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Family Camp a hit with attendees
85 people took advantage of a chance to stay overnight
YOUNGSTOWN
Laurel Gay, who lives across from Mill Creek Park, and her grandchildren visit the park regularly.
“We’re always in the park,” she said.
But this weekend, they were able to camp there overnight. She was among the 85 participants who set up tents Saturday morning near the park’s Judge Leo P. Morley Pavilion, which was closed to the public during the event.
“It’s designed for families who never camp or wanted something more structured,” said Carol Vigorito, recreation and education manager of Mill Creek MetroParks.
She said the schedule was “jam-packed” with activities such as nature programs, hiking and making s’mores by the campfire in the evening.
Chuck E. Cheese provided lunch Saturday afternoon with its mascot on hand to greet children at the campout.
Participants will start this morning with a nature scavenger hunt after breakfast along with craft activities before wrapping up in the afternoon.
There were about 13 families as well as youths from the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mahoning Valley and the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown, who also received $2,000 in tents and sleeping bags from anonymous donors.
“They want kids to come out and enjoy the campout,” Vigorito said.
This is the second year for the program. Last year, the program essentially was just sleeping in the park, but hours were extended this year.
Missing this year were the paddle boats because of the park’s closure of lakes Newport, Cohasset and Glacier because of E. coli pollution.
Instead, families were offered visits to Lanterman’s Mill admission-free and a choice between the golf course or the batting cages.
“I can see the growth in it,” said Kim Carolyne, site-based coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “This was a real camping experience.”
Vigorito said this year’s attendance was just shy of her goal to have 100 participants, but she hopes to exceed that number next year.
“I hope it will grow,” she said, but acknowledged there were other attractions going on this weekend, such as the Greater Youngstown Italian Festival in downtown Youngstown, to compete for residents’ summer-entertainment activities.