up a guest list. You can have a quiet, intimate picnic with just one other person, or you can invite a group of your friends or family. If you are thinking about inviting more than just a few close friends or family, however, ask yourself if you’ll need to get folding chairs for guests to comfortably sit or if blankets will suffice. And make sure the area that you’ve chosen has enough space to accommodate your guests. A few tables can help maximize your space. If you plan to picnic after daylight, are there lights in the area, or will you need to bring flashlights or lanterns? Do you feel safe enough to be there after dark?

•Now it’s time to plan the menu. Base it on how many mouths you have to feed and how much you can all carry to the picnic spot. (You can bring everything yourself or make it potluck and ask each guest to bring a dish). Since you won’t have a refrigerator outdoors, you’ll need to bring a cooler for beverages. And don’t bring meats like hot dogs and burgers if you won’t have access to a grill.

•When packing your food, line the bottom of the picnic basket with a towel or plastic wrap to absorb and contain any spills. (If you can’t find a picnic basket, you can put everything in a picnic backpack, available at specialty stores). Then put the heavy stuff on the bottom and the lighter items on top.

•Don’t forget to bring along all the accessories. You’ll need cups, plates, flatware, napkins and maybe even a bottle opener or corkscrew. Also pack some garbage bags so you’ll have a place to toss your trash.

•Think about other items you may want to bring to enhance the experience. How about a portable stereo to play some tunes (or maybe you’d rather let the chirping birds provide a harmonious background)? Don’t forget insect repellent, a mesh tent, a fly screen, sunscreen, extra layers of clothing and a poncho, all of which can help you brave the outdoors and its elements.

Remember to bring along your camera to capture favorite moments.