Elderberries: Seniors Ripe for Adventure! Seniors at Claridon Woodlands – Thursday, June 21st, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Claridon Woodlands, Judge Lester Taylor Lodge
Discover all the exciting features of this brand new park! Join the Geauga County Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center for breakfast at 9:00 a.m., then explore the ropes course, hiking trails (on foot or aboard the EZ Go Cart), wildlife and fishing areas. We’ll even go “finny-dipping” and scoop up life in the ponds! Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Solstice Sunset Hike – Thursday, June 21st, 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
Take a hike through the solar system on the longest day of the year, then watch the sun set on the first day of summer! We’ll hike 2 miles on level terrain. Nature’s Not to Be Missed. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Exoplanets & How To Find Them – Friday, June 22nd, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
See description for June 8th. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Horseback Trail Ride (Walk, Trot & Canter) – Saturday, June 23rd, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Observatory Park
Bring your horse for this naturalist-led trail ride, enjoying the summer woodland from a seat in the saddle at a faster pace. Walk-only riders, please attend the afternoon ride. Must trailer your own horse to Observatory Park. Helmets encouraged. Please bring a shovel to clean up after your horse in the parking lot. Participants may register for one or both trail rides with a lunch break between. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Horseback Trail Ride (Walk Only) – Saturday, June 23rd, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
Bring your horse for this naturalist-led trail ride, enjoying the summer woodland from a seat in the saddle at a more leisurely pace. Walk, trot and canter riders, please attend the morning ride. Must trailer your own horse to Observatory Park. Helmets encouraged. Please bring a shovel to clean up after your horse in the parking lot. Participants may register for one or both trail rides with a lunch break between. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Night Sky Viewing – Saturday, June 23rd, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
See description for June 9th. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Nights Out in the Parks: Movie Night – Saturday, June 23rd, 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. at Observatory Park
View the recent hit “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle!” Pre-show activities begin at 8:00 p.m. and include the Geauga County Public Library’s Fun Bus; movie at dark. Free popcorn and lemonade. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. Weather permitting, night sky viewing after the movie. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Backcountry Hike – Sunday, June 24th, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Sunnybrook Preserve
Join a naturalist for an on- and off-trail adventure exploring seldom-visited portions of this park. Rugged terrain; must be capable of several miles of off-trail challenges with some steep hills. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes with good traction that can get wet and muddy. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show – Sunday, June 24th, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
See description for June 10th. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Hound Hike – Sunday, June 24th, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
Dogs (and their humans) are invited to join in a roughly 2-mile hike on level terrain, with ample water stops for dogs. Remember dog towels, a water bowl, poop scoop and bags for dog clean-up. Only one dog per handler, who must be able to fully control dog, kept on leash at all times (8 ft. max). Dogs must be non-aggressive to people and other dogs; if altercations or incidents occur, or dog(s) exhibit aggressive behavior or excessive barking, owner(s) of problematic dog(s) will be asked to leave. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Adventure Day Camp (Youth entering grades 5-7) – Monday, June 25th – Friday, June 29th, 9:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Fee: $150
Are you ready for an adventure!? If so, join Geauga Park District’s Adventure Day Camp for an exciting week of exploring, biking, kayaking, fishing, sending rockets high into the sky and more! Participants begin and end each day at The West Woods Nature Center, then transportation will be provided to other parks for various activities facilitated by highly qualified staff. Schedules, waivers and other details sent at a later date. Camp waiver required for each participant. Bring lunch, water and a raincoat in a backpack each day. Other equipment provided is included in the registration fee. Financial assistance available. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Nature Explorers: Summer Camp Sampler (Ages 6-7) – Wednesday, June 27th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Big Creek Park, Maple Grove Shelter
Nature Explorers, try your hand at our favorite camp activities: ice breakers, field games, hiking, s’mores and more! Drop-off program both indoors and outdoors, so dress accordingly. Children should be dropped off by 10:00 a.m. and picked up by noon. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Nature Explorers: Summer Camp Sampler (Ages 8-11) – Thursday, June 28th, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Big Creek Park, Maple Grove shelter
Nature Explorers, try your hand at our favorite camp activities: ice breakers, field games, hiking, s’mores and more! Drop-off program both indoors and outdoors, so dress accordingly. Children should be dropped off by 9:30 a.m. and picked up by 12:00 p.m. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Timbertots: Life Under a Log (Ages 3-5 w/adult) – Thursday, June 28th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 pm. and Saturday, June 30th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Big Creek Park, Aspen Grove
Discover a whole world of critters living under just one log! Program outdoors, weather permitting, so please dress accordingly. Designed for a specified age group; older or younger siblings will not be considered registered participants. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration required.
Maple Town Tune Traders – Thursday, June 28th, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center
Singers and musicians combine short performance spots (by sign-up) with jam sessions. All musical genres, instruments and musicianship levels welcome. Come to play, sing or simply enjoy as audience. Snacks to share welcome. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Full Moon Program: The Strawberry Moon – Thursday, June 28th, 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Observatory Park
Get a taste of some strawberries and their history, then watch the full “Strawberry Moon” rise using park telescopes. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Firefly Frolic – Friday, June 29th, 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge
Take a magical hike that will reveal an array of lightning bug species identified by their colors, flash patterns and flight paths. Nets provided. Program begins with brief natural history of these amazing insects. Nature’s Not to Be Missed. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Amazing Moths – Saturday, June 30th, 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. at The West Woods, Affelder House
Join naturalists Tami Gingrich and Linda Gilbert, with other moth experts, as we use mercury vapor and black light stations to attract a wide variety of beautiful moths and other fascinating insect species at this unique location. Bring a flashlight and a camera, as this is also a great opportunity to capture images of these night-flying insects. Not wheelchair/stroller accessible.
For more information, visit Geauga Park District or call 440-286-9516.
