It’s summer, which means it’s time to put away the books, lock the classroom door, and hit the road for a much-needed vacation! Of course, we know teachers are always looking for adventures they can bring into the classroom. But why stop there? Summer is the perfect time to venture out and find locations you can connect back to students. Whether it’s a field trip, a local event, or just a meaningful experience to point out, connecting social studies to your community and state is always a surefire way to engage students.

Here’s a few resources to help you craft the perfect vacation and get some ideas for your classroom this fall:

• Did you know we have close to 60 sites across Ohio that are part of Ohio History Connection? You can browse them on our website and filter them by region, historical subject and site activities. Best of all, if you have an OHC membership you can get into all of these sites for free! Whether it’s Fort Ancient’s earthworks or the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, there’s a site within 30 minutes of where you live! Plus, they make fantastic destinations for your next school field trip.
• Hunting for the next school campsite? Summer is the best time to experience Ohio’s natural environment, and with Ohio’s state parks being free there is never a better time to hit the trails. You can find all of Ohio’s parks, historic sites, and other recreation sites managed by the Department of Natural Resources on their website, complete with a handy map and search filters.
• What about within walking distance? Where can you take students in your local community? There’s a good chance you have an Ohio Historical Marker near you right now! You can check out all the Historical Markers on our website Remarkable Ohio, complete with maps, filters and all the details on each marker. Local communities often create walking tours with these markers as stops. Check with your local historical society or organization to see what’s near you!
• No discussion of Ohio can be complete without our museums. With over 1200 museums in Ohio, there is at least one in every county. You can find one near you at Ohio Museum Assocation’s A-Z guide.

With so many options, there’s something for everyone to do in Ohio’s summers. Get out and enjoy it!