For the past two summers I have spent my weekends with The Cadets 2 Drum Corps. Drum Corps is a performing arts activity similar to that of marching band. However, the difference is that we do not have woodwind instruments and we are not associated with a college or high school. Members of DCA drum corps spend their weekends practicing and competing across the East coast, while members of DCI corps spend their summer traveling around the United States, practicing a competing a show on a "tour".

I often find myself receiving a lot of criticism from my friends who are not a member of the marching arts and I am basically told that my choice to march is a “waste of my summer.” I am constantly told that I should not march and just "have a life instead." However, I am here to tell you that marching drum corps both DCA and DCI is not a waste of your summer. Here are four reasons why marching drum corps is NOT a waste of your summer.

1. You are learning to be self-disciplined and to follow a schedule.

When you are a drum corps you have to follow a strict schedule and make sure you have everything you need to have done and in check. For me, this means practicing every day during the week and completing my video assignments so that I am ready to go for the weekend. This sort of self-discipline you learn will go on to be helpful in your career and other parts of your life as well.

2. You are staying in shape.

Instead of spending my summer days laying around watching Netflix, I am outside running around on a football field. I am also eating lots of fruits and vegetables and drinking several gallons of water a day. I cannot say that my other friends who are not marching are doing the same.

3. You make meaningful friendships that will last a lifetime.

I met my some of my best friends at drum corps and I can tell that we will be friends for many more years to come. It is crazy how easily these bonds are made and how hard they are to break.

4. You are doing what you love.

At the end of the day, I am doing what I love and that is what is most important to me. Some people prefer to spend their summers doing other things, but I for one love spending my summer sweating it out on a football field with 100 of my best friends.