Summer fun mixes with learning at Union Station's Community Summer Program, which returns for its sixth year in Bellefontaine. Summer camps were authorized in late May to carry on with social distancing guidelines, filling a much-needed niche.
"When we got the green light, the parents told us they were so excited for the kids to actually do something," said Eli Carter, Union Station Director. "We have some younger kids, eight and nine years old. So there's still some confusion about 'why can't I go outside and play with my friends? Why can't I go to school?' But they're here playing and engaging. Our classrooms are spaced out and they're not sitting close to each other. They're just thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to get out of the house and do something."
The Community Summer Program sneaks teaching moments into the activities, with United Way funded partner TCN Behavioral Health coming in six times to present on topics including drug prevention, conflict resolution, self-control, safety, and Botvin Life Skills. YOUR United Way gift is providing scholarships to a dozen of the 30 participants.
