Caernarvon Township hosted its 2016 Summer Camp.
Friday, Aug. 12 was another hot sticky day in Morgantown. Camp kids and staff were lucky to be in the air-conditioned township hall enjoying the last day of camp with a Pizza Party that included the movie Transylvania II, good eats, and group games.
“Every year it is our mission to provide a safe, fun, and caring place for kids to spend eight weeks of their summer vacation and make some new friends,” said Hanna Holland returning for her 5th year as Camp Director.
This year’s camp ran from June 20 to Aug. 12 for youth ages 5 to 12 at Friendship Park Playground.
Returning counselors also included Amanda Kauterman, Paige McInaw, and Jen Leary. Also joining the staff this year were Hannah Galpin, Kaitlyn Fluharty, Hunter McInaw, and Jack Hickman.
“This year, in addition to a diverse schedule of crafts and activities, the campers will take advantage of the second 4-square court and box hockey which were new last year,” said Nora Seidel member of the Parks and Recreation Board.
Big smiles, giggles, and fun were evident in the room filled with round tables of friends and long tables of food stacked with filled pizza boxes, varied chilled drinks, and parent donations of watermelon, cookies, cupcakes, brownies and more.
Yes, the kids had bonded and were sharing their camp stories. They were eager to share their experiences while posing and making funny faces for the camera.
One of their most favorite days was the July 25 Car Wash. Business was brisk with cars, SUV’s trucks, a jeep and the big one, the Elverson-Honey Brook Emergency Medical Ambulance. Hoses, buckets, big sponges, and soapy kids in bathing suits and shorts all became one as they washed and spiffed up their vehicles. It was McDonalds to the rescue that day with delivery of free Milkshakes for all.
The kids were eager to share, with the hand raising we all know ‘oh, oh, pick me.’
A little brown haired boy, Tristen filled with joy shouted out, “This is the third best day of my life. Hmm what were the other 2? I don’t know, but this is the 3rd. Why? We got free McDonald milkshakes and I got to wash cars!”
“This is the best day ever!” chimed in Madison and Livy. “It is wonderful because I am with my friends and neighbors doing fun things.”
Holland said, “This was a super busy day in all my seven years coming here. It is amazing with all this heat that the community came out to support us. We use the tips to pay for our final camp party, and with McDonald’s delivering us all those milkshakes it was a perfect treat for the kids.”
Other special days were Bowling Wednesdays, Twin Valley Pool swims, and a Nature Scavenger Hunt.
Some of their favorites activities included Tie Dying, Capture the Flag, Bracelet Making, Messy Twister, Fishy Fishy, Fuse Bead Crafts, Water Relays, and Knock Out.
At the camp party a table of little girls were eager and loved sharing their camp experience. Primping and posing with their best looks their words tumbled out.
“Our camp is very safe, I came early every day. We have so many activities and special days. My favorites were the Car Wash, Lemonade Stand and the crafts. When it rained we got to go to the township building to play games and watch movies. It was different every day,” said Taleah Beam, 12 of Elverson who loved leading the group conversation.
Molly Simpson, 9, had brought her puffy paint shirt. “We made these by squeezing paint from a tube and letting it dry hard in puffs of color. I brought mine today to get all my friends to sign it.”
Jamie Finn joined in, “My favorite was Wacky Hair Day (she had pink streaks in her blond hair). We had so much fun. I have a whole kit at home to make wacky hair colors. I also loved the bowling and swimming.”
Little Claire from Morgantown said shyly, “I made crafts too.”
Taleah said, “Next year will be my last. I come every year and I will miss it. Look at all this good food they brought for the party. Carrots, dip, watermelon, pizza, chips and this morning we got to watch that good movie Transylvania II with vampires and monsters. We are all good friends now at this table and the staff is very nice to us.”
“Every day the campers make us laugh and smile. Their personalities are all so different and it’s very rewarding to watch them come out of their shells during the eight-week camp. Many of them don’t want to leave their parents on the first day and by the last day they don’t want to leave camp and can’t wait for next year,” Holland said.
