10 Ideas to Take Your Cape Week to the Next Level

There are so many memorable moments during college graduation time. For Stonehill students, we not only have all the little perks that come with being a near-grad, we also spend the entire week before commencement at Cape Cod. As a now-graduate reflecting back on the last couple of months, I have to say this trip was one of the most memorable moments with my friends and really just made the whole college graduation thing that much more special. And we added in some extra elements that we still talk about to this day. Whether you are a soon-to-be Stonehill grad or just looking for some inspiration for your next group trip to the cape, here are ten different ideas to add some extra pizzaz to your vacation.

To start off our week, my good friend Elizabeth surprised us with the cutest matching t-shirts to commemorate cape week. She simply used her cricket to design and make the shirts come to life, and added a special touch on the sleeve by spelling out SCEAJ, which is the first letter of each of our names (and the name of our group chat). Regardless of how you go about decorating, wearing matching shirts is a memorable way to kick off your vacation, and I guarantee you won’t want to take them off for the entire week.

Another fun tidbit we included during our stay at the cape was creating themed drinks (given we were graduating in a week, our theme was iconic college moments). While we originally planned on trying all of our drinks in one night, that proved to be quite impossible as we barely were able to finish the second round. That being said, I recommend doing one drink a day and making it a week-long activity. And don’t forget to get creative! We had everything from sangria to margaritas to cocktails in syringes. It’s a fun way to spice up a night of drinks and reminisce about good times.

 If you’ve never participated in a powerpoint night before, it is something you must experience at least once in your life. The rules are simple: create a powerpoint about anything you want, and present it to your friends. We’ve had everything from “Which Taylor Swift Era Do You Most Represent?” to “What Would You Look Like As a Man?”. The options are endless, and all are guaranteed to leave you rolling on the floor laughing.

You've most likely played Jeopardy at some point before, whether you watched the actual show or played it in a history class as a test review in school. But what's so great about this game is that there are so many ways to personalize it for a specific theme. For our senior cape week getaway, what better way to look back on our fond (and not so fond) memories of college than making a Stonehill-themed Jeopardy for all of us to play. With categories like "Who Said It?" and "The Dining Commons", we were able to relive the last four years all over again (many laughs included).

Given that our cape week ended with a senior formal dance for the entire class, we didn't hesitate to make a few hair and makeup appointments in advance. It was a great way to savor the special day and make us look our best for the night ahead, but formal or not, getting makeovers can be the perfect self-care activity for your cape trip. There are plenty of salons throughout the cape, along with plenty of restaurants and bars to flaunt your new look at afterwards. Just make sure you find a reputable salon so your hair doesn't come out looking like a founding father (like some of ours did...unfortunately).

The number one truth about any trip is that you never come home empty handed, so make sure you fit in a day to shop around and take a look at all the quaint stores in Chatham. This town has a wonderful selection of shops, including everything from one-of-a-kind gift shops to big brand names like "Life is Good." And if you're on the lookout for a sweatshirt or t-shirt, you have endless places to choose from. And make sure to keep an eye out for for any sales going on. There are often great hidden finds that many people miss, and trust me, in Chatham, the sales rack will be your best friend.

Sometimes the simplest things are the most memorable, and that holds true for the morning walk to the beach we decided to take one day. Let's just say the natural beauty of the cape is one you can't miss. Everything from blossoming hydrangea bushes to the weathered grey shingles that line the cottages will transport you to a peaceful oasis. But it's easy to miss these small moments if you are just driving from destination to destination in a car. Take some time to slow down and breathe in some fresh saltwater air before starting your day.

Enough said. Just make sure you arrive early so you don't have to wait a lifetime for a table.

If you've never been to Marylou's, your cape trip is the perfect time to try it. While it does exist in other places, there are many Marylou's locations in Cape Cod, and it's a can't miss for coffee-lovers. And even if you're like me and don't like coffee, they have a wide selection of flavorings to choose from so you're coffee doesn't taste like coffee (just sweet delicious goodness).

If you don't, you'll be mad at yourself later. There are hundreds of picture ideas on Pinterest and Instagram, but when in doubt, draw something aesthetic in the sand.