Summer officially begins Saturday morning at 6:51 a.m. eastern time when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator.

The days are gradually going to get shorter, but before they get too short and the occasional snowflake hits the ground there are plenty of things going on this weekend.

At 11 a.m. Washington swimmers will attempt to be a part of the Guinness Book of World Records. The Hildred Moore Aquatic and Fitness Center is co-hosting The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, an attempt to break the previous record for the biggest swimming lesson. The global event is free to participate in and Dallace Inman, supervisor at the aquatic center, is aiming to have 25 to 30 swimmers participate.

If swimming isn’t a forte, meeting several professional football and basketball players might be of interest: Washington sports legend Terrance Copper, along with Washington Police and Fire Services, is hosting his 2014 Pros Weekend, which starts today with a meet and greet from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in Washington’s Festival Park. A football and basketball camp for children will follow on Saturday.

As recovery continues after the April 25 tornadoes, there’s another opportunity to lend a hand. Host Don Cox is trying to help the community he calls home starting Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. He is hosting a flounder plate lunch/dinner at the Washington Civic Center for just $8. Donations will go to people whose homes were so badly damaged they don’t have the means to fix them.

Finally, Goose Creek State Park will host a storytelling event Saturday at 7 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon will have a program on local creepy-crawlies: snakes.

There are many things happening for children and adults this first official summer weekend. Be a part of the community and do something special.