Outdoors calendar

Educational

West Virginia

• Geology! Rocks, Tuesday-Wednesday, July 29-30. An evening program to teach, explain and explore the mysteries of "rock." The next morning we "roll" out for a hike to learn about geology, topography and more. The West Virginia Geological Survey folks are presenting the program series. You can attend evening or morning activities or both. Great for scout and 4-H groups, families and future geologists. Blackwater Falls State Resort Park, Davis.

Kentucky

• Family Adventure Quest, continues through Monday, Dec. 1. Participants are asked to complete 25 quests at a variety of state parks, including canoeing, archery, fishing, photography, pottery making and more for prizes. Entry fee includes a backpack, disposable camera and a $10 parks gift certificate. Entry forms available online at www.parks.ky.gov. Call 800-255-PARK. $15.
• River Expedition, on permanent display from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Travel the Ohio River and explore the natural history with a close-up look at boats and bridges, fish, frogs and camping tents. Become a caver and investigate Discovery Cavern to learn about caves and coal. Designed especially for ages 5-11. Call 606-329-8888 for more information. Highlands Museum and Discovery Center, 1620 Winchester Ave., Ashland. $5.50; $4.50 seniors, students and children; free for children under 2.

Fishing

Kentucky

• Commercial Fishing, The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has resumed the sale of commercial fishing licenses for caviar from shovelnose sturgeon and paddlefish. Commercial fishing license applications are available by calling 800-858-1549 or visit www.fw.ky.gov and search under keywords, "commercial fishing license." Resident license, $150 annually; non-resident, $600.

Boating

Kentucky

• Boater Education Classes, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through Aug. 16. A six-hour boating safety course will cover general information concerning boats and maintenance. Questions, call 606-638-4497 or visit http://fw.ky.gov. Lawrence County Public Library, 102 W. Main St., Louisa.
• Canoe Trip on Smokey Lake, now through summer. A leisurely-paced trip on the park's 45-acre lake. Canoes, paddles and life vest provided. Please bring bottled water, sunscreen, sunglasses or a hat. Participants 15 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must weigh at least 50 pounds to go on the trip. A one mile drive to the lake may be required. Limited space available so you must sign up at the Welcome Center or call 606-286-4411, ext. 2547. Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill. $10; $5 children 12 & under.

Biking

West Virginia

• Bike Rides, 6 p.m. Mondays. A weekly 20-mile beginner bicycle ride on area roads. Call Jeff Joy, 304-522-2453. Jeff's Bike Shop, 740 6th Ave., Huntington.
• Bike the Park, Sunday, July 27. Part of the fourth annual Chainring Challenge. Go online at www.wvstateparks.com, click Recreation and then Bike the Parks. Little Beaver State Park, 1402 Grandview Road, Beaver.
• Mountain Biking, every Wednesday and weekends. Group rides. Questions, call 304-743-9510. Barboursville Community Park, Martha Road, Barboursville.

Kentucky

• Bicycle Tour, 10 a.m. every Saturday, except when raining. Ride through town and have fun while bringing attention to bicycle traffic in Ashland, notice to our fledgling recreational trails. Starbucks, 1201 Winchester Ave., Ashland.
• Bike Tour, meet between 8 and 8:15 a.m. Saturdays; ride begins at 8:30 a.m. Meet at the flags in front of the Jenny Wiley Convention Center/Marina and ride to the Johns Creek Station restaurant (only 8 miles) at the foot of the spillway. Enjoy the fun of group cycling at a relaxed pace. Contact Don Fields at profitnesscntr@bellsouth.net or 606-886-8604. Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, 75 Theatre Court, Prestonburg.

Camping and Cabins

• Summer Camping, all Kentucky State Park campgrounds are now open. Go online at www.parksky.gov for more information about campground upgrades in the off-season.

West Virginia

• Cabin Rentals, cabins for rent, sleeps four people. Questions, call the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District, 304-696-5954. Camp Mad Anthony Wayne, 2125 Spring Valley Dr., Huntington. $40; damage deposit $100.
• Lodge Rental, lodge overnight visits. Sleeps 28 people, no linens provided. Questions, call the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District, 304-696-5954. Camp Mad Anthony Wayne, 2125 Spring Valley Dr., Huntington. Reservation fee, $230 with $300 damage deposit.
• Voyage, through Friday, Oct. 31. Blennerhassett Island Historical and North Bend state parks have teamed to offer The Voyage Package in 2008. Package includes a night lodging at North Bend, and two tickets for sternwheeler ride to the island, the wagon ride tour, the mansion tour and the history museum. Reservations required; call 304-420-4800. North Bend State Park, Route 1, Cairo. $99 per package, double occupancy.
• Wilderness Rangers Boy Scout Program, Monday-Friday, July 28-Aug. 1. Environmental study in eastern West Virginia. Buckskin Reservation, Marlinton. $85.

Caving

Kentucky

• Crawling Tours, Bat Cave: 1:30 p.m. Sunday; 2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Saltpeter Cave: 1:30 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday, through Aug. 10. Regularly scheduled wild caving tours are offered in the summer in the Bat Cave and Saltpeter Cave. Cavers must be 12-years-old to participate. Tours are 2 1/2 hours in length. Helmet and kneepads provided for these tours. Questions, call 606-286-4411. Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill. $20.
• Summer Walking Cave Tour: Bat Cave, 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, through Aug. 10. A wild cave tour (must have dependable light). Not recommended for children under six. Questions, call 606-286-4411. Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill. $7 per person.
• Summer Walking Cave Tour: Cascade Cave, 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Sunday, through Aug. 10. Questions, call 606-286-4411. Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill. $8; $4 children.
• Summer Walking Cave Tour: Saltpeter Cave, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, through Aug. 10. The coldest cave stays about 47-49 degrees. Questions, call 606-286-4411. Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill. $6; $3 for ages 3-12.
• Summer Walking Cave Tour: X-Cave, 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; also 5:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through Aug. 10. Questions, call 606-286-4411. Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill. $6; $3 children.

West Virginia

• Lost World Caverns, daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open year-round. Closed on holidays. Wild caving tours also offered. Advanced registration needed for those trips. Call 866-228-3778. Go online at www.lostworldcaverns.com. Lost World Caverns, Exit 169, off I-64, Lewisburg. $10; $5 for children 6-12; free children younger than 6.
• Seneca Caverns, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, April 16-Nov. 2. Also, offers gemstone mining (for children) and on-site restaurant. Questions, call 800-239-7647 or visit www.senecacaverns.com. Seneca Caverns, three miles east of Riverton, near Canaan Valley, Riverton.
• Smoke Hole Caverns, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. every Monday-Sunday. Open year-round with guided tours every half-hour. Motel, Wildlife museum, restaurant and log cabins, on site. Questions, call 800-828-8478 or visit www.smokehole.com. Smoke Hole Caverns, on Route 55 near Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks. $10; $5.50 per child ages 5-12; free for ages 4 and under.

Climbing

Kentucky

• Rock Climbing, open daily from 9 a.m.-dusk. Torrent Falls is one of the first European style via ferrata or iron path, rock climbing centers in the United States. Questions, call 606-668-6613 or visit www.torrentfalls.com. Torrent Falls Family Climbing Adventure, in the Red River Gorge, Campton. $29; $26 for ages 10-18.

Ohio

• Guided Rock Climbing, Offering guided rock climbing, rappelling and backpacking expeditions for visitors. Reservations required; call 800-HOCKING. For more information, visit www.1800HOCKING.COM. Earth-Water-Rock Outdoor Adventures at Hocking Hills State Park, 13178 Ohio 664 S. Logan.

West Virginia

• Repelling and Climbing Tower, offered year-round. Open to in-council troops, out-of council troops and non-scouting groups. There must be a minimum of eight climbing participants and no more than 24. Reservations required; call the Tri-State Area Council Climbing Program, 304-523-3408. Camp Arrowhead, Blue Sulphur Road and Scout Camp Road, Ona. $35; $25; $17.
• Rock Climbing, open year-round. Featuring guided rock climbing in the New River Gorge. Questions, call 888-223-7238 or go online at www.climbwv.com. ACE Adventure Center, Oak Hill.

Disc Golf

Kentucky

• Disc Golf Course, dawn to dusk daily. An 18-hole disc golf course. Guests may play after sunset with a glow-in-the-dark disc. Call 800-325-0142. Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, 75 Theatre Court, Prestonburg. Free and open to the public.

West Virginia

• Disc Golf, open year-round. One of the area's most unique disc golf courses. Come and throw this unique 18-hole whitewater-themed course. Call 800-356-RAFT. Songer Whitewater, 3069 Miller Ridge Road, Hico. No cost.
• New Disc Golf Course, New 18-hole course. Park now has 36 holes of disc golf. Course designed by former world champion Johnny Sias and the Huntington Disc Golf Club. Go online at www.ghprd.org for more info. Rotary Park, off U.S. 60 East, Huntington.

For Fun

• Steve Free, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1. The event will be an evening of fine food and musical entertainment featuring the 2008 Governor's Award as Ohio's number one artist, singer-songwriter Steve Free. Appearing at the Anglers' Cove Restaurant. Questions, call 606-473-7324. Greenbo Lake State Park, 965 Lodge Road, Greenup.

West Virginia

• "Cinderella," July 15, 18, 23, 26; Aug. 7, 9, 12, 15, 21 and 23. The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. Call for specific time. Tickets required; call 304-256-6800 or 800-666-9142. Visit www.theatrewestvirginia.com. Theatre West Virginia at Cliffside Amphitheatre, 4700 Grandview Road, Beaver. $16; $14 seniors and AAA members; $8 children under 12.
• "Disney's High School Musical," Tuesday, July 29; Aug. 6 and 10. Disney Channel's smash hit musical comes to life. On the front steps of East High, it's the first day after winter break and the Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations and look forward to the new year. Call for specific times. Tickets required; call 304-256-6800 or 800-666-9142. Visit www.theatrewestvirginia.com. Theatre West Virginia at Cliffside Amphitheatre, 4700 Grandview Road, Beaver. $16; $14 seniors and AAA members; $8 children under 12.
• "Hatfields & McCoys," 8:15 p.m. Monday-Sunday, June 22-Aug. 22. Recounts the bloody feud between the Hatfields of West Virginia and the McCoys of Kentucky. Call for specific day. Tickets required; call 304-256-6800 or 800-666-9142. Visit www.theatrewestvirginia.com. Theatre West Virginia at Cliffside Amphitheatre, 4700 Grandview Road, Beaver. $16; $14 seniors and AAA members; $8 children under 12.
• "Honey in the Rock," 8:15 p.m. Monday-Sunday, June 10-Aug. 24. The nation's oldest Civil War Drama, retells the story of West Virginia's tumultuous birth during the Civil War. Call for specific show date. Tickets required; call 304-256-6800 or 800-666-9142. Visit www.theatrewestvirginia.com. Theatre West Virginia at Cliffside Amphitheatre, 4700 Grandview Road, Beaver. $16; $14 seniors and AAA members; $8 children under 12.
• 19th annual Appalachian String Band Music Festival, Wednesday-Sunday, July 30-Aug. 3. The annual festival draws thousands of string band musicians and fans from across the country and around the world for its contests, concerts, dancing and workshops. For a complete schedule of events, call 304-438-3005, 304-558-0162 or visit www.wvculture.org/stringband/index.html. Camp Washington-Carver, Routes 60 and 41, Midland Trail, Clifftop.
• Bil Lepp - Champion Liar/Storyteller with the Occasional Truth, Friday, Aug. 1. A winner of the West Virginia Liars contest, Lepp tells tall tales written by himself and his brother. His outrageous stories about Buck-dog, fishing, politics, trains, the rodeo and many others will have the audience roaring with laughter. Tygart Lake State Park, Route 1, Box 260, Grafton.
• Bil Lepp - Champion Liar/Storyteller with the Occasional Truth, Saturday, Aug. 2. A winner of the West Virginia Liars contest, Lepp tells tall tales written by himself and his brother. His outrageous stories about Buck-dog, fishing, politics, trains, the rodeo and many others will have the audience roaring with laughter. Beech Fork State Park, 5601 Long Branch Road, Barboursville.
• Campfire Chillers and Thrillers with Bug Stover, Saturday, Aug. 2 and 16. Stover is part of the Summer Special Programs at West Virginia State Parks and Forests. This series welcomes one and all to these outdoor events. Questions, visit www.wvstateparks.com and click on Special Programs. Audra State Park, Talbot Road, follow signs to park, Buckhannon. Free.
• Children's Triathlon Camp, Monday-Friday, July 21-25, and July 28-Aug. 1. Two weekly sessions for ages 8-14. Teaching each aspect of the race: swimming, biking and running as well as teaching nutritional eating and the aspects of having fun with exercise. Offered by HealthyHuntington.org. Registration required; call Jeff's Bicycle Shop, 304-522-BIKE. Visit www.healthyhuntington.org. Beech Fork State Park, 5601 Long Branch Road, Barboursville. $60 per session.
• HOT presents "Anything Goes," 8:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, July 25-27, and Aug. 1-3; pre-show at 7 p.m. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter. Introduces songs like "Anything Goes," "You're the Top" and "It's Delovely." Presented by the Huntington Outdoor Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance at Big Sandy Superstore Arena Box Office or Borders Books. Questions, call 304-523-8080 or visit www.hotwv.org. Ritter Park Amphitheater, 1310 8th Ave., Huntington. $16; $14 for 65 and older and children 5-12; under 5 free.
• Jean Battlo's "Terror Of the Tug," 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, July 25-26; Aug. 1-2. A play about the coal mining wars in Southern West Virginia. Opening night is Friday. Tickets, 304-294-0671. Visit www.mcdowellwv.com. McArts Amphitheater, Route 52, Welch. $10 at the gate.
• Special Dinner Trains for 2008: Fiddles and Vittles, every Saturday, July-September. The package includes an optional shop tour or Cass Showcase presentation, a train ride to Whittaker Station, Camp Whittaker Tour, full dinner and a live music show. Questions, call 304-456-4300 or visit www.cassrailroad.com. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, just off Highway 66, Cass.
• The Magic and Balloon Artistry of Garry Boothe, Friday, Aug. 1. Boothe is a magician and children's entertainer, and he performs magic and balloon artistry with a twist. Great family entertainment. Greenbrier State Forest, I-64 Exit 175 (White Sulphur Springs), follow signs, Caldwell.
• The Magic and Balloon Artistry of Garry Boothe, Saturday, Aug. 2. Boothe is a magician and children's entertainer, and he performs magic and balloon artistry with a twist. Great family entertainment. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, just off Highway 66, Cass.
• Whittaker Wednesdays, every Wednesday through August. Children are encouraged to experience the great outdoors with a real train ride at no cost. For children 5-12. To receive the discount, the child must be accompanied by a paying adult, who must request the discount at the time of purchase. To view the departure schedule, visit www.cassrailroad.com. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, just off Highway 66, Cass.

Paintball

• Paintball Field, every Saturday-Sunday. Turn left at Beech Fork State Park entrance. Field will be open most weekends. Call Richie Merritt at 304-697-3267 or visit www.geocities.com/xplosivepaintball. Xplosive Paintball, 6676 Beech Fork Road, Barboursville.
• Scary Creek Paintball, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Monday-Friday by appointment only (groups of 10 or more). Open year-round, operating since 1992, with more than 25 acres of paintball fields, including three acres of urban action. Call 800-870-5973 or go online at www.scarycreek.com. Scary Creek Paintball, 4345 Scary Creek Road, Scott Depot. Discount packages range from all-inclusive (all rental equipment and paintballs) from $20 (100 paintballs) to $30 (500 paintballs) per day.

Rafting

• Boatload Wednesdays, Wednesdays, now through October. Get a boatload of people (up to nine) in for some whitewater rafting. Questions, call 800-356-RAFT or visit www.songerwhitewater.com. Songer Whitewater, 3069 Miller Ridge Road, Hico. $510.
• Cheat Canyon, now through summer. Thrilling whitewater rides through 13 miles of untamed river through Cheat Canyon. In this section of cheat River, visitors will find more than 30 rapids of Class III or higher. For those who prefer more mild than wild can enjoy Class II-III rapids and swimming holes in Cheat Narrows. For more information on the Cheat and a list of rafting companies, visit www.wvriversports.com and search for "Cheat River."
• Family Bonfire Nights, Saturday, Aug. 2-9. Enjoy lots of family activities including horseshoes, volleyball and disc golf as well as storytellers around the fire. Questions, call 800-356-RAFT or visit www.songerwhitewater.com. Songer Whitewater, 3069 Miller Ridge Road, Hico.

Trail Riding

Ohio

• Hanging Rock Trails, open from April 15-Dec. 15. Enjoy 24 miles of trails in the Wayne National Forest at Hanging Rock. Also 51 ponds at the former strip-mine site. Take U.S. 52 west to exit Ohio 650 at Hanging Rock (in between Ironton and Haverhill exits). Questions, call Jerry and Ellen Gammon, 740-533-1630 or visit www.hratvclub.com. Hanging Rock ATV Club, Ironton.

West Virginia

• ATV Backcountry Tours, open year-round. A guided 2 1/2 hour tour in the mountainous terrain on ACE's backcountry trails. Minimum age is 18 for drives and 16 for riders. Questions, call 800-787-3982 or visit www.aceraft.com. ACE Adventure Center, Oak Hill. $129 Sunday-Friday; $149 for Saturday; tandem ride rates are $49 for Sunday-Friday and $49 Saturday.
• Bike and ATV Races, 7 p.m. every Friday, except for Fair week; and 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 22. Gate opens at 4 p.m. sign up at 4:30 p.m. and practice at 5:45 p.m. No alcohol, controlled substances or persons under the influence are permitted on grounds. Food concessions on grounds. For more information and rules, call Doug, 304-638-6477; Brad, 304-778-2386; or visit www.miltonmotocross.com. West Virginia Pumpkin Park, Fairground Road, Milton. $8, Kids under 6 free; race entry fees from $10-$25.
• Hatfield-McCoy Trails, open year-round. More than 500 miles of trails open to ATV riders, motorcyclists, off-road cyclists and equestrians. The area is known for its rocky, mountainous terrain and for its ATV-friendly attitude. For more information, visit www.trailsheaven.com or call 800-592-2217. Hatfield-McCoy Trails, Lyburn. Resident permit, $26.50 (W.Va. drivers license required); non-resident permit, $47.

Wildlife Viewing

Ohio

• Birding by Kayak, 7-10 a.m. Sunday, July 27; 8-11 a.m. Saturday, 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20-21. Birding by kayak with Julie Davis, an Audubon guide. Kayaks provided. Paddle near Hocking Hills and Lake Hope. Questions, call 740-592-3496. Touch the Earth Adventures, Athens.
• Wildlife Encounters, now through summer. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind Wildlife Encounters package with a canoe and kayak trip to a beaver dam, feeding hummingbirds by hand (at Lake Hope starting June 18), close up visits with birds of prey, snakes and other reptiles, and two nights hotel or cabin. Call 800-Hocking. Hocking Hills Tourism Association, 13178 Ohio 664 S. Hocking Hills. Packages start at $193 per person.
• Wildlife Tours, open seven days a week from June-August; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May and September-October. View 25 non-native animal species from around the world in open, natural environments. Guests may depart the transport shuttle at the Lake Trail, The Wetlands, The Outpost or later this season, the new Mid-Sized Carnivore Conservation Center. Shuttles will run about every 10 minutes between the stops. For more information, call 740-638-5030 or visit www.thewilds.org. The Wilds, 14000 International Road, Cumberland.