Be Local by participating in summer camps
Trying new activities, learning teamwork and making friends — these are among the benefits of participating in summer camp.
Be Local means realizing these benefits and supporting summer camps throughout the area.
“Camp allows kids to continue practicing social skills, to reduce academic loss over the summer and to stay active,” said Dr. Jacquelyn Core, president and CEO of the Uniontown Area YMCA, which is hosting approximately 100 youths each week at summer day camp.
The region is home to a variety of summer camps, including day and overnight. You can be involved in camps that last a few days or a week. Some people sign up for multiple weeks. There are camps for individuals and some for families.
Attending camp means taking a break from the routine and opening yourself up to something new. Activities can involve recreation, the arts, education or religion.
“Our focus is to minister to the whole person — physically, socially and spiritually. We can help an adult or child grow in multiple ways,” said Jaye Beatty, public relations coordinator for Jumonville, the Christian camp in North Union Township, Fayette County, which hosts about 2,000 people each year, including from other countries.
“The one thing we work on all the way through camp is we don’t like to hear the words ‘I can’t,”‘ said Jake Blaker, director of recreation for Greene County, which offers six weeks of day camp in county parks. “We’re always trying to teach self esteem. We’re giving kids an outlet for their energy, a safe place to be and the hot foods program so it’s a win for everyone.”
Variety means that people can find their niche. And within each camp, there are a number of activities to give campers a well-rounded experience.
“Each of our camps has different themes with activities and crafts but the youths are also able to take advantage of all the amenities at the Y — basketball court, indoor and outdoor pools, playground,” said Angel Gulick, program director at the Mon Valley YMCA in Monongahela. “That makes it nice. Kids get to see the facility and become familiar with it. It’s a nice way to introduce them to all the Y has to offer. It can lead to a lifetime of healthy living.”
Uniontown Area YMCA campers also make use of the facilities as well as enjoy Friday field trips that include visits to the Carnegie Science Center, Living Treasures Animal Park, Laurel Caverns and the Nemacolin Adventure Center.
Beatty noted Jumonville campers can enjoy basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, disc golf and gagaball, the latter similar to dodgeball, and nine square, similar to volleyball but participants stay in their own square, as well as a rock climbing center. They can also go offsite, such as a visit to Ohiopyle State Park.
Greene County offers programs that include STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) nutrition, arts and crafts, health and conservation. An end-of-the-year field trip will be held at the Greene CountyFairgrounds and EQT Rec Center.
The camps are helpful for parents looking for ways to keep their youths busy during a long break from school.
Core added, “We are also pleased to be part of the summer childcare solution for the county. Hosting a week by week camp allows parents to enroll children around family vacations as needed.”
Greene County hosts camps that are free to Greene County children ages 5 to 15 and they may also swim at any of the three county pools for $2 a day. Camps are offered at Lions Club Park in Waynesburg, Mon View Park in Greensboro, Wana B Park in Carmichaels and Ryerson Station State Park in Wind Ridge with pick up sites in Bobtown and Jefferson.
“It gets the kids away from the TV and the computer — not saying they are bad things, but camp gets them out of the house,” said Blaker.
“Camps are a great alternative to kids being at home with video games and computers. It gets kids outside and engaged and not sitting in front of the television and laptop. It shows kids there are so many different things to do that don’t involve electronics,” said Gulick.
Whether you commune with nature or wrap yourself in a classroom environment, participants dedicate themselves to these experiences.
And those that are faith based add yet another dimension.
“You can get away from day-to-day routines and responsibilities and immerse yourself in a faith-based environment where you can incorporate what you learn in a deeper way,” said Beatty.
Beatty and her husband, Larry Beatty, who is president of Jumonville, compiled a list of the benefits of going to camp. Besides those already mentioned, the list includes responsibility and independence.
The list also notes that camp can break down barriers as campers learn to accept each other’s differences and celebrate what they have in common:
“Children learn to play, work, and live with others who are different from them. Camp encourages kids to be themselves, and all are accepted for who they are, regardless of their background. Artificial barriers disappear as everyone joins together, learning to accept each other’s differences, and celebrate what they have in common.”
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the 缅北禁地, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 82 W. High St., Waynesburg.