Summer day camps to begin next week
Greene County children ages 5 to 15 years old will be able to enjoy free, fun activities this summer at the county’s summer day camp, a six-week session program that will begin June 20 and end July 29.
The camp will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, Monday through Friday.
Pre-registration for day camp will be Friday, June 17, from noon to 3 p.m. at all camp locations: Lions Club Park in Waynesburg, Mon View Park in Greensboro, Wana B Park in Carmichaels and Ryerson Station State Park in Wind Ridge. Registration also can be made at any time during the six-week session.
Pre-registration will also be held be at Bobtown Elementary School in Bobtown, Jefferson Township Park in Jefferson, Nemacolin Fire Hall in Nemacolin and Morris Township Community Center in Nineveh.
These four sites will serve as pick-up and drop-off locations for transportation to the main camps. Bobtown campers will be bussed to Mon View Park, Jefferson and Nemacolin campers will be bussed to Wana B Park and Nineveh campers will be bussed to Ryerson.
Previously, Jefferson held its programs at the park site before children were transported to Carmichaels for lunch and an afternoon swim. This year, Jefferson will serve as a pick-up and drop-off location only.
Programming for all day camps is provided through a donation from the Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation and will focus on the increasing interest in STEM, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, healthy food and lifestyle.
The program will feature “UP STREAM,” or “You being Physical in Science, Technology, Recreation, Engineering, Art and Math,” and “Lettuce Turnip the Beet.” These programs will start during the first week of day camp.
The “UP STREAM” program includes an interactive and simple discussion explaining the lesson theme and experiments to help children experience science in a fun light and improve their strategizing and problem-solving skills.
“The Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation is pleased to be able to collaborate with the Parks and Recreation Department in order to provide such an outstanding program,” Sheila Stewart, Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation president, said.
The Monon Center will again provide art classes, promoting creativity and imagination through the hands-on experience of creating art.
Penn State Cooperative Extension will present a nutrition program. These lessons will focus on healthy food and lifestyle and include discussions on the importance of fruits, vegetables and water in our daily lives, and fighting foodborne bacteria. Campers also will grow vegetables and be able to sample different fruits and vegetables during the program.
In addition, campers will receive a “Lettuce Turnip the Beet” Day camp T-shirt sponsored by the Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation.
All programs will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Parents are encouraged to sign in their children prior to that time. Registration will begin at 9:40 a.m. each day.
Campers who meet attendance and behavior requirements during the six-week session, will get to participate in field trips sponsored by Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation.
During the last week of day camp, campers ages 5-8 will be bussed to the Greene County Fairgrounds for a “Lego Day” and a field trip to Alpha Aquatic Center.
Campers ages 9 to 15 who attend seven out of the 10 “UPSTREAM” and “Lettuce Turnip the Beet” programs, will be able to enjoy a field trip to Nemacolin Woodlands Adventure Center, which features foot rope courses, climbing walls and miniature golf.
Campers will have a variety of other activities scheduled for them, including arts and crafts, games and additional educational programs. They may also swim at any of the three county pools for only $2 per day.
Lunches will be provided to campers at all sites through a partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and the Community Foundation of Greene County.
The Carmichaels Area, Central Greene and West Greene school districts will prepare the meals daily as part of the Greene County Summer Food Program, an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the state Department of Education.
All meals, supplies and activities are provided free of charge to campers. The day camp program is funded by the Greene County and the Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation and through county Department of Recreation fundraisers such as the Dock to Lock 5K Run/Walk held in May.
Funding is made possible also in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Greene County.
Other programs throughout the summer will be presented by Greene County Conservation District, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Greene County Human Services, Flenniken Library and Domestic Violence Services of SWPA.
For more information on the summer Day Camp program, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.