Swim with a buddy

Ohio has many beaches across the state that you can splash around in on warm summer days.

We’re especially fortunate to have access to the scenic and sandy beaches along Lake Erie. When you go swimming, be sure to follow the beach safety tips.

Beach safety tips:

• Only swim inside the buoys at state beaches or lakes.
• Use the buddy system and have one member of your group remain on the beach to watch those who are swimming.
• Exercise caution since lakes, unlike pools, may have murky water making it difficult to see drop offs.
• Bring a cell phone for emergency calls.
• Take regular breaks and relax on the beach.

Extreme sandcastle building and sculptures

Tips for Building Sandcastles

• Use wet sand if you want the sand to stay where you put it.
• Before starting, think about location. Don't start too close to the water’s edge unless you want your castle to be wiped out by waves.
• Push or shovel all the dry sand out of the way. You want to start building on a large flat area of damp sand.
• If you are using a bucket to shape blocks for you castle, be sure to tap and jiggle a few times before you pack down the sand. It will help to release trapped air that can ruin it. Pack the sand down and completely fill the bucket before you turn it over.
• To build a tall tower, use the “pancake” method. Use wet sand to make the first level of the tower. It should look like a pancake about one inch thick. Make sure the area is large enough. Continue making and stacking pancakes until your tower is the height you want.
• Carefully shape and draw on the sides of your sculpture using sticks, pointed rocks or even the edge of a sand shovel.
• Make walls by using wet handfuls of sand. Using both hands, scoop up as much wet sand as you can hold, gently press your hands together to squeeze out excess water and place the resulting sand clump where it's needed to create your wall. Continue stacking clumps until your wall is complete. High walls need to be thick at the base and should narrow as they rise higher.
• Arches start out as a wall, but then you tunnel through them to create an arch. After your wall is built, gently tunnel your way through at the base. Then enlarge and shape the opening into the form of an arch by shaving off thin layers of excess sand. Plastic knives, butter knives, or putty knives all make ideal shaping tools.
• If you are mixing dry sand and water, try using 8 parts sand to 1 part water. You need just enough water to 'glue' the sand together, but not too much.

Additional resources for sand sculpture help, ideas, and inspiration:
Sandcastles 101.
Sandcastle tips, tricks and pictures.
Master sand sculptor.
Sons of the Beach - Sandcastle Photos