The largest zip line canopy tour in the Midwest just got bigger! Ozone Zipline Adventures at YMCA Camp Kern has added two new zip lines that take thrill-seekers on a high-flying adventure across the Little Miami River at heights of 200 feet in the air. The lines are breaking records, as they are the first of their kind to cross over a federally designated "scenic" river and the first in Ohio to connect to a state memorial (Fort Ancient).  

The new "River Tour," which utilizes the new lines, is set to open on March 31st, 2012. Riders will climb to the top of Ozone Tower, a multilevel platform from which all tours extend, that stands 45 feet above the ground. They will then take about a 50 second zip ride to a platform that stands 1,300 feet away on the Fort Ancient side of the river. 

Along the ride you will be immersed in 360° of panoramic views that include the beautiful landscape of Fort Ancient, the scenic river below and the Jeremiah Morrow Bridge, Ohio's tallest bridge, in the distance to the east.

In addition to the River Tour that includes nine ziplines, nine skybridges and lasts close to four hours, Ozone Zipline Adventures offers three other hands-free, guided tours.

1) The Traditional Tour

Tour Includes:
-Up to 3 hours
-7 zip lines and 7 skybridges
-Price: $75/person

2) The Ultimate Tour (everything they got!)

Tour Includes:
-Up to 5 hours
-11 zip lines and 9 skybridges
-Bag Lunch
-Price: $120/person

3) Now Introducing: Full Moon Night Zipping

Tour Includes:
-Up to one-and-a-half hours
-5 zip lines
-6 sky bridges
-Price $60/person
Dates for Full Moon Night Zipping are April 6 and 7, May 4 and 5, June 1 and 2, July 6 and 7, August 3, 4, and 31, Sept. 1, 28 and 29, October 26 and 27, November 30 and December 1.

Get more information about Ozone Zipline Adventures and the tours or book your slot on the lines here.

Owned and operated by the YMCA of Greater Dayton, Ozone Zipline Adventures is not just for thrill-seekers, the ride is low-impact, that and the hands-free breaking system that allows riders to gently glide into their destination platform makes the adventure perfect for teens and seniors alike. Also, as an educational canopy tour, guests will learn about the local flora and fauna, the 500 million year old fossils in the riverbed below and current issues of water conservation and habitat loss.

Education and fun come together at Ozone Zipline Adventures and we invite you to take flight as well! Learn More!

Please note that riders must be at least 10 years old, weigh at least 80 lbs and no more than 260 lbs. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Wondering if your family has ties to the Warren County, Ohio area? You might be surprised to discover that you could, in fact, have ancestors who settled in or traveled through this part of the country, even if you are not originally from here. Rich with historical significance, Warren County experienced an influx of pioneers from the east as they made their way west in search of manifest destiny. Along the way many pioneers found this region to be an ideal spot and opted to travel no further in favor of settling in the rich river valleys of the Ohio and Miami Rivers, yet many still ventured westward and developed settlements from Ohio to California.   

Today, many organizations including the Warren County Historical Society (WCHS) work to preserve this cultural history of the area as well as educate people on the genealogical significance of the region. People come from throughout the country to visit the WCHS to scan the museum's many documents, manuscripts and other resources for clues and facts about their family's genealogy. Many also enjoy visiting the Caesar's Creek Pioneer Village to witness a few original cabins as they once stood and get a glimpse at the life and times of these pioneers. Be sure to check out the 2012 schedule of events and come visit while reenactors give an even more accurate portrayal of the times. The region will also be a focus of genealogical significance when Cincinnati hosts the National Genealogical Society's 2012 Family History Conference in May, attracting families visiting from all over the U.S.

According to Victoria Van Harlingen of the WCHS, historically there have been patterns on how settlers arrived to this area. In 1787, after the Revolutionary War, Warren County became part of the Northwest Territory, which was governed by an ordinance protecting civil liberties and outlawing slavery. These protections drew great interest from Quakers who were living in Pennsylvania and the Carolinas at the time and they then began to build large settlements in the area. This area is also known to be a key location for slaves seeking freedom along the Underground Railroad as the Quakers who were against slavery helped them to reach safety. Visitors interested in the Underground Railroad can find a wealth of information and history in Warren County and can even relive part of the Journey to Freedom with the Underground Railroad History Package offered by The Wright House Bed and Breakfast, a known safe-house in Springboro.

After the war, settlers arrived from all over, including Loyalists who wanted a fresh start. Entire churches or groups moved here, like the group from Maine that settled in an area of southern Warren County, now known as Maineville. Visitors looking for fun things to do during the summer, will find that the Hamilton Township's Berry Festival offers a great way to experience the history of the area. This year the festival will be held at Testerman Park on June 8-9, 5:00-11:00 pm.

A lot of the land was parceled out, primarily to Revolutionary War veterans in the Virginia Military Reserve, who were given land as payment for their military service. Many of these servicemen moved here to claim their land, often dividing it and selling for profit. If you hang around Warren County long enough, you're sure to hear some certain family names mentioned quite often, such as the Butterworths, Fosters, Corwins (founders of Lebanon), Schencks, Whitakers and Wrights (you might recognize the name Russel Wright, known as the Father of American Household Design, and one of the top industrial designers of the 20th century). Many of these names are now also associated with towns found in Warren County.

Even if you are not searching for one of Warren County's well-known families, you will find information on hundreds of families through the WCHS's vast Surname Listing. The center houses archives and historical files that document church records, marriages, burials, wills, obituaries, military records and family histories, which will assist information-collecting. The museum is also currently working on an archiving project in order to digitize these records.

Need help finding your family history? In order to start, you will need to have some basic information about your family. You can begin the process collecting newspaper clippings, letters, photographs and other information you or your relatives might already have. Visiting the WCHS's Genealogy Library is another great place to start. If you need additional assistance, The WCHS Local History and Genealogy Library offers research assistance for a fee. The museum is open year-round, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.