Cuyahoga Valley National Park 2013 Summer Schedule

I have been stalking the CVNP website to sign up our oldest for the Junior Ranger classes. The 2013 Summer Schedule is finally out. So many great activities for adults, kids and families! I love the place.

Click to access CVNP-Summer2013-SOE_v9-final.pdf

2013 Summer Camps in Cleveland

Just wanted to post a heads-up that it is summer camp scheduling time again. A quick off the top of my head list includes:

Classroom Antics Tech and LEGO Camps – http://www.ClassroomAntics.com

Bricks 4 Kidz LEGO Classes – http://www.bricks4kidz.com/

Cleveland Museum of Natural History – http://www.cmnh.org/site/classesandprograms/summercamps.aspx

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland – http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org/2012/03/register-now-for-summer-camp/

Great Lakes Science Center – http://www.glsc.org/summercamps2013.php

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo – http://www.clemetzoo.com/education/sdc/

Camp Invent – http://www.campinvention.org

Challenger British Soccer Camp – http://www.challengersports.com/britishsoccercamps.aspx

Cleveland Metroparks Summer Camps – http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/Summer-Camps.aspx

Old Trail S’Camp – http://www.oldtrail.org/page.aspx?pid=523

 

If you think of more, please post in the comments!

Orchid Mania Lasts One More Week

I am feeling the need to get the toddler out of the house this week if the weather is so warm, and I love taking kids to the Cleveland Botanical Garden, and I absolutely love orchids, so I am hoping to make it to this:

ORCHID MANIA: This Side of Paradise – FINAL WEEK

February 11 – March 25

Tuesdays – Saturdays: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sundays: Noon – 5:00 pm • Closed Mondays

Adult: $9.50; Child (3-12): $3
Members, Children 3 and under: FREE

Sophisticated ladies. Speakeasies. Busby Berkeley musicals. The 1920s was a time when America’s preoccupation with opulence, luxury and sensuality matched its limitless spirit of optimism and individual expression.

Sound like a certain exuberant flower you know?

Orchid Mania: This Side of Paradise celebrates those independent spirits of the floral world, orchids, in a setting befitting of Jay Gatsby himself.

Hundreds of bold, fragrant, blooming orchids will be on display throughout the Garden and in the naturalistic setting of the Garden’s Costa Rica Glasshouse.

It’s an occasion for flappers, Phalaenopsis and every other kind of orchid you can imagine.

http://www.cbgarden.org/OrchidMania2012.html

Bricks4Kidz LEGO Classroom Opens in Westlake

From their Facebook page:

We are located at 25651 Detroit Road in Westlake, Ohio, next to Houlihan’s! Please call 440-892-0900 or go to the website at www.bricks4kidz.com to sign up for classes, mini camps and Birthday Parties!!!!!!! We have Camps during the Holiday for $100 for 1/2 day and $175 for full day for four days! You can’t beat the price! Clases start next week on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s starting at 5:30pm and run for 6 weeks. Open Play every day from 11-5 and Mommy and Me classes are from 10-10:45 every morning. Bring your child and play or socialize with your friends while we educate and teach your child to be creative and use their imaginations. For $7.00 you can’t beat it!

The building is right off of the Columbia Road exit from I-90.

If downtown is more convenient for you, there are also several day-long LEGO workshops taking place at the Great Lakes Science Center over winter break for grades K-8.

Until next time,

Lorelei

Things to Do Today in Cleveland

There are at least three things I’d love to take the kids to do today, but doubtful will make it to any…

Fall Fest and Chili Cook-Off / Craft Fair
Seven Hills Rec Center
Sunday, October 2nd from 1-4pm
FREE
Craft Fair and Chili Cook Off in the Gyms, Browns on the BIG SCREEN, Corn Hole on the front lawn and hay rides, games and crafts for the kids! Admission is free for everyone!

http://www.sevenhillsohio.org/departments/rec-center/special-events.aspx

Model Train Show
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Berea
Saturday, Oct. 1: 10 to 5 pm, Sunday, Oct. 2: 11 to 4 pm
 $7.00, Under 16 free with Adult. Special 2 day pass for $10.00.

“With over 62,000 square feet of model trains, this year promises to be the biggest and best show yet.  We will have operating train layouts, the latest ‘Thomas the Tank’ merchandise, aisles and aisles of trains and accessories from track to transformers, and from locomotive to cabooses… in every size imaginable!”

http://thepostnewspapers.com/strongsville/train-show-S-9-17–submit

Apple Butter Festival
Squire Rich House in Brecksville
Sunday, October 2, 2011
1-5 pm
FREE Admission

Under a canopy of golden maples and scarlet oaks, the copper kettle will be simmering and waiting for apple fanciers to enjoy apple butter on slabs of fresh bread or buy a container to enjoy at home. Apple fritters will also be available. Sloppy Joes, root beer and coffee will round out the menu.

http://www.brecksville.oh.us/about_town/bha/historic.htm

Cleveland to Open Aquarium in Downtown Cleveland

I’m so incredibly excited that we will finally have an aquarium in Downtown Cleveland.   Located in the FirstEnergy Powerhouse Building in the Flats, it is slated to open in December 2011.   

For more info, visit http://www.greaterclevelandaquarium.com/summary.html

Until next time,

Lorelei

Cedar Point HalloWeekends Starts Tomorrow

Just got my latest Cedar Point email update:

All You Fear… Is Here! HalloWeekends Begin Friday!
HalloWeekends, our annual Halloween event full of frights and family-friendly delights, begins this Friday, September 16 and this year, we’re giving you two new reasons to scream!

New for 2011 is Blood on the Bayou, where nightmares live in the shadows, gruesome terrors freeze your blood and the dead walk, searching for new prey.

Also new this year is Maniacal Mechanical Screamworks. Journey into science fiction past and future to explore a sinister, steamy subculture that never was, but might have been.

For more information on these and our eight other terrifying attractions, visit our HalloWeekends website.

If frights aren’t for you, we have lots of great family-friendly activities including FOUR new floats in our Monster Midway Invasion Celebration Parade! Check out a full listing of family activities on our website.

Buy Online and Save

Find great ticket deals for Halloweekends online including a four-pack, saving you over $10 per ticket, and our pay once – visit twice deal, saving you over $20 on two visits.

Fine Dining with the Dearly Departed

Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience? Join us for Boeckling’s Banquet where you will enjoy a delicious meal with the creepy characters of the Eerie Estate. Reservations are still available for this weekend. Call 419-627-2242 to make your reservation and find more information on our website.

A V.I.P. Experience Sure to Make you Scream

This year, we’re offering Zombie Tours, a V.I.P. tour taking you to the front of the line of SIX of our haunted attractions. This exclusive tour is the best way to experience all of the fears and frights our haunted attractions have to offer. Tours depart nightly during HalloWeekends. To book your tour, call 419-627-2242 and visit our website for more information.

Fall is Coming! What Will You Do This Weekend?

The other day I said to the hubby, “I love fall.  In Cleveland, fall is a bit like Mardi Gras.    There’s all sorts of fun things to get out and do, it’s like we’re trying to have one last big hurray before the big freeze.”  And then I get this week’s CoolCleveland enewsletter and it’s so true.   I’m not even going to bother listing all of the cool things to do in Cleveland this weekend, including IngenuityFest, the Cleveland Dragon Boat Festival, Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival and Johnny Appleseed Festival, because someone else has already done all of the work for me:

http://www.coolcleveland.com/blog/2011/09/wow-cleveland-is-totally-cool-this-weekend/

and

http://www2.coolcleveland.com/blog/category/blogs/kids/

And these are just some of the big events.   There’s always something happening outdoors in the Metroparks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, in our own communities and at various local farms throughout the area.

What will you be doing this weekend?

Until next time,

Lorelei

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Junior Ranger Programs

I’m really excited to get back to my original purpose for writing a blog, sharing my family’s great experiences in and around Cleveland, Ohio!

This morning I took the kiddo and the former-baby-now-toddler to one of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Junior Ranger, Jr. programs.   This one in particular was called, “A Seed’s Journey.”    The last one we attended, a couple of weeks ago, was titled, “Come Hide With Me.”     Both took place down in Peninsula and were a lot of fun.  It was challenging to have the toddler with us, as the program is geared towards children ages 4-6, however both times my babysitter (grandma) fell through so I brought the toddler along.  Fortunately everyone there was very kind to me and the toddler, and at both programs there was at least one other baby or toddler present. 

Each session lasts two hours and has several stations set-up at picnic tables with hands-on activities.     The children spend a 1/2 hour or so on the different activities, at their own pace.    Then there is a short storytime, a hike plus a game and/or craft.   The kiddo has really enjoyed himself so far, and once he’s completed 3 sessions, he receives a badge, which he is eagerly anticipating.     After 5 sessions he’ll receive a patch.   

The great thing is, it’s an inexpensive organized activity without a significant time commitment.  This may be what I love most.   You sign up for whichever sessions you want or are convenient for you and your children.  Each session is $8 per child.    You don’t have to commit to a full week or a specific day every week of the summer.    You can go to only one session or try to fit in 5 during the summer in order to get the patch.     And apparently these programs are offered year-round.  

We’ve got one planned more for the badge, and maybe we’ll work towards the patch this fall.

There is also a similar program for children ages 7-12 called the Junior Ranger program.   The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park also offers week-long day camps and overnight camps.   For more info on summer camp programs, visit http://www.cvnpa.org/CVEEC/SummerCamp.aspx.

Until next time,

Lorelei

Spring Break Camps at Great Lakes Science Center

Great Lakes Science Center’s Spring Break Camp 2011:

Build mini speed boats, discover the wicked weather phenomena of tornadoes, create miniature gardens and fossils to take home, and more! While schools are on Spring Break, Great Lakes Science Center educates and entertains with day-long Science Break Camps for kids in grades K-8. Hands-on fun and learning never stops with topics like Twister!, Abracadabra: Science of Magic, Mars Space Bots, FAB LAB Challenge: All Aboard, and many more!

Register for either a day or a whole week of camp! Spring Break Camps will be held on the following days:

Monday, March 28, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011

All camps meet from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm with extended care options available from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. Campers may bring a brown bag lunch or purchase a lunch.

Learn more at http://www.glsc.org/educate/programs.php#spring_break_camp