Summer Fun Ideas As An Alternative to Gambling

Published: May 29, 2023
Summer is finally here! The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the warmer months. And since it’s also the time to make plans for how to spend time with family and friends, it’s a good time to remember that responsible gambling is just one part of a full life. For many people across Ohio, including prevention and problem gambling professionals, there is immense value in highlighting the family-friendly, low-cost summer alternatives to gambling that our state offers.
From swimming on the shores of Lake Erie to hiking in the Hocking Hills, there are many options for lots of fun in the sun as an alternative to gambling and sports betting. Try out the ideas below yourself, or encourage people in your community to join in on the fun instead of gambling or betting on sports:
- Relax on a Lake Erie Beach: Ohio has many free or affordable lakefront beaches to enjoy. If sunbathing and sand dunes are your vibe, Headlands Beach State Park offers a vast, picturesque expanse of sand, lakeside breezes, and diving gulls, as well as grills and picnicking space. For a more urban feel, check out the beach and shelter house at Edgewater Park in downtown Cleveland, where you can swim and eat made-to-order food. Or if you’re seeking a resort-like atmosphere, Maumee Bay State Park offers crystalline sands, a golf course, and a modern, full-service lodge.
- Go on a State Park Adventure: Ohio has been blessed with more natural wonders than can be counted, and many Ohioans have nearby state parks they have never explored. Most are free or affordable, and provide opportunities for hiking, camping, biking, boating, hunting, and more. To find a state park destination near you, try out the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Find A Destination tool.
- Grill Out: Everyone loves a cookout. They bring family and friends together and offer the opportunity for everyone to put down their phones and prepare, cook, and eat food with lots of fun. To raise your cookout game to the next level and celebrate our state’s diverse agricultural bounty, try to create a meal with as many food items from Ohio as possible!
- Take a Presidential Road Trip: Ohio can call itself home to more presidents than most other states and trying to visit all of the significant presidential sites in the state over the course of the summer can be a fun way to spend time, while educating young people about the rich history of our state and country. The Ohio History Connection has assembled a handy list of all of them in one place. (Extra credit if you stay over in the Warren G. Harding cabin.)
Responsible gambling is just one part of a fun-filled summer. If you or someone you know has started to let gambling get in the way of family fun or other activities, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline today. Trained and understanding specialists are standing by 24/7 to provide free and confidential support. Call 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741 now.