Release Date: June 1,2020
Summit Metro Parks Introduces Virtual ‘Backyard Explorer’ Day Camp
June 1, 2020, Akron, OH — In response to COVID-19 restrictions this summer, Summit Metro Parks is providing creative alternative to the traditional summer day camp model. This season, kids can enjoy the new “Backyard Explorers” summer camp series from home at no charge.
The four-week series is targeted to children kindergarten through 5th grade and aims to provide kids and their families with resources to explore and discover nature in their own back yards. The series will begin June 15 and continue through July 10. A new backyard nature theme – bugs, birds, mammals and plants – will be introduced each week. For each weekly topic, free content will be shared on the park district’s Facebook page, offering visitors educational and activity-based videos as well as additional links to supplemental resources.
Children may take part in all four weeks or choose the themes that are of most interest. While no purchase is required to participate, a Backyard Explorer backpack kit will be available for families wishing to enhance the virtual camp experience. The kit contains hands-on materials such as an Ohio wildlife guide, animal-track molding activity, seed pack, magnifying glass, insect collection jar and more! The kits are $20 and may be ordered online at https://330tix.com/
Summit Metro Parks manages more than 14,000 acres, including 16 parks, several conservation areas and more than 150 miles of trails, with 22 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Annual attendance averages 5 million visits.
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