Ah, summer. Just the word means relaxation. Picnics, floating in the pool, concerts and festivals, a stack of books to read in the shade of the porch, grilling or enjoying an evening fire bowl, flowers and vegetables in the garden, and fireflies flickering each night. I choose not to think about the heat, humidity, road construction season or the constant buzz of lawn mowers as neighbors take turns firing them up. Only good vibes here.

If you are looking for ways to enjoy nature while helping maintain waterways and fragile ecosystems, Wildlands Conservancy is seeking volunteers. At Stream Team events, participants join staff members to maintain vegetation — known as riparian buffers — along streams to help young native trees survive. These areas improve water quality, reduce erosion and flooding and provide habitat for wildlife. For more information and a schedule of events, visit engage.wildlandspa.org.

Children ages 2 to 15 can bowl free on weekdays through Nov. 25 at Steel City Bowl, 1770 Stefko Blvd., Bethlehem. For details and registration, visit kidsbowlfree.com.

The Home Depot will host a Kids Workshop July 4 beginning at 9 a.m. Children will build a go-kart. Register at homedepot.com/c/kids-workshop.

The Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church will hold its summer boutique and craft vendor fair 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 1.

Fans of World Cup soccer can attend ArtsQuest watch parties at SteelStacks. For a full schedule of events, which run through the final match July 19, visit artsquest.org/festivals. Activities for all ages are planned before and after matches.

Township yard waste drop-off sites are open. The Devonshire site will be open June 25 and 27. The Franko site will be open June 29 and July 2 and closed July 4. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

“Gardening requires a lot of water — most of it in the form of perspiration.” — Louise Erickso