Things To Do In Lawrence

Science-fiction fans are eternally disappointed that society hasn't yet developed the technology that would allow them to strap on a jetpack and rocket to their destination. Though Indy Flight Academy & Watersports can't supply you with a futuristic vehicle for the daily commute, it does give extreme-sports enthusiasts the chance to blast off with its Flyboard water-powered jet packs.

The Flyboard—a water board with a pair of boots attached to it—is attached to long hose, which is in turn hooked up to the water jet exhaust of a jet ski. When the jet ski's driver hits the gas, the Flyboard and rider shoot up into the air atop high-powered streams of water. Riders can then fly around above the water or mimic a dolphin diving in and out.

It would be hard to place Freedom Kayak Adventures on a map, even if that map were drawn in waterproof ink. Although the business is headquartered in Indianapolis, its team rents out kayaks and standup paddleboards at Saxony Lake each summer. In addition, Freedom Kayak Adventures delivers kayak rentals throughout all of Indiana, including bodies of water such as Lake Monroe and Summit Lake. Once it arrives at the chosen destination, the team passes out safety gear and happily recommends scenic kayaking routes.

Sports of All Sorts is one of the largest indoor sports facilities in the Midwest, with 200,000 square feet of state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled gyms, courts, fields, and athletic equipment, along with an abundance of open-air facilities. Camp runs five days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with optional pre-camp (7 a.m. to 8 a.m.) and post-camp care (5 p.m. to 6 p.m.) for an additional $10 each for the week. Activities include kickball, dodgeball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, wiffleball, and daily adventures to Snapperz and its four-story playground and inflatables. Register for any camp beginning June 1 through August 9 and use your Groupon to transform your mini-me into a mini-sports-polymath. Click here to read about specifics of the camp and its policies.

Indianapolis Speedrome is the home of the World Figure 8 Championship and one of the early tracks to implement stock cars. Guests of opening night will be welcomed to the storied arena at 6:53 p.m., with a command to have the cars start their engines at 6:58 p.m. For more than three hours, stock cars will burn pure adrenaline as they race on the stadium's oval and figure 8 tracks. The first hour's heats let each make and model bake the track to a golden brown, before the featured events burn it to ash as muscled Road Runners go head-to-head after spritely Bandoleros and parents pushing children on bicycles. The evening concludes with a showdown among high-class, custom late models and an on-track trophy presentation and potluck dinner. Seating is first come, first served, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

The Five Seasons Family Sports Club houses tennis courts, a dining area, fitness facilities, swimming pools, and a full-service spa under one roof. Within air-conditioned indoor courts or on outdoor clay courts, racquet slingers compete in friendly bouts to sharpen swings, refine backhands, and showcase grunting abilities. Members can also break a sweat in exercise areas speckled with modern cardio equipment and weights or cool off in an Olympic-sized pool with diving wells and wading areas. Before meeting others for a postgame beverage at the lively café, clients can wander to the spa for a relaxing massage or partake in a sports workshop to gain a firm grasp on game mechanics.

Inspired by their training with Swami Rama—the founder of the Himalayan Institute—Carol and Charles Crenshaw motivate students to deepen the connection between their bodies and minds at Inner Peace Yoga Center. At their nonprofit studio, Carol and Charles strive to honor Swami Rama by cultivating a sanctuary for relaxation and self-discovery through meditation and yoga classes. Six levels of yoga classes help beginners and experienced yogis alike to build strength and relieve tension, encouraging them to work at their own pace. During meditation classes, the focus is solely on the mind. Patrons drift into a meditative state to quiet anxiety over the day’s tasks or worries about dinosaurs re-emerging from extinction. A core focus on community drives the center, with community-centered events bringing people together for pasta cookouts, in-depth workshops, and community-service initiatives.