BAY VILLAGE

Huntington Beach, Lake Road, Bay Village.

• Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily through Aug. 12.

• The Summer Beach Party kicks off 5 p.m. Aug. 4. Beach-goers can enjoy activities until 8 p.m. Carl Jara will build a specially themed sand sculpture. There will be a sand castle-building area for visitors to try their hand, musical entertainment by the Calypso Gypsies Steel Drum Band, a fishing demonstration, live animals from Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, a dive team exhibit and more. Kids can enjoy beach games and activities, including a scavenger hunt, shake-n-bake contest, water balloon toss, relay races, hula hoop contests, beach blanket bingo, limbo and more. Prizes will be awarded. Warm up at the campfire and enjoy Musical Mark at 8 p.m. Bring beach blankets and beach chairs for the 8:45 p.m. movie on the beach — “Back to the Future.”

• Campfire at the Beach, 8-9 p.m. Aug. 25. Enjoy a summer evening of songs, stories and roasted marshmallows around the campfire. Bring blankets and chairs.

CLEVELAND

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the RainForest, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through Labor Day, the Zoo and The RainForest remain open until 7 p.m. Ticket sales end one hour before closing. (216) 661-6500, clemetzoo.com.

Residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township get free admission on Mondays. The zoo is closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Regular admission to the zoo and the RainForest is $12.25 for adults, age 12 and older. Junior admission, for kids age 2-11, is $8.25. Kids younger than 2, and zoo members, free. Parking is free.

• Summer Day Camp is a great opportunity for kids to stay active and mentally engaged over their summer break from school. Campers are grouped according to age to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment. All sessions include zoo exhibit tours, Get Close animal encounters, crafts and more. Three different camp sessions are offered for each age group, so kids can sign up for one or all of the week-long sessions. Educational themes for young campers age 5-6 include “Animal Coverings,” “Basic Needs” and “Sustainability.” Campers in the 7-8 age group will learn about “Animal Groups,” “Life Cycles,” and “Sustainability.” More advanced topics for campers in the 9-10 and 11-12 groups include “Food Webs,” “Endangered Species,” “Symbiosis,” and “Sustainability.” “Counselor-in-Training” leadership camp for kids ages 13-14 allows participants to develop their leadership skills by working alongside day camp staff. Summer camp runs through Aug. 17. Registration required. Space is limited. For more information, call (216) 635-3391.

• With school almost out, now is a great time to sign up for the new Cleveland Metroparks Kids Club. Members age 12 and younger receive a Passport and there will be special events, offers and opportunities to earn stickers for their Passports. If a member receives at least 12 stickers, they can attend an end-of-the-year party. There are two membership levels — one is $20 for the year and one is free. For more information on memberships and benefits, call (216) 635-3200 or visit clevelandmetroparks.com.

• Photo Safari contest for amateur photographers returns. To enter, take your best shot on zoo grounds between April 1 and Nov. 1 and submit it on photographic paper by Nov. 1. Categories include Bird, Mammal, Plant/Insect, Amphibian/Reptile/Fish, Friends/Family and new this year, a special RainForest category celebrating the exhibit's 20th anniversary. There's also a junior category for kids ages 2-11. Every month through October, the "pic of the month" will post on our blog, The Roar Report. Monthly winners are eligible to win zoo tickets as well as regular prizes. Judges will award prizes in each category and a "Best in Show" photo will be chosen. Entry forms are available in the zoo's exhibit hall or online at clemetzoo.com. Limit three photos per person.

• Inviting the Planet to Dinner: A Taste of Ohio, 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9. Join chef Rae Endreola for a taste of Ohio-raised and made artisan foods. Registration required. $50 fee. Adults only.

• Herbs: Fragrant and Delicious, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 and 25. Stop by the herb garden anytime during the hours listed to smell and taste the herbs. Learn about fresh herbs and the benefits of having a backyard herb garden.

• Creature Comfort activities are scheduled from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11. Past demonstrations have included papier-mache prey for predators to pounce on, a "beehive" stuffed with treats on a bungee cord for the sloth bear and a puzzle feeder for the octopus to solve. Check clemetzoo.com closer to the day of the event for a detailed schedule of activities. Kids can participate in their own "enrichment" activities on a wellness walk through the zoo. wellness stations will be set up throughout the zoo where kids will be encouraged to do some short exercises and earn the chance to win prizes, including a one year family membership to the zoo.

NORTH OLMSTED

Rocky River Reservation, Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. (440) 734-6660.

• Cedar Valley Square Dances, 7:30-9 p.m. Fridays, Aug. 10 and 24 at Frostville Museum. Caller Frank Koenig leads circle, line and square dances. Koenig teaches easy moves before he calls the dance, so everyone can participate. Frostville Museum is located on Cedar Point Road in Rocky River Reservation, between Valley Parkway and Columbia Road/Route 252 in North Olmsted.

• Valley Riding invites you to come to Rocky River Stables, 19901 Puritas Avenue in Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 5 for a day of horse activities. The festival parade begins 11:30 a.m. led by Cleveland Metroparks Mounted Rangers and at 11:45 a.m. the Northern Ohio Outlaws will make their first appearance and demonstrate mounted cowboy shooting, one of the nation's fastest-growing and most exciting equestrian sports. Throughout the afternoon, there will be a variety of riding demonstrations, drill team performances, pony rides, stick horse races, games, raffle prizes, barnyard bingo, food and refreshments. Parking $5.

• Monthly Morning with the Birds, 8-10 a.m. Aug. 18. Join naturalist Ken Gober on a 2-mile bird hike and discover the variety of avian life in habitats around the center. Bring binoculars and field guide, if you have them.

• Bird Banding, 9:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 19. See intricate details of birds as they are captured, banded and released near the feeders. Learn about bird banding, an essential tool for studying nature's feathered friends. Program will be canceled if raining.

LORAIN COUNTY METROPARKS

Kopf Family Reservation, 32649 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake. (440) 458-5121, (800) LCM-PARK or LorainCountyMetroParks.com.

• Woodland Walk, 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday during the month of August.

• Tram Ride, 1-3 p.m. Aug. 3. Tram leave every 30 minutes. Registration required by calling (440) 933-8128.

• Hike for your Health, 6 p.m. Aug. 9

• Preschool Nature Kids: Water, 10-11 a.m. Aug. 17. Preschoolers with an adult companion will learn about water through crafts and a short hike.

Sandy Ridge Reservation-Johnson Wetland Center, 6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville. (440) 458-5121, (800) LCM-PARK or LorainCountyMetroParks.com.

• Butterfly Catching, 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 2.

• Evening Tram Ride, 7-8 p.m. Aug. 9. Registration required.

• Snakes and More Snakes, 9:30-11 a.m. Aug. 9.

• Praying Mantis Hike, 10:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 14. Nets provided.

• Butterfly Hike, 10:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 20. Join us as we catch and learn about butterflies. Nets provided. Moderate hike.

• Migrating Monarchs, 2-3:30 p.m. Aug. 20. Participate in the capture, tagging, recording and release for scientific study of its amazing migrating journey. Long pants recommended.

• Wednesday Morning Birding, 7:30-10 a.m. Aug. 29.