sober activities
Boredom should never be a reason to return to drug or alcohol abuse, especially in the summer. The warm, summer months provide countless opportunities for fun sober activities, whether you prefer to spend your time inside in the A/C or outside exploring nature. If you’re looking for unique ways to spend your summer days, try some of these 10 sober activities on your own or with some friends.
10 Fun Sober Activities to Try This Summer
1. Go on a float trip.
Grab a group of guys from your sober home and spend a day out on a nearby lake or river. Renting a few kayaks or canoes for the day is very affordable and doesn’t require any previous experience or licensing. Just don’t forget the sunscreen and water to make sure you stay hydrated outside in the heat.
2. Host a cold brew coffee crawl.
The summer heat can make it hard to enjoy a good cup of hot coffee, but cold brew coffee is great all year-round. Make a list of some of your favorite local coffee shops (as well as a few you haven’t tried yet) and host a cold brew coffee crawl with your coffee-loving friends. Consider sharing cups of coffee at each stop or checking out a few local attractions in between stops to avoid getting over-caffeinated.
3. Join a recovery-based book club.
If you’re always on the hunt for the next best sobriety book, consider joining a recovery-based book club. There’s no better way to experience new, great books than to discover and discuss them with your peers. If you can’t find a recovery-based book club in your area, there’s nothing keeping you from starting your own.
4. Explore a nearby state park.
Whether you choose to hike for a day or spend an entire weekend camping, exploring a nearby state park is a great way to get out and enjoy the summer. Each of our sober living homes is conveniently located near a number of different state parks and outdoor areas.
- Chicago, IL: Chain O’Lakes State Park; Illinois Beach State Park; Indiana Dunes State Park
- Houston, TX: Brazos Bend State Park; Sheldon Lake State Park; Huntsville State Park
- Austin, TX: McKinney Falls State Park; Enchanted Rock State Natural Area; Palmetto State Park
- Colorado Springs, CO: Cheyenne Mountain State Park; Red Rock Canyon Open Space; Austin Bluffs Open Space
5. Check out a museum.
Spending a Saturday at a museum is a fun way to get out of the house but still stay cool. Museums also offer a quiet, contemplative space to practice meditation while enjoying historical art, ancient artifacts or discoveries in outer space.
6. Join a community sports team.
If sports are your thing, consider joining a community sports team for the summer. Many community groups offer organized sports teams with other people who are also in recovery. This is a great way to expand your support group, get some exercise, and enjoy playing a sport of your choice.
7. Bike or hike your local trails.
If you don’t have an entire day to spend at a nearby state park, grab a buddy and take a few hours to hike or bike on some local trails in your area. Pack some lunch, water, and a couple hammocks to relax along the way.
8. Volunteer at a youth summer camp.
Looking for a way to get involved with your community this summer? Consider volunteering at a summer camp for kids. With a little research, you could uncover tons of opportunities at local sports camps, religious camps, or substance abuse treatment camps for teens. All it takes is a little digging.
9. Try out a new hobby.
Is there something you’ve always wanted to try but never made the time to do it? Whether it’s pottery, CrossFit, or planting a home garden, adopting a new hobby is a great way to keep yourself occupied this summer with interesting and new experiences.
10. Have a themed dinner night at your sober living house.
You don’t always have to go out to have fun. Enjoy a night in this summer by arranging a themed dinner party with your friends in recovery. The best part? There’s no major planning required. Simply pick a cool theme and have everyone bring a food item. To round out the event, you could even choose a theme-appropriate movie to watch while you eat. If you’re having trouble coming up with a unique idea, some of these might get your creative juices flowing:
- Favorite childhood food night
- Game of Thrones night
- Gourmet hot dog night
- Breakfast for dinner night
There are endless ways to enjoy this summer without drugs and alcohol. So don’t waste another minute in boredom. Try out one of these fun sober activities today!
