Event offers family taste of camp fun
Reaching over her head to grasp a crescent moon-shaped hold, Kaydence McCready carefully inched her way up the rockclimbing wall at South Mountain YMCA Camp.
As she climbed, her brother Nolan, 6, and their mother, Jennifer McCreedy, of Lower Alsace Township, cheered her on from the ground below.
With a final stretch of her arm, Kaydence touched the top of wall. Her goal achieved, she rappelled to the ground and turned the ropes over to Nolan.
The McCreedys were among the more than 30 families that participated in the camp’s third spring Family Fun Day. The family events are intended to give kids and their parents a fun experience similar to what happens at day camp.
“We think its excellent way for families to get outside and do things together and for us to serve the community,” said Nathan Brant, camp CEO.
Two more family days — on May 16 and June 6 — are scheduled before the camp in South Heidelberg Township begins its summer season of day and overnight camping, he said.
“It’s been wild coming back after the pandemic,” said Antonio Skidmore, youth and family director for the camp in South Heidelberg township.
Skidmore said it took many online meetings to plan the 2021 season in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Camping Association standards for COVID-19 safety.
After what he called a “watered-down day camp” with only six weeks and limited enrollment last summer, South Mountain YMCA will offer 11 weeks of summer day camp and seven weeks of overnight camp this year.
“It’s been a challenge,” Skidmore said, “but we like challenges. That is part of camp.”
The rock-climbing wall, archery range and other activity stations at the camp all present challenges that stretch the campers’ skills, strengths and stamina and abilities, he said.
On the camp’s Bill and Cindy Laubach Archery Range, Logan Hartman, 12, drew the bow with an air of assurance. His arrow flew through the air, hitting the target and narrowly missing a bull’s eye.
“We think its excellent way for families to get outside and do things together and for us to serve the community.”
— Nathan Brant, camp CEO
Logan, 12, and his little sister attended the event with their mother, Britany Hartman of Sinking Spring. The family has been to previous events, Logan said, but he only tried out archery once before years ago. Now, he said, he is eager to give it another try.
Back at the rock-climbing wall, Kaydence’s feet touched the ground.
“It was hard,” she said, as camp counselors helped her unclip the harness that kept her safe while climbing.
“It was hard,” her mother echoed, “and you haven’t done that for a while.”
The family plans on attending one or both of the next scheduled Family Fun days, Jennifer McCreedy said.
“This is just such a great event,” she said.
For more information on the South Mountain YMCA Camp and its programs and events, visit the camp’s website.