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Family-oriented overnight camping event at Mill Creek MetroParks provides many activities
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Two years ago, Lia Sebaugh and her father, Joe, spent a few days and nights camping at Pymatuning State Park, so you could probably say that experience has primed Lia for another day and night of fun.
“Tonight I get to sleep in a tent and have a fire,” the 7-year-old said Saturday afternoon, referring to some of what she looked forward to during Mill Creek MetroParks’ annual Family Camp in the Park, which began Saturday morning and continues until 1 p.m. today near the Judge Morley Performing Arts Pavilion in the James L. Wick Recreation Area.
The family-oriented overnight camping event provided a slew of activities such as nature programs, hikes, crafts, a scavenger hunt, structured games, storytelling and a trolley ride in and around the Bears Den area. The overall idea was to bring a greater number of people to the park while showcasing its offerings, noted Cara Hahn, the MetroParks’ programs and event coordinator.
“It’s good for people who have never camped; it’s also good for people who love to camp,” said Hahn, whose 2-year-old son, Justin, also took part in the festivities.
Suffice it to say Lia wasted no time engaging in fun activities. She enjoyed making a bug jar, a glow-in-the-dark item and a picture frame, said Lia, who listed as her favorite activities being with friends and family as well as watching movies.
“We love Mill Creek Park, and all the staff are always nice and polite,” Lia’s father added.
Also taking advantage of the craft offerings were 9-year-old friends Charlie Richardson and Hannah Burrell, both Austintown Intermediate School students.
Like Lia, both girls put their creativity to work by making jars for catching insects. They also intended to stay overnight, though Hannah initially seemed a little nervous about that aspect, she said.
About a dozen children and their parents sat on the grass as park naturalist Marilyn Williams conducted a demonstration on a variety of animal skins that were from a beaver, an otter, a white-tailed deer, a fawn, a red-and-gray fox, a wolf, a bobcat, a raccoon and a skunk. Wolves once roamed the park, said Williams, who also brought a turtle to the gathering.
Among those intrigued by the demonstration was Darrell Richardson, 9, who’s also Charlie’s cousin and for whom the weekend funfest was his first camping experience.
“I never knew how big a deer was,” said an excited Darrell, an animal lover who came with his mother, Liz Richardson.
By its nature, the event was pleasing to 7-year-old Gino Colucci of Canfield, a C.H. Campbell Elementary School second-grader, who said he enjoys nature and the many animal sounds that can be heard throughout the park.
For Mia Richardson, Charlie’s mother, Mill Creek MetroParks offers plenty for everyone, so it wasn’t difficult for her to invite many family members and friends to the Family Camp event.
“We’re very fortunate to have such a valuable resource in our backyard,” said Mia, who added that she enjoys hiking and sled riding in the winter.
“We brought a little bit of recreation and education, along with the camping,” said Hahn, the event coordinator, who added that participants will receive free admission to Lanterman’s Mill and a free paddle-boat ride, both of which are good all summer.