Once school lets out for summer, many families are busy with sports, vacations and the array of activities that take place when the weather gets warm. Knowing this, I wanted to take this opportunity to inform you about the resources available on your mobile device that the state of Indiana offers for Hoosiers on the go. All these apps are free and offer a diverse range of information to help you better connect with your government or find a great state park that you can take your family to this summer.

First and foremost, Indiana offers the IN.gov app which is the central hub for any app offered by the state. Available on Android and Apple products, this resource provides an exclusive way to get connected to Indiana’s state parks, beaches and more. This means families can find new places to visit and plan their trips by utilizing the websites, contact information and directions available on the app. With our hectic schedules and everything our great state has to offer, staying in Indiana is an excellent way to save money, spend time with family and boost our state and local economies.

My family enjoys spending time outdoors which makes the DNR’s app so great for us. This app provides a variety of information like different hiking trails and maps of Indiana’s state parks, forests, nature preserves and other wildlife areas. Additionally, for those who like to spend their time fishing or hunting, this app provides locations across the state for those activities as well. The IN.gov app also shows you the water quality and status of Indiana’s beaches.

If you already know where you are planning to visit, consider downloading the Travel Advisory app. This app tells you which counties are experiencing travel restrictions and allows you to receive alert notifications if those travel statuses change. It also provides an excellent resource to make your trips safe, efficient and less stressful, especially during the winter and holiday months.

My son is about to become a senior, and he is currently considering the career path he would like to take. Decisions like this are huge, and can be difficult for any student. However, Indiana is assisting students by providing an Indiana College Costs Estimator app. It is designed to help first-time undergraduate students better understand the financial aid they are eligible to receive. This can be a helpful tool that teaches Hoosier students the burden of debt as well as help them understand how financial aid can affect the actual cost of attending college.

Each of these apps were designed to make life more convenient for Hoosiers, and these are only a few of the resources available to you. By writing this, it is my hope that local families better understand what resources are available to them and some of the great tools our state has to offer. I encourage you to download the IN.gov app and explore. As always, if you would like to stay connected with me throughout the year, visit my website at in.gov/h78.