Cool camps for the hot summer ahead

Whether you are visiting or local parents, we all struggle with the same thing... how to keep our children entertained in the summer months. We've put together a few cool camps for the hot summer ahead...check them out!

Camps for the arts...

FAVA Summer Camp

Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA) is a non-profit organization in Oberlin that strives to enhance the public's education in the visual arts. FAVA does many great things for our community that people of all ages enjoy! They are offering three day camps for children in grades kindergarten through fifth, the weeks of June 9^th, July 14 and August 18. Each day camp goes from 9:30 am until 3:30 pm. Each week's camp is different from the rest!

TrueNorth Cultural Arts is a group that does theater productions and classes, musicals, and fine arts shows at the Lorain County Metro Parks French Creek Nature and Arts Center in Sheffield Village. They offer several theater camps of different lengths and for different age groups. Your children can express themselves through performing arts this summer beginning June 9th. What a fun way for your children to meet new friends!

Outdoor adventure and nature camps...

Earth Camp at Common Ground

There is a fantastic outdoor educational camp located in Oberlin! Common Ground's Earth Camp is a week long day camp for children ages 6 to 12 and has six different weeks from June 23rd through July. Each week has a new theme so that if your child wants to attend more than one session they will learn new things! Earth camp helps children learn about the environment and themselves through the new experiences they will have each day. Common Ground also offers a Teen Leadership Camp for ages 13 to 16 that has six sessions. Teen Leadership Camp helps teens to learn new skills and develop a sense of belonging. Teens will participate in Adventure Challenge activities during the week to help the teens learn how they can reach their full potential. The purpose of this is to give teens a happier healthier life at home, school, and neighborhood.

The Lorain County Metro Parks offers a variety of week-long day camps starting June 9th. These camps are designed for children whose ages range from kindergarten to ninth grade. The different camp themes include an outdoor adventure camp, a fishing camp, birding camp and more! One thing each camp has in common is the incorporation of nature and the outdoors into daily activities.

Equine Differences hosts a Monday through Thursday camp each summer for children age 8 and up. The camp is designed to teach children what it is like to own, care for, and ride a horse. The camps begin June 23rd and run through August 7th. Camp begins at 9 am with feeding the horses.  Along with learning to ride there will be a veterinarian, saddle fitter, and a blacksmith that will speak to the campers. There are 4 to 6 children per session so if your child doesn't like large groups this would be the perfect camp to sign up for!

The YMCA offers week-long day camps at the Avon, French Creek center and the Vermilion center for children pre-school through age 12 beginning June 9th from 7 am to 6 pm. These camps even include field trips. Each week has a specific theme for children to learn new things each week! If your child needs a fun-filled day that is scheduled this is the camp for you!

The City of Elyria's department of Parks and Recreation has week-long Reach & Rise summer camps starting June 10th. Each week has a different theme, from science to arts & music. There are camps for children as young as 6 and up to age 17. Camps are offered with varying start times, if your child isn't a morning person then Reach & Rise may be just the right fit.

And for the history buffs...

Your children (ages6-12)  can take a week long step back in time with Amherst Historical Society's Youth History Program - Exploring History Through Young Eyes.  The 2 hour long day camp runs August 14-18 where your children can explore Ohio history through hands-on activities

Catch a great fish dish in Lorain County!

Whether you are looking for a Friday fish fry or seasonal fish specials, you came to the right place!

Orchid Cafe Friday menu

THE FRIDAY FISH FRY

The Orchid Cafe at Miller Nature Preserve
2739 Center Road, Avon

(440) 937-0764

Fish Fry by Chef Mario Izzo 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Every Friday through April 18!

Matus Winery 
15674 Gore Orphanage Rd, Wakeman
(440)774-9463
Fish Fry Fridays through April 18 at 5:30pm
Dinner, Sandwich & Platter all served with fresh cut fries and coleslaw
Perch Dinner:  includes ½ lb perch. Choice of a glass of wine:  $20 pp OR bottle of wine of choice:  $28 pp
Perch Sandwich:  Choice of glass of wine:  $17 pp OR bottle of wine of choice:  $25 pp
Chicken Tender Platter:  Choice of glass of wine:  $15 per person OR bottle of wine of choice: $20
Clam Chowder $4

Nemo Grille, Avon

RESTAURANTS 

And here are a few local suggestions for restaurants that are well-known for their delicious seafood year round:



Cork's and Stubby's 
209 S. Main St., Amherst
(440) 984-7430
(440) 984-7432
Fine and Casual Dining: Shrimp, Scallops, Crabcakes, Salmon, Catch of the Day, Walleye

The Feve Bar & Grill 
30 S. Main Street, Oberlin
(440) 774-1978
Grouper Basket, Crab Cakes, Multiple vegan and vegetarian choices

Granny Joe's Ice Creamatorium
5598 Liberty Ave., Vermilion
(440) 967-3663
Perch Sandwich, Perch Dinner

Jackalope Lakeside
301 Lakeside Ave., Lorain
(440) 288-2051
Perch Sandwich, Perch Dinner

Moosehead Grill 
7660 Leavitt Rd, Amherst
(440) 985-7429
Salmon, Walleye, Tilapia

Mr. D's Restaurant & Bar at Ramada Elyria
1825 Lorain Blvd., Elyria
(440)324-5411
Perch Sandwich, Lake Erie Perch Dinner, Shrimp Basket

Nemo Grille
36976 Detroit Road, Avon
(440) 934-0061
Fine Dining: Sea Scallops, Salmon, Chilean Sea Bass, Perch, Tuna

Garden Restaurant at Oberlin Inn
7 N. Main St. | Oberlin
(440) 775-1111

Smitty's Place, Elyria

Typically offers a Fish Fry special each Friday

Smitty's Place
368 E. Bridge St, Elyria
(440) 323-9708
Perch Sandwich, Perch Dinner Combos

Strip, A Steakhouse 
36840 Detroit Rd., Avon
(440) 934-9900
Fine dining: Salmon, Ahi Tuna, Catch of the Day, Chilean Sea Bass

Stubby’s Pub & Grub 
114 Antioch Dr., Elyria
(440) 365-7882
Lake Erie Perch Dinners, crabcakes

Click…for a complete list of dining options.

And be sure to check out Fligner’s Market Facebook page weekly to see what great special they are offering on Fridays. You will likely see fish lunch specials.