Newsflashes

5/11/2010 - 14:21   :   FREE SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM FOR YOUTHS

The City of Lock Haven in conjunction with Keystone Central School District, Clinton County, and the Clinton County Community Foundation, provides a free summer recreation program for school aged youths.

Scheduled to open on June 21 for an eight week program are the following playgrounds: Piper-Harmon, which was completely rebuilt last year at a cost of $ 128,000, Bennage-Heights, Hoberman, and Hammermill. Hours are Monday through Friday 9:30 to 12 noon and Monday through Thursday 6 PM to 8 PM.

The City beach will be open this summer beginning Monday, June 21. The hours there will be 12 noon to 8:00 P.M. Monday through and including Sunday. The beach will close August 20.

In cooperation with the Clinton County Penn State Cooperative Extension Office the youngsters will be participating in a nutrition education program and an anti-tobacco and anti-drug education program at all playground sites.

Again for this year is a free lunch program provided by the American Rescue Workers through the Jersey Shore Love Center. Free lunches will be provided at Hoberman, Bennage, and Piper-Harmon playgrounds. Transportation for the program will be provided by the Clinton County Children and Youth Department. A driver will be provided by Keystone Centra though a 21st Century Grant.

For the second year there is a literacy program which will be conducted at all playgrounds. This is provided by instructors from Keystone Central School District through the 21st Century Grant.

Since it was so successful last year, the summer recreation program for this year will again attempt to further identify and work with those youngsters who have tendencies toward violent behavior. Recent literature has shown that playground bullies may be society’s future violent offenders. The summer recreation program has always worked with school administrative staff, guidance counselors, and local youth agencies when problems with troubled youths have arisen. This year the staff will continue in this effort, but there will now be more of an awareness that bullying may not be just “kids being kids” but someone in need of help. This year’s staff will also be watching for those incidents where there is excessive teasing. Because of the concerted effort of the total staff in these areas and because of the school district’s zero tolerance policy, last year’s program was excellent; this year’s should be just as good.

The Lock Haven summer recreation program is part a 13 playground program of Keystone Central School District which has always been considered an extension of the regular school year.