Greene Parks to Hold Events in June; Participants Can Learn About Art, Nature

The Greene County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Arts Department and the Greene County Park District are hosting a variety of programs in June. Many programs are free for Greene County residents. For activities that have a fee, registration is required in advance, and nonresidents of Greene County can expect to pay more. For more information, contact Laurie Fox at 562-7669 or via email at lfox@co.greene.oh.us or visit www.co.greene.oh.us/parks/ index.htm.

NATURE ACTIVITIES

Boy Scout Campout: Orienteering Badge: From 7 p.m. June 3 to noon June 4 at the Narrows Reserve, main parking lot, 2575 Indian Ripple Road, Beavercreek. Scouts will be backpacking into the Lower Narrows to set up camp and begin their orienteering and learn about compass/ map reading. An evening snack and breakfast is provided. Participants must bring their own gear. Cost: $10 per Scout.

Bird Watching for Beginners: At 9 a.m. June 4 at Phillips Park, Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek. Join a park district naturalist to identify spring birds. Warblers, vireos and orioles are just some of the species that prefer this creek edge habitat.

Naturalist Volunteer Training: At 9 a.m. June 6 at Narrows Reserve Nature Center, 2575 Indian Ripple Road in Beavercreek.

Toddler Trek: At 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. June 7 at the Indian Mound Reserve, log cabin parking lot, U.S. 42 N., Cedarville. Greene County Park District naturalists will lead toddlers and their adult companions on short, easy trails exploring sounds, colors and textures. Strollers or backpacks are recommended. Cost: $2.

Toads And Tadpoles Night Out: From 7 to 9:30 p.m. June 10 at the Narrows Reserve Nature Center, 2575 Indian Ripple Road, Beavercreek. Toads (ages 7-12) and tadpoles (ages 4-6) are invited for a night out. The group will play games about our environment, take a hike and have a snack. Cost: $5.

Lunch with a Naturalist: At noon June 10 at Narrows Reserve, main parking lot, 2575 Indian Ripple Road, Beavercreek. Bring lunch and join the naturalists for lunch in the woods.

Orchids of Cedar Bog: From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11, leaving from the Narrows Reserve Nature Center to Cedar Bog, south of Urbana. Participants are asked to pack a sack lunch and drink. Must be 12 or older; ages 12-14 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $20.

Carved Over Time: At 10 a.m. June 11 at Indian Mound Reserve, Cedar Cliff Falls parking lot, U.S. 42 N., Cedarville. Hike into Massie Creek Gorge for a look at what time and pressure has done.

Tree ID Hike: At 2 p.m June 12 at Narrows Reserve, main parking lot. Learn how to identify trees and some of the concerns we have for Ohio’s forests. This program is part of the biodiversity study being conducted in the park.

Nature’s Trail Summer Camp: Outdoor Survival Skills: From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 13 – 17 at the Narrows Reserve Nature Center. Campers will learn survival skills including knot tying, campfire building and cooking, lashing and identifying poisonous and nonpoisonous plants. Each camper will receive a pocket knife. For ages 9 and older. Cost is $60.

Nature’s Trail Summer Camp: Advanced Outdoor Skills: From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 13, 14 and 15; from 9 a.m. June 16 through noon June 17 at the Narrows Reserve Nature Center. Campers will try orienteering, making a lean-to and cooking over a campfire. Must have completed Basic Outdoor Survival Skills. Cost is $70.

Big Backyard: Pioneer Toys and Games: At 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. June 15 at the Narrows Reserve Nature Center. Preschoolers and an accompanying adult will explore nature through stories, games, crafts and hikes. Please dress for the weather. Cost: $2.

Morning In The Marsh: At 9 a.m. June 18 at Cemex Reserve, off Garland Ave. through Sanctuary Glen, Fairborn. Join a naturalist for a stroll through the prairie and along the edges of the wetlands.

Bike Hike: 2 p.m. June 19 at Walton Park, Spring Valley. Bring a bike that is in good condition and a helmet for this 10-mile ride north along the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Sponsored by the Greene County Park District.

Nature’s Trail Summer Camp: Young Artists in Nature: From 9 a.m. to 2: 30 p.m. June 20-24 at the Narrows Reserve Nature Center. Campers will learn to look at the natural world through the eyes of an artist. For children that have completed 4th grade and older. Cost: $70.

Nature’s Trail Summer Camp: Dora the Explorer: From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m. June 20-24 at the Narrows Reserve Nature Center. Children ages 5 and 6 can discover some of nature’s treasures by using backpacks and maps. Cost: $25.

Nature’s Trail Summer Camp: I’m Ready to Explore More: From 9: 30 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20-24 at the Narrows Reserve Nature Center. This camp is designed for children that have completed fifth through eighth grades. Each day will consist of traveling to a new park for different activities. Cost is $50.

Fly Fishing Basics: From 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 21 and 23 at Spring Lakes Park, 2191 Ferry Road, Bellbrook. The seminar will discuss fly fishing equipment, locations, learning how to use a fly rod, and casting. For ages 16 and older.

Artists’ Morning in the Sanctuary: At 9 a.m. June 25 at Crooked Creek Nature Sanctuary, Spahr Road, Sugarcreek Twp. Bring sketching materials or use those provided. Light refreshments will be served. Must be 18 or older. Cost: $20.

Introduction to Butterflies: At 2 p.m. June 26 at Narrows Reserve Nature Center. A short hike to look for these winged creatures is included.

CSI: Wildlife: From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 27-July 1 at the Narrows Reserve Nature Center. Campers will solve mysteries by taking photos, collecting samples, forming hypotheses and exploring natures’ clues. For children that have completed first through fifth grades. Cost: $50.

Book ‘Em: A Dandelion’s Life: At 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. June 28 at the Narrows Reserve Nature Center. Each month, the naturalists pick an appropriate book and a live animal to match the book’s theme. The program will be held indoors and is open to children ages 3-6 accompanied by an adult. Cost: $2.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Sports Fitness: From 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at the Greene County Recreation Room, 832 Distribution Drive, Beavercreek. This regimen consists of semi-low impact aerobics. Cost is $3 per class or $30 for a 15-visit punch card, payable at the door. Drop-ins welcome.

Online Options: Classes range from $49 to $59 and include six weeks of instruction. Categories include basic computer literacy, grant writing and nonprofit management, digital photography and video, computer troubleshooting and networking, child care and parenting, personal development and personal finance and wealth building. Visit www.ed2go.com/gcrp.

Greene County Parks Night at Kil-Kare Speedway: At 6:30 p.m. July 22 at Kil-Kare Speedway, 1166 Dayton-Xenia Road, Xenia. Discounted $5 tickets are available until July 21.

Horse Clinic: Beginner to Advanced Groundwork and Stallion Handling:

From noon to 4 p.m. June 4 at Twin Towers Park, 501 Yellow Springs-Fairfield Road in Bath Twp. Cost is $20 per person; children 12 and younger and 4-H students get in free with a paid adult.

Sportman’s Seminar: Crappie Fisherman, Russ Bailey: At 7 p.m. June 7 Greene County Highway Department, 615 Dayton-Xenia Road, Xenia.

Basic Aid Training: From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11 at the Greene County Building, 140 E. Main St., Xenia. Ages 9 to 11 will learn basic first aid skills and how to identify harmful situations. Cost: $27.

Kids Fishing Derby: From 9 a.m. to noon June 11 at Spring Lakes Park, 2191 Ferry Road, Bellbrook. This derby is for ages 6-14; registration will begin at 8 a.m., fishing begins at 9 a.m.

Youth Tennis Lessons: From 4 to 5 p.m. June 13-17 at the Fairground Recreation Center, 210 Fairground Road, Xenia. Ages 6-10 will learn ground strokes, serving, rules and court etiquette. Cost: $37.

All Sports Camp: From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 13-17 at Fairground Recreation Center. This camp is an introduction to several different sports for ages 10-15. Cost: $49.

Summer Caravan: From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekly from June 13-Aug. 12. Designed for ages 7-12.

Baby-sitting Training: From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 18 at the Greene County Building, 140 E. Main St., Xenia. For ages 11 and older, Students are asked to bring a doll suitable for diapering, and a sack lunch and drink. Cost: $37.

Hunters’ Education Class: From 6 to 9:30 p.m. June 20-22 at the Greene County Social Service Center, Media Room, 541 Ledbetter Road, Xenia. Participants 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.

Riding Clinic with Tracy Young: From 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 24 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 24 and 25 at Twin Towers Park, 501 Yellow Springs-Fairfield Road in Bath Twp. Participants must be 15 or older. Cost is $375 per person; stalls and electric is $45.

Basketball Camp: From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 27-July 1 at the Fairground Recreation Center. This camp, for ages 10-15, will help kids improve their skills and learn the game. Cost: $49.

Watercraft Education Camp: From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekly from June 20-Aug. 5 at Cowan Lake State Park, Wilmington. Water safety, rules and regulations will be highlighted. For ages 10 and older. Cost: $80.

AQUATIC ACTIVITIES Swimming Lessons at Fairborn and Xenia Pools: Registration is from 10 a.m. to noon June 4 and 7:30 to 8: 30 p.m. June 5. Session 1, scheduled for June 13-24. Lessons take place at Mullins Memorial Pool, 210 Fairground Road, Xenia; or the County Pool in Fairborn, 751 Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, Fairborn.

Family Day at the Pools: On June 5, bring the coupon from the Summer Activity Guide to either the county pool in Fairborn or Mullins Memorial Pool in Xenia and get one free admission when one admission is purchased.

Family Nights at the Pools: From 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 18. Bring the family to Mullins Memorial Pool, Fairground Recreation Center; or the County Pool in Fairborn, 751 Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, Fairborn.