Summer Fun 2010:

 

Akron Zoo

The world is at your fingertips at the Akron Zoo, where you get nose-to-nose with more than 700 exotic and endangered animals from around the world.

State-of-the-art exhibits ensure a close encounter every time. Often, only a single pane of glass separates you from the animals.

Be sure to “see the world, close to home” this summer and get up close to jaguars, jellyfish, snow leopards, lemurs and more with a visit or two to your Akron Zoo.

Beginning July 31, take a ride to remember with your family on the new, hand-carved Conservation Carousel. Which animal will be your favorite?

For an extra-wild summer, book a birthday party or spend the night at the zoo during a Snooze at the Zoo. Log onto www.akronzoo.org for more details.

All-American Soap Box Derby

Join us at the All-American Soap Box Derby 73rd World Championship Race from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 24. It’s a youth gravity racing program for boys and girls ages 8-17.

Admission is $5. Bring a canned good donation and receive one free admission when one is purchased. Come out and enjoy the day with racing, kids and fun. 789 Derby Downs Drive, Akron. www.aasbd.org.

Cleveland Metroparks

Enjoy another fun-filled summer season at Cleveland Metroparks in the great outdoors. On Sunday, June 13, Knee-High Naturalists can explore, learn and play. Kids of all ages can experience all things trains including model trains, a hobo trail, live music and more at Train Day, June 19.

Spend a summer day “grooving” to local bands at BrookStock: A Celebration of Music & Nature on July 17 or check out what animals enjoy the nightlife at the Nature at Night event July 24. Don’t miss Farm & Garden Day on Saturday, June 5.

Cleveland Metroparks events in June and July have something for everyone.

Watch movies at Cleveland Metroparks Ledge Pool this summer at the “Dive-In” Movies. Enjoy three great movies: “Where The Wild Things Are,” June 25; “A Christmas Story,” July 16; and “Monsters vs. Aliens,” Aug. 13. For details on the “Dive-In” Movies, call 330-239-2911.

For information on summer fun events, call 216-635-3200 or visit clevelandmetroparks.com.

Cuyahoga County Public Library

Studies have shown that students can lose up to three months of reading skills during summer break. Being away from school doesn’t have to equal “summer brain drain.”

By participating in enriching activities, students can get a running start into the new school year. Experts say the best ways to prevent the loss of children’s reading skills during summer break are to keep lots of books around the house, to make regular trips to the library and to participate in summer library programs.

Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Books Ahoy! Summer Reading Program is the perfect antidote for “summer brain drain.” Kids (and parents too) can play the library’s pirate-themed summer reading game to keep their reading skills sharp and win great prizes too.

The Books Ahoy! Summer Reading Program runs from June5-Aug. 7. Visit your local Cuyahoga County Public Library branch or go to www.cuyahogalibrary.org for details.

Downview Sports Center

Downview Sports Center in Cuyahoga Falls is one of the area’s finest golf and family entertainment centers. It’s pure family fun, any way you slice it.

Play challenging mini-golf amidst a beautiful, cascading waterfall, improve your golf swing at 32 driving range tees, and practice hardball and softball at the batting cages. Inline skaters and skateboarders will enjoy the thrill of the skate park with its curves, ramps, jumps and rails.

Book a Putter Par-Tee is great for your child’s next birthday, sports team or playgroup. Just $80 for 10 people, choose two activities per person (mini-golf, small driving range basket or two batting cage tokens). You also get two pieces of pizza, chips and fountain drink for all guests. Extra guests are $8 each.

Bring your own cake and enjoy your party outdoors in our picnic party area. Call us at 330-971-8418 or visit us online at www.cityofcf.com/downview.

Great Lakes Science Center

Great Lakes Science Center is your summertime headquarters for interactive exhibits, thrilling films, exciting events and more.

Get ready for a hands-on experience and discover hidden secrets of everyday “stuff” with our newest exhibition, Strange Matter, opening May 29. Then climb aboard and explore the historic Steamship William G. Mather from stem to stern.

Don’t miss Phase I of the new NASA Glenn Visitor Center and view shuttle and rocket models, fly a flight simulator and check out a lunar lander model.

Get face-to-face with mysterious sea creatures in our latest OMNIMAX® film opening May 29, “Under the Sea,” and travel to distant galaxies in “Hubble.”

Don’t forget about Free Tuesdays. All youth 18 and under get free general admission when accompanied by an adult. Offer does not include OMNIMAX Theater or Steamship William G. Mather.

See what else we have in store this summer at www.GreatScience.com. 216-694-2000.

Holden Arboretum

A generation ago, children were sent outside to play, where they explored woods and streams, built forts and caught fireflies after dark. The time for unstructured play has declined dramatically as children spend more time indoors or at structured programs.

Unstructured play in nature, however, helps children discover their abilities and limitations. It encourages children to use their imagination and creativity.

To provide a setting for children to play and help parents encourage their children to experience unstructured play in nature, The Holden Arboretum will host a nature play series from June through August. Holden staff or volunteers will lead groups to play sites in the forest, fields and at ponds, and provide shovels, buckets, insect nets and jars. Parents are encouraged to sit back and enjoy watching the children have fun.

For dates and times of each play session, visit holdenarb.org.

Just Add Water

Our summer programs allow kids between the ages of 8-14 to discover scuba diving and the underwater world.

The PADI Seal Team is for campers between the ages of 8-11 and is a weeklong, half-day program. The Seal Team is for young divers looking for action-packed fun in a pool by doing scuba AquaMissions. It allows children to develop skills and learn about the aquatic environment.

Kids Scuba Camp is a five-day program for campers ages 10-14. Campers will complete the classroom and pool training required to earn their PADI Open Water Certification in a safe and enjoyable way. They will learn about dive safety, equipment and procedures, protecting our environment, how to stay fit and healthy for diving and underwater communication. After completing this week of classroom and pool requirements, campers will be eligible to take open-water dives for their PADI Open Water (Lifetime) Certification.

Pioneer Waterland & Dry Fun Park

This unique park in Chardon has a variety of wet and dry attractions for the family.

Kids of all ages can slide, splash and play at Kidsland, home of the giant Dinosaur Slide. Also enjoy Adventure Island and Kiddie Waterland. Your preschoolers will have fun in the Tot-Land Play Area that offers a safe haven of playhouses and ride-on-toys.

Water-Funland has six waterslides, which include the Black Hole Dark Slide, the only enclosed waterslide in Northeast Ohio. Your sports fans and little racers will enjoy Sportsland and Grand Prix Go-Cart Supertrack.

The park is open from daily from June 12-Aug. 22. Dry attractions are open from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and until 8 weekends. Water attractions are open from 11-7.

Admission is $19.95. Children under 40 inches tall are free. 10661 Kile Road, Chardon.
www.pioneerwaterland.com.

Summit Academy Family Fun Night

“If you’re looking for a better educational opportunity for your child, plus a night of family fun, join us for Family Fun Night,” says Dawn Presley, director of Summit Academy Akron Elementary School. “Meet our teachers while your children enjoy story time, face painting, cotton candy and making crafts.”

Family Fun Night will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 3 at Summit Academy Akron Elementary School, 88 Kent St., Akron. For information, call 330-253-7441. The elementary school has grades K-5 with small classes, a solid academic curriculum and social skills training.

Each of Summit Academy’s 26 schools is a free public school for K-12 students with Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, high-functioning autism and related disorders. Visit www.summitacademies.com to learn more about our therapeutic educational programs and social skills training, or call our 24-hour information line at 800-442-5753. Give your children the educational opportunity they deserve.

Summerpac

Save money on fuel and vacation close to home this summer with Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation’s Summerpac.

For only $59, buy a Summerpac and receive four single, daily admission passes to Water Works Family Aquatic Center, four single, daily admission passes to the Natatorium, four 18-hole rounds of miniature golf at Downview Sports Center, four medium buckets of balls at Downview and four individual passes for Falls River Cruise pontoon boat ride.

Each Summerpac includes discount coupons for the Akron Aeros, Akron Zoo, Chick-Fil-A, Rita’s Italian Ice and Strickland’s Frozen Custard. Summerpac is an incredible $150 value.

Staycation packages are available for purchase at all Parks and Recreation locations: The Natatorium, Water Works Family Aquatic Center, Downview Sports Center, Quirk Cultural Center and the Parks and Recreation Office. Order by phone with a credit card by calling 330-971-8225. Visit online at www.cityofcf.com/parksandrec.

Water Works Family Aquatic Center

Leap into a half million gallons of pure water park fun at Water Works Family Aquatic Center in Cuyahoga Falls. Enjoy the zero-depth pool, drop slides, water slides, swim lanes, a lazy river, picnic areas and concessions.

Save money by purchasing a season pass and you’ll also receive a RecPerks Value Card good for discounts and offers at other Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation facilities. Kids and adults can join us on Fun Fridays for some water games June 18, July 9 and Aug. 6.

Water Works, voted the No. 1 Best Place to Swim by the Akron Beacon Journal, is open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. June 4-Aug. 22. Ages 16 and up must show a valid photo ID for admission. Call 330-971-8433 or visit us online at www.cityofcf.com/waterworks.