Summer Playground Camp in full swing in South Fayette

Summer Playground Camp in full swing

South Fayette Township program for kids 5 to 12 offers flexible scheduling

By Rachel Phoennik

Summer Playground Camp keeps kids active while giving parents time to complete to-do lists.

South Fayette Township Parks and Recreation hosts the 8-week camp weekdays through Aug. 9 at Fairview Park, Morgan Park and Boys Home Park.

Campers enjoy a day at Morgan Park in June.

Photo by Andrea Iglar

Children ages 5 to 12 can enjoy playgrounds, meet new friends and learn from their counselors through crafts and special programs.

This year, kids also will receive visits from South Fayette police, SouthBridge EMS, a magician and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds soccer team.

Campers meet friends and interact with counselors at Morgan Park in June.

Photo by Andrea Iglar

Recreation coordinator Ian McNeill said the camp is a great way for kids to enjoy the outdoors, get exercise and socialize.

“The special guests are a bonus,” he said.

Counselors, who are college and high school students, supervise free play and interact with campers through sports, games, crafts and other activities.

“Thursday is bingo, and I love bingo,” camper Teagan Davis, 11, said June 20. “I’m one away from winning.”

Campers and head counselor Jordan Castellucci play at Morgan Park in June.

Photo by Andrea Iglar

South Fayette residents and non-residents may register for affordable camp sessions weekdays through Aug. 9 (except no camp is held July 4 or July 5). The park location varies each week.

Parents and guardians have the freedom to choose the days, times and sessions that are most convenient, allowing flexibility for everyone’s hectic schedules.

Options include morning (9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.), afternoon (12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.) or all day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Representatives of Washington Financial Bank join kids and township staff at Morgan Park in June for Summer Playground Camp. The bank supports the annual 8-week program.

Photo by Andrea Iglar

Washington Financial Bank, which operates a branch in South Fayette, has been supporting Summer Playground Camp since 2018.

Elizabeth I. Guerrieri, vice president of marketing, said the camp program aligns with the bank’s mission to support its communities.

“Each year when we visit, we are amazed at how the program has grown,” Guerrieri said. “It’s wonderful to see so many children enjoying all the activities the camp has to offer.”

Brayden Key, left, Mateo Moisa and Ryder Johnson pal around during Summer Playground Camp at Morgan Park in June. South Fayette Township Parks and Recreation holds the daily camp through Aug. 9.

Photo by Andrea Iglar

Camp participant Finnian Rader, 7, said he has made friends and likes the snacks. “Yeah, definitely coming back next year,” he said.

Details and registration: 412-221-8700; southfayettepa.com/recreation

Rachel Phoennik is a communications intern with South Fayette Township.