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WILKES-BARRE — Visions of sugar plums danced in their heads, followed by a week of television, boredom and sibling conflict.
Not necessarily so, say organizations throughout the Wyoming Valley that offer recreational alternatives to area youngsters, giving them a chance to have fun and fill time productively during the holiday week.
Jewish Community Center
The Jewish Community Center will host a three-day day camp during the holiday week, providing activities at its Wilkes-Barre location and at its camp near Harveys Lake.
According to Rick Evans, camp director, participants’ days will be filled with a variety of carefully planned activities both on and off-site.
Youngsters will have opportunity to visit Great Wolf Lodge, go bowling, go to the movies, swim and roller skate.
“Originally, we scheduled sleigh riding, but, we’re not sure that is going to happen,” Evans said, referring to the unseasonably warm temperatures recently.
The 40-acre camp provides ample opportunity for about 50 children to spend their days doing fun activities, which makes the week go by quickly.
Many campers participating in the winter week of camp look forward to the facility’s summer camping program, which provides a chance for youngsters to participate in various activities, including basketball, hiking, performing arts and tennis.
YMCA
The Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA provides full-time day care for children throughout the holiday week.
Child Care Director Jennifer Brennan said many of those in the after-school program come to the facility’s holiday camp, enabling parents to work, but also providing opportunity for the students to make friends and memories as they participate in such activities as swimming, gym activities, planned snacks and meals.”
“One of the benefits of our program is that it is flexible throughout the year,” said Brennan. “Whether it’s a holiday break, a snow day, an afternoon off for parent-teacher conferences, parents can count on us to take care of their children.”
During the holiday camp for children ages 5 to 12, participants can also take part in activities such as trips to the movies or water park, at an additional cost.
“Parents really appreciate that we are always here,” said Brennan. “And our holiday camp gives the children an opportunity to have fun, stay busy and not get bored during their time off from school.”
Catholic Youth Center
The CYC is an area staple when it comes to providing child care and recreational activities to area residents.
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the area is a second home to many area school children, with transportation provided to students from several different districts.
Ryan Smith, program director, said when school is in session, the center tends to focus on activities such as getting homework done or helping participants study.
A holiday camp allows participants to relax a bit with a chance to play basketball, go swimming, do crafts and watch movies.
Smith said the center’s 50th Annual McGrane Basketball Tournament, held on Monday and Wednesday of the holiday week, provides opportunity for participants to see students play on a high school level.
“Those who are interested in basketball really enjoy the tournament,” he said. “Sometimes, they don’t have a chance to see the game played on a high school level.
Jeremy Vega, 12, of Sugar Notch, is looking forward to the holiday and the camp as a chance to have a lot of fun.
Tyrell Cote, 8, of Wilkes-Barre, agrees with him wholeheartedly.
“This is a really, really nice place,” he said. “I also play on the basketball league, which is great.”
Smith said, “We’re excited about the upcoming week and so are the kids.”
Holiday Camp
The Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock opens its doors during the holiday to campers between 5 and 12 wanting to spend part of their holiday nurturing their creative side.
The theater’s Erica Rogler said a three-day holiday camp run has been a favorite of young area residents for over 10 years.
Taught by Steve and Amy Colley, the event provides opportunities for participants to learn to draw, paint and sculpt.
The “Trash to Treasures” class is also a favorite, allowing youngsters to create art from household items.
Rogler said, in addition to showing movies, the theater’s mission is to support culture, arts and education in the community and surrounding counties.
This year the camp, always popular, is filled to capacity and Rogler looks forward to continuing the tradition in years to come.
