The Weather Channel Staffers Share Their Favorite Summer Memories | The Weather Channel
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To celebrate the season, The Weather Channel family recount their favorite summer memories of all time.

To celebrate the season, The Weather Channel family recount their favorite summer memories of all time. From beach outings to summer camps, theme parks and cruises, check out what our staffers had to share.

Summers With Sam



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“My best memories as a child were the times my family and I spent together at the beach. We were always a beach family. I feel I got my love of the sand and the shore from my dad. He always took us to the beach for all of our vacations. And then he moved us there! We had a place at Topsail, N.C., while my dad, a Marine, was stationed at Camp Lejeune about 30 miles away. It was an untouched coastal paradise, and a dream come true for a kid! While others had to leave at the end of their vacation, we got to stay and call this incredible place home.”

“I remember spending hours body-surfing on the waves, rolling down the dunes, playing in the sand. It's one of the first places I learned, you didn't need toys to have fun. Just the sand, the surf and your own imagination.”

--Sam Champion, host of “AMHQ”

Follow Sam on Twitter @SamChampion


Family Vacation



“My favorite summer memory has to be our big family vacation to the Outer Banks, N.C. in 2014. My brother, sister, three of our cousins and our families (25 of us!) spent a week of summer fun IN ONE HOUSE. What could have been a recipe for family madness turned out to be wonderful family bonding. From joyful chaos to quiet beauty (like the time just my brother and I got up to watch and photograph an incredible sunrise), it was a summer trip I'll always look back on as one of the best!”

--Maria LaRosa, on-camera meteorologist and co-host of "Weekend Recharge"

Follow Maria on Twitter @twcMariaLaRosa.


Crabbing at the Family Cottage



“Outside of our family camping trips across the U.S. and Canada, my summer memories of growing up take me back to my grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ cottage on the Indian River in Oak Orchard, Del. I would spend many days during the summers fishing and crabbing from the pier and out on the river. ‘Mom-Mom’ (as we called our grandmother) would cook up the seafood almost every night for dinner along with fresh vegetables from the garden. Talk about the good old days!”

--Mike Seidel, on-camera meteorologist

Follow Mike on Twitter @mikeseidel.


Making Connections at Sleep-Away Camp



“My favorite summertime memory is sleep-away camp! Every year for a month I raided cabins, rode horses, made crafts, participated in color war, put on plays, swam, learned about/identified with the Jewish half of my family. But, it was much more than the activities. It was the family of campers and counselors who I connected with and have stayed close to my entire life. The life lessons, friendships and laughter I gained summer after summer are priceless, precious and unique!”

--Stephanie Abrams, on-camera meteorologist and co-host of “Wake Up with Al”

Follow Stephanie on Twitter @StephanieAbrams.


It’s Amazing Out There



“My favorite summer trip was my senior year of high school (2003). My group of friends took a trip out west to Glacier National Park in Montana.  We whitewater rafted in glacier runoff (FREEZING cold water), climbed, hiked, and all that good stuff. I was never much of an outdoor guy so it was a very eye-opening trip about how amazing it really is out there. I'm the bro on the left.”

--Ari Sarsalari, digital host and meteorologist

Follow Ari on Twitter @AriWeather.


Theme Park Throwback



“Growing up in Ohio, summer always meant amusement parks were open! Even before school was out, Cedar Point would start running commercials about that year's newest roller coaster. We also had a smaller park called Geauga Lake. The lines were shorter and that meant I could ride the ‘Double Loop’ over and over again. The park closed down in 2007 and is now abandoned. I have some great memories there, all that exists today are spooky photos."

--Dave Malkoff, correspondent

Follow Dave on Twitter @malkoff.


The Jersey Shore



“The Jersey Shore was a simple place in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. No mega-mansions, well-tended lawns or air conditioning. Just gravel yards, the occasional rose bush adding a touch of color and thorns that would reach out and grab little kids during hide and seek. The ocean breeze kept us cool. The land breeze brought sweltering heat and mosquitos.  But pinball was a nickel a game and the beach was uncrowded and a perfect place to soak up the summer.”

--Bryan Norcross, senior hurricane specialist

Follow Bryan on Twitter @TWCBryan.


Games We Played



“I remember having a 10-cent soda and making it last as long as possible; playing ‘green light, red light,’ ‘mother may I,’ and ‘simon says,’ on our lawn with the neighborhood kids. I loved hanging my head out the attic window and watching the lightning bolts light up the thunderheads at night. Better than any Fourth of July fireworks, ever.”

--Joe Dorris, cast member on “Prospectors”

Follow "Prospectors" on Twitter @Prospectors.


By the Water



“My first memories as a child are at the beach or at a beach club. Growing up on the island of the Dominican Republic, being by the water was a way of life. At least once a week, the family would pack into someone's car and drive to Boca Chica or the beaches of Juan Dolio. The day would be spent knocking coconuts off palm trees and eating spaghetti sandwiches.

Yes, it's a thing for Latinos -- spaghetti stuffed in bread. My dad would sip ice-cold beers while I sucked on the bottle neck of a champagne soda.”

“There was not a care in the world during those moments. My only concern came after eating; we'd have to sit and digest our food for at least 30 minutes -- my mom was pretty strict about not swimming after eating.”

--Anaridis Rodriguez, news anchor on "AMHQ"

Follow Anaridis on Twitter @Anaridis.


Learning With Sis



“My favorite summer memories always include hanging out with my sister, Lauren. Our parents were always dragging us around to some far corner of the globe (you don't appreciate travel as much when you're a kid), and Lauren and I were roommates. My mom reminds me that we would often say, ‘Please, can we not LEARN anything on this summer vacation.’ But, we always did... And in fact, we loved it. This photo is a great representation of Lauren and I learning something together from some summer long ago.”

--Matt Sampson, host and senior producer of digital video

Follow Matt on Twitter @TWCMattSampson.


First Cruise



“One of my favorite summer memories is the first cruise I went on in the summer of 2008. Five days of pure laziness and not a care in the world. It was the first time I had a chance to unplug from the world. Cell phone was turned off because I certainly did not want to pay the ridiculous charges for using it. But that allowed me to enjoy the open sea, all-you-can-eat food, and as you can see in my pics, tasty beverages. I also discovered that in the middle of the ocean, that sun beaming down is no joke. Hence, the towel on my head!  It was the first trip that me and my wife (girlfriend at the time) went on together so that's another reason it holds a special place in my heart and memory.”

--Alex Wallace, on-camera meteorologist

Follow Alex on Twitter @TWCAlexWallace.


Hiking the Rockies



“While in graduate school in Colorado, I loved summer mountain hikes. Whether it was standing atop Horsetooth Rock with a panoramic view of Ft. Collins or escaping to the uncrowded Snowy Range west of Laramie, Wyo., gaining elevation was a great way to spend time with friends, beat the Front Range heat and also get in a good workout. A legendary Beau Jo's pizza would cap off a perfect summer day in the Rockies.”

--Jon Erdman, senior digital meteorologist

Follow Jon on Twitter @wxjerdman.


Concerts in Cheyenne



“One of my favorite summer memories is from my first Def Leppard concert back in 2007 at Cheyenne Frontier Days. My friends and I enjoyed cool summer nights, concerts, rodeos and country dancing. I try my best to get back to Cheyenne, Wyo. every summer to enjoy these special events.”

--Krystle Dorris, cast member on “Prospectors”

Follow "Prospectors" on Twitter @Prospectors.


All About the Hair



“As a kid, every summer, I would attend Hi Hills Day Camp. I would look forward to these two months every year and they were jam-packed with fun: swimming, hiking, cook-outs, ‘magic’ fire pits, archery, sports of all kinds… The list was endless. Although maybe my favorite memory should just be that killer hair I used to have.”

--Mark Elliot, on-camera meteorologist

Follow Mark on Twitter @twcMarkElliot.


Poolside Fun



“I'd say about 95 percent of my summer memories involve being at the pool. From as early as I can remember up until about age 15, I spent every single day there. I swam competitively for our country club, so I would be up at the crack of dawn every day for practice, and then I'd just hang out afterwards for hours and hours. I'm sure the lifeguards hated me. On the bright side, I've never been tanner or blonder!”

--Tara Long, co-host “3 Scientists Walk Into A Bar”

Follow the "3 Scientists Walk Into A Bar" Facebook page here.


Beautiful Beach Days



“Being from California, my favorite memories are beach days with my family. Whether it was a barbecue at Sea Cliff in Santa Cruz, a drive along Highway 1 or exploring the shore in Half Moon Bay, it was a goal to dip our toes in the ocean every summer. And now we can pass on that tradition with the next generation of kids -- who are already enjoying the beach like champs.”

--Chenda Ngak, branded content manager

Follow Chenda on Twitter @chendangak.


Catching Waves



“Nearly every summer, my family would trek six hours east from Atlanta to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for a week of boogie boarding and putt-putt. I still remember the way I felt every morning when I woke up in the condo, shoveled down breakfast and took off to catch waves on the beach. It was always the one week I eagerly awaited as a little boy.”

--Sean Breslin, associate digital editor

Follow Sean on Twitter @Sean_Breslin.


Swimming + Sundaes



“My favorite summer memory involves spending the day in our backyard swimming pool. We'd hang out on rafts, play pool baseball, dive for ‘treasures,’ make the biggest cannonball, you name it! After hours in the backyard, we'd grill dinner and then head over to our local ice cream shop for a treat. Sometimes it was a sundae but my usual go-to was soft ice cream... My favorite thing to do was to eat the top pointy part off of everyone's while I was carrying them from the counter to my family. I still to this day will take the top of the soft ice cream off their cones! After that, we'd come back for a game of flashlight tag with the neighbors... Then do it all again the next day! To this day, an afternoon at the pool followed by soft ice cream can't be beat in the summertime!”

--Alex Wilson, on-camera meteorologist

Follow Alex on Twitter @TWCAlexWilson.


Good Times



“I remember most the good times -- hiking, collecting a mineral pocket, enjoying warm weather with friends and having a cold beer on a hot day.”

--Tim Dorris, cast member on “Prospectors”

Follow "Prospectors" on Twitter @Prospectors.


Forever Friends



“My friends and I loved being outside and enjoying the natural beauty of our backyards and neighborhoods in Highlands Ranch, Colo. We went berry picking, swimming, horseback riding and so much more! Being from such a beautiful state gave my friends and me unique opportunities to get out and get active while building friendships that, even though some of us have lost touch, we know will last forever.”

--Carolyn Williams, associate homepage editor