Fall is just around the corner and school will be in session soon. For many of you, that means your schedule will be crammed. Here are five things worth fitting in your calendar.

STEP UP: Help improve the walkability of Denver at the inaugural NE Walk Fest on August 24 starting at 9 a.m. Organizer Jonathon Stalls, who once walked from Delaware to California, has planned themed two-hour walking trips, which include literary and urban wildlife walks, through the Park Hill and Stapleton neighborhoods to show people how walking can develop a safer and healthier city. Participants are urged to sign up in advance.

RACE: Run and bike a 10 to 30 mile course around Denver in Oyster, the Race, on August 24, beginning at 8 a.m. Teams must solve puzzles, complete bizarre tasks, and travel around Denver to win this urban adventure race. Teams who raise money for Make-a-Wish Colorado can receive helpful prizes, like a charity cannon, which allows your team to blast to the front of the pack. Last year, the race raised $30,000 for Make-a-Wish.

CLEAN UP: Preparing to don hundreds of high school prom-goers with gently used dresses and formalwear every March takes yearlong preparation. Help the Prom Dress Exchange by donating gently used clothing. Don’t have an old prom dress tucked away in your closet? Monetary donations help supply materials needed for the big day.

STUDY: It is time for research papers, but don’t fret; Denver Public Library offers free one-on-one research tutoring sessions with a librarian. Go beyond the normal search engines and find out how to use reference books and online databases to find the materials you need to write an A+ paper.

GO WILD: Mount Saint Vincent is hosting the annual Walk on the Wild Side at the Denver Zoo on August 21. Buy a single ticket or a family pack and get into a private night with your favorite animals. Make sure to check out Billy, the zoo’s new Asian elephant. Proceeds go to assist children at Mount Saint Vincent, who are recovering from neglect and abuse. Registration for this event ends August 19 at midnight.

Image courtesy of Team Player Productions