Summer Fun at the Kenton County Parks

Are you looking for some boredom-busters this summer? The Kenton County Parks are here to the rescue! They have a wide assortment of family-friendly activities going on at their beautiful parks. And the programs aren’t just fun…they are educational too, so you will be sneaking some learning into your child’s life over summer vacation! And best of all, most of the programs are FREE. Your child can learn all about animals on Wednesdays or find out cool new things about science on Thursdays (select Thursdays).

So, does this all sound great to you? Well wait a minute…it gets better! If you notice when you read the list below, some of the Wild Wednesday & Science Thursday programs will have a FREE lunch provided. You can’t beat that…fun, hands-on learning for the kids AND free food! Awesome! My kids can’t wait to take part in these programs!

And the Kenton County Parks & Recreation department doesn’t just plan events for kids, if you look closely at the list, you’ll see some events that are fun for adults, or even the whole family!
I’ve listed all of the programs below, but if you need more details or would like to volunteer be sure to call the Kenton County Parks (859) 525-PLAY. Or visit their website: Kenton County Parks & Recreation.

Kenton County Parks & Recreation Summer Programs
We strive to provide high quality recreational activities for our residents and
community and we are excited to offer a wide variety of programs and events for
people of all ages and abilities.

May 26
(Almost) Every Other Thursday Science ~ Magnet Mania
10am-11am, w/Crystal Clear Science
Pioneer Park, Shelterhouse 1 (KCAS@9:30/UB@9:45 STP&McD)
May 28
PDGA Bluegrass Open Disc Golf Tournament ($)
8am-6pm, Presented by Disc ‘N Dat ~ Course Closed during event!
Lincoln Ridge Park, Shelterhouses 1 & 2
May 28
Fairway Woods & Course Management ~ Lessons and Lunch Series ($)
11:30am-1pm or 2-3:30pm, Saturdays, Call (859) 371-3200 for details
The Golf Courses of Kenton County ~ “We’ve Got Your Game!”
June 1
Wild Wednesdays! Wildlife Comes To You
10am-11am, The Cincinnati Zoo w/Zookeeper Kate Hammer
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2 (CCONK@9:30 CCONK)
June 2
(Almost) Every Other Thursday Science ~ Cool Colors
10am-11am, w/Crystal Clear Science
Pioneer Park, Shelterhouse 1 (KCAS@9:30 STP&McD)
June 4
Kids Fishing Derby with NKYA Picnic Fundraiser
9am-12pm, w/Biggest Fish of Each Species Contest & Prizes!
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 1
June 4
Kick-Off To Summer Party featuring The Water Show, S’mores
1-7pm, My Favorite Bluegrass Band (from 1-3 pm)
presented by Dominach’s Taekwondo Academy & Richwood Flea market
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2 ~ Expect to get soaked!
June 8
Wild Wednesdays! Eagle Bend Alpacas
10am-11am, w/Linda Salsbury
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2 (KCPL@9:30)
June 13
Junior Golf League Begins ~ 5-Weeks ($)
8-11:00am, 9am-12pm, and 10am-12pm, Mondays, w/3 Age Divisions
The Golf Courses of Kenton County ~ “We’ve Got Your Game!”
Jun 14-Jul 28
The First Tee ~ Summer PAR Session ~ For boys & girls (Ages 8-18)
9:30am-11:30pm, Tu & Th at the Golf Courses of Kenton County
Call (513) 600-5020 for details, Register at www.thefirstteegcnky.com
June 14-July 28
The First Tee ~ Summer BIRDIE Session ~ For boys & girls (Ages 8-18)
12-2pm, Tu & Th at the Golf Courses of Kenton County
Call (513) 600-5020 for details, Register at www.thefirstteegcnky.com
June 15
Junior Golf School Begins ~ 5-Weeks ($)
8:30-10:30am or 11:30am-1:30pm, Wednesdays, Call (859) 371-3200
The Golf Courses of Kenton County ~ “We’ve Got Your Game!”
June 15
Wild Wednesdays! Field Programs on Fowler Creek
10am-11am, w/John James Audubon and George Lehman
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelter 2 (KCA@9:30/UB@9:45/DTA@11am
June 16
Hershey’s Track & Field Games for Boys & Girls (Ages 9-14)
5:30pm, Registration, For details, call (859) 334-2117
Conner HS Track, Hebron, Presented by Boone County Parks
Get Golf Ready in 5 Days Program Begins ($)
Jun 16 6-7:30pm, Thursdays, Call (859) 371-3200 for details
The Golf Courses of Kenton County ~ “We’ve Got Your Game!”
June 19
Ladies Instructional League Begins ~ 6-Weeks ($)
3-5:30pm, Tuesdays, Call (859) 371-3200 for details
The Golf Courses of Kenton County ~ “We’ve Got Your Game!”
June 22
Wild Wednesdays! Farmer Joan and The Equine Show
10am-11am, w/Miniature horse, pony, and donkey
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2 (KCPL@9:30 STP&McD)
June 23
(Almost) Every Other Thursday Science ~ Current Conditions
10:15am-11am, w/COSI On Wheels, presented by KCA
Pioneer Park, Shelterhouse 1 (KCA@9:30 STP&McD)
June 24-26
Northern Kentucky Amateur Radio Club (K4CO) Field Days
F all-night, Sa all-day/night, Su til 2pm ~ Info? [email protected]
Lincoln Ridge, Shelterhouse 2 ~ ‘Ham radio’! Public invited!
June 29
Wild Wednesdays! Sunrock Farm Barnyard Animals
10am-11am, Who wants to milk a goat? Bring your camera!
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2 (UB@9:45)
June 30
(Almost) Every Other Thursday Science ~ Rockin’ Rockets
10am-11am, w/Mad Science of Cincinnati
Pioneer, Shelter 1 (RWD@9:30/UB@9:45/DTA@11:00 STP&McD)
July 6
Wild Wednesdays! NO PROGRAM ~ See you next week!
Jul 8-10, 15-
17, 22-24, &
29-31
27th Bluegrass State Games ~ For Kentuckians Only ($)
LOTS of sports & games ~ Something FUN for Everyone!
See www.bgsg.org for details, or call (800) 722-BGSG
July 11-16
Kenton County Fair Week
presented by the Kenton County Fair Board
Kenton County Fairgrounds, Call KCCES at (859) 356-3155 for info
July 13
Wild Wednesdays! Mr. Cowpie’s Party Animals
10am-11am, A musical party w/the animals
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2
July 20
Wild Wednesdays! Field Programs on Fowler Creek
10am-11am, w/John James Audubon & Fishtrap
Middleton-Mills, Shelter 2 (KCPL@9:30/DTA@11:00 STP&McD)
July 21
(Almost) Every Other Thursday Science ~ Investigating Energy
10:15am-11am, w/COSI On Wheels
Pioneer, Shelter 1 (KCAS@9:30/UB@9:45/DTA@11:00 STP&McD)
July 23
Beast Bash ~ A Celebration of Pets & Their People
10am-4pm, presented by Friends of Kenton Paw Park
Pioneer Park, FREE, $5 parking donation, visit www.beastbash.com
July 23
Telescopes 101 ~ Buying & Using A Telescope
8:00-10:00pm, w/Dean Regas, C.O.C. Astronomer, MWA & FOTO
Lincoln Ridge Park, Meet in KC Public Works building
July 27
Wild Wednesdays! Kentucky Down Under
9:45am-12pm, Celebrate Australia w/a kangaroo or two!
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelter 2 (CCONK@9:30/UB@9:45 CCONK)
Aug 3
Wild Wednesdays! Civil War Era Beekeeping
10am-11am, w/Beekeeper Granville Griffith
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2 (RWD@9:30)
Aug 10
Wild Wednesdays! Raptor, Inc.
10am-11am, Birds of Prey ~ Top of the Food Chain
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2 (KCPL@9:30)
Aug 11
(Almost) Every Other Thursday Science w/ Crystal Clear Science
10am-11am, Spinning and Spraying in Science
Pioneer Park, Shelterhouse 1 (NKHD@9:45 STP&McD)
Aug 14
Ladies Instructional League Begins ~ 6-Weeks ($)
3-5:30pm, Tuesdays, Call (859) 371-3200 for details
The Golf Courses of Kenton County ~ “We’ve Got Your Game!”
Aug 17
Wild Wednesdays! Tree ID Hike and Scavenger Hunt
10am-11am, w/Chris Scott, Kenton County Forest Ranger
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2 (ARC@9:30/NKHD@9:45)
Aug 24
Wild Wednesdays! Big Bone Lick State Park ~ A Prehistoric Gem
10am-11am, w/Naturalist Todd Young
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2 (KCPL@9:30/DTA@11:00)
Aug 25
(Almost) Every Other Thursday Science ~ Cinti Museum Center
10am-11am, Digging for Dinosaurs w/Karen Venetian
Pioneer, Shelter 1 (ARC@9:30/KCAS@9:45/DTA@11:00 STP&McD)
Aug 31
Wild Wednesdays! House of Reptiles, LLC
10am-11am, w/Scott Braunstein
Middleton-Mills Park, Shelterhouse 2 (NKHD@9:45)

Wild Wednesdays! and (Almost) Every Other Thursday Science!
Join us as we begin our 12th season of Wild Wednesdays! and 5th season of
(Almost) Every Other Thursday Science programs! We hope you’ll agree that these
are both ‘outstanding’ programs!

Be sure to check pre-program and actual program start times, as they vary, depending upon who’s there: KCPL stands for Kenton County Public Library; UB forUsborne Books; KCA for Kenton County Alliance; NKHD for Northern Kentucky Health Department; KCAS for Kenton County Animal Shelter; ARC for American Red Cross; DTA stands for Dominach’s Taekwondo Academy; CCONK for Cincinnati
Children’s Outpatient Northern Kentucky; RJ for Rick Julick and Leave No Trace Camping; and RWD stands for RiverWorks Discovery. The actual Wild Wednesdays! and (Almost) Every Other Thursday Science ‘main event’ programs will begin at 10:00 am, except for the two COSI On Wheels science programs, which will begin at 10:15 am. Bring your camera to record the fun!

As for ‘after-programs’, these will follow the featured programs and generally last about fifteen minutes or so. Where you see DTA, Mr. D from Dominach’s Taekwondo Academy will demonstrate how the practice of Taekwondo is something the whole family can enjoy by helping participants develop personal skills such as focus, self-confidence, and discipline!

Are you interested in receiving weekly emails from the Kenton County Parks & Recreation department updating you on all of the great things they have going on? Then just call (859) 525-PLAY (7529) and ask to be added or e-mail Steve a note at [email protected].

***Photos & Informational materials for this post were provided by the Kenton County Parks & Recreation Department.