Vacation cookout
Summit Metro Parks is holding a School’s Out Cookout on Wednesday.
It will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Goodyear Heights Metro Park. Meet at the Pioneer Shelter and trails at 550 Frazier Ave., Akron.
Bring your own hot dogs and buns. The park district will provide condiments and drinks.
There will be campfire for cooking those hot dogs.
A naturalist will lead a hike around Alder Park to check out Mother Nature.
For more information, call 330-865-8065 or visit www.summitmetroparks.org.
Winter adventure
Summit Metro Parks is holding a Winter Adventure Day Camp on Tuesday.
It will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for youngsters 7 to 10 years old.
Meet at the Coventry Oaks Area of Firestone Metro Park. That’s off Axline Avenue in South Akron.
The program includes sledding, archery and using a map and compass to negotiate a cross-country course.
Pack a lunch and dress for the weather.
The cost is $10. Advance sign-up is required. For reservations and more information, call 330-865-8065 or visit www.summitmetroparks.org.
Today
Gifts for critters — Summit Metro Parks is holding a holiday-themed program where participants can make decorations, gifts and feed the animals who live at the Seiberling Nature Realm. It will run from 10:30 a.m. to noon at 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Advance sign-up is required. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
Saturday
Winter trees — Summit Metro Parks is conducting a program to identify winter trees from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Munroe Falls Metro Park. Meet at the Tallmadge Meadows Area, 1088 North Ave. (state Route 91), Tallmadge. 330-865-8065 or www.summit metroparks.org.
Full-moon hike — The National Park Service is staging a full-moon hike from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at Horseshoe Pond off Major Road in Boston Township. The 2.75-mile hike will be on the Tree Farm Trail. 330-657-2752.
Snowshoe hike — The National Park Service is presenting a snowshoe hike from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Kendall Lake Shelter off Truxell Road in Boston Township. Free. Rentals are available. If there’s not enough snow, the event will become a hike. 330-657-2752.
Cabin Christmas — The Medina County Park District is presenting a walk-in Log Cabin Christmas from noon to 5 p.m. at the Susan Hambley Nature Center, 4173 Parschen Blvd., Brunswick. The program will continue from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. 330-722-9364 or www.medinacountyparks.com.
Gingerbread houses — Beech Creek Gardens in Washington Township is hosting a workshop to make a gingerbread house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will continue from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The fee is $15 per house. No reservations needed. Candy Land and the Christmas Express train will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and again on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $2. The center is at 11929 Beech St. NE. 330-829-7050 or www.beechcreekgardens.org.
Sunday
Beaver Marsh — The National Park Service is directing a leisurely slow-paced hike to look for wildlife through the Beaver Marsh in the Cuyahoga Valley. It will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls. 330-657-2752.
Tuesday
Forest monster — Summit Metro Parks is staging a hike to look at tracking and whether a forest monster is residing in Cascade Valley Metro Park. Meet at 11 a.m. in the Schumacher Valley Area at 1690 Cuyahoga St. in North Akron. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
Wednesday
Weekday walk — Summit Metro Parks is sponsoring a weekday walk from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. It will be stroll on the Cherry Lane and Fernwood trails. 330-865-8065 or www.summitmetroparks.org.
For a complete list, go to www.ohio.com.
Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning at the beaconjournal.com.