Cultivating Values

Judge lauds merits of summer alternative for townships’ youths

By Jon Moffett

Vindicator Staff Writer

JJC Summer Camp

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Jackson- Milton -- Craig beach - JJC Youth Program Summer Day Camp that opened today in North Jackson

JJC Summer Camp

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Judge Theresa Dellick hopes that by planting the seeds of sportsmanship and community pride she’ll grow responsible young people.

The Mahoning County Juvenile Court judge addressed several children at the opening of the Jackson-Milton Summer Day Camp.

“I’m willing to bet that every child I see here today won’t be seen later at the juvenile justice center,” she said.

Judge Dellick and officials from Jackson and Milton townships and Mahoning County had a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday to officially open the camp. The camp, at the Jackson-Milton Community Building on Mahoning Avenue in North Jackson, is from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday until Aug. 6. Dellick said the goal is to give kids a positive alternative to wasting their summer.

“We want our youth to be involved in pro-social activity,” she said. “We want them to spend their time wisely by learning skills to not only help themselves but to help the community.”

Judge Dellick said there are about 35 kids enrolled in the camp, but she expects that number to more than double with the registration open all summer.

“It’s open for the whole summer program, so if a student wants to come one time, they can come for one and we won’t be upset,” she said. “Because one day of pro-social activity is better than none.”

Colton Lockner, 12, a sixth-grader at Jackson-Milton Middle School, said he’d spend the summer playing outside anyway, so the camp is a great option.

“I’m looking forward to just having a fun summer and making friends,” he said. “I like fishing and swimming, and I like to help my community.”

Colton said helping his community is something he encourages more people to do. He likes to work in the community garden.

“My community is a special place, and it helps us learn,” he said. “And we can make it more beautiful.”

Bridget Welsch, 10 and a fifth-grader at Jackson-Milton Elementary School, said she looked forward to playing volleyball and swimming.

The camp is sponsored by Jackson and Milton townships and Craig Beach village as well as more than 50 local businesses that act as community partners. It offers activities such as gardening and sports, as well as swimming and volleyball at the parks.

Judge Dellick and the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center staff had the idea for the camp to keep kids out of trouble in a community where activities can be scarce.

“So many parents are working and they don’t know what to do with their kids, and you don’t want kids just sitting around the house,” she said. “When you sit around the house, you get idle hands and get in trouble or do dumb stuff. ... This gives kids a safe place.”

Lockner agreed, saying, “It’ll keep kids from doing bad stuff because they’ll be too busy doing good stuff.”

The camp is open to children age 10 to 17 in the Jackson and Milton communities. Registration is open. For more information, or to volunteer or register, contact program director Jason Lanzo at (330) 702-2000 or jlanzo@mahoningcountyoh.gov.

jmoffett@vindy.com