3 minutes read
Health
Evidence Based
An image of the Author and Top Nutrition Coaching nutritionist, Nicolette
Nicolette Star Maggiolo, RD, LDN

Your State’s Favorite Outdoor Summer Activity

One of the best parts of summer is being able to enjoy the warm weather and spend time outside. It’s the perfect time to visit a national park, hang out by the pool, or head to a local park for some afternoon sun.
3 minutes read
Health
Evidence Based
An image of the Author and Top Nutrition Coaching nutritionist, Nicolette
Nicolette Star Maggiolo, RD, LDN

Your State’s Favorite Outdoor Summer Activity

One of the best parts of summer is being able to enjoy the warm weather and spend time outside. It’s the perfect time to visit a national park, hang out by the pool, or head to a local park for some afternoon sun.
An image of the Author and Top Nutrition Coaching nutritionist, Nicolette
Nicolette Star Maggiolo, RD, LDN

Your State’s Favorite Outdoor Summer Activity

One of the best parts of summer is being able to enjoy the warm weather and spend time outside. It’s the perfect time to visit a national park, hang out by the pool, or head to a local park for some afternoon sun.

It turns out that people from every state enjoy doing different activities during the hot summer months. At Top Nutrition Coaching, we were curious about which outdoor summer activities were the favorite in every state, so our analysts sifted through search data to find out! Check out our map below to see which summer activity is your state’s favorite!

Facts & Findings

  • Camping is the most popular outdoor activity in the summer and was the favorite in 16 states
  • Gardening is the nation’s least favorite activity and was the most popular in only one state—Kansas
  • Not a single state had hiking as its top outdoor summer activity

Outdoor Summer Activities

In many states, the weather isn’t nice and sunny all the time, so summer may be the only time to enjoy the warmth and soak up the sun’s Vitamin D. Here are the outdoor activities many enjoy during the summer.

Camping

What better way to enjoy the great outdoors than sleeping in it? Get away from the city life and suburbs and set up your tent! Most national parks have camping areas, so you can hang by the fire at night and explore the parks during the day. Besides national parks, most states have other areas that you can camp in.

States where camping is the favorite outdoor summer activity:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Connecticut
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • New Hampshire
  • North Dakota
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Picnicking

If you’ve only got a few hours to spare, but want to get out of the house and relax, a picnic can be your quick outdoor fix for the day! You can pack a full meal, complete with a main course, sides, and drinks, or you may opt for bringing just a few snacks along. Head over to the nearest local park or set up a blanket in your backyard—wherever you can sit and eat will do just fine!

States where picnicking is the favorite outdoor summer activity:

  • California
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Rhode Island
  • Wyoming

Gardening

Gardeners are found to be some of the happiest people, and it makes sense why! When you’re spending time not only outside, but among plants in green spaces, you’re likely to experience less anxiety and depression, and it has even been found to reduce risk of dementia. Maybe other states could learn a thing or two from Kansas and start gardening more!

States where gardening is the favorite outdoor summer activity:

  • Kansas

Biking

Running and hiking are a great way to spend time outdoors, but sometimes we want to move a little faster or don’t want so much pressure put directly on our knees. That’s when biking comes in handy! You can try a harder route and hit the mountains for a bike trip or take a leisurely bike ride through your neighborhood on a cool summer evening.

States where biking is the favorite outdoor summer activity:

  • Alaska
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • New Mexico
  • Utah
  • Vermont

Swimming

Swimming can be both fun and relaxing—depending on what you’re up for! Visiting a natural “blue space,” such as a lake, river, or ocean is best in most cases since there’s evidence that blue spaces can improve your mental health. However, if you can’t make it to a natural body of water, the pool is always a great option for both convenience and safety if you want a quick dip in cool water!

States where swimming is the favorite outdoor summer activity:

  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • Oklahoma
  • South Dakota
  • Virginia

Barbecuing

Who doesn’t love to eat food right off the grill? While it’s particularly fun to do on Independence Day, smoking meat and grilling other food is one of the best ways to bring people together. Barbecuing on a summer evening is something that everyone should enjoy.

States where barbecuing is the favorite outdoor summer activity:

  • Alabama
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas

Methodology

We looked at Google search trends surrounding popular outdoor summer activities and compared their relative search volume across each state to find out which activity is the favorite in every state.

An image of a table showing favorite outdoor activities per state
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An image of the Author and Top Nutrition Coaching nutritionist, Nicolette
Nicolette Star Maggiolo, RD, LDN
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Top Nutrition Coaching’s Annual Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship

Scholarship award: $1000
The Top Nutrition Coaching First-Gen Futures Scholarship is a quarterly recurring scholarship open to all first-generation students whose parents did not receive a four-year bachelor’s degree. The next deadline to apply is October  1, and winners will be announced on October 31.
Learn More
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About the first-gen futures scholarship

Scholarship award available for both college and high school students
Being the first in your family to attend college is an inspiring feat, often with its own unique challenges. First-generation students may not have the same guidance in navigating parts of the higher education system as other students, such as the application process, obtaining financial aid, and even what to expect in college itself.

Financial constraints can also be a significant roadblock for such students, which may limit their choices, force them to balance jobs, family responsibilities, and school work all at once, and make the college experience much more stressful.

Despite these struggles, first-generation college students have proven time and again to be extremely resilient, determined, and hard-working. They embody a spirit of ambition and perseverance as they work toward creating the future they want for themselves and their families.

The First-Gen Futures Scholarship aims to recognize and support exceptional students who are overcoming the barriers of being the first in their families to attend college. By providing financial assistance to deserving individuals, we seek to alleviate some financial stress so that these students can focus more on their studies.

Previous Top Nutrition Coaching scholarship winners

The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Mayci H.
Awarded:
$500
On:
October 12, 2022
The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Jordan C.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 20, 2022
The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Bethanie S.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 27, 2022
The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Romeo G.
Awarded:
$500
On:
February 8, 2023
The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Ian C.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 28, 2022
The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Kristopher W.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 14, 2022
Scholarship details:
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Amount: $1,000
Winner Announcement Date: October 31
Recurring: Quarterly
Read FAQ
6
Scholarships Awarded
6
Winners
$6,000
Total Awards
Eligibility requirements:
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To qualify for this scholarship, please review the following eligibility criteria carefully. Ensure you meet these requirements prior to submitting your application.
A first-generation college student (meaning neither of their parents has obtained a four-year college degree)
A high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
Applicant must be a current U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
How to Apply:
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You can apply for this scholarship on the Bold.org scholarship platform. Follow the directions and submit your application for the First-Gen Futures Scholarship, along with a short essay answering the following prompts:
Why have you chosen to pursue higher education?
How have you prepared yourself for college as a first-generation student?
Scholarship frequently asked questions:
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When is the scholarship deadline?
The application will be open through October 1.
What is the scholarship prize? 
The scholarship award is $1,000.
When will the winner be chosen and notified?
Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. Recipients will be chosen based on the merit of their application. 
How will the scholarship be paid?
The prize check will be sent to the scholarship winner’s college institution in their name and in the name of their institution (depending on the school’s requirements).
Is this a recurring scholarship?
Yes, the First-Gen Futures Scholarship is a quarterly scholarship.
How will my scholarship application be verified?
A high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
How can I get in touch with questions?
If you have any questions about this scholarship, please email hello@topnutritioncoaching.com, and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.
How will my application information be used?
Top Nutrition Coaching manages this scholarship with the support of the Bold.org scholarship platform. Bold.org takes student confidentiality and privacy incredibly seriously. Please refer to the application page on Bold.org for full details.

Top Nutrition Coaching’s Annual Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship

Scholarship award: $1000
The Top Nutrition Coaching Annual Hero's Legacy Scholarship is open to any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident and the child of at least one parent who has served in the U.S. military. The next deadline to apply is April 1st, 2025, and winners will be announced on May 1st, 2025.
Learn More
A family outdoors: a boy, a smiling woman, a man in military attire with a toddler, and a grinning young man.

About the Annual Hero's Legacy Scholarship

Scholarship award available for both college and high school students
Military families embody resilience, strength, and unwavering support for their loved ones in uniform. There are many overlooked sacrifices they make that should be recognized and rewarded. Military families endure extended deployments, adjust to new environments, and face uncertainty on a frequent basis.

The children of military families often adapt to new schools and environments, embodying the values of adaptability and perseverance, and experience the emotional toll of their loved one being deployed in dangerous situations.

The Heroes' Legacy Scholarship is a tribute to the extraordinary dedication and sacrifice of military families who stand alongside their loved ones in service to our country. Unfortunately, there are many struggles that military families endure while a parent or guardian serves in the armed forces.

In recognition of the burden higher education can place on military families, this scholarship seeks to give back to these dedicated families to honor their sacrifices.

Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident and the child of at least one parent who has served in the U.S. military may apply for this scholarship.

To apply, tell us about your experience as the child of a military parent.

Previous Top Nutrition Coaching scholarship winners

The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Mayci H.
Awarded:
$500
On:
October 12, 2022
The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Jordan C.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 20, 2022
The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Bethanie S.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 27, 2022
The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Romeo G.
Awarded:
$500
On:
February 8, 2023
The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Ian C.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 28, 2022
The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Kristopher W.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 14, 2022
Scholarship details:
A white icon of a plus sign within a circle, used as a button to expand content.
Amount: $1,000
Winner Announcement Date: May 1st, 2025
Recurring: Quarterly
Read FAQ
6
Scholarships Awarded
6
Winners
$6,000
Total Awards
Eligibility requirements:
A white icon of a plus sign within a circle, used as a button to expand content.
To qualify for this scholarship, please review the following eligibility criteria carefully. Ensure you meet these requirements prior to submitting your application.
Family Background: At least one parent has served in the U.S. military
A high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
Applicant must be a current U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
How to Apply:
A white icon of a plus sign within a circle, used as a button to expand content.
You can apply for this scholarship on the Bold.org scholarship platform. Follow the directions and submit your application for the Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship, along with a short essay answering the following prompt:
Tell us about your experience as the child of a parent in the military.
Scholarship frequently asked questions:
A white icon of a plus sign within a circle, used as a button to expand content.
When is the scholarship deadline?
The application deadline is April 1st, 2025. Winners will be announced on May 1st, 2025.
What is the scholarship prize? 
The scholarship award is $1,000.
When will the winner be chosen and notified?
Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.
How will the scholarship be paid?
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Is this a recurring scholarship?
Yes, the Hero's Legacy Scholarship is a  Annual scholarship.
How will my scholarship application be verified?
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
How can I get in touch with questions?
If you have any questions about this scholarship, please email hello@topnutritioncoaching.com, and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.
How will my application information be used?
Top Nutrition Coaching manages this scholarship with the support of the Bold.org scholarship platform. Bold.org takes student confidentiality and privacy incredibly seriously. Please refer to the application page on Bold.org for full details.