become a pilot

My BF was talking today about helicopters or somesuch. “I’d like to fly a helicopter,” I said. “Why don’t you?”

So here I am. I’m going to ask that my parents pay for me to get my pilot’s license next summer as a graduation present. Getting it done shouldn’t be hard. My question is this – since I clearly can’t purchase or store an aircraft of my own, when and where will I fly for fun? Is there a plane-rental sort of deal? Can I time-share one on the weekends? What’s the deal?

Thanks!