Y.M.C.A. of Van Wert County

The YMCA is the premier fitness facility in Van Wert County offering over 100,000 square feet of available space.  The facility has 24 hour access allowing members use of the workout facility at their convenience. The wellness center is packed with 2,000 square feet of up-to-date cardio equipment and weight machines while the weight room has 1300 square feet designated to free weights alone!  Personal Trainers, fitness classes, Racquetball and Van Wert’s ONLY full service Silver Sneakers Provider are available for your fitness needs. The heated seven-lane Olympic size swimming pool features lap swims, open swims, water aerobic classes, and swimming lessons with saunas and whirlpools in both the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Youth and Adult Sports are offered year round.  Have a little extra time, consider tanning, relaxing with a massage or hydro massage with appointment times available. The YMCA of Van Wert County is a member of the Ohio Reciprocal Membership agreement where full facility/full privilege YMCA members have the flexibility to use other Y facilities throughout Ohio, at no extra charge. For out-of-town visitors, the YMCA offers daily guest passes for those looking for a great workout away from home.

Y.M.C.A. - Camp Clay

The 5-acre aqua park is one of the most unique public swimming spots in Northwest Ohio. The inflatable water playground has multiple slides, rocket rockers and splash mats while featuring a blob bag and zip line for thrill-seeking patrons with a log roll new in 2016. A type III life vest is provided and required with admission or you may bring your own for safe swimming. The professional staff and certified American Red Cross Lifeguards work diligently to provide a safe environment for all swimmers while others can relax on the 6000 sq. ft. white sandy beach. The shallow end includes a kid zone for toddlers that's immediately adjacent to the splash pad for easy pond to pad access. Also included is a paddle boat and canoe area to foster beginning boating skills and quality family time. The aqua park is open Memorial Day through Labor Day with 7 days a week access beginning in June. The Splash Pad is an intergenerational play facility area with a non-slip zero-depth area featuring a liquid jail, water umbrella, a triple-bucket dump and two water cannons to name a few. Conveniently located just feet from the beach, our splash pad is fun for everyone. Access to the splash pad comes with admission to the aqua park or is available for private parties after hours. Check website for more details and swimming policies. Camp Clay is also a 140 acre private rental facility including a reconstructed 1837 cabin, nature center, shelter house, high and low ropes course and climbing wall. This site is home to the annual Pioneer Days and hosts the popular YMCA Summer Day Camps. Private rentals are available for birthday parties, company picnics, graduations, family reunions and more.An introduction to Camp Clay

Y.W.C.A. of Van Wert County

The YWCA was a gift to the community from George Marsh who decided that the women in the community would benefit from having a facility that would allow them a place to stay in town while they worked and attended school.  Opened in 1917, the YWCA continues to follow Mr. Marsh’s efforts by offering a transitional living program, domestic violence services, and a summer food program. Also, the YWCA offers swimming lessons, aquatic fitness, fall volleyball leagues, fall gymnastics and a highly successful travel program. The building has a gymnasium, warm water pool with a moveable pool floor, whirlpool and a sauna. The YWCA offers the Rendezvous room, gymnasium and kitchen for event rental. The YWCA welcomes any visitors coming through town by offering them a place to stop and get rejuvenated.

Children's Garden & Butterfly House

Recently chosen by Horticulture Magazine as one of America’s top 10 destination gardens, the Children’s Garden was designed, developed and is maintained by The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener volunteers. This 1-acre garden, located in Smiley Park on the southwest side of Van Wert  has over 20 points of interest providing hands-on learning opportunities for children and their families.  A gazebo is positioned in the center with several theme gardens radiating out from this structure. The first garden is a large butterfly shaped garden outlined by flagstone and incorporating vibrant plantings that butterflies love. A walkway through the center of the garden leads you to the colorful Butterfly House that has lush plantings of aromatic flowers that attract the many multihued butterflies which will be making their residence in the House. The garden is a work in progress - recently a fossil garden path was dedicated. The path is made up of limestone rocks from both the Silurian (440 million years ago) and the Devonian (410 million years ago) geologic time periods. Dead animals and plants settled into the sedimentary layer and over time became fossils. The fossils on display at the Children's Garden come from the Stoneco Ostrander Quarry near Columbus, Ohio. In December the Garden is transformed into an amazing holiday display with thousands of colorful lights and other decorations. Take a walk through the Garden

Auglaize Canoe & Kayak

Auglaize Canoe & Kayak was established in 2013 by  Douglas and Bonnie Weller on their historic 100‐year old family farm. As you float along the banks of the river, you will encounter views that the settlers, British and American armies once saw. The Indian encampments were also located along these riverbanks. Enjoy the wildlife:deer, raccoons, turtles, geese, ducks, swans, river otters and an occasional sighting of an eagle or other animals. At night you may hear the geese orthe call of the coyotes under the full moon as you camp. Ride along on a trip down the Auglaize River.

Old Fashioned Farmers Day

Visit the Van Wert County Fairgrounds the July 4th weekend, where you can take a brief walk back in time and explore the history of farming. Events include a tractor parade, tractor pull, auto racing and demonstrations all using antique equipment. There are also craft displays, a flea market, and a trading post.

Van Wert County Fair

The Van Wert County Fair was first held in 1855 and is one of the oldest county fairs in Ohio. This award-winning fair was named as a Blue Ribbon Fair in 2003. It draws young and old alike for a week of livestock shows, thoroughbred and standard bred horse racing, pari-mutual betting, concerts, demo derby, tractor pulls, and midway rides.

Hat Creek Rodeo

Every Saturday night November through April join Hat Creek Rodeo for a fun filled evening jam packed full of the best bull riding around! Hat Creek is one of the nicest indoor bull riding facilities in the area with adequate parking, a heated indoor arena, kids activities, concessions and more! Located just north off historic Lincoln Highway near Van Wert.

Van Wert County Fruit Growers' Apple Festival

Held annually the third weekend in October at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds, the Apple Festival offers fun, food, wagon rides, a flea market, crafts and entertainment for all ages. All the apples, cider, apple dumplings, apple fritters and more than you care to eat are available. Admission is free! Call the Van Wert Area CVB for more information.

Lincoln Ridge Farms

Lincoln Ridge Farms, situated on the ridge along historic Lincoln Highway, was once known for its prized registered Guernsey cattle. Today, this 5th generation family farm specializes in sustainable growing of fruits and vegetables along with an apple and peach orchard, raspberries, blackberries and a vineyard. Their seasonal market begins with u-pick strawberries in June through u‐pick pumpkins in the fall. The farm is the perfect place to gather and is available for outdoor weddings and receptions.. Lincoln Ridge is located on historic Lincoln Highway at 6837 Lincoln Highway near Convoy, Ohio.

Gina Dairy Farm

Jan and Gina Fokker and their four children relocated from Veendam, the Netherlands to Van Wert County in 2002. They operate a dairy farm with over 650 cows. A visit to their working dairy operation will show how a family, with the use of new technology, can handle such a large herd of dairy cows.

Thorn Bottom Hunting

Located in the heart of Ohio's best upland country, Paulding County's Thorn Bottom is a step back to the 60's, with wild terrain and even wilder birds winging over 350 acres of wetlands, oxbows, woods, grasslands and fencerows, just like Grandpa's farm.

Bring your kids, wife, dad, friends and try a hunt with them. You won't be disappointed.

Visit Thorn Bottom Hunting